The Cass County Board of Supervisors have approved an amendment to the County’s Indigent Burial Policy. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman says the policy as amended states “Applications for Disposition Benefits shall be made by family, interested friends or a funeral home, through the Cass County General Assistance office. Previously, funeral homes were not included in the application process, but that was changed due to the fact if the deceased has no family, and the other avenues of paying for a burial are not available because of a lack of assets, the “Friend” or funeral home can assume liability for reimbursing the County for related burial costs if it is later determined funds were available through a will or other source.

Supervisor Chuck Rieken said if there assets available no one was aware of at the time of application, the funeral home or person who applies has the responsibility of notifying the County. Rieken said the Board may revisit the Disposition Policy next year, to see if costs have increased and if the County can continue to provide an indigent burial service.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors have approved a slightly more than $16.3-million budget for Fiscal Year 2014, which begins on July 1^st, 2013. The action came after a public hearing was held on the matter. It marks an increase of a little more than $254,260 over re-estimated FY 2012-2013 budget, but also results in a decrease in the tax levy due to an increase in assessed valuations. The residential/urban levy for FY 2013-2014 is $5.63 per thousand dollars assessed valuation, or a decrease of about 28-cents over last year, while the levy for the rural areas of the county is $10.17 per thousand…which represents a 23-cent decrease over last year.

The Supervisors also approved a recommendation by the County Compensation Board for a three-percent salary increase for all elected officials, including the Sheriff, Auditor, Recorder, Treasurer and members of the Board of Supervisors. The Board chair will receive an additional $1,000 compensation. The Board then approved the Secondary Roads Department Expense Budget, which is in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Transportation. Engineer Charles Marker says also submitted for the Board’s approval the five-year road and bridge construction program.

With regard to the Secondary Roads Budget, Marker says they “Held the line on all the costs.” He said also, that a bridge project near Cumberland is for the most part done, with the exception of some work that is weather dependent.  The project being conducted by Murphy Construction is located northwest of Cumberland, one-mile north of the intersection of G-43 and N-48, is essentially complete, with the exception of some work that can only be finished when the weather is warmer. Once it’s done, the road will be open to the public.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports a bridge replacement project has  resulted in the closure of a portion of Wildwood Road for approximately the next six-weeks. Officials say the bridge replacement over Wolf Creek is located in the 1100 block of Wildwood Road between 1125 Wildwood and 1118 Wildwood, between Jackson Townships sections 11 and 12. Construction on the project is currently underway.

Residents and emergency responders who should be aware of the closure include those in Irwin, Kimballton, Kirkman and Elk Horn.  Emergency responders are being advised to plan alternate routes to residents in the vicinity of the road closure. If you have questions, contact the Shelby County Engineer’s Office at 712-755-5954.

The Lenox Police Department reports the arrest Tuesday evening of a Lenox man on felony Identity Theft and Forgery charges.

Rosario Rivera (Photo courtesy Lenox P.D./Taylor Co. Sheriff’s Office)

According to Chief Jon Huggins, a Lenox Police officer along with a deputy with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45-year old Rosario Rivera, of Lenox, at his home.

A warrant for Rivera’s arrest was obtained by the Lenox Police Department as a result if an on going investigation. The charges allege that Rivera had previously gained employment and again attempted to obtain employment by using forged documents and a false name.

Rivera was transported to the Ringgold County Jail where he was being held on $10,000 bond.

State inspectors have temporarily closed the Taylor County Jail, in Bedford.  A Sheriff’s dispatcher told KJAN News the condition of the jail’s north wall has compromised the safety and security of the facility. The jail was reportedly closed Monday after problems were discovered with the furnace, which came on the heels of an inspection that took place late last week. That inspection revealed a gap between the ceiling and wall on the north side of the more than 100-year old facility.

All persons arrested will be transported to either the Adams County Jail in Corning or the Ringgold County Jail in Mt. Ayr.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

The Cass County Master Gardeners and Cass County Extension are helping local gardeners gear up for warmer weather, with the 15^th Annual Atlantic Spring Garden Seminar, set for Saturday March 16th. The day-long event, to be held at the Atlantic High School, features garden experts from across the Midwest sharing the latest information on gardening methods and plant varieties. The seminar is open to all interested gardeners no matter the level of experience. Participants are not required to have completed Master Gardener training to attend, but Master Gardeners who attend the full day will be given 5 credit hours toward their continuing education requirements.

The day starts with registration and refreshments at 8:30 AM, then Sandy Wentworth of Proven Winners will share the newest tested and trialed plant varieties for 2013. The first of two breakout sessions for the day is next, and attendees will have 11 different topics to choose from, covering everything from container gardening to rain barrels, and fairy gardens to shade planting. Before lunch, attendees will gather back in the auditorium to hear about weather-hardy plants for Iowa from Justin Hancock of Better Homes and Gardens.

Over the lunch break, participants are welcome to browse the vendor/exhibitor booths in the high school gym, sit in on a Q & A session with some of our expert presenters, or simply enjoy the sandwich and salad luncheon while chatting with friends or making new acquaintances.

Our final group session for the day features Deb Groth of Groth Gardens discussing ways to keep your garden colorful year round by picking the right mix of plants. Before attendees head home, they will split up for one more breakout session where they can again pick from a list of 11 different topics to round out their day. The final session will wrap up by 3:20 PM.

The cost for the fun-filled day of learning is $35, including all meals and general session materials. Some breakout sessions involving hands-on activities may have an additional fee. A full list of all breakout sessions, a schedule for the day and printable registration form are all available online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass or can be picked up at the Cass County Extension Office. Brochures are also available at many local businesses with the schedule and registration form.

The early registration deadline, to be eligible for door prizes, is postmarked by Friday March 8. Cass County Master Gardeners will also have a booth at the Home and Garden Expo on March 8 and 9 at the Cass County Community Center, where attendees will be able to register and pick up more information on the Garden Seminar and other upcoming Master Gardener events. Registrations are welcome up to the day of the Garden Seminar, including walk-in registrations at the door.

For more information on the Spring Garden Seminar or the Cass County Master Gardener Program, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, email keolson@iastate.edu, or stop by the Extension Office at 805 W. 10^th St in Atlantic.

w/ Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

A Villisca man was arrested Tuesday night on an assault charge. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 42-year old Keith Allan Currin faces a charge of Simple Domestic Assault. Currin was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and held without bond, pending a court appearance.

The Board of Supervisors in Adair County will hold a public hearing this (Wednesday) morning, over the proposed Fiscal Year 2014 County Budget. The hearing, which takes place at 9:30-a.m at the courthouse in Greenfield, and will be followed by approval of a Resolution adopting the budget, and other related matters.

At 9:45, the Board will discuss and possibly act on Township Clerk Wages, and the Auditor of State bill. At 10-a.m., the Board will hear from Randy Caviness, Director of the Adair County Soil and Water Conservation District, with regard to correspondence pertaining to Taxation for the maintenance of conservation watershed structures. And, a little after 10 o’clock, the Board will act on a Resolution setting the dates for a consultation and public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Northwest Sind Farm Urban Renewal Plan.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors meeting begins at 9-a.m.