The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) board today (Friday), awarded direct financial assistance and tax benefits to 14 companies for job creation, expansion and small business development projects. The awards will assist in the creation of 271 jobs, retention of 13 jobs and will result in over $85 million in new capital investment for the state. The board approved assistance for planned or proposed projects located in 12 communities, including Council Bluffs, where scrap processor Alter Trading was awarded tax benefits for a $20 million capital investment that is set to create 15 jobs. The project entails the building of a new non-ferrous plant that will help Alter grow in the central region of the United States as well as make their current operations more efficient.

Founded in 1898, Alter Trading – a privately owned, fourth generation company – is one of the largest scrap processors in the country with trading offices and processing plants across the central United States.

HAMBURG, Iowa (AP) – The southwest  Iowa town of Hamburg has lost its bid to keep an earthen levee erected in 2011 to save the town from the river’s floodwaters. The city had needed to raise nearly $5 million to keep the top eight feet of the levee, which was raised to 19 feet from its original 11 feet. The money would have been used to bring the raised part of the levee within federal regulations.

Mayor Cathy Crain even created an Internet site that included a video of townspeople dancing to a revamped version of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary” in the hopes of gathering donations.  But Crain says the effort raised only $52,000.

The Hamburg City Council voted today (Friday), to take down the extended levee.

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, to honor 27-year old Army Staff Sgt. Steve Blass, of Estherville, who died in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Monday, March 11.

Blass’ funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at the Estherville High School Gym. Brig. Gen. Derek Hill, Deputy Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, will be in attendance to represent the administration.

The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor’s executive order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Officials at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan are making changes when it comes to scheduling children’s immunizations at Shelby County Public Health clinics. The Shelby County Community Health Department says beginning in April, appointments will be required for children’s immunizations. Appointments will be available from 3 to 6pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

You can pre-register each child for an appointment online at www.shelbycountyclinics.com or calling 712-755-4422. The next children’s immunization clinic is scheduled for Wednesday April 3rd at the Shelby County Community Health building, located at 2712 12th Street in Harlan.