A bridge on Interstate 80 in Adair County sustained extensive damage early this (Monday) morning, when it was hit by the box section of a dump truck.

Photo Courtesy Bob Younie, State Maintenance Engineer (Iowa Dept. of Transportation)

I-80 westbound bridge underpass from Antique Country Drive (Exit 83/Adair County Road N-77) Ric Hanson photo.

I-80 westbound bridge underpass from Antique Country Drive (Exit 83/Adair County Road N-77) Ric Hanson photo.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, 62-year old Duane Nelson, of Casey, forgot to lower the box on a 1991 Mack dump truck registered to Schildberg Construction, in Greenfield. As the vehicle was traveling southbound on Antique Country Drive, south of Casey, the truck box hit the westbound I-80 bridge support beam. The impact tore the box section off of the truck, but it became wedged against the support beam at the point of impact.

The accident happened at around 5:40-a.m. The Patrol cited Nelson for driving a vehicle with excessive height. No injuries were reported. A DOT crewman on the scene told KJAN News traffic was rerouted off of I-80 westbound for about two-hours until the bridge could be inspected. Crews have put a protective “bib” or tarp in-place to prevent debris from falling on motorists traveling beneath the bridge until the beam can be repaired or replaced.

Sheriff’s officials in Shelby County report two people were arrested on drug charges following separate investigations. The latest arrest took place on Sunday, March 3rd. Authorities say 22-year old Michael Stein, of Harlan, was arrested following the search of a residence at 908 Spring Street, where several items, including a substance believed to be marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, were seized. Stein faces felony charges of Delivery of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, and Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp. Stein also faces Misdemeanor charges of Prohibited acts, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Shelby County Jail on $20,000 bond.

The other arrest took place February 24th, after a deputy purchased a controlled substance believed to be methamphetamine, from 29-year old Sean Gifford, of Avoca. Gifford was arrested during a traffic stop in Harlan. He faces felony charges on two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Gifford was being held in the Shelby County Jail on $50,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says his health care proposal for some low-income Iowans will not provide the same benefits as an expanded Medicaid, but called his approach more fiscally responsible.  Branstad on Monday unveiled Healthy Iowa, a revamped version of IowaCare, a state and federally funded program which provides limited benefits to about 70,000 low-income adults. The new plan would adjust eligibility rules and offer some additional coverage, including service in more locations.

Branstad wants to get federal approval to set up Healthy Iowa instead of pursing a Medicaid expansion permitted under President Obama’s health care overhaul. He says his approach will better shield Iowa from federal fiscal changes. Democrats in the state Senate say the plan would provide people with fewer benefits at a higher cost to the state.

A Page County man was arrested Friday night on an assault charge, following an investigation into a domestic disturbance in Coin. Officials say 47-year old Carl Allen Race, of Coin, was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, for allegedly assaulting his wife at Race’ residence in Coin. Race was brought to the Page County Jail, appeared before a magistrate and was being held on an undisclosed bond in the jail.

The Page County Sheriff’s Department reports a Shenandoah woman was cited following a single-vehicle accident over the weekend. 35-year old Shannon Buick was cited for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to maintain control, following an investigation into a crash that happened at around 2:50-a.m., Saturday.Officials say a 1996 Oldsmobile Aurora was found abandoned and on its side in the ditch off of Highway 48, south of Essex. The vehicle sustained $2,500 damage.

Note: The City Council meeting will be held at the Senior Citizen’s Center, NOT City Hall**

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, will receive information from Fire Chief Mark McNees, with regard to the adding of an “E-Notify” text message notification service for emergency responders, to the Cass County Communications Center. Cass County 911 Coordinator Rob Koppert has indicated that if the local fire departments want to add cell phone text notifications of emergency calls, that decision would have to be made by each City Council in the County.

City Administrator Doug Harris says there are some questions as to the relative effectiveness of the procedure, and cost. Harris says while the volunteer firefighters would like to be able to get emergency text messages on their cell phones, it may take as long as 10-minutes for them to receive it. In addition, Atlantic Police Chief Steve Green has indicated it would place an extra work load on dispatchers, and likely require more personnel at the Comm. Center. Harris is expected to recommend the Council refer the matter to the Community Protection Committee for review and recommendation.

In other business, the Council will receive an application request from local developer Don Sonntag, for a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) grant, in the amount of $250,000. The funds would be used to help him construct a 10 duplex condominium housing development known as Southern Height II. The 20 units would be available for sale or rent.

If the Council approves the TIF application, it would be the first under the City’s new policy governing both commercial/industrial and residential developments. Harris is expected to ask the Council to refer the application to the Community Development Committee for its review and recommendation, since the TIF Policy indicates the use of TIF incentives is a discretionary program, and not an entitlement.

There are still many steps the Council must take before any development takes place in the subdivision even if it approves the TIF application, including a public hearing on the City’s Southeast Urban Renewal Plan, discussions with the Atlantic Community School District and County, and other such procedures.

The Atlantic City Council meeting begins 5:30-p.m., Wednesday, at the Senior Citizen’s Center, next door to the Atlantic City Hall.

Authorities in Harlan say two people were injured following an accident on Sunday evening. The Harlan PD says 81-year old Dorothy Holloway, of Harlan, was traveling eastbound on Lincoln Avenue and failed to stop at the junction with 19th Street. Holloway’s 2010 Chevy pickup went through the intersection and hit a 2006 Dodge pickup driven by 81-year old Bernard Leinen, of Harlan, on the right side. The accident happened at around 5:10-p.m.

After the impact, Holloway’s pickup rolled over on its side and came to rest back on its wheels on the north east corner of the four way intersection. Leinen’s truck also came to rest in the northeast corner of the intersection. Both drivers were transported by private vehicle to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. An update on their condition is not available.

Damage from the crash amounted to $22,00 altogether.  Officials say Holloway was cited for failure to obey a stop sign.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)