Travel during the upcoming July 4 holiday may be slowed by road construction, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Officials say several projects on Iowa’s interstate and state roadways may warrant advance planning on the part of drivers. Among them….

In Northwest and western Iowa:

• Iowa Highway 3 is closed for widening and resurfacing from U.S. 75 to Iowa 404 west of Le Mars. Traffic is detoured.
• Pavement reconstruction of southbound I-29 from I-129 to Sergeant Bluff has traffic placed in a two-lane, two-way pattern in the northbound lanes between mileposts 141 and 144.
• Pavement reconstruction of I-29 in Sioux City near the Iowa 12 (Riverside Boulevard) interchange has restricted traffic to two lanes in each direction for the 2 miles adjacent to the South Dakota border.
• Bridge reconstruction on U.S. 77 in Sioux City has restricted traffic to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the northbound lanes of U.S. 77 over I-29.
• Bridge reconstruction on U.S. 59 south of Denison in Crawford County has restricted the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.

In Southwest Iowa:

• A bridge deck overlay on U.S. 30 west of Missouri Valley in Harrison County has reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals. The open lane has an 11-foot width restriction.
• Staged bridge construction on U.S. 30 northeast of Woodbine in Harrison County has reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.
• Bridge construction on I-80 over the West Nishnabotna River near Avoca in Pottawattamie County has closed the westbound lanes between mileposts 34 and 40. Traffic has been shifted to a two-lane, two-way pattern in the eastbound lanes.
• Bridge construction has closed northbound I-29 in Fremont County between mileposts 21 and 25. Traffic has been shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the southbound lanes.
• Asphalt resurfacing in the northbound lanes of I-29 in Fremont County between mileposts 10 and 17 has traffic shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the southbound lanes. Bridge deck overlays at two locations on U.S. 71 south of Atlantic in Cass County have reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.
• A new bridge deck is being placed on the eastbound I-80 Wiota interchange bridge at milepost 64; and a new bridge over Crooked Creek is being built at milepost 69 in Cass County. Traffic is shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the westbound lanes between mileposts 60 and 70. The eastbound ramps at Wiota are closed and a detour is in place for Cass County Road N-28.
• Iowa 148 between Massena and Anita in Cass County is closed for highway repair work. Traffic should follow the marked detour.

Some tips for driving safely in work zones:

Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road. Slow down and do not tailgate. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and road workers and their equipment. Pay attention to the signs. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that reads “End Road Work.” Obey flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions. Stay alert and minimize distractions. Keep up with the traffic flow. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to merge. Be patient and stay calm.Watch for persons wearing high visibility (HiViz) apparel. All persons are required by federal law to wear HiViz apparel when in highway work zones.

Expect delays and leave early so you can reach your destination on time. Be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. Buckle up. Iowa law requires all persons to be buckled up in the front seat and all persons under age 18 to be buckled up, regardless of vehicle seating position.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Wednesday evening at the High School, for a Work Session. The meeting in the Media Center begins at 7:30-p.m.   During their session, the Board will act on approving the hire of a Vocal Music Teacher for the High School, and hold discussion with regard to Board’s 2012-2013 Goals, and Development Activity.

A nonprofit group is honoring a number of individuals, schools, businesses and towns today (Tuesday) with the 2012 Iowa Character Awards. Among the recipients, is the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which won the “Partner of the Year Award.” Amy Smit is with the Des Moines based Character Counts in Iowa organization. She says the highest honor, the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award, is being presented to Drake University President David Maxwell. “President Maxwell has definitely been a huge advocate for us, both on campus and off campus,” Smit said. “I personally think he is just a great guy and he has really shown great character throughout his presidency.” Maxwell has been president at Drake since 1999.

The mission of Character Counts in Iowa, which is housed at Drake University, is to promote what the group identifies as the six “pillars” of character: caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. Smit said Fort Dodge is this year’s Community of Character recipient. “They have great community initiatives from having local events to (displaying) the six pillars on their police cars,” Smit said. “They’ve taken some great ownership of the six pillars and wanting to promote that throughout their community.”

The Iowa Character Awards will be presented at a dinner scheduled for August 3 in West Des Moines. Learn more online at www.charactercountsiniowa.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital, say CCMH Inpatient Services will move into the new addition this Friday, June 29th.  Inpatient Services include the medical/surgical, intensive care and obstetrics units.  The move will take place throughout the day, with patients being moved in shifts. Diann McLaren, IP Services Director, says they will begin the process of moving their patients after they have had their breakfast and morning medications. The patients will be moved in small groups, with the goal to provide the least inconvenience possible. 

Visitors coming to see patients in the new Inpatient Services addition, are encouraged to enter from the North or East entrances, and use the elevator at the end of the Atrium, next to the newly relocated CCMH Auxiliary Gift Shop.  Effective Friday, June 29^th, the North Entrance (in front of the large staircase) will be open from 6 am – 9 pm daily to accommodate visitors into the evening.  The West Entrance along 10^th Street, formerly used to visit inpatients, will be open from 6 am – 6 pm.  The East Entrance is also open 6 am – 6 pm, but there is an intercom to allow access 24 hours a day. 

With the completion of the hospital addition, work now begins on renovating the existing building to expand space and services for the Outpatient Clinics, Cardiac Rehab, Rehabilitation Services (physical, speech and occupational therapies), Respiratory Care, Diabetes Center, and Wound, Ostomy, Continence Care.