Cass County Republican Attorney Vanessa Strazdas, who was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in Feb. 2019, has filed nomination papers to fill the County Attorney Vacancy Position. She was selected in 2019, after Governor Kim Reynolds announced the appointment of former County Attorney Michael Hooper to a District Court Judge seat, in the Fourth Judicial District. Strazdas is the latest to file nomination papers in Cass County. And, Ned Brown has filed nomination papers for the Non-Partisan Hospital Board. He joins previously announced Hospital Board candidates LeAnne Pellett and Linda Pelzer (There are 3 open seats.)

Others include: Steve Green – Republican incumbent Supervisor – District 1; Republican incumbent Supervisor Steve Baier – District 4; Democrat Russell Joyce and Republican Bernard Pettinger – District 5 Supervisor; Republican incumbents: Darby McLaren – Sheriff; Dale Sunderman – Auditor; and Delmar South has submitted his nomination papers for Union Township Trustee, which is also a non-partisan position.

Nominations are still open for Democrat candidates who may desire to seek these positions on the primary ballot: Supervisor – Districts 1and 4;  County Attorney; County Sheriff; County Auditor, and, one non-partisan position on the Hospital Board.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports six arrests from Feb. 16th through March 10th. On the 10th, 23-year old Andrew Allen Malloy, of Audubon, was arrested on multiple Audubon Police Department warrants.  Malloy has been charged with Felony Burglary 3rd degree, (2) counts of Attempted Burglary, and Criminal Mischief – 3rd degree.  These charges stem from a burglary at the M and M Car Wash and Laundromat in Audubon.  The investigation continues, and additional charges are pending.  The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest.  Malloy was transported to the Audubon County Jail and is being held on $11,000 cash bond. And, 47-year old Sheri Lynn Mutum, of Audubon, was arrested the same day, on a warrant for Permitting Unauthorized Person to Drive.  Mutum was transported to the Audubon County Jail where she later posted $300 cash bond.

On March 8th, 34-year old Adam Roy Meyer, of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested in Audubon, for Driving With a Suspended License.  Meyer was released at the scene, on promise to appear in court. On Feb. 27th, 36-year old Kathyrn Rose Yager, of Audubon, was cited for allowing a Dog to run at Large.  Yager was issued a citation and released on promise to appear. Feb. 21st, Audubon Police arrested 31-year old Charles Arnold William Bybee, of Audubon, for Driving With a Suspended License. Bybee was released at the scene on promise to appear. On the 17th of February, 41-year old Tiffany Lyn Densmore, of Carroll, was arrested on a Violation of Parole warrant.  Densmore was transported to another agency.

And, on Feb. 16th, 23-year old Andrew Allen Malloy, of Audubon, was arrested on a warrant for Driving With a Suspended License.  Malloy was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held.

The Atlantic City Council has a relatively short agenda for their meeting this coming Wednesday evening. There will be three public hearings followed by action on approving related resolutions. There will also be a slight re-arranging of the Council’s Chambers, in accordance with IDPH and CDC recommendations for a three-foot separation between individuals. The Chamber will be arranged so that Councilpersons are not in close proximity to each other. In addition, any council members who feel uncomfortable attending the meeting, will be allowed to call in.

The Public Hearing during their session cover: Adoption of the Final, Fiscal Year 2021 Budget for the City of Atlantic; Adoption of the FY 2021 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); and on a “Proposal to Enter into a General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement (#2), and to Borrow Money Thereunder.”

The Atlantic City Council will also act on Resolutions “Combining Loan Agreements, Authorizing a Loan Agreement, authorizing a Bond Purchase Agreement, and Authorizing the Call of Bonds; and setting the date for a Public Hearing (as April 1st, 2020) on designated the Expanded North Urban Renewal Area, and on an Urban Renewal Plan Amendment.

Their final order of business, prior to regularly scheduled reports, is to act on setting April 1st as the date for a Public Hearing on replacing Chapter 148 in the City Code of Ordinances (entitled Property Maintenance Codes) with “The International Property Maintenance Code.”

The Council’s March 18th meeting begins at 5:30-p.m.

[Atlantic, Iowa, March 16, 2020] The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) has awarded the City of Atlantic a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $493,997 for improvements to Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ (AMU) water plant and distribution system. The grant funds are part of a $1 million improvement project including repair of two pressure water filters, clear well maintenance, and 1,250 linear feet of water main to provide redundant crossing under the Nishnabotna River. The project will benefit the entire community but especially low to moderate income residents of both Atlantic and Marne, who rely upon the service. The City of Atlantic and AMU worked jointly with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) to secure the grant funds and the project will commence in the near future.

Atlantic Municipal Utilities General Manager Steve Tjepkes said “This grant goes a long way to ensure that we continue to provide great service to our customers while keeping user costs low. We’re thankful to the State of Iowa for awarding this and for SWIPCO on their hard work in going after these funds.”

SWIPCO is a council of governments and designated EDA economic development district based in Atlantic supported by the cities and counties of an eight county region including Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Montgomery, Mills, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby Counties. CDBG funds are used for a variety of projects with varying application deadlines. Communities with needs are encouraged to contact SWIPCO staff early in their project development to work on a successful funding strategy.

Atlantic, IA — Officials with the Cass County Health System report they have relocated multiple providers within Atlantic Medical Center in an effort to separate patients who are being tested for COVID-19 from other patients. This specifically includes Suite C of Atlantic Medical Center; OB/GYN providers have been moved out of this area in an effort to protect expectant mothers, who are considered high risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Other providers have also temporarily moved within the facility. The process for checking in remains the same, and nursing staff will still escort patients to the appropriate exam rooms.

Atlantic Medical Center Rapid Care is still operating as usual; AMC Rapid Care patients are seen in a separate hallway from those being tested for COVID-19 testing. All patients who meet the current guidelines for COVID-19 testing are directed to call 712-243-2850 BEFORE coming to any CCHS facility. These patients will be directed to a separate entrance.

Audubon School District Superintendent Eric Trager reports today, “We will be closing school for the next four weeks following the governors recommendations last night. We understand this is an incredible measure to take but don’t really have any choice but to follow recommendations. Announcements concerning meals, e-learning, and other services will follow in the next couple of days when we get more guidance from the state. In the meantime, please continue to check your email and the school’s social media.”

The district joins numerous others across western and southwest Iowa that are heeding the recommendation from Public Health officials and the Governor, to close for up to four weeks, in order to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.