Volunteers are needed in southwest Iowa to help with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA Program is an IRS-sponsored program that certifies community volunteers to prepare and e-file basic tax returns at no cost for low to moderate income individuals and families.

Those interested in volunteering in southwest Iowa to help prepare 2011 income taxes should have a basic understanding of income tax laws, an interest in helping others, and basic computer skills.

Volunteers will be provided basic training to help people fill out their basic 1040 tax forms.

To find out more about the VITA program contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 712-755-3104, or Mary Beth Kaufman, Extension Family Program Specialist at 712-755-3104 or e-mail: mbkaufma@iastate.edu. Those interested will need to complete a one page application.

Officials at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge say flooding from the Missouri River caused about $3 million in damage. That led to the park temporarily closing. Typically the park sees hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Flooding at the park in Missouri Valley Park tore down massive trees, split roads and dropped sand everywhere. Rushing water also carved new channels, with some being 25 feet deep and a third of a mile long.

The flooding will cause park officials to look for new ways to attract more wildlife. Wildlife refuge manager Tom Cox tells KETV in Omaha the refuge managers are looking at new ways to manage the land and attract more wildlife. That could include making changes to the grassland, forest and wetland regions of the park.

Despite the flooding, DeSoto’s visitors’ center will be back because its exhibits are safe.

Early estimates show the park fully re-opening sometime next spring.

The final list of candidates appearing on the November 8th ballot for both City and County government positions in Adams County have been announced.

In Corning, two people will be running against incumbent mayor Gay Brace. Judith Butcher and Janet E. Scheilz-Wood will attempt to unseat Brace.

Also in Corning, three people will be running unopposed in three separate city council elections. Wayne Moore will be running in Ward 1. Warren G. Blaisure will be running in Ward 3, and Bert Peckham will be running for an at-large council seat.

In Nodaway, Patricia A. Shipley will be running unopposed for mayor.

Meanwhile on the Nodaway City Council, four candidates will be running for five positions. The fifth position will be filled by write-in. The four people running include Hartford Cooper, Christine Dunn, Becky Poen, and Chris Wiechman.

In Carbon, Brian Corpe will be running unopposed for mayor.

Also in Carbon, four people will be running for five potions on the city council, with the fifth position filled by write-in. Those running for the council include Richard Avila, Jauson King, Donna Rochau, and Dwight Sunderman

In Prescott, nobody filed to run for mayor, so the position will be filled by write-in.

Also in Prescott, two at-large positions are open for the city council. John Grossnickle filed to run for one of the positions, while the other will be filled by write-in.

A meeting will be taking place tomorrow regarding the possible closure of the city’s post office.

Cumberland Mayor Virginia Coughlin called the special meeting which will take place Thursday at 7:00 PM at the Cumberland Community Building.

Coughlin says the focus of the meeting is to answer questions from the public about the possible post office closure.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is pleased to announce the receipt of a State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant in the amount of $370,258.00 from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The STEP Pilot Grant Initiative provides grants to states for small business exporting assistance programs. The aim of the STEP Initiative is to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will disburse grant funds via the following programs to help eligible Iowa companies develop or expand their export markets:

Technical Trade Assistance Program (TTAP) – Iowa Economic Development Authority’s International Trade Office will provide an assessment of a company’s export needs, provide consultation and linkage to a variety of export resources at the local, state and federal levels

Domestic Trade Assistance Program (DTAP) – Provides up to $3,000 assistance per occurrence to participate at a domestic trade show with an international buyers program

Expanded Export Trade Assistance Program (ETAP) – Provides up to $4,000 per occurrence, up to three times in the fiscal year, to help defray expenses when participating at a trade show or on a trade mission outside of the U.S.

Product Trade Assistance Program (PTAP) – Provides up to $5,000 per occurrence to assist a company in adjusting product or product certification to expand export opportunities

Funding will be available October 1 through the International Trade Office of the Iowa Economic Development Authority. To learn more about the STEP grant , e-mail: international@iowa.gov or contact Lisa Longman at 515.725.3139.