Iowa’s cold and windy winters, which average more than 30 inches of snow, ice and rain, can take a toll on homes, especially older ones with aging roofs, siding or windows. If a homeowner is in need of essential repairs such as a new furnace, roof, siding, or accessibility improvements, USDA Rural Development’s home repair low-interest loan and/or grant program is available to help eligible households make needed improvements.

Loans have a fixed interest rate as low as one percent and typically may be repaid over a term of 20 years. Grants are available to help applicants who are 62 or older, and who cannot repay a loan, remove health and safety hazards or to make the home accessible for a disabled family member. Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, says “These loans and grants help eligible families make needed repairs that they otherwise couldn’t afford. Through this program a family can get a $3,000 loan that has a monthly payment as low as $13.80.”

Examples of eligible home repair projects include, but are not limited to, repair/replacement of storm doors, windows, steps, furnaces, water heaters or roofs. Funds can also be used for insulation, electrical, plumbing, septic and water systems, and to provide accessibility for persons with disabilities. Homes repaired with these funds must be located in communities of less than 20,000 people or in rural areas.

Along with loans and grants to repair homes, USDA Rural Development has two low-interest, no-down-payment loan programs to help eligible families purchase new homes.
To learn more about USDA Rural Development’s housing programs please call (515) 284-4444, email DirectIA@ia.usda.gov or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.

Four people have been arrested in Mills County on separate charges. Sheriff’s officials say 54-year old Randall Dean Herring, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 3-a.m. Monday on Interstate 29, for Obstructing Prosecution of Defense, Eluding, and Speeding. His bond was set at $3,000. And, 34-year old Adelaido Lara-Guillen, of Lenox, was arrested at around 5:15-p.m. Monday at 280th Street and Highway 34, for being a Fugitive From Justice. Her bond was set at $5,000.

On Saturday, deputies in Mills County arrested 18-year old Briar Dakota Shivers, of Indianola, for Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Shivers was arrested on Highway 34 at around 11-p.m.  Bond was set at $1,300.  And, at around 7-p.m. Saturday, deputies arrested 41-year old Ronald Loren Gray, of Pacific Junction, on a warrant for Harassment in the 3rd degree. He was taken into custody at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, and held on $300 bond.

The Glenwood Police Department reports 41-year old Donald Graalfs, of Glenwood, was arrested Sunday, on a charge of OWI/1st Offense. His bond was set at $1,000. 18-year old Marcus Pierce, of Glenwood, was arrested Friday, on a Mills County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault, with bond set at $1,000.

And, as we reported last week, the Glenwood P-D says two people were arrested Feb. 11th: 31-year old Michael Dyer, of Omaha, and 33-year old Danielle Darling, of Bellevue, NE, were arrested for Theft in the 3rd degree, and Conspiracy to Commit a felony. Dyer faces additional charges that include 3 counts of Forgery and ongoing criminal conduct. His bond was set at $47,000. Darling also faces a charge of Forgery. Her bond was set at $12,000.

A Montgomery County man was arrested Monday night on drug charges, following a traffic stop in Clarinda. Police Chief Keith Brothers reports 33-year old Kyle David Bahn, of Villisca, was arrested at around 11:10-p.m., Monday, for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance suspected to be a central nervous system stimulant, with an amphetamine base.

Bahn was arrested without incident, processed at the jail and later released on a recognizance bond, pending an initial appearance before the Page County Magistrate Court. His hearing is set for February 25th.

The Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors has proposed a fiscal year 2016 county operating budget that calls for a 23-cent reduction in the levy. According to The Daily NonPareil, the board on Tuesday set an evening public hearing on the budget for 6:30-p.m. Monday, March 9th, in the Supervisors room on the second floor in the county courthouse.

Red Oak Police say two people were arrested Tuesday. Officials say at around 10-p.m., 16-year old Christopher Michael Ceder, of Red Oak, was arrested following a traffic stop in the 900 block of Riverview Drive. Ceder faces charges that include Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also cited for being a Minor in Possession of Tobacco. Ceder was cited into juvenile court and later released to his custodian.

And, at around 6-p.m. Tuesday, 23-year old Aaron Gar Nelson, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 1500 block of north Broadway, on an active warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. Nelson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond.