(Radio Iowa/Des Moines) — For the 18th straight year, Iowans can take advantage of tax-free shopping on certain items tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday. Nicole Watson, at the Iowa Department of Revenue, says the annual Sales Tax Holiday is a time to save cash, especially for parents who are stocking up on their kids’ school clothes. “It’s a very limited opportunity for folks as they get ready to head back to school to save paying sales tax on clothing items,” Watson says. “They’re intended to be any article of clothing or apparel and footwear that is worn and is under $100.”

Watson says the tax-free shopping period is popular with shoppers and merchants statewide. “We measure success on the number of taxpayers that take advantage of it,” she says. “The most recent information dates from August of 2015 where an estimated $60-million in sales were exempted during the sales tax holiday, so quite a lot.”

The Iowa Department of Revenue website details what items will be tax-free — and what ones aren’t — during the two day period. “What clothing items, like shoes, pants, t-shirts, your general back-to-school clothing items are covered,” Watson says. “Things that aren’t covered are going to be accessories, backpacks, things that aren’t actually clothing.”

Other tax exempt items include: caps and hats, socks, underclothing, uniforms for work and school, coats, bathing suits, leotards and tights, costumes and diapers. Other items that WILL still be taxed include: computers, school supplies, jewelry, fabric, athletic clothing and athletic footwear not usually for everyday wear. The holiday runs from 12:01 A-M on Friday though 11:59 P-M on Saturday. For more information, visit tax.iowa.gov

Officials with the Monsanto Corporation report the  America’s Farmers Grow Communities program has returned. The goal of the program is to give farmers in Cass County and across the State, an opportunity to enroll for a chance to win a $2,500 donation to direct to their favorite local eligible nonprofit organization. Through the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, farmers across rural America will donate more than $3 million to nonprofit organizations in 2018 – helping farmers to give back to and support their local communities.

New this year, all farmers are now eligible to enroll in the program, as long as they meet the requirement of being 21 years old and actively engaged in farming at least 250 acres or more.

The funds being awarded are used to provide support to a variety of rural nonprofit organizations that reflect the makeup and character of their local communities, including food banks, emergency response organizations, youth agriculture programs and many others. Since the program began in 2010, the program has awarded more than $26 million to nonprofits in rural America, such as emergency response organizations, schools, and youth agriculture programs.

Farmer enrollment began August 1st and runs through Nov. 1, 2017.  Winners will be announced in January 2017. Iowa farmers can enter for a chance to win online at www.GrowCommunities.com or by calling 877-267-3332 toll-free.

About the American Farmers Campaign: The America’s Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America. To learn more, visit America’s Farmers at www.AmericasFarmers.com.

The Creston Police Department reports (9:30-a.m.) a missing boy was found safe this morning.  Earlier, officials had asked for your help in locating 10-year old Phoenix White. No other details were released concerning where the boy was found. Authorities thank the public for their help and tips.

Updated photo of Phoenix

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man accused of punching his 12-year-old son and assaulting other family members has been sentenced to five years in prison. Court records say 36-year-old JT Ring pleaded guilty last month to child endangerment causing injury. Prosecutors dropped two related charges in exchange for Ring’s plea.

His plea agreement says the five years will be served at the same time he serves 15 years for a drunken driving conviction. Court records say his parole in the previous case has been revoked because of the assault case.

The board that oversees the three state universities gave final approval for the 2018 budgets during a meeting via telephone Wednesday. The presidents of the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Northern Iowa each talked about the challenges they face in light of state budget cuts.  Board of Regents president Michael Richards says the university leaders are doing what they can to handle the state funding cuts. “I think that we have presidents that are willing to work together. There is stress obviously in the state on the budgets  and I believe that each school is sort of differentiating itself as having little bit different issues,” Richards says.

He says the board and the schools will continue working with lawmakers and the governor on the budget concerns. “We’re are focusing on what the students need, what the parents need, we’re open to obviously to the legislature. We’re working with them and working with the governor’s office to come up with a good solution — and I think our presidents are the leaders to help us do that,” according to Richards.

He says it’s not a fight between education and state government. “We’re all on the same side….and there’s always something more that we can do, and if we have the opportunity we will try to work with them,” Richards says.The Board of Regents put together a tuition task force to look at the future of tuition and how it fits into the budget picture. It’s meeting schedule last week where they were supposed to hear from legislative, economic development and business representatives was canceled. Richards says he’s not concerned about that.

“I think it was really a situation of timing this summer, it was hard to get everybody’s schedule together,” Richards says. “I know we have a great deal of interest at the universities. So, I think it was more schedules rather than a lack of interest, it was just getting everybody together.” The task force has meetings scheduled next week with each of the three schools where they will talk about their five-year tuition plans.

(Radio Iowa)

Three bicyclists were injured when they were struck by a van Wednesday evening, in Dallas County. The Iowa State Patrol says 36-year old Renae Deaver, of Dallas Center, was traveling south on Dallas County Road R-22 at around 7:45-p.m., when she failed to see four bicycles and struck them with her 2011 Toyota Sienna. The bicycle riders came to rest in the west ditch. All four riders were wearing their helmets.

Taken to Mercy and Methodist Hospitals respectively by Dallas County EMS, was 50-year old Todd Bidel, of West Des Moines, and 49-year old Brian Terhark, of Clive. A Dallas County Sheriff’s Deputy transported 45-year old Chad Roethler, of Urbandale, to Mercy West Lakes hospital. 36-year old Todd Bindel, of West Des Moines, was not seriously injured, according to the Patrol’s report.

The accident remains under investigation.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Creston Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing juvenile. Authorities are trying to locate 10-year old Phoenix White, a white male, 5’2″ tall, 110lbs with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a black Creston Panthers t-shirt and denim shorts. Phoenix has 2 bald spots on the left side of his head.

If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact the Creston Police Department at 641-782-8402 or call 9-1-1.

Updated photo of Phoenix

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Atlantic City Clerk Barb Barrick reminded the Atlantic City Council and the public, Wednesday night, that the petitions for various City Council positions may be circulated now, and turned in toward the end of the month. Barrick said current Council members seeking re-election and persons wishing to run for office, can receive nomination papers at City Hall, the Cass County Auditor’s Office, or the Secretary of State’s website. The completed papers may be filed with the County Auditor, beginning August 28th.

City Council members whose elected positions are slated to end Jan. 1st, 2018 and will be included on the November 7th ballot, include: Mayor – Dave Jones; 2nd Ward – Kathy Somers; 5th Ward – Richard Casady and At Large – Gerald Brink.

Brink was appointed in Sept. 2016 to fill a vacancy on the Council created by the resignation of Bob Cord. Casady was appointed in 2015 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Lori Stuart. Casady was unopposed in the Nov. 2015 election to hold the seat for through the end of 2017.