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City Elections set for Nov. 3rd in Cass County

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The filing deadline has passed for those wanting to be included on the ballot for the Nov. 3rd City Elections in Cass County. In Lewis and Wiota, there will be a races to fill a limited number of seats on the City Council, while a Mayor’s race will be featured in Anita. Other than that, there are no contested races in the other cities. Public Measures will also be on the ballot for voters to decide, in four of the eight cities in Cass County. The final list of names appearing on the ballot include:

In Atlantic, all four incumbent Councilpersons have filed for re-election. They include Dana Halder – At Large, Chris Jimerson – 1st Ward, and Linda Hartkopf – 4th Ward and Ashley Hayes in the Third Ward. And, Dick Casady, who was appointed by Mayor Dave Jones earlier this year to fill a vacancy in the 5th Ward, is on the ballot. There are no challengers for those respective seats. Incumbent Stuart Dusenberry also filed papers for an open seat on the Parks and Rec Board, in Atlantic. He also is unopposed.

Voters in Atlantic will also have to make up their minds on Public Measure B, which asks “Shall the City of Atlantic, in Cass County, Iowa, issue its bonds, paid with local option sales tax (LOST) revenue in an amount not exceeding the amount of $875,000 for the purpose of paying for the cost of restoring the historic ballroom/theater and creating a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of City Hall?”

In Anita, Ben Daughenbaugh and Timothy Miller will vie for the title of Mayor. Incumbents Thomas R. Harris and Jeff Bohnsack have filed to run for two open seats on the Anita City Council.

In Cumberland, incumbent Mayor Nancy Virginia Couglin is unopposed for re-election, while incumbent Sandra K. Eversole and Scott W. Becker are running for two seats on the Council. Catherine Landstreet-Howard is unopposed in her run to fill a vacancy seat on the City Council, so there are no contested races in Cumberland.

In Griswold, no one filed to run for Mayor, so the position will come down to a write-in vote. Incumbents Ryan Askeland and Lisa Cook, along with Carmen Sorensen, are running unopposed for three open seats on the City Council. Voters in Griswold will also be asked to decide on Public Measure C, which asks if the City should change the Mayor’s term from a two-year term to a four-year term.

In Lewis, Jon E. Mosier in unopposed in his bid for Mayor, while five candidates, including Incumbent Duane Scott Anderson, Leroy Easter, Marvin Bradfield, Kristy Bassett and Nona Erickson are running for just three open seats on the Council. Lewis voters will also decide on Public Measure D, which asks if an annual levy, the amount of which will not exceed a rate of twenty-seven cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property, is authorized for providing moneys for public library services?

In Marne, incumbent Mayor Randy Baxter is running unopposed for re-election. Three incumbents: Alan Cranston, Lori Holste and Angela Redler, along with Michael Jensen and Kyle Frederiksen, are running for five open seats on the City Council, so there is not a contested race there. Marne voters also have an issue to vote on. Public Measure E asks “Shall an annual levy, the amount of which shall not exceed a rate of one dollar and fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property in the unified law enforcement district be authorized for providing additional moneys needed for unified law enforcement services in the district?”

In Massena, incumbent Mayor Linda Reineke is unopposed for re-election, while incumbents Kevin and Adam McCunn have filed for re-election to one of three seats on the City Council, with Micah Lee running in an Appointed position on the Council.

In Wiota, incumbent Ford Lillard is running again for Mayor, and there will be a three-way race for two seats on the City Council, with incumbent Jon Schwarte competing against Steven R. Havens and Jim Fischer.

Montgomery County City Election will be held on November 3, 2015

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Friday, October 23rd
The deadline to PRE-REGISTER to vote for the Regular City Election is 5:00 P.M. on this day. This applies to registration in person (including registration at driver’s license stations or agencies) or by mail. After today, a person may register to vote at the Auditor’s Office and vote an absentee ballot. The process is the same as for registering to vote on Election Day and specific documentation must be provided. If possible, please register before Election Day.

Friday, October 30th
Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot to be mailed for the Regular City Election is at 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 3rd ELECTION DAY
Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Polling Places:
Red Oak Gold Fair Building, Red Oak Fire Station, First Christian Church, Elliott Community Building, Stanton Fire Department, Grant Fire Department and Villisca Community Building

Those requesting Absentee Ballots by mail should complete their requests as soon as possible and return them to the Auditor’s Office. Absentee Ballot requests will be filled as soon as the Ballots are available.

