(Atlantic, IA) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting this (Tuesday) morning, accepted a bid from Jeff Johnson in the amount of $328.80 per acre, for the lease of county-owned farmland south of Atlantic, in the southwest portion of the northwest one-quarter of Section 15, in Grove Township (23 tillable acres). There were five sealed bids that were opened during the meeting, with the bid from Johnson being the highest of the five. The lowest bid was $255/acre.

In other business, the Supervisors heard a regular report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken, and they acted on approving the following Resolutions: One was with regard to the vacating of Herbers Akron Road, part of which is in Shelby County, north of Marne and Interstate 80. The road is not publicly utilized, and therefore will not affect public travel. Both Boards unanimously passed the Resolution. The other Resolution was with regard to an Order establishing the 2026 Noxious Weed Control Program. Cass County Supervisors Chair Steve Baier…

That Resolution also passed unanimously. The Board accepted a Fiscal Year 2025 Engagement Letter with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Company P.C. (auditors), after a representative of the company explained their fees and billing practices, which the Board in the past, found to be confusing. The Supervisors passed a resolution pertaining to Compensation for Election Officials. Once again, here’s Steve Baier…

And they approved the resignation of Linda Olsen, Benton Township Clerk, effective June 30, 2026. They then moved to approve the appointment of Jill Irlmeier as Benton Township Clerk, effective July 1, 2026.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Senate is scheduled to debate the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act this week, and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is a co-sponsor of what’s known as the SAVE America Act. It would require people to show proof of citizenship, like a driver’s license or passport, when registering to vote. Grassley, a Republican, calls it a common-sense way to strengthen our nation’s election process. “Now, I’m not here to say that there’s a massive amount of fraud,” Grassley says, “but requiring people to show proof of citizenship to vote and requiring photo ID to ensure the person casting the ballot is the person registered to vote.” Grassley says 36 states, including Iowa, already require a photo I-D in order to register.

Some key Senate Republicans say they will vote against moving forward with the bill as President Trump is pushing to include the elimination of voting by mail, with only a few exceptions. Grassley says he favors keeping absentee voting as an option. Grassley says, “This bill, with 80% of the people supporting it, 71% of the Democrats supporting voter ID, this bill deserves to be debated.” Reports say some Senate Republicans fear that getting rid of absentee voting in rural states will cost G-O-P votes if would-be voters have to travel a long way to cast a ballot.

Trump reportedly wants “no excuses” for mail-in voting, only allowing exceptions like military duty, serious illness, or disability. Grassley says, “Republicans in Iowa have worked real hard over a period of the last three or four national elections to do as well as the Democrats do in absentee ballot, mail-in voting.” He says it shouldn’t be a big deal to have to show an I-D to register to vote, as people already have to produce proof of who they are when doing things like renting a hotel room, boarding a plane, or buying alcohol.

(Corning, IA) – The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests took place recently. On Friday, March 13th, 50-year-old Brent Romer, of Corning, was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant, and 18-year-old Justyn Edwards, of Leon, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Driving While License is Revoked, and for Failure to equip a vehicle with an ignition interlock.

On Saturday, March 14th, Adams County Deputies arrested 21-year-old Mya Squibbs, of Corning, on an active Adams County warrant for Failure to Appear.

(Glenwood, IA) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, today (Tuesday, March 17, 2026), said that a suspect in the June, 2025 burglary at The Playhouse in Mills County, has been identified, and is currently incarcerated in the Douglas County, NE., Jail, on unrelated burglary charges. The suspect, 47-year-old Jason Fischer, of Omaha, was identified by DNA obtained from a blood sample recovered at the scene of the crime in Mills County. The sample was submitted to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s laboratory for examination and identification. Authorities say a warrant for Jason Fischer is being sought, charging him with Theft in the 1st Degree – a Class C Felony.

Background:

On June 30, 2025, Mills County Deputies were dispatched to The Playhouse 19201 Bunge Ave. for a burglary alarm. Responding deputies discovered an unknown suspect had forcefully entered the business and committed a theft.

Disclaimer: A criminal charge/citation is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

(Guthrie Center, IA)- A joint monthly meeting of the Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center School District Boards of Education will be held beginning at 7-p.m. Wed., March 18th, at the AC/GC High School Media Center, in Guthrie Center. During their meeting, shared Superintendent Josh Rasmussen is expected to inform the Boards that:

– As winter lingers into March earlier this week, the students have missed two full days of school this year due to winter weather conditions, along with one late start and one early dismissal during parent-teacher conferences. Currently, his plan is for the last day of school to remain on Friday, May 22nd, with teachers making up the two missed snow days on May 26 and 27.

-Caliber Concrete began demolition of the front steps at the High School. 7D services will install the storm water drains as weather permits. Caliber can then begin their framing of the stairway soon after the storm installation is completed. The entire project should be completed within 3–4 weeks.

