More older Iowans are choosing to remain in the workforce well into their retirement years. A recent study found Iowans 55 and older account for nearly 20-percent of the total employed population in Iowa. Terry Hornbuckle, with the Iowa Department on Aging, says the economic downturn in 2007 and 2008 hit many retirees hard.

“Particularly, the newly retiring baby-boomers,” Hornbuckle says. “Their savings were cut in half and they’re choosing to stay (in the workforce) at least until they’re 70.” Although it’s against the law for employers to discriminate based on age, Hornbuckle says there are still businesses that reject older, qualified workers.

“There’s a sense in the community, with older workers, that you won’t recover your training costs or they’re not productive. Research dispels that…those are myths and stereotypes,” Hornbuckle says. This week is designated as National Employ Older Workers Week. Hornbuckle says older Iowans can bring a host of skills to any workplace – including experience and dependability.

“This age group probably has 20 good years of productive employment in their life, if not more,” Hornbuckle said. “And our society is aging much more healthfully, so (they’re) in better health and are capable of working much longer.” Iowa is among the top five states in the country for the percentage of residents who are 65 and older.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has announced the eastbound Interstate 480 to northbound I-29 bridge in Council Bluffs will close Wednesday and Thursday to make repairs.

Northbound I-29 traffic will be routed around the construction zone by traveling south on I-29, exiting at 9th Avenue (exit 53A), and traveling north on I-29. Motorists will want to allow some extra time in the morning hours to travel on this detour.

The roadway should be reopened to traffic by Friday, Sept. 28, weather permitting.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits 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.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating a shooting in Cedar Rapids that killed a 19-year-old woman. Police say Latasha Roundtree of Cedar Rapids died at a hospital early yesterday morning several hours after the shooting around 10 p.m. Saturday. The shooting happened near Interstate 380 on 16th Avenue.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A state push to bring felony charges against noncitizens who voted in recent Iowa elections could run into two key roadblocks: local prosecutors who do not want to pursue cases and jurors who may find no criminal intent. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation announced Thursday that three Council Bluffs residents – a couple from Canada and a Mexican citizen living legally in the U.S. – were charged with election misconduct.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa man will spend at least five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine in the northwest corner of the state. Federal prosecutors say 48-year-old Esmelin Belloso-Valle pleaded guilty last week to selling meth and conspiring with others to sell it.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa lawyer will be unable to work for 30 days because of problems with her record-keeping and the way she handled payments from her clients. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports the Iowa Supreme Court suspended Sara Kersenbrock’s license. Kersenbrock had been accused of mishandling payments from clients and failing to deposit retainer payments into a client trust account.