Officers with the Council Bluffs Police Department responded a little after 9:30-a.m today (Wednesday), to 828 Ave B to assist US Marshalls with a wanted person refusing to exit an apartment. Officers received information alleging a wanted party, considered to be armed and dangerous was at this location. Upon knocking and announcing a Police presence officers observed people inside begin to move around but ignore requests to answer the door.

Acting on information that the occupants were possibly armed and had made statements of wanting to resist arrest, the Council Bluffs Emergency Services Team and Negotiators were activated. Following numerous at tempts to establish communications with the occupants a window was breeched at which time the occupants stated they would exit and comply with any orders.

A man, 43-year old Casy Kagy and a woman, 37-year old Heidi Kopf, exited the residence and were taken into custody. No injuries were reported from the incident. Kopf was arrested on outstanding warrants through Lancaster County, Nebraska. Kagy was charged with Interference with Official Acts.

The Cass County Boards of Supervisor today (Wednesday), heard from Joel Dirks with West Central Community Action (WCCA), which serves Cass and nine other counties in the area. Dirks requested $4,000 in County funding for their services, the same amount as last year. The Board took the request under advisement for when they begin working on the Budget. Those funds are used to provide local match support required by some Federal programs they use, they provide financial assistance for clients, but provide no means of paying program delivery costs or administrative costs, which this past year amounted to $278,179.

In addition, the County’s funds assist in supporting West Central’s efforts to maintain safe and affordable space for their dual outreach centers. Dirks said their goal is to maintain a reserve fund for operating capital, which allows them to cash flow their operations until Federal and State funding partners reimburse the agency for work completed on their grants and contracts. Among the services WCCA provides to its clients is: Head Start; Child Care Resource and Referral;Early Childhood Iowa Areas (via Early Childhood Iowa); the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Weatherization of low-income homes; LiHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program); Senior Employment Program (Senior Aides); Family Development and Self-Sufficiency, and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Program.

Dirks says West Central Community Action programs are important alternatives to the County general Relief program, in meeting citizens’ needs. Without the County’s support, Dirks said the savings generated from WCCA would be in jeopardy. He reported to the Board that 646 households and 1,594 individuals were served during Fiscal Year 2017, in Cass County. The County received more than $1.3-million dollars worth of direct, in-client program services, for a total of $1.66-million dollars in services provided by WCCA.

The five Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation voted for the G-O-P’s tax plan and the lone Democrat voted against it. Senator Chuck Grassley called the tax bill “landmark” and  “historic.” Senator Joni Ernst noted the bill includes her “SQUEAL Act” which means members of congress will no longer get a tax break for their living expenses in Washington. Congressman Steve King of Kiron called the legislation an “early Christmas present to American taxpayers.” Congressman Rod Blum of Dubuque did not issue a statement after the vote, but has tweeted recently that “families…will see their tax home pay increase” as a result of the bill’s passage.

Congressman David Young of Van Meter tweeted right after voting for the bill that it would “give hardworking Iowa taxpayers the relief they deserve.” Democratic Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa City criticized the bill, saying it “focuses on slashing taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations.”

(Radio Iowa)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New U.S. Census Bureau data show Iowa and Nebraska’s populations grew slower than the national average. Estimates released Wednesday show Iowa’s population increased to 3,145,711 as of July 1, up from 3,130,869 at the same time in 2016. That’s a growth rate of 0.47 percent.

Nebraska’s population grew to 1,920,076 during that same window, compared to 1,907,603 the previous year. That’s an increase of 0.65 percent. The United States’ population reached 325,719,178 during that period, up from 323,405,935. That’s an increase of 0.71 percent.

The Census Bureau says Idaho was the nation’s fastest-growing state, with a population increase of 2 percent. Utah, Washington, Florida and Arizona were also among the biggest gainers. Illinois experienced the largest population loss in terms of numbers, while Wyoming saw the largest percentage decline.

An accident this morning in Atlantic caused a brief evacuation of the Atlantic Hy-Vee Store. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon says the incident happened at around 8:45-a.m. He said a straight truck backed into the external gas line connection to the store causing a leak of natural gas that was noticed outside and inside the store. A valve to the line was quickly shut-off and the store ventilated. The doors were re-opened to customers about 30-minutes later.

