(Atlantic & Red Oak, Iowa) – The Cass and Montgomery County Boards of Supervisors are set to hold separate meetings, Tuesday morning, in Atlantic and Red Oak, respectively. Both meetings get underway at 9-a.m.

In Montgomery County, the Board will act on approving the final voucher for the 180^th Street Box Culvert project. The Board will also hear comments from  West Township resident Jan Norris, with regard to a proposed carbon capture pipeline project in the county. Zoom link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411    Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

The Cass County Supervisors will hold a joint hearing with the Audubon County Board of Supervisors, with regard to the previously mentioned, proposed vacating of a section of 350^th Street in Audubon and Cass Counties, in the vicinity of Akron Road. (The legal description is as follows: That portion of 350th Street/Akron Road, established March 28, 1899, commencing at the west right of way limits of Nighthawk Avenue/710th Street near the southeast corner of Section 35, Exira Township (T-78N, R-35W) also being the northeast corner of section 2, Benton Township (T-77N, R-35W), thence running westerly along the north line of said Section 2 a distance of 4,958 feet to a point where Akron Road turns and continues northerly, into Audubon County and known as Mockingbird Avenue. Said portion is 40 feet wide and contains about 3.08 acres of road right of way in Audubon County and about 2.99 acres of road right of way in Cass County. The total length of 350th Street/Akron Road to be vacated is about 4,958 feet.)

The hearing will be followed by discussion and action on vacating the road described. Other business includes approving of or passing, the following:

• Resolution 2025-06 Authorization for Sheriff’s Office Employees to Conduct Banking Transactions
• 28E Mutual Aid Agreement between Cass County and the City of Anita
• 28E Mutual Aid Agreement between Cass County and the City of Griswold
• Iowa Department of Transportation Federal-aid Agreement for a County Highway Bridge Program Project, Number BROS-CO15(85)—8J-15 (Cass County Bridge 73)
• Resolution 2025-07, Contract for Cass County Project BROS-C015(81)—8J-15
• Resolution 2025-08, Contract for Cass County Project BROS-C015(82)—5F-15
• Resolution 2025-09, Contract for Cass County Project FM-C015(84)–55-15
• Approve Gravel Petition #1 of 2024 – a portion of 670th St. between Keystone Rd. and Lansing Rd

The Board is expected to receive: a Quarterly report by Mitch Holmes, Cass County Veteran Affairs Executive Director for the quarter ending December, 2024; a Monthly report by Debbie Schuler, Cass County Community services Director and Mental Health Advocate for the months of December, 2024 and January, 2025, and a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411   Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064

WALNUT, Iowa — An iconic cottonwood tree in Walnut was cut down this past Wednesday. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, it was the third largest in the state. KETV in Omaha reports Walnut Mayor Brett Simpson said it was cut down over concerns the tree might fall on property or a person.

It’s hope parts of the tree may be preserved at Walnut’s Historical Society. Meanwhile, memories of the town’s large cottonwood tree will live on through photographs and perhaps the Historical Society soon.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report a man was arrested Saturday evening on drug and child endangerment charges. Deputies arrested 59-year-old Richard James Reynolds, of Elliott at around 5:35-p.m., in Elliott. Reynolds was taken into custody on charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana-3rd offense, and four-counts of Child Endangerment. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $2,000 bond.

(Mount Ayr, Iowa) – Officials with the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Office said Friday, a man wanted on a warrant out of Polk County for a Parole Violation, was arrested late Thursday morning in Kellerton. Authorities say 49-year-old John Anthony Neely, of Des Moines, was taken into custody at around 11:30-a.m. Thursday, by Ringgold County Sheriff’s deputies and the Fifth District of the Iowa Department of Corrections Task Force.

Neely was arrested at 302 Adams Street in Kellerton, after a tip came into the Sheriff’s Office that he was possibly staying there. After a search was conducted, Neely was found hiding in a closet.

