(Red Oak, Iowa) The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested on separate warrants, today (Thursday). 42-year-old Robert Lee Bopp, of Shenandoah, was arrested at the Page County Jail, on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $20,000. And, 37-year-old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott, turned himself-in to the Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. His bond was set at $1,000.

(Radio Iowa) – The governor has signed a bill into law that requires testing for radon gas in public school buildings. The legislation is named in honor of Gail Orcutt, a retired teacher from Pleasant Hill who died of radon-inducted lung cancer in 2020. She had lobbied for the bill for a decade. Senator Jackie Smith of Sioux City is among the lawmakers who paid tribute to Orcutt before voting “yes” on the bill.  “This is a bill about the lungs,” Smith says, “but it was pushed by the heart.” The bill lets school districts use local option sales taxes to install radon mitigation systems. Testing to screen school buildings must be completed by July 1st of 2027. Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City voted for the bill, but raised concerns about that deadline.

“Do you think it makes sense to wait five more years to have a radon test in a building that might have a radon problem and kids being exposed to radon gas for the next five years?” Bolkcom asked. Senator Craig Johnson of Independence says it’s his understanding many schools have already been tested for radon, but this will spur others to do so. “My wife works in a public school,” Johnson says. “Believe me, I want this to get started as soon as possible myself.”Officials estimate about 400 Iowans will die of radon-inducted lung cancer this year. Radon is an odorless gas that seeps into homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation and every Iowa county is considered to have high levels of radon in the soil. In addition to testing of existing school buildings, the new law requires radon control systems to be part of any new school construction projects.

Representative Art Staed of Cedar Rapids is a retired teacher. “This will save lives,” Staed says. “It’ll save students’ lives and it’ll save teachers’ lives.” The bill passed with the support of all but two members of the legislature. The governor held a private bill signing ceremony on Tuesday for advocates who’d pressed for passage of the legislation.

(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa man with multiple previous convictions is going to spend more than 15 years in federal prison for dealing meth. Fifty-five-year-old David Alan Tafolla of Oelwein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance., Tafolla admitted that he was involved in drug trafficking from October 2020 to May 2021 and sold meth on four occasions.

Officers searched his home in May of 2021 and recovered meth, marijuana, and more than 36-thousand dollars in cash from drug sales. Tafolla has previous convictions in more than twenty cases that include assaults, going armed with intent, burglary and stalking.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Animal Shelter at 309 Sunnyside Lane, in Atlantic, had numerous visitors this (Thursday) morning, during the Shelter’s Grand Opening, following the addition of a “cattery” and many improvements for both cats and dogs. Factoring-in COVID, the project took roughly 2 ½ years to complete.
Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson said a generous donation got the ball rolling on making the shelter a better place for dogs and cats while they await adoption or, in the case of lost animals, returned to their owners.

The $135,000 gift from the Lorraine Eppelsheimer Estate was based on the stipulation that it would benefit animals at the shelter, and included a provision the dog and cat areas be separate. The addition includes new floor and office space, an increase in the number of cat cages in a separate area from the dogs, proper food storage, as well as an exam and grooming table, in addition to a more efficient water heater.

In addition to the bequeath, the Shelter went after and obtained grants and methods to reach their funding goal for the project, which was originally estimated to cost around $151,620, but ended-up being $215,000.

Erickson said there are so many people to thank for making the improvements possible.

She said while the cattery and other improvements are finished, there’s still a “wish-list” of items they want to add to make life better for the animals.

You can help out by attending their fundraisers, buying a “Don’t poop” sign for your yard or other areas where picking up animal droppings should happen. You can adopt a cat at the Atlantic animal shelter for only $100, or a dog for only $200. Vet Fees may apply. Follow them on Facebook for events and notification of animals up for adoption. The Shelter is open Monday-Tuesday-Friday, from 9-a.m. Until 3-p.m. For more information, call (712) 243-5281.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – May 26, 2022 – Two major changes to the interstate near I-29/I-480/West Broadway will occur late this week and early next week.

Eastbound I-480/West Broadway:

On Friday, May 27 by 6 a.m., eastbound I-480/West Broadway will be shifted to its new permanent alignment.

Avenue G ramps:

The southbound I-29 ramp to Avenue G will be closed beginning Tuesday, May 31, at 6 a.m. This ramp will be closed until mid-July. The ramp from Avenue G to southbound I-29 will be permanently closed.

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Iowa DOT is working hard to keep the public informed of construction impacts and actively seeks opportunities to update the public. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit the program website at www.CouncilBluffsInterstate.IowaDOT.gov.

You can also contact the program office at 712-216-3339 or info@CouncilBluffsInterstate.com.

CRESTON, Iowa – May 26, 2022 – A project to repair the Iowa 92 bridge over Jordan Creek one mile east of Carson will require closing Iowa 92 in both directions between U.S. 59 and Pottawattamie County Road M-47 starting Wednesday, June 1 at 7 a.m., weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office. The closure is expected to be in place until Aug. 18. During this project, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using U.S. 6, U.S. 59, and Iowa 48 (see map below).

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 in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts. 

The latest traveler information is available anytime through the 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.