A fire Tuesday evening at a home in Shenandoah caused at least 10,000 damage. According to reports, the blaze at 309 Sycamore Street was reported at around 7:50-p.m. The first crews arriving on the scene saw fire in the attic upon their arrival.

Fast work by Shenandoah firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to other areas of the home. An electrical problem was thought to be the cause.

Firefighters were on the scene for more than two hours. No injuries were reported.

Nicholas Hunt, Chair of the Cass County Community Foundation, reminds Cass County nonprofit organizations that $105,000 in grant funds are available, and that applications are due no later than February 1, 2015. Detailed application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form can be obtained online at http://omahafoundation.org/swiowa. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Contact any board member for additional information.

Contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 if you have any grant application-specific questions. All completed applications will be considered at the March board meeting with notification of results in early April.

Only organizations providing charitable services in Cass County are eligible. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and supply a copy of their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter. Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.

Brett Irlmeier, Chair of the Audubon County Community Foundation, is reminding Audubon County nonprofit organizations, that $105,000 in grant funds are available. Applications are due no later than February 1st, 2015. Detailed application procedures, fact sheets, and a link to the application form can be obtained online at http://omahafoundation.org/swiowa. Applications will only be accepted through the online system.

Contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 (or dennis@omahafoundation.org, or Denise Cardos at denise@omahafoundation.org) if you have grant application-specific questions. All completed applications will be considered at the March board meeting with notification of results in early April.

Only organizations providing charitable services in Audubon County are eligible. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and supply a copy of their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter. Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.

A man from Creston was arrested Tuesday morning on a warrant out of Madison County. Creston Police says 34-year old Nicholas Ryan Ward was taken into custody on the warrant for Theft in the 5th Degree. Ward was later released on $300 bond.

Police in Glenwood reports two arrests on Tuesday, 37-year old Billy Hunter, of Glenwood, was arrested on a Mills county warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $5000. And, 48-year old Tony Martin, of Glenwood, was arrested on two Mills county warrants for Harassment 3rd degree. His bond was set at $800.

DES MOINES, Iowa – While the holidays are a happy time for many, the stress associated with family obligations and dynamics can be the “lump of coal” in some people’s Christmas stockings. According to the American Psychological Association, fatigue and stress are the top sources of negative feelings during this time of year. Sometimes, said clinical social worker and psychotherapist Lisa Ferentz, the best thing to do is simply not take part in potentially stressful situations.

“Sometimes,” she said, “you have to give yourself permission to avoid family interactions that you know are going to be too painful or that will set you up to be ‘triggered’ in some way.” If you do feel compelled to see family or friends who can be a source of conflict, Ferentz said, limit time you spend, bring a friend to act as a buffer and use your cell phone as an excuse for a break.

Sometimes, the best relief is to break away from habits from the past, she said, by beginning a new tradition or doing something for others. “I encourage people to volunteer during this time of year,” Ferentz said. “I think when you do things that kind of help you step outside of yourself and your own emotional upset. It gives you perspective about life. It also helps you to kind of reclaim a feeling of gratitude.”

Ferentz said it’s also important to avoid self-destructive behaviors such as overeating or drinking too much – and replace them with exercise or meditation. Tips from the American Psychological Association are online at apa.org.

(Iowa News Service)