DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ten AmeriCorps programs in Iowa will receive $2.7 million for projects that include mentoring youth at risk for dropping out of school, building Habitat for Humanity homes, and improving public lands and trails through habitat restoration. U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin says the money comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that encourages volunteer work. The focus of many of the programs is getting young people involved in community service.

Grants go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley, Community Corrections Improvement Association, the Des Moines Independent Community School District, city of Dubuque, Graceland University, Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Legal Aid, Iowa Western Community College and the United Way of East Central Iowa.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is set to sign legislation that expands low-income health care in Iowa. Branstad is scheduled to sign the bill Thursday in Mason City. The location was selected to acknowledge two lawmakers from the region — Republican House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer and Democratic Sen. Amanda Ragan — who helped broker the final deal.

Under the plan, Iowa will accept federal dollars offered to states that expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. The state will use the funding to create a new health plan for some poor residents and will pay the premiums for other low-income Iowans to get insurance on the new health care exchanges. The plan will require federal approval. Branstad says he’s optimistic that will happen.

(Updated 7-a.m.)

Firefighters from Atlantic were called to the scene of a residential deck fire early this (Thursday) morning. Fire Chief Mark McNees says the call about the fire at 505 West 14^th Street came in at around 12:45-a.m. He says the Thor Jordan family had a barbeque charcoal grill earlier in the evening. Apparently, some ashes blew out from the bottom and started the deck on fire. A neighbor noticed the smoke and fire, called 9-1-1 and awoke the family. 

No injuries were reported. McNees said the damage was primarily confined to the home’s deck. The Chief issued a reminder to persons who barbeque on their decks to make sure the embers and ashes are cool before you leave grills unattended.

He says the home owners will probably need to replace their deck due to the amount of damage it sustained.

Fire crews were on the scene for about 40-minutes.

Haupert says the man was within his rights when he shot and killed the dog, because under Iowa law it’s legal to kill a dog that is threatening or attempting to attack. Haupert said he interviewed the man Wednesday and believes he felt seriously threatened by the dog. The sheriff says after the man shot the dog, he drove to the owners’ home about a block away and informed them of what happened.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

RICEVILLE, Iowa (AP) — A northern Iowa police chief has been placed on paid leave pending a city investigation. The Riceville City Council took the action last week on Chief Kim Orth. Mayor Dean Eastman won’t discuss the reasons for the investigation because it is a personnel matter. He says the Mitchell County and Howard County sheriff’s departments will handle Riceville law enforcement coverage in the meantime.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines school district has approved the purchase of 182 additional security cameras. The Des Moines Register reports the school board Tuesday night approved a plan to buy and install the new camera at a cost of nearly $370,000. The expense will be covered by grants and money from a local option sales tax.

DESOTO, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa State Patrol says a man has died from injured he received in a crash on Interstate 80 in central Iowa caused by a wrong-way driver. 20-year-old Jessie Leeper of Adair died early yesterday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a man has died after being crushed between a truck and a semi-trailer. The Des Moines Register reports the accident happened late yesterday afternoon in an industrial lot near the Iowa Capitol. The victim’s name was not released last night.

An Atlantic man who was stabbed during an altercation with three young men on January 28th, has pled guilty to drug charges in connection with the incident, but additional felony charges of Willful Injury and Going Armed with Intent, were dismissed. Online court records indicate 43-year old Robert Alan Leslie entered a written plea of guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance/3rd offense, and Possession of a Marijuana/2nd offense, on May 28th in Cass County District Court. His trial was to have been held Tuesday (June 18th).

Judge James Richardson ordered Leslie to serve a total of 20-years in prison, but then suspended the sentences and ordered the man to pay fines amounting to $1,500 plus court costs and attorney’s fees. Leslie will also remain in two-years supervised probation, is required to complete a substance abuse treatment program, submit a DNA sample and maintain a full-time student or employment status.

Three young men were also charged in connection with the incident involving Robert Leslie. On April 29th, 18-year old Bryce Baker, of Atlantic, was sentenced to not more than 5-years in prison after pleading guilty to an amended charge of Willful Injury. 21-year-old Austin Nelson and 23-year-old Mykel Thoren, were charged with Accessory after the Fact, and received two-year suspended prison sentences.

During Baker’s sentencing, his attorney Jay Mez, said Baker was dating Robert Leslie’s daughter, and that Leslie did not agree with the relationship. The altercation took place, he said, when Baker went to Leslie’s home to “settle things.” Baker told the judge that the stabbing occurred out of self defense because Leslie had a weapon. He said he used a pocket knife to protect himself.

Sheriff’s Officials in Page County say one person was injured during a motorcycle accident in Clarinda, Wednesday. According to the Sheriff’s report, 61-year old Joann Joyce Rogers, of Clarinda, was stopped at the intersection of 6th and State Streets in Clarinda at around 11:30-a.m., and had proceeded to make a right turn onto State Street, when the 2007 Suzuki she was driving drove over a gravel/sand mix on the curb edge of the roadway, and according to a witness, “kicked out from under” Rogers and toppled onto its side.

Rogers hit her head on the concrete during the accident. She also complained of pain in her right shoulder and right ankle and was also bleeding on the right side of her face. She was not wearing a helmet. Rogers was taken by Clarinda EMS to Clarinda Regional Health Center for examination.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A Council Bluffs family of three adults has been accused of severely beating the father’s 20-year-old son over several years. An affidavit says the abuse included the son being starved, chained with a dog leash and forced to sleep while standing.

The son, who ran away from home around March, was described in the affidavit as “mentally handicapped” without further explanation. He told authorities his father, 51-year-old James Beyer Jr., and his stepmother, 45-year-old Rebecca Beyer, had abused him for years. He says his stepmother often burned him with utensils heated from a stove.

Rebecca Beyer’s son, 22-year-old Ryan Smith, is accused of punching and kicking the man on previous occasions. Police arrested the Beyers and Smith on Wednesday. They each face first-degree kidnapping charges.

The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on July 8th, with regard to two variance applications. One application comes from Joseph and Karen Riesberg, of 54886 650th Street, in Atlantic, that would, if approved, allow for the construction of a storage shed which would not conform with the Zoning Ordinance rear yard setback requirement. The shed would be located at 423 Elm Street. The other application, from Larry and Marlene Hummel, at 2803 Country Club Drive, in Atlantic, would allow for the construction of a three-car garage that does not conform to the street side yard setback requirements under City Code.

The public may comments in person at the hearings, set to take place 7:30-a.m. Monday, July 8th, at City Hall. You may also submit written comments in advance, to the City Clerk’s Office, at 23 East 4th Street, in Atlantic. Questions may be directed to Zoning Administrator John Lund, at 243-4810, or by e-mailing johnlund@mediacombb.net.

A Harrison County woman has been sentenced up to 10 years in prison following a fatal two car accident near Missouri Valley in February 2012. Online court documents say 32-year old Kerri Lynn Collier, formerly of Woodbine, was sentenced Monday in Harrison County District Court to 10 years in prison and fined $1,000.

Collier pleaded guilty on May 7th to an amended charge of vehicle homicide. As part of the plea, all of her simple misdemeanors, including driving on the wrong side of the highway, unlawful passing of a school bus and financial liability, were waived. By pleading guilty to the vehicular homicide charge, Collier admitted to causing the February 1st, 2012 accident that took the life of 54 year old Jennette McGrew of Magnolia.

The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 30 and Ann Street about 2 miles east of Missouri Valley. Collier was also ordered to pay $150,000 to McGrew’s estate.