WASHINGTON, DC – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham last week joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to introduce legislation to continue federal tax benefits for volunteer firefighters and other emergency responders.

The legislation, the Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act (H.R. 2353), extends tax exemptions on benefits provided by state and local government entities to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel until 2015 and increases the annual cap to $600.

“Our community volunteer firefighters and emergency responders are the people we all look to for help and safety in times of crisis,” Congressman Latham said. “This legislation is a common-sense way to encourage the important work of our community first responders, and I’m proud to work with my colleagues to help these selfless Americans.”

Congress originally approved tax exemptions for certain benefits (up to $360 per year) for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in 2007, but the provision expired last year. The benefit protections have helped local governments attract and retain volunteer first responders.

Congressman Latham joined Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) as original co-sponsors on the legislation.

Gasoline prices have been falling in Iowa for weeks, but they’re still well above a year ago, so travel projections for the upcoming holiday weekend are down. Rose White, at Triple-A Iowa, says the motor club estimates 39-million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home during the five-day Independence Day holiday. White says that’s a two-point-five percent decline from the Fourth Of July weekend last year. “Of those traveling, nearly 84% will plan to travel by automobile, another eight-percent will fly to their destination and the remaining eight-percent will travel by other modes including rail, bus and watercraft.”

Gas prices in Iowa were near four-dollars a gallon in May but have fallen to a current average around three-56 a gallon. That’s well above the statewide average price from a year ago of two-67. White says in addition to the regular road hazards, Iowa motorists will need to keep a closer eye on the highway. “Roadways near major waterways in the Midwest may be impacted by flooding,” White says. “Before you leave, pack a detailed road map in your vehicle in case you need to select an alternative route.” Also, she suggests you store phone numbers or web addresses to the state road departments on your cell phone or PDA.

If possible, White says to avoid driving at night since it’s hard to see flooded roadways in the dark. Do not drive across a flooded roadway, she says, but instead, dial 911 and report it. “Keep in mind that today’s automobiles are equipped with many electrical systems and computers that may be damaged if exposed to flood waters,” White says. “Always keep your fuel tank at least half full at all times, just in case an unexpected detour is required.”

While Iowa’s current statewide average for gas is three-56 a gallon, the national average is three-60. The state’s all-time high was set in July of 2008 with four-02 a gallon.

(Radio Iowa)

A Bedford man was arrested Saturday evening after a brief chase that resulted from an attempted traffic stop. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy attempted to pull 22-year old Wilbur Pace over for speeding on Highway 34 at around 6:20-p.m., when Pace sped-up.

Pace was finally stopped and placed under arrest on charges of eluding, speeding, and for allegedly having an open container in his vehicle.

And, a central Iowa man was arrested Saturday on two charges, after he failed to stop for a stop sign. Officials say 50-year old Jesse Alexander, of Urbandale, was charged with OWI and Failure to Stop, following the incident which occurred at around 12:10-a.m., Saturday.

Pace and Alexander were being held in the Adams County Jail pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Police in Council Bluffs are looking for a white or tan Chevy Cavalier with Nebraska plates. The vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run personal injury accident that took place Saturday evening in the 25-hundred block of Avenue D, in Council Bluffs.

Officials say at around 5:25-p.m., officers were dispatched to the area to investigate an accident where 4-year old Ethan Black, of Council Bluffs, was struck by a car was the child attempted to cross the street. The vehicle that hit the boy did not stop, and continues westbound.

Black was transported to the Creighton University Medical Center, where he was reported to be in stable condition late Saturday night. No further details are available concerning the car involved in the incident.

Anyone with information concerning the accident should call the Council Bluffs PD’s traffic unit at 712-328-4948.

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) – A berm holding back floodwater at the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station has collapsed. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission says it’s monitoring the Missouri River flooding at the plant, which has been shut down since early April for refueling.

The 2,000-foot berm collapsed about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, allowing the swollen river to surround two buildings at the plant. The NRC says those buildings are designed to handle flooding up to 1014 feet above sea level. The river is at 1006.3 feet and isn’t forecast to exceed 1008 feet.

The NRC says its inspectors were at the plant when the berm failed and have confirmed that the flooding has had no impact on the reactor shutdown cooling or the spent fuel pool cooling. NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko will visit the plant Monday.