Travel during the upcoming July 4 holiday may be slowed by road construction, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. Officials say several projects on Iowa’s interstate and state roadways may warrant advance planning on the part of drivers. Among them….

In Northwest and western Iowa:

• Iowa Highway 3 is closed for widening and resurfacing from U.S. 75 to Iowa 404 west of Le Mars. Traffic is detoured.
• Pavement reconstruction of southbound I-29 from I-129 to Sergeant Bluff has traffic placed in a two-lane, two-way pattern in the northbound lanes between mileposts 141 and 144.
• Pavement reconstruction of I-29 in Sioux City near the Iowa 12 (Riverside Boulevard) interchange has restricted traffic to two lanes in each direction for the 2 miles adjacent to the South Dakota border.
• Bridge reconstruction on U.S. 77 in Sioux City has restricted traffic to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the northbound lanes of U.S. 77 over I-29.
• Bridge reconstruction on U.S. 59 south of Denison in Crawford County has restricted the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.

In Southwest Iowa:

• A bridge deck overlay on U.S. 30 west of Missouri Valley in Harrison County has reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals. The open lane has an 11-foot width restriction.
• Staged bridge construction on U.S. 30 northeast of Woodbine in Harrison County has reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.
• Bridge construction on I-80 over the West Nishnabotna River near Avoca in Pottawattamie County has closed the westbound lanes between mileposts 34 and 40. Traffic has been shifted to a two-lane, two-way pattern in the eastbound lanes.
• Bridge construction has closed northbound I-29 in Fremont County between mileposts 21 and 25. Traffic has been shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the southbound lanes.
• Asphalt resurfacing in the northbound lanes of I-29 in Fremont County between mileposts 10 and 17 has traffic shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the southbound lanes. Bridge deck overlays at two locations on U.S. 71 south of Atlantic in Cass County have reduced the roadway to one lane. Traffic is being maintained with temporary traffic signals.
• A new bridge deck is being placed on the eastbound I-80 Wiota interchange bridge at milepost 64; and a new bridge over Crooked Creek is being built at milepost 69 in Cass County. Traffic is shifted to a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern in the westbound lanes between mileposts 60 and 70. The eastbound ramps at Wiota are closed and a detour is in place for Cass County Road N-28.
• Iowa 148 between Massena and Anita in Cass County is closed for highway repair work. Traffic should follow the marked detour.

Some tips for driving safely in work zones:

Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road. Slow down and do not tailgate. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and road workers and their equipment. Pay attention to the signs. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that reads “End Road Work.” Obey flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely in the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions. Stay alert and minimize distractions. Keep up with the traffic flow. Motorists can help maintain traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Do not drive right up to the lane closure and then try to merge. Be patient and stay calm.Watch for persons wearing high visibility (HiViz) apparel. All persons are required by federal law to wear HiViz apparel when in highway work zones.

Expect delays and leave early so you can reach your destination on time. Be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. Buckle up. Iowa law requires all persons to be buckled up in the front seat and all persons under age 18 to be buckled up, regardless of vehicle seating position.

The big heat wave is expected today (Wednesday), all across the Midwest. Temperatures forecast to reach near 100-degrees, but the heat index — or, what it feels like when the humidity is factored in — will make it feel like 105-to 110-degrees. A Heat Advisory goes into effect today beginning at 1-p.m. The Advisory runs through 9-p.m. for the far west and southwest counties, and until 8-p.m. for the rest of the area. The heat wave is expected to continue into the weekend.

Officials with Cass County Home Care in Atlantic remind you that elderly relatives, friends and neighbors are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses during these extreme conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, occurs when the body’s temperature rises rapidly, loses its ability to sweat and is unable to cool down. Body temperatures can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 10 to 15 minutes. If left untreated, heat stroke may lead to permanent disability or even death. While less serious than heat stroke, heat exhaustion can also occur after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate hydration.

Rhonda Duvall, registered nurse and clinical manager at Cass County Home Care, says “Older adults are especially at risk of heat stress because with age the body does not adjust as well to extreme changes in temperature. Chronic medical conditions and prescription medicines common to elderly patients also affect the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.”  Important precautions include remaining inside in cool, air-conditioned areas, restricting strenuous activity, wearing lightweight clothing, and bathing in cool water. Staying hydrated is also critical during extreme heat; however, it is not uncommon for some elderly patients with certain medical conditions to be limited in the amount of fluids they can drink.

In such cases, a physician should be consulted before drinking more fluids than typically recommended. Older adults at risk, especially those living alone, should be visited twice a day by family, friends or care providers during periods of elevated heat and checked for signs of heat stress. Symptoms of heat-related illnesses include rapid pulse, shallow breathing, and lack of perspiration and body temperatures exceeding 103 degrees. If a person exhibits any of these signs and heat stress is suspected, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Also, remember to keep an eye on children and pets. Make sure pets have adequate shade and plenty of fresh, cold water if they must remain outside.

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet Wednesday evening at the High School, for a Work Session. The meeting in the Media Center begins at 7:30-p.m.   During their session, the Board will act on approving the hire of a Vocal Music Teacher for the High School, and hold discussion with regard to Board’s 2012-2013 Goals, and Development Activity.

A nonprofit group is honoring a number of individuals, schools, businesses and towns today (Tuesday) with the 2012 Iowa Character Awards. Among the recipients, is the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, which won the “Partner of the Year Award.” Amy Smit is with the Des Moines based Character Counts in Iowa organization. She says the highest honor, the Robert D. Ray Pillar of Character Award, is being presented to Drake University President David Maxwell. “President Maxwell has definitely been a huge advocate for us, both on campus and off campus,” Smit said. “I personally think he is just a great guy and he has really shown great character throughout his presidency.” Maxwell has been president at Drake since 1999.

