Two people in an ambulance suffered possible/unknown injuries after the vehicle struck a deer Tuesday evening, in Page County. Sheriff’s Officials said Wednesday, that the 2011 Ford F-450 Life-Line Ambulance driven by 53-year old Rodney Riley, of Essex, was traveling north on Highway 71 at around 5:35-p.m., when a deer ran from the east ditch and onto the road, as the ambulance was crossing a bridge. The vehicle struck the animal head-on, causing $15,000 damage. Riley and his front seat passenger, 47-year old Calvin Kinney, of Essex, were transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Regional Health Center to be checked for possible injuries. Both men were wearing their seat belts.

The Iowa Transportation Commission, Tuesday, approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2013-2017 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program that will advance the bid letting of some highway projects into FY 2013 and add new projects to the program. The amendment advanced three interstate stewardship projects to FY 2013. In addition, nine new projects involving investments in non-interstate pavement modernization and safety were added to the program in FY 2013, with construction expected to begin in 2013.

In Mills County a slightly more than $8-million Interstate Stewardship pavement rehabilitation project covers I-29 southbound, from the Mills County line to Highway 92. And, in Page County, a $5-million pavement rehab and widening project will occur next year from Highway 2, from the Middle Tarkio River, to Clarinda.

The projects were chosen because they can be developed and let for construction yet this fiscal year. The program amendment was made possible because additional funding was made available after the program was approved in June. Those funds are the result of favorable construction project lettings, Iowa Department of Transportation budget savings and receipt of federal funding in excess of forecasted amounts.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs Construction office reports work to replace a dynamic message sign will require restricting lanes on eastbound Interstate 80 at the Missouri River bridge (milepost 0.0) near Council Bluffs to one lane at 9- p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15th, until 3-a.m. Friday, Nov. 16th, weather permitting.  Officials say there will be a complete closure of eastbound I-80 for 20 minutes between 12:30- and 1:30-a.m. The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen today (Wednesday) announced a series of community conversations featuring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and economic development that will take place across the state in November and December. This series of community conversations is the second installment. The pair held 14 town hall meetings in September and October seeking feedback on the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council priorities as the STEM initiative continues to build across Iowa.

Locally, a Cass County Community Conversation on STEM will be held in Atlantic Tue., Dec. 11th, beginning at 11-a.m., at the Rock Island Depot at 102 Chestnut Street, and, later that afternoon at 2:30, in Council Bluffs, in the auditorium of Looft Hall at Iowa Western Community College.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a Cumberland man was arrested last week on an assault charge. Officials said Wednesday, 53-year old Jerry Lee Edwards was taken into custody November 8th on a charge of Assault Causing Bodily Injury. Edwards was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on $5000 bond. That same day, 54-year old Timothy Dayle Meyer,  of Cumberland, was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication. Meyer was released the following day on $300 bond.

This past Tuesday (November 13th), deputies in Cass County arrested 23-year old Andrew Gaston Nickum, of Atlantic, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Nickum pled guilty to the charge the following day. On Wednesday (Nov. 14th), 52-year old Mark David Carroll, of Griswold, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. Carroll was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $1000 bond.