Josh Rasmussen says also, VIBES Audio began the installation of wires and speaker brackets this past week at the High School. Equipment has been ordered and it will be installed as soon as possible.

Personnel matters the Boards are expected to act on, include at Adair-Casey, the resignation of Rick Blake – Social Studies Teacher, and at Guthrie Center, the resignations of: Amber Wetzel – Teacher/Instructional Coach; Savana Fuller – Asst. Softball Coach; Bob Bolton – HS Gov’t./History Teacher, and Wade Monthei – Custodian/Nutrition.

The G-C Board will also act on approving Contract Recommendations for: Rhys Pate – HS Principal, and Taylor Luther – Activities Director/At-Risk. Action items for both the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Boards include:

• An AEA Purchasing Agreement for the 2026-27 School Year, as presented.
• Approval of the 2026-27 School Calendar as presented.
• Setting the date for a Public Hearing on the 2026-27 Certified Budget as April 15th at 7-p.m. In the Junior High Library.

Separately, the Adair-Casey Board will act on approving: A Snyder and Associates bill amounting to $375 that was tabled during their Nov. 2025 meeting. And the Guthrie Center Board will act on approving:

• A DECA Out-of-State Trip
• HS HVAC ClassroomUnits

The Joint Board Meeting will conclude with a closed session for a regular evaluation of Superintendent Josh Rasmussen.

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents introduced David Cook to become the new president of Iowa State University in November, and he is now on the job. Cook told Radio Iowa he plans to do a lot of listening in the first months. “I’ve kind of outlined 100 days to just listen and learn and get out and talk to people. really better understand what are the opportunities and the challenges and what can this new president do to really help to continue to build on an amazing foundation,” he says. Cook is an Ames native and Iowa State graduate who was president of North Dakota State when he was hired. He replaces Wendy Wintersteen who retired in January. Cook is going to be in Des Moines today (Tuesday) to visit with lawmakers for the first time.

“I think the big issue is when you’re when you’re leading a land grant, it’s going to be, you know, workforce. What’s our role in changing the landscape there and helping to make sure that we’re educating students to make a difference in our state,” Cook says. Cook says his wife has joined him and they’ve already been talking with students to get their thoughts. “To make sure that they can be successful and what can we do to continue to make sure that they’re having a great experience at Iowa State,” he says. The Board of Regents is considering a tuition increase for students at the three state schools. Cook says that is something they will talk with students about.

“I mean, I know affordability, probably on just about every college campus is going to always be critical and that’s going to be something that is very important to me,” Cook says. He says 73 percent if Iowa State students have a scholarship and almost half of their students graduate without debt.

AMES, Iowa (KCRG) – The Ames Police Department has identified the woman and young child allegedly stabbed to death by an attempted murder suspect Friday night. Police say officers responding to a report of a stabbing found 26-year-old Markasia McCuddin and 1-year-old Liam Sanders-McCuddin suffering from multiple stab wounds in the 3900-block of Tripp Street just before 8:45 p.m. on March 13. Both died from their injuries.

Officers located the suspect, 22-year-old Davontrez R. McCuddin, of Fort Dodge, nearby and arrested him. He’s charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The Ames Police Department says there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The case is under investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – Legislators are considering requiring a state study to determine the impact school-provided technology is having on Iowa students and their ability to focus on tasks. Students are not allowed to access their personal cell phones during class time under a state law passed last year, but Republican Senator Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center says students are still using tablets and laptops in the classroom that are owned by the school.

“This heavy reliance in the last 30 years on everything moving toward a digital online computer presence in the classroom, but also at home with laptops sent home with the students I think it is having some certainly some benefits in terms of efficiency and ease of access,” Taylor said, “but I think there are some downsides as well.”

The Senate has unanimously voted to have the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services convene a “working group” of experts and parents to produce recommendations by the end of the year. It’s an alternative to a House approved proposal that would limit daily screen time to an hour a day in elementary classrooms. Andy Conlin is a lobbyist for Cambium Learning Group, a company that offers a variety of programs for digital devices.

“We agree that it’s really important to be thoughtful about technology,” Conlin said. “We don’t think it’s a best practice to put kids in front screens for the sake of putting them in front of their screens, but we also recognize that technology when used intentionally and tied to evidence-based instruction can be a really, really powerful tool.”

Margaret Buckton is a lobbyist for the Urban Education Network and Rural School Advocates of Iowa. She says a daily screen time limitation may be too broad and she points to a software program that’s helping students in Denison be literate in two languages.

