The Cass County Board of Supervisors met today (Tuesday), in-person and electronically. Auditor Dale Sunderman reports a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) grant, was given to the State to help Iowa respond to the coronavirus for the 2020 election cycle. A sub-grant is available to the counties individually based on the number of precincts. The Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of entering into an Iowa Secretary of State Vote Safe Iowa Initiative Grant Agreement (with an Award amount up to $18,400).

Sunderman says the State has determined CARES Fund allocations and Cass County has been allocated up to $162,734.90 for COVID-19 related expenses. The first claim for reimbursement will be for period of March 1st, 2020 through July 31st, 2020, and amounts to $43,369.38, pending confirmation of eligibility of those funds through documentation. The Board voted to adopt a Resolution requesting reimbursement in the amount stated from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund.

The resolution by Cass County to request reimbursement for eligible costs related to the COVID-19 public health emergency from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the United States Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide economic relief related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHEREAS, Governor Kim Reynolds allocated $125 million of the State of Iowa’s CARES Act funding to local governments for direct expenses incurred in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

WHEREAS, local government funding reimbursements may only be used for necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were not accounted for in the current fiscal year county budget, were incurred during the time period of March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 and have not been reimbursed from other sources.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Cass County requests reimbursement of $43,369.38 (Maximum $162,734.90) in eligible expenditures in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Cass County affirms that the above requests for reimbursement follow all formal published Federal and State of Iowa guidance on how the funds should be spent, and understand if the reimbursements are misrepresented, the local government will be liable for any applicable penalty and interest.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to meet 9-a.m. Wednesday in the courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse, in Greenfield, and electronically via dial-in (See below for details). On their agenda is action on an Iowa CARES Act Funding agreement: Vote Safe Iowa Initiative Grant Agreement, & a Local Government Relief Fund Resolution requesting reimbursement.

In addition to other, regular business, the Adair County Supervisors will hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to: A longevity raise for Lee Stewart; Wage Rate Progression for Roger Carl; the signing of a contract and performance bond with Jensen Construction Company for the W-35 (Jefferson Bridge Replacement) Project, and right-of-way contracts for N-22 (Jackson Bridge Replacement) Project. Kauffman will also provide a report on the Secondary Roads Dept. maintenance and activities.

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Electronic Meeting information: Dial in Number: (605) 313-6157 Access Code: 526272#

(Update 8:50-a.m.) Firefighters from Marne and Atlantic were dispatched to a fire on a deck at a residence in Marne, Monday night. According to the Cass County Communications Center, the page for a fire at 409 Jefferson Street went out at 10:30-p.m.  Marne Fire Chief Josh Krause told KJAN News the homeowner was notified by his neighbor that the deck was on fire. He used a garden hose to help keep the flames under control prior to the fire department’s arrival.

Firefighters quickly knocked-down the remaining flames. Crews worked at the scene for about 75-minutes during storm that was passing through the area.

(No injuries were reported, and the home’s residents were able to stay in the house overnight.)

(Radio Iowa) – Sioux City’s Warrior Hotel is open again for the first time in 40 years. The historic downtown building at 6th and Nebraska Streets hosted private events with guests staying at the newly refurbished hotel. Developers Amrit Gill and his wife Amy had a specific goal in mind when they took on the challenge of remodeling the structure and the adjacent Davidson Building: “To give Sioux City a premiere downtown historic hotel that will be the heartbeat of the community,” Gill says.

Amy Gill says the hotel’s look combines the old with the new: “It’s an amazing classic design — and quirky. In the column capitals there’s buffalo skulls — I don’t think anybody notice that,” Gills says. “And if you look there’s buffaloes and corn there’s the state flower — which is the Wild Rose — and to play off of that and to say this is all about Sioux City.”

When fully completed, the Warrior Hotel, including the Davidson Building, will feature 148 guest rooms including 11 suites. The Davidson will also house 56 of the 148 hotel rooms on the second through fourth floors. Warrior Marketing Director Lila Plambeck says bowling is also back in the downtown with the hotels “War Eagle Lanes.” She says it will be open to guests and the public with six total lanes.

There’s also a lounge with games like darts, pool, and a Golden Tee for golfing aficionados. A spa, pool, and sauna will open later in the fall. The Warrior will have a soft “reservations only” opening this Saturday, September 12th for both guest rooms and Woodbury’s American Steakhouse. The steakhouse will serve dinner only until further notice.

The Creston Police Department reports three arrests. On Sunday, 31-year old Chelsey Kile (whose address was not provided), was arrested in the 300 block of N Cherry St on a Union County Warrant for the charge of Failure to Appear on the original charge of Possession of Paraphernalia. She was released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. This past Saturday, 31-year old Terry Ray Hankins-Lund Jr., of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, on the charge of Domestic Abuse Assault 2nd Offense. He is being held in the Union County Jail on a $2000 bond.

And, last Friday, 54-year old Lilian Ray, of Creston, was arrested in the 1700 block of W Townline, in Creston, on the charge of Public Intoxication. She was released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.