(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, this (Tuesday) morning, continued previous discussion, with regard to a lease agreement for the County-owned Willow Heights building located about two-miles west of Atlantic. Board Chair Steve Baier shared they must comply with the Iowa Code with regard to the facility being used as a Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).

Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, we learned today, is interested in leasing the building, because their current building lease expires at the end of June, 2026. Zion Director Billie Butler said they are looking at other options for their residential substance abuse and disorder facility and services, and Willow Heights fits the bill.

ZION Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Inc. is a non-profit corporation formed in Southwest Iowa in 1973 to assure delivery of services for substance use disorder treatment and related problems to six (6) counties. These counties include Adair, Cass, Dallas, Fremont, Montgomery, and Page. Their headquarters is located in Atlantic. Steve Baier said the general consensus of the concerns he’s been hearing about the proposal, are with regard to operational procedures and the individuals who are voluntarily treated there and the level of their commitment to treatment. Billie Butler addressed the latter concern.

Zion Recovery Services Director Billie Butler (pictured on the right) addresses questions about Willow Heights as an RTF

She said a lot of the people they work with have job and families, who simply want treatment for their addictions so they can lead a better life free of addiction.

Those individuals will be there for at least 30 days, she said, depending on their level of treatment. Wendy Richter said the facility will not house violent criminals. Zion would assume responsibility for the building’s maintenance and upkeep. Richter said a lot of the rumors and concerns about the building are unfounded.

And, Supervisor Mark O’Brien addressed concerns about mold in the building.

Billie Butler said the State will conduct regular building inspections to make sure the facility meets the permit requirements. If the lease is approved, it would become effective December 1^st, 2025, but it would not immediately by occupied by staff and residents until repairs and/or updates are completed. No action was taken on the proposed lease during the meeting.

In other business, and following separate public hearings, the Cass County Supervisors approved vacating two Secondary Roads, one in Grove Township (Keystone Road), the other in Washington Township (Jasper Road), as previously described. The latter is currently not maintained by the County. There were no objections to either course of action.

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular monthly meeting of the Griswold School Board was held Monday evening (Oct. 20th). Superintendent Dave Henrichs told KJAN the Board accepted the resignation of Jason Reynolds as the Co-Assistant High School Softball Coach.

The Board also authorized the purchase of a couple of vehicles, including a 2023 12 passenger van for $45,650, and a car to replace one that had a run-in with a deer.

Dave Henrichs says the Board also discussed their Strategic Plan, including ways their para-educators can become certified teachers.

The district, he said, through the leadership of Griswold Elementary School Principal Nigel Horton is in the process of raising funds to provide tuition assistance for para’s who want to become certified teachers.

And Mr. Henrichs reported on the District’s Certified and BEDS enrollment numbers. The Certified enrollment numbers were required to be submitted to the State by October 15th. The Certified enrollment showed a decline of 28 students from last year, for a total of 414. Those are the number students who reside within the district, no matter where they attend classes. The more important number, he said, is the BEDS count. Those are the number of students who attend a school regardless of where they reside.

Dave Henrichs said also, the Board decided to continue to activate the Early Retirement policy for the certificated and classified staff.

The Classified staff eligibility qualifications are similar.

And, the Board renewed an annual agreement with the Corner Conference for school activities.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Vermeer Charitable Foundation has awarded $20,000 to Vision Atlantic’s transformative project, which will bring a housing development, new child development center, and YMCA expansion to Atlantic.

“At Vermeer, we like to find a need and fill it,” shared Tricia Vermeer, Vermeer Charitable Foundation executive director. “When Vision Atlantic, in conjunction with the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, presented the need for a new childcare development center in Atlantic, Iowa, Vermeer Charitable Foundation was on board. The opportunity to partner in bringing a new childcare center to the Atlantic area resonated with our directors and we are delighted to be a part in making that vision a reality. This center will allow our team members, and the greater community, to do their work well, knowing their children are safe and well cared for.”

Vision Atlantic, through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. Infrastructure for the 142 mixed-unit Camblin Hills housing development and 300 capacity child development center is almost complete, with construction of 48 homes currently underway. Construction of the child development center and YMCA expansion is slated to begin early 2026.