“With all of this change upon us at such an incredible pace right, we think really digging into the details and having some experts come back with the technology recommendations is a great way to deal with it,” Buckton said. An annual report issued at an international conference focused on education technology found during the last school year the average U.S. school district accessed nearly 16-hundred “ed tech” tools monthly.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Secretary of State’s staff has reviewed nominating petitions and released the list of candidates who’ve been accepted for the 2026 Primary Elections. Candidates for U-S Senate and governor must submit at least 35-hundred signatures from eligible Iowa voters, including at least 100 signatures in 19 different counties. Democrat Julie Stauch fell short in two counties. State Auditor Rob Sand now has a clear path to the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor.

All five Republicans who’ve been running for governor did meet the signature threshold. They are State Representative Eddie Andrews, Congressman Randy Feenstra, businessman Zach Lahn, pastor Brad Sherman and former state agency director Adam Steen. Iowans can file challenges this week and the state objection panel may remove candidates from the ballot list if flaws are found in their nominating petitions.

There were few surprises in Iowa’s congressional races. Republican Chris McGowan will be unopposed in the fourth district G-O-P Primary. At one time there were four other Republicans campaigning in the district, which is currently represented by Randy Feenstra, who’s running for governor. Democrats Dan Dawson of Lawton, Stephanie Steiner of Sutherland and Ashley WolfTornabane of Storm Lake have been accepted for the Primary ballot in the fourth district.

In the third district, Xavier Corrigan filed on the last day to run against state Senator Sarah Trone Garriott for the Democratic Party’s nomination. Republican Congressman Zach Nunn is unopposed in the third district, but Republican Congresswoman Marianette Miller-Meeks has a primary rematch with pastor David Pautsch in the first district. Democrat Christina Bohannan of Iowa City, making her third bid to oust Miller-Meeks, has a primary opponent: health care worker Travis Terrell of Tiffin.

And, in Iowa’s second congressional district, there are three Democrats on the Primary list — State Representative Lindsay James of Dubuque, pastor Clint Twedt-Ball of Cedar Rapids and Kathy Dolter, a nurse from Dubuque. The district is currently represented by Republican Ashley Hinson, who’s running for the U.S. Senate. Joe Mitchell of Clear Lake, a former state legislator, and state Senator Charlie McClintoch of Alburnette are competing in the G-O-P primary in the second district.

Iowa’s U.S. Senate race is set as well, with Congresswoman Hinson and former state legislator Jim Carlin in the G-O-P primary and Democrats Josh Turek and Zach Wahls — who are both current members of the Iowa legislature — competing for their party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate. Secretary of State Paul Pate says nearly 300 candidates have been approved for the primary elections on June 2nd. There are elections this year in half of the 50 state senate districts and in all 100 House districts. Candidates for county offices have until this Friday to file their nominating petitions.

You can check the races for your local senate and house races here:

https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fsos.iowa.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2026-03%2F2026%2520Primary%2520-%2520Candidate%2520List%2520Database%2520-%2520All%2520Elections_12.pdf%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019cf8b42f7d-bd676e41-3b6e-4b19-adbf-5285339889b2-000000/Hwb_D5c8IWuL_5IeS1k9gseVgis8YHOrc0xAPpKFihk=448

(Atlantic, IA) – The Atlantic City Council, during their regular meeting Wednesday evening (March 18th) at City Hall, is expected to act on a recommendation from the City’s Personnel and Finance Committee, to appoint Maggie Robinson as the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director. The City has been without a Parks Director since the position was eliminated in the Summer of 2023. The city council authorized the reinstatement of the Parks and Recreation Director position on February 18, 2026, during discussion of the FY2027 Budget.

City Administrator John Lund, in his Council Agenda notes, says Maggie Robinson received her Bachelors in Park & Recreation Management from Northwest Missouri State University and her Master of Business Administration from University of Vermont. “These ensure she brings to the table an understanding of asset inventory methodology,
how to approach asset condition assessment, useful life projections and replacement scheduling,” according to Lund.

Lund added, “Graduating from Atlantic High School and growing up on an Iowa farm, she [Robinson] knows Atlantic’s dynamics, Iowa culture, and rural values. She has strong endorsements from two of the heaviest hitters when it comes to parks, recreation, and family programming, Roger Herring and Dan Haynes.”

In other business, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, will act on approving a resolution Adopting Agreement under Iowa Code Chapter 28E between the Atlantic Volunteer Fire Department, the City of Atlantic, Iowa, and Grove Township,
Cass County, Iowa to Provide Fire Protection Services within Grove Township, Cass County, Iowa.” Atlantic currently provides fire protection services to Grove, Bear Grove, Washington, and Pymosa Townships. The existing agreement with these townships was approved by the City Council and Township Trustees on June 19, 2019. The updated 28E agreement with Grove Township establishes an annual contribution of $14,500, an increase from $7,468.74 under the prior agreement.

The City Council’s meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., and is viewable in-person or through the City’s website link at https://cityofatlantic.com/government/meeting-live-stream/