Adair County Auditor Mindy Schaefer says voters in the County will find a question on their Nov. 8th General Election ballot, with regard to how Township Trustees and Clerks are selected. In July, the Adair County Board of Supervisors passed a Resolution to put a question on the November 8, 2016 General Election Ballot asking if their Township Trustees and Clerk positions from should change from elected to appointed.

Currently 10 townships appoint the Trustees and Clerk.  Harrison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Richland, Union, Walnut and Washington in Adair County currently elect the Trustees and Clerk.  If township voters pass the question, it would change those offices to be filled by appointment, and the appointment would be for a four-year term.  When a vacancy occurs, the remaining position holders would choose a replacement, and then present that name to the Board of Supervisors for appointment.  If the remaining position holders were unable to find a replacement, the Board of Supervisors work to find the replacement.

The reasons for the proposed change is two-fold:  First, the same people tend to be elected each time the position comes up for election with no opposition for the office.  The change would no longer require that person to have his/her name put on the ballot. This would also save trying to fill the position by write-in when no one puts their name on the ballot; Second, the change Schaefer says, would save Adair County money.  The programming and ballot production costs are based on the number of ballot styles in the county. If all townships were to pass this public measure there would be 5 ballot styles.  This year the County has 13 ballot styles.

If passed, the people elected in 2014 would serve through 2018 and then, if they wanted to remain in the position, would be appointed at the first meeting in January 2019.  People on the ballot in 2016 would be appointed at the first meeting in January 2021.  If a vacancy occurs after the question is passed, the replacement person would be appointed.  Every four years the person would be re-appointed until they no longer want the position.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Adair County Auditor’s office at 641-743-2546.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Wednesday evening, of an Oakland man. James Gardner was taken into custody on a 2007 Pottawattamie District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Gardner’s arrest was the result of a complaint filed by his neighbor in Oakland. The citizen alleged Gardner caused damage to his front door earlier this week. Gardner claimed the damage was accidental. During the investigation, the deputy learned through dispatch about the warrant that had been issued for Gardner, who was taken into custody without incident.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office say a Ringgold County man, 22-year old Michael Allen Bergman, of Mount Ayr, was arrested Wednesday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on a Union County warrant for failure to appear on an original charge of theft 3^rd degree.  Bergman was being held in the Union County Jail without bond until seen by a Judge.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on assault charges this week. On Tuesday. 43-year old John Stratton Eichelberger, of Atlantic, turned himself in at the Cass County Jail, on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Assault with Injury. Eichelberger was released later that day on $1,000 bond.

And today (Thursday), deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 58-year old Timothy Dayle Meyer, of Massena, on a Felony charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 3^rd or Subsequent offense. Meyer was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held pending appearance before the magistrate.

Officials with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs say a 79-year old U-S Army Veteran with no known living family members, will be buried this afternoon at the Omaha National Cemetery. Roger Cromey died Sept. 28th at the V.A. Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. His remains have gone unclaimed.

When veterans die with no known next-of-kin, and insufficient resources, the Veteran’s Administration says it strives to make their remains receive the respect they deserve. The committal service for any unclaimed veteran includes VA Memorial Benefits such as Military Honors, rifle salute, honor guard and the playing of TAPS.

The public is invited to attend and pay respects to Roger Cromey. Parking at the Omaha National Cemetery (14250 Schram Road), is limited, and the cemetery staff will have guides along the road.  The ceremony, at the Committal Shelter, takes place at 1-p.m.

The VA operates 135 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Eligible individuals are entitled to burial in any open VA national cemetery. The burial includes open and closing of the grave, a grave liner, perpetual care of the gravesite, and a government-furnished upright headstone or flat maker, all at no cost to the family. Veterans are also eligible for a burial flag and Presidential Memorial Certificate.

For more information on VA burial benefits, go to www.cem.va.gov, or call 1-800-827-1000.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Cass County Public Health and Cass County Health System are teaming up to provide free breast health appointments for women on Tuesday, October 11^th from 5 to 8 p.m. Karla Akers, Care for Yourself Coordinator at Public Health, says “We want to make sure that all women in Cass County are receiving these routine exams. These appointments are free for all women regardless of age, income, or insurance.”

The free exams will be held on Tuesday, October 11^th from 5 to 8 pm. at the Atlantic Medical Center. The breast health exam will include pulse, blood pressure, height, weight, and a clinical breast exam performed by Dr. Vanessa Cook. Karla Akers says “Based on the clinical breast exam, some women will also be able to receive their mammogram the same evening.”

The mammogram fees will be submitted through each woman’s insurance (if insured), but if paying for mammograms or additional follow-up exams are of concern, Public Health has resources to help. Akers says also, they have “Partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help women in our area pay for their mammograms or additional diagnostic exams,” so “Don’t let the cost of these exams be a barrier – because we can help.”

Appointments for the free breast health exam can be made by calling 712-243-7443.

Cass County Public Health will be offering four special clinics for people to receive their annual flu vaccination. The clinics are planned for:

• Griswold Medical Center: Monday, October 10 from 5-7 pm
• Atlantic Medical Center: Monday, October 17 from 4-8 pm
• Anita Medical Center: Monday, October 24 from 5-7 pm
• Massena Medical Center: Monday, October 24 from 5-7 pm

In addition to the flu clinics, residents can receive their flu vaccine during the Atlantic Medical Center Immunization Room’s normal business hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 to 11 am, and 1:30 to 4 pm. They are also open on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 11. No appointments are needed – walk-ins are always welcome.

There are four strains, or types, of the flu that typically hit the Midwest during flu season — two types of Influenza A and two types of Influenza B. Atlantic Medical Center will have the Quadrivalent vaccine which protects against all four strains, to provide the greatest protection. They will also be offering the High Dose flu vaccine for people 65 years of age and older.

For the 2016 flu season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD) has determined that the Flumist (flu nasal spray) is not as effective as the flu shot and therefore should not be give this year. Cass County Public Health and Atlantic Medical Center are following the CDC guidance by only providing flu shots this year; no flu mist will be available. Because injections can be more stressful for some children than receiving flu mist, Cass County Public Health will not be providing flu vaccines in area schools this year. Parents are urged to utilize the evening vaccination clinic times above to ensure their children are protected from influenza this season.

The two best ways to protect yourself, and those around you, from influenza are to get vaccinated and to practice good hand washing. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but also those around you who may be too young (under 6 months) or have a medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated.

Vaccine does vary by age group, with different doses for different patient groups of different ages. The Atlantic Medical Center has the correct doses available for all age groups. The seasonal flu (influenza) is a serious disease caused by the influenza virus. Some common symptoms of the flu are fever, cough, shaking chills, body aches, and extreme weakness. The influenza disease may last for a couple of weeks.

For more information, please contact the Immunization Room at 712-250-8122.