DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The mother of a 4-year-old boy who shot himself after finding an unsecured gun in a car has been charged with a misdemeanor. Television station KCCI reportst Rachel Marie Rowe has been charged with making a firearm available to a minor. Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Rowe was ticketed for the simple misdemeanor.

In May, police were called to the southeast end of the city for a report of a shooting. Investigators say the boy had been left unattended in a car when he found the handgun and began playing with it. The gun fired, hitting the child in the shoulder.

Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley today (Wednesday) announced that USDA is investing $192 million in 71 projects located across 29 states to improve rural water infrastructure. Nine of those projects, totaling $15.3 million, are assisting residents living in rural Iowa communities. Three of the projects are in Kimballton, Lewis and Massena.

USDA is making the $192 million investment through the Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. Rural communities, water districts and other eligible entities can use the funds for drinking water, stormwater drainage and waste disposal systems in rural communities with 10,000 or fewer residents.

The city of Kimballton is receiving a $1,461,000 loan and $1,400,000 grant to make significant capital improvements to its municipal water system. Funds from the project will be used to replace water mains, install new piping to create a looped distribution system, construct a 50,000-gallon elevated storage tower, purchase a back-up generator and make various repairs and updates to the water treatment plant. These improvements will update the city’s aging infrastructure and improve water pressure throughout the community.

The city of Lewis is receiving a $1,041,000 loan and $1,000,000 grant to improve its wastewater collection system, including spot repairs in 14 locations, lining 5,000 feet of pipe, repairing manholes, constructing a third cell in the lagoon and adding ultra-violet disinfection to the treatment system. The repairs and new treatment will help the city meet new Iowa Department of Natural Resources testing limits.

The city of Massena is receiving a $925,000 loan and $927,000 grant to improve its wastewater treatment facility. The lagoons will be updated with a submerged attached growth reactor system, and ultraviolet disinfection will be installed. Without these repairs and updates, the treatment facility will fail to meet new compliance limitations for ammonia-nitrogen and E. coli.

The city of Dow City (Crawford County), is receiving a $557,000 loan to construct a new well. Both of the city’s current wells will be taken out of service because water from them contains high nitrate levels. The new well will ensure city residents have access to safe and reliable drinking water.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports several arrests. On June 19th, Deputies arrested 40-year old Erik Dean James, of Massena, on a felony Forgery charge. James was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $5,000 bond.; and, 31-year old Jessica Lynn Pedrin, of Atlantic, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Pedrin was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $7,500 bond.

Also on the 19th. deputies responded at around 2:30 a.m. to a report of a two-vehicle accident in Atlantic. A 2002 Dodge Neon owned by Sierra Lanae Parker and driven by a 16-year-old female, was eastbound on 14th Street when car struck the rear of a parked Chevy owned by Nicole Larae Kinney.  No injuries were reported. Damage to both vehicles is estimated at $2,000 each. Upon investigation, the juvenile driver of Parker’s vehicle was charged with OWI 1st Offense,and Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense. The driver was subsequently released to her parent.

On June 20th, as the result of a traffic stop, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 18-year old Erin Leigh Mack, of Atlantic, on charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (C Felony) and Drug Tax Stamp Violation (D Felony). Two 16-year-old males from Atlantic, who were also in the vehicle, were also charged and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. Mack was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance. Information on the custody status of the juveniles is not available at this time.

On June 23rd at around 1:30 a.m., deputies in Cass County responded to a report of a one-vehicle accident on 745th Street. A 2012 Ford F150 owned and driven by 24-year old Tyler Thomas Stork, of Anita, was southbound on 745th Street when the vehicle entered the east ditch, rolling multiple times and landing on its top. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $12,000. Upon investigation, deputies arrested Stork on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. He was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

On June 24th, 29-year old Amanda Dawn Ruchti, of Wiota, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation and an additional charge of Violation of a No Contact Order. Also charged with Violation of a No Contact Order was 24-year old Tray D. Anderson, of Exira. Both individuals were taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on their own recognizances.

Also arrested June 24th, was 49-year old  Vicente Gomez, of San Antonio, TX, who was taken into custody on a court warrant for Failure to Appear. Gomez was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day as a result of dismissal of charge.

On June 25th, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23-year old Amanda Kay Ellis,  of Lincoln, NE, on charges of OWI 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Ellis was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $1,300 bond.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo casino card dealer has been accused of cheating for the benefit of players. Black Hawk County court records say 27-year-old Jordan Makinster is charged with a felony: altering the outcome of a gambling game. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Makinster is accused of altering his deals during a game called Match ‘Em High Low at the Isle Casino Hotel.

The court records say he’d arrange the cards in groups of pairs and runs and then false shuffle to create a greater likelihood the groupings would remain together, giving patrons a better chance of winning.

The records say that increased his chances of being rewarded with larger tips from the happy winners.

AMES, Iowa—Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with Soil Health Partnership, Iowa Corn, Iowa Soybean Association, Adams County Farm Bureau and Practical Farmers of Iowa, will host a cover crops, grazing cover crops and soil health field day Tuesday, July 9th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Ray and Elaine Gaesser’s Farm near Corning. The event is free, open to the whole family and includes a complimentary meal sponsored in part by the National Wildlife Federation Cover Crop Champions Program.

Cover crops are gaining popularity among livestock and row crop producers thanks to the many benefits that can be achieved. These include expanded grazing and forage acres, reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increased soil organic matter, improved soil health and reduced soil erosion.

The field day will feature host farmer Ray Gaesser and his son, Chris Gaesser, sharing their experiences with cover crops and grazing cover crops and provide tips for successfully adding them to your operation. Jacob Ness, Soil Health Partnership Iowa Field Manager, will share soil health measurement results from an the Gaesser’s cover crop research plots and provide information on how to get a trial started on your farm. Sarah Carlson, Practical Farmers of Iowa Strategic Initiatives Director, will highlight cover crop research trial results ranging from long-term rye plots, interseeding early into cash crops, grazing cover crops and more.

The workshop will be held at Ray and Elaine Gaesser’s Farm, 2507 Quince Ave, Corning. From Corning, head east on Hwy 34 for 6.7 miles. Turn right onto Quince Ave and head south for 2.6 miles. The farm will be located on the east side of the road. The event is free and open to the whole family, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. Please RSVP to 515-294-5429 or www.soilhealthpartnership.org.

Iowa Learning Farms field days and workshops are supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information about Iowa Learning Farms, visit www.iowalearningfarms.org.