DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A new report says the number of doctors practicing in Iowa has risen again.
The Iowa Board of Medicine report says more than 6,800 physicians worked in the state last year. That’s up 2 percent from 2012 and 12 percent from 2006.

The Des Moines Register reports that despite the increase, the state still has fewer doctors per capita than the U.S. average and faces a marked shortage in some medical specialties and rural regions. But the number of doctors has risen much faster than the state’s population over the past three decades.

The state and federal governments have programs that encourage doctors to move to rural Iowa. Rewards include assistance in repaying student loans, and, for foreign doctors, visas they can use to stay in the United States.

Here’s a reminder that you can help send-off area veterans as they prepare to depart for their Honor Flight to Washington, D-C this (Monday) evening. Event Coordinator Steve Livengood says residents of Atlantic and anyone else who wants to receive and wave an 8×10-inch American flag while the veterans’ motorcade passes, can gather at any one of numerous locations along the route.

The buses and their motorcycle escort will leave the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic at approximately 7:30-p.m. and turn left (west) onto 10th Street. The motorcade will then turn east onto 7th Street and travel through Atlantic before continuing east on Highway 6 through Wiota and Anita on the way to the exit near Adair.

You may wave your own flag, or receive one of about 2,000 complimentary flags that will be available at the following distribution points:

10th street and Highway 6; Lindeman Tractor/skating rink; The Atlantic City Park; Iowa Western Community College; Ann Wickman Child Care Center; 7th and Gade Insurance; the former Custom Auto Body & Sound building on 7th Street; Orscheln Farm & Home; the Hy-Vee Food Store; Wal-Mart Supercenter; Nishna Valley Cycle and Outfitters Plus…all in Atlantic.

In Wiota, at the Post Office and Wiota Methodist Church. In Anita, at the Anita Public Library/City Ark, and at the Jesse James Monument off Highway 6 near Interstate 80. Plan to arrive about 6:30 PM to find your place along the route.

The 150 veterans on the Honor Flight are from all branches of the military. 84 are from Atlantic, 120 are from Cass County, including Atlantic. The oldest is 93, the youngest is 31. There are four women and 146 men who will be making the trip. The veterans will spend the night in Des Moines before departing at Sunrise Tuesday their flight to D. C.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – A fire forced closure of a dining center on the west side of the Iowa State University campus in Ames. The fire at the Union Drive Marketplace dining room was reported early Sunday morning. The Des Moines Register reports that flames were isolated to the grill area. An automated fire suppression system helped put out the blaze.

No injuries have been reported. University spokeswoman Annette Hacker says the damage doesn’t seem severe. The fire cause is being investigated.