MIDDLE AMANA, Iowa (AP) –  A private utility providing water to 850 customers in east-central Iowa’s Amana Colonies has stopped using three wells because tests show a nitrate level above federal safety standards. The Amana Society Service Co. instead is using water from three other wells that have tested as safe. The Gazette reports that the company has warned customers to avoid giving tap water to infants or nursing mothers. Nitrate in drinking water has been linked to blue-baby syndrome. Officials don’t know why the nitrate levels rose in late fall. Spring usually is the season for elevated nitrate as melting snow washes fertilizer off farm fields.

Lt. Mike Connolly, (retired) New York Fire Department (NYFD) firefighter and first responder on September 11, 2001, will take part in what’s being called a “Candid conversation about 9/11” in Red Oak, 3-p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26th. His appearance is sponsored by the Montgomery County First Responders, with a reception hosted by the Red Oak Rotary Club, to follow. The event takes place at the Wilson Performing Arts Center (300 Commerce Drive) in Red Oak. There is no fee to attend, but you’re asked to bring a non-perishable item for donation to the local food pantry.

Connolly was born and raised in New York City and spent 19 years with the fire department, before he moved to Red Oak with his wife Robin. He spoke Sept. 11, 2019, with students at the Red Oak Junior-Senior High School about the event that changed America.

Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act marked its 11th year in 2019. Since the law was enacted in 2008, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received 6,400 complaints about smoking in prohibited places. Since 2008, the top five categories of violation complaints are:

• Bars (1670)
• Restaurants (1370)
• Retail store/service (1102)
• Government (441)
• Educational facility (242)

Any Iowan may report a violation of the Smokefree Air Act easily and anonymously by calling 888-944-2247 or online at http://smokefreeair.iowa.gov. Business owners may also visit this website to find free resources, such as signage. Businesses may need new signage that features the updated web address, smokefreeair.iowa.gov. The old web address, Iowasmokefreeair.gov, is being retired.

Iowans seeking smoke-free rental properties may visit http://smokefreehomes.iowa.gov, where more than 18,000 smoke-free rental units are listed. According to the most recent Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, smoking has declined among Iowa adults from 23.2% in 2000 to 17.1% in 2017; however, an estimated 400,000 Iowans still smoke cigarettes. Free, convenient, safe and secure help to quit tobacco use is available at https://quitlineiowa.org or by calling 800-QUIT-NOW.

Free tax preparation services will be available in Shelby County for low and moderate income taxpayers as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. For more information or to make an appointment call on or after January 13th to 712-755-3104. Call between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. After an appointment is scheduled the taxpayer will receive a confirmation letter explaining what to bring to the appointment.

The VITA program is open to Iowa residents with adjusted gross income below $57,000. Tax preparation services will be provided by IRS trained and certified local volunteers who utilize the Tax Slayer software to complete returns. Most returns will be electronically filed and to speed up the refund process participants are encouraged to have a savings or bank account, although it is not required. Taxpayers can have refunds deposited into more than one account and also purchase Series I US Savings Bonds.

Only Basic Federal, Iowa and nearby state returns will be processed. The program does not prepare Schedules or Forms related to Business profit/loss (except Schedule C-EZ or C with business expenses under $10,000), Capital gains/losses, Farm or rental income, Employee business expenses, or Moving expenses. A professional tax preparer should be consulted for these services.

In Shelby County the VITA program is a joint effort of Shelby County Extension and Outreach and The Iowa Center for Economic Success. The program is financially supported by the Internal Revenue Service and the Iowa Department of Human Services. For more information about the program contact the Shelby County Extension Office at 712-755-3104.