The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. If anyone has questions about voter registration, absentee ballots, or voting, call the Auditor’s Office at 712-623-5127 or visit www.montgomerycountyiowa.com

Lawmakers seek to halt or amend plans to privatize Medicaid

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Democratic lawmakers are seeking to halt or amend Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. Sen. Amanda Ragan and Sen. Liz Mathis on Thursday sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They say they have “grave concerns” about the privatization plans and ask that federal officials deny Iowa’s application to set up the private system.

If a denial is not an option, the lawmakers ask that the state be subject to additional terms, including a longer time period to phase-in the new program. They argue that the plan to implement the new system in January is moving too quickly.

In a statement, Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers says the shift will help the state find savings, while improving care.

CCHS Donates to area Food Pantries

News, Sports

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Health System staff spent the week before the Iowa State vs Iowa football game gearing up for the big game while supporting area food pantries with $1250 in donations. Throughout the health system, jars were set up for Cyclone and Hawkeye fans to show their team spirit by making cash donations.

JarsThe fun continued with a lunch tailgate party the day before the game. Each department donated a pot of chili, allowing staff and visitors to enjoy a free chili tailgate lunch. Everyone who ate got to vote for their favorite chili, with first prize going to Mary Young of Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center.

The tailgate party included a photo booth with ISU and U of I accessories and an ISU vs U of I cornhole game. Staff were encouraged to show their allegiance with their favorite team shirt and could make a $5 donation to wear jeans for the day.

(Press Release)

Iowa online voter registration to be ready in January

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says Iowa residents with a state driver’s license or photo ID will be able to register online to vote by Jan. 1, ahead of the original November goal. The Iowa Voter Registration Commission approved in January a rule allowing qualified voters to visit a website where they can input the numbers on their state-issued driver’s license or photo ID to register.

Information from the Iowa Department of Transportation, including the voter’s signature, will be imported into voter registration forms and automatically forwarded to the state’s voter database. Voters without a license or ID or those without internet service may still register by filling out paper applications. Pate estimates 93 percent of eligible voters can use the online system for voter registration.

Boil Water Advisory in Clarinda

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

City officials in Clarinda say residents of the community are being advised to boil water used for consumption, cooking, and teeth brushing. According to City Manager Gary McClarnon, the advisory is meant as a precautionary measure, at least for the next few days.

Survey suggests economy slowing in rural parts of 10 states

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new survey suggests that the economy will slow down in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states in the months ahead. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says weak crop and energy prices are hurting profits across the region. The Rural Mainstreet Index dipped into negative territory at 49 in September from August’s 50. Any score below 50 suggests that factor will decline.

Farmers are delaying big purchases if they can because of the environment. The farm equipment sales index remained at 14.2 in September. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Rollover accident Thursday morning, in Union County

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office says a rollover accident early this (Thursday) morning, resulted in possible/unknown injuries to the only occupant of the vehicle, but that person was not transported to the hospital. Officials say 28-year old Lyndsey Marie Cottrell, of Creston, was driving a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo LS east on Highway 34 north of Kent at around 4:05-a.m., when the car went out of control and drifted onto the shoulder. Cottrell over-corrected, sending the car into the south ditch, where it hit a fence and rolled over before landing on its wheels. Damage from the crash amounted to $3,750.

And, a man from Afton and teenager from Osceola reported minor/Possible injuries following an accident that took place Wednesday afternoon, on Highway 34. 18-year old Zachary Carlo was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 4:50-p.m., when a trailer being pulled by Carlo’s 1993 Chevy pickup, began to fishtail. The action caused Carlo to lose control of the pickup, which entered the north ditch and rolled over, causing the trailer, which was loaded with an unregistered pickup truck, to separate from its tow vehicle.

The unregistered pickup then became separated from the trailer, and came to rest in the ditch. The Sheriff’s report says Zachary Carlo, who was wearing his seat belt, was ejected through a side window of the pickup. His passenger,17-year old Carly Kistler, of Osceola, was also wearing a seat belt, but suffered unknown/possible injuries. Neither was transported to the hospital.

Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000.

4 arrests reported in Mills County

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday), issued a report on recent arrests. Officials say at around 1:20-a.m. Thursday (Today), 22-year old Miguel Magana, of Schuyler, NE, was arrested on Bunge Road, for Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. His bond was set at $2,000.

Last Sunday (Sept. 13th), 35-year old Aprile Marie Waston (no city given), was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Her bond was set at $300. On Saturday, 55-year old Lloyd Dean Black, of Omaha, was arrested on an OWI/1st Offense, charge. Bond was set at $1,000.

And last Friday (Sept. 11th), 30-year old Keith James Charlier, of Blanchard, was arrested in Mills County on a warrant for Probation Violation. The man was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail.

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 9/17/2015

News, Podcasts

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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