Iowa State University Extension and Outreach-Montgomery County will host a workshop on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) next month. The session takes place June 7th, from 6- to 9-p.m., at the Montgomery County Extension office, located at 400 Bridge Street, in Red Oak.

Cindy Kendall, extension program specialist, Office of State and Local Government Programs will provide the educational opportunity for anyone interested in learning what the economic development tool TIF is, and how it can be used by communities.

Urban Revitalization and Urban Renewal laws have existed for many years and changed as legislation added players and regulation. The June 7th session is for the layperson wanting to get a better understanding of these economic tools as they stand today and potential impacts for tomorrow. Included in the discussion: What is in the toolbox; A brief history of the Urban Revitalization and Urban Renewal laws, and the make-up of an Urban Renewal plan and report. Kendall will also provide some “buyer beware” guidance about the influence of the 2013 Property Tax Relief laws for community leaders to consider as they make decisions regarding good uses of TIF.

A light meal will be provided and there is no cost for this session, which is open to anyone interested. Please RSVP by June 3rd to the Extension office at 623-2592, so that adequate space and food can be arranged.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The latest U.S. Census estimates show Iowa’s largest cities gained in population and that the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny is among the fastest growing cities in the country. The estimates released Thursday showed Des Moines ranked 104th nationally with a 2015 population of 210,330. That was an increase of 621 from 2014 and 6,897 more than recorded in the 2010 census.

Other Iowa cities also showed small population gains, with Cedar Rapids’ population estimated at 130,405, Davenport at 102,582, Sioux City at 82,821, Iowa City at 74,220, Waterloo at 68,460, Ames at 65,060, West Des Moines at 64,113 and Council Bluffs at 62,597 and Dubuque at 58,799.

Ankeny, located just north of Des Moines, grew by 6.5 percent to 56,764, making it the third-fastest growing city in the country.

The Atlantic Public Library is starting a new, online magazine service beginning June 1^st, called “Flipster.” Library Director Natalie Struecker explained to the City Council Wednesday evening, that the service is available to anyone with a library card. She said some of the 27 magazines are ones they already have in print, others are not.

Natalie said if you already have an online subscription to a magazine the library will have available, you can cancel it, because you’ll be able to access it for free. There’s no limit to the service and, there’s an App available for Android and Apple devices, but you’ll need to go to the online page first to check it out and then access it through the App.

Among the magazines that’ll be available is: Bicycling; Bon Appetit; Consumer Reports; Country Living; Good Housekeeping; Popular Science; Runner’s World; Women’s Health, and the Yoga Journal, to name just a few.

For more information on Flipster and other programs or activities available at the Atlantic Public Library, call them at 712-243-5466.

A stolen firefighter’s truck led to a chase, one arrest and two injuries early this morning, in Pottawattamie County. Pott. County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Reynolds told KJAN News a firefighter living just outside of Council Bluffs off McPherson Avenue, saw someone take his pickup truck at around 3:15-a.m.  and reported it. A sheriff’s deputy saw the vehicle top a hill and engaged in pursuit.

The chase ended when the pickup crashed near the Pine Ridge Apartments in Council Bluffs, a foot pursuit ensued. The suspect and deputy were both injured, when they fell into a ravine onto rip-rap (rocks). The deputy suffered injuries to his right arm and was transported to a hospital for treatment, then released. The suspect suffered from shoulder pain. A second suspect remains at large.

The Omaha Police Department’s K-9 unit was used to track one of the suspects into a sewer drain at around 3:30-a.m., after it was discovered a man-hole cover was pried off by the Elks Lodge near 380 McKenzie Avenue. Additional details are currently not available.The incident remains under investigation.

A report from the National Runaway Safeline shows a dramatic decrease in the number of Iowans calling in — both young people and concerned parents. Last year, 281 Iowans called the Runaway Safeline, a big drop from 566 calls the previous year. Maureen Blaha, executive director of the service, says conflict in the home is the primary reason most callers reach out.

“They’re identifying abuse and that is primarily emotional or verbal abuse,” Blaha says. “From last year to this year, there was a 21% increase in young people talking about that as the main reason they have connected with us.” The reason for the drop in calls from Iowa is unclear, but one official says it may simply equate to fewer teens on the run in Iowa and happier families. The average caller to the Safeline is 17 years old and female. While equal numbers of boys and girls run away, Blaha says girls are more apt to reach out for help.

“Our target audience is young people, so, those who are on the street,” Blaha says. “We want to help them get to safety. Those that are thinking of running away, we want to help them come up with a plan of action, how they can deal with whatever is going on and so they’re not running away.” While the Safeline primarily targets young people, plenty of parents call in as well. Blaha says there are signs moms and dads can be on the lookout for which may be a clue their child is considering the drastic move.

“Teens that all of the sudden have stopped eating or they’re just moping in their room, have mood swings, that’s a warning sign,” Blaha says. “If there is rebellious behavior like fighting in the home with siblings or parents or grades are dropping.” Other signs include: stockpiling of possessions or money and making threats to leave. As many as 2.8 million youth run away each year. If all of them lived in one city, it would be the fifth-largest city in the United States. The Chicago-based Safeline is available around the clock at 1-800-RUNAWAY or online at 1800RUNAWAY.org.

(Radio Iowa)