DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has signed legislation that expands low-income health care in Iowa. Branstad signed the bill today (Thursday), in Mason City. The location was selected to acknowledge two lawmakers from the region – Republican House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer and Democratic Sen. Amanda Ragan – who helped broker the final deal.  Branstad says the deal will “increase access to high quality modern health care.”
 
Under the plan, Iowa will accept federal dollars offered to states that expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. The state will use the funding to create a new health plan for some poor residents and will pay the premiums for other low-income Iowans to get insurance on the new health care exchanges.  Branstad says he’s optimistic the plan will get federal approval.

Officials with SWIPCO (The Southwest Iowa Planning Council, Region 13), are issuing a call to local community leaders to apply for 2014 calendar year Community Development Block Grants (CDBG’s). Authorized under the Housing and Community Development Act, the main goal of the CDBG program is to “develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate incomes.”

In Iowa, grants ranging from $200,000 to $600,000 are available, based on population. Regardless of the amount, a local match is required, and typically comes in the form of local bonding, a USDA grant/loan package, or a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan. The CDBG program can be used in Iowa, to fund eligible activities, including public facilities and community buildings, housing rehabilitation, and economic development as well as job training.

Cities in the SWIPCO service area (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties), are encouraged to contact Courtney Harter or Jeremy Middents, at 712-243-4196 for more information.

In addition, SWIPCO has funds available in its Business Revolving Loan Program available for new or current businesses. Loans are available from $2,000 to $125,000, with interest rates starting at 4-percent. For more information, call Barb Barrick at 712-243-4196.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A judge is declining a new trial for a New Jersey man who was found guilty of running a nationwide prostitution ring.  U.S. District Judge James Gritzner ruled Wednesday that the evidence supported Johnelle Bell’s conviction on 12 counts of sex trafficking and interstate prostitution, and testimony from a witness who didn’t appear at trial likely wouldn’t have changed the outcome. 

Prosecutors say Bell was a pimp who ran an Arkansas-based traveling prostitution venture. He lured troubled young women to join under false promises of long-lasting relationships and coerced them through physical abuse and threats.

Prosecutors uncovered the ring after an FBI agent posed as a customer in response to prostitution ads on Backpage.com in Omaha. The federal trial took place in Iowa because the venture traveled to Des Moines.

The Atlantic Police Department reports today (Thursday), the arrest of 26-year old Jacky Ray Walters, of Atlantic. Walters was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. He was transported to Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending a court appearance.