Des Moines – The Iowa Finance Authority and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources today (Monday) announced that 58 Iowa communities have received a total of more than $171 million in low-interest loans through the State Revolving Fund to assist in advancing water quality projects.  State Revolving Fund Construction Loans are a low-cost construction financing option available for Iowa cities and municipalities for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Planning & Design Loans are zero percent loans that assist with the first-phase of project expenses. In the KJAN listening area:

• The City of Lewis was awarded $225,00 for Sewer Planning and Design.
• Council Bluffs Water Works was awarded $5.025-million for Water Transmission Improvements.
• Denison Municipal Utilities was awarded $10.206-million for Sewer Treatment improvements.
• Malvern was awarded $228,000 for Water Planning and Design.
• Manning was awarded $436,000 for Sewer Transmission Improvements.
• Mt. Ayr was awarded $275,000 for Water Transmission Improvements.
• And Winterset was awarded $105,000 for Sewer Planning and Design.

Iowa Finance Authority Interim Executive Director Carolann Jensen said “The State Revolving Fund has loaned more than $3.4 billion to more than 600 Iowa communities to date and we look forward to helping to advance many more water quality improvements.” Iowa Department of Natural Resources Acting Director Bruce Trautman said “The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is proud to partner with the Iowa Finance Authority to provide communities with affordable, accessible financing that will allow them to move pertinent water quality projects forward.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides annual capitalization grants to states. Leveraged bonds and loan repayments expand the reach of the federal investment. More than $3 in assistance has been leveraged for Iowa water quality projects for every $1 of federal funds. The State Revolving Fund has awarded Iowa communities and municipalities with more than $3.4 billion in Construction Loans and more than $198 million through Planning & Design Loans since the program’s inception.  The low-interest loans have saved communities millions of dollars in interest. More information is available IowaSRF.com

(Radio Iowa) — The driver of a car was killed after a crashing into a piece of farm machinery this (Monday) morning in Jasper County. The crash happened around 8 a.m. on Highway 163 near Monroe. The Iowa State Patrol reports a car caught fire after running into the back of a piece of farm equipment being pulled by a tractor. Troopers believe sunlight in the driver’s eyes may have been a factor in the crash.
The name of the person killed in the crash has not been released.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A woman accused of stealing from her mother has pleaded not guilty in eastern Iowa. The Telegraph Herald reports that 50-year-old Corenna Marshall, of Sherrill, was arraigned last week on charges of fraudulent practices and of dependent adult abuse-exploitation. Her trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 18.

Authorities say Marshall held a power of attorney for her 78-year-old mother, Jeanne Marshall, of Dubuque. Investigators say bank records show that more than $21,000 was transferred to Corenna Marshall’s account from her mother’s account. Court documents say Corenna Marshall put her name on her mother’s property but used her mother’s account to pay a loan on the property.

Nominations packets for the ATHENA Leadership Award are due in to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, by 5-p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 30th). The award, developed through a grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, identifies eight distinct attributes that are reflective of women’s contributions to leadership: living authentically, learning constantly, advocating fiercely, acting courageously, fostering collaboration, building relationships, giving back and celebrating. These personal traits are more intuitive to women and combined with the strongest aspects of traditional leadership – taking risks, assertiveness, hard work – prepare women to be successful leaders in the 21^st century.

Athena Award

Over 7,000 recipients around the world have been honored with the ATHENA Leadership Award since the program launched in 1982. Presented to leaders, women and men, across the professional sector, the ATHENA Leadership Award is one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive – and Atlantic is one of the few communities in Iowa with an active ATHENA Leadership group.

Nominees must meet each of the following three criteria:

1. Demonstrate excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession
2. Provide valuable service to improve the quality of life for others in their community
3. Actively assist women in achieving their full leadership potential

Over the past 18 years, Deter Motor Company has sponsored the ATHENA Award in this area. 17 women have been honored with the award and nominations are being sought out now for the 18th award winner. At Scott Deter’s request, the award winners have met consistently over the past several years to develop a program to mentor women. Local recipients to date include: LaVon Eblen, Judy Marnin, Leanne Pellett, Denise O’Brien, Margaret Slepsky, Glenda Farrier, Carole Schuler, Jan Kinnison, Janell Hansen, Ann Pross, Wendy Richter, Dolly Bergmann, Pat Markham, Lanette Plambeck, Kathie Hockenberry, Dr. Tressa Wilcox and Heather McKay.

