(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson reports Katie Bateman is the new, Youth Programs Coordinator at the Cass County Extension Office. Olson says Bateman is no stranger to the 4-H program, and that knowledge will serve her well in the role she began in Mid-May. She’s has jumped right in to working with youth, parents, volunteers, and partners across the county, Olson says. The Youth Program Coordinator role is a full-time position, with responsibility for youth outreach programming and 4-H program management in Cass County. Katie’s first month on the job has been a flurry of activity with livestock weigh-in and entries, county fair preparation and summer daycamps and programming.

Katie is a graduate of Atlantic High School and was active in the Cass County 4-H program throughout her early years, serving in leadership roles at the club and county level. She remained involved in college, interning for several years at the Cass County extension office during the summer and helping form a collegiate 4-H club at the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated with a degree in Leisure Youth and Human Services. Following graduation, she worked as a CYC in the Story County extension office for two years, in addition to other work experience with youth organizations and senior living communities around Iowa. She has also stayed involved as a volunteer in 4-H programs as she has moved across the state. Katie is excited to get back involved with the Cass County 4-H program to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

Katie Bateman, Cass County Extension Youth Programs Coordinator.

Bateman says “As a Cass County 4-H Alumni and previous 4-H Staff member, I’m excited to be back in Cass County and leading a program I love! I’m looking forward to stepping back into the Cass County 4-H program and getting to work with our youth, volunteers and partners to keep our local program strong and continuing to grow.”

Kate Olson invites you to stop by the Cass County Extension Office at 805 W. 10^th Street in Atlantic and welcome Katie to her new position, or give her a warm welcome as you see her at upcoming programs and around the fair this summer.  She is available to answer questions regarding 4-H and youth programming or share information on resources available through Iowa State University Extension in Cass County.

Katie can be reached by calling the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or by email at kbateman@iastate.edu. For information on upcoming youth and 4-H activities in Cass County, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, follow @CassCoIAExt on Facebook or @casscountyiowa4h on Instagram.

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors are holding their weekly meeting at 9-a.m. Thursday, in their Boardroom at the Courthouse, in Greenfield. Here’s what’s on their agenda:

The conference phone will still be used for those who cannot attend in person and can be accessed by using the following dial in information:

Dial in Number: (605) 313-6157 Access Code: 526272#

9:00 a.m.

• Minutes
• Claims
• Taxable Mileage
• Resolution to Pay Utilities & Postage
• Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations Resolution
• Fiscal Year 2023 Transfer Resolution
• Records Destroy Resolution
• Fiscal Year 2023 Wages
• Greenfield Planning and Zoning Appointment
• Greenfield Board of Adjustment Appointment
• Veterans’ Affairs Commission Appointment
• Manure Management Plan Updates

Mandy Berg, County Auditor

• HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Cybersecurity Grant Application

9:15 a.m. Nick Kauffman, County Engineer

• Wage Rate Progression
• Secondary Roads Benefits Policy update
• Speed Limit Resolution – Airport Rd.
• Speed Limit Resolution – Iowa Street and Orange Ave.
• Title VI Non-Discrimination Agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation
• Title VI Non-Discrimination Assurances
• Report of Maintenance & Activities

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly meeting Thursday morning (June 30th), in their Board Room inside the Cass County Courthouse, in Atlantic. (ARPA items are with regard to the American Rescue Plan Act for COVID relief) Here’s what’s on their agenda (Click on the image to enlarge):

To join the meeting via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVWHpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak

The Harlan Police Department says two people were arrested on separate charges late last week. On Saturday, 52-year-old Anthony Elwood Rikle, of Harlan, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. And, on June 23rd, 19-year-old Morgan Ann Schwery, of Harlan, was arrested for Possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts.

And, no injuries were reported following a property damage accident in Harlan Monday. Harlan Police say a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by Jeremiah Sunderman, of Clarinda, was turning south onto Highway 59 from the 2300 block of 23rd Street, when the semi’s trailer hit a stop sign, causing minor damage to the sign.

(Union County, Iowa) – A man from Creston was cited for Reckless Driving & Leaving the Scene of an accident, Monday night, in Arispe. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, at around 10:30-p.m., a 2006 Chevy Impala driven by 18-year-old Rory Allen Davis, of Creston, pulled into the driveway of a residence in the 300 block of Forbes Street at a high rate of speed, and collided with a 2016 Chevy Cruze owned by Cody Robertson, of Creston, that was in the driveway. Authorities say Davis was upset for some reason.

After his car struck the other vehicle, Davis left the scene without reporting the incident. When he was located later, Davis admitted to driving too fast, and hitting the Chevy Cruze. The parked car sustained approximately $7,000 damage. Damage to the Impala was estimated at $1,500. No injuries were reported.

