(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department, Friday (Today), said “In observation of National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 15th-19th)” they want to remind motorists about the “Move Over Law,” in Iowa.  Lt. Jill Knotek says the law found in the Code of Iowa, states “A driver shall change lanes when approaching a stationary vehicle with hazard or other lights flashing on the side of the roadway. If this is not possible, then the driver shall reduce the speed of their vehicle as they pass.” (the Iowa DOT’s full synopsis of the code can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yx2jd84u.)

In 2022, there were 8921 people killed and over 37,000 injured within work zones nationally.

On April 17, 2024, Council Bluffs Police Department partnered with Carter Lake Police Department, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and Arrow Towing, to focus on “Move Over violations,” and speeding on I-80 and I-29. The project took place from 8-a.m. until Noon. Authorities say during this four-hour period, there were a total of 151 citations and warnings issued, with 62 of those issued for failing to move over, and 39 for speeding.

The highest recorded speed was by the driver traveling nearly 30-miles per hour above the posted speed limit (91-mph in a 65-mph zone). Despite the project, officers are still observing high speeds on the I-80 Express lanes. Therefore, Police say they “Will continue to work with speed enforcement to bring those numbers down to a reasonable speed. We urge drivers to remember to Move Over when they see a vehicle on the shoulder.”

Officials with Triple A report as of today (April 19th), the price of regular unleaded gasoline had fallen 2 cents over the past week, to an average of $3.33/per gallon across Iowa. Gas prices are down 22 cents from a year ago. The national average is $3.68/gallon, up 5 cents from last week.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa are nearly steady, with a statewide average of $3.79/gallon. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.95 in Iowa.  The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.05. The national price is 15-cents less than last year at this time.

Natural gas prices fell 21 cents.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, this week, announced two district associate judge appointments. Ashley Stewart was appointed as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 5C.  Stewart, a resident of Des Moines, is an assistant appellate defender for the Iowa Public Defender’s Office.  She received an undergraduate degree from University of Houston and her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.  Ashley Stewart fills a vacancy created following the resignation of the Hon. Christopher Kemp. Judicial Election District 5C includes Polk County.

The Governor also appointed Jordan Brackey, of Des Moines, as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 5C.  Brackey is an assistant Polk County attorney for the Juvenile Division.  He received an undergraduate degree from University of Iowa and his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.  Jordan Brackey fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Hon. Romonda Belcher.  Judicial Election District 5C includes Polk County.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Penguin Random House Publishing is suing the state of Iowa over a law passed last year banning books that contain content about sexual depictions and gender identity or orientation in schools. Now, five more major book publishers are planning to join the lawsuit. The law was blocked from taking effect as the lawsuit moves through the courts.

The publishers set to join the lawsuit include Hatchette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster and Sourcebooks. They have not yet filed to join.

High-profile authors, Iowa educators and a high school student have already joined Penguin Random House in the lawsuit.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An Archery Club formed in Atlantic a little more than 45-years ago, and at one point in time, there were about 40 members in the local group. The Atlantic Archery League practiced at the Atlantic National Guard Armory in January, 1983. That was in the past. Fast forward to the current day, with the Atlantic Trojan Archery group having made big news, with high rankings in area and state competitions. There are over 100 high school and middle school participants. An increasing number of schools are adding archery to their programs.

Archery is much more than just shooting an arrow. Learn why this Sunday, April 21st, when Atlantic Archery Coach Clint Roland will talk about the sport at the American Legion Memorial Building (201 Poplar Street, Atlantic, IA). The event begins at 2-p.m. Roland will discuss the equipment needed, skills required for an accomplished archer, along with the characteristics and rules for competitions.

Atlantic HS & MS Archers participate in a Dec. 2023 event in Orient (photo from the Atlantic Trojan Archery Facebook page)

The program is sponsored by Atlantic Rock Island Society Enterprise (ARISE). Everyone is welcome stop by and learn more about Archery. There is no fee to attend. The building is handicapped accessible.