DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines officials say a long-awaited $15.6 million railroad facility is set to be built soon and will aid central Iowa’s economy. The Des Moines Register reports that an $11.2 million federal grant for the project was awarded last week to the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. Local officials say the facility will create a more robust rail system and lower shipping costs.
Also known as a railport, the facility will enable materials to be transferred from semitrailers to trains, which ship products at a lower cost.

A University of Northern Iowa study says the facility could have a $4.8 million annual economic impact and create 50 new jobs. The transload facility will be built on the city’s southeast side next year. A facility operator will be selected in January.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has issued a report on recent arrests. Authorities say Friday morning, 47-year old Mary Jane Mark, of Council Bluffs, turned herself-in on felony warrants for Theft in the 1st Degree, and Dependent Adult Abuse/exploitation. Mark was turned over to corrections staff and booked into the jail. Two deputies who stopped at a residence in the 1300 block of Avenue B in Council Bluffs, to check on a wanted male, arrested without incident, 28-year old Lonnie Kent Ritchison, of Council Bluffs, on a Montgomery County warrant. Ritchison was booked in the jail.

A traffic stop Saturday morning on a vehicle with stolen Nebraska license plates, resulted in the arrest of 34-year old Cassie Ann Graybill, of Council Bluffs. Pott. County authorities say Graybill was arrested for Theft in the 5th Degree/motor vehicle related, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (a broken meth pipe with residue). And, a traffic stop Saturday evening resulted in the arrest of 29-year old Nicholas James Erisman, of Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody for Possession of Marijuana (33.7-grams in a plastic baggy).

(Radio Iowa) — One person was killed, another hurt, in a two-vehicle crash in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County near Hull on Friday night. Molly TeSlaa, age 30 of Rock Valley, was driving a 2007 Buick Rendezvous northbound on Highway 75. Wally Jansma, age 42 of Sioux Center, was going southbound on Highway 75 with his 2008 Chevrolet Uplander. Apparently, TeSlaa lost control and entered the southbound lane of travel where the two vehicles collided. Jansma was tranported by the Hull Ambulance to the Hegg Memorial Hospital in Rock Valley for treatment of his injuries.

TeSlaa was transported by the Hull Ambulance to the Sioux Center Hospital where she was pronounced dead as a result of injuries sustained in the accident. The accident remains under investigation.

The Cass County Tourism Council says they are excited to release 2017 Economic Impact Assessment of Travel Impact on Cass County (Iowa). Domestic travelers spent a total of $8.50 billion in Iowa during 2017, a 3.3% increase from 2016. Cass County’s percent change over 2016 in expenditures was an increase of 5.85%. Total payroll increased by 2.9% to nearly $1.4 billion. On average, every dollar spent by domestic travelers produced 16.3 cents in payroll income for Iowa residents. Cass County’s percent change in payroll income was an increase of 5.42%. Domestic travel supports payroll directly of food service sector, entertainment and recreation sector second and lodging sector third.

• Expenditures/Cass ($ Millions): 27.88
• Payroll ($ Millions): 3.11
• Employment (Thousands): 0.16
• State Tax Receipts ($ Million): 1.86
• Local Tax Receipts ($ Millions): 0.20
• County Rank in total Expenditures: 37

State Totals:

Expenditures: $8.4 billion; Payroll: $1.38 billion; Employment (Thousands): 69.57;  State Tax Receipts ($ millions) $507.10; Local Tax Receipts ($ millions): $124.18

Tourism is working for Iowans:  • Generates jobs in communities across the state. • Brings new spending and associated tax revenues to Iowa. • Supports community “quality of life” assets enjoyed by both residents and visitors. • Helps portray Iowa as a good place to live, work, and do business.

The Cass County Tourism Council’s purpose is to promote area attractions, and to continually develop and market the culture, history and economic well-being of Cass County, Iowa.

You can read the full report here: https://www.traveliowa.com/UserDocs/Pages/ IA2017Report_9282018.pdf
A summary here: https://www.traveliowa.com/UserDocs/Pages/Trsm_EconImpact_2017.pdf

MANCHESTER, Iowa (AP) — Another request to build a Delaware County Jail replacement could go to voters next year. Delaware County Supervisor Jeff Madlom told the Telegraph Herald the county board likely will schedule a referendum seeking funding for a new jail sometime in 2019. A $4.9 million bond measure received support from 57 percent of voters in 2014 and another measure in 2015 received 58 percent of the votes. But both vote totals fell short of the 60 percent needed to pass.

Madlom says the current jail was built in 1967 and no longer meets the county’s needs. The county often must send prisoners to Buchanan and Clayton counties because the Delaware County Jail has room for just 12 inmates. Madlom expects the new jail could cost around $5 million.

