(Update 4-a.m. 10/5 – Traffic flow in the left lane is no longer restricted according to 511ia.org)

The Iowa Department of Transportation reports traffic is restricted to the left lane on eastbound Interstate 80 due to a truck carrying an oversize load on U.S. 169 under I-80 that hit both I-80 bridges at exit 110. The Iowa DOT has placed a weight restriction of 80,000 pounds and a 20,000-pound axle weight limit for the eastbound I-80 bridge at exit 110. Oversized loads will be routed around the eastbound I-80 bridge using the entrance and exit ramps at exit 110.

Motorists should expect traffic delays in the area. The Iowa DOT’s bridge inspectors are in the process of evaluating the damage. The right lane of the eastbound I-80 bridge will remain closed until that inspection is completed and the bridge is deemed safe.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department Tuesday afternoon, released a report on recent arrests. On Monday, 28-year old Eric Brandt, of Griswold, was taken into custody when officers were called to the 1600 block of 8^th Street for a subject who might be suicidal.  Brandt was taken to Myrtue Medical Center for evaluation.  While at the Myrtue Medical emergency room Brandt allegedly became aggressive and officers were called to assist.  When Brandt was medically cleared by the emergency room staff, he was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct and assault. Brandt was later transferred early Tuesday morning to the custody of Pottawattamie County Deputies, for transport to the Pott. County Jail under authority of a warrant for Failure to Appear in Court.

On Sunday, three subjects were arrested in Harlan after officers were called to investigate the theft of a purse from the 1000 block of 7^th Street.  As a result of the investigation a search warrant was served on a residence in the 1300 block of Hawkeye Avenue.  29-year old’s Bryan Schuemann and Jackie Thielen, along with 21-year old Julia Comstock, all of Harlan, were taken into custody and transported to the Shelby County Jail.  Schuemann was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Comstock was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property theft 4^th, and prohibited acts penalties.  Thielen was charged with theft 4^th possession of stolen property.

And, 48-year old Demetrius Moungo, of Harlan, was taken into custody Sunday, following a traffic stop.  Moungo was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and failure to have a valid driver’s license.

Saturday, Harlan Police arrested 51-year old Amy Jo Ross, of Harlan, after officers were called to the 500 block of Market Street for an intoxicated female.  Ross was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with intoxication in public. Also arrested Saturday, was 48-year old Lisa Giles,of Harlan, following a traffic stop.  Giles was cited for driving under suspension, given a court date and released.

State tax collections increased just one percent over the past three months, far short of the more than seven percent revenue growth that was projected. Legislative Services Bureau analyst Jeff Robinson says it’s too early to detect a big trend, though.
“Yes, the fiscal year is behind estimates at the moment, but that often happens and the year turns out differently than those first three months look,” Robinson says. The state fiscal year started July 1st. During July, August and September, Iowans HAVE paid about four percent more in income taxes to the state.

“But it’s growing kind of at a muted level compared to normal non-recession years,” Robinson says. “Part of that is refund issues.” The State of Iowa has paid a higher-than-normal amount of income tax refunds in the past three months. State sales tax collections have grown more than three percent in the past three months, but Robinson cautions some of that growth came from accounting transactions that aren’t related to actual retail sales. The three-member panel of financial experts who set the official prediction for state tax collections will meet October 13th.

“It’ll be interesting,” Robinson says. “I think people should pay attention to what happens.” The total amount of state spending is based on the predictions from the three-member Revenue Estimating Conference. In the fall of 2009, former Governor Chet Culver enacted a 10 percent across-the-board cut in the state budget based on the group’s decision to dramatically lower its estimate of future state tax collections. Current Governor Terry Branstad has said if state spending plans have to be changed, he will call legislators back into special session to make selected budget cuts.

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a man from Stanton was arrested this (Tuesday) morning on a Page County Bench Warrant for Violation of Probation. 22-year old Cody Benjamin Carrol Johnson was taken into custody at around 10:25-a.m. and turned over to the Page County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,000.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and to help promote awareness of violence against women, Southwest Iowa Families based in Clarinda, is making available several displays of t-shirts representing each form of Domestic Violence. The displays can be seen at various locations in southwest Iowa, beginning October 12^th and continuing through Oct. 26^th. Teresa Kanning is the IDAP (Iowa Domestic Abuse Prevention) Coordinator for Southwest Iowa Families and the Iowa 4^th Judicial District.

Southwest Iowa Families, in conjunction with Catholic Charities and Phoenix House, have been providing the displays for a number of years at this same time. The color of the shirts is representative of the type of violence women have endured.

(She says White represents women who have died from violence. Yellow or beige are for women who have been battered or assaulted. Red, pink or orange represents women who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Blue or green is for women who have endured incest or child sexual abuse. Purple or lavender is for women who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation.)

Kanning says the Clothesline Project this year will be displayed: in Fremont County on the courthouse lawn in Sidney, Oct. 12^th; In Shenandoah at the County west building; on Oct. 19^th, and in Clarinda on Oct. 26^th, on the courthouse lawn. The displays are available for viewing from 5-until 7-p.m. each day.  For more information, go to http://southwestiowafamilies.org/news/.

Iowa Domestic Violence Hotline

Southwest Iowa Families runs the IDAP Program for the 4^th Judicial District that treats individuals who have perpetrated domestic violence, many of whom have been court ordered to undergo treatment. There is no charge to view the Clothesline Project, but donations are gladly accepted from persons who want to help fight domestic violence.

Kanning says she believes the rate of domestic violence has been pretty much holding steady over recent years. Abuse can be verbal or physical, and the victims can be male, as well as female. If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence, contact the Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-779-7233, Catholic Charities at 1-888-612-0266, or the Phoenix House at 712-256-2059. You can also text to 741741. Trained providers are available there 24/7, especially for teens who are experiencing violence.

If you have been a perpetrator of domestic violence, you can call the Iowa Domestic Abuse Program at Southwest Iowa Families to begin services, at 712-542-3501.