(Atlantic, Iowa) – A judge in the case of a former Massena daycare provider who appealed her conviction of Second-degree Murder and Child Endangerment, has granted a continuance in the trial. According to online court records, Judge Richard H. Davidson granted the request by attorney’s for 42-year-old Alison Elaine Dorsey, on Monday. It’s the 3^rd time this year the trial was delayed.

The third trial for Dorsey was originally set to begin on Oct. 28^th in Cass County District Court. This latest continuance means it won’t be held now until February 28, 2026. The pre-trial conference takes place February 18^th.

Last January, the Iowa Supreme Court granted Dorsey a new trial after she appealed a conviction handed-down in her second trial that was held in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa Supreme Court in its decision, affirmed the Court of Appeals ruling that the evidence against Dorsey was sufficicent enough for a conviction, but the high court ruled the venue was improperly changed to Pottawattamie County.

Dorsey was found guilty of second-degree murder by a jury in Pottawattamie County District Court in June 2023. The conviction stemmed from the death of a child under her care in Massena. Dorsey’s legal team contended that the venue change from Cass County to Pottawattamie County was inappropriate, that she was unjustly denied the opportunity to present additional character witnesses, and that the court erroneously denied her motion for a new trial.

Dorsey’s initial trial in Cass County resulted in a hung jury, which in-turn prompted her second trial.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday), discussed for a little more than an hour with numerous members of the public in attendance, a proposed lease agreement for the Willow Heights building owned by the County. During the Board’s meeting last week, Supervisor Steve Baier mentioned there was an organization that was willing to sign a lease for the facility, that would potentially be used as a new addiction treatment center for persons who voluntarily commit themselves, or who are court-ordered to rehab.

It would not, according to Board Chair Steve Baier, be used for persons who have committed serious crimes. Supervisor Wendy Richter stressed the facility would not be used for persons with mental health issues. The facility would initially serve 10, but no more than 40 clients at any given time. The Willow Heights building previously served people who have a mental or intellectual disability, substance abuse or other disabling condition. It had been in operation since 1886, but was closed due to federal and State requirements. During the Public Comment part of the meeting this (Tuesday) morning, Megan Freund spoke with regard to questions she has about safety concerns over the facility being used as a mental health treatment center.

Supervisor Steve Green said he discussed with the potential administrator of the new facility, security precautions and response to issues that may occur.

Chairman Baier summarized some of the concerns by members of the public about the facility.

Baier said those questions need to be answered by the organization who wishes to use the building, before any further action should be taken on the final version of a lease agreement. Therefore no action was taken at this time. And, following-up on discussion from a Special Meeting last week and earlier, the Board acted unanimously to pass a resolution to contribute $2.5-million toward the 300-child capacity, Vision Atlantic Child Development Center project.

Board Chair Steve Baier…

Last June (2025), the Cass County Board of Supervisors also approved earmarking $150,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Vision Atlantic, specifically to help with costs for the child care center. In other business, the Supervisors set Oct. 21st beginning at 9:30-a.m., 9:35-a.m., as the date and respective times for Public Hearings on vacating the following sections of roadways in Cass County: Keystone Road between 610 and 620th Streets; Jasper Road on the north line of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 19 in Washington Township.

And, they approved establishing a resolution vacating an untraveled portion of Buck Creek Road in the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 30 in Pymosa Township.

(Radio Iowa) – Des Moines School officials are considering enrolling in the federal “E-verify” system to check whether district employees are authorized to work in the United States. The potential move comes after the immigration arrest of former Des Moines superintendent Ian Roberts, who’s in a Polk County jail facing federal gun charges and a deportation order. Senator Chuck Grassley got confirmation yesterday (Monday) from the Department of Homeland Security that the district had not used the E-verify system before it hired Roberts. Grassley says that’s deeply troubling.

The Des Moines School Board voted last week to sue the firm that recommended Roberts and was paid to review his academic credentials, comb through criminal records and verify Roberts was eligible to be hired. The Pennsylvania school district Roberts left to become superintendent of Des Moines schools is exploring a lawsuit against the consulting firm it hired to do the same thing. Gary Winschel is president of the school board in an Erie, Pennsylvania suburb where Roberts worked for nearly three years. He says the district may sue Roberts as well.

“It is our hope that these steps will ensure that those who intentionally misled the district or were complacent with the omission of the facts are held accountable,” he said. “…This situation is not an isolated incident confined to the Millcreek Township School District. Ian Roberts betrayed the trust of so many organization and although his tenure here has concluded, the effects are still felt.”

