Two western Iowa power companies are among eight utilities from around the state that have been awarded a portion of more than $40.6-million in FEMA grant money, in reaction to recent severe storms, and are part of a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Senator Tom Harkin announced late last week, that more than $3.3-million was awarded to the Western Iowa Power Cooperative, which serves portions of Audubon County and Harrison County. The grant will be used to retrofit nearly 57 miles of electrical distribution lines. And, more than $2.3-million was awarded to Guthrie County Rural Electric Cooperative, to strengthen over 49 miles of overhead electrical distribution lines.

The City Council in Massena will meet in a regular session Monday night. On their agenda at 7-p.m., is discussion and possible action with regard to: funding for a replacement Fire Department tanker truck; Approval of new street lights to be installed by Alliant Energy near Massena Livestock; Formal approval of bids for snow removal on downtown city properties and the city park; discussion and potential action on a new sewer improvement design contract, and an agreement between Railroad Management, L.L.C, and the City of Massena.

The City Council in Audubon is set to hold their regular meeting Monday night. On their agenda, is: Katie Jo Walters, who will discuss New Opportunities; Diane McGrain, with an audit report; Barb Jacobsen will provide an update on the Blue Zone Project, and, there’ll be  discussion with regard to compensation practices. The meeting begins at 7-p.m., in the Audubon City Hall.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Hundreds of wreaths are marking the graves of Nebraska and Iowa veterans as part of a nationwide memorial effort. More than 500 wreath-laying ceremonies were held Saturday – Wreaths Across America Day – to honor both living and dead veterans. Seventeen ceremonies were held at Nebraska cemeteries or veterans’ memorials. In Lincoln, more than 100 volunteers helped lay 645 wreaths at Wyuka Cemetery. Some 170 others were laid at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell.

A ceremony at the Iowa Veterans Ceremony near Van Meter was among six held in that state. Seven ceremonial wreaths were laid on memorials for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA. In Johnson County, some 75 volunteers laid 1,155 wreaths on veterans’ graves.

MOORHEAD, Iowa (AP) — An Illinois man has suffered injuries to his lips and teeth in a hunting accident in Monona County. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says 30-year-old Seth Johnson, of Plainfield, Ill., was hunting Sunday afternoon near Moorhead with a group of about 10 others when he was hit by a slug fired by another in his party. The slug travelled 167 yards and passed between his lips, injuring them and some of his teeth.

Conservation Officer Gary Sisco says the hunters were firing at a running deer when the accident happened. He says Johnson was lucky because the slug could have easily hit him in the face or neck. Johnson is being treated at an Onawa hospital for injuries not believed to be life threatening.

w/ Chris Parks

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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A documentary about Iowa veterans of World War II and the recent visits of many to Washington to visit the National World War II Memorial is on sale to raise money to pay for more such trips. The 43-minute documentary, called “None Less Than Heroes – The Honor Flight Story,” was commissioned by the Central and Western Iowa Honor Flight Fund and sponsored by several Iowa-based businesses and individuals. The cost is $9.95, and all money raised will pay for veterans to travel to Washington. The film includes interviews with Iowa veterans, video of their trips to the memorial and Arlington National Cemetery and war footage from the National Archive.

A DVD of the documentary is available at Casey’s General Stores, Hy-Vee markets and online at http://www.honorflightfilm.org .

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29-year-old Bill Joe Gillespie of Red Oak at approximately 4:50pm Friday (12/9) night in Red Oak.  He was arrested on a warrant for criminal mischief in the 4th degree and was also charged with harassment.  Gillispie was being held on $2,000 cash bond.

Texas Governor and Presidential candidate Rick Perry will be winding his way across Iowa during a bus tour in the coming weeks. According to Perry’s campaign, the presidential hopeful will begin his tour Wednesday, Dec. 14th, with stops in Council Bluffs, Harlan, and Denison. Perry will be back in Council Bluffs December 27th, the same day he has stops planned in Clarinda, and Creston. Additional details on the times and places for his stops will be announced next week. Perry was in Atlantic September 16th, when he spoke with a group of employees at the Coca-Cola bottling plant. Atlantic is not included on his latest bus tour through Iowa.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Council Bluffs is considering buying some property that was flooded by the Missouri River over the summer. The City Council on Monday will vote on the initial process of getting federal funds to buy the properties in two areas near the river. Building inspector Steve Carmichael says there are over 45 homes and other structures that are damaged beyond repair and they need to be demolished. He says they’re in a floodway, not protected by a levee. The city is working on a grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for buyouts. Local governments must provide 15 percent of the amount requested.