Atlantic Firefighters at the scene of a gas line leak. (Photo courtesy Mike Kennon/Cass County EMA)

No injuries were reported. Kennon says the driver was backing up to a loading dock when the incident occurred. He says the truck managed to miss the concrete post barriers and it was fortunate it struck the incoming line on the opposite side of the shut-off valve.

Alliant Energy crews were working on repairing the connection as firefighters were leaving.

Officials with the Creston Police Department say a Creston resident reported Tuesday, that someone broke out the passenger side window on his truck. The incident happened while the vehicle was parked in the 500 block of N. Birch Street, sometime between 12-a.m. and 1:30-p.m., Tuesday. The damage amounted to $150. And, a resident of the 300 block of S. Lincoln Street in Creston reported someone had used his debit card information to make a purchase in Kellerton. The incident took place on Dec. 6th. The loss was estimated at about $23.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City’s new tubing hill is ready to go after being tested by several city council members and other officials. The Sioux City Journal reports that local officials tried out the 700-foot tubing hill at the city’s new $4 million Cone Park Tuesday. The temperatures in the low 40s Tuesday made it hard for the artificial snow to be packed down, but Parks and Recreation Director Matt Salvatore says colder weather should arrive soon. That will help the tubing run.

The park will open to the public Thursday. Later this winter, an ice skating rink will be added. And in the summer, the park will offer a two-mile loop of trails and a splash pad.

ELLSTON, Iowa (AP) — A Minnesota man has snapped up a free farmhouse in southern Iowa after the offer was publicized, so he can move the home to his grandfather’s farm. Roger and Linda Dolecheck offered their former family home free in a Craigslist ad so they could get it off their Ringgold County land. The family already built a new home seven years ago. The Dolechecks said the home would be torn down this winter if they couldn’t find a taker.

But Jeff Dooley of Anoka, Minnesota, jumped at the chance to claim the farmhouse. Dooley told the Des Moines Register that the home will replace a run-down manufactured home on his family’s land. He hopes to one day retire there.

The Atlantic City Council will hold its final meeting of 2017 this evening, beginning at 5:30. As he’s done in past sessions, Mayor Dave Jones will pay recognition to Atlantic Athletes. This evening, he’ll pay tribute to the Cross Country team, which is comprised of 18 girls and 18 boys. At the State Cross County meet this year, Taylor McCreedy placed 20th and Jalen Petersen placed 67th.

Afterward, the council will discuss with Snyder Engineers and Associates’ Engineer Tim Teig, the Community Beautification Project. During the last Council meeting, there was concern over the costs and scope of a proposed agreement with Snyder’s, with regard to management of the project. Teig was selected by the Community Development Committee to manage the cost estimate and technical aspects of executing the project that began with conceptual plans created by ISU intern Matt Iekel, and were examined by a committee. Teig’s background in Landscape Architecture, according to the Community Development Committee, is a valuable resources for the City, and they recommend approval of an agreement for his services.  After hearing from Teig, the Council will act on approve the Engineering Agreement.

The next order of business pertains to an Order awarding a contract to Howrey Construction in the amount of $98,350, for the AMU (Atlantic Municipal Utilities) Wellfield Trail Head Project. The City is partnering with AMU for the latest phase of the trail system in town. Using Iowa’s TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant program, AMU will be creating a new trail system over their well heads located near the Sports Complex on the northeast side of town. The project was approved by Regional Planning Affiliations (RPA) 13, last year. AMU will manage the project. The City is expected to serve as the technical sponsor.

Afterward, a Public Hearing will be held with regard to an amendment and extension of the City’s Urban Revitalization Plan, which renews the City’s current tax abatement policy for three-years. The policy would otherwise expire on Dec. 31st. The Personnel and Finance Committee recommends the Council approve a Resolution to renew the URP. City Administrator John Lund will answer any questions the Council may have on the matter, followed by action on the Resolution.

The Council will also hold the second reading of an Ordinance with regard to parking, as it affects 13th Street from Locust to Birch. Parking along that section of street is currently allowed on both sides of the street because it was overlooked somehow. Making the street in compliance with no parking on one side-only, would make the City’s street system more consistent. And, the final order of business for the Council, will be Administering the Oath of Office to Mayor Dave Jones and the rest of the Council who were re-elected during the Nov. 7th City Elections.