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

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Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says that with the amount of snowfall possible in the next 24 hours all parts of southwest Iowa ranging from a trace to as much as 4 inches,  citizens of Clarinda are being reminded that a two inch snowfall automatically triggers a SNOW EMERGENCY in the city.

No vehicles are allowed to park on any public streets or alley ways until the snow ceases to fall and the streets have been plowed from curb to curb. Violators are subject to having their vehicle impounded and being issued a parking citation.

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 9th 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 those services.

In Shelby County the VITA program is a joint effort of Iowa State University 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.

OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 4, 2017) — The American Red Cross has a severe winter blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for blood donors to make a donation appointment now and help save patient lives.  Hectic holiday schedules for many regular blood donors contributed to about 37,000 fewer donations in November and December than what was needed. Snowstorms and severe weather have also impacted donations. Nearly 100 blood drives were forced to cancel in December, resulting in more than 3,100 blood donations going uncollected.

Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services, says “Blood and platelet donations are critically needed in the coming days so that patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they are counting on. We encourage donors to invite a family member or friend to donate with them to help meet patient needs. Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in.”

How to help:

Find a blood donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross is extending hours at many donation sites for more donors to give blood or platelets. Overall, the Red Cross has added nearly 200 hours to blood donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help speed up the donation process.

Some upcoming area blood donation opportunities….

 Adair County: Orient – 1/11/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Orient-Macksburg High School, 201 School Street

Audubon County: Exira – 1/16/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Exira Recreational Center, 106 N Jefferson

Cass County:  Atlantic – 1/12/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Atlantic YMCA, 1100 Maple Street; 1/17/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., MAHLE, 60428 Marne Rd….Griswold -1/10/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Griswold High School, 20 Madison.

Montgomery County:  Villisca – 1/18/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community Center, 201 S. 3rd Ave

Pottawattamie County:  Council Bluffs – 1/9/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 1/10/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 1/12/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., AmeriStar Casino, 2200 River Road; 1/15/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Community of Christ, 140 Kanesville Blvd; 1/16/2017: 12:30 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street; 1/17/2017: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street.

Shelby County:  Elk Horn – 1/10/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street; Harlan – 1/17/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview; Westphalia – 1/19/2017: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St.

Tuesday was the first day of work for the NEW congress and Republican Congressman Steve King quickly filed a bill calling for the immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act. King says it’s time for “swift action” on “ObamaCare” since Republicans now control both the House and Senate — and a Republican will be sworn as president on January 20th. Mike Tramontina, of Des Moines, has been a licensed navigator for three years — helping Iowans buy insurance through the government’s healthcare-dot-gov website.  “I urge Iowa’s members of congress not to vote to repeal before they at least have an acceptable alternative,” Tramontina says.

Tramontina was among a handful of Iowans who spoke yesterday (Tuesday) at news conference in Des Moines that was organized by a group that supports the health care law. Tramontina suggests King and other “ObamaCare” opponents are misjudging public sentiment.  “Many of the people who raised objections to the Affordable Care Act did so because they wanted more,” Tramontina says. “At least half of the people who don’t like the Affordable Care Act want more of the tax credits, want lower deductibles by law. They want provisions changed, such as the affordability measures.”

Mary Nelle Trefz, of the Iowa Child and Family Policy Center says a recent analysis by a Washington, D.C. think tank suggests 230-thousand Iowans could lose health coverage if the law is repealed.  “That’s more than the population of the city of Des Moines (who) would have coverage and lose it,” she says.

Sixty-three-year-old Claudia Hawkins, a certified credit counselor from West Des Moines, says it is “just irresponsible” to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan to replace it.  “Is this where we’ve come as a country, where we’re not concerned about our neighbors?” she asked.

Mike Draper, a small businessman who’s part of the Iowa Main Street Alliance, says it’s “no coincidence” many Republicans are talking about a repeal that wouldn’t take effect until 2019 — because members of congress stand for reelection in 2018.  “They know that if they scuttle the entire thing, that the shock to the system would be so great that people wouldn’t want that either,” Draper says.

Draper says to repeal the law now, “just when it’s beginning to work,” would be a “blow to small businesses.” Senator Chuck Grassley issued a statement late Tuesday, saying “Obamacare over-promised and under-delivered” and is “collapsing.” Grassley indicated he’ll support efforts to limit medical malpractice lawsuits and let people purchase insurance across state lines as ways to reduce costs.

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports a Creston man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. 25-year old Nathan Vicker was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Vicker, who was already being held at the jail, remains there on $1,300 bond.

And, a Creston woman was cited Tuesday morning for Allowing an Animal to Run At Large. 32-year old Sara Bagby was released on a Promise to Appear later, in court.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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An investigation into a Theft that took place Dec. 10th at the Casey’s Store south in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest Tuesday night of 40-year old Robert Lee Best, of Red Oak. Best was employed at the store when the theft allegedly occurred. He was charged with 5th Degree Theft (the loss amounting to less than $200), and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

A man and woman from Montgomery County were arrested Tuesday night for Harboring a 15-year old female runaway, against the will of the juveniles’ parents. Red Oak Police say 45-year old Billy Joe Miflin and 19-year old Dakota Lynn Giroeux, both of Red Oak, were arrested at around 7-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of E. Joy Street. Miflin and Giroeux were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond, each.

With the spike in traffic fatalities in Iowa during 2016, the state senate’s Democratic leader says traffic safety should be a priority issue for the 2017 Iowa legislature. Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids was elected leader of Senate Democrats after the November election.  “In 1970, Iowa had over 900 motor vehicle fatalities. Last year, we were down to 317, now we’ve jumped way back up to 400. That’s the wrong direction. We need to work together to continue to drive those numbers down, but that requires people who are committed to making state government work.”

Officials say the latest data indicates at least 401 people died in traffic accidents in Iowa during 2016. In southwest Iowa, Cass County had the most fatalities, at 14, followed by Pottawattamie County, with 13. Adams, Guthrie and Montgomery Counties had zero traffic fatalities last year.

Hogg says legislators need to make sure there are enough state troopers patrolling the state’s highways. “And, by the way, unfortunately Republicans are leading with this effort to take away health benefits from our law enforcement officers and other public workers. I don’t think that’s a solution to the problem. I think we need to support our state troopers,” Hogg says. “We need to add to their numbers.”

Hogg says the state needs “better” laws about distracted driving, too. “You’re going to see an effort to take away automated traffic enforcement in some places. Well, there are some places in the state where that’s important and then, finally, we need a stronger driver’s education system.”

Hogg made his comments during a town hall meeting stop in Mason City on Tuesday.

(Radio Iowa)