Neely was transported back to the Polk County Jail.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak (this) Saturday morning, arrested a man for Interference with Official Acts. Authorities say 39-year-old Delton Paul Lyden (No address given) was arrested at around 2-a.m. in the 1800 block of N. 4th Street in Red Oak. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Friday night, arrested a man for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – a Simple Misdemeanor. Authorities say 32-year-old James Allen Lilly, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 7:45-p.m. in the 200 block of W. Oak Street. Lilly was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – A bill in the statehouse would make putting someone else’s personal information online an aggravated misdemeanor.

It’s commonly known as “doxxing”– posting personal details about another person, like their phone number or address, with the intent to threaten or intimidate them. Senate File 35, introduced by Sen. Charlie McClintock, would include doxxing into Iowa’s definition of harassment, making it easier to prosecute. Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks helped write the legislation. He says doxxing makes a real impact on its victims.

The bill made its way out of a senate subcommittee this week. Next, it will face debate in front of the full senate.

BOONE, Iowa — A 37-year-old former firefighter from Boone has entered a guilty plea in a sexual exploitation case. KCCi reports Joshua Long pled guilty to multiple counts of sexual exploitation involving a minor. Court records indicate he possessed explicit screenshots depicting the abuse of a young girl under 12.

Despite potential for a long prison sentence, this month a judge granted Long five years of probation instead, stirring controversy and criticism, particularly from Boone County Attorney Matthew Speers.

Speers strongly objected, arguing that the explicitness of images warranted a more severe punishment. He believed Long should have faced a lengthy prison sentence due to the severity of the conduct depicted in the images.

Bedford, Iowa — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today (Friday) presented Edward Johnson, an Army veteran from Bedford, with medals earned for honorable service during World War II.

“Edward Johnson is part of the Greatest Generation – a generation of patriotic Americans who put service above self every day. Mr. Johnson deserves recognition for his service to not only our country but our world. I’m honored to present his long-awaited award to him today,” said Rep. Nunn. “As a veteran of the Air Force and current member of the Air Force Reserve, I am committed to supporting current servicemembers and providing resources to veterans who have served our country.” (Photos courtesy Rep. Zach Nunn’s office)

Edward Johnson entered active service in the U.S. Army in November 1944 at the age of eighteen. After training, he spent one year, three months, and sixteen days in the European Theatre of Operations. His service during this period earned him the World War II Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal and Germany Clasp, the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Battle Participation Star for the Campaign “Germany.”

Unfortunately, Edward never received the Battle Participation Star, also known as the Bronze Battle Star, despite it being awarded on May 11, 1945. After nearly eighty years, Rep. Nunn presented the medal to Edward, along with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Any veteran in the Iowa Third Congressional District in need of assistance navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal agency should contact Rep. Nunn’s district office at (515) 400-8180 or by visiting nunn.house.gov/veterans.

(Radio Iowa) – A member of the Iowa House who has represented a district in the southeast corner of the state for the past four years has died. Seventy-two-year-old Martin Graber of Fort Madison was first elected to the Iowa House in 2020. He served 32 years in the Iowa National Guard, rising to the rank of brigadier general by the time of his retirement. He won reelection to the House in 2024 with over 67 percent of the vote.

House Speaker Pat Grassley says Graber’s legacy will be one of kindness, hard work, and service. Governor Reynolds says she’s heartbroken at the loss. Graber is survived by his wife Coni, who he married 49 years ago, his daughters and his grandchildren. Graber was a southeast Iowa native who graduated from Central Lee High School. Graber earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1976, a masters from St. Ambrose in 1987 and another masters from the U-S Army War College in 2002.

(R) Rep. Martin Graber (Official photo)

House Speaker Pat Grassley recently appointed Graber to lead a new House committee, to take a deeper look at state accounts set aside for specific purposes as well as the block grants the federal government sends the State of Iowa.

Graber had recently served on the Republican Party of Iowa’s State Central Committee and had been chairman of Lee County Republicans.