MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) — Two road projects have forced the closure of a state park and blocked connections to a Mississippi River bridge, resulting in an abrupt drop in tourism in eastern Iowa.

Jackson County was already bracing for this year’s closure of the Maquoketa Caves State Park, which is necessary to replace a road and upgrade electrical services, the Telegraph Herald reported . But the economic impact is compounded by a small bridge near Sabula that unexpectedly closed for safety issues this month.

Access to the popular caves and park shut down Feb. 5, and is anticipated to last through August. Dave Heiar, director of Jackson County Economic Alliance, said the park and caves are the biggest tourism engines in the area. “The numbers that the park ranger shares with us is it’s between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors a year they have there,” he said.

The bridge is expected to stay closed until late May. The small Sabula bridge closure cuts off access to a larger U.S. 52/Illinois 64 bridge over the Mississippi River. Motorists wanting to travel from Sabula’s island community to Savanna, Illinois, or vice versa, will now have to deal with a 36-mile detour.

“The Sabula bridge scenario, it’s more than just tourism,” said Heiar. “There are people who use that bridge, that road to get to work on a daily basis.” Sabula’s limited amenities make Savanna, Illinois, a popular destination. “Most people in Sabula do their shopping in Savanna,” said Sabula City Council Member Rich Epich. “That’s out of the question (now).”

Epich also said that flooding could throw a wrench into the bridge closure timeline.
“I think it all depends if we flood this year because I think that will slow down construction quite a bit if it floods,” Epich said. “May is probably optimistic.”

The state’s casinos submitted new security plans this past week as they went through the license renewal process. Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator, Brian Ohorilko, says it’s become a standard part of the process. He says the commission staff reviews the plans and consults with the local D-C-I agents. Ohorilko says the commission got a little more involved in the plans a few years ago. “When there was some legislation that reduced the number of D-C-I agents at the various facilities. And at that time the administrative rules were changed to provide for more visibility for the commission of those security plans,” Ohorilko explains.

Talk of security reviews often centers around concerns about recent shootings. Ohorilko says making sure underage gamblers don’t get in is one big security key for casinos, as is taking care of the loot. “In any casino there is a significant movement of money — whether that’s dropping slot machines or table games and moving those to the count room or vault — so security plans can outline how that money is secured,” According to Ohorilko. “It can also outline what happens in an emergency.”

He says the plans for the state-licensed casinos have to include everything. The general manager of the new land-based casino near Davenport told the commission this week they are able to cut their on-site security staff level because local law enforcement and first responders are now closer and have better access than they did with the riverboat casino.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Stuart Police Department report two people were arrested on drug and other charges Saturday night following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of S. Division Street. During the investigation, approximately 10-ounces of marijuana was seized from the female driver, who is from Marshalltown.

The woman was taken into custody and charged with Felony Possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, along with child endangerment. An adult male occupant of the vehicle from Des Moines, was discovered to have warrants out of Story and Polk Counties. He was also arrested on prescription drug charges.

Three young juveniles who were also in the vehicle were transferred to the care of family members. Both adults were booked into the Adair County Jail. No names have been released.

Evidence seized during the traffic stop: 10-oz of marijuana. (Photo from Stuart PD’s Facebook page)

Two men were arrested Saturday night in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 35-year old Joseph Aaron Nelson,and 28-year old Jason Michael Eppenbaugh, both of Red Oak, were arrested at around 9:40-p.m., for Disorderly Conduct and Interference with Official Acts. Nelson and Eppenbaugh were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond, each.

(Updated w/name 6-p.m. 3/11) The Iowa State Patrol reports alcohol may have played a roll in a high speed crash that resulted in the driver of a vehicle being ejected, Saturday night in southeastern Iowa. 49-year old Terrance Koeppel, of West Des Moines, was traveling west at a high rate of speed on 155th Street at around 9:50-p.m., when his 2017 Audi Q3 went out of control.

The vehicle entered the north ditch, rolled into a power pole, and came to rest on its wheels. Keoppel, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected as the car rolled. He was transported by West Liberty Ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

The accident remains under investigation.

Deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office had a bit of excitement early this (Sunday) morning. Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that at around 1-a.m., deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff’s office were checking on a 2011 GMC Sierra located on 240th avenue, just north of Hamburg. The truck was parked in the middle of the road on 240th ave.

As deputies were approaching the truck, the vehicle took off from deputies. Deputies engaged in a pursuit reaching speeds of 96 MPH. The pursuit continued south onto 250th ave reaching a level B maintenance road. The vehicle came to a stop at the Missouri / Iowa line on 250th ave.

Deputies were then able to arrest the driver, identified as 27 year old Zachary Spears of Hamburg. Spears was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Fremont County Law Enforcement center where he posted bond and was released.

spears,z (Photo courtesy Fremont County S/O)

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

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A former youth counselor at Four Oaks juvenile facility in Davenport has been arrested after being accused of helping the escape of three juveniles offenders _ one of which she was involved with romantically. Television station KWQC reports that 19-year-old Hannah Rose Fitzpatrick, of Marion, Iowa, is charged with sexual misconduct with a youth offender in her custody. The charge is an aggravated misdemeanor under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of up to two years.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Seven companies have submitted 21 applications to operate medical cannabis dispensaries in Iowa. Des Moines television station KCCI reports that those were the applications that came in by Thursday’s deadline. Earlier this year, the Iowa Department of Public Health requested proposals from companies, intending to award licenses for up to five medical cannabis dispensaries throughout the state.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An organization is planning to spend $70 million to gradually demolish and rebuild a retirement community in northeast Iowa. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Friends of Faith Retirement Homes Inc. announced it’ll invest in reconstructing its independent living apartments and skilled nursing center. The senior housing nonprofit opened Waterloo’s Friendship Village in 1968. The city zoning commission voted Tuesday to endorse a zoning request for the project that’ll begin next year.

PANORA, Iowa (AP) — A western Iowa man faces kidnapping, sexual abuse and other charges after authorities say he beat and raped a woman. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office tells Des Moines television station KCCI that deputies were called to a Lake Panorama home near Panora after midnight Wednesday. A woman told them that 34-year-old Michael Mackenzie Taylor punched her in the face and choked her until she passed out, then forced her into nearby trees where he raped her.