Vision Atlantic has a fundraising goal of $39 million, which will be used to construct the YMCA expansion and child development center. To date, they have raised $26.9 million of that goal, thanks to an $8.6 million lead grant from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and significant support from local donors. In addition to their grant support, the Lakin Foundation has created a separate investment fund of $23 million that will be used to construct homes in the Camblin Hills housing development. The capital will be used as a line of credit, and as the dollars are paid back, the Foundation will donate up to 5% of the interest paid back to Vision Atlantic, who will use those dollars to operate the child development center.

Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $12.1 million needed to meet their fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Visit www.visionatlantic.org and follow on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates and in-depth information of the project scope.

Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs say a teen operating a motorcycle who was critically injured late Saturday evening when the cycle was struck from behind, is not expected to survive. Family members have acknowledged that statement is true. 17-year-old Hayden Baker, of Council Bluffs, remains at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Baker was critically injured when the motorcycle he was operating was hit at around 7-p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18th, in the 1200 block of North Broadway Street. The driver of the truck fled the scene but was later located by responding CBPD officers.

Charges are currently pending against the driver of the truck, 52-year-old Jason Lee Evans, of Council Bluffs. A preliminary investigation revealed the motorcycle was stopped facing northbound on North Broadway and preparing to make a left turn onto Hunter Avenue, when it was struck by a 2003 Chevrolet truck driven by Evans. Evans failed to stop and render aid. Instead, he drove to his home, and later contacted the dispatch center about the crash.

Jason Lee Evans

Authorities say a search warrant was granted for Evans’ blood, as he was allegedly showing signs of impairment. Warrants will be issued for his arrest once the toxicology results are obtained.

(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say strong winds will be blowing across much of Iowa today (Tuesday) and colder nighttime temperatures could bring many areas or the state the first frost of the season. National Weather Service meteorologist Jim Lee says wide sections of northern Iowa especially may dip below freezing soon. “We could see frost, even in central Iowa, particularly on Wednesday night, Thursday morning, but either way, we’re looking at low temperatures both tonight and tomorrow night in the 30s across the state,” Lee says. “It’s really just a matter of who gets down below freezing and who gets cool enough to frost and who stays just above that.”

Iowans who have flowering plants outdoors that they’d prefer to keep alive a little longer will need to take action.”Anybody who’s still got anything growing outside, you’re going to want to cover it or bring it in, ideally before tonight,” Lee says, “and if you’re in central and southern Iowa, particularly before tomorrow night.”

(Pictured: frost on a plant; ISU Extension photo)

A Wind Advisory is posted of much of Iowa’s northern half from 11 A-M through 6 P-M. “We’re going to see wind gusts with sustained speeds probably about 25 or 30 miles an hour across northern Iowa, with gusts to 45 miles an hour, so it will be quite breezy if you have any loose objects outside, or particularly if you’re driving a high-profile vehicle,” Lee says. “That should drop off pretty quickly with sunset this evening, so by tonight, the winds will be notably lighter.”

While several patches of northern Iowa have seen isolated nights around freezing recently, Lee says this promises to be the first widespread frost of the season.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra says finding new markets for U.S. soybeans amid China’s boycott of American beans should be the priority and federal trade disruption payments should be a last resort. “I think most farmers, we don’t want to take subsidy checks, but if that’s the last resort we’ll go down that path,” Feenstra says, “but for me it’s all about how do we create more export markets.” Japan — the sixth largest foreign buyer of U-S soybean products — promised in September to buy eight BILLION dollars in U-S ag commodities. “We’ve had a lot of successes with Japan…Taiwan, Vietnam, UK, but we’ve got to try to get that market open in India and China,” Feenstra says. “I know China’s been our adversary and they’ve, you know, over the last three decades treated us really bad when it comes to trade, but I think there’s opportunity there.”

Feenstra says farmers will benefit from some subsidy-related changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” President Trump signed in July. “This is the big thing for all of the farmers right now, we increased the reference prices for corn,” Feenstra says. “Corn was at $3.70. Now that reference price is at $4.10 and beans went from $8.40 to 10 bucks.” Under the U-S-D-A’s Price Loss Coverage Program, payments to farmers are triggered when the national average price for corn and soybeans falls below those so-called “reference prices.”

Feenstra, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 2020, is planning to run for governor in 2026.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests that took place between Oct. 13th and the 18th.

