DES MOINES, Iowa – For thousands of low-income families in Iowa, summer vacation is a time of increased hunger, as children don’t have school meals to rely on. But progress is being made to close that gap. A new study from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) shows the number of children in the state taking part in federal Summer Nutrition Programs is rising.

That mirrors the national improvements, after the big hit many programs took during the recession, according to Signe Anderson, a senior child nutrition policy analyst with FRAC. “During the economic downturn a lot of schools shut their doors and no longer offered summer school,” she says. “And so, along with that, the summer meals disappeared because oftentimes, the meal program are set up with summer school programming that goes on.”

As of the summer of 2013, the number of Iowa children served by Summer Nutrition Programs had reached more than 16,000, although that’s still just 10 percent of the 165,000 who receive free and reduced-price lunches during the school year. Another way to reach those children going without regular meals over the summer, explains Anderson, is through local parks and recreation programs.

“That’s another area where oftentimes, kids are in the parks, and they’re outside and ideally that’s where you want them to be, is outside and active in a safe space,” she explains. “Working with Parks and Rec has also been a good avenue, and then also, YMCAs and Boys and Girls Clubs.”

Nationally, the average daily participation in summer meal programs rose about 6 percent from 2012 to 2013, while the increase in Iowa was nearly 17 percent. Anderson points out that in addition to nutritious food, these programs also help children with enrichment and recreational activities that keep them engaged, learning, and safe during summer vacation.

(Iowa News Service)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday, approved a Resolution to enter into a 28-E agreement with Montgomery County. Cass County Engineer Charles Marker explained the agreement with Montgomery County Engineer Brad Skinner is with regard to the joint responsibilities for a county-line bridge replacement project that Cass County will bear 50% of upon completion.

Montgomery County is the lead agent for the project, meaning they will handle the planning and specifications for the bridge, which is located in section 32, of Noble Township.

The Board also heard from a couple of Cass County citizens with regard to various inquiries that essentially boil down to private legal and zoning matters.

w/ Ric Hanson

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Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report Young Professionals of Atlantic will host its next Lunch and Learn on Thursday, July 24th . The topic will be on hiring, firing, and employee relations.  Kent Gade, President of Gade Insurance, and Don Johnson, Asst. Administrator of Human Resources at Cass County Health System, will be on-hand to discuss processes and best practices related to handling employee issues in regards to hiring, firing, keeping employees productive, and complying with employer regulations.

The Lunch & Learn will begin at Noon on the 24th, at the Chamber’s Depot Meeting Room. Cost of lunch is $10 for Atlantic Area Chamber Members and $15 for non- members. Any questions, please contact YPA Professional Development Committee Chair Tom Welchans at 712-350-0075 or the Atlantic Chamber. You can also reserve your place at www.atlanticiowa.com or by calling the Chamber.

Iowa home sales decreased by 3.4 percent over the first half of this year compared to the first six months of 2013. That information comes from new data released by the Iowa Association of Realtors (IAR). Sales picked up in the month of June, however, according to IAR President Kathy Miller. “We sold 4,047 homes in June 2014 and 3,905 homes in June 2013. That’s an increase of 3.6 percent,” Miller said. Home prices in Iowa “rose slightly.” The average sale price (rose 1% from June 2013 to June 2014) as opposed to the median sale price.

The median sale price of a home sold in Iowa last month was $145,000. That’s down just one-percent compared to June of 2013 when the median price was $146,500.  “Now’s a great time to take advantage of the affordability in home ownership,” Miller said. “Interest rates are still good.” The report shows the average days on the market for a home sold in Iowa dipped to 81 days, down from 85 days in June 2013.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities investigating a report of persons tampering with a lawn mower at a residence just outside of Red Oak early this (Wednesday) morning, arrested two men. Bobbie J. Bruce, of Red Oak, and Jason R. Aherns, of Council Bluffs, were taken into custody at around 3:30-a.m. on a charge of Trespassing (a simple misdemeanor).

Bruce and Aherns were brought to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held pending an appearance before the magistrate. Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies were assisted by officers with the Red Oak Police Department in handling the incident.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sac City man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually abusing four girls. Thirty-five-year-old Christopher Carnine received was sentenced on two charges of second-degree sexual abuse and two charges of third-degree sexual abuse. Carnine was ordered to serve two 25-year sentences consecutively, while two 10-year sentences will be served at the same time. Carnine must serve 35 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. He must also register as a sex offender.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Republican David Young has less than $90,000 in the bank for his run in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. Young’s campaign spokesman says Young had raised just over $110,000 between June 2 and June 30. He has nearly $90,000 in cash. That’s far less than his Democratic opponent Staci Appel, who said last week that she had more than $725,000 on hand. The 3rd District covers much of southwest Iowa, stretching from Des Moines to Council Bluffs.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs has given the green light to a measure that bans residents from purposely feeding wild turkeys. A first offense could result in a warning letter, and subsequent offences could lead to the fine. Growing a garden or flowers that attract the birds would not fall under the category of purposely feeding them. Councilman Nate Watson says feeding wild turkeys causes a nuisance.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he has more than $4 million in the bank for his re-election campaign. Branstad raised more than $700,000 during the most recent state fundraising period, which ended yesterday. The Republican faces Democratic state Senator Jack Hatch in the November general election. Hatch’s campaign has not yet released fundraising information.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sac City man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually abusing four girls. Court documents show 35-year-old Christopher Carnine received the sentence Monday in Sac County District Court on two charges of second-degree sexual abuse and two charges of third-degree sexual abuse.

The Sioux City Journal reports Carnine was ordered to serve two 25-year sentences consecutively, while two 10-year sentences will be served at the same time. Carnine was accused of performing sex acts with young girls beginning in 2009. Two of the girls were under 12 at the time. He was also accused of inappropriately touching a 16-year-old girl this year.

Carnine must serve 35 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. He must also register as a sex offende

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials say an Iowa man who escaped from a work release facility in the past has escaped again. The state Department of Corrections says Cletus Armell was placed on escape status Monday after he failed to return to the Sioux City work release facility from an appointment.

Records show Armell escaped from a residential work release center in Sioux City in 2012. He was captured a short time later and charged with an additional offense. Department spokesman Fred Scaletta says Armell was returned to prison after his 2012 escape. He was transferred to work release in November. He is serving a 15-year sentence for armed robbery.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs has given the green light to a measure that bans residents from purposely feeding wild turkeys. The City Council unanimously approved a second reading Monday on an ordinance that bans turkey feeding. The council waived a third and final reading, which means it will be in effect soon.

The Daily Nonpareil reports a first offense could result in a warning letter, and subsequent offenses could lead to the fine. Growing a garden or flowers that attract the birds would not fall under the category of purposely feeding them.

Councilman Nate Watson says feeding wild turkeys causes a nuisance.