Griswold Fire and Rescue have been called to the scene of a garage fire attached to a house at Whitney and Maple Streets. The call came in at 6:34-p.m. There are a couple of vehicles in the garage. It’s unknown if anyone is at home or in the garage at this time. No other details are available,

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new report suggests the economy will continue growing at a slow pace in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states in the months ahead. The overall index for the report released Thursday rose to 54.3 in October from 52.4 in September. Any score above 50 suggests growth. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the recent decline in crop prices will likely slow economic growth.

The index is based on surveys of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. It ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

October’s hiring index for the region jumped to 56.1 from September’s 53.2 in an encouraging signal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court might not be done changing the criminal justice system’s approach to teenagers who commit serious crimes. The court said Thursday that it would review three cases of inmates serving lengthy prison terms for crimes they committed when they were seventeen. In each case, the offenders argue their lengthy sentences amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

They include a man who was sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years for first-degree robbery; a man serving a life sentence for convictions of second-degree murder and other charges in 1994; and a man sentenced to at least 7 years for second-degree robbery.

The court in August opened the door to shorter sentences for three dozen killers who were juveniles when they were sentenced to life in prison.

Officials with U-S Cellular report 120 Iowa teachers have been notified that their classroom projects were being funded through the company’s “Calling All Teachers” campaign. Among them was Sue Riggs of Washington Elementary School, in Atlantic, who had a nearly $730 Reading Homework-I Can’t Wait to Get Started project funded.

The wireless carrier worked with philanthropic website DonorsChoose.org to fund $500,000 in creative and impactful classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. Iowa donations worth $70,820 will benefit 8,950 students throughout the state.

U.S. Cellular says it is dedicated to supporting education and the pressing needs of schools. Calling All Teachers is one way the company gives back to local communities. Teachers across the country posted classroom projects that covered a variety of topics that included language and literacy, math and science, music and the arts, health and sports and special needs. Some educators asked for novels, bookshelves and calculators, while others requested LCD projectors and digital cameras.

Starting Nov. 4, U.S. Cellular will bring back its Calling All Communities campaign for the fifth year. Schools can rally community support for the chance to win a share of $500,000 to fund what their students need the most. The top 20 schools that garner the most community votes will each win $25,000 to use as they wish to improve their educational experience. Additional information is available at www.uscellular.com.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A University of Iowa study says Iowans most eligible to buy subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act are going to need help signing up. The UI Public Policy Center study released Thursday said those individuals reported being uncomfortable selecting health insurance plans through online exchanges and the majority thought they would need “some or a lot of help.”

The study says that population is also more concerned about the costs of health care and more likely to have delayed their care in the last year. That means even after they sign up, they will be looking for help from health care providers on how to use it.

The study was conducted for the Iowa Department of Public Health and based on surveys returned by 498 people.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted new standards aimed at improving legal representation for parents in child welfare cases. The court adopted a rule Thursday requiring attorneys who are appointed to represent parents in juvenile court to complete three hours of continuing legal education annually.  Starting in 2015, attorneys who are not in compliance will not be able to take any more such appointments.

The court opted not to include an initial experience and training requirement for such attorneys, which a task force had recommended.  Separately, the court said it had adopted new standards giving guidance to such attorneys on best practices, such as trying to avoid delays and communicating appropriately with clients. Chief Justice Mark Cady writes that the court’s goal is to elevate children’s justice issues.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health said Thursday that a temporary budget has been passed to fund the WIC program until January 15th. That means they are now able to print October, November, and December checks effective immediately. If you have an appointment scheduled this month, make sure you keep it to receive your checks.

If you have been to clinic this month and received October checks, but still need to receive November and December checks, you will receive those checks in November and your local agency will decide how they will get those checks to you.

Questions should be directed to the state WIC office (1-800-532-1579) or your local agency.

Police in Lenox report an investigation into a disturbance early Wednesday morning resulted in the arrest of one person on a couple of charges. Officers were called to a residence in the 600 block of south Walnut Street at around 12:45-a.m. Upon their arrival, officers learned  several individuals had left the scene.

Marie Merithew

Following investigation into the incident, arrest warrants were obtained. Wednesday afternoon, 37-year old Marie Merithew, of Kent,  was arrested in connection with the incident, on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Driving under Suspension. She was transported to the Taylor County Jail for processing and was being held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

With Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11th, officials with the American Red Cross are encouraging eligible donors to schedule an appointment to give blood, in honor of those who have served the country in the U.S. armed forces. Blood donated through the Red Cross is distributed to about 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country for patients in need, including patients at many U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. All blood types are currently needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative.

Officials say another way to support veterans, military families and active-duty service members at hospitals and installations around the world is by sending a holiday card through the annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Between now and early December, the Red Cross will collect the cards and distribute them. Learn more at redcross.org.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood transfusions help save lives every day. Appointments to roll up a sleeve and donate can be made today by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Audubon County: Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Exira Recreational Center, 106 N. Jefferson in Exira.

Carroll County: Nov. 11 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Templeton Community Fire & EMS, 117 S. Main St. in Templeton.

Cass County: Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Griswold High School, 20 Madison in Griswold.;  Nov. 14 from 12-6 p.m. at Atlantic Catholic Parish Center, 105 W. Fifth St. in Atlantic.

Fremont County: Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fremont Mills High School, 27 Jackson Blvd. in Tabor.; Nov. 6 from 12-6 p.m. at Nishnabotna High School, 907 Hartford Ave. in Farragut.

Harrison County: Nov. 15 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital, 631 N. Eighth St. in Missouri Valley.

Mills County: Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at East Mills High School, 1501 E. 15th St. in Malvern; Nov. 11 from 12-6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 512 Second St. in Glenwood.

Montgomery County: Nov. 13 from 12-6 p.m. at Community Center, 201 S. Third Ave. in Villisca.

Page County: Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Shenandoah High School, 1000 Mustang Drive in Shenandoah; Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shenandoah Medical Center, 300 Pershing Ave. in Shenandoah; Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Iowa Western Community College, 923 E. Washington in Clarinda.

Pottawattamie County: Nov. 4 from 12:30-6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakland Riverside High School, 501 Oakland Ave. in Oakland; Nov. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln High School, 1205 Bonham in Council Bluffs; Nov. 11 from 12:30-6:15 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at American Red Cross Loess Hills Chapter, 705 N. 16th St. in Council Bluffs; Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kanesville Alternative Learning Center, 807 Ave. G in Council Bluffs.

Ringgold County: Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, 201 W. Monroe in Mount Ayr.

Shelby County: Nov. 7 from 12-6 p.m. at St. Boniface Parish Center, 305 Duren St. in Westphalia; Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview in Harlan.

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a candidate for United States Senate, has announced her candidacy has been endorsed by Mills County Auditor Carol Robertson, from Glenwood. In announcing her support of Ernst, Robertson highlighted Ernst’s credentials as a former Auditor, her  Iowa values and record of service as a leader in the Iowa National Guard, as reasons for her endorsement.