The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented in January at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. Those interested in nominating an individual can pick up a nomination packet at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, 102 Chestnut Street, or by visiting www.atlanticiowa.com. Again, nominations are due Tuesday, October 30^th at 5 PM.

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — Library officials in northwest Iowa are deciding how to respond after a religious activist burned four LGBTQ children’s books. Orange City library director Amanda Vazquez tells The Sioux City Journal that officials aren’t sure if they’ll replace the destroyed books, which include David Levithan’s “Two Boys Kissing.” Paul Dorr is the director of religious group Rescue the Perishing. He released a nearly 30 minute video on Facebook Live where he denounced the library for having the LGBTQ books and threw them in a burning barrel. The video was made on Oct. 19, the first day of the city’s gay pride festival.

Vazquez says the library will follow official policy regarding stolen or lost books. Dorr could be charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree theft if he doesn’t respond to the library’s fine.

Sheriff’s officials in Pottawattamie County issued an arrest warrant for a Cass County man. 24-year old Aaron Robert Gerald Cole, of Atlantic, was wanted for Burglary in the 3rd and Theft in the 4th degree, in connection with incidents in Avoca. Cole was arrested Oct. 1st on a Burglary in the 2nd degree charge, the bond for which was set at $30,000. He remained in the Pott. County Jail today (Monday). Authorities say on Oct. 10th, a Sheriff’s Investigator received a property return sheet from the Avoca Police Chiefm with regard to a residential burglary reported by Avoca City Manager Clint Fichter, that occurred sometime during the day on Oct. 1st. Fichter reported multiple items as missing, and listed the following as recovered from by the Police Chief: A black appointment book with check books and personal paperwork, (6) credit cards, (1) Social Security card, portable speakers, a house key, a Fiat Spyder key, computer cords, misc. jewelry, and a green backpack with change. Fichter advised these items did come from inside of his home. The property was located with Aaron Cole or in the stolen Chrylser 300 that was recovered and linked to him. An investigation showed that Cole committed multiple home and vehicle burglaries during the weekend of Sept. 30th. During a series of burglaries, items taken and linked to Cole amounted to a loss of more than $200, but less than $500.

Sheriff’s officials say a transient, 38-year old Adam Patrick King, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail without bond, was presented with a warrant Friday afternoon, charging him with Fugitive from Justice. After the warrant was read to him, King was returned to the custody of jail staff. He was in jail on an original charge of serious Domestic Assault. Friday afternoon, 55-year old Patrick Duncan, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Duncan was arrested for Driving While Barred, and brought to the Pott. County Jail. He was not listed on the jail roster as of today (Monday). And, a woman from Nebraska was arrested Friday night in Pott. County following an attempted traffic stop on a pickup truck. 32-year old April Lyn Lunsford, of Omaha, was eventually stopped and charged with Eluding and Reckless Driving. No listing of her was found on the jail roster.

Saturday morning, 37-year old Gary Allen Kuper, of Council Bluffs, was arrested in Carson, for Violating a Protection Order. And, just before 6-a.m. Sunday, 26-year old Jesse JD Smith, of Omaha, was arrested for Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Theft in the 2nd degree), after a pickup truck stolen from Council Bluffs was later recovered. His bond was set at $15,300 altogether.

Officials with the Union County Law Enforcement Center received a call Saturday afternoon, with regard to a vehicle in the 1400 block of 190^th.   The vehicle, with two flat tires, was parked along the road. Authorities say the 1975 Plymouth owned by Mike Eblen, had been stolen from a lot in Creston where it was stored.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa school superintendent says he intends to resign this week, saying he’s failed to adequately address issues regarding minority students. Davenport Superintendent Art Tate also said Friday that he’d become a liability in the district’s dealings with the state. The district is under state supervision because a disproportionate number of minority students have been identified for special education and subject to disciplinary actions. Also, the Iowa Board of Education Examiners reprimanded Tate in August for intentionally overspending. He’s said was trying to make up for discrepancies in the state per-pupil funding.

Last week the district received unwelcome attention following a report that one of its elementary teachers wore blackface to a public Halloween party. In April Tate announced his intention to retire next June .

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A trial is scheduled to start Dec. 3 for a man accused of robbing a bank in the northwest Iowa community of Moville. Court records show that 43-year-old Brendon Reed pleaded not guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to bank robbery. Authorities say he robbed United Bank of Iowa in Moville of nearly $14,000 on March 30. He was apprehended later that day after crashing a stolen car during a chase by officers near Salix.

He’s pleaded guilty to stealing the car and has been sentenced to 10 years in an Iowa prison.