Road construction work for the expansion of U.S. 20 in Ida and Sac counties will require closing the roadway to traffic between Ida County Road M-25 (near Galva) and U.S. 71 (near Early) from 8 a.m. Wednesday, Apr. 11, until Friday, Sept. 28, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 3 Office.

Motorists will be directed around the work zone on a signed detour using Ida County Road M-25, Ida/Sac County Road D-15, and U.S. 71.

A bridge replacement project on the U.S. 71 bridge over Lone Tree Creek, 0.1 miles south of Cass County Road G-35, and 3.1 miles south of Atlantic, will require closing the roadway to traffic beginning Monday morning April 23, until Oct. 1, 2018, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

During this closure, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 92, Iowa 148, and Iowa 83.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As always, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa House Republicans hope to unveil a key bill on tax cuts by the end of the week. Rep. Guy Vander Linden, an Oskaloosa Republican, says Tuesday the “complex” bill could even see a vote this week in the tax-writing committee that he chairs. For now, he says they’re “still making sausage.” On Monday, the Republican-controlled House solicited general input on tax cut proposals at a public hearing.

Senate Republicans passed a bill along party lines in late February that would cut Iowa taxes by more than $1 billion annually. Senate Republicans did not explain how they would pay for the cuts.
House Republicans say they’re working off a separate tax bill by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would reduce tax revenues by about $1.7 billion over several years.

UPDATE 12:57-P.M.: HE HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE, IN CRESCENT. THANK YOU!

A family in Underwood is asking for you help in locating a member of the family who left home at around 3-a.m. today (Tuesday) on foot. According to his sister’s social media post, Jarrett Waters left wearing a tan Carhart jacket, and winter-weather style head gear with the word “Amsterdam” on it. “JT” as he’s known, wears glasses, and was said to have been without a phone, ID, or money. And, he didn’t bring along any food. No other information is currently available.

If you see him, contact your local law enforcement agency.

JT Waters (from his sister’s Facebook page, by permission)

UPDATED 12:30-p.m.) WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita, Kansas police, say the husband of a 37-year-old woman whose body was found in a dumpster has been arrested in Iowa. An Iowa State Trooper who is a member of the Iowa State Patrol’s Vehicle Theft Unit checked the license plate of a vehicle in a business parking lot in Davenport, that was confirmed stolen out of Wichita, Kansas. Shortly thereafter, 30 year old Donnell Stafford, of Wichita, was taken into custody without incident. He was being held in the Scott County Jail pending extradition back to Wichita on the charge of murder in the first degree.

Authorities in Kansas says Leuh Moore was killed early Sunday at her Wichita home. Her body was put in the dumpster less than a mile away. The couple had a history of domestic violence, according to officials, but the investigation is continuing. Investigators believe the suspect took to the couple’s 7-year-old son to a relative’s house after his mother was killed. Two dogs at the home were stabbed and were taken to a vet for treatment.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place Monday. 37-year old John Oliver Knight, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving while Revoked. And, 43-year old Eva Maria Leon (Inada), of Bellevue, NE., was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of Probation.

Iowa Republican  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley says it would be political “suicide” for President Donald Trump to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Grassley says he has confidence in Mueller and Trump should, too, adding: “It would be suicide for the president to want to talk about firing Mueller. The less the president said on this whole thing, the better off he would be, the stronger his presidency would be.”

Grassley tells Fox Business Network that Mueller may be “coming to a dead-end as far as collusion of Trump with Russia in this election” and speculates Mueller may “appreciate being fired” so he could end the inquiry. Trump is fuming after federal agents raised his personal attorney’s office in New York. He calls Mueller investigation a “witch hunt.”

Red Oak Police report a man was arrested at around 9:50-a.m. today (Tuesday), on a drug charge. 31-year old Bret Wade Sheppard, of Emerson, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Equipment. Sheppard was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque hospital wants a state oversight board to reconsider the hospital’s application for buying equipment for a new cancer center. The Telegraph Herald reports that Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque filed the application last month with the State Health Facilities Council. In October the council rejected Mercy’s request for permission to purchase equipment that would be key to development of a $25 million cancer center. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital argued at the time that its Wendt Cancer Center already provides the necessary services in Dubuque.

Officials say the two hospitals are discussing a joint venture. One of the state board members who voted against Mercy’s request has left the five-member council and so far hasn’t been replaced. Mercy officials hope to gain approval from what could be a more sympathetic council.