(12-p.m. News) – Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to four accidents from Oct. 23rd to the 26th. Two of the accidents took place on the 26th (Monday). Authorities say at around 6:32-a.m., Deputies responded to a report of a train hitting a car, on White Pole Road. A 2009 Pontiac G6 owned and driven by 66-year old Mary Margaret Fisher, of Anita, was eastbound on White Pole Road when it went out of control and entered the south ditch, coming to rest on the railroad tracks. A short time later, an Iowa Interstate Locomotive struck the vehicle. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Pontiac is estimated at $5,000; damage to the locomotive is estimated at $3,000. Fisher was cited with Failure to Maintain Control.

About an hour later, Cass County Deputies were called to the scene of a two-vehicle accident on White Pole Road. Officials say A 2013 Chevy Equinox owned and driven by 31-year old Holly Ann Esbeck, of Atlantic, was westbound on White Pole Road when the vehicle went out of control on a bridge and entered the eastbound lane, striking the south bridge rail and an eastbound 2004 Ford F150 owned and driven by 60-year old Tamara Annette Shellberg, of Oakland. No injuries were reported. Damage to Esbeck’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000; damage to Shellberg’s vehicle is estimated at $8,000. Esbeck was cited with Failure to Maintain Control.

On October 24th at around 4:05 a.m., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on I-80. A 2020 Dodge Ram towing a camper driven by 31-year old Jasmine J. Applewhite, of Chicago, was westbound on I-80 when the vehicle was passed by a semi, blowing the vehicle into the north side ditch. The pickup flipped onto its top and the camper was on its side. No injuries were reported. Damage to the truck is estimated at $40,000; no estimation of damage is available for the camper.

On October 23rd at 12:36 p.m.., the Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 71 at Richland Road. A 2010 Ford F150 owned and driven by 59-year old Phillip Duane Allen,  of Griswold, and a 2003 Mazda B40 owned and driven by 20-year old Marie Edna Amos, of Atlantic, were southbound on Highway 71. Allen slowed to come to a stop when his vehicle was struck in the rear by Amos’ vehicle. No injuries were reported. Damage to Allen’s vehicle is estimated at $12,000; damage to Amos’ vehicle is estimated at $3,000. Amos was cited for Failure to Stop in Assured Clear Distance.

(12-p.m. News) The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests.  On October 24th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 53-year old Rex Dean McDermott, of Atlantic, on charges of Public Intoxication and Harassment 3rd Degree, both simple misdemeanors. McDermott was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $1,200 bond. Then, on October 29th, Deputies arrested McDermott on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owner’s Consent. At that time, McDermott was also arrested on charges of OWI 3rd/Subsequent Offense (a Class-D Felony); Driving While Barred; and Interference with Official Acts. McDermott was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $7,000 bond.

On October 24th also, and upon an investigation, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 55-year old Mark Elmer Steil, of Bridgewater, on Felony charges of Theft 2nd Degree, Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, and Burglary 3rd Degree. Steil was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

And, on Oct. 28th, 20-year old Devin Joel Hilliard, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Felony Theft in the 1st Degree. Hilliard was being held in the Cass County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

(Radio Iowa) – Theresa Greenfield, the Democrat challenging Republican Senator Joni Ernst’s bid for reelection, is returning to the campaign trail this (Thursday) afternoon after testing negative for Covid. Greenfield cancelled campaign appearances Wednesday after learning some of her campaign staff had been around a person last week who later tested positive for Covid. According to a campaign statement, Greenfield and her staff have been tested, all received negative results and Greenfield has had two negative Covid tests in the past week.

Greenfield will resume in-person events and press availabilities — all outdoors — and masks are required. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds ridiculed Greenfield last (Wednesday) night during a G-O-P rally.  “Theresa didn’t get very far on her RV tour, did she?” Reynolds said, and the crowd in Bondurant laughed. “No, no. She’s been hiding in the basement because she might have to answer a question.”

That audio courtesy of Caffeinated Thoughts blogger Shane Vander Hart. Iowa Democratic Party chairman Mark Smith this (Thursday) morning called the governor’s remarks are an example of the cavalier attitude Republicans have taken toward the pandemic. “This is offensive and it is appalling,” Smith says. “Iowans have sacrificed for eight months to help contain this virus.” Smith says it’s irresponsible for Vice President Pence to host an in-person rally this (Thursday) afternoon at the Des Moines airport. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will hold a drive-in rally in Des Moines tomorrow (Friday), with the crowd seated inside their own vehicles.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Wisconsin-based Alliant Energy has announced it will close its coal-fired power plant in the northeast Iowa city of Lansing over the next two years. The Des Moines Register reports that the plan is part of the company’s broader goal to eliminate all coal from it’s portfolio by 2040 in a shift to solar, wind and other renewable energy. Alliant says it has operated the 275-megawatt coal-fired plant in Lansing for 72 years and employs 26 people there.

