Hwy 6/Keg Creek Project conceptual image (IA-DOT)

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is replacing the U.S. 6 bridge over Keg Creek in Pottawattamie County using a unique accelerated bridge construction (ABC) design – a first for Iowa. Officials say you can watch it all happen live, via the project webcam. 

To accelerate construction, the bridge is being completely prefabricated off-site. Once the bridge sections are delivered to the site, only a two-week road closure will be required for installation. If traditional construction methods had been used for this project, the road would have been partially or completely closed for several months, resulting in substantial traffic disruption.

The Iowa DOT has launched a new website so the public has easy access to detailed information about the project, complete with an animated video depicting the construction process. The website also includes a live web camera to follow the construction process and a brief user satisfaction survey. Access the website at www.iowadot.gov/us6kegcreek.

An altercation at the Harlan High School Wednesday resulted in one student being sent to the hospital, and another charged with assault. According to the Harlan Police Department, 15-year old Aaron Mikels, of Harlan, was charged with assault causing injury, following an altercation between the teen and Justin Dickinson, who is also from Harlan. Dickinson was transported to Myrtue Medical Center following the incident, where he was treated for a possible head injury. Mikels was cited for the alleged offense, and released to the custody of his father. The case was referred to Juvenile Court.

On October 6^th, three teens from Harlan and a fourth from Elk Horn, were cited for offenses which included assault, disorderly conduct, and false reporting to police, following an altercation at the Harlan Skate Park. Authorities say 17-year old Hannah Shackelford, of Harlan, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Assault with Injury, and False Reporting to Police. Tabatha Wyatt, age 17, of Harlan, was charged with Criminal Mischief, Disorderly Conduct, and Assault with Injury. 16-year old Shantel Ayers, of Harlan, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, and, 17-year old Dylan Jager, of Elk Horn, was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Assault with injury, and False Reporting to Police. Each of the teens were cited and released to their parents or guardians. Their cases were referred to Juvenile Court.

In other news, Police in Harlan report a Harlan man was arrested October 5^th, after he allegedly struck an off-duty police officer in the chest. 21-year old Dane Dodge was charged with assault. Dodge posted a $300 cash bond on Tuesday. His trial was set for March 13^th, 2012 in Shelby County District Court. And, a Harlan teen was charged with assault on October 5^th, following an investigation into an incident which occurred September 24^th between 16-year old Haley Miller and another girl. The assault charge was filed by the alleged victim and her mother against Miller, who was cited for the alleged offense. Her case was referred to Juvenile Court.

The Sheriff of Guthrie County is warning parents and children in the area about a suspicious person who has contacted young people in an apparent attempt to solicit them for a movie role. Sheriff Marty Arganbright told KJAN News a man who claims to be from Los Angeles has been communicating with young people through Facebook, about making a movie early next year, in Guthrie Center. Arganbright says the man has made contact with at least a half-dozen people, who are in the eighth-grade to high school age group.

He says some of the young people responded to his inquiry, which Arganbright says sets the stage for their classmates and friends to be solicited as well. The Sheriff says he was alerted to the attempted contacts by school officials. He says students in Dallas, Polk and other nearby counties have also been contacted by the individual in question.

The man identifies himself as “Dan Worthington.” Arganbright said his office has been in contact with the FBI, which advised him he should continue to investigate the matter. He says there haven’t been any new reports of attempted contact with students in Guthrie County since last Monday or Tuesday, but if adults hear of any such attempts, they should contact law enforcement. Parents in the Panorama and Guthrie Center School Districts received notices about the dangers of having a “Public” profile on Facebook. He says “Worthington” contacted one student through a “Public” profile page, and from there attempted to contact that person’s friends.

Sheriff Arganbright says there are some rules Facebook users of any age, but especially young people, should follow. Don’t arrange to meet with someone, don’t put your picture on your page or any identifying information, such as name, home address and school.

Arganbright says Worthington isn’t being charged with anything, but his intentions are suspicious.