The Iowa Department of Public Safety is reminding motorists planning on traveling during this upcoming week that most of the state’s police officers, deputy sheriffs, state troopers and Department of Transportation (DOT) officers will participate in a Thanksgiving holiday enforcement effort aimed at encouraging everyone to buckle up.

This one-week enhanced enforcement period, spanning November 19–25, 2012, is another wave of Iowa’s special Traffic Enforcement Program (sTEP). The goal is to convince all motorists of the importance of buckling up.  In addition to safety belt violations, officers will also be watching for impaired drivers and other moving violations.

Although 92 percent of Iowa motorists are using safety belts during daytime hours, there are plenty of other drivers and passengers who aren’t, especially in rural communities.  As of November 1st, 2012, over 37 percent of the year’s 299 fatalities were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash which claimed their life.

Among the many law enforcement agencies participating in this years Governor’s Special Traffic Enforcement Program , is the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department, which has applied for and received a grant to provide extra traffic enforcement in five phases starting the week of Thanksgiving 2012.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board on Friday awarded financial assistance to seven business projects in the state that are expected to create 120 new jobs. IEDA spokesperson Tina Hoffman says the biggest project involves an expansion by DuPont Pioneer in Johnston. “They’re going to make a $13 million capital investment and create 100 additional jobs. That’ll involve the construction of office space and greenhouse space,” Hoffman said. The new jobs are expected to pay an annual salary of nearly $88,000.

The state will provide DuPont Pioneer with up to $4.4 million in tax credits. Part of the project involves moving some operations and jobs now in Ankeny to Johnston. Excel Engineering, located in the small southwest Iowa town of Diagonal, was awarded nearly $86,000 in tax credits. The engine testing and natural gas engine design firm is planning an expansion that’ll create 10 new jobs. Grain Millers, Incorporated – located in St. Ansgar – is also planning an expansion that’ll create 10 jobs.

“They’re going to be constructing a new facility, improving an processing line, adding a packaging line and purchasing equipment,” Hoffman said. Grain Millers was award $550,000 in tax credits. The IEDA Board also approved awards to “start up” companies located in Fairfield, Esterville, Urbandale and Iowa City.

Thanksgiving is coming a little early for motorists who routinely traverse northwest Iowa. One of the final segments of the Highway 20 widening project will open next week. Shirley Phillips, president of the U-S 20 Association, says this summer’s long dry spell helped crews finish their work much earlier than planned. There’s a grand opening celebration and dedication planned on Wednesday at 10-AM just east of the Highway 20/71 intersection. It marks the opening of the 26-mile stretch of four-lane highway which is being completed a full year ahead of schedule. Phillips says there’s a big line-up of dignitaries who will be there.

Attendees include: Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds, Congressman Steve King, the director of the Iowa DOT and several other state, county and local officials. Phillips says there remains a single gap to complete the four-lane roadway. That gap cuts across parts of Woodbury, Ida and Sac counties.

That stretch is about 30 miles and it will cost $374-million to complete. She says the acquisition for the continued expansion of Highway 20 in Woodbury County between Moville and Correctionville is underway. Grading work is to begin in the near future.

(Radio Iowa)

Authorities in Council Bluffs are investigating the death of a transient. According to Council Bluffs Police, the body of a 34-year old white male transient was discovered Friday in a hole he was digging in a wooded area just east of the 1600 block of North 15th Street. Officials say it appears the man was digging a hole for shelter or storage of his belongings, when he fell in and became trapped.

An autopsy was scheduled as part of the investigation, but officials say foul play is not suspected. Investigators are withholding the man’s name pending notification of family.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County say a Shenandoah man was arrested Friday night in a rural part of the county. 28-year old Kyle Elliott Smith was arrested at 270th Street and K Avenue at around 8:12-p.m., on a charge of Operating a motor vehicle While Intoxicated (OWI)/3rd offense. Smith was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000. bond.