A volunteer firefighter in southeast Iowa is accused of arson. According to the Poweshiek County Sheriff’s Office, 20-year-old Chance Beres was arrested in connection with a structure fire in a rural part of the county Sunday night. The structure was destroyed and investigators say Beres is also a suspect in connection with a number of fires that have occurred in the county over the last five months.

He’s currently charged with second-degree arson. The Des Moines Register reports that Beres is an EMT with Midwest Ambulance in Grinnell and was also a probationary member with the Montezuma Volunteer Fire Department and EMS since April 18.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A lawsuit alleges Iowa’s new voter identification law violates the state constitution. Priorities USA Foundation says the lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Polk County District Court in Des Moines. The national group, which is covering legal costs, provided a copy of the lawsuit. It’s the first legal challenge against the new ID requirement and its provisions. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is named as a defendant in the suit.

INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (AP) — Officials in the northeastern Iowa city of Independence have changed their mind on plans to stop flying a giant American flag, following a public outcry. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the Independence City Council voted Tuesday to reverse its April 30 unanimous decision that would have permanently removed a flag and pole in Triangle Park that can be seen by drivers on U.S. Highway 20. The vote also restored funding for the flag.

The council had said last month that high winds that frequently damage the flag, lighting problems and a broken electronic sign were costing the city too much.

The Harlan Police Department says an unusual accident happened Monday. Officials say a 2000 Cadillac Eldorado driven by Cheryl Petsche, of Harlan, was traveling north in the 1100 block of 4th Street, when the vehicle drove over a temporary man hole cover. The cover popped-off and became wedged between the vehicle and the road. The man hole cover came through the backseat driver’s side floor board, causing damage to the vehicle. A dollar amount of the damage was not listed. No injuries were reported.

The Harlan Police Department reports five arrests took place over the past week. On May 23rd, 54-year old Patrick Martin Duncan, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 59. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated, failure to maintain control, and failure to display license plate. On May 24th, 26-year old Kolten Kenneth Kobold, of Harlan, was arrested on an outstanding Shelby County warrant. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

On May 25th, 61-year old Kathleen Ash, of Harlan, was arrested for driving while suspended following a traffic stop in the 800 block of Industrial Avenue. On Monday, 31-year old Bradley Allen Hess, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop at the corner of 9th and Chatburn. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated and speed. And, 35-year old Brent Michael Swisher, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for a disturbance in the 1000 block of Hill St. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with criminal mischief 3rd degree.

May 30, 2018 (Red Oak, Iowa) – U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst along with other state and local officials announced today (Wednesday), that Montgomery County has received the designation as the 81st Home Base Iowa (HBI) Community. Local community leaders, businesses and veterans attended the event at Red Oak’s Historic Downtown Fountain Square Park, near the Veteran Monuments to celebrate. Home Base Iowa is a one-of-a-kind program to connect veterans and transitioning service members with almost 2,000 businesses statewide who have pledged to hire over 10,000 veterans. In addition to the 81 communities statewide, the program also has 24 college and university partners.

The program connects businesses and communities with veteran job seekers using the “Find a Veteran” feature on the Home Base Iowa website. Find a Veteran allows Home Base Iowa businesses and communities access to all active veteran job seekers who have submitted their resume through the website. The program has had over 250 veteran resumes submitted in 2018. Businesses and communities are also alerted by email when a veteran resume is published with matching location and industry criteria. These features allow program partners to directly connect and market to veterans by providing businesses with a user-friendly platform to find veterans with the skills they need. Find a Veteran also helps communities market their opportunities and quality of life in order to attract veterans and their families.

Iowa offers many incentives to veterans and transitioning service members including no state taxes on military pension and veteran hiring preference, which allows veteran preferential treatment in hiring decisions for both public and private organizations. Additionally, the state of Iowa provides up to $7,500 for the down payment or closing costs of a home through the Iowa Finance Authority Military Homeownership Assistance Program. The state also provides in-state tuition rates for qualifying veterans, their spouses and their dependents.

Home Base Iowa designates qualified communities as centers of opportunity for military veterans based on four standards:

Within a designated community, at least 10 percent of eligible, hiring businesses must become HBI businesses and pledged to hire veterans,
Community develops its own incentive package for veterans,
Community prominently displays HBI Community designation, and
Community must obtain a resolution of support from the appropriate local governing body
Montgomery County has met or exceeded these requirements. For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.gov.