Officials with Enhance Iowa have announced they awarded $1,264-million in Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) grants at their meeting Wednesday, in Waverly. Among the CAT Grant funds approved, was the full amount of $175,000 requested from the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Rec Department for the Schildberg Recreation Area and Campground Development. The $992, 179 total cost of the  project includes the addition of sewage hookups to the 20-pad campground, a bathhouse, picnic shelters, fishing pier, playgrounds and boat dock. An additional $100,000 from the City of Atlantic and $25,000 from the County, along with numerous other private donations and in-kind work, will help to pay for the project.

In Madison County, the  Bricker-Price Block Project in Earlham received $189,000 out of a requested $222,070, for the complete historic renovation of the building into a modern, community gathering space to provide opportunities for community education, culinary exploration, celebrations and more. The rear of the building will be a dedicated teen space. The total project cost amounts to $888,277.

Elsewhere, the Kalona Community Center, Kalona received a $500,000 CAT grant for the construction of a $5.3-million state-of-the-art recreational facility with three basketball courts, an elevated walking track, dedicated fitness and dance room, as well as new weight and exercise equipment. And, in Ft. Dodge, the  Fort Dodge and Webster County Trail Plan – Phase II, received $400,000 toward a $2.1-million project that includes the construction of more than four miles of new trails that will establish a circular loop of trails around the community.

The Enhance Iowa Program provides financial incentives to communities for the construction of recreational, cultural, educational or entertainment facilities that enhance the quality of life in Iowa. To date, thirteen CAT awards have been granted by the board, totaling $4,432,481. The next Enhance Iowa Board meeting is scheduled for May 10, 2017, in Des Moines.

CRESCENT, Iowa (AP) – Residents and business owners in Crescent are concerned by the closure of a key road just north of town for bridge construction and are urging officials to complete the project more quickly if possible. The Daily Nonpareil reports that Pottawattamie County shut down a bridge on Old Lincoln Highway on Monday for construction work that’ll replace the bridge and shift the roadway slightly to the northeast.

County engineer John Rasmussen told the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors and concerned residents Tuesday that the project is expected to be completed in mid-June. He said he’s working with Correctionville-based contractor Dixon Construction on ways to get the project done faster. More than 2,300 vehicles pass the bridge daily.

The Atlantic Police Department reports 28-year old Cameron Misner, of Atlantic, was arrested Tuesday. Misner was taken into custody under the authority of a Cass County warrant for Failure to Appear (in court) on a Public Intoxication charge. Misner was booked into the Cass County Jail.

(Updated 11:55-a.m.)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gun owners will soon be able to keep firearms at their side while visiting the Iowa Capitol under a bill awaiting Gov. Terry Branstad’s signature. The upcoming change has raised questions for security staff about how they would deal with armed visitors.

Branstad has announced he will sign the bill Thursday. The measure would enable about 275,000 residents with weapons permits to carry concealed handguns in the Capitol. People from other states who have weapon permits also could carry firearms in the building.

The legislation also includes a provision establishing “stand-your-ground” protections for gun owners and would allow people to sue local governments for establishing gun-free zones. The Capitol provision will require building security to quickly resolve staffing and training issues before the law takes effect July 1. It mirrors similar legislation around the U.S.

The Glenwood Police Department is once again asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen vehicle. Authorities says a black 2005 Ford Explorer with Iowa license plate EMW 710 was reported stolen from Glenwood. The vehicle has a red “RTR” decal on the back window and a “Lularoe” sticker on the right side of back window.

On Tuesday, Glenwood Police said a lavender colored 1996 Toyota Camry had been reported stolen from Glenwood. The vehicle had Iowa license plate DZX 531.  Anyone with information on the location of either vehicle, should contact the Glenwood Police Dept. at 712-527-4844,

A survey of drivers about things that distract them finds some alarming trends continuing to worsen. Holly Anderson, spokeswoman for State Farm, Iowa’s largest auto insurer, points to growing dangers behind the wheel as cell phones take our eyes, hands and minds off of driving. “The two things that stood out this year are that more people are taking photos with their phones and also they’re taking video while they’re driving,” Anderson says. “So those are two major concerns.”

Nearly all drivers, 91-percent, report owning a smartphone and half say they use them while driving. She says motorists need to use the “two and two” rule, two hands on the wheel, two eyes on the road. “We don’t want people to be using their handheld phones while they’re driving,” Anderson says. “Fifty percent of the 1,000 people we surveyed say they are still doing that. People are also still texting while driving. Texting while driving is actually taking your eyes off the road so that also continues to be a concern.”

Using a hands-free device is equally as distracting as a handheld phone, she says, as it takes your mind away from focusing on driving. This is the 8th year for the survey and Anderson says another clear trend is that parents have a significant influence over their kids, noting, kids will pick up their parents’ driving habits, good or bad. “We know that kids are watching what their parents are doing so if you are a parent, it’s really important that you’re setting those habits now,” Anderson says. “If you’re putting your phone down, we know that your 16-year-old is likely not to text and drive.”

The survey of drivers found: 50% talk on a hand-held phone, 35% text while driving, 29% access the internet while driving, 26% read email behind the wheel, 21% respond to email, 22% access social networks, 23% take pictures, 14% record video, 93% talk to passengers, 23% attend to children and 21% attend to pets in the car. Survey respondents reported using smartphones while driving despite finding them distracting and despite thinking the behavior increases the likelihood of a crash.

(Radio Iowa)