COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – May 18, 2011 – Bridge construction work will require closing Jesup Avenue under Interstate 29 at exit 35 approximately one-half mile west of Pacific Junction until Mid-August, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Council Bluffs construction office.

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.

Congressman Peter King, (R), NY

Congressman Steve King, (R), IA

The OTHER U.S. Congressman King isn’t ruling out the idea he could be persuaded to run for president. Congressman PETER King — a Republican from Long Island, New York — sent an email to constituents, saying some of his supporters think he should run for president. King told C-N-N he’s not going to say “no” to the idea, which he says came from Nassau County, New York Republicans.

“It’s the most powerful Republican organization in the country,” King said of the Long Island-based group. “If they want to pursue it and see what happens. I don’t expect it to lead it anywhere, but I’ll leave that up to them.” So-called “draft” movements are often formed as a prelude to a candidate announcing he or she is running for office, but the New Yorker says he’s “focused” on running for reelection to the U.S. House.

“Right now I have no plans to go to Iowa or New Hampshire,” King said during an interview on CNN. Iowa Congressman Steve King publicly toyed with the idea of running for president over the past couple of years, but has seemed to settle on the role of King-maker this year. King hosted a forum in February for five potential G-O-P candidates.

(Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

Two southwest Iowa teachers are the 2011 recipients of the Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award.

This year’s recipients were announced in special ceremonies at their respective schools, Tuesday. The 2011 recipients are Kelly Sutherland, third grade teacher in the Treynor School District, and Rhonda Sheldon, a 6th-through 12^th grade life sciences instructor in the Sidney School District. Each instructor will receive $10,000, while their school districts receive $2,500 each.

Named after a well-known philanthropist, the award goes out to teacher and counselors in 25 Iowa school districts within 40 miles of Emerson, Lakin’s hometown. Lakin created the award in 2008 as a way to give back to teachers, who were a big influence on his life. His mission is to reward teachers who entice students to come to school each day, and to emphasize the vital role of teachers in rural communities.

Teachers and counselors eligible must be employed full-time, with a minimum of three years experience in the same school. Previous winners are ineligible, and only one award per school year is available. Teachers from accredited private and public schools were eligible, but home schools were excluded. Teachers in large urban communities such as Council Bluffs and Lewis Central were also excluded from the award.

The Iowa Board of Social Work has taken action in the case of a Red Oak woman whose license was inactive, but sought to have it reactivated.

In documents posted today (Wednesday) on the board’s website, the Board on May 9^th, agree to reactivate the social worker Ava Dorrance’s license, with the stipulation it be placed on indefinite probation for a minimum of three-years from the date her license is reinstated. Dorrance’s license to practice social work was issued in Iowa on November 21^st, 1989, but it has been inactive since December 31^st, 2006.

In the consent agreement, the Board says Dorrance holds a Clinical Social Worker license in the State of Illinois, but in December 2006, that State’s Department of Financial and Profession Regulation suspended her license for “engaging in unprofessional conduct by having a social relationship with a former patient.” her license was reinstated in Illinois, on May 7^th, 2010, with the understanding the woman would be on indefinite probation for a minimum of three-years, that she was not to engage in solo practice as a clinical social worker, and that she must work in a multi-disciplinary setting, under the direct supervision of a licensed clinical social worker.

The consent agreement reached in Iowa last week imposes the same conditions as those enacted by the State of Illinois, and, among other things, orders Dorrance to continue weekly psychotherapy sessions, along with the continuation of her medications as prescribed by her physician.

The proposed agreement is subject to the approval of the full IBSW Board. If they fail to approve it, the terms will not be enforced.

A man and woman from Kentucky were arrested Tuesday afternoon in Pottawattamie County, on drug charges. Pott County Sheriff’s Department spokesman, Sgt. Dwayne Riche says 25-year old Meghan Pugh, of Lakeside Park, KY, and 26-year old Jeffrey Eisenmenger, of Erlanger, KY, were each charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the intent to deliver, Possession of drug Paraphernalia, and violation of the Drug Tax Stamp. 

Sgt. Riche says the couple was arrested at around 1:45-p.m. after authorities received a call about a person who was apparently “doing drugs” at the Underwood I-80 truck stop. A truck driver observed Eisenmenger performing an illegal activity. After the Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene, the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics. Eisenmenger told authorities there was heroin in the vehicle, but the substance has not yet been tested.

The couples’ car, a 2003 Mazda, also contained an undetermined amount of cash, 28-grams of an illegal substance, and drug paraphernalia. That included needles, aluminum foil, Q-tips, a spoon with foil wrapped around it, and cotton balls.

The couple was taken into custody, and their vehicle was towed. Pugh and Eisenmenger were brought to the Pottawattamie County Jail, where they were being held on $15,300 bond, each.

Officials with the Iowa Department for the blind say a program being held tomorrow (Thursday), in Atlantic, is designed to help visually impaired Iowans living in the Atlantic area, discover services and programs that will enable them to live more independently, keep or seek employment, and build confidence in living with vision loss. The informational seminar takes place from 10-a.m. until 2-p.m, at the Heritage House (1200 Brookridge Circle, in Atlantic).

The program is being hosted by the IDB, and will provide information on working in competitive employment, using assertive technology (such as screen-reading software and talking devices), accessing disability-related Social Security, and discovering tips and tools for maintaining independence in daily life.

Those attending the event will have a chance to meet with key staff from the Iowa Department for the Blind, and find out which services would be beneficial for their individual needs. The program is free, and open to the public.

Those with vision loss, and their friends and/or family are encouraged to attend, along with professionals who work with persons with vision loss, or, those employers looking to hire dedicated workers.

For more information, call Shoshanna Hebshi, at 515-281-1338, or log on to www.idbonline.org.

Atlantic Police reported Tuesday, the arrest on that day of 24-year old Justin Knutsen, of Atlantic. Knutsen was charged with Public Intoxication. The man brought to the Cass County Jail & held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

A Public Hearing will be held Wednesday evening in Atlantic, on a proposed Development Agreement between the City and Boulders Inn and Suites. The meeting takes place during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Atlantic City Council, and will be followed by action on approval of a resolution authorizing Tax Increment payments and certain Tax Increment Revenues toward the payment of the agreement, as well as a resolution setting the date for a public hearing on a proposed internal advance and loan to fund the $125,000 incentive grant, to be funded from the City’s Economic Development Fund.

City Administrator Doug Harris says the City has dropped its original offer of an additional $100,000 in tax rebates for the Boulders project, because the City will incur added interest and legal costs which would cause the City to exceed the original offering.
Boulders has informed the City through its attorney, that they want the agreement to include the $100,000 in tax rebates. Their attorney is expected to submit a counter-proposal for the Finance Committee’s consideration, and committee will forward its recommendation to the Council.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council Wednesday, will hold a public hearing on an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, followed by a resolution approving the amendment. The amendment simply grants the City the legal authority to spend public funds not previously anticipated under the original budget.

The Council will also act on approving the second and likely third, and final reading of an ordinance amending the wastewater fee schedule, as previously announced. The scheduled increase is necessary to help pay for the new $15-million wastewater treatment plant, which is under construction.

The meeting begins at 5:30-p.m., in the Atlantic City Hall.