IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s 15 community colleges say they will join forces to offer more programs that help workers get jobs in fields such as welding, industrial maintenance and robotics. The colleges announced Thursday they will use a $13 million federal grant to form the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, which will develop non-credit and credit programs to help more workers earn industry-recognized credentials.

The consortium will work with employers in advanced manufacturing to identify the occupational skills they are looking for in workers and develop programs that fit their needs. ACT in Iowa City will support the initiative through its Tomorrow’s Workforce Now program, which helps workers assess their strengths and define career paths. The colleges will recruit workers through an assessment process.

The grant is from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Stuart Police Department reports a suspicious device found Tuesday near what was formally the historic All Saints Catholic Church on North Fremont Street in Stuart, was inert, and while apparently intended to instill fear, was in fact, a hoax. Officers responded to what’s now known as the “Saints Center” for cultural and the arts, after receiving reports of a suspicious device that had been found near the front door.

The incident was investigated by Stuart Police with the assistance of members from the Iowa State Fire Marshall Office. Officials say the suspicious device was secured and transported to a remote location where Stuart officers and State Fire Marshall members took actions to render the device safe. It is being sent to the Iowa DCI crime laboratory for further testing and evidence collection.

Due to the history of arson at the Saints Center and recent attacks in Boston, the Stuart Police Department is treating the event as a serious incident, and officials say charges will be filed if a suspect is found.

Officials with the Stuart Police Department report a large amount of drug paraphernalia and drugs were seized Wednesday, from a man who was staying at the Super 8 Hotel, just north of Interstate 80, in Stuart.

Some of the drug paraphernalia seized from the Super 8 Motel in Stuart, Wednesday. (Stuart P.D./photo)

Authorities say officers recovered over 50 various forms of drug paraphernalia, and a large amount of marijuana. The Marijuana and paraphernalia were recovered from the male subject’s vehicle and hotel room, after an officer responded to a separate call at the motel. His K-9 companion alerted the officer to the presence of narcotics. 

The unidentified suspect, who is from Virginia, told officers that he was returning home from a large marijuana festival in Colorado. While charges have been filed in this case, officials stress their investigation in ongoing.

The Atlantic Police Department says no injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday morning, at 10th and Linn Streets. Officials say vehicles driven by Chancey Richards and Samantha Christensen, both of Atlantic, collided as the Richards vehicle was traveling south on Linn and Christensen was headed east on 10th Street. Both drivers stopped at the controlled intersection, but when Richards proceeded, Christensen didn’t see him. Her vehicle hit his on the right side, causing a total of $4,500 damage.The accident happened just before 7:30-a.m.

Christensen was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street.

Cass County Veterans Affairs Director Mitch Holmes provided his 3^rdQuarter report Wednesday, to the Board of Supervisors. Holmes said one of the most popular, yet least know services available to veterans, is the “Veteran” designation on driver’s licenses.

Sample Iowa Driver’s License with the “Veteran” designation.

He said inquires about the program has brought veterans into his office at the courthouse, where they can also learn about the benefits they are entitled to, and apply for those benefits. Holmes said a total of 48 veterans applied for the driver’s license designation over the past quarter, with one dozen persons making their first trip to the VA Office in Atlantic.

Governor Branstad signed Senate File 2112 into law on April 19, 2012, requiring the veteran designation provision of the law to be implemented by July 1, 2013. The designation on Iowa DL’s and non-operator ID’s is a voluntary initiative designed to assist Iowa veterans. The Iowa Department of Transportation implemented the law January 15^th, six months ahead of schedule, to demonstrate the state’s support for its veterans.

To get the designation, an honorably discharged veteran must present a copy of their DD 214 or applicable discharge document to their county Veterans Affairs office. That office will complete an Iowa DOT form and confirm the applicant’s veteran status, which authorizes the Iowa DOT to place the designation on the individual’s DL or non-operator ID. The veteran must then take the completed form to any Iowa DL issuance location and request that the veteran designation be added to his or her DL or non-operator ID card. Veterans may expedite the process by bringing a completed application form with them to the county Veterans Affairs office, along with a copy of their DD 214. The form is available online at:  https://va.iowa.gov. 

Holmes said several people he saw or who contacted his office, weren’t aware a V-A Office even existed in Atlantic. He said many of the veterans he’s spoken with, especially the older ones, didn’t realize they qualify for benefits available to them. Holmes said the VA has done a good job of informing the younger soldiers currently serving in, or just coming out of the military, about their benefits. It’s the older veterans who may not be aware of what they are entitled to. They don’t have to be wounded in combat in order to receive certain benefits.

Holmes said his office helped Vets file a total of 82 claims for Federal VA Benefits last quarter, assisted a little over 200 veterans, and made more than 1,320 contacts with veterans through office and home visits, phone calls and correspondence.