(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) reminds Iowans with low to moderate income, Iowans who are elderly, and Iowans with disabilities that they can get free tax preparation services at sites throughout the state.

Funding for this initiative comes from a two-year grant through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program. VITA is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the underserved, in both urban and non-urban locations.

DHS contracts with the Iowa Center for Economic Success to promote and deliver the tax preparation services through coalition partners across the state. You can find locations and times for tax preparation assistance at: https://theiowacenter.org/services/tax-services/ or at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/.

“In a year like the one we just had, filing taxes can seem more stressful than ever. The EITC/VITA program ensures that hardworking Iowans can access accurate, efficient, and free tax preparation in a safe and supportive environment. The way our volunteer tax preparers work with our clients will look different this year – many working virtually – but the history of strong service remains the same,” said Erma Mujic, Manager of Government Funding + Compliance with The Iowa Center.

During the 2019 filing season, over 139,000 Iowa families claimed over $61.6 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC eligibility can be complex and varies by income, family size, and filing status.

By visiting a VITA site, Iowans can access IRS-trained and certified volunteers who can help them determine if they qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or education credits. Volunteers at these sites also prepare and e-file (electronically file) tax returns at no cost. More than 500 volunteers prepared over 12,000 returns during last year’s filing season.

“The Earned Income Tax Credit can be extremely helpful for working Iowans, providing them more money to help them pay for groceries, housing costs and other bills. We want to spread the word and encourage Iowans eligible to file a tax return, even if they don’t owe any taxes, to take full advantage of the EITC,” said Adult, Children and Family Services Division Administrator Janee Harvey.

DES MOINES/Radio Iowa – On Friday (Today), Gov. Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that relaxes existing public health measures effective Sunday, February 7th, 2021 while continuing critical regulatory relief to those on the frontlines of COVID19 recovery for an additional 30 days.

The proclamation lifts the mask mandates she established in mid-November — when the number of Covid patients in Iowa hospitals escalated to levels not previously seen in the pandemic. Gathering limits in bars and restaurants have also been lifted.

Since November 10th, Reynolds had required mask wearing in public indoor spaces and by the crowds at high school sporting events. She required masks in state-owned buildings that house executive branch agencies. The governor had required masks to be worn inside certain businesses, like hair salons and barber shops. People attending funerals, weddings and other gatherings were required to socially distance. All of those requirements end Sunday.

The governor’s updated public health proclamation strongly encourages businesses to take steps to ensure the health of workers and employees. It also encourages Iowans who are over the age of 65 or who have preexisting medical conditions to limit the time they spend outside their homes.

The proclamation is also modified to reflect changes due to the passage of Senate File 160 and extends the waiver on transportation restrictions for overweight loads. The proclamation can found online here.

MARENGO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa group says it rescued dozens of dogs from a rural property during this week’s snow. The Animal Rescue League says it sent teams to a property in Marengo in Iowa County on Thursday. They found more than 40 dogs confined to buildings in two dilapidated buildings and a camper.

Photo via arl-ia.org

The ARL say the dogs were wet, cold and shaking as the blizzard started. The rescue, which was expected to take 1.5 hours, instead took about four hours. One of the group’s vehicles slid off the road and another had to be dug out of the snow. No details about the property or the owner were released.

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AP) — Police in eastern Wisconsin say a teenager charged in a fatal shooting at a shopping mall has waived extradition in Iowa, where he was arrested days after the slaying. Grand Chute police Capt. Colette Jaeger says law enforcement officers have left for Iowa to collect 17-year-old Dezman Ellis, who was arrested in Des Moines on Thursday. Jaeger says Ellis will be taken to the Outagamie County Jail in Appleton.

Ellis is accused in the killing Sunday of 19-year-old Jovanni Frausto at the Fox River Mall in suburban Appleton during an argument over a girl. A bystander was wounded by the gunfire.

(UPDATE) At around 7:45-p.m., Friday, Officers took the male subject into custody from the construction site. He was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident. He does have valid felony warrants through Nebraska and he will be booked for those charges at a later time.

There is no further threat to the community. The surrounding roads were reopened, but officers are still on scene late Friday evening, for processing.

Original post issued at 1:10-p.m. Friday:

The Council Bluffs Police Department Friday afternoon, said a section of East Kanesville Blvd. is CLOSED from So. 1st St. to Frank St., for “an ongoing police action”  involving a barricaded subject. A detour route for traffic has been established on East Broadway.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

Authorities says at around 10:55-a.m. Friday, Law Enforcement Officers were attempting to execute an arrest warrant on a fugitive at a construction site at East Kanesville and Baughn St in Council Bluffs. The suspect barricaded himself inside of a piece of construction equipment. He is currently contained in that area and there is no immediate threat to the public.

This is currently an active scene. The public is urged to avoid the area. More details will be released later when the situation is concluded.

A man from Page County was arrested Friday morning following a call about suspicious activity. The Page County Sheriff’s Office received a call at around 8-a.m. about a person looking in vehicles at a residence in the 2800 block of B Avenue, or about  8 miles south of Shenandoah. The property owner said that the person left rapidly in a black SUV with black out Iowa license plates. Personnel from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the area.

Justin A. Sickler

After following the vehicle’s tracks in the snow covered roads, the vehicle was located in the 1200 block of 300th Street, or about 3 miles west of Northboro. During the investigation 42-year old Justin Allan Sickler, of Yorktown, was arrested for driving under suspension.  He was transported to the Page County Jail where he is being held on $491.25 bond pending further court proceedings. Additional charges are pending.