DES MOINES – The Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors recently awarded a total of more than $13.2 million in federal housing tax credits to support the construction of 699 rental homes for Iowans. The eighteen rental housing projects are located in Boone, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Council Bluffs, DeWitt, Grinnell, Johnston, Marion, Marshalltown, Shenandoah and West Des Moines.

“Housing is a leading driver of upward economic mobility for families and economic growth for our communities,” said Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “The tax credit awards announced today will provide hundreds of Iowa families and seniors with homes in which they can thrive.”

“Today’s announcement will bring two new housing projects and nearly 90 affordable rental homes to our community,” said Grinnell Mayor Dan Agnew. “Like many communities, Grinnell faces a housing shortage for our workforce and this investment means that dozens of families will now be able to access new housing options right here within our community.”

The Internal Revenue Service makes an annual per capita allocation of federal tax credits to each state for the Federal Housing Tax Credit program. The Iowa Finance Authority is charged with allocating those credits to affordable housing developers. The developers who receive tax credits sell them to investors to generate equity for the housing developments.

The Iowa Finance Authority received 34 applications requesting nearly $25 million in housing tax credits in the 2021 tax credit round. IFA had a total of approximately $13.25 million available to allocate, including an allocation of more than $4 million targeted to the 12 counties impacted by the August 2020 derecho, made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

The actual awards exceed $132 million because the credits are committed annually for a 10-year period.

Locally the project in Council Bluffs is for 58 new construction affordable units for Seniors 55+ at Graceview Courtyard Phase II on College Road. The credit for that project is $840,000. In Shenandoah the project is Shenandoah Senior Villas for 38 new construction affordable units for Seniors 55+ at 1401 W. Sheridan Avenue. The tax credit for that project is $747,768.

Two disoriented people floating on the East Nishnabotna River had to be assisted by Montgomery County first responders on Tuesday night.

A 9-1-1 call came in around 8:20 p.m. from two individuals that were not from the area and disoriented with their location. Emergency services located the two people along the river near 137th Street. They were guided to safety and no injuries were involved.

The Red Oak Fire Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and Montgomery County Emergency Management assisted at the scene. The Midwest Regional Dive Team also responded to the incident along with some private citizens with air boats helping in the search.

The Audubon County Roads Department says Lark Avenue between 140th and 150th Street will be closed to thru traffic starting at approximately 1:00 p.m. Wednesday for a crane crossing the roadway. The delay will take around 3 to 4 hours and the contractor will have traffic control and flaggers working during the crossing.

The Creston Police Department reports three arrests on Tuesday, September 28th.

At 5:30 p.m. Officers arrested 42-year-old Sheri Jo Watters of Creston at 300 E Montgomery Street for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Disorderly Conduct. Watters was booked into the Adams County Jail.

At 8:03 p.m. Creston Police arrested 41-year-old Bart Douglas Dunkerson of Creston on a Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief 5th Degree, Interference with Official Acts, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Marijuana 1st Offense. Dunkerson was held in the Union County Jail on no bond until seen by a Magistrate.

At 10:09 p.m. Officers arrested 28-year-old Brandon Scott Lawrence of Creston at 600 Sheldon Street on a charge of 5th Degree Theft. He was cited and released on scene on a promise to appear.

DES MOINES — Tuesday Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the appointment of Kraig Paulsen, currently director of the Iowa Department of Revenue, to serve as interim director of the Department of Management. Paulsen replaces Joel Anderson who was serving as interim director after Michael Bousselot resigned last month to run for and successfully attain a seat in Iowa House District 37. Paulsen’s appointment is effective October 1, 2021.  

“Kraig has been a valued and trusted member of my cabinet serving as the Director of the Department of Revenue,” said Gov. Reynolds. “With Kraig’s wealth of knowledge and expertise in the financial sector, he will provide great leadership and sound fiscal management over the state’s budget and ensure our state continues to prosper and move forward.”

“I’m honored that Governor Reynolds entrusts me to provide Iowa taxpayers with excellence and accountability with the state’s finances,” said Kraig Paulsen. “Fiscal responsibility is key to a healthy and balanced budget and I will ensure transparency through the process while making decisions that are in the best interest of Iowans.” 

Paulsen was appointed to serve as director of the Iowa Department of Revenue in February of 2019, a role he will continue. He has previously served as director of both the Supply Chain Initiatives and Business Analytics Initiatives at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business, commissioner at the Iowa Department of Transportation, and in the Iowa legislature as Speaker of the House.

The Harlan Police Department reports three separate arrests in the past couple of weeks.

On September 15th Officers arrested 33-year-old Jeremy Steven Mannion of Logan for Driving While Suspended and No Proof of Insurance following a traffic stop.

On September 22nd Harlan Police arrested 24-year-old Victor Alejandro Quezada Hernandez of Denison following a traffic stop. He was charge with Driving While Suspended, Improper Use of Registration, and No Proof of Insurance. He was booked into the Shelby County Jail.

On September 28th Harlan Police arrested 21-year-old Blaine Michael Barber of Harlan for Public Intoxication. He was booked into the Shelby County Jail.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 33-year-old Lucas James Bogart of Red Oak at 7:28 p.m. on Tuesday during a traffic stop in the 100 block of E Walnut Street in Red Oak. Bogart was charged with Driving While Revoked, a serious misdemeanor. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $1,000 bond.

The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office released details on an accident that occurred on Wednesday, September 22nd at 11:40 a.m. The single vehicle accident took place on Soldier Trail as a 2012 Ford Edge driven by 15-year-old Allie Lou Olesen of Bagley was traveling westbound. Olesen was traveling too fast on the gravel road and lost control on a curve, entered the westbound ditch and struck a utility pole.

The vehicle came to rest after hitting the pole. A passenger in the vehicle 15-year-old Taylor Lynn Kunze of Panora complained of pain and possible injury.

The utility pole owned by Guthrie County REC and wiring on the pole sustained a total of $2,400 damage.

One driver suffered possible injuries during a two-vehicle accident on Monday morning in Guthrie County. Guthrie County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the accident at Wood Road and Highway 141 at 7:45 a.m.

After investigation it was determined a 2013 Ford Escape driven by 65-year-old Kimberly Ann Smith of Jamaica, IA was stopped at the stop sign on Wood Road with Highway 141. Smith failed to yield to a 2008 Peterbilt Semi driven by 39-year-old Brandon Ryan Hingeley of Scranton and was struck in the front quarter of the vehicle. Both vehicles came to rest on Highway 141. Smith complained of pain and possible injury and was taken to the Guthrie County Hospital to be checked out.

The Escape was towed from the scene and the Semi was able to drive away.

CRESTON, Iowa – Sept. 28, 2021 – A pavement patching project on Iowa 25 between U.S. 34 and Union County Road H-24 near Creston will require intermittent lane closures in both directions beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 28 until Thursday, Oct. 14, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

A pilot car and flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone while work is taking place.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

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