Free tax preparation services will be available in southwest Iowa for low and moderate income families as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For more information or to make an appointment call after January23rd to the Shelby County Extension Office in Harlan, phone: 712-755-3104. Other tax sites will also be available in Atlantic, Guthrie Center, Carroll, Jefferson, Malvern, and Corning.

The program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS trained and certified local volunteers who utilize the Tax Wise software to complete returns. The IRS now requires all returns to be quality reviewed by a second tax volunteer which could delay the filing of a tax return by a day or two. Most returns will be electronically filed and to speed up the refund process participants are encouraged to have a savings or bank account, although it is not required. Taxpayers can have refunds deposited into more than one account and also purchase Series I US Savings Bonds.

Only Basic Federal, Iowa and nearby state returns will be processed. The program does not prepare Schedules or Forms related to Business profit/loss (except Form C-EZ with business expenses under $10,000), Capital gains/losses, Farm or rental income, Employee business expenses, or Moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.

Health savings accounts (HSA’s) and Cancellation of Debt returns are only prepared where volunteers are certified to do so.

In rural southwest Iowa the VITA program is a joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowan’s for Social and Economic Development. The program is financially supported by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Human Services. For more information about the program contact Mary Beth Kaufman, ISU Extension Program Specialist and VITA Coordinator at 712-755-3104.

Residents of Prescott in Adams County can drink their tap water again after a boil advisory was lifted today (Friday), at 3:30 p.m. The DNR and Southern Iowa Rural Water lifted the advisory after two sets of water samples taken a day apart tested clean for bacteria.

The advisory was issued Wednesday after a contractor hit a water main, causing the town to lose water pressure. Pressure drops can allow bacteria to enter the drinking water.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board (Friday) today awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to five companies for job creation and expansion projects. The awards will assist in the creation of 91 jobs and the retention of 86 jobs and will result in over $90 million in new capital investment for the state. The board also took action to support the growth of start-ups and small businesses in Iowa. The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in Sioux City, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Norwalk, Carter Lake, Rose Hill, Coralville and Johnston.

Owen Industries, Inc. in Carter Lake supplies fabricated steel for commercial, industrial and nuclear projects at its Carter Lake facility. The company was awarded $50,000 in direct financial assistance as well as tax benefits for a project to expand operations to a new green-field facility and add several major pieces of processing equipment to meet customer requirements. The $33.6 million capital investment is expected to create 16 new jobs and retain 72 jobs, of which 20 are incented.

Police in Clarinda report a traffic stop early this (Friday) morning resulted in the arrest of one person on drug charges. 37-year old old Joshua Joel Moses, of Clarinda was taken into custody at around 2:20-a.m.

Moses faces possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and/or under the influence of a controlled substance,  charges. Moses was booked and later posted bond before being released from custody.

His case has been referred to the Page County Attorney’s Office for the filing of formal charges.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A conservative Republican who owns a construction company is entering the race for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Tom Latham.  Robert Cramer announced Friday that he will seek the congressional seat. The 46-year-old from Johnston has long been involved in conservative causes, including serving on the board of the Family Leader.

Last year, Gov. Terry Branstad nominated Cramer to serve on the Board of Regents. But Senate Democrats did not confirm the nomination, raising questions about his conservative views.  Cramer is president of Cramer and Associates, a bridge construction company based in Grimes.