The Iowa Department of Transportation took action at its meeting Tuesday in Shenandoah, to single out some sections of Highway 30 as priority projects. D-O-T spokesman Craig Markley says there are four specific segments of the highway. “They are the Missouri Valley bypass and then the stretch of U-S 30 from Ogden to Jefferson, from Lisbon to Stanwood, and then from Calamus to Dewitt,” Markley says. “They did consider and action to add those as priority corridors and that action was approved.”

Commissioner David Rose of Clinton requested the vote on the Highway 30 corridors. Markley says “There’s no commitment behind this action for future programming, all it is is an identification of what hey want to keep track of and prioritize for future consideration,” Markley explains. “We’ve had projects in the past that were identified as priority corridors that ultimately didn’t get approved. And then obviously we’ve had a lot of corridors that haven’t been identified as priority corridors that have been approved.”

Markley says it is a designation that has been used many times in the past. “Past priority corridors have included U-S 20, U-S 61 and then also other sections of U-S 30. For example, the Mt. Vernon-Lisbon bypass and the stretch of U-S 30 in Tama and Benton County both have been identified as priority corridors in the past — and both are under construction as we speak,” according to Markley.

The next step for a section of highway that’s designated a priority corridor would be to go onto the five-year construction plan that’s updated annually. Markley says that would be when the commission would take binding action to program the corridor for construction funding. He says it may not be next five-year program, but as they consider future programs that would be when they might be put in for construction funds.

(Radio Iowa)

A 29-year-old Minnesota man now faces criminal charges for a weekend car crash in Minnesota that claimed the life of an Iowa woman. Brandon Patrick Dellwo, of Shakopee, is accused of criminal vehicular homicide. According to the complaint, Dellwo was driving drunk and going the wrong way on Highway 19 near Lonsdale in Rice County around midnight Sunday morning when his SUV hit a car head-on. The car’s driver, Kacy Elizabeth Merseal of Des Moines, Iowa, was killed in the crash.

Her passenger, 30-year-old Tanya Marie Von Weine of Story City, Iowa, was hospitalized. Police say Dellwo, whose criminal history includes traffic, alcohol and drug convictions, had a blood-alcohol content of .266, more than three times the legal limit. Reports say Merseal was an attorney and engaged to be married next year.

(John Mickelson, Southern Minnesota News, via Radio Iowa)

A traffic stop at around 10:35-p.m. Tuesday in Adams County resulted in the arrest of a man from Union County. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 70-year old Richard Paul Downing, of Creston, was pulled over near the intersection of Highway 34 and Orange Street. He was taken into custody and booked into the Adams County Jail on an OWI charge, the bond for which was set at $1,000.

A rural Red Oak man suffered chest injuries Tuesday afternoon, when the tractor he was operating rolled over and landed on its top. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 61-year old Kirk D. Baird was transported by private vehicle to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital following the accident that took place at around 4:50-p.m., Tuesday in the northwest part of the county.

Baird was spraying weeds on a field terrace northwest of 110th and E Avenue, when the 1950 International Farmall “M” tractor rolled over. A report on his current condition was not available.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A single vehicle accident late Tuesday night in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County has claimed the life of a Charles City woman. 35-year old Tiffany L. Beckles, who was not wearing a seat belt, died when her SUV left the road as it was traveling south on Highway 1 at around 10:35-p.m., and entered a ditch before the vehicle hit a sign and rolled over. The accident remains under investigation.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man who tried to deposit what he presented as a $1 million bill has been charged with drug possession in Iowa. Sioux City police say officers called to a bank to check on the bill asked Dennis Strickland whether he had any more. The officers say a baggie of methamphetamine then fell out of Strickland’s pocket. The U.S. Treasury Department says it has never produced a $1 million bill.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A man charged with robbing an eastern Iowa bank and leading police on a high speed chase earlier this year has pleaded guilty in federal court. Prosecutors say 41-year-old Dante Rhodes, of Dubuque, pleaded guilty Monday in Cedar Rapids’ federal court to one count of bank robbery. Police say he robbed the Fidelity Bank and Trust in Maquoketa on March 8.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa Capitol employees have been offered training on how to respond to an armed attack on the premises. The offer comes after a law took effect allowing concealed handguns in the building. Legislative employees who work for the House and Senate and a nonpartisan agency have been invited to attend the training class in early September. A Senate Republican staffer says a new concealed carry law is not the reason the training is being offered.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says the head of the Iowa Department of Human Services will respond to allegations of limited mental health care at a school for juvenile offenders. Reynolds was asked Tuesday about the Boys State Training School in Eldora following a report from Disability Rights Iowa that highlights the use of restraints and seclusion at the facility. Reynolds says the agency director will work with others to “make sure that we’re doing the right thing.”

A pursuit that began near Lewis went through Lewis and ended near 7th and Birch in Atlantic, with the driver surrendering to authorities at around 9:40-p.m., Tuesday. Toward the end of the chase, which involved several County Sheriff’s Deputies, the Iowa State Patrol and Atlantic Police, stop sticks were deployed on Atlantic’s southwest side. The vehicle being pursued, a white, full-size Dodge Ram pickup, ran over the stop sticks which deflated the tires. As the vehicle continued into Atlantic, the two front tires shredded, and were down to the rims by the time the vehicle with Missouri license plates stopped and the driver puts his hands up to surrender.

