DES MOINES, IOWA – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 3.4 percent in December. The state’s jobless rate was 4.3 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 5.0 percent in December. Beth Townsend, director of Iowa Workforce Development said “Iowa’s economy ended on a high note in December, maintaining the growth we have seen since the beginning of the year.”

Townsen said “Iowa’s nonfarm employment gained jobs for the ninth time this year, expanding by 1,100 jobs in December. More importantly, the state’s unemployment rate held at 3.4 percent this month which continued the downward trend from the high of 4.2% established in January 2015.”

The number of unemployed Iowans fell to 58,300 in December from 58,800 in November. The current estimate is 15,300 lower than the year ago level of 73,600. The total number of working Iowans increased to 1,650,500 in December. This figure was 3,200 higher than November and 8,500 higher than one year ago.

Iowa’s nonfarm employment added 1,100 jobs in December, expanding Iowa’s total nonfarm employment to 1,584,700 jobs. The monthly gain was the second-consecutive and helped cement a year that was generally positive for nonfarm employment. Overall, the state averaged 2,100 jobs added per month during the year.

Private sectors fueled the job growth this month with government paring jobs (-1,100) due to early release of local government workers. With this loss, government is down slightly compared to last year (-1,400). Since last year, the state is now up 25,600 jobs—a gain of 1.6 percent versus last December. Job gains in December were led by gains in construction (+2,400), and may be partially attributed to fair weather to end the year allowing firms to continue working late into the year. Other services also had a large gain (+1,400).

The growth was an expansion on an already prosperous year that saw 4,500 jobs added. The education and health services sector increased in December (+1,100) due primarily to hiring in private education (+900). Smaller gains this month included manufacturing (+300), financial activities (+200), and mining (+100). Alternatively, trade and transportation led all sectors in jobs lost this month (-2,500). Much of this loss stemmed from a disappointing retail season (-2,000). Professional and business services shed jobs (-800) with losses being fueled by administrative support and waste management occupations.

Annually, construction has added 10,000 jobs since last December—the most of any sector in terms of jobs gained and percentage (+12.9 percent). However, some of these gains may wane some in 2016 as large-scale projects come to an end. Education and health services are markedly up (+6,700), followed by other services (+4,500) then financial activities (+3,200). Annual losses were slight in those industries that are down annually with the exception of manufacturing (-1,700) and information services (-700).

Free tax preparation services will be available in Shelby County next month, for low and moderate income taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For more information or to make an appointment call on or after February 1st to 712-755-3104. Call between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After an appointment is scheduled the taxpayer will receive a confirmation letter explaining what to bring to the appointment.

The VITA program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS trained and certified local volunteers who utilize the Tax Wise software to complete returns. Most returns will be electronically filed and to speed up the refund process participants are encouraged to have a savings or bank account, although it is not required. Taxpayers can have refunds deposited into more than one account and also purchase Series I US Savings Bonds.

Only Basic Federal, Iowa and nearby state returns will be processed. The program does not prepare Schedules or Forms related to Business profit/loss (except Schedule C-EZ or C with business expenses under $10,000), Capital gains/losses, Farm or rental income, Employee business expenses, or Moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.

In Shelby County the VITA program is a joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Center for Economic Success. The program is financially supported by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Human Services. For more information about the program contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 712-755-3104.

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – A northwestern Iowa woman has pleaded not guilty to allegations that she intentionally crashed the car she was driving into another vehicle.
Melissa Ebert entered a written plea on Friday to two counts of attempted murder and other crimes. No trial date has been set.

Prosecutors say the 29-year-old Ebert threatened to kill herself and her passenger, Damian Johnson, before purposely veering her car into the path of an oncoming car on Sept. 9. Court documents say Ebert and Johnson were arguing before the collision. The collision severely injured Ebert, Johnson and the driver of the other car.

Police in Creston say one person was arrested Monday night on an OWI/1st offense charge. Jon Moberg, of Creston, was taken into custody at around 9-p.m. at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Moberg was later released on $1,000 bond.

Creston Police are also investigating a break-in and theft, both of which were reported Monday. A resident in the 900 block of W. Summit Street in Creston, told police that sometime between Midnight Jan. 22nd and 10-a.m. Jan. 23rd, someone broke into and vandalized his rental property at 304 S. Vine Street. The front door of the home was kicked-in, causing damage to the door jam, and broken glass throughout the house. A patio door was also broken, and the home’s thermostat turned-up. The Damage was estimated at $650.

And, a resident in the 600 block of Grand Avenue in Creston, said someone took a charcoal grill off her front porch. The theft, which occurred sometime between Jan. 18th and 25th, resulted in an estimated loss of $150.