The Iowa Department of Transportation is providing public notice of the renewal of corridor preservation for the Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvements Project that includes Interstate 80 from the Missouri River east-northeast to U.S. 6 (Kanesville Boulevard) in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County. It also includes I-29 between 25th Avenue on the north to just south of U.S. 275, and I-480 from the Missouri River bridge on the Iowa side to the I-29 interchange.

The Iowa DOT implemented corridor preservation for the project Sept. 20, 2005, which was renewed on Sept. 18, 2008, Sept. 16, 2011, and again on Sept. 12, 2014. Officials say it is the intent of the Iowa DOT to continue to utilize corridor preservation for this project. The Iowa DOT may need to acquire additional right of way or property rights within this designated area.

The notice, issued today (Friday), is valid for a period of three years, and may be refiled by the Iowa DOT every three years. The notice includes a depiction of the corridor preservation area on a map, which is available at www.iowadot.gov/ole/otherprojectinfo.html. Width of the corridor preservation zone varies depending upon the location within the corridor.

Per Iowa Code 306.19(5), each city and county within the designated preservation corridor shall provide written notification to the Iowa DOT of: (1) an application for a building permit for construction valued at $25,000 or more; (2) submission of a subdivision plat; or (3) proposed zoning change within the area. Notification must be provided to the Iowa DOT at least 30 days prior to granting the proposed building permit, approving the subdivision plat, or changing the zoning. Written notification shall include all pertinent information regarding the proposed permit, plat, or zoning change.

If the Iowa DOT, within the 30-day period, notifies the city or county in writing that the Iowa DOT is proceeding to acquire all or part of the property or property rights affecting the area, the city or county shall not issue the building permit, approve the subdivision plat, or change the zoning. The Iowa DOT may apply to the city or county for an extension of the 30-day period. After a public hearing on the matter, the city or county may grant an additional 60-day extension of the period.

The Iowa DOT shall begin the process of acquiring property or property rights from affected persons within 10 days of the Iowa DOT’s written notification of intent to the city or county.

For information regarding the corridor preservation, contact Scott Suhr, District 4 planner, Iowa Department of Transportation, 2210 E. Seventh St., Atlantic, Iowa 50022, by phone at 712-243-3355 or 800-289-4368, or email scott.suhr@iowadot.us.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Roxann Ryan, along with Director of Investigative Operations James Saunders, announce the selection of Acting Special Agent in Charge, Dan Wood (effective September 8, 2017).  State Fire Marshal Wood began his duties today (Friday) as the Assistant Director/State Fire Marshal for the Iowa Department of Public Safety.  He will serve as the 14th State Fire Marshal for the state of Iowa.

Commissioner Ryan says “Our new State Fire Marshal has the depth and breadth of experience that will serve Iowans well. His years of law enforcement experience, along with his years of work in the fire service, are the ideal combination for this job.  He has served in many roles in the Department of Public Safety and within the State Fire Marshal’s office.  He understands the needs of law enforcement, the fire service, and the public safety aspects of the important regulatory work the State Fire Marshal’s office performs.”

State Fire Marshal Wood has an extensive background within the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.  After attending the Department of Public Safety Academy in 1997, he worked as an officer for the Capitol Police, a State Patrol Trooper in District 1 (Des Moines), and a State Fire Inspector.  He has served in temporary roles in the department’s training bureau, the Fire Service Training Bureau, and the Building Code Bureau of the State Fire Marshal’s office. State Fire Marshal Wood has also served with the Waukee Fire Department since 2003, and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant.  He is both a certified firefighter and EMT, as well as a certified peace officer.

The City Council in Walnut met Thursday evening. City Clerk Terri Abel reports one of the matters they discussed was with regard to the Streetscape and Fascade Projects. The Fascade project is 100-percent complete, all the storefronts are finished, which brings a new look to the downtown area, for a “New, old look.”

She said as far as the Streetscape is concerned, progress was made in the form of concrete being poured to replace the gravel sidewalks. The streetlights have yet to be installed and trees left to planted and other amenities taken care of, but overall, she says “We’re progressing.”

Abell said also the Council acted on certain street closings for the September 16^th and 17^th Walnut Antique Fall Festival. They include: Antique City Drive, from Pearl Street to Summit Street; Highland Street, both east and westbound, from Antique City Drive to the alley. The streets will be closed effective 6-p.m. Friday, Sept. 16^th and reopen Sunday evening the 17^th.

And, the Walnut City Council discussed the issue of Animal Control. Abel said they briefly talked about requiring a certificate of insurance for all dog owners, but they opted not to do so, and therefore there is no change to the ordinance.

SPENCER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities suspect a man fatally shot in Spencer was trying to break into a home. Thirty-year-old Nicolas Bandomo was shot early on Sept. 1, and police said Thursday they think he was trying to reach people in the home whom he’d been barred by protection orders from contacting.

Bandomo fled to a nearby residence after he was shot. Police say he was taken to Spencer Hospital and then died after he was transferred to a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, hospital. He lived in Albert City.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is aiding Spencer Police with the case.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An organization that offers mental health services for children has announced plans for a new $6 million behavioral health campus in western Iowa.
Officials with the Boys and Girls Home and Family Services announced the plans Thursday. The organization says the new site in Sioux City will be completed in three phases over the next four years.

The Sioux City Journal reports the nonprofit has struggled to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure on its main campus, where some portions were built in 1913. The organization’s CEO, Art Silva, says leaders wanted a new location that would be more cost effective and offer a more “campus-like” setting.

About $3 million has been raised, including a $350,000 grant from Tyson Foods.

A central Iowa girl was killed and two other teens were badly hurt when the car they were riding in collided with a semi-truck on Thursday afternoon. Des Moines police say a car with three teenagers inside rolled through a stop sign and into an intersection where it was broadsided by a semi-truck.

One of the passengers in the car, 14-year-old Savannah Bonds of Des Moines, was killed. The other two teens were reported in critical condition, 17-year-old Dayton Anderson and 18-year-old Mackenzie Tilton. It’s unclear which one was driving. The trucker wasn’t hurt.

(Radio Iowa)