(Radio Iowa) – Unexpected patrons have occupied a restroom at a Page County park near Shenandoah — black widow spiders. County conservation director John Schwab says crews discovered a large cluster of the venomous spiders at Pioneer Park during regular restroom maintenance. While the black widow is common throughout the country, Schwab says the large concentration was concerning.”There’s probably an estimate between 20 and 30, which is a pretty good population,” Schwab says. “So just for safety until we get them cleared out, we’ve closed off the bathrooms.”

While the exact reason the cluster of spiders was in the bathroom is unknown, Schwab says the isolated and grassy area likely provided a suitable habitat. “They’re really attracted to basements, outbuildings, rocky structures, or debris sitting in your yard, so it’s not uncommon to have them in the area,” Schwab says. “The numbers that we saw was kind of what triggered us to say, ‘We need to do something about this.’ It could have been something as simple as a spring egg sack that hatched and all the spiders decided to hang around.”

Schwab says his department has treated the interior with insect foggers that will eventually be vacuumed and treated again. Crews are also treating the exterior of the building. While all spiders are venomous to an extent, Schwab advises park patrons to steer clear of the general area to avoid increased exposure. “The thing with black widows and also brown recluses, is that humans are a little more susceptible to their venom,” Schwab says. “So pretty much just stay away from that bathroom — the rest of the bathrooms are fine.”

While it is common to run across one or two black widows or brown recluses every year, Schwab says this was one of the first times seeing a large and concentrated quantity. They hope to have the spiders removed by the end of the week.

Police in Red Oak have arrested a man on an active warrant. Authorities report 29-year-old Randall Wesley Lynn Butts, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 4:13-a.m. today (Wednesday), on a warrant for Failure to Appear, on an original charge of Interference with Official Acts. Butts was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on bond amounting to $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) – U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says universities, farmers and communities with projects that could turn agricultural waste into usable products can apply for new federal grants. Vilsack uses the example of manure — separating the water from the solids.  “Why is that important? Because we’re faced in some parts of this country with serious water shortages. We need to reclaim that water,” Vilsack said.

“What do you do with what’s left? Well, you evaporate any additional moisture from that you create a pelletized fertilizer product that you put in a bag and you can sell…You eliminate the need for storage. You eliminate the smell. You create a new product. You create a new job opportunity in rural places.” A total of 10 million dollars is set aside for this U-S-D-A pilot program.

“All of this is designed essentially to create additional revenue streams for farmers, additional job opportunities in rural places, and states like Iowa should be all over this.” Vilsack made the announcement at a family-owned creamery in Ely that sells bottled milk, cheese curds and ice cream made from milk produced by the family’s 150 dairy cows.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is asking the state courts to lift an injunction that has prevented a so-called fetal heartbeat law from taking effect. The law, passed in 2018, would ban abortions in Iowa after about six weeks of pregnancy. In a written statement, Reynolds said after Friday’s U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling that overturned Roe v Wade, now is the time to stand up for the unborn. Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst points to a recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll that found 57 percent of Iowans support abortion rights.

“Iowans are tired of politicians making decisions for them and they’re tired of political games,” Konfrst said. “And I think when they hear this news, they’re going to think it’s another example of trying to work the system instead of adequately addressing and really getting input from everyday Iowans.” Reynolds is also asking the Iowa Supreme Court to review their recent ruling that is letting a 24-hour waiting period for abortions in Iowa take effect, and make it easier for abortion restrictions to survive future challenges in Iowa courts.

Konfrst says she wouldn’t be surprised if Reynolds reconvenes the legislature in the next few months if the Iowa court rulings don’t go her way. “Most Iowans don’t want this because they want the ability to make their own decisions and so I think it’s pretty frustrating for a lot of Iowans who are seeing games being played on a very serious issue,” Konfrst says, “an issue that just changed in seismic ways a few days ago.”

Konfrst made her comments at Iowa P-B-S today (Tuesday) during taping of the network’s Iowa Press program that airs Friday night.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Fire & Rescue, Cass EMS and law enforcement responded to a reported multi-vehicle accident on I-80 westbound near Exit 57 (Olive Street), Tuesday (today). At least one vehicle had reportedly rolled over, and one person was complaining of a possible back injury. The crash was reported at around 4:23-p.m. Westbound traffic was reduced to one lane and backed-up for miles. Additional details are currently unavailable.  (Photos taken from 4:40-pm to 4:55-p.m. by Ric Hanson)

I-80 WB looking toward the accident scene just past the rise

I-80 WB looking toward the emergency vehicles

Traffic back-up on I-80 WB looking east

Wider view of the wb traffic backup, looking east.