Home prices in Iowa rose nearly six-percent last month compared to August of 2014. That’s according to a new report from the Iowa Association of Realtors. I-A-R president Jon Yocum, of Davenport, says the increase in prices isn’t the only good news for sellers. “Our time on the market is down, so we’re seeing homes sell much quicker,” Yocum said.

The average time on the market for Iowa homes sold in August was just 63 days, the lowest level in five years. Yocum credit low inventory levels across much of the state. The median price of a home sold last month was $146,000. That’s up from $138,000 in August of last year. Despite the rising prices, Yocum believes it’s good time for buyers entering the market because interest rates on a 30-year mortgage are still hovering around four-percent.

“I know there were reports earlier in the year and last spring that, in the third and fourth quarter, we were going to have increases in our mortgage interest rates. Well, that hasn’t come to fruition yet,” Yocum said. The number of homes sold in Iowa last month dropped 7.8 percent compared to August of last year, but Yocum says it’s typically a slow month for sales because families are getting ready for the return to school.

“So, the emphasis on buying a home dropped a little bit. But, I don’t think it was enough of a drop to change anything and I think you’re going to see a big increase in September,” Yocum said. Over the first eight months of this year, the number of homes sold in Iowa is up 7.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Union County say Doug Jones with the Union County Conservation Office reported Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 15th), that sometime within the past few days someone had vandalized the shelter house at Cedar Park southeast of Creston, in rural Union County. The damage was estimated damage at $300.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce says you’re invited to join the Young Professionals of Atlantic (YPA), for their annual scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt will take place Friday, September 18th, beginning at Renew Ag Supply (811 Sunnyside Lane), at 5:30pm. This year’s theme is “Building Atlantic.”

When all the clues have been located join the YPA for an after party at 7:30-pm, at The Alley Bar & Grill (1005 Whitney St), where appetizers will be provided. The winning team will receive their entrance fee returned, and more.

Teams of four are $20, or $5 per person, and the YPA will find a team for you. Registration day of is $28 for a team of 4 or $7 per person. Visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 for more information.

The YPA scavenger hunt is brought to you by Renew Ag Supply and the S.F. Martin House. The Young Professionals of Atlantic are 20 and 30-something working professionals who want to be more involved in the community, meet more people, and have fun.

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

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A woman from Mt. Ayr reported to Creston Police, Tuesday, that someone had stolen her SUV from the parking lot at Southwestern Community College. The 2006 Jeep Commander with Iowa license plate AUX 179, was taken sometime between Noon and 1-p.m., Tuesday. The loss was estimated at $5,000.

Creston Police said also, officers arrested 19-year old Jazmin Govea, of Lenox, Tuesday afternoon. She was cited for Theft in the 5th degree (for allegedly shoplifting from Wal-Mart), and later released from the Union County Jail.

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

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Police in Red Oak arrested a man wanted on two warrants, Tuesday evening. 34-year old Kale Garrett Hardman, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 6:30-p.m. on a Mongtomery County Sheriff’s Department warrant for Contempt of Court for resisting an order of process of the magistrate court. He was also arrested on a Mills County warrant for Harassment in the 1st degree, and Violation of a Protective Order. Hardman was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on cash bonds amounting to $2,600.

An accident Tuesday afternoon near Menlo involving a semi on Interstate 80, resulted in one person being sent to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol reports 59-year old Andrew Burch, of Huntsville, AL, was driving a 2015 International semi eastbound on I-80 about a two-miles east of the Menlo exit at around 3:15-p.m., when the truck — registered to New Prime, Inc., out of Springfield, MO. — left the road and entered the south ditch before it came to rest. Burch was transported by Stuart Rescue to the Adair County Hospital in Greenfield.

A strong cross wind caused an accident Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 80 near Shelby. The Iowa State Patrol says 55-year old Douglas Meeder, of Lake Station, IN, was driving a 2010 Freightliner semi eastbound on I-80 just before 6-p.m., when a gust of wind caused the semi trailer’s roof to tear off. As a result, the bed of the trailer collapsed, and broke in-half under the weight of a 42,000 pound load. The semi was registered to Sterling Express, LTS, out of Valparaiso, IN.

Meeder was transported by Shelby Rescue to Myrtue Memorial Hospital, for treatment of undisclosed, possible injuries.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — President Barack Obama has nominated a judge to serve on a U.S. District Court representing Iowa. Obama announced that Rebecca Ebinger would be his nominee to serve as a judge on the court for the southern district of Iowa. Ebinger has served as a state district judge in Iowa since 2012. Prior to that, she served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal division of the same U.S. court. She served in a similar role for the U.S. court for the northern district of Iowa from 2009 to 2011.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has scheduled a special election to fill the House District 5 seat left open by the resignation of Chuck Soderberg. Branstad says the election would be held Nov. 3 for the district that includes Plymouth County and part of Woodbury County. Soderberg, a Republican from Le Mars, announced last month that he will resign from the Iowa House to become the executive vice president and general manager of the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has issued a disaster proclamation for two counties to respond to recent storms. Branstad announced the declaration for Guthrie and Hamilton counties. The counties were hit by severe storms that started on August 28. Under the declaration, state resources can be used to help the counties recover from the storms. Households that meet certain income requirements also can apply for grants to help pay for expenses related to storm recovery.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An upcoming Iowa Democratic Party dinner will feature appearances by Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Martin O’Malley and Lincoln Chafee. The Democratic presidential candidates will appear at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Des Moines on Oct. 24. The candidates are vying for support in the leadoff caucus state.