Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Friday, issued a proclamation of disaster emergency and activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Cass, Harrison, Montgomery, and Ringgold counties in response to recent storms. Additionally, Pottawattamie County, which was already declared to be under a disaster emergency on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, will be opened to individual assistance.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual
expenses related to storm recovery.

The grant application and instructions are available at the “Disaster Assistance” link on the Iowa Department of Human Services website: www.dhs.iowa.gov.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A task force has voted to discontinue the current setup of an annual celebration at Iowa State University, though no decision was made on specific changes. Members of the group voted unanimously Thursday to discontinue Veishea in its current form. The Des Moines Register reports they discussed eliminating the celebration’s well-known name and spreading events throughout the year instead of a multi-day event in the spring.

The group formed shortly after a late-night crowd disturbance in early April. People are accused of overturning cars and toppling light poles. One student was injured. The task force will make recommendations about Veishea to University President Steven Leath, who will make the final decision on its future.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a Glenwood woman was arrested Thursday morning. 21-year old Lindsey Joanne Krause was arrested just before 8-a.m. on a warrant charging her with assault. Krause posted bond. Her preliminary hearing was set for June 16th.

The Shelby County Chamber of Commerce’ Board of Directors has approved a merger with the Shelby County DevelopSource. In a meeting held Wednesday, the board met to discuss and act on the approval from their chamber members. On May 29th, the Chamber sent out a survey for all of their members to fill out and vote on the merger.

Of the 61 members who voted in the survey, 82 percent were in favor, 17 were against and 4 members skipped the question. Another question in the survey asked if a merger between the organizations is in the best interest and 87 percent said yes.

Two entities will combine to create one board with a total of 8 members, 4 from the Chamber and 4 from the DevelopSource boards. More information will be released once the details are hashed out on where the new organization will be located, by-laws are set in place and a new director is hired.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

(Updated 11:50-a.m.)

A motorcyclist died this morning when the cycle collided with a car in Council Bluffs. The accident occurred at around 6:45-a.m. Council Bluffs Police Sergeant Jason Bailey says the crash happened just north of the Mall of the Bluffs. “The Buick was going south making a left hand turn to turn into the business here,” Sergeant Bailey says, “the motorcycle was going north.”

The cycle was operated by 37-year old Mickie Carroll, of Council Bluffs. Carroll died at the scene. Bailey says no charges have been filed, as yet, but his initial investigation indicates the motorist, identified as 66-year old James Binns, of Council Bluffs, was at fault.  “We don’t know if he didn’t see him or what but he made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle,” Bailey says. “He didn’t have a chance to stop and he struck the car.”

The accident remains under investigation.

(Radio Iowa/Council Bluffs P-D)