(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department say two people were arrested on separate drug charges, Friday night. At around 8:15-p.m., 53-year-old Jerry Robert Mercer, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Summit and Maple. Mercer was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana 2nd Offense. He was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $1300 cash or surety bond.

And, a little after 11-p.m., Friday, 20-year-old Gunnar Lee Millslagle, of Cromwell, was arrested at the intersection of Oak and Howard. Millslagle was charged with Possession of Cannabidiol 1st Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Helagle was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $1300 cash or surety bond.

Saturday morning, Creston Police arrested 56-year-old Jeffrey K Hunt, of Illinois. He was arrested in the 1300 block of E. Howard Street, for Assault. Hunt was cited and released from the scene

And, at around 8:25-p.m. Saturday, Creston Police arrested 39-year-old Yarioska Rondoncama, of New York, for Driving while Revoked and Tampering with or Circumvent Ignition Interlock Device. Rondoncama was taken into custody at 800 Laurel Street and transported to the Union County Jail, where he was being held on $1300 cash or surety bond.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – [CORRECTION ON DATE] The Atlantic City Council will hold a regular meeting beginning at 5:30-p.m. TUESDAY, March 5th, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Among the items on agenda, is:

• A Presentation by the Retail Coach.
• A Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications & Form of Contract for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation –UV (Ultra Violet) SIPP (Spray-in-Place Piping) Lining Project.

According to Wastewater Superintendent Tim Snyder, the line runs north of [the] Noddle site and south of Atlantic Carrier, from Ash down to 3rd Street Place. It was noted the bottom of the creek has eroded to the point where the sanitary sewer line is showing in spots along the stream bed, and some manhole covers are exposed.

City Administrator John Lund said previously, a dam was added on the east end to to the ditch back-in, and that helped a small portion. Snyder & Associates Engineers looked at doing a series of small dams, to allow sediment to fill back in on the western side, as well as moving the entire line away from the ditch. Both options would cost $500,000.

The option to line sections of the sanitary sewer under the creek and taking care of work on the exposed manhole is being proposed. The lining will increase the strength of the existing clay pipe & hopefully prevent it from being shattered, in which case the creek would flow into the line at some point, causing “Some potentially catastrophic backups in basements all the way to the plant,” according to the City. The Public Hearing is to allow feedback on the project.

• Resolution #11-24 “Approving Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer
  Rehabilitation – UV SIPP Lining Project.”
• Review Construction Bids and Bid Tabulation for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation – UV SIPP
  Lining Project.
• Resolution #12-24 “Making Award of Contract for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation – UV SIPP
  Lining Project to Hydro-Clean LLC for $91,500.00. The Des Moines company’s bid is under the engineer’s estimate of $194,280. Snyder & Associates – which was one of the bidders -supports awarding of the project to Hydro-Clean.
• Resolution #13-24 “Adopting the City of Atlantic Vulnerability Assessment and Emergency Response
  Plan.”
• Resolution #14-24 “Setting the Date of Public hearing for March 20, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. in the Atlantic
  City Council Chambers on a Proposal to Enter into a General Obligation Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement and to Borrow Money Thereunder in a Principal Amount Not to Exceed $90,000.” The resolution is an annual agenda item every budget season, Lund notes, and is required as part of a 28-E agreement to support the Cass County Landfill. The Landfill charges a per capita fee to cities in the County, of $12 per resident, to be assessed annually. Atlantic’s total amount of $85,344 is payable in four equal installments over the course of the fiscal year.
  
• Resolution #15-24 “Adopting the Emergency Leave Bank Policy to the Personnel Handbook.”

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9-a.m. Tuesday, March 5th, in the Board Room at the Courthouse, in Atlantic. Among the discussion and/or action items on their agenda is the consideration and possible passage of a resolution allocating ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act [Covid Relief funds]) for the Atlantic Splash Pad Project.

The full agenda can be seen below:

The order of agenda items may change based on when personnel are available and when time allows.
1. Call to order
2. Approve Agenda
3. Approve minutes from the February 20, 2024 meeting
4. Public Comments
5. Proclamation of March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month and presentation by Amanda
McCall, Gambling Treatment Counselor with Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services
6. Approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Griswold Golf & Country Club
7. Set the date of public hearing to approve a resolution declaring Emergency Medical Services to
be an Essential Service for May 21, 2024
8. Set the date of public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 tax levy for Tuesday, March 26,
2024
9. Authorize Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to sign the 28E Agreement with Juvenile Detention
10. Consider/approve Resolution 2024-05 Allocating ARPA funds for the Atlantic Splash Pad Project
11. Discuss/approve contributing to Connections Area Agency on Aging in FY 2025
12. Discuss/approve the county’s health insurance plan for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
13. Discussion/possible action on a Jail and ICE Detainment Policy
14. Discuss/approve abatement of all taxes, penalty, interest and tax sale for 405 Cherry Street in Atlantic, IA under Iowa Code 445.16 under the recommendation of the county treasurer
15. Report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken
16. Appoint Ciara Hoegh to fill the vacant position on the Cass County Local Food Policy Council for
the four-year term from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027
17. Appoint Mark Smith to fill the vacant position on the Cass County Conservation Board for the
five-year term from January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2027
18. Supervisor Committee Reports
19. Filed Reports, if available: Recorder, Sheriff, Clerk of Court
20. Approve claims
21. Adjournment
22. Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The meeting can be seen in-person, or electronically via this link (Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064). You may also call-in to join the meeting at 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A public hearing will take place 8:45-a.m. Tuesday, March 5th in Montgomery County, with regard to a proposal to enter into a General Obligation, Courthouse Improvement Loan Agreement. The hearing is part of a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, which begins at 8:30-a.m. in their Board Room at the Courthouse, in Red Oak.