The district has also asked U-S Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania to open an investigation centered around the drivers license and Social Security card Roberts provided to verify he was eligible to work and be paid by the district.

(Radio Iowa) – A road rage incident in eastern Iowa’s Linn County over the weekend ended with one of the drivers jailed on a charge of attempted murder. Triple-A has released a study that finds road rage is becoming more frequent, more aggressive and — it’s contagious. Spokesman Brian Ortner says the report found exposure to aggressive driving fuels more aggression behind the wheel.”Ninety-six-percent of drivers do admit to driving aggressively in the past year,” Ortner says. “Motivators for that are, getting to the destination faster, or to avoid a perceived danger. Eleven percent of folks admitted to engaging in violent actions, such as intentionally bumping into another car or confronting another driver, and that number alone is too high.”

The survey of licensed drivers found virtually every one admitted to things like red-light running, speeding, tailgating, honking, or cutting off other vehicles, during the past year. It also reveals a self-perpetuating cycle: the more drivers encounter hostility on the road, the more likely they are to respond in kind. “The top offenders, our findings are, the motorists under the age of 60 and those with higher household incomes of $100,000 or more,” Ortner says. “And while men and women are equally likely to drive aggressively, men are significantly more prone to escalating to violent driving behaviors on the road.”

AAA photo

How can you avoid road rage? The study found that even the calmest drivers can get drawn into a incident after a single hostile incident. “When you encounter the situation of aggressive driving, the reaction can be the same, so if you focus on staying calm, avoid eye contact, gestures, or responding. That can help you,” Ortner says. “Give the space. If you’re remaining as a safe driver on the road, let them pass, keep your distance, and if you feel you’re in danger, protect yourself, call 911 or go to a public place.”

Compared with 2016, the report found incidents of cutting off other vehicles is up 67%, while honking out of anger is up 47%. On the plus side, tailgating is down 24% and yelling at other drivers is down 17%.

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Department has released reports on recent arrests.

On Monday, Oct. 6th, 28-year-old Keegan Williams, of Creston, was transported from the Department of Corrections-Clarinda Prison, to the Adams County Jail. Williams had an active Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear.

On Sunday (Oct. 5th), 28-year-old Chantz Hodges, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop in Adams County, for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Last Saturday (Oct. 4th), Adams County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29-year-old Samantha Rex, of Rock Falls, IL, following  a traffic stop. She was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana.

On Oct. 3rd, 41-year-old Glenn Phillips, of Lenox, was arrested following a traffic stop in Adams County. He was charged with OWI, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

On Oct. 2nd, 41-year-old Cory Smith, of Elliott, was arrested by sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, on an active Adams County warrant. He was transported to the Adams County Jail.

Following a reported altercation by Lake Binder, Adams County Deputies responded and, following an investigation, arrested 30-year-old Seancody Anderson, of Lenox, and 30-year-old Natasha Tomlinson. Anderson was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault-Impeding Air Flow, Poss. of Marijuana, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. Tomlinson was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault causing Bodily Injury, and Poss. of Paraphernalia.

On or about Sept. 26th, at approximately 3:58 pm, Adams County Dispatch received a call reporting a verbal argument was taking place outside of 625 Benton Ave. Deputies responded and upon further investigation, 41-year-old Tara Squibbs of Corning, was arrested and charged with Public Intoxication.

*Any potential criminal charges identified above are merely allegations and any defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.*

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding Iowans that local elections matter, and it’s time to make a plan to participate in November’s City-School Election. Iowans can begin casting ballots for the 2025 City-School Election on Wednesday, October 15. This date marks the first day of Iowa’s absentee period and the first day Iowans can vote in person absentee at their local county election office. October 15 also marks the first day county auditors can mail absentee ballots to those who have requested them.

Secretary Pate is also urging Iowans to submit their absentee ballot requests early – written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by the county auditor’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20. Marked absentee ballots must be returned to the county auditor’s office by the time polls close on Election Day, November 4, at 8:00 p.m. The United States Postal Service (USPS) encourages voters to put their ballot in the mail at least one week before Election Day to ensure it arrives on time.

“Local elections matter. Now is the time to make your plan to vote and have an impact on what happens right in your neighborhood,” said Secretary Pate. “Our City-School Elections decide who sits on our school boards and city councils, and have a profound impact on local taxes, property values, infrastructure quality, and access to community services.”

