Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act marked its 11th year in 2019. Since the law was enacted in 2008, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received 6,400 complaints about smoking in prohibited places. Since 2008, the top five categories of violation complaints are:

• Bars (1670)
• Restaurants (1370)
• Retail store/service (1102)
• Government (441)
• Educational facility (242)

Any Iowan may report a violation of the Smokefree Air Act easily and anonymously by calling 888-944-2247 or online at http://smokefreeair.iowa.gov. Business owners may also visit this website to find free resources, such as signage. Businesses may need new signage that features the updated web address, smokefreeair.iowa.gov. The old web address, Iowasmokefreeair.gov, is being retired.

Iowans seeking smoke-free rental properties may visit http://smokefreehomes.iowa.gov, where more than 18,000 smoke-free rental units are listed. According to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, smoking has declined among Iowa adults from 23.2% in 2000 to 17.1% in 2017; however, an estimated 400,000 Iowans still smoke cigarettes. Free, convenient, safe and secure help to quit tobacco use is available at https://quitlineiowa.org or by calling 800-QUIT-NOW.

Free tax preparation services will be available in Shelby County for low and moderate income taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For more information or to make an appointment call on or after January 13th to 712-755-3104. Call between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After an appointment is scheduled the taxpayer will receive a confirmation letter explaining what to bring to the appointment.

The VITA program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS trained and certified local volunteers who utilize the Tax Slayer software to complete returns. Most returns will be electronically filed and to speed up the refund process participants are encouraged to have a savings or bank account, although it is not required. Taxpayers can have refunds deposited into more than one account and also purchase Series I US Savings Bonds.

Only Basic Federal, Iowa and nearby state returns will be processed. The program does not prepare Schedules or Forms related to Business profit/loss (except Schedule C-EZ or C with business expenses under $10,000), Capital gains/losses, Farm or rental income, Employee business expenses, or Moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.

In Shelby County the VITA program is a joint effort of Shelby County Extension and Outreach and The Iowa Center for Economic Success. The program is financially supported by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Human Services. For more information about the program contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 712-755-3104.

Officials with the Creston Police Department report four recent arrests, including two taken into custody on drug charges.  At around 6:15-a.m. today (Tuesday), 26-year old Jacob Malcom Cauthorn, of Creston, was arrested at Wal-Mart on a Union County Warrant for Failure To Appear. Cauthrorn was also charged with Possession of paraphernalia and possession of controlled substance 1st offense, after the K9 “Jax” was deployed and alerted to the presence of drugs. Cauthorn was being held without bond in the Union County Jail, pending an appearance before the judge.  And, at around 3:15-a.m. Sunday, 18-year old Alexander Smith, of Creston, was arrested on the 300 block of E. Clark, with the assistance of Creston PD K9 Jax. Smith was arrested for Possession of Paraphernalia. He was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond.

Creston Police said 39-year old Jennifer Beard, of Creston, was arrested Saturday afternoon, on a Union County Warrant for Violation of a Protection Order. Beard was released later from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. Friday afternoon, 62-year old William Powell, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication. He was later released on a $300 bond.

There were also two thefts reported in Creston. On Monday, a woman told Creston Police a trailer was stolen from 623 New York Ave., sometime within the last week. The trailer was valued at at $1,500. And, a woman reported her storage unit located at 515 Livingston Ave., was broken into. The missing property included household, furniture, clothing and kitchen items. The loss was estimated at $1,100.

Cass/Atlantic Development Corp. is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Cass County area. This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Cass County’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.

The purpose of this Laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Cass County area workers. Laborshed studies are useful tools for economic development teams and existing or prospective employers to understand the local labor market, make informed expansion and site selection decisions, and maintain/recruit a high-quality workforce. For the success of this study, we will be sending letters to employers in Cass County asking that they provide us with aggregate counts of their employees’ residential ZIP codes. This will allow us to define a commuting pattern for the Atlantic area and determine what the scope and scale of Cass County’s Laborshed area is and better understand where Cass County’s workforce resides.

A confidential survey of residents will also be conducted to collect workforce characteristic information specific to the area. Residents will receive a letter directing them how to take the survey online and/or they will receive a telephone call to take the survey. The survey call originates out of Cedar Rapids, IA, therefore, the incoming number will have the 319 area code. It is possible that you may receive a text message from their 888 number as well, alerting you to expect a call from them. Survey questions will cover topics such as: employment status, current and desired wages, current and desired benefits, education level, and type of occupation among other things. However, Iowa Workforce Development will not be asking survey takers identifiable information such as: name, social security number, or date of birth.

Every year Iowa Workforce Development conducts Laborshed studies across the State. The results of each analysis are publicly available online at www.iowalmi.gov/laborshed. If you have any questions about the Laborshed project, please contact Katie Lippold at 515-281-3035 or Jennifer McEntaffer, with Cass/Atlantic Development Corp. at 712-243-2022.