The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Sioux City Construction Office reports the new northbound Interstate 29 Nebraska Street off-ramp (exit 147B) in Sioux City, will be opened to traffic at 5 p.m. this Friday, June 30, weather permitting.

At 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, the contractor will close the northbound off-ramp (exit 148) to Wesley Parkway so reconstruction work can take place on the northbound I-29 mainline. Motorists wanting to go north at exit 148 will be detoured see map to the Nebraska Street exit, north to Third Street, and then west to Wesley Parkway. This closure will be in place until late November 2017.

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.

The Cass and Adair County Boards of Supervisors will hold their regular, separate weekly meetings, Friday morning. In Atlantic, the Cass County Supervisors‘ meeting gets underway at 8:30-a.m. with a Public Hearing on a “Proposal to enter into a General Obligation County Purpose Loan Agreement,” and to “Borrow money…in a principal amount not the exceed…” $4.5-million. The agreement is with regard to infrastructure improvements for the Elite Octane, LLC ethanol plant currently under construction.

Following the hearing, the Board will act on a Resolution taking additional action on the same proposal. Other business, includes acting on approving a “Uniform Patrol Service Agreement,” with the City of Anita, and, determining the compensation of “Other employees” in the Secondary Roads, General Assistance and Mental Health departments.

In Greenfield, the Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to meet at 9-a.m. Friday to act on several administrative matters before them, including: Fiscal Year 2018 wages; Sheriff’s Reserves hourly wage;  FY 2018 Appropriation and Tranfer Resolutions; Appointments to various county boards and commissions; and business pertaining to $5-million dollar General Obligation Capital Loan Notes, Series 2017.

The Adair County Supervisors will also hear from: Jane Cooper with “Take Back Bridgewater,” with regard to a Federal grant application and additional deputies funded by the grant; County Treasurer Brenda Wallace, with regard to the appointment of a deputy, and, Lynn DonCarlos with the Greenfield Chamber, will be present to discuss a “Way finding” sign for the Courtyard.

A northwest Iowa sheriff says he’d rather be in conflict with the county’s board of supervisors than be held in contempt by the court. Last week, the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court issued an order barring guns in the courthouses in Iowa’s 99 counties.

On Tuesday, Woodbury County’s Board of Supervisors voted to lift the ban on guns in the Sioux City courthouse that’s been in effect since 2014 — although guns would still be barred in the building’s courtrooms. A new state law that goes into effect this Saturday lets people sue local governments over weapons restrictions.

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew is in charge of security for the courthouse and he plans to abide by last week’s order from the chief justice. “It was a clear direction from the Iowa Supreme Court,” Drew says. Drew says he’s “disappointed” In the board of supervisor’s decision. “Really surprised in the change.”

The sheriff says he thought supervisors were hoping for an attorney general’s opinion, but got direction from the Iowa Supreme Court instead. Drew has written the supervisors in Woodbury County and told them he feels “compelled to follow” the Supreme Court’s order.

(Radio Iowa)

AtlanticFest, presented by First Whitney Bank, will be held Saturday, August 12th and is a rain or shine event. AtlanticFest is an annual festival that serves as a fundraiser for the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. Pre-Registration for the Car Show, Motorcycle Show, Road Race, Bags Tournament, Tractor Ride are going on now through July 28th at noon. Registration for Craft and Food Vendors are going on now through August 1st at noon.

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “We are so thankful to have so many generous sponsors and community members to help make this event our biggest annual fundraiser for the Chamber.”

Smith said also, “AtlanticFest is a great event where people can spend the day with the community while supporting local businesses, civic organizations and the Chamber.”  Downtown Atlantic will be filled with fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Come early and enjoy a pancake breakfast or start the day off with a run through town in the Annual Road Race with chip timing coming back this year.

The Annual Tractor Ride will also be taking place, kicking off at the Cass County Fair Grounds at 8-a.m., Aug. 12th. There will be crafters from all over Southwest Iowa, as well as some of the best food vendors to help satisfy any appetite. Kids can enjoy the pony rides and bounce house while adults can relax in the beer garden or play in the 3rd Annual Bags Tournament. The 19th Annual Car Show and Motorcycle Show will be taking place once again this year. Free entertainment will be provided throughout the day, as well.

