The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is announcing that it plans to reopen Interstate 29 from milepost 55 in Council Bluffs to milepost 71 near Loveland (I-680 interchange) at 7 p.m. today (Friday). The 16-mile stretch of interstate has been closed since June 9 due to the Missouri River flooding.

The DOT says significant work has been accomplished over the last few weeks to quickly reopen the road, including removal of tons of debris and hazardous materials, scraping the sludge from the roadway surface and hauling it away, power washing the pavement, testing the subsoil for stability, checking for voids under the pavement, and making repairs.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man wanted as a fugitive from justice in Oklahoma was arrested Thursday in Glenwood. 26-year old Terry Wayne Goodpaster, of Greenville, Oklahoma was taken into custody at around 5-p.m. and booked into the Mills County Jail, where he was being held on nearly $24,000 bond. Goodpaster faces multiple charges, including: Eluding, Carrying a Weapon, Possession of Ammunition by a Felon, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Speeding, failure to hold a Valid Driver’s License, Reckless Driving, Possession of Stolen Property, and for being Fugitive from Justice.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division have issued an alert about a man who sold vehicles with their odometers allegedly rolled-back.  On Wednesday September 21st, investigators with the DOT arrested 49-year old Gerald Magee in Des Moines, on a warrant for eight counts of fraudulent practice in the second degree, a Class D Felony.  A Class D Felony is punishable by up to five years in prison and up to $7,500 in fines.
Magee is accused of tampering with and reducing the mileage on the odometers of eight motor vehicles that were sold to unsuspecting buyers. Anyone who purchased a vehicle from Magee and suspects the mileage of the vehicle may have been altered, please contact the Iowa DOT’s Office of Motor Vehicle Enforcement at 866-908-4636 or at invmve@dot.iowa.gov.

The investigation into Magee’s alleged activities was conducted with the assistance of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Consumer Protection Division.

The deadline to file nomination papers for City government positions in Atlantic has passed, and two City Councilpersons will not be running for re-election on November 8th. According to City Clerk Deb Wheatley Field, four-term Councilperson Pat Simmons has decided not to seek re-election to her 3rd Ward Seat.  Ashley Hayes faces no challengers for the seat being vacated by Simmons, who has served a total of 16-years on the City Council. And, Councilman Kern Miller has decided not to seek re-election in the 1st Ward. Miller served three consecutive terms on the council. Running unopposed for Miller’s seat, is Chris Jimmerson.
Atlantic 4th Ward Councilperson Linda Hartkopf and At Large Councilman Dana Halder, are both running for re-election in November, and are unopposed for their seats. Two women are running for seats on the City’s Parks and Recreation Board. Incumbent Mary Strong seeks re-election, while Jolene Smith looks to fill a seat being vacated by Board Chair Nancy Frederickson, who will not be running for re-election.

AMES, Iowa – Sept. 23, 2011 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that the TrapBag removal project along Interstate 29 in Harrison County, just north of Missouri Valley (milepost 77.8 to 78.25), will begin Monday, Sept. 26th. The work is scheduled to be completed Oct. 11th. The TrapBags formed a protective barrier wall from potential flooding from the Missouri River. During the removal process, one lane of both north- and southbound I-29, between exit 75 (U.S. 30) and exit 82 (Harrison County Road F-50 near Missouri Valley), will be closed.

The Police Chief in Clarinda says charges are pending against the driver of a car which collided with a school bus this (Friday) morning. Chief Keith Brothers says no serious injuries were reported after a car driven by 18-year old Taylor Dukes, of Clarinda, broadsided a Clarinda School District bus at the intersection of 22^nd and State Streets, in Clarinda. The accident happened at around 7:50-a.m.    According to Brothers, a bus driven by 50-year-old Serle Kirshner, of Clarinda, was traveling east on State Street and was entering the intersection, when it was hit by Dukes’ car, as it was pulling away from a stop sign at the intersection. Kirshner was not injured, but Dukes was transported by ambulance after complaining of unknown, possible injuries. None of the students on-board the bus were injured, but the were taken to the hospital to be checked out as a precaution.  An investigation into the accident was on-going, with charges pending completion of the investigation.

Police in Atlantic report a local man was arrested Thursday. 21-year old Kevin Engles, of Atlantic, was arrested on charges of Criminal Trespassing and Public Intoxication. Engles was brought to the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Council Bluffs Construction Office said today (Friday), the entrance ramp from Iowa 192 to westbound Interstate 80/29 will be closed for construction work overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, September 27th and 28th, weather permitting.  The closure is expected to be in place from 10 p.m. Tuesday through 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit 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.