(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO) is seeking applicants for its Homeownership Assistance Program. The program is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Iowa Finance Authority and administered by SWIPCO’s Southwest Iowa Housing Trust fund.

The Iowa Finance Authority provides grants and low-interest loans through several programs, many of which are available to southwest Iowans who wish to purchase a home but may otherwise struggle to obtain resources.

SWIPCO Grant Specialist Ann Anstey says the Homeownership Assistance Program is a little-known but valuable option for homebuyers. “This is a great program for folks who want to own a home of their own,” said Anstey. “A lot of times, people qualify but don’t even know the program’s there for them to use.”

Anstey said the program is available to individuals and families who earn up to 80% of the area median income where they live. The area median income is calculated each year in each city or municipality. Applications are approved subject to income eligibility and on a first-come, first-served basis.

Grants provide $4,000 at closing in the form of a five-year, fully forgivable loan provided the homeowner stays in the home for at least five years. The loan is forgiven in 20% increments each year. Additionally, homebuyers may qualify borrow up to $3,000 more at a favorable 1% interest rate to be paid back over a maximum of five years.

To apply, homebuyers must have a signed purchase agreement in effect and have a mortgage application in process with a lender. Applicants can request an application from ann.anstey@swipco.org or call SWIPCO at 712-243-4196.

• The City of Clarinda: Social Services Centers was awarded $600,000.
• In Bedford: Simmering-Cory, Inc. was awarded $224,994 for the EHI program
• In Casey: The Region 12 COG (Council of Governments) was awarded $252,000
• In Mount Ayr: Southern Iowa COG was awarded $254,000.
• In Redfield: The Region 12 COG was awarded $209,500.
• In Lenox: A water main replacement project was awarded $500,000.
• and in Stuart: A Water Systems Improvement project was awarded $500,000.

On Jan. 11th, 21-year old Mason James Schmitz, of Irwin, was arrested following the execution of a Search Warrant at a residence in Irwin. Schmitz was charged with: 3 counts of Failure to Affix Drug Stamp; 2 Felony counts of Controlled Substance Violation (a Class-B Felony); a Felony Controlled Substance Violation (Class-C Felony); Prohibited Acts Violation; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; 2 counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd or subsequent offense; 2 counts of Controlled Substance Violation, and 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drug.

On the 10th, 58-year-old Kimberly Ann Thomas, of Harlan, was arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 59. Thomas was charged with: a Controlled Substance Violation; Failure to Affix Drug Stamp; Prohibited Acts Violation; Speeding; Driving while License is Suspended, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability. Shelby County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Joshua Dean Edgecomb, of Avoca, on Jan. 6th. He was taken into custody following a traffic stop, and charged with: OWI 2nd Offense; Speeding; Fail to Yield to Emergency Vehicle; No Valid Drivers License, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.

On the 5th of January, 53-year old Debra Jeanne Bruck, of Manilla, was arrested after an investigation of a vehicle found in the ditch off Shelby County Road M-47. Bruck was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with OWI 3rd Offense, Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations, Interference with Official Acts, and Failure to Maintain Control.

And, on January 1st, 45-year-old Kevin Matthew Miller, of Ida Grove, was arrested following a traffic stop on Road M-16, south of Highway 44. Miller was transported to the Shelby County Jail and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marijuana) 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving while License is Suspended, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Operating a Non Registered Vehicle, Improper Brake Light.

The Cass County Recorder’s Office will be closed on Friday morning from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The office will open for the day at 12:00 p.m.

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans are proposing a series of steps to address gaps in Iowa’s mental health system, including state spending to add 46 psychiatric beds at the state Mental Health Institutes in Cherokee and Independence. Republican Representative Ann Meyer says that’s a 50 percent increase in treatment beds for critical cases.  “We don’t have enough beds that will take crisis patients,” Meyer says, “and this is going to be a heavy lift.”  She says there’s no estimate yet on the cost. Meyer, who is from Fort Dodge, says the issue came up in conversations with law enforcement and with constituents as she campaigned. “I had so many people standing at the doors telling me 20 minute stories about loved ones that don’t have access to mental health services,” Meyer says, “that are living on the streets, that are in crisis constantly.”

One initiative would have the state spend one-point-two MILLION dollars to support a dozen psychiatrists-in-training from the University of Iowa who’ll be working at the two Mental Health Institutes and at the Iowa prison system’s intake center in Oakdale. “The pipeline of doctors, we need that,” Meyer says. “When the DMU/Broadlawns residencies introduced a few years back, there were 800 applicants, so we know we can fill those slots.” Meyer says there are not enough spaces in substance abuse treatment programs for people who’re self-medicating to deal with their mental health issues and some hospitals are not accepting suicidal patients. “My hospitals are telling me you know any day there can be one to five sitting in the emergency room or the ICU, which is the only locked room in our hospital, and no treatment, no place to send them,” Meyer says, “and sometimes they’re released without treatment.”

Meyer says these issues came up repeatedly as she’s campaigned. “I had so many people standing at the doors telling me 20 minute stories about loved ones that don’t have access to mental health services,” Meyer says, “that are living on the streets, that are in crisis constantly.” Meyer says she met one young woman was desperate to find help for her homeless brother who was suffering from P-T-S-D — and Meyer saw the man on the street a few minutes later. “There’s so many stories like that,” Meyer says. “…It’s just such a crisis.”

House Republicans are also proposing a loan repayment program for psychiatrists, nurse practitioners and therapists who can prescribe medication. The plan would require the medical professional to agree to practice in Iowa for five years, which Meyer says will hopefully mean they’ve put down roots and will stay in Iowa.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday morning, and voted to approve the 2022 Wellness Program for County Employees. Supervisor Steve Green said their 2021 program saved the County a lot of money on its insurance.

In other business, the Board appointed two persons to fill vacancies in various positions. They approved the appointment of Cliff Aupperle as Franklin Township Trustee, and Jim Swanson from the Brighton Township, to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Several other positions remain to be filled, including Brighton Township Trustee, Pleasant Township Clerk, two more members of the Zoning Commission, and multiple members to the Condemnation in Eminent Domain, Board.

The Supervisors received a report from County Engineer Trent Wolken, who said his crews worked to remove the snow that fell over the weekend. Their job was made all the more difficult due to the rain that fell Friday and then froze before the snow piled-on. Crews spend four hours on Sunday alone getting the roads – including bus routes – in shape again.

He said also they’re still working on Bridge #280 on 700^th Street, including the install of pilings, and the paperwork for the 570^th Street overpass with the DOT, as well as paperwork for a RISE (Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy) Project.

And, the Board received Quarterly reports from Cass County Conservation Director Michah Lee, and Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes.