Gomers

BAD CHOICE:

An Iowa woman well known for military advocacy has said in documents released as part of a state audit report that she embezzled more than $275,000 in taxpayer funds. Jessica Strasser, wife to Guardsman Matt, worked for the Iowa Department of Agriculture, where she provided assistance to the Mahaska County Soil and Water Conservation District. She was suspended in early August and resigned the next day.

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OH, DEER:

Roughly 80 percent of a large captive deer herd in Cerro Gordo County tested positive for a highly contagious neurological ailment known as chronic wasting disease (CWD). The deer had been under quarantine since 2012. An 8-foot perimeter fence must be maintained for five years after the depopulation of the herd.

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INCREASED POVERTY:

More Iowans earn less and live in poverty than at the start of the recession in 2007. Six years ago, an estimated 11 percent of residents were at or below the poverty level, according the U.S. Census Bureau. Statistics out last week show 12.7 percent of Iowans were at that level in 2013. For individuals, this means an annual income of $12,000 or less.