(Radio Iowa) – A series of federal tax breaks are now available for many Iowans who took a financial hit from last summer’s derecho. The new law waives penalties for individuals who make early withdrawals from their retirement savings to pay for storm-related expenses. Businesses in the derecho zone that had to close temporarily, but kept paying their employees, are eligible for a tax credit. Low-income workers that had their hours cut will be able to use their 2019 income to calculate tax credits they would otherwise lose or see dramatically reduced.

There are some changes in the deduction for charitable giving, to encourage donations that support derecho recovery. These tax changes originally were in a bill introduced by Iowa Senator Joni Ernst that was later added to the huge piece of legislation President Trump signed in late December. Ernst says as Iowans continue to recover from the August 10th derecho, these tax changes will provide Iowa families, communities, and businesses more relief and support during challenging times.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Monday, held their annual organizational meeting, and elected new officers. Steve Shelley was selected as Board Chair, and Matt Wedemeyer was picked for the Vice-Chairman’s seat.  The Board decided not to change the time of their meetings, which will be held (normally), each Wednesday at 9-a.m., in their Boardroom at the Adair County Courthouse.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reported Michael Herbert was hired as the new Jail Administrator and part-time deputy. Pending the routine screening procedure, Herbert will receive a starting salary of $45,000 per year and 10-days of vacation.

One person was injured during a single-vehicle accident Monday night, in Montgomery County. The Iowa State Patrol reports 41-year-old Joshua Franzen, of Elliott, who was not wearing a seat belt, was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital by Red Oak Rescue, after the 2007 Buick he was driving went out of control on Highway 48, at around 11-p.m.

The vehicle slid into the west ditch and rolled over, coming to rest on its top, facing north. Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies, Red Oak Fire/Rescue and Elliott 1st Responders assisted at the scene.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports a Cass County man was arrested Dec. 27th on a warrant from Montgomery County. 59-year-old Myron Lee Flathers, of Anita, was arrested in Bridgewater on the No Bond warrant (a mittimus) where he needed to complete an unspecified jail sentence before being able to be released. Flathers was released the following day to another agency.

And, 22-year old Kane Farlow, of Creston, as previously reported, was arrested Dec. 27th in Dexter, on a No Bond, Parole Violation warrant out of Union County.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:37 a.m. CST

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a life prison sentence for an influential Iowa youth basketball coach who used his position to sexually exploit more than 400 boys over 20 years. A panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Gregory Stephen’s argument that his 180-year sentence was excessive because he did not kill or physically injure his victims. The panel agreed with U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams “that the harm to the children was ‘incalculable and profound’ and radiated to their families.” Stephen amassed a digital collection of thousands of sexual images of his players and their friends. He also molested some boys during trips to basketball tournaments and professional games.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appears to be prepared to push schools to return students to classrooms this month. reinforcing her plans to prioritize in-person learning even when a local school board believes it’s too risky. The Des Moines school district’s request on Dec. 28 was the first to be rejected since August. Des Moines Superintendent Tom Ahart says the school board is concerned about the safety and well-being of its students and employees based on local virus conditions. Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo rejected the request on Dec. 30. Lebo echoed Reynolds’ recent statements that students engaged in remote learning are falling behind academically and that schools are not primary drivers of spread of the virus.

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Police say two people suffered injuries during an explosion at a home in southeast Iowa. The incident was reported early Monday in a residential area of Washington. KCRG-TV reports all the residents of the home were evacuated. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire caused by the explosion. The explosion blew out windows in neighboring homes. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. Washington is about 30 miles south of Iowa City.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy continues improving in nine Midwest and Plains states but business leaders are less optimistic after the latest surge in coronavirus cases in the region, according to a new monthly survey released Monday. The overall index for the region suggests strong growth even though it dipped to 64.1 in December from November’s 69. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth, while a score below 50 suggests recession. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said the survey’s confidence index suggests business leaders are worried about the economy after the recent growth in virus cases across the region.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police are investigating the shooting death of a 21-year-old man. Police said Jayson Lee Jones, of Cedar Rapids, was shot early Sunday at a Cedar Rapids home. He was taken by private vehicle to Mercy Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Police have not released any further information about the shooting or any potential suspects.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appears to be prepared to push schools to return students to classrooms this month, reinforcing her plans to prioritize in-person learning even when a local school board believes it’s too risky.

The Des Moines school district’s request on Dec. 28th was the first to be rejected since August. Des Moines Superintendent Tom Ahart says the school board is concerned about the safety and well-being of its students and employees based on local virus conditions.

Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo rejected the request on Dec. 30. Lebo echoed Reynolds’ recent statements that students engaged in remote learning are falling behind academically and that schools are not primary drivers of spread of the virus.

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports his deputies today (Monday) arrested 36-year-old Zachary Michael Anderson, of Sidney (Iowa). Anderson was taken into custody on two counts of Violating a Protection Order (Simple Misdemeanors) and three Class-D Felony counts of Violating the Conditions of the Sex Offender Registry 2nd or Subsequent Offense.

Zachary Anderson (Photo courtesy Fremont County S/O)

Anderson wasbeing held without bond pending initial appearance with the Fremont County Magistrate.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy continues improving in nine Midwest and Plains states but business leaders are less optimistic after the latest surge in coronavirus cases in the region, according to a new monthly survey released Monday. The overall index for the region suggests strong growth even though it dipped to 64.1 in December from November’s 69. Any score above 50 on the survey’s indexes suggests growth, while a score below 50 suggests recession.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, said the survey’s confidence index suggests business leaders are worried about the economy after the recent growth in virus cases across the region.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A federal appeals court has upheld a life prison sentence for an influential Iowa youth basketball coach who used his position to sexually exploit more than 400 boys over 20 years. A panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Gregory Stephen’s argument that his 180-year sentence was excessive because he did not kill or physically injure his victims. The panel agreed with U.S. District Judge C.J. Williams “that the harm to the children was ‘incalculable and profound’ and radiated to their families.”

Stephen amassed a digital collection of thousands of sexual images of his players and their friends. He also molested some boys during trips to basketball tournaments and professional games.