If you are interested in being a part of AtlanticFest, please visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Chamber at 712.243.3017. The Chamber thanks its partners for helping to make the event possible and successful: First Whitney Bank; A.M. Cohron & Son; Megan Roberts, State Farm; Weirich Welding Plus; Atlantic Realtors Group; Casey’s General Store; Outfitters Outlet Store; Cass County Health System; Connect-A-Dock; Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Benning Carpentry, LLC; Crystal Clear Water; Hy-Vee; Brocker, Karns & Karns; Brown’s Shoe Fit; Gade Insurance; J&B Amusement; MAHLE Engine Components; Nishna Valley YMCA; Sears; Atlantic Motor Supply (NAPA); Atlantic Municipal Utilities; Brown Electric; Plastic Professionals; Salute Gymnastics; Villa Dance; Wells Fargo Bank; Atlantic News Telegraph; Doll Distributing; R/T Motors, Inc.; The Butcher Shop; Camblin Plumbing and Heating; Fareway; McAtee Tire; Olsen’s Outdoor Power; Rolling Hills Bank & Trust; McDermott & Son Roofing; Great Western Bank; Western Iowa Development Association; Lindeman Tractor, Inc.; SeedPro North; ADM Grain Co.; Grain & Livestock Hedging; TS Bank; Cook Sanitation; Hepler Curbside Recycling & Sanitation; Atlantic Community Promotions Commission.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Clarinda Police Department is requesting your help in locating a missing juvenile, Bryant Kirby Fuller. Bryant is sixteen years of age, 6’1″ tall, weighs 180 lbs., blue eyes, and has short brown hair (crew cut style). He was last seen at approximately 5:30 a.m. today (Thursday) walking along U.S. Highway 71, north of Shambaugh in rural Page County.

Bryant was wearing a gray sweatshirt and black shorts. He wears prescription eyeglasses. Foul play is not suspected and Bryant is believed to a voluntary run away from his home in Clarinda. If you have information regarding Bryant’s whereabouts please contact the nearest law enforcement agency.

Bryant Fuller

An accident at around 2-a.m. today (Thursday) on Interstate 29 in Harrison County, resulted in five people, four them from Tacoma, WA.,  being transported to the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix was broken down on the shoulder of southbound I-29 just north of mile marker 86, when it was struck in the rear by a southbound 2007 Dodge pickup. During the collision, the car was shoved into the west ditch. The pickup rolled over and came to rest in the middle of I-29.

All of the accident victims, with the exception of a two-year old who was in the Pontiac, were transported by Mondamin Rescue to Community Hospital in Missouri Valley. The child, Mary Jane Poutasi, of Tacoma, WA., was flown by LifeNet helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

The driver of the Pontiac, identified as 39-year old Soga Eneliko, of Tacoma, was outside the vehicle when it was struck. He was not injured. The driver of the pickup was identified as 31-year old Simon Philip Zelinski, of Watersmeet, MI. The other accident victims (passengers in the Pontiac), included 13-year old Honeelyn Hyeon, 34-year old Toloula Poutasi, and Alofania Eneliko, all of Tacoma.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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Local, state and federal authorities set out to search 20 locations in the Des Moines area at about 5 a.m. Wednesday. It was part of a drug investigation that reaches into several other states. A spokesman for Des Moines Police says their investigation of a “methamphetamine distribution network” in Des Moines began three months ago. It grew into a joint operation with the state’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement and federal A-T-F agents.

According to a statement from Des Moines Police, the drug ring has been distributing “large quantities” of meth. Federal authorities said of the six men who were arrested, one is from the State of Washington. Four are from Des Moines and the other person under arrest is from Elkhart. All six are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. (Their names, age and city of residence are listed below):

• Shannon Lee Paxton, 46, of Des Moines
• Kerry Drew Haegele, 47, of Des Moines
• Fidel Rios, Jr., 34, of Pasco, Washington
• Kira Fallis, 26, of Elkhart
• John Archer, 52, of Des Moines
• Charles Astley, 63, of Des Moines

PRAIRIEBURG, Iowa (AP) – Thunderstorms running across Iowa have injured at least one person, mowed down crops and damaged homes and farm buildings. Tornadoes were reported Wednesday in several eastern Iowa counties. Linn County authorities say a woman was injured when her home collapsed near Prairieburg. Pieces from damaged farm structures littered the ground around Prairieburg after the storm passed.

Another tornado reported near the Linn County Fair on the southeast side of Central City sent fairgoers to shelters. Trees and tents were damaged but no fairgrounds buildings. Golf ball-size hail and heavy rain were reported in the Des Moines area.

Fremont County authorities say a tornado touched down in a rural area between Sidney and Shenandoah, flattening crops. A home near Farragut was damaged, but no injuries have been reported.