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

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.

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.

The 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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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A Council Bluffs Police Officer investigating a reported Burglary in Progress Wednesday night, was slightly injured when the suspect attempted to disarm the officer. Authorities say the incident happened at around 9-p.m. at 2924 Avenue D. When officers arrived and attempted to arrest 51-year old Mike Snyder, of Council Bluffs, Snyder, who was allegedly intoxicated and irate, attempted to disarm one of the officers on the scene. The officer suffered a cut to his hand in the scuffle, but did not require medical treatment.

Snyder was taken into custody after a brief struggle and transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where he was booked-in on charges that include Attempting to Disarm a Police Officer, Serious Assault on a Police Officer, and Interference with Official Acts.