Atlantic, IA— Cass Health Registered Nurse Austin Larson presented the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award to his leadership team this summer. Larson specifically recognized Inpatient Services Nurse Manager Danielle Powers, RN for her support and also recognized the entire leadership team as playing a role in his continued success navigating both full-time employment and his service in the Guard.

An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nomination Service member and his or her family. The Patriot Award reflects the efforts made to support citizen warriors through a wide range of measures including flexible schedules, time off prior to and after deployment, caring for families, and granting leaves of absence if needed. Patriot Awards are issued through the Department of Defense and are presented to recipients by ESGR volunteers.

Bottom row, left to right: Austin Larson, RN; Danielle Powers, RN; Becky Coady, Iowa ESGR. Top row: Ali McVey, RN; Sara Beth Jones, RN; Brett Altman, CEO; Amanda Bireline, COO.

Larson joined the National Guard on July 2, 2015, and currently serves as a Staff Sergeant (E-6) in B-Company 1-168 Infantry. “My duties within the National Guard have constantly conflicted with my weekends to work, which leaves the hospital’s inpatient unit with short staffing. It also conflicts with my ability to meet full-time hours throughout the year since I work night shift and require the day before drills off as well. My manager has never once displayed any frustration with these conflicts and has always worked with me when errors in scheduling occur to ensure that I am off for drills with no complaints or negative comments. Even when I had just started at Cass Health and had to leave for a few weeks to complete my Advanced Leader Course,” said Larson.

Becky Coady, Iowa ESGR state chair commented, “Supportive employers like Cass Health are vital to the success of our mission and the defense of this nation. Our Guard and Reserve members could not perform their military duty without knowing their civilian employers support them 100 percent.”

ESGR, an office of the Department of Defense, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. ESGR operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nearly 100 Iowa Committee volunteers across the state serve members of the Iowa Army and Iowa Air National Guard, the Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Army Reserve, as well as their families and their civilian employers.

(Glenwood, Iowa) –  The Glenwood Police Department reports two people were arrested today (Tuesday), on Child Endangerment and other charges. Authorities says 27-year-old Amanda Miller, of Glenwood, was arrested for Child Endangerment, keeping premises for Controlled substance, Gathering, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. While her bond was set at $6,300, Miller was released on her Own Recognizance.

And, 24-year-old Elliot Mongan, of Glenwood was arrested for Child Endangerment, Control of firearm weapon by a felon, Possession of a controlled substance 3rd offense, and Possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $12,300.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday), tabled discussion on their meeting Public Comment Policy, because a draft of the policy was not ready for action. That didn’t stop a few residents of the County and others, to voice their opinion of moving the Public Comment period from the early portion of the meetings to the end.

One of those who spoke was a woman from Garfield Township in Montgomery County.

Peg Rasmussen also voiced her opinion on the matter.

Montgomery County BOS mtg., 11/19/24

In other business, Montgomery County Engineer Karen Albert provided her weekly report on Secondary Roads Department maintenance and activities.

And, the Board accepted the Post Election Audit report on Precinct 6 races for President, Vice-President, and County Sheriff, as presented by Montgomert County Auditor Jill Ozuna.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – In an update to our weekend report, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office says a woman from northern Iowa was injured during a single-vehicle accident early Saturday morning, near Lyman. Authorities say first responders were called to the area of 630th (Hwy 71) and Lyman Street, south of Lyman, at around 5:27-a.m.

Lorna Blackwood, of Emmetsburg, was driving a 2002 Cadillac Escalade northbound on 630th St. and approaching Lyman Street, when the vehicle drifted onto the shoulder of the roadway.  Blackwood attempted to correct the vehicle’s course, and in doing so, over-corrected.  Her car left the road to the east and roll several times, before coming to a rest in the ditch.

Blackwood suffered what was believed to be non-life-threatening injuries, and was transported to a local area hospital by EMS.  The vehicle sustained disabling/totaling damage.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Tuesday) approved sending a Letter Of Support (LOS) for Vision Atlantic, for use in applying for grant applications. Board Chair Steve Baier read the letter prior to it being approved.

The letter went on to discuss how Vision Atlantic plans to address community livability, and desirability, through several projects.

The Board also set December 3rd, 2024, as the date for a public hearing to consider an application for a zoning change by LANDUS Cooperative, from General Agriculture to Heavy Industrial District, for property in Pymosa Township, as approved by the Cass County Zoning Commission. Zoning Commissioner Mike Kennon…

One of the features of the site will be a 72-thousand gallon anhydrous ammonia tank.