More area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Radio Iowa) — Iowans in eight counties who were impacted by severe storms and flooding this summer can now apply in person for low-interest federal disaster loans. Burl Kelton, spokesman for the U-S Small Business Administration, says the agency temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Center is now open in Des Moines.  “We offer assistance, in this case, for homeowners, renters and businesses that either had loss or damage, could be loss or it could be economic injury, economic loss for businesses,” Kelton says. “We offer low-interest, long-term direct federal loans.”

The loans are available to Iowa businesses and residents impacted by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that hit between June 6th and July 2nd. A disaster declaration makes the S-B-A loans available in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story and Warren counties. “The majority of our home loans are at 1.938%, simple annual interest up to 30 years, and for businesses, 3.61%,” Kelton says. “This is for homeowners up to $240,000 of actual damages and for businesses, up to $2-million.”

Since the storms and flooding were several months ago, many residents and businesses will have already made repairs to their homes and buildings. Kelton says, “If they have and they would like to basically recover that cost and pay it out over a longer term, then they should bring in receipts, bring in insurance information and any other information that will give us an idea of their financial ability to repay the loan.”

The S-B-A’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center is in the Polk County Building at 2309 Euclid Avenue in Des Moines. It will be open Monday through Friday 8 A-M to 5 P-M. For the holidays, it will close on December 21st and reopen on January 3rd. You can also call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

When the Atlantic City Council meets Wednesday evening at 5:30, there will be recognition of the A.H.S 2018 All-State Music Students, and the swearing-in of the City’s first-ever, Honorary Police Officer by Mayor Dave Jones and Police Chief Dave Erickson. Both take place in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall.

As we told you following the last City Council meeting, Chief Erickson had plenty of good things to say about six-year old Myles Jones. The Massena boy is the son of Erick and Sara Beth Jones. He has a close relationship with the department, and even invited everyone from the Department to his birthday party, which, appropriately enough, had a law enforcement theme. Sgt. Dustin Pieken and Officer Brock Thompson attended the party. His other connection to law enforcement, comes in the form of his grandfather, who is a retired South Carolina County Law Enforcement Officer.

Chief Erickson told the Council two-weeks ago, that Myles recently challenged the community to give towards the Atlantic Police Dept.’s children and family programs.

Lt. Devin Hogue and “Officer” Myles Jones collect donations for the APD’s children and family programs (APD Facebook photo)

With assistance in the form of transportation provided by Lt. Devin Hogue, Myles went around town and collected donations that amounted to $3,725. The funds were presented Dec. 7th to the Chief and Reserve Officer Jeff Hackwell. Last Sunday (Dec. 16th), Myles helped the Department with their annual “Shop-with-a-Cop” program.

In recognition of his thoughtfulness and helping others this holiday season, Myles Jones will be inducted as an Atlantic Police Officer (Honorary), and be presented with an official department badge and certificate to commemorate his new “rank.”

Prior to his induction ceremony, the Atlantic City Council will recognize members of the AHS 2018 All-State Music ensemble. When the All-State Music Festival was held Nov. 17th, three vocal and one instrumental student from Atlantic were in attendance and performing. Vocalists included Sarah Schorle, Avery Andersen and Genevieve Martinez. Lex Somers was chosen for Instrumental. Erin Barrick was recalled for Instrumental, while Chris Krogh was also recalled for Vocal.

Officials with the Council Bluffs Police Department report their offices will be closed to the public today (Monday) through Tuesday (Tomorrow), as the Department relocates to the new station at 1 Ezra Jackson Way. The new police building will be open to the public for business beginning 7-a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19th.

Council Bluffs PD Shield

While the current law enforcement center will be closed today and tomorrow, the Department’s Telephone Reporting Service and Police Records lines will still be functional. The move will have no effect on Pottawattamie County 9-1-1 Communications, and police officers will still respond to calls for service.

The building’s closure means no walk-in traffic will be permitted. If you need to speak with an officer or report a crime, call 9-1-1 for an emergency, or, for non-emergencies, call (712)-328-5737. Authorities say they are working to minimize any disruption to the public as they complete the move.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo plans to move its skateboard park to higher ground, away from floodwaters. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Riverside Skatepark sustained heavy damage in the 2008 Cedar River flood. It was repaired before being damaged again during floods in September 2016. City officials have been unsuccessful in trying to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cover the estimated $90,000 in damage.

The new site is just a half-mile east of its current spot but out of the flood plain. A trail system there connects to downtown, and there’s a public bathroom at the site. City Leisure Services officials intend to ask the City Council’s finance committee today (Monday), to approve $5,000 for a conceptual plan for the new skate park.