DES MOINES, Iowa – The latest analysis of state impacts of the federal budget by the National Priorities Project finds that Iowa receives about $27 billion from the federal budget over the course of a year.

Becky Sweger, director of data and technology for the advocacy group, says the figure in its State Smart project is calculated through direct federal assistance to individuals, federal grants and contracts to business and governments, and the salaries of the federal employees in the state.

And Sweger says it works out to about $8,700 per capita, which is a little bit lower than the U.S. per capita. On the other end, the study found that Iowa residents and businesses paid about $18 billion in federal taxes in 2013, most of that by or on behalf of individuals in the form of income taxes, self-employment taxes and payroll taxes.

While the inflow to Iowa is billions of dollars a year more than the total federal taxes paid, Sweger notes that the figures aren’t expected to be equal. “It’s just not how the federal budget works,” she says. “People shouldn’t expect to get sort of a one-for-one, I give you a dollar and I get a dollar back.”

(Iowa News Service)

A sample of Iowa corn growers will soon be asked to report on their use of pesticides and fertilizer. The Agricultural Resource Management Survey is conducted on different crops each year and 2014 is a corn year. Greg Thessen, regional director of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, says once the data is compiled and released to the public, it’s a tool policymakers can use to evaluate proposed changes. Thessen says, “This provides a good source of information for them to take a look at see, okay, if they change a policy what impact is that going to have on farmers and how they grow crops or corn in particular.”

Thessen says about 10-percent of the farmers polled for this year’s corn survey will be in Iowa. The information gathered will be released in public reports beginning next May. Thessen says the survey gives farmers a chance to tell the government how they grow their crops. He says, “What kind of inputs it takes as far as fertilizer and pesticides go, as well as any pest management practices, and really show other people that may not be involved with agriculture how they are good stewards of the land.”

Thessen says selected farmers will receive a notice in the mail and then a U-S-D-A employee will visit the farmer to record detailed information about the use of chemical inputs. Thessen says one use is for the U-S Environmental Protection Agency to see whether products are being used according to their labels.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak say a local man was arrested at around 7:20-p.m. Sunday, on a couple of drug-related charges. 52-year-old James Scott Malmquist, of Red Oak, taken into custody at the intersection of Highway 34 and 48. He was charged with felony Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine/3rd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Malmquist was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $5,000 cash bond.

Red Oak Police report also, the arrest Sunday evening of 26-year old Jason Rolfe Aherns. The Red Oak man was taken into custody at around 6:10-p.m.  on a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of 5th degree Theft. Aherns was being held on the Montgomery County LEC on $300 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education will hold their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening in the Media Center at the high school, in Anita. During the 6:30-p.m. session, the Board will discuss and possibly act on: A School Resource Officer (SRO) report; any resignations and contracts to come before them, along with open enrollment applications.

They will also consider a quote for repair of the high school roof, and discuss a Connections Academy agreement, a Drill Team sponsor and weight room improvements.

The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors will meet Monday evening beginning at 5:15 in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. During the session, the Board will receive a presentation from Eagle Scout Grant Podhasky on the Camblin Fire Pit project.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring will discuss progress as well, on the Sunnyside Park Senior Activity Area, during which he’s expected to report on the completion of a retaining wall, fine grading and erosion control measures. Herring will also talk about the completed purchase of equipment for Pickle Ball, Croquet, Bocce Ball, Badminton, the Horseshoe pit, Ladder Toss and Bean Bag Toss.

Herring will also report on progress with the Bike Rack installation at the Courthouse and City Park, and that the  Schildberg Quarry Rec Area dock is closed for repairs due to regular wear and tear. The Board will also hear an update on the Bull Creek Walking/Biking Pathway.

The Exira-Elk Horn/Kimballton School Board will meet Monday night at the high school in Elk Horn. During the 7-p.m. session, the Board will hold a public hearing on a Resolution for the sale of land associated with the former elementary school in Exira.

On June 1st, the nearly century old elementary school was destroyed during a controlled burn that was also used as a training exercise for area firefighters. During the Exira-EHK School Board meeting last month, the Board agreed to sell the property for $5,000, but the purchase can only be approved following a public hearing. The land was purchased by area resident Marvin Jorgenson. Superintendent Dean Schnoes says tentative plans call for the land to be used for a retirement home/assisted living facility, and/or a medical facility. Later on during Monday’s meeting, the Board will act on approving a Resolution to sell the land, along with approving a Quit Claim Deed.

In other business, the school board will act on: Open Enrollments; a contract for Pre-School Para-educator Catherine Menter; Possibly changing the date and/or time for the November Board meeting; and, on approving a contract with the Atlantic Community School District with regard to the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC).

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Hospitals and doctors’ offices in Iowa are preparing for the unlikely possibility of a case of Ebola in the state. The Des Moines Register reports clinics have started asking whether patients have visited the countries where the Ebola outbreak is based West Africa. And area hospitals are practicing using protective equipment that would be needed to treat an Ebola patient.

Dr. Daniel Gervich with Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines says the risk of an Ebola patient here is extremely low, but it’s important to have a plan in place. Hospitals will have to be ready to isolate patients with symptoms consistent with Ebola – such as vomiting, fever and diarrhea – while testing is done.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Law enforcement policies on the use of stun guns vary greatly across Iowa’s 99 counties, and civil rights experts who recently reviewed the policies say many of them are inadequate. The Des Moines Register obtained a new report that identifies several deficiencies in the stun gun policies.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law Clinic ?conducted the study after questions were raised about stun gun use in lawsuits and previous stories. Last year, two people died after being stunned by officers during confrontations.

State lawmakers considered requiring stun gun training and policies on their use but failed to pass a law.

Iowans will be celebrating the six pillars of character starting today (Sunday), during Character Counts Week. Amy Smit, spokeswoman for Character Counts in Iowa, says they’re putting out a new challenge to the state’s residents for this year’s observance. “Make new goals for yourself during Character Counts Week,” Smit says. “For example, try to do an extra act of kindness for someone every day, or pay it forward, or try to show respect to somebody in a different way that you’ve not done before.” Smit says cities and schools across Iowa will be taking part in the week-long event.

“Communities find tons of great ways to celebrate,” Smit says. “There will be school assemblies and meetings at parks and we always look forward to getting pictures and hearing stories of all the things people are doing.” The six pillars of character are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Learn more at: www.charactercountsiniowa.org