It was cold Friday morning. Very cold. At 8:00 a.m. it was a whopping 4° with a wind chill of -4°. Except at the Warren and Kathy Dirksen farm just east of Danbury. Around 8:00 a fire was seen coming from the machine shed, and Danbury Fire and Danbury Ambulance were alerted. Not too long after the call came in, white smoke could be seen looming in the sky while downtown. Minutes later the smoke was as black as the tires of the machinery in the shed. The fire raged, and Danbury Fire called for mutual aid. Before the blaze was calmed, firemen from Danbury, Mapleton, and Battle Creek's departments along with Woodbury County Emergency Services were fighting side by side to keep the fire from spreading to other buildings including the Dirksen's home which was under construction but nearly ready for the family of 6 to move into. The machine shed and the contents were a total loss, but the family feels blessed anyway.
    "We were thankful that no person was injured in the fire, although we understand that there may be a firefighter who was receiving prayers on the prayer tree," commented Matt. "The equipment can be replaced and so that really isn't important."
    "This was a good reminder how so many people volunteer and drop everything that they are doing to help others when called," added Matt. "It was evident the amount of time these firefighters put in throughout the year with the speed and ability of their response."
    Once the fire subsided and the fire departments had gone home, the Dirksens were left with a smoking pile of ruins. They weren't at all alone, though. Neighbors and friends stopped by and asked if they needed anything and even offered their equipment to help them out. The offers of help have continued in the days since the fire.
    "Many others have reached out just to check in on us. We are so blessed to live in this small community that we do," said Matt. "We would just like everyone to know how thankful and grateful we are for all of them."
    Photos by Matt Dirksen. Thanks, Matt!

    DES MOINES, Iowa – State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is excited to start the year by sharing several new updates to IAble, Iowa's Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan. "One major update is the annual contribution limit has been raised," announced Fitzgerald. "Now, account owners and their families can contribute up to $16,000 a year in their IAble account. That's an additional $1,000!"*
    IAble, a program administered by Fitzgerald, provides individuals with disabilities and their support systems a way to save for disability-related expenses while still maintaining their eligibility for federal means-tested programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Prior to ABLE plans, resource limits were capped at $2,000 if persons with disabilities wanted to qualify for monthly benefits. Money contributed to an IAble account can be used to pay for assistive technology, support services, basic living expenses, medical bills and more.**
    In addition to the increase for the annual contribution limit, there was also an increase to the state tax deduction. Iowa taxpayers who contribute to an IAble account – not just the account owner – can deduct up to $3,522 from their state income taxes," said Fitzgerald. "When you help someone with a disability save for their version of a better life experience, you also get an added bonus of saving on taxes."
    Since its launch, the plan has accumulated 1,430 accounts totaling over $12.8 million in assets.
    "I am proud to administer a plan that helps persons with disabilities and their families save for necessary expenses that help to improve quality of life, health and independence," added Fitzgerald. "Providing them with tax advantages is just another added perk of IAble."
    Visit IAble.gov for more information on the plan. Follow the Treasurer on Twitter and Facebook for updates and facts about IAble.

    The Monona County Cattlemen's Association will hold their annual meeting and banquet this Saturday, January 15th at Ute Town & Country. Social hour begins at 5:30 pm with a steak dinner, catered by Staley's at 6:30 pm. The trophy auction will be held with entertainment and door prizes following. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance from one of the directors.

    Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an extension to the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain. The proclamation continues through January 29th.
    The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage and stover to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit. This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways excluding the interstate system and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table by more than 12.5%, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.