DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The federal government’s Small Business Association is making low-interest loans available for Iowa small businesses affected by last month’s flooding along the Missouri River. The move is designed to help small businesses affected by the flooding to recover financially. But it doesn’t including farms or structural damage.

Thirteen western Iowa counties along the river are included in the declaration. Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a member of the Small Business Committee, announced the move Wednesday.

Two woman were injured during a crash Wednesday morning in Shelby County. The driver of one of the vehicles, 58-year old Teresa Wageman, of Harlan, was transported to the hospital in Harlan, while the driver of the other vehicle, 17-year old Rachel Ferry, of Kirkman, refused treatment at the scene.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 11:45-a.m., on Highway 59, north of Harlan. Officials say Wageman’s 2007 Chevy Impala and Ferry’s 2001 Ford F-150 pickup were both headed northbound, when Wageman slowed to make a left turn into a residential drive.

Ferry was unable to slow down in time. Her pickup rear-ended the car, causing considerable damage to both vehicles. Rachel Ferry was cited by deputies for failure to stop in a clear and assured distance.

Free music and dancing will once again be featured at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic, on Saturday, July 23rd, with a full stage of local talent performing big band hits. The “Let Freedom Swing” event takes in the Lodge, located at 501 Poplar Street, beginning at 7- p.m.

Event organizer Curtis Ullerich says members of “Popcorn Button” are rested-up from their Winter performances, and ready to entertain the masses. The twenty piece band is comprised of musicians from the Atlantic community and southwest Iowa at-large, with students from Atlantic High School, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

In addition to their standard fare of classic big band hits, Popcorn Button plan to unveil
fresh charts, such as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Moon River Waltz,” and “Too Fat Polka.” And, local ballroom aficionados Pam and Jake Auerbach will again grace the dance floor with their swinging styling’s and share their gift of smooth moves with any dancers present during the event, in the form of free ballroom lessons from 8- to 8:30-p.m.  The couple will teach interested individuals the waltz, polka, lindy hop, and two step.

Again, “Let Freedom Swing” is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event. All ages and dancing abilities are invited and encouraged to attend on Saturday, July 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic.

Popcorn Button recently appeared at the Atlantic All-Class Reunion and will be performing at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic on July 24th as pre-dinner entertainment for RAGBRAI riders. For more information on any of these events, contact Curtis Ullerich at curtisullerich@gmail.com or at 424-242-2878.

Western Iowa Congressman Steve King and Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, his best friend in congress, have unveiled a bill they say will ensure the government would pay the interest on the debt and pay the nation’s active and retired soldiers first if there’s an impasse over the so-called debt ceiling.

“We want to make sure that we keep our promises,” King says. Bachmann has repeatedly vowed to vote against raising the debt ceiling and she accuses President Obama of using “scare tactics” by suggesting there’s no guarantee Social Security checks will be issued in August if congress doesn’t raise the nation’s debt limit.

“We were all shocked and appalled that President Obama dangled out in front of the cameras that senior citizens may not get their checks. That’s a very dangerous statement to make,” Bachmann said. “We don’t believe that for a moment.” The legislation Bachmann and King propose would put institutions that hold U.S. government debt and individuals who hold U.S. Treasury notes at the front of the line to get paid if the government gets in deep financial problems.

“It ensures that we keep our credit and our bond rating by paying and servicing our debts first,” King says. King and Bachmann argue the Social Security Trust Fund has enough money to pay Social Security benefits in August. The two Republicans made their comments Wednesday during a news conference in Washington, D.C.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)