(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met this (Tuesday) morning and received a weekly report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who mentioned the Secondary Roads Department is still working on delivering road rock for driveways in various districts, and are finishing those projects up, but he said that the supply is slow to come out of the quarries. Wolken also updated the status of work on various County Bridges.

Work Bridge 319 west of the landfill over Indian Creek is still on track to begin in June.

Wolken said also, he’s been talking with his employees about insurance enrollment, with the hopes they’ll get sign-ups finished by July 1st. The Secondary Roads Department Budget along with some others in the County, will need to be amended.

In the Supervisor’s Committee Reports, Steve Green mentioned SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council) is looking to acquire some new buses with next year’s budget. Green was also impressed with how much the organization continues to grow and serve southwest Iowa.

Supervisor Mark O’Brien reported on an EMA meeting he attended. He said the new Communications Tower project has been delayed.

Board Chair Steve Baier quipped, “In this day and age of supply chain issues and everything else, I don’t think there is such a thing as a deadline.”

Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa District 3 Republican Representative Zach Nunn today (Tuesday) announced winners of the Iowa Third Congressional District Art Competition. The top three vote receivers from the public voting option will have their art on display in each of the Iowa Third Congressional District offices, and the winner selected by a panel of three art judges will have their art on display in the U.S. Capitol. They include: Noelle Craver, Centerville High School – Overall Winner; and the top three Public Choice award recipients: Karlie Larsen, Mt. Ayr High School; Haagen Arnold, Wayne Community School, & Lily Hepples, North Polk High School.  Larsen won for her art piece entitled “And he saw it was good.”

“I am beyond impressed with the sheer level of talent on display in the Iowa Third Congressional District Art Competition. Students showcased diversity of thought, varying perspectives, and a profound creativity with each piece,” said Rep. Zach Nunn. “I want to extend a deep congratulations to our top winner, Noelle, as well as the top three vote getters in the People’s Choice Award—Haagen, Karlie, and Lily. Thank you also to every student who submitted their artwork for the competition. Iowa is a special place, and our amazing students are a big reason why.”

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand today (Tuesday) released an agreed-upon procedures report on the City of Walnut, Iowa, for the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022. The agreed-upon procedures engagement was performed pursuant to Chapter 11.6 of the Code of Iowa.

Sand reported three findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 9 and 10 of this report. The findings address issues such as a lack of segregation of duties and disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts. Sand provided the City with recommendations to address each of the findings.

All of the findings discussed above are repeated from the prior year. The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the agreed-upon procedures report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website.

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from Union County was arrested Monday afternoon on a warrant. Creston Police say 31-year-old Dalton James Cormeny, of Creston, was arrested at 110 Manor Dr, in Creston. He was charged on a Union County Warrant for Child Endangerment-Bodily Injury and Willful Injury-Causing Bodily Injury. Cormeny was taken to the Union County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

Additional details were not released.

(Radio Iowa) – Marion County is hoping borings taken by the state Ag Department will help them figure out what caused a big sinkhole there. Public information officer, Emily Feagins, says the borings could give a little bit more information about how far the borings went down into the ground, and what they are pulling up that they can’t see. She says there are three theories about the cause — it’s either natural, coal, or lime related.

The last measurements taken show the sinkhole had grown to roughly 35 to 40 feet in diameter and 20 feet deep. The Marion County Sheriff is asking for people to stay away from the area. Feagins says she understands why people are interested — they just don’t want anyone getting hurt. (click on the image to enlarge)

Photo courtesy Marion-County EMS

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Red Oak with 23 withdrawals on his license, was arrested Monday evening following a traffic stop near Boundary and Prospect Streets, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 46-year-old Jeffrey Wayne Porter was taken into custody a little after 7-p.m., for Driving Under Suspension. Porter was also cited for Failure to Provide proof of insurance – motor vehicle related. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on bond amounting to $491.25.

Des Moines, IA – State Auditor Rob Sand, Monday, voted to provide Department of Corrections (DOC) employees back-pay owed to them for on-the-job COVID-19 testing. The required testing occurred prior to the employees clocking in for their shifts at the Newton Correctional Facility from July 2020 to May 2021.

“Iowans expect to pay a fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work,” said Sand. “Plus, correctional officers’ jobs are already dangerous enough.”

Sand is one of three members of the State Appeal Board. The board voted unanimously on Monday to provide more than $112,000 in back pay to more than 235 current and former DOC employees.