Emergency Management officials in Shelby County said Tuesday that Hazel Road is currently closed to replace a bridge with a pipe. The bridge is located on a stretch of Level B road over an unnamed tributary of Moser Creek south of 2246 Hazel Road between Union Townships 16 and 17.The road will be closed for approximately four to six weeks. Residents and emergency responders should plan to take alternate routes.

Authorities in Montgomery County are asking for your help in solving a break-in and theft. Officials say sometime between April 18th and 28th, someone broke into a trailer located at 1755 223rd Street, south of Red Oak. The victim reported the loss of seven Franklin Mint statues, four of which were part of a National Maritime Historical Society series. The pieces include a Sundial, Spyglass, Barometer, Lantern, Telephone, Meteorological clock and Chronometer. All were gold plated and valued at about $200 each.

The were also about $500 damage done to the trailer. Anyone with information about the crime should call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-432-1001.

Clarinda Police are asking for the public’s help in solving a spree of residential burglaries that occurred in the east part of Clarinda during the early morning hours of April 27th. Police Chief Keith Brothers says on Sunday, April 27th, Merlin “Hap” Murphy of 917 E. Lincoln reported that intruders had entered his home, by forcing their way through a window, and stealing some personal items and causing some property damage.

That same morning, Jeremy Morrison, of 323 N. 8th Street reported that his home had also been burglarized and some personal items stolen. Also, Rene “Andy” Kuonen of 623 N. 10th St. reported that someone had unlawfully entered into his home and destroyed some personal property.

The incidents remain under investigation. Anyone with information concerning the identity of the individual(s) who committed one or all of the criminal acts should contact the Clarinda Police Department. Information that leads to an arrest is eligible for a cash reward through the Page County Crime stoppers program.

Awards totaling $23.8 million were announced today (Tuesday), for 70 communities across the state. The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) awarded the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support 72 community investment projects. The federally funded grants were awarded for community facilities, infrastructure improvements, downtown revitalization and single family owner-occupied housing rehabilitation.

Among the grant recipients in the KJAN listening area, was:

• The City of Anita – $300,000 for construction improvements to the City’s water system.
• The City of Breda (Carroll County) – $300,000 for the replacement of a water tower.
• The City of Corning – $500,000 for construction improvements to the City’s water system.
• The City of Creston – $250,000 for improvements to the sanitary sewer system to reduce infiltration and inflow.
• The City of Earlham – $191,000 for improvements to the existing water distribution system.
• The City of Hancock – $196,000 for improvements to the City’s water system.
• The City of Henderson – $185,000 for a Life Station & Force Main replacement.
• The City of Macedonia – $246,000 for improvements to the water system.
• The City of Schleswig – $300,000 for CDBG Administration.
• The City of Thurman – $229,000 for improvements to the City’s water system.
• The City of Winterset – $584,000 for sanitary sewer system improvements.
• The City of Greenfield – $205,500 for the Southern Iowa Council Of Governments (COG).
• The City of Panora – $395,000 for the Region 12 Council of Governments (COG).

The funds enable communities to make needed improvements to water and sewer systems, improve housing conditions for low-income homeowners, provide facilities for disabled and at-risk individuals, and make transformative improvements to their downtowns.

IEDA received 136 applications for these funds, totaling $44.9 million in funding requests. The grants are awarded based on benefit to low- and moderate-income persons, slum and blight elimination, financial need, project impact and readiness, and commitment of local resources to the project.

The Community Development Block Grant program is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). IEDA is responsible for administering the CDBG funds in the non-metropolitan areas of the state. Applications are solicited annually, usually during the fall.