All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the request form:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Iowa residential address
• Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
• Four-digit Voter PIN found on voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office.
• Name or date of the election for which a voter is requesting the absentee ballot
• Signature and date the form was completed

All eligible voters are also encouraged to provide a phone number and email address in the event their county auditor needs to confirm any information on the request form.

“It’s never too early to make your plan to vote, and voting absentee by mail or absentee in person are both safe and secure methods to make sure your ballot is cast this fall. Whether you vote early or on Election Day, Iowans can trust that their votes will be counted accurately and fairly.”

Absentee ballot request forms are available for download directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, voterready.iowa.gov. Requests to receive a ballot by mail must be received by the County Auditor’s office by Monday, October 20, no later than 5:00 p.m. In-person absentee voting at the county auditor’s office is available through November 3, the day before the election.

WASHINGTON, D-C – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for FSIS-inspected ready-to-eat meals produced by FreshRealm containing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated ingredient, specifically spinach, that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). FSIS expects additional affected products to be identified and will update this public health alert as more information becomes available. Consumers should check back frequently.

The following products are subject to the public health alert:

• 10.1-oz. containers of “HELLO FRESH READY MADE MEALS CHEESY PULLED PORK PEPPER PASTA” with establishment number “Est. 47718” and lot code 49107 or establishment number “Est. 2937” and lot code 48840. This item was shipped directly to consumers by HelloFresh.
• 10-oz. containers of “HELLO FRESH READY MADE MEALS UNSTUFFED PEPPERS WITH GROUND TURKEY” with establishment number “P-47718” and lot codes 50069, 50073, or 50698. This item was shipped directly to consumers by HelloFresh.

The problem was discovered when FreshRealm notified FSIS that the spinach used in these products tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider. Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections can occur in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that these products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions regarding the public health alert can contact FreshRealm’s customer service hotline at 1-888-244-1562 or customerservice@freshrealm.com.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, early Monday morning, arrested a woman from Polk County on two Cass County (IA) Bench Warrants. 36-year-old Alysha Anne Buell, of Des Moines, was arrested at around 5:40-a.m., in the 2400 block of Broadway, in Red Oak. She was taken into custody on the warrants for Failure to Appear on charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Buell was turned-over to Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies, and was being held on a $2,000 bond.

Separately, Red Oak Police, Monday afternoon, arrested 31-year-old Felicia Sue Galaviz-Monson, of Red Oak, for Contempt of Court-Resisting a Court Order, and Interference with Official Acts. Monson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 cash bond.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of lawmakers pressing to prohibit Summit Carbon Solutions from seizing land along its proposed carbon pipeline route says they’ve got new ideas for the 2026 legislative session.The group’s also calling for an apology from top Senate Republicans who publicly criticized 12 G-O-P colleagues who refused to vote on budget bills this past spring and forced a Senate vote on a bill with pipeline restrictions.

Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison hosted an event this weekend that four of those senators attended. “Their leadership put them through hell,” Holt said. “Their leadership said things on the floor that I have never heard and I’m embarrassed as a Republican to have ever heard, but they stood fast.” One Senate Republican called the group naive. Another called the bill a nuclear bomb.

Senator Kevin Alons of Salix says it took a lot of courage. “It was a line in the sand that I just couldn’t let go of,” Alons said. “We took our stand and here we are and we’ve got a distance to go yet.” Republican Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City has helped draft the bill the senate passed — and Governor Reynolds vetoed in June. Thomson says seeing which Senators voted against that bill is important. “We know who’s on the other side. They’ve identified themselves. We’ve forced them out of the bushes. That’s who the problem people are,” Thomson said. “That is a huge tactical advantage.”

Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center says 70 percent of Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate voted for the bill. “We were in step not only with the party platform, not only in step with Iowa law — including the Iowa Constitution, but we were part of a Republican legislative super majority,” Taylor said. “We were in step with our political party. The senators who voted no were not.” And Representative Holt says if Senate Republican leadership is looking for a quick compromise on the issue, they can vote on a bill the House passed last year to forbid Summit from seizing agland from unwilling property owners.

“This issue is not going away,” Holt said, to applause from a crowd at a Sunday afternoon rally in Shelby County.

