LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two years after Iowa and Nebraska raised their gas taxes, both states are seeing a flurry of new roadway projects at a time when national infrastructure efforts have stalled. Officials say the extra revenue has allowed them to move forward quickly with overdue bridge repairs and plans for major highway projects. Both states raised their gas taxes in 2015 with support from farm groups, truckers and even some conservative Republicans who champion tax cuts.

Iowa passed its 10-cent-per-gallon increase first, in February 2015. A recent analysis shows the tax has generated an extra $515 million for projects in all 99 counties. Nebraska approved a 6-cent increase in May 2015. The following year, state officials created a program that will funnel $400 million into road and bridge projects.

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man has died near where a grass fire began in central Iowa. Grinnell firefighters dispatched to a property west of Grinnell around 2:45 p.m. Saturday found the man’s body. He’s been identified as 86-year-old Bernard Willfang. Authorities say the fire and Willfang’s death appear to have been accidental.

The fire blackened about 40 acres of land and burned 70 bales of hay.

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — A Fort Dodge man has been ordered to pay back his former employer and the Iowa Lottery for stolen scratch tickets. The Messenger reports that 31-year-old Christopher Breyfogle pleaded guilty Monday to theft and lottery theft. He’ll be on probation for three years and must pay back nearly $11,500 to the lottery and more than $12,400 to Yesway. Another theft count was dismissed in exchange for Breyfogle’s pleas.

Authorities have said an Iowa Lottery employee saw Breyfogle scanning and redeeming scratch tickets at another retail location in Fort Dodge. The lottery contacted the convenience store where Breyfogle worked, and it was determined that scratch tickets were missing from the store’s inventory.

An investigation into a hit-and-run property damage accident Friday in Page County, resulted in the arrest of a man on a warrant for Felony Eluding. The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 43-year old Jason Ludwig Reents, of Coin, also faces multiple traffic offenses. His arrest occurred during the investigation into an accident that occurred at 4:45 p.m., Friday.  Police were called to investigate an incident where a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a carport and supporting structure at 501 N. 10th St., causing an estimated $500 damage to the structure.

When police arrived, the driver fled the scene in a beige 1997 Lincoln Mark VII. Clarinda Police and Page County Sheriff’s Department Deputies pursued the vehicle for a period but terminated the pursuit. A subsequent investigation identified the driver as Reents. On Monday, November 27th complaints were filed in Page County District Court and an arrest warrant was issued for Reents. He was taken into custody by Page County Deputes at his place of employment, Monday afternoon. Reents is currently being held in the Page County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Police reports have been submitted to the offices of Page County Attorney Carl M. Sonksen for review regarding the filing of formal charges.

A woman whose vehicle struck a deer last week in Mills County, was transported to a hospital in Council Bluffs. Authorities say on Friday, 40-year old Duana Dodendorf, of Bellevue, NE, was traveling in a 2016 Mazda at around 6:30-p.m., when a large deer ran out in front of her vehicle. The woman said she did not have time to take evasive action. After her car hit the deer, Dodendorf initially reported no injuries, but when she tried to exit her vehicle, the woman briefly collapsed, complained of chest pain, and had difficulty breathing.

She was transported by Glenwood Rescue to Jennie Edmundson Hospital to be checked out and treated as necessary.