COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Jan. 26, 2023 – The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 office reports east- and westbound West Broadway will be closed Saturday morning through early Monday morning, Jan. 28-30, at Interstate 29 for bridge demolition work. The closure will begin at 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, and will remain in place until 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, weather permitting. Contractors will be working throughout the duration of the closure. However, the noisiest demolition operations will only occur between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Iowa DOT is in the process of reconstructing I-80, I-29, and I-480 in the Council Bluffs metropolitan area as part of the Council Bluffs Interstate Improvement Program. This comprehensive interstate redesign will modernize the highway system and improve mobility and safety of approximately 18 miles of interstate.

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.

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.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Directors heard from District Transportation Director Mark Weis, during a Work Session, Wednesday evening. Weis spent a portion of his report on “The Heart of the Transportation Department,” those who work in the department. He says their licensure is one of the most important aspects of the department. That list includes everyone from the mechanics and secretaries, to route drivers.

Most of the Department’s personnel hold regular jobs, yet they still make time to drive routes. Retired drivers also play a role in getting students and staff to where they need to go. In addition to bus drivers, there are personnel who hold a Class-D Chauffeur’s License to drive cars and vans in the district’s fleet. He was asked about turnover in the department.

Weis said his department is currently understaffed, but that’s where substitutes help take up some of the slack and fill-in when necessary.

He says they make it work the best they can.They have enough vehicles, just not enough people to drive them, which is the case in a lot of school districts. Mark Weis said with regard to the vehicles, a State Inspector will inspect the fleet next week, with the exception of Bus 10.

ACSD Transportation Director Mark Weis (Snapshot from Zoom session)

Weis told the Board they’ve made a lot of improvementss to the bus garage (Bus “Barn”), including the addition of a tool to help control the amount of rust the buses have.

The Atlantic School Board also heard a lengthy presentation from Schuler Principal James Northwick, Middle School Principal Scot Aden, Middle School Counselor Angela Sieh, and others, with regard to social and emotional learning support in the district.

(Lenox, Iowa) – The Griswold and Lenox Community School District Boards of Education have approved contracts with Superintendent Dave Henrichs. The Boards met Wednesday evening at the Lenox High School. Mr. Henrichs said their first action item was to approve a shared Superintendent Agreement between the two districts.

The second action item was for the Lenox School Board, only, and Henrichs’ individual contract with that district.

He explained the reason for a one-year only contract with Lenox.

Henrichs says there’s a clause in his contract with regard to insurance, that says if he has coverage through his spouse, then he would get cash in lieu of that.

He says “At the end of the day, when you compare total dollars for all expenses associated with my position, it’s a total package decrease of nine-percent.

He calls the agreement a “win-win” for both parties.

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from rural Creston was arrested late Wednesday night, following a traffic stop. The Creston Police Department reports 32-year-old Devon Taylor Keller was arrested at Highway 34 and Pole Road, in Creston. He was charged with Violation of No Contact Protective Order. Keller being held without bond in the Union County Jail, until seen by a Judge.

(Radio Iowa) – The managers of the Q Casino in Dubuque are asking state regulators today (Thursday) for approval of a multi-million dollar renovation plan. The casino’s chief commercial officer, Stacy Kansky, says there are a couple things driving the plan. “It’s been about 15 years plus that we’ve done any significant upgrades to the property. And so we felt it was really important for us to reinvest in ourselves if we want to grow, especially as some of these new nearby gaming properties, and Wisconsin and Illinois are opening up,” Kansky says.

The first two phases involve remodeling and connecting the former racing grandstand viewing area to the casino while moving the main casino downstairs. Stage three involves creating a family entertainment area. “We’re super excited about this because we don’t have the opportunity right now to really offer much for those under 21. So during this phase, we will transform that upper casino gaming area into an all ages area,” she says.  She says they are considering things like an upscale arcade, ax throwing, duck bowling, and ping pong. The fourth phase will be a new hotel and rooftop restaurant.

“It’ll likely be under the Hilton brand portfolio as well. And we’re concepting the rooftop restaurant and that boutique hotel concept right now,” Kansky says. “And then phase five, we’ll go back and look at the exterior. So upgrades to the facade, landscaping, surface parking area.” Kansky says the casino renovation and improvements go along with the Veterans Memorial and Ice Arena redevelopment in the Schmitt Island area where the casino is located. Kansky says all the improvements help make Dubuque a destination.

Artist rendering of Schmidt Island in Dubuque. (Q Casino photo)

“It’ll make it so people that are looking, whether they’re local, or they’re driving in from those driving markets, it’ll give them some other offerings to participate with,” she says. “They can go and it’ll still cater to adults with you know, the bar on some of those nightlife activities. It’ll be adult friendly, but it also is kid friendly as well. So it really expands the demographics and who are able to go out and target and who would really like to come and enjoy the property and all that Schmidt island has to offer.” “There’s obviously an issue here with labor and we’re hoping a lot of this will create a greater appeal for people to come and live, work, and play,” Kansky says.

The project is estimated to cost between 75 and 80 million dollars to complete. If the Racing and Gaming Commission approves, she says the construction is tentatively scheduled to start on February 7th.