DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa budget officials say the state budget will end its fiscal year for 2018 with a general fund surplus of about $127 million. That’s nearly $96 million more than state officials had estimated in March. The state’s 2018 budget year ended June 30.

Iowa Department of Management Director Dave Roederer says Tuesday the boost came primarily from higher corporate income tax receipts, which he says was likely due to federal tax reform that created more business activity than the revenue estimators anticipated in March. Personal income tax and sales tax receipts also were slightly higher than earlier anticipated.

The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference board met in March and estimated an ending balance of about $31 million. Gov. Kim Reynolds says it’s a sign that the economy is growing.

State officials announced on Saturday, Sept. 22 that Taylor County and Ringgold County received the designation as Home Base Iowa Communities. With these two additions, there are now 51 Home Base Iowa counties, which brings the total number of Home Base Iowa communities statewide to 87.

Shaun Leek, Veteran Program Coordinator for Iowa Workforce Development, attended the Taylor and Ringgold County ceremonies and applauded their efforts for making their counties attractive locations for veterans to live and work.

“With our state’s 2.5 percent unemployment rate which is the second lowest in the nation and the need for skilled workers, veterans and transitioning service members are a great addition to our state’s workforce,” Leek said. “Thanks to your commitment to becoming Home Base Iowa Communities, the program continues to grow and make Iowa the state of choice for veterans. As you look to hire quality employees, attract great families into your communities and assist veterans and their families, Home Base Iowa is working to connect them with you.”

Home Base Iowa is a one-of-a-kind program connecting veterans and transitioning service members to over 2,000 businesses, 24 college and university partners and 87 Home Base Iowa communities statewide. The Find a Veteran website feature is one of the unique features of Home Base Iowa. Find a Veteran allows Home Base Iowa businesses and communities to log-in anytime and search veteran profiles. They also receive email alerts when a veteran resume is published with matching location and industry criteria. These features allow program partners to directly connect and outreach to veterans by providing a user-friendly platform to find and attract veterans with the skills they need.

Veterans also receive resume and job placement assistance through their local IowaWORKS Centers throughout the state. Iowa offers many incentives to veterans and transitioning service members including no state taxes on military pension and veteran hiring preference, which allows veteran preferential treatment in hiring decisions for both public and private organizations. Additionally, the state of Iowa provides up to $7,500 for the down payment or closing costs of a home through the Iowa Finance Authority Military Homeownership Assistance Program. The state also provides in-state tuition rates for qualifying veterans, their spouses and their dependents.

Home Base Iowa designates qualified communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans based on four standards:

• Within a designated community, at least 10 percent of the businesses must become Home Base Iowa businesses and pledged to hire veterans,
• Community develops its own incentive package for veterans,
• Community prominently displays Home Base Iowa Community designation, and
• Community must obtain a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body

Taylor and Ringgold County have met or exceeded these requirements. To learn more about Home Base Iowa, visit HomeBaseIowa.gov.

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports a bridge in the 2000 block of Mulberry Road is now closed until further notice, for extensive repairs. The bridge is located over Kidds Creek, between F-24 and 2100th Street, and between Greeley Township Sections 29 & 30. 

Emergency agencies should PLAN ALTERNATE ROUTES for response to nearby residents.  If you have any questions, please call the Shelby County Engineer at 712-755-5954.

The Atlantic School Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday evening at 5:30pm at the High School Media Center.

During their meeting the board is set to discuss coaching evaluations and long-term financial planning. The board will also review a number of upcoming dates for the Iowa Association of School Boards along with their own meeting.

Action items include contract recommendation for Laurie Parrott as a High School Media Center Para. The board will also approve the homecoming float sponsors for each high school class.

The board will also act on approval of a middle school computer lab purchase.

Atlantic, IA – The Cass County Memorial Hospital Obstetrics (OB) Department announces the “Love Steps Up” walk will be held on Saturday, October 13th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School track.

Love Steps Up is an initiative created by the OB Department to raise awareness and support for families impacted by pregnancy and infant loss. The annual walk is held in October.

