State tax collections increased just one percent over the past three months, far short of the more than seven percent revenue growth that was projected. Legislative Services Bureau analyst Jeff Robinson says it’s too early to detect a big trend, though.
“Yes, the fiscal year is behind estimates at the moment, but that often happens and the year turns out differently than those first three months look,” Robinson says. The state fiscal year started July 1st. During July, August and September, Iowans HAVE paid about four percent more in income taxes to the state.

“But it’s growing kind of at a muted level compared to normal non-recession years,” Robinson says. “Part of that is refund issues.” The State of Iowa has paid a higher-than-normal amount of income tax refunds in the past three months. State sales tax collections have grown more than three percent in the past three months, but Robinson cautions some of that growth came from accounting transactions that aren’t related to actual retail sales. The three-member panel of financial experts who set the official prediction for state tax collections will meet October 13th.

“It’ll be interesting,” Robinson says. “I think people should pay attention to what happens.” The total amount of state spending is based on the predictions from the three-member Revenue Estimating Conference. In the fall of 2009, former Governor Chet Culver enacted a 10 percent across-the-board cut in the state budget based on the group’s decision to dramatically lower its estimate of future state tax collections. Current Governor Terry Branstad has said if state spending plans have to be changed, he will call legislators back into special session to make selected budget cuts.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a man from Stanton was arrested this (Tuesday) morning on a Page County Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. 22-year old Cody Benjamin Carrol Johnson was taken into custody at around 10:25-a.m. and turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,000.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and to help promote awareness of violence against women, Southwest Iowa Families based in Clarinda, is making available several displays of t-shirts representing each form of Domestic Violence. The displays can be seen at various locations in southwest Iowa, beginning October 12^th and continuing through Oct. 26^th. Teresa Kanning is the IDAP (Iowa Domestic Abuse Prevention) Coordinator for Southwest Iowa Families and the Iowa 4^th Judicial District.

Southwest Iowa Families, in conjunction with Catholic Charities and Phoenix House, have been providing the displays for a number of years at this same time. The color of the shirts is representative of the type of violence women have endured.

(She says White represents women who have died from violence. Yellow or beige are for women who have been battered or assaulted. Red, pink or orange represents women who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Blue or green is for women who have endured incest or child sexual abuse. Purple or lavender is for women who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation.)

Kanning says the Clothesline Project this year will be displayed: in Fremont County on the courthouse lawn in Sidney, Oct. 12^th; In Shenandoah at the County west building; on Oct. 19^th, and in Clarinda on Oct. 26^th, on the courthouse lawn. The displays are available for viewing from 5-until 7-p.m. each day.  For more information, go to http://southwestiowafamilies.org/news/.

Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline

Southwest Iowa Families runs the IDAP Program for the 4^th Judicial District that treats individuals who have perpetrated domestic violence, many of whom have been court ordered to undergo treatment. There is no charge to view the Clothesline Project, but donations are gladly accepted from persons who want to help fight domestic violence.

Kanning says she believes the rate of domestic violence has been pretty much holding steady over recent years. Abuse can be verbal or physical, and the victims can be male, as well as female. If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, contact the Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-779-7233, Catholic Charities at 1-888-612-0266, or the Phoenix House at 712-256-2059. You can also text to 741741. Trained providers are available there 24/7, especially for teens who are experiencing violence.

If you have been a perpetrator of domestic violence, you can call the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program at Southwest Iowa Families to begin services, at 712-542-3501.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa State Patrol says the high number of traffic deaths in the state is slowing down investigations. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, there have been 282 deaths due to vehicle accidents as of Monday. That’s 37 more deaths compared to the same time last year.

Spokesman Sgt. Nathan Ludwig says the state patrol has been assigned to investigate 125 of these cases this year, which is 24 more than a year ago. The Des Moines Register reports that the agency does not have any full-time crash investigators. Ludwig says troopers investigating these crashes also have other duties to fulfill.

Adair County Sheriff Jeff  Vandewater today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests.  Two people were arrested on drug charges, Sunday. Vandewater said 53-year old Patrick Russell Darling, of Greenfield, was arrested a little after midnight Sunday, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana. And, at around 12:40-a.m. Sunday, 18-year old Jacob Thomas Peterson, of Fontanelle, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of marijuana with distribution to a Minor. Peterson was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $150,000 cash bond, while Darling posted a $1,000 or 10-percent bond Monday, and was released.

Four people were arrested last Friday in Adair County. The Sheriff says 61-year old Richard Curtis Johnson, of Greenfield, was arrested Friday night for Possession of a Controlled substance/Marijuana, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and allowing persons to gather where controlled substances are used or possessed.  Johnson was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond. 36-year old James Robert Sims, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday evening for Driving While Barred, and was later released on a $1,000 cash or surety  bond. And, 27-year old Adam James Magill, of Casey, was arrested Friday afternoon on an Adair County Felony warrant for Forgery. Magill was later released on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 31-year old Sherri Christine Jensen, of Fontanelle, was arrested Friday afternoon on a Pottawattamie County warrant for Forgery, a Class-D felony. Jensen was turned over to Pottawattamie County Deputies for transfer to their jurisdiction.

Last month, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones proclaimed Monday, Oct. 31st, as the official date for Trick-or-Treating, in Atlantic. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports there will be trick-or-treating in the downtown area from 3-until 5-p.m. on the 31st, for those interested.

In addition, the annual Atlantic News Telegraph Costume Contest takes place the 31st, with registration at 3:30-p.m., and the winners announced at 4:15-p.m. City-wide Trick-or-Treating is from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m. Oct. 31st.