The mission of Character Counts in Iowa, which is housed at Drake University, is to promote what the group identifies as the six “pillars” of character: caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. Smit said Fort Dodge is this year’s Community of Character recipient. “They have great community initiatives from having local events to (displaying) the six pillars on their police cars,” Smit said. “They’ve taken some great ownership of the six pillars and wanting to promote that throughout their community.”

The Iowa Character Awards will be presented at a dinner scheduled for August 3 in West Des Moines. Learn more online at www.charactercountsiniowa.org.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital, say CCMH Inpatient Services will move into the new addition this Friday, June 29th.  Inpatient Services include the medical/surgical, intensive care and obstetrics units.  The move will take place throughout the day, with patients being moved in shifts. Diann McLaren, IP Services Director, says they will begin the process of moving their patients after they have had their breakfast and morning medications. The patients will be moved in small groups, with the goal to provide the least inconvenience possible. 

Visitors coming to see patients in the new Inpatient Services addition, are encouraged to enter from the North or East entrances, and use the elevator at the end of the Atrium, next to the newly relocated CCMH Auxiliary Gift Shop.  Effective Friday, June 29^th, the North Entrance (in front of the large staircase) will be open from 6 am – 9 pm daily to accommodate visitors into the evening.  The West Entrance along 10^th Street, formerly used to visit inpatients, will be open from 6 am – 6 pm.  The East Entrance is also open 6 am – 6 pm, but there is an intercom to allow access 24 hours a day. 

With the completion of the hospital addition, work now begins on renovating the existing building to expand space and services for the Outpatient Clinics, Cardiac Rehab, Rehabilitation Services (physical, speech and occupational therapies), Respiratory Care, Diabetes Center, and Wound, Ostomy, Continence Care.

The Atlantic Airport Commission will meet Wednesday morning at the Airport Terminal. During the New Business portion of their meeting, the Commission  will receive information pertaining to two grants. One of the grants, which comes from the F-A-A, was announced by Senator Tom Harkin’s office on May 31st.

The $510, 763 grant will be used to help the facility meet design standards. Snyder and Associates Engineer Tim Teig told KJAN News the funds will be used for grading of the parallel taxiway and paving around the fuel lane, for better access by aircraft to the pumps. Teig says the funds for improvements to the Atlantic Airport, and 26 other municipal airports around the State, come from airline ticket sales and the sale of aviation fuel. He says no taxpayer monies are being used to pay for the improvements, other than those associated with user fees.The grant requires a 10-percent local match.

The second grant, of $36,000, would come from the State of Iowa. Teig says the City had applied for a new, hydraulic hangar door, to replace the City’s’ aging, manual sliding hangar door currently in use. That particular hangar houses a number of aircraft. An application was made for the grant, and after having been deemed eligible, is currently under consideration. A previous application failed to make the cut for State funds, according to City Administrator, Doug Harris.

The Atlantic Airport Commission will also discuss a drainage obstruction at the south end of the runway, the anticipated use of the facility for the “Fly Iowa” event, and other business.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today that 12 Iowa water systems have been awarded fluoride certificates by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors on behalf of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Dental Association (ADA). In our listening area, DeSoto, Treynor and Stanton each received a 2011 Community Fluoridation Reaffirmation Award.

Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in the water to an optimal level for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes communities that maintained a consistent level of optimally fluoridated water throughout 2011. The CDC has recognized community water fluoridation as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th Century and recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of preventing tooth decay. The IDPH says it is a strong supporter of fluoridation programs.

Fluoride’s benefits for teeth were discovered in the 1930s. Dental scientists found low tooth decay rates among people whose water supplies contained natural fluoride. In communities of 20,000 people, every $1 invested in water fluoridation results in $38 of savings in dental treatment costs.

To see the fluoridation status of Iowa counties and towns, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/fluoride_search.asp. For more information on fluoride, visit www.idph.state.ia.us/hpcdp/common/pdf/oral_health/benefits_fluoride.pdf.

A Council Bluffs woman was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Charge of Child Endangerment, after deputies were alerted to a child in a van at a local shopping mall. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News a citizen reported the incident to deputies at around 7:20-p.m. Monday, as they were leaving a local pizzeria in the 1100 block of North Broadway. A woman approached the deputies and told them a baby was in a conversion van she thought was locked. The deputies investigated and found a child in a van in the parking lot of a Super Saver Store. The van’s windows were rolled-down slightly, and one of the doors was unlocked. The deputies took the child out of the vehicle. Danker said it was crying, upset and sweating.”

The 9-month old female was in the van for an estimated 25-30 minutes. The outside temperature at the time was 86-degrees. Danker said deputies placed the child in an air conditioned patrol car. He said the child’s mother came out of a store and spoke with the deputies. He says she was visibly upset. When asked why she left the baby in the van, the woman told deputies “She forgot.” She said also that she would never have left the baby in the van, but she forgot about her when she went to get some money and food for her supper. After speaking with the woman, deputies learned she had four other children, but that they were with a aunt playing in a water fountain at Bayliss Park.

The woman, 30-year old Tiffany Tunney, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Child Endangerment. She remained in the Pott. County Jail this (Tuesday) morning on $5,000 bond. The child did not require medical attention, but Danker says “There was the real potential,” for medical problems related to the heat. The girl was placed in temporary protective custody. The Sheriff says people need to use common sense with regard to children and animals being left in vehicles during the sweltering Summer heat. He says “You just can’t leave them in a vehicle.” Make sure children are either taken into the store if you are shopping, or in some one else’s care, in an air conditioned location.

w/ Ric Hanson

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w/ Ric Hanson

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