The Iowa Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Advisory Council, in partnership with NewBoCo in Cedar Rapids, set the stage today (Monday) for Computer Science Education Week by bringing coding to thousands of young Iowans.

The opportunity, referred to as “Code Iowa,” localizes Code.org’s “Hour of Code,” an international effort to introduce millions of students around the world to at least one hour of computer coding. In Iowa, more than 500 schools and organizations, amounting to thousands of students, will take part in coding beginning today (Monday) through December 11th. Among the students participating, are those at the Tri-Center Middle School, in Neola. Their opportunity to code comes Wednesday, from 1-to 1:43-p.m.

Dr. Jeff Weld, executive director of the STEM Council, says “Every aspect of young people’s lives involve computing—how they communicate, learn, entertain, travel, indeed how they stay healthy with fitness trackers and food apps and more. Code Iowa’ takes them behind the screen to produce rather than to merely consume technology, launching lifelong interest we hope in the great IT careers that await across our state.”

Many of Iowa’s participating schools and organizations competed for technology awards as part of “Code Iowa.” Thanks to the generous support of Google and Verizon, one $3,500 award in each of the six STEM regions will be presented across Iowa this week. Awards were based on how applicants plan to implement an hour of computer coding into this week’s curriculum or activities.

All schools and organizations in Iowa that registered for the “Hour of Code” are recognized as Certified Code Iowa Partners through the STEM Council and will receive information about free Computer Science educator workshops in 2017. For more information on Code Iowa, visit www.IowaSTEM.gov/CodeIowa.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation report U.S. Highway 20 traffic will be shifted off the detour to the existing lanes in Ida and Sac counties between Galva and Early at noon Friday, Dec. 9th, weather permitting. Traffic will remain on the existing lanes through the winter with the detour reactivated in spring 2017.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the 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.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. 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.gov/511/socialmedia.html); or download the free app to your mobile device.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The FBI has seized computer data that may be connected to a federal investigation into Sioux City’s emitting improperly treated sewage with high levels of harmful bacteria into the Missouri River. The Sioux City Journal reports   agents served a warrant Thursday at the city-county Information Technology Department.

Tony Morfitt is a spokesman for the U.S. attorney in northern Iowa, and he said Monday he couldn’t comment on what the agents were seeking. Attorney Guy Cook represents the city in the wastewater matter, and he told the Journal the city is cooperating with the U.S. attorney’s office and the FBI.

The wastewater treatment practices have been under state and federal scrutiny since Iowa officials learned last year that two plant supervisors were manipulating chemical levels used to treat sewage.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad will meet with President-elect Donald Trump this week amid speculation the Iowa governor could become the next U.S. ambassador to China. Branstad told reporters Monday he has a tentative appointment to meet with Trump while the Republican governor is in New York for an economic development trip scheduled between Tuesday and Thursday.

At a rally in Sioux City before the election, Trump had praised Branstad’s knowledge of trade and called him a “prime candidate to take care of China.” Branstad said Monday that Trump hasn’t been offered a position. Although Branstad didn’t directly reference becoming U.S. ambassador to China, he told reporters he’s had discussions recently with his family about possibly moving to China.

Trump won Iowa and will hold a rally Thursday in Des Moines.

The Atlantic Police Department reports five people were arrested on separate charges recently. Last Friday, Officers with the A-PD arrested 20-year old Douglas Cline, of Atlantic, on Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation. On Saturday, 55-year old Phillip Fraser, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Simple Assault. On Nov. 29th, 32-year old Adam Morris, of Atlantic, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault and Simple Assault causing bodily injury. On Nov. 25th, 26-year old Devin Register, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for Delivery of a Controlled Substance. And, on Nov. 22nd, 32-year old Daniel Long, of Atlantic, was arrested on Cass County warrants for Theft in the 3rd Degree, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. All subjects were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in.

And, no injuries were reported following accidents that occurred Dec. 1st and 2nd. Officials say Patrice Hanson, of Forest City, was given a warning for Failure to Yield upon entering a through street, after she stopped at the intersection of 10th and Olive Streets on Dec. 1st, before proceeding westbound into the intersection, where her vehicle collided with a vehicle driven by Jordan Edgington, of Atlantic. Edgington was making a left-hand turn from northbound Olive onto 10th Street at the time. The accident, which happened at around 6-p.m. Thursday, resulted in $2,500 damage.

The second accident happened at around 5:10-p.m. Friday at the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets, when a vehicle driven by April Lummus, of Atlantic, struck the rear of a vehicle driven by Pamela Rodriguez, of Atlantic. The accident occurred as Rodriguez was slowing for a red light as she was traveling east on 7th Street. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,200. Police cited Lummus for Failure to Stop in an assured, clear distance.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two women were arrested following a traffic stop last week. 20-year old Selena Marie Hansen, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday on a warrant for Failure to Appear in court. Also arrested during the same traffic stop, was 54-year old Beth Ann Bonnesen, of Atlantic. Bonnesen was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine/1^st Offense. Both women were taken to the Cass County Jail. Bonnesen was released on her own recognizance later that day; Hansen was released on her own recognizance several days later.

Last Friday, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29-year old JaNae Nicole Anderson, of Audubon, on five counts of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card (less than $1,000). Anderson was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on her own recognizance.

On November 28th, 22-year old Nicholas Wayne Renner, of Huxley, was arrested in Cass County on a District Court warrant for Probation Violation. Renner was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $5,000 bond. And, on November 29th, 25-year old Devin Allen Foote, of Griswold, turned himself in at the Cass County Jail on a Sheriff’s Office charge of Violation of a No Contact Order. Foote was released later that day on his own recognizance after pleading not guilty before the magistrate.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a Shelby County man was arrested early this (Monday) morning on an OWI charge following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County, near mile marker 39. After the 2001 Mercury driven by 32-year old Andrew Jacob Smith, of Harlan, was pulled over for having a partially obstructed license plate, the Deputy observed Smith had blood shot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol was coming from the vehicle.

Smith told the Deputy he had consumed two drinks. He consented to a Field Sobriety Test and Preliminary Breath Test, which registered a preliminary Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .142 (point One-Four-Two) percent. A subsequent breath test at the Pott. County Jail registered .112 Percent. Smith was taken into custody for OWI/1st Offense and Failure to Maintain a Registration (License) Plate.

The Pott. County Sheriff’s Office said also, a man from Oakland was arrested Sunday night for Domestic Assault resulting in bodily injury, after he allegedly assaulted his mother. 41-year old Shane Elam Rouse was taken into custody after his son reported the incident to authorities. The victim of the assault suffered a bump on the head.