COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – City officials say reconstruction of the main east-west thoroughfare in central Council Bluffs will begin next year. City Engineer Matt Cox says that it’ll take five to six years to completely rebuild a stretch of West Broadway at a cost of no more than $26 million. The project will include installing the street’s first storm sewer system.

The Daily Nonpareil reports that Council Bluffs will take over ownership of the street from Iowa’s Department of Transportation, which is giving the city $20 million for maintenance costs and future reconstruction.

Cox and Mayor Matt Walsh held a press conference Monday to discuss project updates before Tuesday evening’s public meeting on the plan. Cox says that public input is appreciated even though not much planning has been done.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A former U.S. Cellular employee has been accused of stealing nearly $30,000 in merchandise from the company in Council Bluffs. Iowa online court records say 21-year-old Sayeg Moreno Padilla, who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, is charged with felony theft and ongoing criminal conduct. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 9th.

Prosecutors say Moreno Padilla opened fraudulent accounts and stole 44 cellphones and $1,500 in gift cards between May 6th and June 16th last year.

The City of Council Bluffs, Iowa West Foundation and American National Bank have announced the full lineup of events for Loessfest 2016 (pronounced “Luss-fest”). Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Loessfest showcases Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park, located at the foot of the Iowa side of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. The park is a regional amenity and Loessfest was created to celebrate all that it has to offer. Loessfest has drawn more than 100,000 people to the park in its first three years.

This year, American National Bank joins the City of Council Bluffs and the Iowa West Foundation as a presenting sponsor of Loessfest. In addition to the support of the three presenting sponsors and 36 additional generous sponsors, Loessfest will host a full lineup of free events beginning May 28:

• Saturday, May 28: Run Loess Half Marathon and 5K – The Run Loess Half Marathon and 5K, organized by the Council Bluffs YMCA, will kick off Loessfest at 8 a.m. The route starts and ends at the park, explores the trails, and ends with a celebration at the park complete with food and bounce houses. Registration is required for the race, but there is no cost for spectators. Thanks to presenting sponsor Warren Distribution, supporting partners Triple Crown Sports and Olsson Associates, supporter Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital and media partner the Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil.
• Saturday, May 28: Riverfront Block Party – This is not your average block party – it’s a family block party on the river! Bring the family to the park at 5 p.m. for food and entertainment, bounce houses, train rides, face painting, and other fun activities, and at 7 p.m., Disney Junior’s Imagination Movers takes the stage for a free concert! At dusk, it’s time for the first movie in the park of the year: Disney Pixar’s Inside Out. Thanks to presenting sponsor Red River Service Corp, supporting partners Mulhalls, Carley Construction and
• Sunday, May 29: Kool and the Gang with special guest Atlanta Rhythm Section – It’s the night we wait for all year to kick off summer: it’s a celebration with Kool and the Gang! Thanks to songs like Celebration, Cherish and Jungle Boogie, they’ve earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. Opening for Kool and the Gang is country rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section whose top 10 hits include So Into You and Imaginary Lover. The free concert begins at 7 p.m. Thank you to presenting sponsor American National Bank.
• Monday, May 30: Fireworks for Freedom Omaha Symphony Concert – Back for the fourth year by popular demand, the Omaha Symphony with Ernest Richardson, principal pops conductor, will present a free patriotic concert, Fireworks for Freedom, at 8 p.m. A fireworks show set to music will follow the performance. Thanks to presenting sponsors of the Omaha Symphony concert: HGM Associates Inc., Noddle Development and supporting partners Roloff Construction and Heartland Properties. Thanks to presenting sponsors of the Fireworks display: Doll Distributing, HDR, supporting partners J & M Displays, D & D Construction and media partner Omaha World-Herald.
• Tuesday, May 31: Bike the Bluffs – Loessfest is hosting a 22-mile bicycle ride beginning at the river at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park. The ride starts at 6 p.m., and will venture through the trails and through downtown Council Bluffs and back, with several optional stops along the way. Thank you to presenting sponsors Council Bluffs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Pottawattamie County Tourism and supporting partners Arby’s Panda Inc., Hamilton Associates, Eriksen Construction and supporter Alley Poyner Macchietto.
• Wednesday, June 1: Movie in the Park: Raiders of the Lost Ark – It’s been 35 years since our hero, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones first hit the big screen to find the Ark of the Covenant. Ranked 36th among the top rated movies of all time by IMDb, this four-time Ocsar Winning film will hit the big, big screen at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park at 9 p.m. Thanks to supporting partners Kiewit Building Group, Snyder & Associates, Inc. Sherbondy’s, Sapp Brothers and Mid-America Center.
• Thursday, June 2: #ThrowbackThursday featuring The Return of Sprite Night – This year we have TWO throwbacks for twice the fun in TWO decades: First, Sweet 98 DJs Hot Scott and Rockett will take us back to the 90s, then we’ll hop back two decades to the 70s with a free concert by The 70’s Show featuring all your favorite 70s music. The show begins at 7 p.m. Thanks to presenting sponsor Broadmoor and 5 and supporting partners Coca-Cola and Judds Brothers.
• Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5: Taste of Omaha on the Riverfront – Taste of Omaha has established itself as the annual event bringing together a dazzling selection of great foods and culinary delights for people from throughout the region to taste, relax and enjoy as a family activity on the Riverfront.
• Sunday, June 5: GOLFFEST – This unique event will offer prizes galore as golfers will play 27 holes on both Dodge Riverside Golf Course and Westwood Golf Course — registration fee required, call 712-328-4660 — includes lunch and dinner. Spectators are welcome to watch the fun. Thank you to presenting sponsor Harrah’s and supporting partner Leach Camper Sales.
• Every Night: Rays Interactive Light Environment – Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park features a “one-of-a-kind” interactive light display – Rays by artist Dan Corson – part of the Iowa West Public Art collection. Rays is a permanent exhibit at the Park with nightly displays – thanks to the Iowa West Foundation. Thanks supporting partner ABC Electric for their support of Rays during Loessfest.

