DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An education task force says it will present Iowa lawmakers with recommendations for implementing new state testing for students. The Assessment Task Force said Tuesday it was endorsing the Smarter Balanced assessments for public and accredited nonpublic schools starting with the 2016-17 school year. The assessments were developed by a consortium of states. The task force says it will be aimed at monitoring student progress in mathematics and reading.

The recommendations come amid heightened interest in Iowa’s system for student testing. Gov. Terry Branstad recently removed the state from an organization developing an assessment system for the Common Core education standards.

The task force is made up of more than 20 education leaders. It will present a final report in January to the Legislature and education leaders.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Nov. 4, 2014 – Demolition work to remove the old bridge over Interstate 29 at the Port Neal interchange (exit 135) will require closing I-29 from 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, until 6 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office in Sioux City. During this closure, traffic will be routed on the new interchange ramps around the demolition work.

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.

For the latest traveler information anytime, visit www.511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at www.iowadot.com/511/socialmedia.html); or download the free app to your mobile device.

(Press Release)

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday) released a report on recent arrests and an accident. Officials say on Sunday, 24-year old Rodolfo Padilla, Jr., of Yakima, WA, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Padilla remains held at the Cass County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Last Saturday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 47-year old Rex Talbot Luke,  of Anita, on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense. Luke was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

On October 30th, 34-year old Jolene Mardell Cain, of Red Oak, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Theft 5th Degree. Cain was taken to the Cass County Jail where she pled guilty and was released the following day.

And on October 27th, 19-year old Philip Reed Thompson, Jr., of Lewis, was arrested by Cass County deputies on two Atlantic Police Department warrants for Domestic Abuse and two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Thompson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $25,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Department also responded to a reported accident at around 4:45-p.m. last Thursday. Officials say a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero driven by 16-year old Alissa Sue Brosam, of Griswold, went out of control on 540th Street curve, south of Griswold. The car entered the south ditch and hit an outbuilding before coming to rest on the driver’s side. Brosam and two passengers refused medical attention.

The teen was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $4,000; damage to the outbuilding is estimated at $500.

An investigation into a burglary early this (Tuesday) morning has resulted in an arrest. The Clarinda Police Department reports 36-year old Justin Joseph Reed, of Clarinda, was found hiding in a closet, in a residence owned by Ralph Crawford, at 418 west Nodaway Street, in Clarinda, after officers and a Page County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a reported burglary in progress at around 4-a.m. Crawford was not at home when the incident occurred.

Upon arrival officers noticed a window screen had been removed and a pane of window glass broken on one of the windows. Officers then searched the residence and located Reed, who was arrested and was  being held on $5,000 bond at the Page County Jail. He faces a felony burglary charge, along with misdemeanor charges that include destruction of property and possession of drug paraphernalia.