As the soil temperatures continue to rise, farmers are preparing to get into the fields as soon as the weather allows. Adding these vehicles to the mix on Iowa roadways will call for increasing patience on the part of motorists who will be sharing the road with slow-moving farm equipment. The Iowa Department of Transportation is urging both motorists and farm vehicle operators to exercise caution during the busy spring planting season.

Data for 2012 shows a total of 170 crashes involved farm equipment. Those crashes resulted in 12 fatalities, 11 major injuries, 35 minor injuries and 40 other possible injuries. Of the 170 crashes, 96 resulted only in property damage.

Tips for motorists

• Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles, especially during planting and harvest seasons.
• Be patient and do not assume the equipment operator can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may not be able to support a heavy farm vehicle.
• Slow down as soon as you see the triangular-shaped, red and fluorescent orange slow-moving vehicle emblem.

Tips for farm vehicle operators

• Make your intentions known when you are turning by using signal lights or the appropriate hand signal in advance of the turn.
• Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as safely possible. Traveling partially on the shoulder may cause motorists to risk passing in a dangerous situation.
• Avoid encouraging or signaling motorists to pass. Pull over where it is safe, and let the traffic go by.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train extends 3 feet beyond the tracks on both sides.

w/ Ric Hanson

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The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office reports bridge construction work continues on eastbound Interstate 80 over the Indian Creek between Pottawattamie County Road M-47 (exit 46) and Cass County Road M-56 (exit 51) 2 miles east of Walnut. Starting Wednesday, May 1, traffic will be operating in a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the westbound lanes of I-80 in the work zone. The open lanes will have a 12-foot-6-inch width lane restriction in place. The project is expected to be completed by Aug. 15th.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

A Clarinda boy was listed in serious, but stable condition, Thursday, after he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports 8-year old Brandon Cales was riding a bike across west Tarkio Street at around 6:40-p.m., when he was hit by a 2001 Saturn, driven by 48-year old Carl Race, of Coin, as Race was traveling west in the 800 block of west Tarkio.

The boy, who was ejected from his bike during the collision, landed on the roadway. He was transported to Children’s Hospital in Omaha. An investigation revealed Carl Race was driving under suspension.

(7-a.m. News)

A report in the Daily NonPareil says an Atlantic man has lost his coaching authorization after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student at the Missouri Valley High School. Former Mo. Valley girls soccer Coach Jason Dulberg’s coaching certificate was revoked by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners. Dulberg served only as a coach, and not a teacher, for the Missouri Valley Community School District.

Dulberg began working for the Mo.Valley Schools in January 2012. A complaint was filed with the board that September, about the same time Dulberg resigned his position with the district. State documents cited by the paper, said the board found evidence that Dulberg and the girl communicated via text messages and cellphone and that he took her on an overnight, out-of-state trip. Dulberg voluntarily surrendered his coaching authorization April 4. The next day, the board permanently revoked it.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City’s school district has sent layoff notices to 30 educators due to state and federal funding cuts. Up to 15 of those teachers could keep their jobs past July 1 if the state keeps funding a $1.1 million early intervention grant. Superintendent Paul Gausman says there is no guarantee about the funding.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s 15 community colleges say they’ll offer more programs to help workers get jobs in welding, industrial maintenance and robotics. The Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Consortium will work with employers to identify the occupational skills they are looking for and develop programs that fit their needs.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The Board of Regents has approved Iowa State University’s plan to lease five Ames apartment buildings to meet demand for university housing. The regents approved $2.7 million to lease space for about 500 students in a building known as Legacy Tower. The space will be available beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The Board of Regents has approved a new scoreboard and sound system at the University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium. Athletic Director Gary Barta says the roughly $9 million in costs will be covered through athletic department revenue and private contributions. The improvements are expected to be ready for the 2013 football season.

Montgomery County Emergency Management Director Brian Hamman reports firefighters from Villisca battled a field fire this (Thursday) afternoon.

Fire photo’s courtesy of Brian Hamman/Montgomery Co. EMA

The blaze, which happened near 175th and Willow Avenue,  in eastern Montgomery County, was quickly contained and no injuries were reported. Crews from Red Oak and Stanton also handled small fires Thursday afternoon as well.

Hamman issued a reminder to rural property owners, that even though the grass is turning green, strong winds and nice weather will still create dangerous conditions for out of control fires to occur. Thursday’s Fire Danger Index was in the HIGH category. 

Former Iowa State basketball star Royce White is traveling the country advocating for more support for the mentally ill, now that an anxiety disorder has kept him from playing in the NBA. White was drafted in the first round last year by Houston, but he has yet to play a single game with the Rockets. During a stop at the Iowa Statehouse today (Thursday), White said he’s proud that his difficulties have at least sparked a conversation about mental illness. “In my opinion, the greatest thing in the way of mental health progress is the stigma and the stigma derives from us not having the conversation,” White said. “Any time the words mental health are said…it’s leaps and bounds for the mental health community.”

White’s disorder involves extreme anxiety over air travel, and he and the Houston Rockets are at odds over how to accommodate that. Iowa was White’s first stop on a nationwide tour organized by a host of mental health organizations.  “I think a lot of why mental health has the stigma it does is because a lot of us who suffer are worried about our neighbor actually giving back that understanding and that has to improve,” White said. The Minnesota native is still confident he’ll play in the NBA. “I think if things don’t work out in Houston – which I hope they do – there will be another team,” White said. “Odds are good, hopefully, that one out of 32 general managers or owners will understand that mental health is important and the things I’m asking for aren’t unreasonable and they’ll allow me a chance to play the game I love. I think it’ll happen, but if it didn’t happen, that wouldn’t shock me either.”

State Representative Ruth Ann Gaines, who introduced White at the statehouse news conference, said White’s struggles inspired her to acknowledge her own battle with mental illness. Gaines, a Democrat from Des Moines, said her anxiety and fear of flying prevented her from being named the 1998 National Teacher of the Year. She said the designation that would have required regular travel. “I carried that in my heart as a secret until today,” Gaines said. “This is the first time I’ve ever publicly admitted that was the real reason why I wasn’t selected as national teacher of the year. Royce White gave me the courage to stand up and speak out about my own issue.” Gaines was a drama teacher in the Des Moines School District for more than three decades before being elected to the Iowa House in 2011. White had been playing for the Houston Rockets D-League affiliate in Rio Grande, Texas. The Vipers made the D-League Playoffs, but White is not with the team for the playoff run.

(Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s 15 community colleges say they will join forces to offer more programs that help workers get jobs in fields such as welding, industrial maintenance and robotics. The colleges announced Thursday they will use a $13 million federal grant to form the Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Consortium, which will develop non-credit and credit programs to help more workers earn industry-recognized credentials.

The consortium will work with employers in advanced manufacturing to identify the occupational skills they are looking for in workers and develop programs that fit their needs. ACT in Iowa City will support the initiative through its Tomorrow’s Workforce Now program, which helps workers assess their strengths and define career paths. The colleges will recruit workers through an assessment process.

The grant is from the U.S. Department of Labor.