32-year-old Lindsey Joanne Krause, of Glenwood, was arrested near Pacific Junction on Oct. 18th. Krause was charged with two-counts of Child Endangerment. Her bond was set at $2,000; Separately, 40-year-old Daniel Mario Ramirez, of Omaha, was arrested on the 18th on Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs, on an Out-of-County/Out-of-State warrant. Ramirez was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

There were three arrests Oct. 16th in Mills County:

At around 2-a.m., Deputies arrested 47-year-old Justin David Altstadt, of Missouri Valley, on Highway 34 in Malvern. Altstadt was charged with Contempt Of Court/Violation of a No Contact Order. His bond was sett $300; 45-year-old Nicholle Annette Gibson, of Missouri Valley, was arrested at the same location and charge. Her bond was also set at $300; and, 39-year-old Blair Shalayne Gross, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 10-p.m. on Oct. 16th in Malvern, for OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.

On Oct. 15th, Mills County Deputies arrested 46-year-old Christopher Joseph Brown, of Pacific Junction. He was  taken into custody in Pacific Junction, for Domestic Abuse Assault/1st offense, with bond set at $300.

And, on Oct. 13th, 32-year-old Alyssa Marie Edfors, of Clinton (IA) was arrested in Council Bluffs, for Burglary in the 1st Degree- Vehicle/1st offense. Bond was set at $2,000.

(Creston, Iowa) – A traffic stop at around 1:20-a.m. Monday, in Creston, resulted in a woman from eastern Iowa being detained for a brief time. Creston Police report 19-year-old Ava Nicole Sales, of Cedar Rapids, was stopped for a traffic violation at the intersection of N. Lincoln Street and Orchard Drive. Sales was cited and released on a Promise To Appear, on a Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, charge.

ATLANTIC, IA — The Nishna Valley Family YMCA is inviting community members from across Cass County to get involved and make a difference through volunteering. Kaycee Anstey, Events & Volunteer Coordinator at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, says “Volunteers are the heart of everything we do. Our programs and events simply wouldn’t be possible without the amazing people who give their time and energy to support youth and families.”

The YMCA offers a variety of opportunities for individuals, families, and groups to get involved — from assisting with family-friendly events and after-school programs to helping with special activities throughout the year. Whether you can spare just a few hours or are looking for an ongoing role, there’s something for everyone. Anstey added, “Volunteering isn’t just about giving back — it’s about connecting. You meet wonderful people, experience the joy of helping others, and see firsthand the difference you’re making in your own community.”

Thank you for helping make our community stronger — together, we make a difference!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

 The YMCA has several fun and family-focused events coming up where volunteers are needed:

Friday, October 31 – Bounce House Day
9:00 AM–1:00 PM — Help monitor bounce houses and assist with games and family activities.

Friday, November 14 – Skate Night
5:00 PM–8:00 PM — Help with admissions, concessions, and event supervision.

Saturday, November 29 – Little Zookeepers Day
10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Assist with admissions, craft areas, and snack distribution for families.

Additional events and programs will continue throughout the fall and winter months, offering flexible opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to sign up, contact Kaycee Anstey at kanstey@nishnavalleyymca.com, by cell at 712-249-2499, or call the YMCA front desk at 712-243-3934.

(Radio Iowa) – The archery season for deer continues and will run right up to the first shotgun season on December 6th. Iowa D-N-R deer biologist, Jace Elliott says western Iowa’s deer populations continues to struggle. “We’re still going through a sustained population decline as far as harvest and population trends show, and that’s been going on for 10 or 15 years. We’re working proactively with regulations to try to reverse that trend,” he says. Elliott says central Iowa is trying to rebound from recent hemorrhagic disease outbreaks.

“In some cases, very severe impact on local deer numbers in the 2023 and 2024 season, so it’s possible that numbers are going to be a bit lower this year than they were over the last decade or so in central Iowa,” Elliott says. “But then in eastern Iowa, in many cases we have very strong deer numbers… in some cases we have the strongest deer harvest that we’ve had in in 20 years.” Elliott says the hemorrhagic disease outbreaks have eased off. “This year shows to be exceptionally mild. We’ve only just had one off cases reported across the state, very few of them compared to the last couple of years, so that should offer some relief in populations that were impacted recently,” Elliott says. Elliott says the wet weather before things started getting dry in September has given deer plenty to eat.

“During the growing season, that’s a really nutrient expensive time for deer, whether we’re talking about bucks that are growing antlers, that takes a tremendous amount of resources and minerals and nutrients in order to grow antlers,” he says. “And whether we’re talking about does, they’re lactating, and that’s also. Its own nutrient demand, so it’s important to have a lot of vegetation on the landscape.” Hunters have taken around eight thousand deer in the ongoing bow season and the now completed early muzzleloader season.