The first jury trial to be held in Cass County since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic put the brakes on cases, will be held next week, in Atlantic. County Attorney Vanessa Strazdas has informed Board of Supervisors Chair Steve Baier, that jury selection will be held at the Cass County Community Center, to allow for social distancing. Baier said Tuesday, a plan is also in-place for the trial itself, but he wasn’t clear what that plan was.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday morning, continued their ongoing discussion with regard to the Iowa DOT’s proposed closing of 570th Street at the Interstate 80 underpass. The Board has held two previous discussions on the matter. The DOT proposes making I-80 six-lanes, which would require the elimination of some underpasses across the state for the purpose of widening the road.

During their meeting Tuesday, Javen and Katherine Smith, who owns 160 acres on the north side of I-80 and 570 acres on the south side, said he would be directly affected by the closure of county roadway at 570th St. / I-80 underpass. Smith said the change would essentially result in him traveling out of his way to get to his 160 acre property on the north side of the interstate.

The Board heard from other property owners/farmers in the area, during their past two meetings. After due discussion (about 50 minutes), Tuesday, a decision was made to invite a DOT representative to the next board session to clarify what will happen if the County chooses to close or not to close.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors passed a Resolution assigning a county-held tax sale certificate to the City of Atlantic, and to enter into an agreement to abate the taxes, if Atlantic acquires ownership of the parcel at 101 Cedar Street. The City is scheduled to address the matter during their meeting this evening, at City Hall.