AMES, Iowa – May 12, 2021 – The Iowa Department of Transportation is requesting public input for the proposed replacement of the U.S. 169 over stream bridge 0.1 mile north of the Missouri and Iowa state line, in Ringgold County. The project includes replacing the existing 86’ x 26’ continuous concrete slab bridge with a single 12’ x 12’ x 124’ reinforced concrete box culvert. Construction of the project is anticipated to begin in Fall of 2022.

Through traffic on U.S. 169 would be detoured during construction using Iowa 2, Interstate 35, and U.S. 136 in Missouri.  It is anticipated that the detour would be in place for approximately 30 days.  For more information, see the website below.

For general information regarding the proposed improvements please view the information online at www.iowadot.gov/pim

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Flood Center is creating technology that will forecast Missouri River flooding and provide information on how it could affect individual homes, businesses and farms. Scientists hope the tech will better inform and prepare people for flooding. Larry Weber, co-founder of the Iowa Flood Center, says during the 2019 flooding, people had very little information about how much water might inundate their property. “The depth of water at your house is a very important piece of information as you’re trying to decide whether to evacuate your home,” Weber says, “and if you do decide to evacuate, what belongings to bring with you or to take with you out of the home.”

Weber says the Missouri River Flood Forecast and Information System will use forecast models of flooding in real-time and Google Maps to display that information and make it readily available to people. Weber says the center’s simulation tool will have more relevant data online that people will want to see. Weber says, “Our forecast system will provide that very specific home-by-home, business-by-business, farm-by-farm depth of water at the time of a levee breach or levee overtopping.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Weber says he’ll show off a beta version of the system in the southwest Iowa towns of Hamburg and Pacific Junction this week.

(reporting by Katie Peikes, Iowa Public Radio)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) say they have awarded a $3,000 Powerline Scholarship to Gunner Kirchhoff, son of Corey and Laura Kirchhoff of Atlantic. Gunner will graduate from Atlantic High School this month, and was accepted at Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) in Sheldon, to partake in their Powerline Technology program. The purpose of the program is to provide training for students interested in becoming line workers in the electric power industry. The NCC program has produced highly qualified graduates, who finish their “educations” through apprenticeship within the industry. AMU currently employs nine Certified Line Workers.

Gunner Kirchhoff (Photo submitted)

The electric utility industry is facing shortages of skilled workers of various kinds, including line workers. AMU’s challenge is to identify workers who want to work in this challenging and rewarding field. The AMU Powerline Scholarship is available to students whose families are customers of AMU. Students or parents interested in learning more about the AMU Powerline Scholarship should contact the AMU Business Office, or the AHS guidance counselors.

The City of Audubon’s newly redesigned website is online and ready for use. The site, cityofauduboniowa.com, allows the public to take care of online, just about anything you would normally have had to go to City Hall in Audubon, to accomplish.

You also have the opportunity to get your own portal to interact with the city. Simply click on “My Front Desk” to get signed in, once you’ve set up your account. While there, you can view your utility bill and history, fill-out permit forms, and other transactions, that would normally have been handled in-person.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Tuesday, report an investigation is underway into an incident of Criminal Mischief/Vandalism in Council Bluffs that took place May 6th, but wasn’t reported until late Monday morning. Authorities say a 12-year-old juvenile male was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, for damage amounting to at least $300, but less than $750. The damage reportedly occurred to a 2013 Ford Escape, and was witnessed by two individuals. Additional information was not released.

Authorities report also, 43-year-old Matthew John Hecker, of Oakland, was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Courthouse, on a State of Iowa warrant for Violation of a No Contact or Protective Order. He remained in the Pott. County Jail, Tuesday.

And, two inmates at the Douglas County, Nebraska, Jail, were transported to the Pott. County Jail to face charges in Pottawattamie. 24-year-old Maria De Garcia-Alvarado was wanted on a State of Iowa felony warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree, for Larceny amounting to not less than $1,500 or not more than $10,000. And 41-year-old Raul Uranga Villareal. Jr., was wanted of an Iowa warrant for two-counts of Credit Card Fraud, amounting to less than $1,500.

The Creston Police Department reports 24-year-old Emily L. Maxfield, of Melcher, was arrested Tuesday morning at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Maxfield was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. She was being held for Union County, in the Adams County Jail, where bond was set at $1,000.

A Creston man was cited Tuesday evening, for Allowing an Animal to Run at Large. 40-year-old Alberto Aguirre was issued a Summons to Appear in court, and released.

Creston Police said also, a woman residing in the 1100 block of Patt Street, reported Tuesday morning, that sometime between 11-p.m. Monday and 7:30-a.m. Tuesday, someone stole her purple, 2007 Ford Edge. The vehicle was taken from a driveway near the residence. The loss was estimated at $5,000.