COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – March 27, 2019 – The westbound Interstate 80/northbound I-29 segment of the dual, divided freeway in Council Bluffs is now open to traffic. This design physically separates through traffic on I-80 from local traffic on I-29 destined for Council Bluffs. Drivers wanting to travel within Council Bluffs will choose local lanes to access exits.

(For more information on how to use the new freeway, watch the video posted at http://www.councilbluffsinterstate.iowadot.gov/projects/dual-divided-freeway/.)

The Iowa DOT chose a dual, divided freeway design because it offers greater flexibility to travelers, reduces congestion and will improve safety and efficiency. For example, it allows traffic to keep moving in both directions, even if lanes are closed because of a crash. This design allows through traffic to utilize both express and local lanes, offering more lanes overall.

On the previous interstate configuration, through traffic merged with local traffic at on- and off-ramps creating congestion, especially during peak traffic hours. The dual, divided freeway separates through traffic from local traffic, eliminating delay and reducing conflict. The dual, divided freeway will also reduce the number of crashes caused by merging traffic between interchanges.

Drivers should note that westbound I-80 express traffic destined for northbound I-29 (exit 1) will not be able to access the exit until the permanent pavement is constructed in approximately three months. In the meantime, drivers should use northbound I-29/westbound I-80 local lanes. If drivers accidentally choose the express lanes and need to get back to a Council Bluffs exit, drivers can exit at 13th Street in Omaha and turn around.

The Iowa DOT encourages motorists to follow signs and use caution while becoming accustomed to the traffic shift.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force says it will need nearly $5 billion over the next three years to rebuild a Florida base heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael last fall, and repair a base in Nebraska struck by flooding this month. The estimate was disclosed today (Wednesday) by Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. The money would have to be approved by Congress. It would be for disaster relief at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

In a statement, Wilson said the Air Force “desperately” needs $1.2 billion in extra funds this year and $3.7 billion extra in the 2020 and 2021 budgets. The Air Force said that without that money, it will make other cuts that risk undermining Air Force readiness for combat operations.

The Harlan Police Department reports three, recent arrests. On Saturday, 34-year old Reid Jeffrey Hemminger, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Hemminger was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with driving while suspended, operating a non-registered vehicle, and no proof of insurance.

Last Friday, 19-year old Callie Renee Peta, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant out of the State of Minnesota. Peta was transported to the Shelby County Jail. And, 27-year old Winston Joseph Leal, of Harlan, was arrested following a call for a disturbance. Leal was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with domestic abuse assault.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — After months without a winner, lottery players will have another shot at a Powerball jackpot that has soared to a massive $750 million. The Powerball drawing will be Wednesday night, giving those who buy a $2 ticket a chance at winning the fourth-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Although the prize has grown steadily since the last jackpot winner on Dec. 26, the odds of matching the five white balls and single Powerball remain a staggering one in 292.2 million.

The $750 million estimated figure refers to the annuity option, paid over 29 years. Nearly all grand prize winners opt for the cash prize, which for Wednesday’s drawing would be an estimated $465.5 million. Powerball is played in 44 states, plus Washington, D.C., the U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Another trial starting date has been set for two southeast Iowa women accused of not providing enough nutrition to the son of one of them, contributing to his death. Des Moines County court records say 37-year-old Amber McIntosh-Crear and 41-year-old Bobbie Crear, of West Burlington, have pleaded not guilty to child endangerment resulting in injury. Their original trial date was Nov. 14, and then it was delayed to Tuesday. Last week it was delayed until May 7.

The women are accused of not providing enough nutrition to 12-year-old Rylan McIntosh, who died in September 2017. Authorities say the boy’s medical conditions required that he be fed a nutrition drink through a tube to his stomach. An autopsy report lists the cause of his death as undetermined.

The Atlantic Hy-Vee and KJAN are teaming up to give area residents a chance to support the flood victims in Mills County. Donations of any amount are being accepted at any register at the Atlantic Hy-Vee. Funds raised will be donated to the Mills County Flood Fund. Donor support sheets will be posted in the Atlantic Hy-Vee entryway when donations are made.

The Mills County Flood Fund is restricted to serving victims in Mills County. Donations are being directed to Mills County because of employee connections to Mills County.  Mandy Parks, Atlantic Hy-Vee Human Resources Manager, grew up in flood affected Pacific Junction and Chris Parks, KJAN Program and Sports Director, is a native of flood affected Glenwood.

If you would like to make a donation to the fund online you may do so by visiting https://omahafoundation.org/donate and select Southwest Iowa Funds and Mills County Flood Fund.

If you would like to donate to the wider area flood effort you can visit the Hy-Vee facebook page to find a donation link.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Mandy Parks at the Atlantic Hy-Vee or Chris Parks at KJAN.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Black Hawk County supervisors have approved placement of a women’s voting rights sculpture on the courthouse lawn in Waterloo. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to let the Cedar Falls/Waterloo 19th Amendment Centennial Committee erect a steel monument as requested. It would recognize the 100th anniversary of the constitutional amendment that gave women nationwide the right to vote.

Another monument is planned for outside the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club. The centennial committee is raising $25,000 for both projects. The committee hopes to dedicate the sculptures, which have yet to be designed, on Women’s Equality Day, Aug. 26, 2020.

Administrators with the CAM School District this (Wednesday) morning, presented the District’s initial contract proposal to the CAM Education Association (CAMEA). Superintendent Casey Berlau said the meeting lasted about three-minutes. He said the District’s proposal was zero-percent increase to the base wage.

The next step is for both sides to continue with the negotiations process until an amicable agreement can be reached for the 2019-2020 contract year. Last week, CAMEA proposed a four-percent increase on the salary, and a one-year contract, along with keeping the current language in the employee handbook.

AMES, Iowa – March 27, 2019 –  Flood waters are beginning to recede in southwest Iowa. While roadways may no longer be covered with water, that doesn’t mean they are ready to hold traffic. The Iowa DOT says once the water is no longer on the road, Iowa Department of Transportation crews will begin the process of assuring the roadways are safe to open. The recovery process includes cleaning debris from the roadways and testing for structural damage. Barriers blocking access to roads will remain in place until the road has been deemed safe for traffic.

If you see a barricade, don’t drive around it. While some structural damage to the road surface is very visible, damage to the ground underneath the road may be more difficult to see. Even if the roadway may look clear, the ground underneath the pavement may have washed away. Driving over the pavement may cause it to buckle or fail. Just because a road looks safe, doesn’t mean it is safe. Barricades are in place to protect you from hurting yourself, damaging your vehicle, and potentially causing further damage to the road.

If you are a resident or property owner and need to get to your property, your county emergency management office can help coordinate safe access.

Authorities in southwest Iowa are looking for two suspects who broke into and burglarized Chat Mobility wireless service provider businesses Tuesday, in Clarinda, Emerson and Red Oak. The Mills County Sheriff’s Office posted several photos of the suspects and their vehicle on their social media page. According to the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, Chat Mobility reported the incident took place around 2 a.m. Tuesday at 404 Howland Street in Emerson. Security camera photos show the suspects were dressed in sweatpants and coats, with their faces covered. No other description of the suspects was available. Phones were taken from the Red Oak and Clarinda locations. In Emerson, the suspects gained entry by breaking a door. It’s not clear how they entered the other sites, but some sort of device was apparently used according to persons with knowledge of the incidents.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mills County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 527-4871.

Suspects in Emerson Chat Mobility burglary (Photos from Mills County S/O Facebook page)