BETTENDORF, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard and Iowa Department of Transportation are asking recreational boaters to be vigilant as construction of a new bridge over the Mississippi River continues. The Quad-City Times reports that the Interstate 74 bridge construction zone is potentially dangerous for recreational boaters. Danielle Alvarez, I-74 project manager for the state DOT, says boats should slow to a crawl when in and near the work zone. Boaters should also keep a safe distance from the project’s tow boats as they are constantly delivering workers and supplies.

Excursion boat captain Scott Schadler says some boats are getting close to barges so occupants can look at the bridge construction. He says that can be dangerous because barge operators can’t see the boaters because the barges are loaded with equipment.

The Harlan Police Department has issued a report on arrests covering a period from July 10th thru the 19th. Authorities say 32-year old Matthew David Andersen, of Harlan, was arrested this (Friday) morning, following a call for service. Andersen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with public intoxication. On July 14th, 18-year old Ronald Jeffrey Vancannon, of Boone, was arrested following a traffic stop. Vancannon was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

On July 12th, 26-year old Adam Tyrone Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Scheffler was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. 29-year old Jacob Brady Scheffler, of Harlan, was arrested during the same traffic stop. He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with official acts.

Three people were arrested following a traffic stop July 11th, in Harlan. Officials say the three subjects transported the Shelby County Jail were: 18-year old Grayson Eugene Dustin, of Murray, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 22-year old Trevor Jordan Schinkel, of Dexter, was charged with open container passenger, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; and, 21-year old Sophia Cynthia Newman, of Ames, was charged with prohibited acts, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and improper rear lamp.

And, on July 10th, 34-year old Thomas Stewart McCormick, of, Oxford, England, was arrested following a traffic stop, in Harlan. McCormick was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with turning from improper lane and operating while intoxicated.

Anita Rescue and Medivac Ambulance were called at around 10:48-a.m. today (Friday), to a single-vehicle accident on I-80 at mile marker 65 westbound, in Cass County. Initial dispatch reports said an elderly female was injured, and transported to the Cass County Hospital. Reports indicated her injuries did not appear to have been serious. The accident happened near the scene of a previous accident involving a semi tractor-trailer, that was under investigation. Both lanes of westbound traffic were open but moving slowly as of 11:30-a.m.

Additional details are currently not available.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s unemployment rate remained 2.4% in June, making it among the lowest in the nation. The rate released Friday by the Workforce Development agency ranked third in the nation, behind only Vermont and North Dakota. Iowa’s unemployment rate has been stuck at 2.4% for nearly a year.

Both the number of people working and those who are unemployed increased slightly in June from May figures. Iowa’s rate compares to a national unemployment rate of 3.7%.

A single-vehicle accident resulted in injuries Thursday evening, in Union County. Sheriff’s officials say 30-year old Andrew Wayne Long, of Creston, was driving a 2007 Mazda hatchback north/west bound on Old Highway 34, when he failed to negotiate a curve in the road. When the passenger side tires left the road causing Long to lose control, his vehicle entered the south ditch and struck an Alliant Energy power pole. The accident happened at around 5:35-p.m.

Long suffered suspected serious/incapacitating injuries, and the transported by Medic 1 helicopter to Methodist Hospital. The car was totaled in the crash. Damage to the utility pole was estimated at $1,000.