The deadline for filing our federal tax returns is two weeks away and Iowans who need a hand completing the chore can get free help from the A-A-R-P Foundation. Lynette Lee-Villanueva, is vice president of the foundation’s Tax-Aide program, which has more than three-dozens sites across Iowa. Lee-Villanueva says, “We help individuals who are lower-to-moderate income and specifically those who are over the age of 50 but we do serve all ages.”

The program boasts 41 locations in Iowa this spring that are staffed by a total of more than 200 trained, certified volunteers. “You can find a site either through our website, which is aarp.org/findtaxhelp, or by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-AARP-NOW,” Lee-Villanueva says. “In both instances, you’ll be asked to put in your ZIP code and you will then find a site that is nearest to you.” Iowans who are seeking tax help should bring along a photo I-D and the Social Security numbers of everyone who will be included on the return.

She says some people literally bring in all of their financial information in a shoebox. “We ask that you bring in your income statements for the year, your W-2, your 10-99, whatever form that is in, and then of course your shoebox of expenses or receipts you might have as well,” Lee-Villanueva says. “We also ask if you have last year’s tax return, that you bring that with you. It helps our volunteers to get an idea of what your previous year’s return looked like.”

This is the 48th year for the AARP’s Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax help program. People do not need to be a member of AARP or a senior citizen to use the service.

(Radio Iowa)

Most people wait until there is a crisis to plan for long-term care. The Finances of Caregiving is a new series of five 2-hour workshops to help families plan together for the care receiver’s care. The series begins this Thursday, April 7th, at the Montgomery County Extension Office in Red Oak from 6:30 – 8:30 PM.

Long term caregiving has significant financial consequences for caregivers, particularly for women. If it is necessary for the caregiver to leave work or reduce hours, they will need to prepare for retirement while providing care. The Finances of Caregiving program guides you through finding and collecting that information. During the workshop, caregivers and care receivers may create an information binder to help family members when a crisis does occur.

To register, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office of Montgomery County, 400 Bridge St., Suite 2 in Red Oak, ph. 712-623-2592. A nominal fee covers a financial binder.

The workshop series is sponsored by the ISU Extension and Outreach council of Montgomery County as part of an effort to address family caregiving issues and improve the health of family caregivers and their family members in a holistic way.  The next learning opportunity after this is the Powerful Tools for Caregivers program, a series of six 2-1/2 hour classes designed especially for family caregivers. The series will start in May in Villisca. Dates, times, and location are being firmed up by the coalition.

The Creston Police Department is reporting four recent arrests. Early Sunday morning, 29-year old Casey White, of Creston, was arrested for Public Intoxication and Assault, with Injury. White was later released from the Ringgold County Jail on $1,000 bond. Sunday afternoon, Creston Police arrested 35-year old Brian Whitfield, of Creston, on a charge of Simple Assault. Whitfield was later released on $300 bond.

Saturday night, 39-year old Travis Wambold, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. He was also later released on $300 bond. And, Friday night, 20-year old Haylee Pierce, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Suspended. She was later released on $300 bond, as well.