Following the hearing, the Board will consider and/or act on, a Resolution taking additional action on the proposal, and providing for the private placement of a G.O. Courthouse Improvement Note, Series 2024.

Other business on the Board’s agenda, includes:

• Discussing and setting the date for the FY24/25 Montgomery County Budget, as March 26, 2024, with action as necessary.
• Approve Resolution 2024-10 Awarding the Contract for Project L-SC702-69
• Discuss and Approve Letter of Support for the County Creek Sign Grant Program
• Discuss the request from Montgomery County Commission of Veteran Affairs to raise the county credit card limit from $1000 to $3000 for the Veteran Affairs Director with action as necessary
• Approve the Sheriff’s Report of Fees for the month of February in the amount of $4,834.37
• Approve the Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report ending fund balance on February 29, 2024, in the amount of $11,590,269.53
• Discuss and Approve Consulting Agreement between Montgomery County and Sonia Morrison.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The filing period for candidates seeking nomination to County Offices in advance of the June 4th Primary Election, begins Monday, March 4th, with the last day to file being March 22nd at 5-p.m.

The filing period for State and Federal offices began February 26th, and ends on March 15th. The Voter pre-registration deadline is Monday, May 20th.

KJAN will provide updates from the Cass County Auditor’s Office, on candidates who have filed their nomination papers for the Primary Election, when those papers have been received and processed, but by no later than 4:30-p.m. each day candidates file.

There may, of course, be days when no nomination papers are filed by a candidate, in which case we will update you as soon as such nominations are filed.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gov. Kim Reynolds, Friday, announced appointments to Iowa’s various boards and commissions.  The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, and include (In western/southwest Iowa): 

• From Pottawattamie County, Wendy Andersen, to the Iowa Autism Council.
• From Adams County, Bobbi Maynes, to Commission on Community Action Agencies.
• Douglas Reed, from Pott. County, to the Flood Mitigation Board.
• Sue Gehling, of Carroll County, to the Mental Health and Disability Services Commission.
• Cindy Dozark, of Crawford County, to Board of Nursing Home Administrators.
• Travis  Miller, of Union County, to the Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy.
• Gary Langbein, of Sac County, to the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board.
• and Mary Peterson, of Shelby County, to the Early Childhood Iowa State  Board.

Here’s the full list of appointments announced by the Governor (Name/County):

Accountancy Examining Board 

• Brian Powers, Dubuque
• Bradley Hauge, Linn

Commission on the Status of African American Affairs

• Whitney Smith McIntosh, Polk
• Rachel Cross, Dallas

Agricultural Development Board 

• Jayme Ungs, Greene
• Claire Masker-King, Warren

Alcohol Beverages Commission  

• Kevin Kimle, Story

Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs 

• Peggy La, Woodbury

Athletic Training Board 

• Erica Boer, Marion

Iowa Autism Council

• Caleb Primrose, Polk
• Evelyn Horton, Polk
• Wendy Andersen, Pottawattamie

Board of Barbering and Cosmetology Arts & Sciences 

• Teono Smith, Polk
• Andrew Oswald, Polk

Bioscience Development Corp Board  

• Billi Hunt, Dallas

Commission for the Blind

• Amy Salger, Benton
• Sara Coleman, Warren

Chiropractic Board  

• Kirby Connell, Polk
• Rodney Langel, Polk
• Charles Elchert, Johnson

City Development Board 

• Thomas Treharne, Linn

Commission on Community Action Agencies 

• Bobbi Maynes, Adams

Iowa Comprehensive Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Fund Board

• Lisa Coffelt, Iowa

Credit Union Review Board 

• Megan Tjernagel, Story
• Nathan Bissell, Wapello
• Bobbi Terrell, Jefferson

Board of Dentistry 

• James Nemmers, Dubuque
• Megan Clatt, Lee
• Candace Bradley, Jones

Early Childhood Iowa State Board

• Mary Petersen, Shelby
• Brook Rosenberg, Polk
• Mayra Martinez, Buena Vista
• David Arens, Polk

