COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An estimated 250 workers affected by the closure of Griffin Pipe in Council Bluffs will have an opportunity to find new work next week during a job fair at the Mid-America Center.  The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports that the job fair, being sponsored by the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce and Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, will be held April 10.  About 40 to 50 area employers, who are actively hiring, will have booths at the fair.

Council Bluffs officials received notification last month from U.S. Pipe Holdings in Hoover, Ala., that the Griffin Pipe Products plant would be closing in early May. U.S. Pipe Holdings is a subsidiary U.S. Pipe and Foundry, Birmingham, Ala.

U.S. Pipe acquired a majority interest in Griffin Pipe earlier this year.

UNDERWOOD, Iowa (AP) — Charges have been dropped against an Underwood teacher accused of stealing prescription pads to obtain pain medication, but charges against his wife remain. The Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil reports that a judge on Friday dismissed charged against Heath Telleen, who teaches at Underwood High School. His wife, Samantha Telleen, faces up to 90 years in prison if she’s convicted of the nine counts against her.

Assistant Pottawattamie County Attorney Shelly Sedlak says an investigation revealed Samantha Telleen — not her husband — took prescription pads from Underwood Family Practice. Prosecutors say Samantha Telleen was given the key to the building last year to check mail and faxes while the owners were away.

Samantha Telleen is a special education teacher at Underwood Middle School. She is on paid leave.

Just in time for National Work Zone Awareness Week, the Iowa Department of Transportation is launching a new website to keep motorists better informed on the location of major Iowa DOT construction projects that may impact travel. The site, www.iowadot.gov/travel.html#/highwayconstruction, lists interstate and state highway construction projects’ details.

For calendar year 2014, the Iowa Department of Transportation is anticipating approximately $700 million in repairs to Iowa’s state highway system. Cities and counties across the state will have numerous projects underway as well. Remember, in a work zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.

Mark Bortle, the Iowa DOT’s traffic safety field engineer, says “We’re excited about the new website for a number of reasons. First, it will help the public get the information they need any time of the day or night. Of course, they can always call one of our offices, but sometimes that isn’t as convenient as just logging on. Launching the site just in time for Work Zone Awareness Week is just another reminder to keep an eye out for the many family members, friends, and neighbors out working on the roads. The work is being done to improve safety for all of us.”

Basic travel can also be found at www.511ia.org or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide).

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — State prosecutors have requested a change of venue for the trial of a Council Bluffs doctor charged with sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl. Officials say in a motion filed Wednesday that it would be “difficult, if not impossible” to find a fair or impartial jury in Pottawattamie County because of Dennis Jones’ ties to the community. They also cited extensive media coverage of the case.

The Daily Nonpareil reports the Attorney General’s Office is handling the case because Jones served as an expert witness for the Pottawattamie County Attorney’s Office. Jones is accused of inappropriately touching a girl outside of his pediatrics practice and faces a second-degree sexual abuse charge. Court documents show authorities found child pornography during a search of Jones’ home. His attorneys maintain their client’s innocence.

The President of Casey’s General Stores today (Friday), recognized Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Shelby McCreedy for her selfless actions of stopping an attempted robbery at an Atlantic Casey’s convenience store, while off-duty.

Casey’s President/CEO Robert Myers presents a letter of gratitude to Special Agent Shelby McCreedy. (DPS Photo)

CEO Robert Myers presented Special Agent McCreedy with a framed letter of gratitude from Casey’s for what he says was “going above and beyond the call of duty.”

On January 29th, 2014, 22-year old Brady Thomas Salberg entered the Casey’s store and informed the cashier he had a weapon and demanded the money in the cash register.   Special Agent McCreedy noticed the incident unfolding, instructed people in the parking lot not to enter the store, and had her son call 911. Special Agent McCreedy entered the store and ordered Salberg to the floor and held him there until officers from the Atlantic Police Department arrived.

Salberg was taken into custody and charged with 2nd Degree Robbery, a Class C Felony.