Parking is available on both sides of the river for all Loessfest events, including the parking lot just north of Harrah’s Casino and in Harrah’s parking garage. Please note, due to construction, there is no longer parking available or access to the park from the old Playland Park area off Avenue B, just east of the Great Lawn. To avoid traffic delays and to reserve your spot on the Great Lawn in the park, please consider carpooling and arrive early for Loessfest events.

For more information, please visit Loessfest.com.

The School Board in Sidney, Monday night, has rejected a proposed three-way sharing agreement between the district, South Page, and the Griswold School District. According to reports, the Sidney School Board rejected the proposal by failing to take action on the agreement, which means Superintendent Gregg Cruickshank will continue to serve as superintendent for those two districts only, during the next school year.

The board’s decision was said to have been based on the vacancy in the elementary principal’s position, with Linda Spencer stepping down at the end of the current school year. The Sidney School Board also voted to hire a part-time elementary principal for next school year, with the intent of hiring a full time principal for the 2017-2018 school year.

The decision by the Sidney Board leaves the Griswold District to consider its next step to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Superintendent Dana Kunze. The Griswold Board will hold a special meeting this evening at 6:30, to discuss the options.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five people were arrested recently. Monday evening, deputies arrested 34-year old Justin Wayne Schomburg, of Malvern, for Driving Under Suspension and having no SR-22 Insurance. His bond was set at $1,300. That same evening, 27-year old Gail Gilbert Heywood Jr., of Randolph, was arrested on a warrant for Failure To Appear in court on a Driving While Revoked charge. His bond was set at $2,000.

Sunday morning, 22-year old Kortez Mario McBridge, of Omaha, was arrested in Mills County for being a Fugitive from Justice. His bond was set at $1,000. And, two people were arrested Friday: 29-year old Derek Scott Smith, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense, Driving While Revoked and Failure to Obey Traffic Control Device. His bond was set at $7,000. And, 24-year old Gabrielle Christine Stogdil, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for OWI/1st offense. Her bond was set at $1,000.

Audubon Police Chief Matt Starmer reports three people, including two teenagers, have been arrested in connection the with April 10th armed robbery of the Subway sandwich store, in Audubon.

Starmer says 19-year old Andrew Allen Malloy, of Audubon, was arrested for felony 1st degree armed robbery, felony Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery , and a felony charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. He faces additional charges that include Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Malloy was being held in the Audubon County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.

Two 16-year old’s from Audubon, Timothy Dethlef Asmus, and Jason Christopher Hines, were charged with felony Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.  In addition, Asmus faces charges that include Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He’s currently being held in the Juvenile Detention Center. Hines was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center.

An investigation surrounding the incident remains open.

The City Council in Walnut and the Walnut Community School Board will meet in a special, joint meeting next month. On the agenda for the 6:30-p.m. meeting on May 3rd, is discussion with regard to the Future Use of School Property. The meeting takes place in the Walnut Community School old gymnasium.

The Walnut Community School District will merge with the Avoca-based AHST district July 1st. The reorganization was prompted when Walnut saw the second largest enrollment decline in the state. It became unfeasible to operate the more than 100-year-old school.

The Walnut school board would like to give the building to the city, which could then decide how to best use the space. If a decision isn’t made by the time the Walnut district ceases to exist independently on June 30th, the school board of the new district, called the AHSTW Community School District, would be responsible for the building.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Dozens of people who didn’t know Charles Lanam went to his funeral anyway, honoring his life and his service to his country. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown posted an appeal on Facebook last week, asking people to attend Monday’s service at the Iowa Veterans Home and cemetery. The funeral home had said the 81-year-old Fairfield native died April 10, leaving behind no family to mourn him. He’d been living at the Iowa Veterans Home.

Sam Giarratano, of Marshalltown, told the Marshalltown Times-Republican that he was overwhelmed so many people came to pay their respects Monday. Another man who attended Lanam’s services, Jeff Hauser, told Des Moines station KCCI that “no veteran should go to the grave by himself.”  Lanam was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War.

Police in Glenwood, Monday, arrested a man wanted on a Mills County warrant for Serious Assault. 43-year old Dwayne Rollins, of Glenwood, was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $1000 cash bond or surety.

The Griswold School Board Monday evening approved an alteration in the last day of the current school year. Superintendent Dana Kunze said “We have enough hours in our calendar…that more than cover the requirement for the State of Iowa’s hours of instructional time,” but because of snow day cancellations, students will be coming back for one and a-half days after Memorial Day. The students’ last day of attendance will be May 27^th. Teachers, however will still have contractual obligations to fulfill, and are not subject to the change.

In other business, the Griswold School Board approved the process for the hiring of a Middle School/High School Principal. The Board directed the three administrators to take the list of applicants and whittle the candidates down to those most likely to move on in the selection process. Those candidates will be video interviewed, and a further recommendation will be made to the Board.

Dana said the person who fills his (Superintendent) position, may choose to interview those candidates as well, assuming they are hired in-time. In other business, Kunze said the Griswold School Board will be seeking input from the community to serve on a committee to decide the future of district facilities.

They’ll be asking for volunteers to serve on a committee that will review facilities and the three campuses. The committee will conduct public meetings and receive input months down the road, before reporting their recommendations to the School Board.