Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad has issued a proclamation of disaster emergency and activated an assistance program for four Iowa counties affected by recent severe weather. Branstad said in a news release Friday that the Iowa Individual Assistance Program has been activated for Cass, Harrison, Montgomery, and Ringgold counties. Pottawattamie County was declared under a disaster emergency on Tuesday and is open to the assistance program.

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man who served in Afghanistan appears in a new documentary featuring his unit. Nathan Allen, of Atlantic, appears in the film, “The Hornet’s Nest.” The movie features Allen’s unit, the 101st Airborne Division. reports the movie shows the unit as it experiences hostile fire in Afghanistan in 2011. Allen is wounded trying to help another soldier in his platoon reach safety. Allen received a Purple Heart for his service, and retired as a sergeant last year. He says the movie helps him remember the incident, and helps others understand what the soldiers experienced. The movie is playing in Atlantic from June 12th through 19th.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Bridge engineers in Nebraska and Iowa says the safety problems seen in Delaware with an interstate bridge are not likely to happen here. Scott Neubauer, Iowa’s bridge maintenance and inspection engineer, says Iowa doesn’t plan inspections like Delaware is requiring.

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — A 30-year-old Clinton man has been accused of setting a fire that his mother put out in their apartment. The Clinton Herald says Rex Brandt is charged with felony arson. Clinton County Jail records said Brandt remained in custody on Friday. His attorney declined to comment.

Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Friday, issued a proclamation of disaster emergency and activated the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Cass, Harrison, Montgomery, and Ringgold counties in response to recent storms. Additionally, Pottawattamie County, which was already declared to be under a disaster emergency on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, will be opened to individual assistance.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual
expenses related to storm recovery.

The grant application and instructions are available at the “Disaster Assistance” link on the Iowa Department of Human Services website: www.dhs.iowa.gov.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A task force has voted to discontinue the current setup of an annual celebration at Iowa State University, though no decision was made on specific changes. Members of the group voted unanimously Thursday to discontinue Veishea in its current form. The Des Moines Register reports they discussed eliminating the celebration’s well-known name and spreading events throughout the year instead of a multi-day event in the spring.

The group formed shortly after a late-night crowd disturbance in early April. People are accused of overturning cars and toppling light poles. One student was injured. The task force will make recommendations about Veishea to University President Steven Leath, who will make the final decision on its future.