A bridge replacement project on the U.S. 71 bridge over Lone Tree Creek, 0.1 miles south of Cass County Road G-35, and 3.1 miles south of Atlantic, will require closing the roadway to traffic beginning Monday morning April 23, until Oct. 1, 2018, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s Creston construction office.

During this closure, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using Iowa 92, Iowa 148, and Iowa 83.

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 always, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa House Republicans hope to unveil a key bill on tax cuts by the end of the week. Rep. Guy Vander Linden, an Oskaloosa Republican, says Tuesday the “complex” bill could even see a vote this week in the tax-writing committee that he chairs. For now, he says they’re “still making sausage.” On Monday, the Republican-controlled House solicited general input on tax cut proposals at a public hearing.

Senate Republicans passed a bill along party lines in late February that would cut Iowa taxes by more than $1 billion annually. Senate Republicans did not explain how they would pay for the cuts.
House Republicans say they’re working off a separate tax bill by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would reduce tax revenues by about $1.7 billion over several years.

UPDATE 12:57-P.M.: HE HAS BEEN FOUND SAFE, IN CRESCENT. THANK YOU!

A family in Underwood is asking for you help in locating a member of the family who left home at around 3-a.m. today (Tuesday) on foot. According to his sister’s social media post, Jarrett Waters left wearing a tan Carhart jacket, and winter-weather style head gear with the word “Amsterdam” on it. “JT” as he’s known, wears glasses, and was said to have been without a phone, ID, or money. And, he didn’t bring along any food. No other information is currently available.

If you see him, contact your local law enforcement agency.

JT Waters (from his sister’s Facebook page, by permission)

UPDATED 12:30-p.m.) WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita, Kansas police, say the husband of a 37-year-old woman whose body was found in a dumpster has been arrested in Iowa. An Iowa State Trooper who is a member of the Iowa State Patrol’s Vehicle Theft Unit checked the license plate of a vehicle in a business parking lot in Davenport, that was confirmed stolen out of Wichita, Kansas. Shortly thereafter, 30 year old Donnell Stafford, of Wichita, was taken into custody without incident. He was being held in the Scott County Jail pending extradition back to Wichita on the charge of murder in the first degree.

Authorities in Kansas says Leuh Moore was killed early Sunday at her Wichita home. Her body was put in the dumpster less than a mile away. The couple had a history of domestic violence, according to officials, but the investigation is continuing. Investigators believe the suspect took to the couple’s 7-year-old son to a relative’s house after his mother was killed. Two dogs at the home were stabbed and were taken to a vet for treatment.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place Monday. 37-year old John Oliver Knight, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Driving while Revoked. And, 43-year old Eva Maria Leon (Inada), of Bellevue, NE., was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office, on a warrant for Violation of Probation.

Iowa Republican  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley says it would be political “suicide” for President Donald Trump to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. Grassley says he has confidence in Mueller and Trump should, too, adding: “It would be suicide for the president to want to talk about firing Mueller. The less the president said on this whole thing, the better off he would be, the stronger his presidency would be.”

Grassley tells Fox Business Network that Mueller may be “coming to a dead-end as far as collusion of Trump with Russia in this election” and speculates Mueller may “appreciate being fired” so he could end the inquiry. Trump is fuming after federal agents raised his personal attorney’s office in New York. He calls Mueller investigation a “witch hunt.”

Red Oak Police report a man was arrested at around 9:50-a.m. today (Tuesday), on a drug charge. 31-year old Bret Wade Sheppard, of Emerson, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, and Possession of Drug Equipment. Sheppard was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque hospital wants a state oversight board to reconsider the hospital’s application for buying equipment for a new cancer center. The Telegraph Herald reports that Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque filed the application last month with the State Health Facilities Council. In October the council rejected Mercy’s request for permission to purchase equipment that would be key to development of a $25 million cancer center. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital argued at the time that its Wendt Cancer Center already provides the necessary services in Dubuque.

Officials say the two hospitals are discussing a joint venture. One of the state board members who voted against Mercy’s request has left the five-member council and so far hasn’t been replaced. Mercy officials hope to gain approval from what could be a more sympathetic council.

Two public hearings are set to take place Wednesday evening, during a meeting of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education meeting. The first, at 5:30-p.m., is with regard to the proposed 2018-19 School Calendar, which indicates the 2018-19 school year will begin August 23rd. The Winter break is from Dec. 24th through Jan. 2nd. There is no Spring Break on the schedule, and barring any snow makeup days, classes will end May 23rd. The second Public Hearing is at 5:45-p.m. Wednesday, and is with regard to the 2018-19 Certified Budget. The School Board meeting takes place in the Media Room at the Atlantic High School.

In other business, the Board will discuss technology purchases, and act on the resignations of Andrea Reilly (TLC Model Teacher), Paul Iekel (Achievement Center 6-12 Teacher), and Lisa Munsey (8th Grade Math Teacher & track Coach/7th Grade Volleyball Coach, Middle School/Schuler Elementary TLC Supporting Instructional Coach). They’ll also act on: approving the 2018-19 School Calendar & Certified Budget, along with the Audit report, and the setting of a Public Hearing for the 2017-18 Amended Certified Budget.

The Board will also take action on Industrial Tech and Transportation Director position agreements with the Griswold School District, the purchase of a 2018 model bus for $85,000 (which replaces an older model bus, and includes an EPA grant the district received for $20,000). They are also expected to approve a High School HVAC replacement project costing $79,980, with that low bid coming from Camblin Mechanical. The other bid, from Proctor Mechanical, was for $105, 645. The project would cover the replacement of two High School gym Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) units. The final action item is the selection of Driver’s Education services among two bidders. Both bids are nearly identical, with only the reduced costs for Free/Reduced lunch students the difference. The district currently pays Deluxe Driving Academy of Carroll, for the service. Their bid is $340 per student, and $320 for Free/Reduced lunch students. The competing bid is from White Knuckle Driving School in Atlantic. Their bid is also $340 per student, with Free/Reduced charged $315. Classes are taught at the high school, with Atlantic employees serving as the instructors.

The Exira-Elk Horn/Kimballton School Board held a Public Hearing Monday evening, on the 2018-19 Budget. Superintendent Trevor Miller told KJAN News there were no comments from the public during the session. He said the tax asking for the coming school year is $12.09/per $1,000 taxable valuation, which is a little higher than expected, due to the budget guarantee which covers decreased enrollment, and, the General Obligation Bond. Miller says it’s still a decent tax rate compared to some of the districts around them. The tax is an increase of $1.42/per $1,000. After the Board approved the Budget, they discussed and approved several legal matters related to the bond, which was simplified for their approval, by work conducted through the District’s Attorneys.

Miller said also, the Exira-EHK Board approved renewing a contract with Marne-Elk Horn Telephone Company (METC) as the district’s telephone and internet provider. The Board also discussed matters pertaining to Transportation, such as the number of routes and what they will look like during the coming school year. He said they talked about ways of finding new and/or substitute drivers to replace those who may be retiring. The job of finding those drivers he said, is becoming more difficult due to scheduling and the hours.

And, the Board approved a reduction-in-force due to realignment of the buildings and decrease in the number of students, which resulted in the reduction of one-teacher from the staff.