Government

Mills County residents who have never spent time in the Mills County Jail in Glenwood will have the unique opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the 97-year-old facility Tuesday, July 17.

    Tours will be offered throughout the day as part of a public information campaign leading up to a county-wide special election on Aug. 7 for a $6.4 million bond issue that would fund construction of a new jail and county law enforcement center.

A former employee of the Mills County Treasurer's Office is facing eight charges and potential prison time for the alleged theft of more than $36,000 from the auto department over a six-year period, from 2005-2011.

Charges were filed Friday against Tammy Gammon following a special investigation by the Iowa State Auditor's Office. Gammon, who was fired from her position in April 2011, was charged with on-going criminal conduct, first-degree theft, felonious conduct in office and five counts of forgery.

Lonnie Mayberry and Ron Kohn were the top two finishers in the race for two seats on the board of supervisors in last Tuesday's Mills County Republican primary election.

    Mayberry received 985 votes, outdistancing incumbents Kohn (950 votes) and Joe Blankenship (569 votes). Mayberry and Kohn both advance to November's general election where they're likely to be unopposed to fill the two seats. No Democratic candidates were on the primary ballot and no other known candidates are seeking election at this time.

A Glenwood resident has asked the city council to consider installing traffic signal lights at the intersection of Nuckolls Street and Locust.

    Tim O’Connor made his request to the council at its regular meeting last Tuesday, May 22, noting the sometimes heavy traffic flow on Locust can make it difficult for motorists to cross or enter the roadway from adjoining streets.
    Council member Craig Florian said he is sympathetic to O’Connor’s concerns.