Iowa Transportation Commission has approved more than $5.5-million in funding for 12 propjects included in the State Recreational Trails Program. The Commission today (Tuesday) approved $224,437 for the Coon Rapids Connector Trail Underpass (near Coon Rapids), and $700,000 for the Pottawattamie County Trail-Phase I Project (proposed by the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board and Pottawattamie County Trail Board).

The State Recreational Trails program was created in 1988 with the purpose of developing and maintaining recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized trail users. This funding is available to cities, counties, state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations through an annual application-based program.

The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday of 33-year old Rosie Marie Peterson, of Afton. Peterson was taken into custody at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a Union County warrant for theft in the third degree. She was later released on $1000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and Democratic challenger Jack Hatch will face off in their final debate in the race for Iowa governor. Branstad and Hatch will appear in Sioux City on Tuesday night at the Orpheum Theatre. This is last of three debates in the race.

Polls have shown Branstad, who is running for a sixth non-consecutive term, with a sizable lead in the race. He has touted his recent achievements, including a commercial property tax cut and new education spending, as reasons for re-election.

Hatch has argued that he would do more for middle-class families, pledging to raise the minimum wage and create jobs.

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• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 4 1/2 teaspoons evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped unpeeled apple
• sugar and cinnamon (optional)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan.

2.  Combine sugar, eggs, milk and oil; beat until well combined.  Add flour, soda and salt; mix well.  Stir in chopped apple.  Pour into prepared pan.  Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top, if desired.  Bake for about one hour.

Serves 12.

(Suzanne Beane, Waterville, Maine)

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups seasoned stuffing mix
• 1/3 cup margarine, melted

Arrange chicken in 9″ x 9″ pan.  Top each with a cheese slice.  Mix soup and water; spoon over chicken.  Sprinkle stuffing over chicken.  Drizzle with margarine.  Bake uncovered for one hour at 350 degrees.

(Mary Lu Meyer)

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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A man from Central Iowa was arrested Monday afternoon, at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. According to Creston Police, 31-year old Steven Michael Scott Beck, of Boone, was arrested on a Union County warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Beck was being held in the jail on $300 bond.

No injuries were reported following a collision between two vehicles in Red Oak Monday, but the accident remains under investigation. Authorities say a 2014 Buick Encore driven by 51-year old Christina Vestal, of Emerson, was stopped at the intersection of North 3rd and East Washington Streets at around 5-p.m. Monday, and when it pulled away from the intersection, was struck by an eastbound 2005 Chevy pickup driven by 58-year old William Ehlers, of Red Oak.

Vestal told police she didn’t see Ehlers’ pickup approaching because of an obstruction created by motor vehicles parked along the north side of east Washington Street, and the position of a power pole. Damage from the crash amounted to $5,600.

No citations were issued, pending completion of the accident investigation.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An attempted murder charge against an Iowa man has been dropped after witnesses could not identify a shooter. The Daily Nonpareil reports the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office dismissed the attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon charges against 21-year-old Vaughn White. He is still charged with a felony count of escaping custody.

He was arrested in July in connection to a June shooting of a 16-year-old girl. Police say White briefly escaped from officers while handcuffed during his arrest. The county attorney’s office says neither the girl nor a witness could identify a suspect during a deposition.

White is being held at the Pottawattamie County Jail on $5,000 bond.