A new interactive map on the Iowa Department of Transportation website offers Iowans a glimpse into the conditions of the state’s 24-thousand bridges. The D-O-T’s Andrea Henry says the map is searchable by county, city or state legislative district and it indicates whether bridges are in good, fair or poor condition.

“We want to make sure people understand where the issues lie on the system and what we’re doing about those,” Henry says, “and to get a little glimpse into some of the resources necessary to be able to help us make decisions.” The map was created to help elected officials make decisions about repairs, considering whether some bridges have become structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Henry says regular citizens can also check out bridges nearby.

“For the general public, they may be able to have an awareness of what bridges to avoid or where they may need to be concerned about any potential deterioration of a bridge condition,” Henry says. “However, really this map is primarily more for decision-makers.” To see the map, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation website (www.iowadot.gov), click on the Performance tab at the left, and choose the Bridge Condition link.

(Radio Iowa, w/thanks to Michael Leland, Iowa Public Radio)

(Updated) A stand-off in Crawford County that began early Tuesday morning, ended without anyone being hurt. Authorities say at approximately 7 a-m, the Iowa State Patrol Area B Tactical Team assisted the Division of Narcotic Enforcement (DNE) and Crawford County Sheriff’s Office in serving the warrant at 315 Eagle Street.

An unidentified man barricaded himself inside the home and refused to surrender to authorities. After several hours of trying to convince the man to come out, law enforcement used chemical munitions to resolve the situation. The suspect was taken into custody at approximately 11:30-a.m. .

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police have identified three of four people killed last week following a Des Moines apartment fire. Des Moines police said in a news release Tuesday that 57-year-old Rosetta Toole, 71-year-old Henry Ellis, and 32-year-old Christopher Lander all died from injuries suffered in Thursday’s fire at the Eddy Apartments, about two miles west of downtown Des Moines.

Police say Toole and Ellis died at local hospitals, while Lander died at a hospital in Iowa City.  Police say the fourth victims’ identity had not yet been confirmed by Tuesday. Police have said that one person killed in the fire will have to be identified through DNA testing.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Police in Shenandoah report three male juveniles were arrested and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs, this (Tuesday) morning, in connection with two burglaries that took place. The incidents happened in the 1100 block of Maple Street as well as on Country Club Lane. The names of the youth were not released. Authorities say if your residence in Shenandoah has been burglarized, contact Shenandoah Police, as additional items from the two areas mentioned have been recovered, but their owners unidentified. Police remind residents also, to lock your vehicle and homes at night.

And, a Shenandoah man was arrested Saturday on drug charges, after Officers stopped a vehicle for a traffic offense and suspicious activity. Michael Dunlap was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of a Controlled Substance/Morphine. Dunlap was being held in the Page County Jail pending an appearance before a magistrate.

No injuries were reported following an accident Monday afternoon, in Atlantic. According to Atlantic Police, a vehicle driven by Norma Bornholdt, of Walnut, was backing out of a parking stall in the Hy-Vee parking lot, when her vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a vehicle that was driven by Jason Watson, of Atlantic. The accident happened as Watson was also backing out of a parking stall.The accident happened at around 4:40-p.m.

Damage from the collision amounted to $1,800. No citations were issued.

Three people were injured when two motorcycles collided Sunday, just north of Grundy Center. It happened at about 2:30 Sunday afternoon. A couple from Altoona were going west on a county road. A man from Dike was going south on Highway 14. The motorcycle coming off the county road didn’t yield to the southbound motorcyle according to the Iowa Highway Patrol. The couple from Altoona were taken to the hospital in Grundy Center. The other motorcyclist was taken to a hospital in Waterloo.

The Iowa State Patrol report noted both motorcycles had “disabling damage” and were towed away. There was no information in the report about whether the three people injured were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office say they has received multiple telephone calls from residents about a telephone scam.  Residents are reporting that the callers are saying they are with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office and you have an arrest warrant due to not showing up for jury duty.  The callers are using the names Deputy Kenneth Cook or Sergeant Kenneth Coop.

This is a SCAM!  No member of the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office is making these phone calls. The scammers are attempting to get residents to make payment over the phone.  They will ask for the payment to be made using a gift card or green dot card. If you receive this type of call, do not provide any information or make any payment, simply hang up.