(DES MOINES)- Gov. Branstad today (Tuesday) released a statement praising the United States Postal Service for heeding his advice and delaying the closure of Iowa post offices. “I am pleased to learn that the United States Postal Service has reconsidered their consolidation and closures of Iowa post offices,” said Branstad. “I would like to thank Postmaster General Donahoe for his attention and thought. I look forward to continuing our discussion and coming up with a solution that will reduce the Postal Service’s costs while continuing to serve Iowans.”

Gov. Branstad had been an early opponent to the post office closures because they were disproportionate and put too much of the burden on rural Iowans. In September, Gov. Branstad co-authored a letter with Lohrville Mayor Donny Hobbs and a letter with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn calling for the Postal Services’ reconsideration. Branstad continued, “This is about the economic vitality of rural Iowa, and I am glad the United States Postal Service has moved forward with this decision.”

The Postal Service announced that the closures and consolidations would be delayed until May 15, 2012. Under the Postal Service’s previous plan, Iowa would have seen 17.9 percent of the state’s post offices closed, compared to 11 percent nationally.

The Iowa Transportation Commission today (Tuesday) approved an amendment to the 2012-2016 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program (Program) that will advance the letting of some highway projects into fiscal year (FY) 2012 and add others to the Program. One of the projects being added is in Cass County, another is in Adair County, while four others are in Pottawattamie County.

In Cass County, in addition to a project already in the works for Highway 148 from Highway 92 to Anita, the DOT plans to rehabilitate and widen Highway 83, from Wiota to Highway 148 in Anita. The project will cost about $2.1-million. In Adair County, a new project involves the rehabilitating of pavement on Interstate 80 eastbound, from the Cass County line to just west of Highway 25, at a cost of $500,000. And, in Pottawattamie County, in addition to an already planned for project to rehabilitate and widen Highway 59 from Highway Six to County Road G-30, there are three pavement rehab- and one guardrail- projects, in the works for Interstate 29 in 2012. The latest projects come with a pricetag of more than $5.4 million.

The DOT says the program amendment was possible because of additional funding becoming available after the Program was approved in June. The additional funding is the result of favorable construction project lettings (bid prices were lower than programmed amounts for some projects), Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) budget savings and receipt of federal funding that exceeded forecast amounts. It is projected that the amendment will result in FY 2012 being the largest program year in the Iowa DOT’s history.

Due to the timing of the additional funding, projects were selected that can be developed and scheduled for bidding this fiscal year, and begin construction in 2012. The DOT cautions that, while the amendment provides much needed funding to improve the state roadway system, there remains significant uncertainty in future funding. In particular, federal funding could be significantly reduced in federal FY 2013 because federal revenue flowing into the Highway Trust Fund is not sufficient to sustain existing funding levels.

The Iowa Transportation Commission continues to closely monitor funding and will make any necessary changes during the development of the 2013-2017 Iowa Transportation Improvement Program next spring.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department says a Hamlin woman was arrested Monday night. 32-year old Brooke Marie Hines was charged with Domestic Abuse/Assault, following an investigation into an incident which allegedly occured at her home. Hines was brought to the Audubon County Jail and released after appearing before the magistrate.

The seven-member Cass County Compensation Board is set to gather Thursday evening in the basement meeting room at the Cass County Courthouse. After electing their officers, the Board will discuss and act on Fiscal Year 2013 compensation recommendations for the ten, elected County officials. The Board’s meeting begins at 7-p.m.

Last year, the Cass County Compensation Board approved a 2-percent in increase for the Auditor, Treasurer, Attorney, Sheriff, Recorder, and the County Supervisor’s.

Two people were injured during a single-vehicle accident Saturday night, in Wiota. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to the scene at Main and East Streets in Wiota, at around 10:45-p.m.  Officials say a 1997 Chevy Cavalier owned and driven by 18-year old Bradley William Herring, of Atlantic, was southbound on East Street when Herring lost control of the car, which ramped the railroad tracks and came to rest in the west ditch. 

Herring complained of head, chest and hand pain, and was transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic. A 17-year-old female passenger was transported to CCMH via Anita Rescue. A second passenger in the car, 18-year-old Anthony Jessen, was not injured. Damage to the vehicle was estimated to be $3500.00. Following an investigation, Brad Herring was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. 

A second accident occurred last Saturday, in Griswold. The Sheriff’s Department says an investigation into a minor collision in the 800 block of Whitney Street resulted in the arrest of 56-year old Boyd Eugene Lewis, of Griswold. Lewis faces a charge of OWI/2nd Offense. He was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released Sunday, on his own recognizance.

Authorities in Cass County are asking for your help in identifying the person or persons responsible for dispersing nails on a county road. The Sheriff’s Department says numerous one-inch roofing nails were thrown on Galveston Road west of Atlantic, some time after October 27^th.  The nails appeared on the road for a two-mile stretch, west of Highland Road/County Road G-30. The result was dozens of tires were rendered flat or ruined.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about the crime to call Cass County Crime Stoppers at 800-233-3336 or the Sheriff’s Office at 712-243-2204 with the information. Callers can remain anonymous. A $1000 reward is being offered to anyone that provides a tip leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors Wednesday, are expected to act on a handful of matters to come before them. One is approval of a flow-through application for a Multi-Family New Construction Project in Woodbine, whereby Cass County is the Local Government Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Recipient.

Other action items include approval of an office equipment item for the County Recorder’s Office, and revisions to the County’s burial and cell phone policies. During their meeting last week, the Board opted to take under consideration, proposals for changing the County’s Indigent Burial Policy. The proposals included: adding a cremation alternative with a maximum contribution by the County of $1,500; Changing the maximum payable amount for a burial to $2,000; and, setting the maximum costs for a grave opening, at $550.

The Supervisor’s meeting begins at 9-a.m., in their board room at the Cass County Courthouse in Atlantic.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are expected to set the date for a public hearing on a Fiscal Year 2012 Budget amendment during their meeting Wednesday morning, in Greenfield. Other business during the session, which begins at 9-a.m., includes: discussion with regard to the County’s roads and jail/public safety center; appointments to the County’s Veteran’s Affairs Commission; the 2011 Annual Weed Report; and, talks with Auditor Mindy Schaefer, with regard to a 12-month wage increase, and HAVA Election Equipment Annual Certification.

The meeting takes place in the Adair County Board Room, at the courthouse in Greenfield.