CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Electricity bills for Alliant Energy customers will increase in February as the utility passes along higher rates it’s paying to a transmission provider. Utility spokesman Scott Drzycimski says the increase in the transmission rates will result in about a one-quarter percent increase to a customer’s overall bill. That amounts to about a $1 a month increase for residential customers. Drzycimski says the increase could be partly offset by falling costs for natural gas to generate electricity.

The CAM Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting Friday, December 23rd, at 11-a.m.  The Board will discuss and act on a request for a waiver exemption from the Department of Education.

Superintendent Steve Pelzer said because the administration is not sure if a vocational program offered through “Connections Education” online would satisfy the accreditation requirements of the State, they are requesting a waiver for the January 1st deadline which precedes the school year for which a waiver would be requested, which in this case, would be the 2012-2013 calendar year.

Friday’s meeting will take place in the Media Center at the CAM High School, in Anita, beginning at 11-a.m.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety said today (Wednesday) a complaint was filed in Crawford County charging 41-year old Michael McKinnon with Theft in the First Degree, a Class C Felony, and Felonious Misconduct in Office, a Class D Felony.  McKinnon, is a former Chief of the Denison Fire Department. The criminal charges are the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Auditor’s Office.  McKinnon is scheduled for an initial appearance on Friday, December 30, 2011 in Crawford County.  The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting the case.

McKinnon served as Chief of the Denison Fire Department from January 18, 1999 to January 3, 2010.  He left his employment as fire chief amid questionable purchases made by him and questionable payments made to him for training and equipment.  It was then that the DCI was contacted to conduct an investigation. McKinnon currently resides in the state of New Mexico.

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To view the Criminal Complaint filed against McKinnon, click on the following link:

Criminal Complaint

Two southwest Iowa women are among 10 people selected to be on the Live Healthy Iowa (LHI) “Dream Team.” The team was formed with the hopes of gaining an inside perspective into the 100 Day Wellness Challenge. The Dream Team was chosen through an application process. Live Healthy Iowa will track the Dream Team’s journey, from their highs and lows, to their successes, struggles and pitfalls, and everything in between.  Among those chosen for the Live Healthy Iowa Dream Team, was Natalie Karas of Oakland, and Sandy Booker, of Greenfield.  To follow the Dream Team through their journey, like LHI’s Facebook page and follow LHI on Twitter. 

LHI Officials say with an overwhelming amount of applications received, it was difficult to narrow the field to just one team. And, another opportunity has been sent to applicants who weren’t chosen, in hopes that they can continue participating in the 100 Day Wellness Challenge with other applicants who weren’t chosen.  

Live Healthy Iowa, formerly Lighten Up Iowa, was created in 2001 by the Iowa Sports Foundation as a strategic health initiative to address the state’s growing obesity problem. Live Healthy Iowa brings together friends, families, businesses and communities in team-based wellness challenges designed to promote positive lifestyle change. In 2011, more than 152,000 adult and youth Iowans took part in a Live Healthy Iowa program.

To find out more information about the 100 Day Wellness Challenge, visit www.livehealthyiowa.org.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports a Shenandoah man was arrested early this (Wednesday) morning, on a warrant for Probation Violation. 20-year old Shilo Romick was taken into custody by Shenandoah Police at around 3:20-a.m.. Romick was being held in the Montgomery County Jail, pending a court appearance.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will have to wait until next week to approve revisions to the County’s Indigent Burial Policy. The Supervisors today (Wednesday) were set to approve recommend changes set in a final draft of the policy, but discussion revolving around the burial of an indigent persons’ cremains resulted in additional revisions to the policy. County General Relief Coordinator Teresa Kanning and VA Director Mitch Holmes were on hand for the discussion, as were two area funeral home directors. Prior to tweaking the policy for final approval during the Board’s meeting next week in Atlantic, Kanning read the policy as currently written.

It says the County will pay up to $2,000 for a burial or $1,500 for a cremation, which includes the mandatory Medical Examiner’s fee. In addition, up to $550 will be provided for the opening and closing of grave. A revision to the policy was made with regard to the disposition of cremains, whereby a maximum of $200 will be allowed for the burial or other disposition of the cremains, if the family chooses to go that route. 

Work on revising the policy has taken place over the past several weeks. A review of the final policy will be conducted at the end of 2012, to determine if changes need to be made for the years 2013 and beyond.

The Co-chair of the Cass County Salvation Army’s Bell Ringing campaign announced today (Wednesday), that donations so far this year have exceeded last year by more than $1,000. Teresa Kanning told the Board of Supervisors during her report this morning, that the campaign has raised $7,813, and there are still a couple of more days to go before the campaign concludes for the year.

Last year’s campaign raised $5,300. Kanning, and Campaign Chair Duane McFadden remind you there are still opportunities for you to volunteer a couple of hours to help raise funds, by ringing the bell at the Atlantic Hy-Vee, Fareway and Wal-Mart stores. To sign-up for a shift, please call Duane McFadden at 712-249-0939. Saturday will be your last chance to ring the bell, and help the local chapter of the Salvation Army. The funds raised by the campaign stay in Cass County. 

Over the course of past year, the funds were made available for such programs as “Shop with a Cop,” providing gift cards to local schools to assist students in meeting various needs, assisting stranded motorists and transient individuals,  fans for distribution by West Central Community Action Center, and, back packs to be distributed by the administrative staff.

This year the Cass County Salvation Army unit also partnered with the Parents as Teachers Program, to purchase car seats for the program’s use.

The State Director of USDA Rural Development in Iowa says funds from USDA Rural Development continue to have a dramatic impact on communities across the State.

Bill Menner, USDA Director of Rural Development in IA

Bill Menner says in 2011, the agency awarded $431 million in direct loans, guaranteed loans and grants to help create and/or retain 1,900 jobs, improve infrastructure and services in 80 communities and assist 2,000 families with home purchases. In addition to generating jobs, Menner says  USDA Rural Development investments are creating ongoing economic opportunities in rural America that will pay benefits for years to come. Funds from the agency’s programs help modernize essential water systems, build clinics and hospitals, support renewable energy systems, energy conservation, and ensure affordable housing for rural residents.

From new hospitals to increased, affordable housing to thriving small businesses, Menner says USDA Rural Development has been a partner in a number of great projects in rural Iowa during the past 12 months including:  

• The Clarinda Regional Health Center…which has provided health care services in southwest Iowa for more than 70 years…is opening a replacement critical access hospital in January 2012 thanks to a nearly $19 million loan from USDA Rural Development. The project created more than 400 construction jobs over an 18-month period and will ensure continued employment of the 170 hospital staff. 
• The Hotel Iowana, built in 1920 in Creston, which had been vacant for many years, and was an eyesore in the community’s central business district.  Menner says earlier this month, thanks in part to a $1 million loan from USDA Rural Development, the historic building has new life and re-opened its doors as a senior living apartment complex. Menner says throughout the construction progress there were approximately 60 workers on the site full-time, many of them from areas outside of Creston, creating a tremendous impact on the local economy, both for hotels and for restaurants.

Menner says “Our agency is eager to build on the success of the past and help foster an even brighter future for rural Iowa. If you have an idea on how jobs can be created in rural Iowa, or how a rural community can improve the quality of life experience for their residents, give us a call today.” The number to call is (515) 284-4663. More information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available online, at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.