The utility says retiring the plant allows the company to avoid significant investments that would otherwise be required to comply with changing environmental regulations.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office Thursday (today) reports 54-year-old James Patrick Hiatt, of Omaha, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Sarpy County, Nebraska, Jail. Hiatt was wanted on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $2,500.

And, a Glenwood man was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through highway, following a collision late Wednesday morning at Highway 34 and Kidd Road. Authorities say at around 11:55-a.m., a 2015 Chevy driven by 22-year old Caleb Heath, of Glenwood, was attempting to cross Highway 34 from Kidd Road. When he failed to see an approaching westbound 2017 Dodge, driven by 37-year old Heather Zaiger, of Red Oak, the Dodge hit the Chevy on the passenger side. Heath was cited following the accident investigation.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has kept in place guidance from Iowa’s secretary of state that county elections commissioners can only set up absentee ballot drop boxes at or outside their offices. Judge William Kelly rejected a request from a Latino civil rights organization and a group aligned with Democrats to block Secretary of State Paul Pate’s guidance and allow for drop boxes in locations such as grocery stores.

The ruling isn’t expected to have an impact because it comes so close to Election Day. Most absentee ballots have already been returned and auditors had dropped plans to add drop box locations even if Pate’s guidance was suspended.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education held a work session Wednesday evening. Superintendent Steve Barber told KJAN News Transportation Director Mark Weiss updated the Board on the status of the district’s fleet and drivers.

The Board also discussed the district’s Fiscal Year 2020 Financial situation, and how COVID has affected some of those numbers.

Steve Barber also spoke of the outpouring of support for injured Trojan Football Player Steele McLaren, who is in a Nebraska hospital fighting to recover from severe head trauma resulting from an accident last Sunday.

Steele’s dad Dustin McLaren said on the Praying for Steele #32Strong Facebook page, that the 17-year old will not come off the drugs keeping him sedated and paralyzed as hoped, on Friday. The doctor stressed to Steele’s parents that the young man’s brain injury was so severe, they should be prepared for a long road to recovery, ahead.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold an end-of-the-month meeting 9-a.m. Friday, in Atlantic, both in-person and electronically (See link info. below). The Board is set to receive an Annual Report and FY 2022 Funding Request from the Cass County Library Association. The request will be taken under consideration when Budget time begins. The Supervisors will also receive regular reports for the County Engineer and Mental Health/General Relief Coordinator.

In his report, Engineer Trent Wolken will present to a Board a contract with the Iowa DOT for County Bridge Federal Aid SWAP Funding, for a bridge on Indian Creek Road, .4 of a mile north of White Pole Road. The Board will act on a Resolution authorizing Board Chair Steve Baier to sign the agreement. The Supervisors will also act on Resolutions pertaining to:

• The awarding of a contract for a joint bridge bundle project with Guthrie County.
• The establishing of a speed limit on Memphis Road (620th to Highway 71)
• and a Resolution with regard to Posted Weight Limits on County bridges.

The Supervisors will discuss and possibly act on the closing of a County roadway on 570th Street and the I-80 underpass. The proposal has been discussed at length for the past several Board of Supervisor’s meetings. In other business, the Board will act on approving the abatement of taxes for separate parcels owned by the Cities of Lewis and Atlantic, and and abatement of tax on mobile homes.

They’re also expected to review and update the County Policy pertaining to reimbursement for the use of personal cell phones for County business.

(Zoom Link to the meeting) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/138870131?pwd=dnRLK2ZjcWQ2SWpMQm0wK1c0b2pwUT09  

[Meeting ID: 138 870 131              Password: 012064 ]

The Atlantic Rotary recently donated $500 to support the Jack & Jill Preschool Literacy program. Rotary Club President Brian Harris presented the check to Jack and Jill staff.

(Atlantic) – The Cass County Genealogical Society is celebrating a new look. During the recent Atlantic Public Library remodeling, the Genealogy room was moved from the east side to the west side in the ground level floor. You are invited to take a look today (Thursday, October 29), from 3 to 6 pm. The open house will be a come-and-go event. Activities will be available in the Library meeting room and the Genealogy Room. A video of important historical houses and buildings in Atlantic will be shown during the entire time. Research sources available through the Library web site will be demonstrated.

A detective game will help you find a wide variety of resources in the Genealogy Room. There’s information about churches, schools, businesses, Cass County and much more. There are 175 family histories. Two new computers make it possible to search national and world wide records. Membership is $15 per year which includes a newsletter. Programs are usually offered monthly. Access to resources and assistance from Mary Hoegh, Executive Director and other members is available to everyone in person, by phone and email. The email address is casscgs@gmail.com

Prizes for completing the game and door prizes will be awarded. No refreshments will be served. Masks are required in the Library. Number of people in the Genealogy Room will be monitored. Plan to visit the Cass County Genealogy Room at the Atlantic Public Library today, from 3 to 6 pm.