The Iowa Transportation Commission approved the annual update to its five-year transportation improvement plan during its meeting today (Tuesday). John Ranney is the director of the D-O-T’s office of program management. Ranney says “A major component of the program is the highway section, which includes investments to the primary highway system. And for the next five years, it is forecast that two-point-six-BILLION dollars will be available for highway right-of-way and construction activities.”

The highway portion includes construction on the interstate highways in the Quad Cities on the eastern side of the state, and Sioux City and Council Bluffs on the western side of the state. Dozens of other projects are set across the state as Ranney says the goal is to modernize the primary highway system. He explained  “As projects get completed, other projects are started. And another program objective that the commission does have is to add capacity and system enhancement projects.”  He says there were 10 projects added to this program covering 2013 to 2017, and there were four projects that were advanced in the program. The five-year plan also includes money for airports, rail crossings, trails and other transportation issues.

See the complete five-year plan at: http://www.iowadot.gov/program_management/five_year.html

(Radio Iowa)

The Southwest Iowa Association of Realtors says over the last year, home sales have increased eight percent in Southwest Iowa, and to continue reaching that goal, the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and the Iowa Association of Realtors (IAR), have partnered with the Southwest Iowa lenders and Realtors to promote The Meaning of Homeownership Contest. The effort among lenders and Realtors is to show Iowans their support for homeownership and the importance of keeping homeownership on the rise.

The social media contest consists of Iowa mortgage lenders and Realtors® asking their clients what homeownership truly means to them. Participants will redefine homeownership by writing a short phrase or word on a memo board and snapping a photo for entry. The contestant with the most votes in the Facebook contest will win a $1,500 gift card. Council Bluffs area residents are encouraged to visit a participating contest location for their chance to win. A full list of current contest locations is available at Foursquare.com/IowaFinance http://www.foursquare.com/iowafinance.

Contest entries will be voted on by the public July 2-15 at Facebook.com/IowaFinance<http://www.facebook.com/iowafinance>. The entry with the most votes will receive a $1,500 gift card and the lender and Realtors or real estate agent with the most combined votes will each receive a $2,500 community betterment grant. More information about the contest is located at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/Contest<http://www.iowafinanceauthority.gov/Contest>.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Department is asking for your help in locating a man suspected of robbing a bank Monday morning, in Hamburg. At around 9:25-a.m., an approximately 30-year old black male entered the Great Western Bank in Hamburg, approached the teller, and demanded a plastic bag be filled with money. No weapon was displayed during the incident.

The suspect, who was described as being anywhere from 5-feet 6-inches to five-feet 8-inches tall, had a dark complexion, and was wearing: a white visor, aviator-style sunglasses…a white t-shirt…blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. He is believed to have left the scene with an undetermined amount of cash.

It’s thought he may have gotten away in a dark green, mid-90’s model 4-door Cadillac, with a tan vinyl top. The vehicle was last seen turning south on Interstate 29 at the Hamburg exit, shortly after the incident took place. Anyone with information about the incident, is asked to call the Fremont County Crimestoppers hotline, at 1-800-432-9240. You can remain anonymous, and still be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

(12:40-p.m. News)

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education is scheduled to meet Wednesday evening at the High School. During their 7:30-p.m. session, the Board will hear special presentations from Kipp Harris, with Brocker, Karns & Karns Insurance, with regard to Workman’s Comp Insurance, and, Jerry Purdy, with Design Alliance, who will provide an update on the Atlantic Middle School Project.

The Board will also act on approving General- and Special-Education Contracts, additional contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, Volunteer coaching positions, and resignations. In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving: Registration fees for 2012-2013; Approval of fuel bids; Administrators’/Supervisor/Central Office Staff contracts for 2012-2013; A resolution for banking services and other matters.

The Board will discuss during their meeting, the 2012-2013 Technology spending plan, and review the District’s Insurance coverage. The meeting takes place in the Atlantic High School Media Center.