DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Rural Iowa communities are struggling with a housing shortage even as many areas also deal with long-term population declines. The Des Moines Register reports that developers are often wary of building in rural areas because of their declining population and significantly lower home values. Now, some communities are offering financing or incentives for new homes and renovations.

The Stanton Industrial Foundation is investing in new homes and rehabilitations in Stanton. The housing initiative is coupled with other investments to improve the area such as a walking trail, daycare and multipurpose complex. Forest City’s economic development group has used investments, a workforce housing loan and tax credits to finance a $4 million apartment complex.
Hobart Historic Preservation has also created loft apartments in a 160-year-old building in downtown Mount Pleasant.

Glenwood Police report two men were arrested, Saturday. 24-year old Levi Henderson, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for OWI 1st offense. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000. And, 44-year old William Weis,  of Glenwood, was arrested on a Pottawattamie county warrant for probation violation. His cash or surety bond was also set at $1,000.

Ten Iowa youth organizations will receive funding from Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (I-CASH) for a farm safety project.  Since 1999, I-CASH has designated funds for Iowa youth groups to promote farm safety awareness in their local communities.  The grants are awarded to the proposals that show the highest involvement by youth in the planning and carrying out of the project. Among this year’s grant recipients locally, is the Shelby County 4-H Youth Council, and the Ida County Farm Bureau. Since 1999, I-CASH has awarded 155 grants, investing more than $140,000 in youth safety projects.

According to I-CASH director Brandi Janssen, this year was especially competitive.  She said “We were pleased to have nineteen applicants, it’s exciting to have such interest in the grants.  I just wish we could fund more projects.” Ten groups received $500 to carry out their project.  Several of the projects are Farm Safety Days that will teach elementary students about electrical hazards, livestock safety, chemical safety, ATVs, and other topics related to rural safety and health.  In Shelby County, members of the 4-H County Youth Council will do a presentation at Farm Safety Day in June on the prevention and treatment of animal bites and insect stings. All youth participants will receive a 1st aid kit. A video of the presentation will be made available on the Shelby County Extension and Outreach website. Youth groups ranging from 4-H to FFA to County Farm Bureau groups were represented.

At the end of the season, grant applicants will submit a final evaluation that will again be judged by the grant selection committee.  One group will be awarded the “Outstanding Youth Grant Award,” which carries another $500 in funding and a trip to the Midwest Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health Conference (MRASH), which will be held in Council Bluffs, IA this November.

For more information about the Youth Grant program, go to www.i-cash.org.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a 71-year-old woman whose body was found in her home on the north side of Des Moines. Police identified her as Nancy Heimbaugh.
Officers were called Friday afternoon to the home for a report of a death, which police have deemed suspicious. No arrests have been reported. Police have not said how Heimbaugh died. An autopsy was ordered
Police say the woman’s car was missing from her home when officers arrived but it was later found elsewhere.

A man wanted on a U-S Marshal’s warrant and other charges, being sought following an incident early Sunday morning. Council Bluffs Police say that around 12:14-a.m., a Council Bluffs Police Officer attempted a traffic stop on a 2004 black Mercedes E320 with Nebraska plates. The vehicle pulled into the White Oak Station parking lot at 2024 5th Avenue. As the officer approached the vehicle, the female driver exited, and a male passenger jumped into the driver’s seat. The officer ordered the man, identified as 33-year old Jesse Robert Berry, of Council Bluffs, to stop, but he put the vehicle in reverse and backed into the front of the police cruiser. The officer was not injured. His vehicle sustained functional damage.

Berry took off in the car, headed north on S. 21st Street. In addition to the U-S Marshal’s warrant, warrants were applied for Berry, charging him with Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree, Eluding, and Disobedience to a Peace Officer. Authorities say the black Mercedes, with NE license plates VNU 355, will have damage to its left rear corner and tail light. Anyone with information on Berry’s location, or who has seen the vehicle, is asked to call 911. DO NOT APPROACH Berry, as he is considered to be armed and dangerous.

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

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The Audubon Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a Special Session 7:30-a.m. Tuesday, in their Board Room, at the High School. On their agenda is personnel matters, including: Accepting a letter or letters of Resignation; Approval of a transfer request or requests, and Approval of a Teaching Contract or Contracts.

DECORAH, Iowa (AP) — A famed bald eagle watched worldwide on the internet is sharing her nest with her first new eaglet of the year. The Raptor Resource Project says the eaglet cracked out of its shell around 7:25 a.m. on Easter Sunday. The egg was laid Feb. 21. Eaglet D29’s mom is known as Mom Decorah. The nonprofit organization runs the popular bald eagle’s livestream . The nest sits near the Decorah Trout Hatcher in northeast Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a third suspect in the shooting death of a man last summer in Des Moines. Police say 20-year-old Malik Mandujano has been returned to Iowa from Florida. He’s charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of 19-year-old Noah Campbell. Police say Campbell was shot Aug. 22 outside a convenience store. Mandujano’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 11.
Also charged are 19-year-old Daniel Lamay and 30-year-old Crystal Lee. They’ve pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go on trial April 30.

Creston Police say a woman residing in the 300 block of North Vine Street, in Creston, reported Saturday night, that at around 9:10-p.m. , someone threw rocks at her residence. During the incident, two windows and a mirror inside the home, were broken. The damage was estimated at $600. No arrests were reported.