Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, approved bids for the replacement of a bridge, along with Stock Pipe and Project Pipe. Cass County Engineer Charles Marker said the paperwork is completed with Murphy Heavy Contracting Corporation, of Anita, and the bond established for, a bridge replacement project. The bridge (#345) is located over the Nishnabotna River on Lansing Road.  Marker said with that, they are finally in a position to completely accept the contract bid.

The bid which was approved by the Supervisors was in the amount of $963,826. Work on the bridge will begin sometime after a pre-construction conference is held on February 26^th.  Marker said bids were also received last week for their maintenance and stock pipe.

Midwestern Culvert, in Ankeny, was the lowest of four bids for the supply of stock pipe, at $51,244.  And, a low bid of $58,800 for project pipe – that which is used for 23 specific projects planned for this year — was received from Metal Culverts out of Maryville, MO.  The Supervisors approved both bids.

Gasoline prices have taken another big leap in Iowa, rising a dime a gallon in the past week and 50 cents a gallon in the past month. Pam Moen, at Triple-A, says a jump in crude oil prices and production problems are largely to blame. Moen says, “We have a number of refineries, 10 or 12 of them across the country, that are having production outages and are tightening supplies and helping to drive prices up.” Pump prices are unlikely to head back down any time soon, she says, with many refineries getting ready to start producing summer-blends of fuels.

“Typically, during that process, our supplies are tighter than they would be otherwise and that tends to put upward pressure on prices,” Moen says. The statewide average for a gallon of gas is three-58. That’s up ten-cents a gallon in the past week and it’s up 50-cents a gallon in the past month. Iowa’s current average gas price is three-cents below the national average.

(Radio Iowa)

A Massena man’s plans for an indoor shooting range along with a gun sales and service shop near Massena, have cleared another hurdle. The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved the first of two readings of an amended County Zoning Ordinance that would allow such a business to exist anywhere in the County. Prior to the Supervisor’s unanimous vote to approve the amendment, Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen updated the Board on the matter during a public hearing. Hansen says Kevin McCunn, of Massena, approached the County Planning and Zoning Commission about plans to open an indoor shooting range and gun sales/repair business.

The Zoning Board held a hearing on Jan. 24^th during which McCunn explained the EPA has guidelines concerning the levels of lead in the building, and OSHA guidelines pertaining to safety. The Commission therefore believed no additional guidelines were needed to establish that type of facility. McCunn says the range would feature six indoor shooting alleys with mechanical target setting and retrieval.

The next step was to determine whether the business should fall under the classification of Business or Light Industrial District. They came to the conclusion it should be included in a business district. Also, under Business, the Commission determined the indoor shooting facility could be included under a section entitled “Recreational/Amusement activities,” such as bowling alleys, miniature golf courses, driving range, skating rinks and dance halls. He says the gun sales and repair part of the business would be included under a separate section of the amended ordinance.

The change means business owners can locate a separate open shooting range and/or a gun sales and repair shop in a rural area of the County as long as the land is zoned Business or Light Industrial. Hansen says business uses can be included in Light Industrial Districts. Prior to the Board’s vote, they heard comments from the public, all of whom were in favor of the amendment and indoor shooting range. Among those who spoke was Cass County Veteran’s Affairs Director Mitch Holmes, and Atlantic City Councilman Steve Livengood, both of whom said gun enthusiasts in the area really have no where close to practice shooting. They said the closing last year of an outdoor shooting area north of Griswold known as “Iranistan,” leaves no place for public shooting, other than in Omaha or Des Moines.

The next public hearing and vote on the amended ordinance takes place during the Supervisor’s meeting on Feb. 20^th

Officials with ISU Extension in Shelby County report registrations are currently being accepted for the Shelby County Leadership 2013 program, which is designed to maximize the strengths and skills of current and future community leaders. The program entails two partial-day sessions that focus on topics such as understanding ourselves and others, dealing with conflict, understanding change, and leading effective meetings.

The sessions will be presented on two Wednesdays in March – March 13 and March 20 — from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The location for the first session is at the C.G. Therkildsen Activity Center, Harlan and the second class will be held at Iowa Western’s Harlan Center. A mid-day meal will be served for each session.

The program is being sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Shelby County and SCOPE (Shelby Co. Opportunity, Promotion and Enterprise committee). As the result of a local grant, the registration fee for Shelby County Leadership 2013 will be only $50 per person if registered by March 1; or $75 if registered after March 1.  The registration fee will be refunded to participants who complete both sessions of the program in their entirety.

Training sessions will be taught by ISU Extension and Outreach community and economic development program specialists. Newly-elected and appointed officials are encouraged to register for the program, as well as long-time leaders interested in polishing their skills, and individuals interested in getting more involved in their community.

Registration forms may be picked up and returned to the Shelby County Extension and Outreach office, the Shelby County DevelopSource office or from planning committee members.  For more information about the program, contact Jane Nolan Goeken, Community Development Specialist, ISU Extension and Outreach at 712/240-2504 (or, jngoeken@iastate.edu)