“Most people don’t talk about miscarriage openly, but it has affected a large number of families,” said Britni Olson, RN. “We started Love Steps Up as a community event so that there would be more open discussion about it. We hope that parents affected by miscarriage know that they aren’t alone, and that the community is here to support them. When you suffer a miscarriage or infant loss, it’s a very personal experience, but it can also be very healing to connect with others who have been through similar experiences.”

The event is free and open to the public. It will be held on Saturday, October 13th at 10 am at the Atlantic High School. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the AHS gymnasium.

There is no registration or fee for the event, but you can order a Love Steps Up t-shirt at www.casshealth.org through October 5th. Any questions can be directed to the CCMH OB Department at 712-250-8862.

The Adair County Sheriff’s Office released details on two recent arrests.

On September 17th Adair County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Chad William Johnson of Creston for failure to serve a jail sentence. He is being held in the Adair County Jail until time is served.

On Thursday, September 20th Adair County Sheriff’s Officials arrested 42-year-old Andy Ray McVeigh of Kahoka, MO for Possession of Methamphetamine. Deputies were called to check on a suspicious vehicle at 12:14am on Thursday at 2510 270th Street. Deputies discovered a single male in a Dodge pickup. He said he was their to finish working on grain bins. A baggy of white crystallized substance was found in McVeigh’s wallet and a search of the vehicle discovered another baggy of methamphetamine. He was taken to the Adair County Jail and held on $1,000 cash or surety bond.

(DES MOINES) – Iowa small business owners and entrepreneurs can grow their businesses with the help of the Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses Program.” Beginning in January 2019, the program will be hosted in the State of Iowa and is free to Iowa businesses. The program includes curriculum developed by Babson College, recently named No. 1 for Entrepreneurship by U.S. News & World Report for the 22nd year in a row.

Accepted applicants receive hands-on education for business growth, access to highly-trained, small business professionals and an expanded peer network of small business owners from across the country.

Eligible businesses have been in business for at least two years, have at least $100,000 in revenues and employ at least two employees (including the business owner). Qualified prospects can apply and gather additional information at www.10KSBapply.com/Iowa. Applications are due by Monday, October 15, 2018.

“Small business owners drive our state’s economy, and their companies are the heart and soul of our communities,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “I encourage all Iowa small businesses to apply to this exciting program. As Iowa small businesses grow and thrive, the entire state benefits.”

Participants may also learn more through online information sessions offered Sept. 25, Oct. 3 and Oct. 9. To register, visit: www.tinyurl.com/10kSBIowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – Sept. 25, 2018 – As part of the ongoing Union Pacific Railroad bridge replacement project, Interstate 29 road closures will be necessary beginning Sunday, Sept. 30 to complete the demolition of the south half of the existing bridge over I-29 in Council Bluffs, weather permitting, according to the Council Bluffs Interstate Project Office.

Closures will occur as follows:

Sept. 30-Oct. 2: Southbound I-29 will close Sunday night, Sept. 30, at 10:30 p.m. through Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 5:30 a.m.
Oct. 2-4: Northbound I-29 northbound will close Tuesday night. Oct. 2, at 10:30 p.m. through Thursday, Oct. 4, at 5:30 a.m.
Oct. 4: Northbound I-29 will close Thursday night, Oct. 4, from 10:30 p.m. through Friday, Oct 5 at 5:30 a.m.

See map for additional details and detours. If the southbound I-29 lanes are delayed from opening on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the northbound closures will be delayed until Sunday, Oct. 7.

The Union Pacific Railroad bridge is located approximately one-half mile north of the I-80/I-29 interchange. Reconstruction of the Union Pacific Railroad bridge is necessary to allow for increased capacity on I-29. The existing bridge will be rebuilt from its existing five tracks to three tracks to improve local yard operations. The railroad bridge replacement project is scheduled to be completely in 2019.

Iowa DOT strives to minimize the impact construction has on travel and businesses. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit the program website at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov. You can also contact the program office at 712-216-3339 or info@CouncilBluffsInterstate.com.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.