Cass County BOS mtg. 11-19-24

The Supervisors approved also, the adding of a Tourism Department page to the County’s website, and they passed the First Reading of an Ordinance “Imposing a Local Option Income Surtax for Emergency Medical Services.” The public measure was approved by 76-percent of the voters in Cass County during the November 5th General election. The measure needed a 60-percent super majority in order to pass. Baier said “The voters have spoken.”

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors heard an Annual Report from Wendy Mueller, Executive Director of West Central Community Action, who told members WCCA is requesting the same amount of funding from the County for next year, as they did in the current year, which is $4,500. They also received monthly reports from Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health Executive Director Jotham Arber, and County Veteran Affairs Exec. Director Mitch Holmes. Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken provided his regular report to the Board, as well.

(Griswold, Iowa) – The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, discussed relocating the concession stand. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says, as part of the discussion, they heard from the district’s facilities architect.

The Board then reviewed some changes to district’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Superintendent Henrichs said the Board also approved the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) application for increased open enrollment-out.

Financially, he said, the Board approved the 101-percent Budget Guarantee.

And, they discussed Capital Improvement Projects.

And, Dave Henrichs said the Board approved one resignation and several hires.

He says since the Board spent a lot of time the past couple of months on the Capital Projects Plan, which included discussion about the facilities, they felt there was no need to conduct an internal walk-through, but in the Spring they will conduct an external walk-through of the facilities to help the board be more aware of the condition of those facilities, and set short-term repair goals, as well as long-term goals.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Cass Title Services on Thursday, November 14th, 2024 to welcome new staff. Ken Kahl, owner of Cass Title Services, spoke about his history with abstracting, beginning with Crawford County Abstract in 2008 and he eventually bought the company in 2012. In 2023, Crawford County Abstract expanded to serve Atlantic which created Cass Title Services.

Ambassadors Left to Right: Jeff Christiansen, Colt Doherty, Tonia Larsen, Donnie Drennan, Chris Parks, Dr. Keith Leonard, Gabby Wahlert, Arlene Drennan, Jen McEntaffer, Dawn Thompson, Emily Kennedy, Sharon Wood, Sue Liston, Ken Kahl, Kathie Hockenberry, April Meyer, Elaine Otte, Alisha Wagner, DeeDee Kalny, Krysta Hanson, Eric Rosener, Tori Gibson, Jim Kickland, Dolly Bergmann, Jade Magnuson, Scott Bennett, Bill Saluk, Jeremy Butler, Anne Quist, Lana Westphalen, John Bricker, Julie Waters (Photo submitted)

Cass Title Services has continued to grow over the last year, and with the new growth brought in new employees. Alisha Wagner, manager/abstractor in Atlantic, introduced April Meyer as the newest abstractor to be added to the Atlantic location. Ken introduced Eric Rosener and Jade Magnuson as the newest abstractors on the Crawford County team. Together the group is a trusted provider of comprehensive title and escrow services in the Atlantic & Crawford County community. Cass Title Services offers a range of services, including Title Insurance, Escrow Services, Closing Services, Commercial Real Estate Services.

Cass Title Services is located at 104 E 5th Street in Atlantic. For more information, contact 712-249-4549 or visit http://www.CassTitleServices.com. Follow Cass Title Services on Facebook @CassTitleServices

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Papillion, NE, was arrested today (11/19). 45-year-old Kristopher David Lydon was arrested at the Mills County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of a No Contact Order. Lydon was being held in the jail without bond.

Des Moines, Iowa [KCCI] – Health officials in two central Iowa counties are warning of an increase in cases of pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough. The Polk County Health Department said they are seeing an increase in the number of pertussis cases in the county. Pertussis is a bacterial infection that is contagious. The respiratory illness is most common in kids. Since Jan. 1st, Polk County has had 57 cases of whooping cough. Thirty-seven of those cases were reported since September. And 21 of them in the last two weeks.

An official with Unity Point Health Des Moines, said no one has been admitted to their hospital recently for whooping cough. But their clinics and emergency rooms have seen people come in for the disease. In Warren County, Warren County Health Services sent out a news release to parents and guardians in Carlisle Schools on Nov. 15th, warning of “an increase in the number of Pertussis cases throughout the county and the state.” The letter included information about symptoms and vaccinations. Symptoms of whooping cough include a runny nose, low-grade fever and a cough.

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said they’re seeing a spike too. The CDC said there are more than five times as many cases reported so far this year than there were at this time last year. The CDC also said the United States is moving towards more pre-pandemic patterns. According to a recent report, the number of reported cases this year is higher than it was at the same time in 2019, prior to the pandemic.