DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State Auditor Mary Mosiman says the governor’s budget proposal uses surplus fund dollars to cover some expenses, a practice she says taxpayers should be aware of.   Mosiman on Monday provided a review of Gov. Terry Branstad’s budget plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. She says that a complete analysis of state spending and revenue projections shows that the state will spend $144 million more than it takes in. Mosiman says that means the state needs to tap the nearly $900 million surplus to balance the books.

Mosiman says spending less than you take in is a sound practice. But she also said the state must decide how to use a sizable surplus. Lawmakers and Branstad last year approved a property tax cut and new education spending.

A local agency is looking to share some love with community senior citizens. The Connections Area Agency on Aging will be passing out Valentines to some older Iowans in the area, primarily those homebound. The valentines were made by local area children. The agency says they have received over 2,000 valentines from elementary schools in their 20 county service area along with boys and girls clubs and the American Red Cross chapter.

Connections Area Agency, once known as Southwest 8 Senior Services, is expected to hand out Valentines all over their region including Harrison, Monona, Montgomery, Shelby and Pottawattamie Counties. The Foster Grandparent Program is one of the agency’s Senior Corps Programs in which connections volunteers work with students and children to help the children with reading, math and social skills.

Through the program, kids from area schools, preschools and day care facilities were recruited to have students make Valentines to cheer an elderly adult, who might live alone and not otherwise receive one. The valentines will be distributed throughout the month.

Deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office investigated three separate accidents over the past week. Two accidents took place Saturday. Officials say at 10:52 p.m., a single-vehicle, weather-related accident took place on Tucson Road, about one-quarter of a mile east of 620th Street, when a 2002 Mercury Mountaineer driven by 46-year old Sharon Renee Allison, of Red Oak,  spun out on the snowy roadway and entered the south ditch. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1500.

Nearly two-hours earlier, a single-vehicle weather-related accident happened near Olive Street and Echo Road in Cass County. Officials say a 2009 Nissan Altima owned and driven by 55-year old Diane Marie Nosbisch, of Menlo, was traveling north on Olive Street when Nosbisch lost control of her car on the snow-covered roadway and the vehicle entered the west ditch. Nosbisch reportedly suffered from minor injuries. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $4500.

And at around 4-a.m. February 2nd, a single-vehicle accident happened on 4th Street in Marne. The Sheriff’s Office says a 2006 Cadillac driven by Zachary Taylor Hemmingsen was southbound on 4th Street when the vehicle struck a guardrail, causing the guardrail to move into the roadway. No injuries were reported. Damage to Hemmingsen’s vehicle is estimated at $3500; damage to the guardrail is estimated at $2000. Hemmingsen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted burglary which occurred sometime Friday or Saturday at the Anita Laundromat and Car wash. Officials say a person or persons unknown entered the outer door of the business and attempted to pry the interior door open as well as the dollar bill change machine, causing about $1300 in damages. A similar attempt at the same business on January 22nd or 23rd caused  about $300 damage.

The Cass County Sheriffs’ Office is asking the public to report any information they may have in this matter to the Crimestoppers Hotline at 800-233-3336. This is a toll-free call, and subjects can remain anonymous. The Sheriff’s Office can also be reached at 712-243-2206.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports an Anita woman was arrested last Wednesday on a warrant for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.  24-year old Sydney Kay Darling was taken to the Cass County Jail where she was released the following day on $300 cash bond. The following day, 36-year old Eric Jason Ostrander, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine. Ostrander was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

On Saturday, 27-year old Tanner Paul Preston, of Atlantic, was arrested by Cass County deputies on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Preston was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance. And, 31-year old  Zachary Alan Frank, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday on a charge of Driving While Barred. Frank was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Dept. reports the arrest early Sunday morning of a Shelby County man. Officials say 38-year old Kyle Christopher Archibald, of Earling, was arrested at around 1:30-a.m. Sunday, on charges of OWI/2nd offense, and Failure to hold a driver’s license.

The charges stem from a traffic stop on Highway 71 near the intersection with Highway 44. Archibald was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing before a magistrate. His preliminary hearing was set for Feb. 27th.