The use of food stamps in Cass County increased during the recession, assisting families in stretching their food dollars, contributing to local spending and helping spark a national debate about the future of the federal nutrition program. The nonprofit, nonpartisan Center for Rural Strategies, says according to the U-S Dept. of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services, the proportion of Cass County residents receiving food stamps hit 14.2 percent in 2011. That’s an increase of 5.5 percentage points since 2007, the year the recession started.

Across Iowa, 13.1 percent of residents in 2011 received support from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as the food stamp program is officially known. Nationally, 14.8 percent of the population receives SNAP benefits. Places like Cass County, which are located outside metropolitan areas, tend to have a higher percentage of the population receiving SNAP benefits. That’s because incomes are generally lower in nonmetropolitan counties.

The inflation-adjusted median household income in Cass County in 2011 was $42,805, compared to the Iowa median of $51,314 and the national median of $52,306 (in 2013 dollars). Food stamps may play a larger role in the local economy in rural areas and small towns, according to federal data. In Cass County SNAP benefits are one-tenth (.1) percent of personal income. Nationally, the figure is 0.6 percent. In 2011, residents of Cass County received a combined $2,551,998 in SNAP benefits. The USDA reports that each $5 in SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in spending.

Authorities in Montgomery County report two people were arrested early this (Friday) morning. Deputies acting along with officers from the Red Oak Police Department, arrested 31-year old George Allen Westbrook, of Red Oak, shortly after midnight in Red Oak. Westbrook was wanted on a Pottawattamie County warrant charging him with Violating the terms of his probation.

During the arrest, 34-year-old Peggy Gurney of Red Oak was also taken into custody, for interference with official acts. The pair were transported to the Montgomery County jail, where Westbrook was being held on a $10,000 cash bond, and Gurney was being held on a $300 cash bond.

The future of the Principal at the Red Oak High School is unclear, at least for now. The Daily NonPareil reports the Red Oak School Board on Monday, voted to approve a Motion to Consider, the termination of Principal Jedd Sherman. While Board may want him out, about 130 students who attended the Board meeting said they want him to stay.  Sherman has been Principal at Red Oak, for six-years.

The executors of a Shelby County man’s estate have followed through on his wish to bequeath a total of more than $9.3-million to 13 southwest Iowa churches. Bud Skalla left 98 percent of his estate to Catholic parishes scattered across the area. The Daily NonPareil reports on Thursday, his executors passed on the money.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he has decided to present the Iowa Award to Kenneth Quinn, the president of the World Food Prize Foundation. The Iowa Award is the state’s highest citizen honor. Quinn, a former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia took the job heading the World Food Prize Foundation in 2000. Branstad will present the award to Quinn on May 30th at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — Two school districts in northern Iowa are one step closer to uniting under one district. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports a plan to merge Ventura Community Schools and Garner-Hayfield Community School District won unanimous support Wednesday from a board of directors for the Iowa Area Education Agencies. The issue is now eligible for a public vote in September.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Davenport-based Lee Enterprises, publisher of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Rapid City Journal and 44 other newspapers, says it posted a $1.5 million profit in its fiscal second-quarter, reversing a loss in the same period a year ago. The Iowa-based publisher’s profit for the quarter ending March 30th was 3 cents per share and compares with a loss of $6 million a year ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man has been accused of driving a lawn mower in the middle of a Des Moines street while intoxicated. Police tell the Des Moines Register 46-year-old Billy Eugene Williams was spotted driving a Cub Cadet lawn mower Wednesday afternoon.