The Iowa West Foundation, headquartered in Council Bluffs, has announced that its board awarded more than $5.2 million in grants to close out 2014. Those grants will assist 22 nonprofit organizations and governmental entities with funding for projects and programs that directly impact southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska.

Among the list of award recipients is:  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, community-based mentoring for children in Mills and Pottawattamie counties, $40,000; City of Council Bluffs, transformation of historic trolley building into a park shelter, $15,000; City of Council Bluffs, operating support to city arena, $100,000; City of Glenwood, lazy river feature for the Charles E. Lakin Aquatic Center, $50,000; Heartland Family Service, Children’s Center to address the behavioral health needs of children in our community, $100,000; Iowa JAG Inc., dropout prevention programs in Council Bluffs schools, $40,000; Iowa Newspaper Foundation, newspapers in southwest Iowa school libraries, $18,500; Iowa West Foundation Initiative, Iowa West Opportunity Scholarship Program for first-generation college students administered by the Iowa College Foundation, $400,000; Malvern Area Betterment Association, Main Street revitalization project in Malvern, $40,000; Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, CITIES program to support rural economic development, $665,000; Sons and Daughters of Imogene Inc., improvement to the baseball complex in Imogene, $10,000; City of Council Bluffs, support of events for 2015 LoessFest at River’s Edge Park, $175,000.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Thursday, released a report on recent arrests and incidents. Authorities say on Monday, 32-year old Anne Criswell, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested on an active warrant out of Mills County for assault. She was taken to the Shelby County Jail and later turned over to Mills County.

Last Sunday, Harlan Police arrested 24-year old Shanae Hytrek, Harlan, after officers were called to a disturbance in the 1000 block of 6th Street. Hytrek was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with intoxication in public. That same day, 48-year old Thomas Carney, of Harlan, was taken into custody following a traffic stop. Carney was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, prohibited acts penalties, failure to have a valid driver’s license, and open container – driver.

On Saturday (Jan. 10th), 23-year old Kayla Strong, and 35-year old Jason Andersen, both of Irwin, were arrested on active Pottawattamie County warrants for burglary. Both subjects were transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On Jan. 9th, Harlan Police officers responded to a call by a concerned subject in reference to drugs possibly being used in an apartment where a small child was an occupant. As a result of the investigation, 19-year old Marcus Morgan, of Harlan, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and prohibited acts penalties. The case involving the child was referred to the Department of Human Services.

On Jan. 7th, officers were called to the 2100 block of 9th Street for a vehicle that had gone out of control striking a utility pole, phone pedestal, and several mailboxes. As a result of the investigation, 34-year old Clayton Sorensen was cited for driving under suspension, fail to prove security against liability (accident), operating a non-registered vehicle, and failure to maintain control.

And as we had reported last week, on Jan. 5th, 41-year old Kenneth Kokemiller, of Perry, was taken into custody after a pursuit through the city of Harlan and south on Highway 59 that ended in a roll over crash. Kokemiller was found to be driving a stolen vehicle belonging to Michael Schnurr, of Rowland, IA. Kokemiller was transported to Myrtue Medical Center where he was treated and released to law enforcement. He was then transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with 2 counts of speed, 2 counts of failure to obey stop signs, driving while suspended, trespass, reckless driving, possession of stolen property and eluding.

Firefighters from Shelby, Harlan, Avoca, Minden and Elk Horn were called to the scene of a hog confinement facility fire northeast of Shelby, Thursday night. A motorist passing by reported the fire at 515 Hazel Road, south of County Road F-58, just before 8-p.m.

Authorities on the scene reported at around 8:07-p.m. that the structure was fully engulfed and the roof had collapsed.

No other details are currently available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say a lottery employee has been arrested after being identified as the mystery winner of a multimillion-dollar Hot Lotto ticket that baffled investigators for years. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said Thursday that 51-year-old Eddie Raymond Tipton, of Norwalk, faces two felony counts of fraud. He is being held at the Polk County Jail.

Tipton is the security director for the Multi-State Lottery Association in Iowa. Officials say he bought the Hot Lotto ticket in 2010, despite being legally prohibited. He is accused of asking others to claim the ticket. A New York lawyer in 2011 waited shortly before the one-year deadline to try to claim the ticket but later withdrew. Authorities say the case remains under investigation.

Forecasters predict a warm-up with highs in the 40s and 50s tomorrow (Friday) for much of southern and central Iowa, which presents an opportunity for homeowners to get a jump on their spring lawn care duties. Extension educator John Fech says much of the region had very dry weather heading into winter and dormant plants could likely use a drink. Fech says, “If you have a chance, prioritize and pick out the plants that are most important to you, roses or shrubs, and attach a soaker hose temporarily on days when you’re 40 degrees or above.”

Make sure to disconnect and drain the hose when you’re done, he reminds, to prevent plumbing problems when it freezes again. When it’s bitter cold, he says it’s better if you don’t walk on your lawn at all, as that crunching grass underfoot will have a hard time recovering.  “Forget about those little trips out to fill the bird feeder and to dump stuff on the compost pile,” Fech says. “Generally, it’s a good idea to stay off of frosty turf. Sometimes, those things will injure the crown of the plant.” Don’t step on your frozen grass, he says, unless you absolutely can’t avoid it.

“If you have to do it, go ahead and do it, but keep in mind that you may have a strip of turf or some footprints through the turf that aren’t doing so well in the spring,” Fech says. “If that’s the case, those just might take a longer time to recover.” The National Weather Service is calling for high temperatures in many parts of Iowa to rise Friday and Saturday to unseasonable highs in the 40s and 50s, while highs are predicted to slip back into the 30s next week, with lows back in the teens.

(Radio Iowa)