Voters in Pottawattamie County will be heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on a $1.5-million bond issue proposal for the building of a new veterans center. The Omaha World-Herald reports the Pott. County Board decided in January to present a proposal to the voters during a special election. 60 percent approval is required for the measure to pass. County officials held an informational meeting Saturday on the proposal.

The new building would be located on what is now a county parking lot at Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street. The 6,300-square-feet building would include meeting rooms, a computer lab and handicapped-accessible restrooms.

The current 1,600-square-foot veterans affairs office is located in a former Sunday school at 223 S. Sixth St. The agency helps the 8,000 or so Pottawattamie County veterans apply for federal benefits, navigate government paperwork, arrange food, shelter and utilities if needed and receive other services. It also helps surviving family members of deceased veterans. The staff handles about 300 veteran visits and fields about 670 phone calls per month.

A current lack of space means that donated clothing for veterans has been moved to the hallway outside of the office.There is also no computer lab, meaning it’s difficult to provide veterans privacy when filling out the government paperwork that must be done online. Many of the elderly veterans don’t understand computers, but even the younger and computer-savvy may need the staff’s help. There is also no private place for veterans to meet with outside counselors.

County officials estimate that if the bond issue passes, someone with a house valued at $100,000 will pay an additional $5.92 per year in property taxes for the next three years, assuming that the bonds are sold for a three-year period.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another round of snow blanketed Iowa this weekend with parts of the state receiving as much as five inches, and bitter cold temperatures have returned. The National Weather Service says wind chills as cold as 40 degrees below zero were likely in northern Iowa overnight. Central Iowa was forecast to see wind chills ranging from 20-to-35 degrees below zero.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With six women running in House and Senate primaries in Iowa this year, some are starting to wonder if 2014 might be the year that the state finally sends a woman to Washington. Women’s groups have long bemoaned the fact that Iowa is one of just two states that has never elected a woman governor or member of Congress.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has only two inspectors to make sure thousands of asbestos-removal projects each year are being done properly in the state. The Des Moines Register reports the lack of inspections at asbestos removal projects was highlighted by problems at a downtown Des Moines renovation project. A contractor who had worked on renovations to a former Younkers department store in Des Moines complained to the state in January about improper asbestos removal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Roy Devyn Marble scored 21 points and Number 20 Iowa snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Purdue 83-76 yesterday. Aaron White and Mike Gesell added 15 points each for the Hawkeyes, who have recorded consecutive 20-win seasons.

VAN METER, Iowa (AP) — A 29-year-old Iowa man is recovering after accidentally shooting his own finger during target practice. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating the incident that happened Sunday afternoon at Badger Creek State Recreation Area in Madison County. Authorities say Zach Sainz inadvertently let one of his fingers get in front of the 9mm handgun he was firing.

Sainz was taken to a Des Moines hospital for treatment of a non-life threatening injury. His condition wasn’t immediately available Sunday evening.

Police in Red Oak report the arrest at around Noon, Sunday, of 43-year old Clinton Joe Hans England, of Red Oak. England was taken into custody in the 200 block of E. Walnut Street, and charged with Driving While Suspended. His bond was set at $300.