One person suffered what were described as “suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries, during a collision Wednesday morning, near Lorimor. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2015 cargo van driven by 25-year old Dallas Dorrian, of Grimes, was traveling south Warbler Avenue (County Road P-54) at around 9:23-a.m., at the same time a 2013 Buick LaCrosse SUV was traveling north. The vehicles met at the crest of a hill and sideswiped each other.

The van broke an axle and came to rest on the road. The SUV entered the east ditch. The driver, 80-year old Doreen Bowman, of Thayer, suffered minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Madison County. No charges were filed.

TIPTON, Iowa (AP) — Sheriff’s deputies in an eastern Iowa county say they’ve filed a complaint with state’s attorney oversight office about the county’s top prosecutor. They say Cedar County Attorney Jeff Renander is too lenient on defendants and has made inappropriate comments to sex crime victims. All 13 Cedar County deputies shared with the county board a Feb. 20 letter expressing no confidence in Renander. He’s declined to comment about the allegations. The deputies’ letter cited comments heard by officers that Renander recently made to the victim in a sexual abuse case, essentially blaming the woman for the assault.

No one was injured during what could best be described as a chain reaction accident this (Thursday) morning, in Atlantic. The accident in front of the Heritage House at 1200 Brookridge Circle, was reported at around 8:54-a.m. Atlantic Police Officer Caleb Smith said the incident began when the female driver of a blue, Buick LeSabre attempted to park in a Handicap spot in front of the Heritage House.

(Smith said the woman told Police that when she went to push on the brake, she thought her brakes went out. An investigation however, determined she apparently hit the accelerator instead. Her car went forward in between the building and some signs. When the woman tried to come back on the road, her car struck a handicapped sign and two legally parked vehicles before coming to rest.)

Ric Hanson/photos

The Airbag on her vehicle did deploy during the incident. The name of the woman and the registered owners of the other vehicles, were not immediately available.

The Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent, drug-related arrests. Wednesday morning, 35-year old Leslie John Smith, of Mt. Ayr, was arrested on felony charges that include: Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (methamphetamine); Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

John Leslie Smith (Photo via Ringgold County S/O)

Smith was also charged with Possession of Drug paraphernalia, and Possession of stolen property. He was being held without bond in the Ringgold County Jail, until seen by magistrate. His arrest was the result of  a joint investigation involving the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

Authorities report also, that on the night of Feb. 24th, the Afton Police Dept. called about conducting a search warrant on a residence in Diagonal for stolen property. The search was conducted and the property was seized and turned over to the Afton PD. While inside the residence, authorities noticed drug paraphernalia and illegal narcotics. The Ringgold County Sheriff’s subsequently applied for another search warrant, was granted by the court. After conducting a search Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Prescription drugs, along with paraphernalia and items for the intent to deliver was seized.

Two people were arrested: 36-year old Nichole Ott and 34-year old David Giles, both of Diagonal. They both face charges that include: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine; PCS – Marijuana; Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs; And, felony Controlled Substance charges (for unlawfully manufacturer or delivery of Meth and Marijuana, along with a felony, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, charge. Their bonds were set at $20,000 each.

David Giles

Nichole Ott

Helping with the search at Giles’ and Ott’s residence, was the Afton PD, Creston PD, Union County Sheriff Office, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office.

The Cass County Auditor’s Office reminds persons interested in filing nomination papers in advance of the June 2nd, 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION, that those papers may be filed beginning Monday, March 2nd. The last day to file in March 25th.  Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state: www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION are: Attorney (vacancy term); Auditor; Sheriff; the District 1, District 4 and District 5 Supervisor positions.

The number of signatures required for a person’s name to appear on the ballot are as follows: Supervisor, District 1 – 14 for Republicans, 6 for Democrats; Supervisor, District 4 – 18 Republican, 7 Democrat; Supervisor, District 5 – 16 Republican, 9 Democrat;  Attorney (Vacancy), Auditor and Sheriff – 77 Republican, 38 Democrat.

For additional information, please contact the Cass County Auditor’s Office at 712-243-4570, or by E-mail auditor@casscoia.us.

Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman reports filing rules have changed for the NOVEMBER 2020 GENERAL ELECTION.  According to the new rules, filing for NOMINATION by PETITION positions begins March 2 and ends March 20 (except for Agricultural Extension positions). The filing periods for the November 3, 2020, General Election are:

•President/Vice President: July 27, 2020 – August 14, 2020 (5:00 p.m.)

•U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: February 24 – March 13, 2020 (5:00 p.m.)

•County Office: March 2 – March 20, 2020 (5:00 p.m.)

Monday, March 2nd, 2020 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices with the County Auditor’s office.  Last day to file is Friday, March 20, 2020.  Nomination papers may be circulated now.  Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and also from the Iowa Secretary of State online at sos.iowa.gov.

The number of signatures needed for County Offices are as follows:

• District 1 Supervisor, 19 signatures .
• District 4 & District 5 Supervisors positions require 20 signatures (each)
• County Attorney, Auditor and Sheriff’s positions require 98 signatures per office for nomination.

These persons currently hold the aforementioned incumbent County posts: Attorney (Incumbent by Appointment) – Vanessa Strazdas; Auditor – Dale Sunderment (Republican); Sheriff – Darby McLaren (Republican); District 1 Supervisor – Stephen Green (Republican); District 4 Supervisor – Steve Baier (Republican); District 5 Supervisor – Frank Waters (Republican).

Non-partisan positions to appear on the November 3, 2020 GENERAL ELECTION ballot include:

1. CASS COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT commissioners- three positions; and

2. CASS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION COUNCIL- four positions;

3. TOWNSHIP CLERK & TRUSTEES- one trustee in each of the townships of Edna and Union.

4. CASS COUNTY HOSPITAL TRUSTEE- three full term positions (4-year terms)

The number of signatures needed is as follows: Ag Extension (4-year term), Soil and Water Conservation (6-year term) = 25 signatures; Hospital Trustee (6-year term) = 50 signatures. Township Trustee and Clerks (4-year terms) = No nomination papers needed – only an Affidavit; 1 trustee, 0 clerks. Only Edna and Union Townships fill positions by election. The 14 other township’s officers are appointed by the Cass County Board of Supervisors. Incumbent township officers: Edna Township: Trustee Keith Nelson; Union Township: Trustee Delmar South

Other incumbents are:

• Cass Co Hospital Trustee – Nathan Brown, Leanne Pellett and Linda Pelzer.
• Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner – Curt Behrends
• Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner – Chase Wheatley
• Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioner – Ray Wilson
• County Agricultural Extension Council – Julie Aupperle
• County Agricultural Extension Council – Darrin Petty
• County Agricultural Extension Council – Marcy Jo Dorsey
• County Agricultural Extension Council – Jody Steffen

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

The Cass County Auditor’s office.  Phone: 712-243-4570; Email: auditor@casscoia.us