Officials with USDA Rural Development say recent changes to USDA Rural Development’s home loan programs mean more rural Iowans can now achieve their homeownership goals. Earlier this year the maximum mortgage limit for a USDA Rural Development direct home loan increased to $220,532, a jump of nearly $3,700 from the previous mortgage limit.

Also, a typical income limit for a one-person household using the USDA direct home loan program to purchase a home in an eligible rural Iowa community or area is now $41,250. For a family of four a common limit is $56,600.

Income limits vary by county and household size, so applicants are encouraged to contact USDA Rural Development staff for limits in their specific area by calling (515) 284-4444 or emailing DirectIA@ia.usda.gov.

The interest rate for USDA Rural Development’s direct home loan program is 3.25 percent for a 33-year term. The program can be used to assist rural Iowans with buying a home, financing the construction costs of a new home or making significant home repairs. Program features include no down payment and long-term, fixed-interest-rate financing. Also, payment assistance with interest rates as low as 1 percent may be available to applicants with qualifying incomes.

The lower interest rate makes monthly payments affordable, and often may be less than rent.  For example, a $100,000 loan at 3.25 percent would have monthly principal and interest payments of $413. If an applicant qualified for a 1-percent loan the monthly payment would be only $297.

USDA Rural Development also offers a guaranteed home loan program with a typical income limit for a one- to four-person household of $78,200 with no down payment required. Applicants work directly with their lenders to establish mortgage rates and terms. Loans, and some grants, are also available from USDA Rural Development to help qualifying homeowners make needed repairs to their homes.

Applicants are encouraged to contact USDA Rural Development staff before September 1, 2017 to take full advantage of all the agency’s housing programs. Further information about housing programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by calling (515) 284-4444, visiting www.rd.usda.gov/ia, or emailing DirectIA@ia.usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas, including here in Atlantic.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg have announced the state’s participation in a new nationwide first responder network. Iowa is one of the first states in the country to opt-in to the FirstNet cell network. The network gives priority to police, fire and other emergency workers during a crisis. Until now, first responders have used more than 10,000 different networks to communicate, creating issues during emergencies. First responders have also had to compete with consumers trying to access the same cellular network.

With FirstNet, Iowa’s first responders will have special SIM cards for their smartphones, putting them first on the network to connect and stay connected. The system will also provide interoperability, allowing first responders from different agencies, jurisdictions or even over state lines to talk to one another.

Iowa’s opt-in also brings rural responders accelerated access to broadband services. FirstNet will help bring broadband 4G LTE to both citizens and public safety users in rural areas—some for the first time—helping erase the “digital divide” between the technologies available to urban versus rural areas.

The Governor said “The FirstNet network will not only strengthen and modernize public safety communications in our state, but also bring much needed investment to our communications infrastructure. The network builds on AT&T’s existing footprint to expand coverage and capacity. AT&T has invested nearly $150 million in its Iowa network infrastructure over the past three years.”

She says “By partnering with FirstNet, we will be able to expand coverage for first responders. As a result, this will also help expand coverage for rural Iowans, providing access to a reliable, high speed wireless connection in areas with little or no connectivity today.”

Iowa incurs no risk, responsibility or cost for the FirstNet network and makes no commitment with this opt-in. FirstNet and AT&T will deploy, operate, maintain and improve the FirstNet network in Iowa and assume all responsibility for capital expenditures, operating costs and other costs like staffing, training, integration, environmental compliance and program management.

Lt. Gov. Gregg said “Iowa, FirstNet and AT&T have formed an innovative public-private partnership to expand coverage, enhance capacity and launch new devices and applications for first responders. This network is designed specifically for Iowa’s public safety professionals, by Iowa’s public safety professionals. We wanted our brave men and women to have the best. This solution will help us continue to build a better Iowa by ushering in a new wave of innovation for Iowa’s first responders.”

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say a traffic stop early this (Tuesday) morning in the 3300 block of Pheasant Avenue, resulted in an arrest. 30-year old Edmound Joseph White, of Exira, was taken into custody at around 1-a.m., for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Suspended and for numerous traffic citations. White was later released after appearing before a magistrate. Sheriff’s K9 “Axel” assisted in the investigation.

An investigation into a 911 call from 947 Orange Road in Shelby County, late Sunday night, resulted in the arrest of a man on stalking and weapon charges. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office reports 40-year old James Lyle Behrens, of Harlan, was taken into custody at around 10-p.m. Sunday in the 400 Block of 12th Street, in Harlan.

Behrens faces a felony Stalking charge, along with Carrying Concealed Weapons and Interference with Official Acts charges. Behrens was transported to the Shelby County Jail, where he posted a $5,000 cash/surety bond and was released with a upcoming court date.

The Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School Board, Monday evening, passed a resolution on holding a Special Election for the issuance of $3.9-million in general obligation school bonds. E-EHK Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News the special vote will be held September 12^th, the same date as the School Board election. If the voters approve, funds from the bond would be used for a variety of upgrades to both of the district’s buildings.

That includes updating the H-VAC/AC system, the back parking lot in Exira, updating the Exira building’s playground, and a new boiler for the Elk Horn building, which has been running since it was installed in 1955. The community will receive FAQ sheets  – Frequently Asked Questions – in the next couple of weeks.

The Board also approved an easement for the City of Exira’s water main system, which will connect with the new care center, and, the hiring of Courtney Peppers as a Para Educator for two 1^st grade students.

The CAM School Board met Monday evening in Anita, and heard an update on the Elementary Building Addition. Business Manager/School Board Secretary Linda Edwards told KJAN News crews are busy putting on the finishing touches for the building’s interior.

She said also, the CAM School Board accepted resignations from: Dan Riker, Co-Junior High Wrestling Coach; Luke Symonds, Junior High Girls Track Coach; Patricia McCurdy resigned from her position as Head Custodian at the Massena building. Contract were awarded: to Luke Symonds as Head High School Girls Varsity Track Coach; Barry Bower and Matthew Williamson, who will share a Strength and Conditioning Coach position; Courtney Clark was awarded a contract as North Elementary Special Education Teacher.

Edwards said the Board voted to keep fees the same for the 2017-18 school year, but there is a change in lunch and milk prices. She said they are required by the school lunch formula, to raise the prices of lunches by 10-cents, but they will reduce the cost of extra milk by 5-cents. Staff lunches prices were reduced to $3.55, because the must be higher than $3.54.

Linda said also, there was a lot of discussion about the facilities projects that are underway. That includes the installation of new security cameras inside and outside the CAM High School. The Board also voted to progress with the Greenhouse building that will be purchased and erected at Massena, even though the cost of concrete was higher due to the elevation land. She says “It’ll be a nice project when they get it done.”