(A-P) — A stretch of Interstate 680 in western Iowa will be renamed Interstate 880 to end confusion that officials say often occurs during flooding. There are two stretches of I-680: a 3-mile portion that runs east to Interstate 29 from Mormon Bridge connecting Iowa to Nebraska on the north end of Omaha. That low-lying portion has been closed by Missouri River flooding several times this year and before.

The other stretch of I-680 is 10 miles north. It runs east for 16 miles to connect with Interstate 80. It will be renamed Interstate 880. Iowa Transportation Department spokesman Scott Suhr says the confusion arises when people read or hear that I-680 has been closed by flooding. They assume both sections are closed when actually only the low-lying, 3-mile stretch is affected.
Roadway signage will be changing in coming weeks, as will changes to online navigation and mapping systems.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports a Union County man was arrested last Friday, following a traffic stop in the 1700 block of Highway 71, or about three- miles north of Clarinda. During the traffic stop 20-year old Beau Ethan Boswell, of Afton, was arrested for OWI-drugged/1st offense. Boswell was transported to the Page County Sheriff’s Office where he was held on $1,000 bond. He was also cited for Operating a non-registered vehicle, and Failure to have insurance.

Creston Police say two men were arrested on separate charges, Monday morning. 23-year old Richard Lee Leingang, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County warrant for OWI/1st offense. Leingang was later released on his own recognizance. And, 25-year old Thompson Lee Jones, of Creston, turned himself in at the Creston Police Department. Jones was wanted on a warrant out of Polk County for Possession of controlled substance – Marijuana/1st offense. He later posted a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City has taken its first formal step to lift its ban on pit bulls in the city. The City Council voted 4-1 on Monday for an ordinance that would remove the ban adopted in September 2008. It came after pit bulls or mixes accounted for a high number of dogs in the city that had been declared vicious or at risk.

The current ordinance describes a pit bull as an American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog that looks like or has characteristics of being one of those breeds. Two more readings and votes on the new ordinance are required for the new policy. City staff research says animal control regulations across the country are moving away from breed specific provisions.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has been delayed for a man accused of killing an Iowa high school student almost 40 years ago. The trial had been scheduled to begin Monday for 65-year-old Jerry Burns, of Manchester. Burns has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. Police arrested him Dec. 19, 39 years to the day after 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was killed. Her body was found the next day inside her family’s car at a Cedar Rapids mall. She had been stabbed in the face and chest.

Burns’ attorney Leon Spies had sought the delay. He says the new tentative starting date is Feb. 10, but that could change if Burns were to request moving the trial out of Linn County. Police say investigators matched a blood sample from the crime scene with a sample taken from Burns.