DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State officials say 16 Iowa towns that received loans for water quality projects will end up saving money because of interest rate cuts. The Iowa Finance Authority and the Department of Natural Resources says those towns will see a combined savings of $1.5 million over the life of their loans. They have been paying 3 percent interest on the loans, but rates are being lowered 1.75 percent.

The State Revolving Fund is one of main sources for projects to improve Iowa’s drinking water, and to enhance wastewater and pollution control. The towns that will see savings include:  Ainsworth, Alleman, Audubon, Bancroft, Carroll, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Grandview, Kalona, Lisbon, Lovilia, Neola, Pocahontas, Rockwell City, Sioux City and Tiffin.

A leg spasm is said to have been the blame for a two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, vehicles driven by 46-year old Jeffrey Hawkins, of Independence, MO., and 40-year old Sarah Anderson, of Hastings, collided at the intersection of Highway 48 and Broadway Street at around 12:20-p.m.

The accident happened as both vehicles were heading south on North Broadway, and were stopped at the traffic light. Officials say Anderson told officers she had a leg spasm, causing her to step on the gas. Her 2000 Ford F-250 pickup hit the rear of Hawkins’ 2008 Chevy pickup, causing $8,500 damage altogether. Anderson hit her lip on the steering wheel of her truck, but refused medical treatment.

Authorities cited Anderson for Unsafe starting of a stopped vehicle.

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) — A judge has declared an Iowa teen competent to stand trial for the murder of his 5-year-old foster brother. District Court Judge Judge Kathleen Kilnoski said Monday, an evaluation of 18-year-old Cody Metzker-Madsen showed that he understands the charges against him and can actively participate in his defense.

The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports that Metzker-Madsen is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Dominic Elkins, of Atlantic. Authorities say Dominic was killed while the boys were playing outdoors on Aug. 31 at their home near Logan, in western Iowa. Dominic died as a result of blunt-force head injuries and drowning.  Metzker-Madsen has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Psychology experts who examined the teen say he has developmental problems. Metzker-Madsen’s mother used methamphetamine during her pregnancy with him.

This could be the final week of the legislative session and one thing that’s still not decided is if there will be an agreement to end greyhound racing. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission oversees the operation of the tracks, but commission chair, Jeff Lamberti, says their only role is to carry out whatever plan is passed. “We’ll do whatever the legislature tells us to — in terms of if they reach an agreement and it’s given to us to decide how to disperse the funds — we’ll do the best job that we can,” Lamberti says. “We have provided some input that we would hope that the legislature would give us a little guidance.”

A committee in the Iowa House passed a bill that would allow for a payout to end greyhound racing. Representatives of the tracks in Council Bluffs and Dubuque have been working the casinos to try and come to an agreement to close the tracks. Lamberti says the commission will only get involved once the issue is decided. “We really don’t take a position on whether dog racing should continue, shouldn’t continue, we’ll just follow what the law is. And if they give us responsibility because they do reach an agreement, then we’ll administer that to the best our ability” Lamberti says.

Those pushing to close the dog tracks say nobody goes to the races anymore and the casinos are subsidizing their operation to the tune of 13 million dollars each year. Legislators say a deal to end racing would likely have the two casinos pay a “cessation fee” to end racing and also pay into a multi-million dollar “retirement fund” for greyhound owners and breeders in Iowa.

(Radio Iowa)