DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans have recruited a retired Air Force officer to challenge Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal in next year’s election. Pottawattamie County Republicans say they’ve picked Al Ringgenberg to run against Gronstal, saying Ringgenberg has impeccable credentials.

Gronstal, a Council Bluffs Democrat, was elected to the Iowa House in 1982, and won a Senate seat two years later. He used his power this year to block debate on a measure allowing voters to have their say on amending the constitution to ban same-sex marriage. He also was deeply involved in efforts to block a Nebraska doctor from opening a late-term abortion clinic in Council Bluffs.

The House and Senate could not agree on an abortion measure and nothing was passed.

Governor Branstad today (Thursday) approved a proclamation to enact the State Individual Assistance Grant Program. The program will be made available to Iowa residents living in the flood affected counties of Woodbury, Monona, Harrison, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont.

The State Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants to families with household incomes at or below twice the federal poverty index. The maximum grant a family can receive is $5,000. The program is launched with a governor’s declaration and at the request of local officials. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States and need to provide all receipts for replacement items claimed.

For an application and instructions, see www.dhs.state.ia.us/Consumers/Assistance_Programs/CashAssistance/DisasterAssistance/StormHelp.html or visit the “Storm Help” link on the front page of the Department of Human Services Website, dhs.iowa.gov.

Officials with the City of Lewis have announced it’s okay to serve tap water to infants. Late last week, the City issued a warning to parents and others who care for infants under six-months of age, about using City water to make infant formula, because test results on a sample taken indicated nitrate levels exceeded the acceptable nitrate standard. Nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern for infants less than six-months of age.

Jon Martens, with the City of Lewis’ Water System says the raw water sample was taken from the wrong sample tap, and therefore the results of last week’s test are not valid. Martens says a confirmation sample of the water taken earlier this week shows the water is safe, and it is no longer necessary for residents of Lewis and those served by its water system, to take precautions about giving water to infants under 6-months of age.

The City is working to have the violation it incurred as a result of the first sample, invalidated. Officials apologize for any inconvenience, and thank residents for their patience while the water supply was being checked for nitrates.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Jon Martens at 712-243-1395.

w/ Ric Hanson

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LA VISTA, Neb. (AP) – La Vista, NE, police say a suspected drunken driver ran a red light and hit an unmarked police car that was in the intersection. Police Chief Bob Lausten says the detective involved in Wednesday evening’s crash was taken to a hospital as a precaution. His name has not been released.

The other vehicle rolled after the collision, but Lausten says no one inside was hurt. The driver, 38-year-old Jeff Gundersen of Missouri Valley, Iowa, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and careless driving. His passenger was arrested on an unrelated warrant out of Sarpy County, NE.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – About one-third of the nearly 3,000 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Afghanistan are back in the United States and awaiting reunions with their families and friends. One of those soldiers is Griswold resident and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Johnson.  Sgt. 1st Class Johnson just returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The soldiers have returned to Fort McCoy, Wis., with homecoming ceremonies planned over the next month, including those planned for Thursday in Cedar Rapids, Boone and Johnston, where 185 soldiers will be welcomed home.

Guard spokesman Col. Greg Hapgood says about 1,000 soldiers arrived from Afghanistan on Tuesday and Wednesday. He says the rest will arrive over the next 10 days.

The soldiers are spending time at Fort McCoy for debriefing and to turn in weapons and equipment. Soldiers sent to the country comprised the largest single deployment of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II.

w/ Ric Hanson

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The federal government’s Small Business Association is making low-interest loans available for Iowa small businesses affected by last month’s flooding along the Missouri River. The move is designed to help small businesses affected by the flooding to recover financially. But it doesn’t including farms or structural damage.

Thirteen western Iowa counties along the river are included in the declaration. Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a member of the Small Business Committee, announced the move Wednesday.

Two woman were injured during a crash Wednesday morning in Shelby County. The driver of one of the vehicles, 58-year old Teresa Wageman, of Harlan, was transported to the hospital in Harlan, while the driver of the other vehicle, 17-year old Rachel Ferry, of Kirkman, refused treatment at the scene.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 11:45-a.m., on Highway 59, north of Harlan. Officials say Wageman’s 2007 Chevy Impala and Ferry’s 2001 Ford F-150 pickup were both headed northbound, when Wageman slowed to make a left turn into a residential drive.

Ferry was unable to slow down in time. Her pickup rear-ended the car, causing considerable damage to both vehicles. Rachel Ferry was cited by deputies for failure to stop in a clear and assured distance.

Free music and dancing will once again be featured at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic, on Saturday, July 23rd, with a full stage of local talent performing big band hits. The “Let Freedom Swing” event takes in the Lodge, located at 501 Poplar Street, beginning at 7- p.m.

Event organizer Curtis Ullerich says members of “Popcorn Button” are rested-up from their Winter performances, and ready to entertain the masses. The twenty piece band is comprised of musicians from the Atlantic community and southwest Iowa at-large, with students from Atlantic High School, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

In addition to their standard fare of classic big band hits, Popcorn Button plan to unveil
fresh charts, such as “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Moon River Waltz,” and “Too Fat Polka.” And, local ballroom aficionados Pam and Jake Auerbach will again grace the dance floor with their swinging styling’s and share their gift of smooth moves with any dancers present during the event, in the form of free ballroom lessons from 8- to 8:30-p.m.  The couple will teach interested individuals the waltz, polka, lindy hop, and two step.

Again, “Let Freedom Swing” is a free public event. A free will donation will be accepted at the door to help defray costs of the event. All ages and dancing abilities are invited and encouraged to attend on Saturday, July 23rd at the Elks Lodge in Atlantic.

Popcorn Button recently appeared at the Atlantic All-Class Reunion and will be performing at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic on July 24th as pre-dinner entertainment for RAGBRAI riders. For more information on any of these events, contact Curtis Ullerich at curtisullerich@gmail.com or at 424-242-2878.