Griswold Fire and Rescue have been called to the scene of a garage fire attached to a house at Whitney and Maple Streets. The call came in at 6:34-p.m. There are a couple of vehicles in the garage. It’s unknown if anyone is at home or in the garage at this time. No other details are available,

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new report suggests the economy will continue growing at a slow pace in rural areas of 10 Midwest and Plains states in the months ahead. The overall index for the report released Thursday rose to 54.3 in October from 52.4 in September. Any score above 50 suggests growth. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the recent decline in crop prices will likely slow economic growth.

The index is based on surveys of rural bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. It ranges from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

October’s hiring index for the region jumped to 56.1 from September’s 53.2 in an encouraging signal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Supreme Court might not be done changing the criminal justice system’s approach to teenagers who commit serious crimes. The court said Thursday that it would review three cases of inmates serving lengthy prison terms for crimes they committed when they were seventeen. In each case, the offenders argue their lengthy sentences amount to cruel and unusual punishment.

They include a man who was sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 17 years for first-degree robbery; a man serving a life sentence for convictions of second-degree murder and other charges in 1994; and a man sentenced to at least 7 years for second-degree robbery.

The court in August opened the door to shorter sentences for three dozen killers who were juveniles when they were sentenced to life in prison.

Officials with U-S Cellular report 120 Iowa teachers have been notified that their classroom projects were being funded through the company’s “Calling All Teachers” campaign. Among them was Sue Riggs of Washington Elementary School, in Atlantic, who had a nearly $730 Reading Homework-I Can’t Wait to Get Started project funded.

The wireless carrier worked with philanthropic website DonorsChoose.org to fund $500,000 in creative and impactful classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. Iowa donations worth $70,820 will benefit 8,950 students throughout the state.

U.S. Cellular says it is dedicated to supporting education and the pressing needs of schools. Calling All Teachers is one way the company gives back to local communities. Teachers across the country posted classroom projects that covered a variety of topics that included language and literacy, math and science, music and the arts, health and sports and special needs. Some educators asked for novels, bookshelves and calculators, while others requested LCD projectors and digital cameras.

Starting Nov. 4, U.S. Cellular will bring back its Calling All Communities campaign for the fifth year. Schools can rally community support for the chance to win a share of $500,000 to fund what their students need the most. The top 20 schools that garner the most community votes will each win $25,000 to use as they wish to improve their educational experience. Additional information is available at www.uscellular.com.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A University of Iowa study says Iowans most eligible to buy subsidized health insurance under the Affordable Care Act are going to need help signing up. The UI Public Policy Center study released Thursday said those individuals reported being uncomfortable selecting health insurance plans through online exchanges and the majority thought they would need “some or a lot of help.”

The study says that population is also more concerned about the costs of health care and more likely to have delayed their care in the last year. That means even after they sign up, they will be looking for help from health care providers on how to use it.

The study was conducted for the Iowa Department of Public Health and based on surveys returned by 498 people.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has adopted new standards aimed at improving legal representation for parents in child welfare cases. The court adopted a rule Thursday requiring attorneys who are appointed to represent parents in juvenile court to complete three hours of continuing legal education annually.  Starting in 2015, attorneys who are not in compliance will not be able to take any more such appointments.

The court opted not to include an initial experience and training requirement for such attorneys, which a task force had recommended.  Separately, the court said it had adopted new standards giving guidance to such attorneys on best practices, such as trying to avoid delays and communicating appropriately with clients. Chief Justice Mark Cady writes that the court’s goal is to elevate children’s justice issues.

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Public Health said Thursday that a temporary budget has been passed to fund the WIC program until January 15th. That means they are now able to print October, November, and December checks effective immediately. If you have an appointment scheduled this month, make sure you keep it to receive your checks.

If you have been to clinic this month and received October checks, but still need to receive November and December checks, you will receive those checks in November and your local agency will decide how they will get those checks to you.

Questions should be directed to the state WIC office (1-800-532-1579) or your local agency.