According to the dispatch report, the driver and registered owner, was 34-year old Thomas Bradbury, who was wanted for a parole violation. Authorities were checking the area around Highway 6 and State Radio for an object or objects that may have been tossed from the vehicle. Speeds during the chase averaged about 80 miles per hour, and varied from 40-to 50- miles per hours as it entered Atlantic.

No other details were immediately available.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session Wednesday evening in the High School Media Center. On the agenda for their 5:30-p.m. meeting, is a Technology Update from Technology Director Roger Warne, and updates on the Building Project as well as Bus Inspections.

The Board will also act on approving contracts and/or Letters of Assignment for the following:

• Andrea Really and Minden Jones, Co-Cheerleading Sponsors.
• Paul Ruhr, Custodian Transfer from Washington Elementary to the High School.
• Bryce Casey, Middle School FCS Teacher.
• Marie Thompson and Monica Carlson, HS Level 3 Para’s.
• Jessica Mendez, FS from 15 hrs/wk to 20 hrs/wk
• Tonna Hoover, FS from 20 hrs/wk to 13.75 hrs/wk
• Melanie McDermott, FS from 35 hrs/wk to 40 hrs/wk
• Taylor Ransom, WA Para from Class 1 Para to Level 3 Para pay.
• Angela Johnson and Sheryl Iekel, Link Center Para’s
• Vanessa Proehl, transfer from FS to MS Para.
• Joanie Grubbs, PS Para.

They will also act on approving the resignation of MS Para Cori Metheny. In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving: the Iowa Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (IDATP) 2018 enrollment form and fees for Bus Drivers (a State requirement); a Letter of Understanding with regard to the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC) and the Exira/EHK, CAM  & Griswold School Districts and related fees ($668.80 per student); and, a Fiscal Year 2017 Audit Engagement Letter with Nolte, Cornman and Johnson, PC’s, of Newton, in the amount of $8,700.

Prior to adjournment, the Board will discuss information with regard to the Labor Management Committee.

Cass County Extension to host training sessions beginning mid- September

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Master Gardener program will hold its core training sessions this fall for individuals interested in becoming Master Gardeners.

The Master Gardener program is looking for people who are passionate about volunteering and gardening. No previous garden knowledge is required. The program equips volunteers to grow in knowledge about gardening best practices, and in return they are asked to share that knowledge with their local communities through projects that contribute produce to food banks to enhance food security, make Iowa’s communities beautiful, and educate local residents and youth on gardening. Cass County has a large, active group of Master Gardeners- with over 80 individuals having completed the program over the past 30 years, and more than 30 currently reporting service hours each year.

“Master Gardeners provide information and education to Iowans,” said Susan DeBlieck, ISU Extension and Outreach Master Gardener assistant coordinator. “They are excellent community resources who help make the state a better place to live.”

The Cass County Extension office will be one of the training locations for the Master Gardener class this fall. Classes will begin Tuesday evening September 19, and run through November 14. The trainings will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays weekly. There will also be three hands-on workshops held during the course of the trainings, as well as a training session held on the Iowa State University campus on Saturday, October 7 and 21.

Those interested in being trained as a Master Gardner can apply online at https://mastergardenerhours.hort.iastate.edu/application-form.php. Applications for the Master Gardener Program are due by September 1 to participate in 40 hours of Master Gardener training. Training fees are $195 for all materials and classes. Persons who are unable to apply online can contact the Extension Office for assistance in applying to the program.

After completing the course, Master Gardener trainees start their work as volunteers within the community, volunteering 40 hours in the first year to graduate from “trainee” status, and 20 hours per year after that to maintain their active status, while building their gardening know-how by participating in ten hours of continuing education annually. Master Gardeners donated nearly 120,000 volunteer hours during 2016, providing the equivalent of $2.6 million of labor to help beautify and educate Iowa communities, and address ongoing food security issues.

Individuals not interested in becoming a Master Gardener and fulfilling volunteer requirements can still participate in the training. The ProHort program allows individuals to gain knowledge while earning a certificate of completion. Cost for the ProHort program is $550 and does not include any volunteer requirements.

For more information on the Master Gardener classes in Cass County, please contact the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email Program Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest Tuesday of a Red Oak man on a sexual abuse charge. At 3:45pm Officers arrested 46-year-old Richard Bryan Jenkins of Red Oak for Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree. Jenkins was arrested in the 200 block of North Broadway in Red Oak and taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $10,000 cash bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says the head of the Iowa Department of Human Services will respond to allegations of limited mental health care options at a school for juvenile offenders. Reynolds was asked Tuesday about the Boys State Training School in Eldora following a report from Disability Rights Iowa that highlights the use of restraints and seclusion at the facility.

Reynolds says Jerry Foxhoven, the new DHS director, will work with the school’s superintendent and others to “make sure that we’re doing the right thing.” She says it’s Foxhoven’s responsibility to assess the situation and she expects to circle back with him.

Disability Rights Iowa threatened to file a federal lawsuit against Reynolds and others if recommended changes aren’t implemented. The school’s superintendent defended the school following the report’s release.