The county’s board of supervisors voted last month to seek U.S. Supreme Court review of the lawsuit Summit filed to block Shelby County’s pipeline ordinance. A federal appeals court has ruled in favor of Summit and against the county’s ordinance that established no-go zones around homes, schools and other structures.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will attend a town hall meeting at 5:30-pm on Wednesday, October 8, in the Atlantic Middle School Media Center (1100 Linn St.). The purpose of the meeting is to provide community members with tours of the facilities, and information regarding upcoming district proposals. A quorum of the Board may be present, but No official Board action will be taken. The District has previously stated that “This will be a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the three measures on the November 4 ballot for ACSD. (The Town Hall meeting will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/2YXxARfjD0M?feature=share)

Following the Town Hall, a regular meeting of the Atlantic School Board will be held, beginning at approximately 6:30-p.m. That meeting will also be streamed live (https://youtube.com/live/2YXxARfjD0M?feature=share)

Their agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Welcome Visitors and Public Comments
5. Special Presentation : SRO & SBI
6. Reports:

1. Student Activities/Athletics
2. PK-3rd Grade Report
3. 4th-5th Grade Report
4. 6th-8th Grade Report
5. 9th-12th Grade Report
6. Student Services
7. Superintendent Report
8. Board Report
9. Financial Report

Consent Items*
a. September Meeting Minutes Sept 10 Sept 18 Sept 24
b. Monthly bills and prepaid bills since last board meeting
c. Open Enrollment-In Applications
d. Resignations

i. Oran Perkins, Middle School Wrestling Asst Coach
ii. Todd Killion, Middle School Wrestling Head Coach
iii. Mallory Kirchhoff, Junior Class Sponsor and Prom Sponsor.

e. Recommendation to Hire:

i. Harley Hester, Special Education Para (replacement position)
ii. Kinnick Juhl, Special Education Para (replacement position)
iii. Jeremia Robinette, Grounds Supervisor (replacing Brett Johnson)
iv. Tyler Mitchell, HS Robotics Sponsor (replacing Andy Mitchell/Stacey Schmidt)
v. Lexi Trotter, HS Girls Wrestling Asst Coach (replacing Lillian Cox)
vi. Derek Handel, MS Boys Basketball Coach (replacing Trace Petersen)
vii. Derek Handel, MS Girls Basketball Coach (replacing Trace Petersen)
viii. Chase Roller, MS Boys Wrestling Head Coach (replacing Todd Killion)
ix. Caleb Smith, MS Boys Wrestling Asst Coach (replacing Oran Perkins)
x. Ben Anderson, HS Boys Soccer Coach (replacing Mark Anderson)

f. Gifts, Grants and Donations from prior month
g. Upcoming Fundraising Request(s): Spanish Class Oct 9-Nov 9 Fundraiser PBIS Fundraiser Oct 17-Nov 3
Note: Any item may be removed from the consent agenda by a board member and considered separately.

8. Discussion:

a. Review board policies with updates:
i. Board Policy 208 Board Committees IASB Version District Version
ii. 208 R1 Board Committee Regulations IASB Version District Version
iii. 401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity IASB Version District Version
iv. 502.07 Student Substance use IASB Version District Version
v. 507.05 Emergency Plans and Drills IASB Version District Version
vi. 708 Care, Maintenance, Disposal of School District Records IASB Version District Version
vii. 710.1 E1 School Nutrition Program, Notice of Discrimination IASB Version District Version
b. Early Retirement Option

9. Action Items:

a. Approve first reading of Board Policies: Board Policy 208 Board Committees, 208 R1 Board Committee
Regulations, 401.01 Equal Employment Opportunity, 502.07 Student Substance use, 507.05 Emergency
Plans and Drills, 708 Care, Maintenance, Disposal of School District Records, 710.1 E1 School Nutrition
Program, Notice of Discrimination
b. Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC): Approve
the request to seek allowable growth for the District’s negative special education balance in the amount
of $724,256.42 for the 2024–2025 school year.
c. Modified Supplemental Amount (MSA) request to the SBRC: EL Excess Costs in the amount of $71,007.36
d. 28E Agreement with Southwest Iowa Apex Consortium (SIAC)
e. Appoint a delegate and an alternate delegate for the IASB Delegate Assembly on Nov. 19

10. Upcoming Dates:

a. Town hall meeting, High School Commons, October 16; 6:00 pm
b. Town hall meeting, Washington Elementary, October 22; 5:30 pm
c. School Board Work Session; October 22, 6:30 pm
d. Town hall meeting, Washington Elementary, October 29; 4-6pm
e. Town hall meeting, Middle School Media Center, October 30; 4-6pm
f. November Election, November 4, 2025
g. Regular Board Meeting, High School Media Center, November 12, 6:30 pm
h. Special Organizational Meeting (Old Board/New Board), November 18, 6:30 pm
i. IASB School Board Convention; November 19-20

11. Board Meeting Evaluation
a. Question for the Board:

12. Adjournment