State Board of Educational Examiners 

• Miranda Brus, Polk

Electrical Examining Board 

• Joe Porepp, Polk

Employment Appeal Board 

• Ashley Koopmans, Dallas

Environmental Protection Commission 

• Jim Christensen, Buena Vista

Flood Mitigation Board 

• Jodi Freet, Cedar
• Douglas Reed, Pottawattamie

State Judicial Nominating Commission 

• Dustin Graber, Polk

Landscape Architectural Examining Board 

• Ryan Anderson, Linn

Commission of Latino Affairs 

• Anthony Chavez, Polk

Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Council

• Sadie Weekley, Marshall
• Diana Venenga, Johnson
• Nathan Fulk, Polk

Iowa Lottery Board of Directors 

• Mathew Connealy, Woodbury

Board of Massage Therapy 

• David Henson, Dallas

Board of Medicine 

• Jason Meyers, Polk
• Douglas Hoisington, Polk

Mental Health and Disability Services Commission 

• Sue Gehling, Carroll

Board of Mortuary Science 

• Kelsey Lo, Polk

Iowa Commission of Native American Affairs 

• Timothy Perkins, Polk

Board of Nursing Home Administrators 

• Billy Meyers, Polk
• Cindy Dozark, Crawford
• Zach Byrnes, Mitchell
• Karen Bentsen, Sioux
• Kimberly Hermsen, Dubuque

Board of Optometry 

• Caitlyn Stakeley, Johnson

Board of Parole 

• James Moses, Dallas

Peace Officers Retirement Accident and Disability Systems Trustee 

• Mark Oiler, Dallas

Board of Pharmacy 

• Erik Maki, Polk

Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy 

• Travis Miller, Union
• JP Webb, Polk

Board of Physicians Assistants 

• Natalie Weber, Dubuque

Board of Podiatry 

• Andrew Steele, Black Hawk
• Laurie Barr-Cronin, Polk

Board of Psychology 

• Lora Keipper, Dallas

Public Employment Relations Board 

• Catherine Lucas, Polk

Public Information Board 

• Barry Lindahl, Dubuque
• Joan Corbin, Marion
• Luke Martz, Story

Real Estate Commission 

• Dakotah Reed, Polk
• Tanner Westberg, Dallas

Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Board 

• Gary Langbein, Sac
• Steve Goodhue, Story

Board of Respiratory Care and Polysomnography 

• Melissa Walsh, Scott
• Brandon Jagow, Polk

School Budget Review Committee 

• Susan Battani, Polk

Board of Sign Language Interpreters and Transliterators 

• Amanda Miller, Pocahontas
• Tina Jarvis, Clinton

Board of Social Work 

• Jillyn Kaufman, Scott

Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology 

• Nancy Almasi, Linn
• Jordan Cook, Story
• Shania Kinywa, Polk

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission 

• Mark Campbell, Webster
• Amy Burkhart, Des Moines

Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission

• Steve Olson, Clinton

Transportation Commission 

• Bill Anderson, Cherokee
• Mary Gronen, Dubuque

Commission of Veterans Affairs 

• Linda Jones, Polk
• Reginald Richardson, Story

Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine   

• Sierra Hagedon, Tama
• Yuko Sato, Story

State Workforce Development Board

• Jayson Henry, Marion
• Jessica Dunker, Dallas
• Charlie Wishman, Polk

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – Emergency crews in Dubuque, Friday morning, responded to the 3100 block of Lake Ridge Dr. for a report of a construction site trench collapse. The incident was reported at around 8:20-a.m.

Responders arrived at the construction site to find excavation co-workers attempting to dig out an individual who was buried under approximately 7-8 feet of soil. Rescue crews immediately initiated recovery efforts and began efforts to shore up the trench to prevent additional collapsing.

The deceased victim was recovered at 9:46 am. Officials have not yet identified the individual. The incident remains under investigation.

(Urbana, Iowa) – A collision Friday afternoon in eastern Iowa’s Benton County resulted in one person killed, another injured. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2022 GMC Sierra pickup was traveling south in the 5100 block of Iowa Highway 150 in Urbana at around 3:47-p.m., at the same time a 2013 Jeep Patriot SUV was traveling northbound. For reasons unknown, the Jeep entered the southbound lanes and collided head-on with the pickup.

The driver of the SUV died at the scene. The driver of the pickup was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital. No names were released, pending notification of family.

(Atlantic, Iowa) The Coca-Cola Bottling Company plant manager Bill Garrett hosted a dinner for the plant employees to honor them for their achievement on Friday afternoon at the Venue in Atlantic.

Back in 2019, the plant had a ranking of 37th out of 116 other Coca-Cola bottling facilities in North America. Atlantic Coca-Cola plant manager Garrett then challenged his employees to improve the ranking to at least make the top ten. This ranking was based on safety, quality, and environmental requirements which is set by the North American operating unit which manages all of the plants. In 2022, the Atlantic Coca-Cola Company scored a ranking of one, one of the top rankings you can obtain, which they tied with a plant in Puerto Rico.

Plant Manager Garrett had this to say about another achievement that the plant employees were going to celebrate at the lunch gathering on Friday

This achievement is a something a very few companies have achieved, according to Garrett. Coca-Cola Bottling company production manager Andy Fewson had some praise for his good and quality employees at the plant .

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett was also on hand to praise the plant employees for their hard work and dedication on accomplishing their goals.

The plant employees also received a sweatshirt as they were leaving the lunch, which stated the ranking and the ten years without any time incident.