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.

The Lenox Police Department reports a 5-year old boy was struck by a car as he was crossing a street, Thursday, but he suffered only minor injuries. Officials say the accident happened at around 3:40-p.m. at the intersection of Walnut and Michigan Streets.

An investigation determined 19-year old Daniel Kroese, of Lenox, was driving a 1988 Oldsmobile east bound on Michigan. A child who had been dropped off by the school bus was crossing Michigan going north. Kroese told police he thought the boy was waiting for traffic, but the child proceeded to cross the street.

The boy was transported by the Lenox Ambulance to the hospital where he was treated and released. Kroese was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian. There was no damage to the car.

The Atlantic Police Department reports the arrest on Thursday of 27-year old Tanner Preston. The Atlantic man was taken into custody on a Cass County warrant for OWI and booked into the Cass County Jail.

Officials with AAA Minnesota/Iowa have announced that three hotels in Iowa earned the Four Diamond Rating during the past 12 months. The AAA/CAA Four and Five Diamond Ratings are AAA’s highest designations for hotels and restaurants. Among the three is The Ameristar Casino Hotel, in Council Bluffs. The others include The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, in Cedar Rapids, and The Hotel Blackhawk, in Davenport.

Hotels rated Four or Five Diamond are stylish and refined with upscale physical attributes. Guests receive personalized attention from an experienced staff and extensive amenities in a luxurious setting. Establishments at the Four and Five Diamond rating levels make up just 3.9 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, of the 59,000 AAA/CAA Approved hotels and restaurants. Across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, the selected properties represent the upper echelon of the hospitality industry.

Across the continent, just 4.2 percent of all AAA Approved hotels and restaurants began the year with the travel authority’s highest ratings