The Iowa Department of Transportation said Wednesday, building on recent interstate improvements that include last week’s opening of the bridge on southbound Interstate 29 over I-80, the new I-80 on-ramp to northbound I-29 just east of the Missouri River is scheduled to open this Friday, Oct. 17th.

Motorists traveling eastbound I-80 headed for northbound I-29 will now exit on the right side of the interstate and use the new bridge to access northbound I-29. Interstate signage will direct motorists.

The Harlan Police Department Wednesday evening released its arrest report. Officials say on Monday, 21-year old Adam Scheffler, of Harlan, was taken into custody on an active Shelby County warrant for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Scheffler was taken to the Shelby County Jail.

On Sunday, 21-year old Zachariah Hendon, of Panama, was taken into custody when officers were called to a disturbance in the 1800 block of Lincoln Avenue. Hendon was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with intoxication in public and bribery.

On Thursday, Oct. 9th, 44-year old Tammy Putnam, of Harlan, and 47-year old Melody Harwager, of Earling, were both charged with assault following an altercation in the parking lot of Myrtue Medical Clinic. The altercation was apparently a result of one of the subjects making a left hand turn from Chatburn without using her turn signal.

That same day, 27-year old Zane Szeliga, of Harlan, was arrested when he was found in possession of a stolen bicycle. It was later determined, from surveillance videos from Shopko, that Szeliga had taken several items, totaling $250.00, from the store without being purchased. All items were found on his person when he was arrested. Szeliga was taken to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of stolen property in the 3rd degree and theft in the 4th degree

In other news, the H-PD says on Saturday, Oct. 11th, Police officers were called to the Bomgaars store when a store employee observed two female subjects loading several sacks of pine bedding into a truck and drive away without purchasing them. The incident remains under investigation. That same day, Officers were called to the 1800 block of Exchange Street for a camper that had been broken into. Items were missing from the camper and extensive damage was done to the camper while attempting to gain access. There are no suspects and the case remains under investigation.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today (Wednesday) awarded $928,000 in Main Street Iowa Challenge Grants to 13 communities around the state. The grants will benefit local improvement projects such as façade upgrades and restoration, upper floor rehabilitation, and remodeled spaces for expanding downtown businesses.Among the grant recipients, was Manning, which received $75,000 toward the $157,492 cost of a Downtown Revitalization Project.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Des Moines Botanical Center.  IEDA Director Debi Durham said “These challenge grants have proven to be catalysts for the revitalization of Iowa’s historic main streets. These projects represent the ongoing commitment the people of our state have to the revitalization of our historic downtown districts. Rehabilitated buildings create opportunities for new business in Iowa communities, and new businesses mean new jobs.”

The grants are administered through IEDA’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa programs. The funding will be distributed in the form of matching grants to the selected Main Street programs. The estimated total project cost of the 13 projects is over $7.6 million. Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler explained “Each project must provide at least a dollar-for-dollar cash-match.  Overall, these projects will leverage almost nine times the state’s investment into bricks and mortar rehabilitation.”

The Challenge Grant program is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature.  Since the first appropriation in 2002, approximately $5 million in state and federal funds has leveraged over $34 million in private reinvestment in 97 projects in 42 Main Street Iowa commercial districts across the state.

Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce say their New Programs Director, Chelsea Amundson, recently moved to Griswold from Lincoln, Nebraska. While in Lincoln, Chelsea graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was employed as the Marketing Specialist at Nebraska WeddingDay Magazine and served as the Twenty Somethings Women’s Ministry Director at Lincoln Berean Church. She has currently been serving as the Project Manager for Farmers Markets of Cass County supported by the USDA Rural Enterprise Grant, and partnered with Produce in the Park.

Originally from Arlington, Nebraska, Chelsea is passionate about people and community betterment. Her skills and past experiences will be a great addition to the Chamber and she looks forward to establishing roots in the Atlantic Area. Chamber Executive Director Ouida Wymer said “We are so excited to have Chelsea join the Chamber, she has an excellent background in marketing, promotions and volunteerism.”