The Iowa Department of Transportation proposes to replace the bridge on Iowa 141 over the Middle Raccoon River, 0.4 mile east of the Carroll County line, near the south corporate limits of Coon Rapids. This project will require the acquisition of right of way from Sculpture Park, a city-owned park adjacent to the proposed project. Sculpture Park has been determined to be a Section 4(f) resource and the acquisition of right of way is expected to have “de minimis” impact on the park.

Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, was enacted as a means of protecting publicly owned parks, recreation areas and wildlife/waterfowl refuges, as well as historic sites of local, state or national significance, from conversion to transportation uses. De minimis impacts are defined as those that, after consideration of any measure(s) to minimize harm (such as avoidance, minimization, mitigation or enhancement measures), do not adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the Section 4(f) resource.

The public is invited to review the proposed impacts of the bridge replacement project on the protected activities, features and attributes of the park by visiting www.iowadot.gov/ole/otherprojectinfo.html, or by calling 515-239-1251 to request information. You can also send an email request for information to jorge.zamora@dot.iowa.gov.

The public comment period ends Nov. 15, 2012. Comments may be submitted through the online comment form at the above website, via email to jorge.zamora@dot.iowa.gov.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the DOT’s proposal to construct several projects as part of the Council Bluffs Interstate System (CBIS) improvements in Pottawattamie County. These projects will affect the Indian Creek and Lake Manawa trails; portions of which are proposed to be reconstructed or relocated and could be closed at certain times during construction. The Indian Creek and Lake Manawa trails have been determined to be Section 4(f) resources and the proposed reconstruction or relocation of these trails is expected to have “de minimis” impacts on them.

Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966, was enacted as a means of protecting publicly owned parks, recreation areas and wildlife/waterfowl refuges, as well as historic sites of local, state or national significance, from conversion to transportation uses. De minimis impacts are defined as those that, after consideration of any measure(s) to minimize harm (such as avoidance, minimization, mitigation or enhancement measures), do not adversely affect the activities, features and attributes of the Section 4(f) resource.

The public is invited to review the proposed impacts of the CBIS project on the Indian Creek and Lake Manawa trails by visiting http://www.iowadot.gov/ole/otherprojectinfo.html. You can also call 515-239-1467 to request information. Persons interested in commenting on the proposed impacts by the Nov. 15, 2012, deadline may do so through the online comment form, via email to janet.vine@dot.iowa.gov.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A state panel has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the estate of a 26-year-old man who died following a seizure and lax medical care at a home for disabled Iowans.  Records released in response to an Associated Press request show the State Appeals Board approved the settlement with the estate of Timothy N. Alexander last week. The lawsuit claimed that poor supervision at the Glenwood Resource Center in southwest Iowa contributed to his 2008 death.  The state-run home has already been fined $11,500 for errors related to its care for Alexander.

A spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office says Alexander’s estate is expected to sign the agreement Thursday, although that step is considered a formality because a judge has already approved the settlement.

Sheriff’s Officials in Montgomery County say a Red Oak man faces a Felony charge of Criminal Mischief in the 2nd degree, in connection with an October 1st incident in the Montgomery County Jail. 32-year old Michael Parsley allegedly damaged a sprinkler system in the jail. The damage was in excess of $1,000. Parsley continues to be held in the jail, on $5,000 cash bond. He was sentenced to 30-days in jail on October 1st, after being found guilty of a Serious Misdemeanor charge of Theft in the 5th degree. His arraignment on the Criminal Mischief charge will take place October 29th.

Steve Pelzer, superintendent of the CAM Community School District, was a nominee for the 2012-13 Iowa Superintendent of the Year award sponsored by the School Administrators of Iowa. Dan Smith, the association’s executive director, said “SAI is pleased to recognize leaders who are dedicated to advancing student achievement by providing students a quality education.”   Nominated for the award by his peers, Pelzer will be recognized at SAI’s awards banquet August 6, 2013, along with Carlisle Superintendent Tom Lane who was recently selected as the recipient.

Superintendent Pelzer said it is an honor to be recognized by your peers for such a prestigious award. Pelzer said also, that he’s “Always believed that it takes a great team to provide a solid education in today’s ever-changing society. We are blessed with a great educational staff and support personnel here at CAM. As a district, CAM continues to be proactive in providing our staff and students with the tools needed to maximize and expand our educational programs.”

Pelzer has been superintendent for the CAM District since 2011. Prior to becoming the superintendent at CAM, he served as superintendent at the former Anita Community School and superintendent and principal at the former C & M Community School District. SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 2000 Iowa educational administrators. The mission of the organization, is to support, encourage and develop Iowa’s educational leaders and learners.

Crime victims who want to know when a registered sex offender moves locations, or anyone who wants information on sex offenders moving into our out of designated areas, can now register for real-time notifications through a new addition to the state’s sex offender registry website.

Sample text message from “Offender Watch” (DPS provided image)

The new option, called “Offender Watch,” enables crime victims and others to receive a confidential automatic notification via phone or text message of a registered sex offender’s change in residence when the offender notifies the state of the change.

An email notification system has been available for several years. The addition of the mobile notifications gives users the ability to stay with information as they move. Offender Watch also notifies users when a convicted sex offender moves in or out of an area defined by the user.  Registered users can set up a “watch” using an address and a specified distance around that address.  Users will receive text, voice, or email notices each time a registered sex offender moves into or out of that area, or moves to a new location within that area.  Users may also create watches based on a city, county, zip code, or a specific registrant or group of registrants.

The Iowa Sex Offender Registry was established by law in 1995. Currently, more than 5,700 convicted sex offenders are registered on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry.  In fiscal year 2012, offenders registered more than 3,400 address changes. To sign up for Offender Watch or learn more about the Iowa Sex Offender registry go to www.IowaSexOffender.com.