Authorities say both lanes of Highway six just east of I-80 near Council Bluffs, have re-opened to traffic. The road was blocked in both directions due to an accident involving a SWITA bus and a concrete mixer truck that took place at around 7:30 a.m., near Sunnydale Road. First responders reported multiple injuries at the scene. Video from the scene showed the bus was upright in a ditch, while the cement mixed was on its passenger side, partially on the road.  No other details have been released.

Sheriff’s officials in Union County say a man reported last week that several of his father’s items were stolen from a farm on Pheasant Avenue. They include: A Sundowner Turn Bow horse trailer with eight 2×4’s, plywood, sheet rock, pipe wrenches, a jig saw, and a circular saw. The loss was estimate at $2,500. And a man from Thayer reported to authorities someone damaged a well on his property off 160th Street. The damage amounted to $500. The incident happened sometime Oct. 12th.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A security contractor says in the wake of a violent attack on a couple out on a date that providing safety for downtown Des Moines’ skywalk system has gotten tougher in recent years. Tom Conley is president of Conley Group, which has been providing security services for the skywalk since 2002. He told The Des Moines Register that thousands more people live downtown than did decades ago, and the system of bridges connecting downtown buildings is no longer almost exclusively for daytime commercial traffic.

Police say a 21-year-old man and his girlfriend were attacked by 20 to 30 teens or young men just before 9 p.m. Saturday in the skywalk near the downtown Wellmark YMCA. A witness told police the man was pinned to skywalk glass and kicked and punched. The woman fell to the floor after also being punched. Conley says the nonprofit organization that manages the skywalk has slashed the budget for security officers.

AMES, Iowa – Oct. 16, 2019 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is now distributing the 2019-2020 Iowa Transportation Map for Bicyclists. Copies of the 2019-2020 map are now available at Iowa DOT’s driver’s license service centers, county treasurer’s offices, all six Iowa DOT district offices, Iowa’s welcome centers, the state’s rest areas, and can be viewed and downloaded from www.iowadot.gov/iowabikes/bikemap.aspx .

The popular publication has been updated to show new four-foot, paved shoulders and recreational trails completed since the 2017-2019 version was published. As in past versions, the map highlights bike-friendly routes when traveling on two wheels through Iowa by identifying bike trails and traffic levels on all paved roads. The map also includes insets of Iowa’s 16 largest cities.

A person riding on a public road has all the rights and is required to know and obey all traffic laws and rules of the road, applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle. To assist bicycles in understanding their rights and responsibilities, a section of the map is dedicated to highlighting rules of the road for bicyclists. Bicyclists are urged to always wear helmets, use lights at night and watch out for road hazards including parallel-slat sewer grates, gravel, sand, and debris.

The Mills County Attorney’s Office reports that on Tuesday, October 15th, during the regularly scheduled public meeting, the Mills County Board of Supervisors agreed to proceed with FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program property buyouts for a large number of properties located in the flood-affected areas of unincorporated Mills County (Iowa). On a formal motion by Mills County Supervisor Richard Crouch, the Board unanimously voted to pursue residential property buyouts for those eligible landowners whose properties are located in the area West of 180th Street between the Pottawattamie-Mills County line to the North and Lambert Avenue to the South as well as the area West of Interstate 29 between Lambert Avenue to the North and the Mills-Fremont County line to the South.

The discussion and decision regarding this first phase of buyout decisions were focused largely on history of repetitive flooding and property loss and mitigation of future flood risk to life and property. For the second phase of buyout decisions, the Board of Supervisors agreed that all other flood-affected residential properties in unincorporated Mills County will be considered for buyout on a case-by-case basis using criteria determined by the Board. The list of eligible landowners and the criteria for these case-by-case considerations will be formalized during the next Board of Supervisors meeting on October 22, 2019.

To be eligible for consideration, flood-affected landowners were previously asked to sign-up to participate in the buyout program, by October 11, 2019 at 4:30 p.m., at the Mills County Auditor’s Office and complete a Statement of Voluntary Transaction.

(Radio Iowa) — Authorities are still trying to determine exactly what caused a fatal crash in central Iowa. The state patrol says a Jeep Wrangler was parked along the westbound shoulder of Interstate 80 on Tuesday night at mile marker 133 in Polk County, where construction work is being done on the highway. For reasons unknown, the vehicle rolled into the ditch. Troopers say the driver was partly ejected and killed. He’s identified as 64-year-old Paul Penegar, of Urbandale.

Officials with the Iowa DOT report Highway 6, just east of I-80 in northeast Council Bluffs, was blocked in both directions this morning, due to an accident involving a SWITA bus and a concrete mixer truck. The crash was reported around 7:30 a.m. near Sunnydale Road. First responders reported multiple injuries at the scene. Video from the scene showed the bus was upright in a ditch, while the cement mixed was on its passenger side, partially on the road. Motorists are asked to avoid the area and find another route.

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — A man about to be tried on a murder charge has opted for a non-jury trial in southeast Iowa. The Daily Gate City reports that Judge Mary Brown dismissed the prospective jurors Tuesday after learning that Adam McCain wanted her to oversee his trial and determine the verdict. He’s pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder, accused of killing his former girlfriend in Keokuk. Prosecutors have said McCain stabbed 27-year-old Calove Sackman once on Feb. 5, got into his vehicle and ran her over, and then got back out and stabbed her several more times.

Officers found Sackman lying on a sidewalk. The court records say she identified her attacker as McCain, who lives in Fort Madison. The trial is scheduled to begin today (Wednesday).

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(By Craig Alan Becker/Atlantic FFA Reporter) — The Atlantic High School welcomed Tyler Comes, Southwest State Vice President, and Carter Wagner, Southwest District Vice President, to a chapter visit on October 4th, 2019. While at the high school, Comes and Wagner lead interactive workshops for the agriculture education classes. Topics included the FFA brand, opportunities, leadership, and decision-making. The officers also talked with the agricultural education instructor, Mr. Miller, about what the future of Atlantic FFA looks like.

During a year of service to the organization, Iowa FFA officers serve as ambassadors for agriculture and the FFA. They travel to FFA chapters throughout the state to connect with members and talk about the many opportunities available to students enrolled in agricultural education. Brett Dreager said, I had a lot of fun. It was fun learning new communication strategies.”

Agricultural education incorporates three aspects of learning. These aspects include the classroom, FFA, and SAE. The classroom provides basic knowledge. FFA develops leadership and personal skills. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) provides hands-on learning while working on the job or in an agricultural business. DJ Shepperd, “ I like the workshops. You have to learn to slow down and explain things to people better. We all do not learn the same way. I had a lot of fun”

The Iowa FFA Association is comprised of 242 local chapters, preparing over 15,600 students for future career opportunities. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in the application of agricultural skills and knowledge gained in classes. FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.