(Radio Iowa) — Many Iowans will get cards from the U.S. Census Bureau in their mailboxes this week, urging them to take part in this year’s population count. The results will be used to redraw political boundaries and distribute federal funding for everything from roads to health care. Gary Krob, coordinator of the State Data Center of Iowa, says this is the first time most people will be asked to report the information online. “The Census Bureau is really pushing the online response if at all possible because it saves the federal government a lot of money,” Krob says. “That’s gonna be the big push for the next month or two, really just getting people to participate.”

Krob says the online form will not be the only way to respond. People can also provide information over the phone and paper forms will be sent out in April to anyone who hasn’t responded by then. Krob says census figures are used in redistricting and play a role in federal appropriations. Krob says, “In 2016 alone, Iowa received $8.7 billion based on federal funds based on that population number.”

Most census invitations will be in English but will include messages in 12 other languages about how to participate. Areas with a high numbers of Spanish-speaking residents will receive bilingual cards.

(Reporting by Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)

MAQUOKETA, Iowa (Telegraph Herald) — Federal authorities are taking over monitoring of contamination from a carcinogenic chemical that’s spread from a factory site in the eastern Iowa city of Maquoketa. The Telegraph Herald reported that the contamination stems from the operations of Clinton Machine Co., which built small engines in Maquoketa from 1950 into the 1990s. The factory used trichloroethene, commonly known as TCE, as a degreasing agent.

Federal authorities have since determined that TCE is carcinogenic. Authorities have said TCE in groundwater also creates the potential for indoor contamination.

Three people were arrested on separate charges, Saturday, in Creston. Authorities say 28-year old Christopher Keller, of Creston, was arrested Saturday afternoon at the Union County Law Enforcement Center (LEC), on the charges of Interference with Official Acts, Theft in the 4th Degree, and Driving While Barred. Keller was later released on $3,300 bond. 24-year old Shelby Fetters, of Altoona, was arrested at the Union County LEC Saturday afternoon, for Driving While Suspended and Theft in the 4th. She was later released on $1,300 bond.

And, late Saturday night, 43-year old Jeffery Johnson, of Creston, was arrested at the LEC for Criminal Mischief in the 5th Degree. He was later released on a $300 bond.

Two students with the CAM School District are the 2020 winners of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), American History Essay Contest. Sixth-grade student Collin Bower, and Seventh grader Sidney Amdor won for their essay “The Voyage of the Mayflower. Each student participant receives a certificate of participation from the chapter and the chapter winners receive bronze medals and certificates.

Sixth-grade student Collin Bower, and Seventh grader Sidney Amdor.

The DAR’s History Essay Contest was established to encourage young people to think creatively about our nation’s great history and learn about history in a new light. Essays are judged for historical accuracy, adherence to the topic, organization of materials, interest, originality, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and neatness.

2020 marks the 400th Anniversary of the voyage of the Mayflower and the founding of the Plymouth Colony. Imagine you are one of the passengers on the Mayflower. Knowing what materials were available in 1620, what would you have packed to prepare for the trip and starting a new life in the wilderness? After experiencing more than two months at sea then finally landing at Plymouth Colony on November 9, 1620, do you think you would have made different choices and why?