With the arrival of spring, hundreds of road construction projects are getting underway across Iowa, while another form of transportation is also gearing up for some major work. Mark Davis, spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad, says a big infrastructure project is about to launch. “We have started work on our track between downtown Omaha and on the line that goes through Council Bluffs and follows the highway up to Missouri Valley,” Davis says. “We’re starting to work on that. It’s a$4.5-million project.”

Davis says at least 29 road crossings will be resurfaced as part of the project so there -will- be an impact on motorists as the project progresses. “We’ll be replacing some ties along that line, around 32,000 concrete ties along with 16,600 tons of rock,” he says. The goals of the project include: improving train operating efficiency, reducing motorist wait time at crossings and enhancing safety. It should be complete by May.

He says it’s among some 15-hundred projects the Omaha-based railroad will undertake this year across its 30-thousand mile network. Between 2007 and 2013, Davis says the U-P has invested more than 21-billion dollars in its infrastructure.

(Radio Iowa)

An Atlantic man was taken to the hospital after the wheelchair he was in was struck by a car Saturday morning at 4th and Chestnut Streets. According to Atlantic Police, Mark A. Johnson was transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, after his wheelchair was hit while in a crosswalk. The accident happened at around 9-a.m. Saturday, after Donnis Christensen of Atlantic stopped at the traffic light and proceeded to turn right on red.

Johnson suffered cuts to his leg during the accident. His wheelchair sustained about $800 damage. Christensen’s car sustained about $100 damage. Police cited her for Failure to Yield to a pedestrian within an intersection.

Two men from Atlantic were arrested recently on alcohol and/or drug and other charges. On Sunday, 50-year old Milton Milligan was charged with OWI/2nd offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interference with Official Acts and Driving While Revoked.

And on Friday, Atlantic Police arrested 23-year old Norrin Bishop, on 5 counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Supplying Alcohol to Minors. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

A truck driver from Crawford County escaped serious injury after the semi he was driving dropped off onto the shoulder of Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County, and rolled onto its side. The accident happened as 45-year old Michael Melvin Wilken, of Westside, was being pulled over by an Iowa DOT Enforcement Officer Sunday evening, on I-80 westbound, near the 45-mile marker. Wilken refused medical treatment at the scene. The trailer he was pulling was full of hogs. There was no word on injuries to the animals.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says he has signed an executive order prohibiting state agencies from signing confidential settlement agreements. Branstad, back in Iowa from vacation, is responding to criticism of agreements reached between state agencies and several state employees who were fired and then paid more than $280,000 to keep quiet. Branstad said Monday (today), that Iowans expect more from state government and deserve better. He says he didn’t know about the settlements.

His order requires settlement agreements to be reviewed by the attorney general’s office and all agreements to be posted on a state website. He’s also ordered all past settlement agreements to be posted – that’s more than 321 since he took office. He says 24 contain confidentiality agreements and 10 included lump sum payments to workers.

A fighter pilot with roots in southwest Iowa was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for “Meritorious service.” The Secretary of the Navy presented the award to US Navy Strike Fighter Pilot, Lt. Commander Joshua Larson on Feb. 26th.

LCDR Joshua Larson (Photo submitted(

Lieutenant Commander Joshua A. Larson is the son of Larry and Dee Larson of Massena, grandson of Lois Larson of Corning and brother of Kim Pontius of Corning. Lt CDR. Larson is a 1996 graduate of the Massena High School.

The award read as follows:

“Meritorious Service while serving as Kingdom of Bahrain Country Engagement Officer on the staff of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet from January 2013 to March 2014 conducting Operations in the U.S. Central Command Area of responsibility.

Lieutenant Commander Larson superbly managed more than 170 Key Leader engagements including meetings with Bahrain’s King, Crown Prince, Chief of Defense, and Minister of Foreign Affairs along with numerous Royal Court Leaders, Ministers, and National Heads of Services. Demonstrating keen foresight, he expertly integrated the Kingdom of Bahrain into 20 U.S. Central Command International Exercises while flawlessly managing expanding Bilateral Coordination. In addition, he brilliantly led the planning for 10 Major International Conferences including the 2013 Manama Dialogue and the 2014 Bahrain International Air Show.

By his unswerving determination, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lieutenant Commander Larson reflected credit upon himself and upheld the highest tradition of the United States Naval Service”.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Thousands of Iowa households are behind on their utility bills in the wake of winter’s subzero weather.  The Iowa Utilities Board figures say that as of February, more than 243,000 households were in arrears – 4 percent more than a year ago. But because of the severe cold and the higher costs of natural gas and propane, the amount of the debt has hit $46 million – 40 percent more than the figure in February 2013.

William Brand is administrator of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in Iowa, and he says 38,000 of the Iowa households in the program are behind on their bills by a total of $11.7 million. April 1 marks the end of the winter moratorium on utility shutoffs for those households.

This week’s “Fire Danger” index has been moved to the “High”  category this week, in Shelby County. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says the risk of controlled burn spreading beyond their intended scope is increasing due to the sunny and windy conditions expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

Seivert asks residents of Shelby County to please remember to contact the EMA at 712-755-2124 and your local fire Chief to report your controlled burn prior to starting any fires.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office today (Monday) released a report on recent arrests. Officials say on March 16th, 25-year old Jared Allen Meyer, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on OWI/3rd Offense, Interference with Official Acts and Carrying a Weapon, charges. On March 13th, 21-year old Randi Marie Jordan, of Sidney, was arrested for Possession of drug Paraphernalia. That same day, 23-year old Thomas Scott Ware, of Thurman, was arrested for Theft in the 2nd degree, Vandalism in the 4th degree, and Trespassing.

One person was transported to a hospital by helicopter following a motorcycle versus deer accident March 14^th. In information released today (Monday), by the Mills County Sheriff’s office, authorities report Shaun Peacock, of Glenwood, was traveling north on 221^st Street near the intersection with Ashton Road, when the 2004 Harley Davidson cycle he was riding collided with a deer that had entered the roadway.

Following the collision, the cycle entered the east ditch and slid for several feet before hitting a tree. Peacock was ejected from the machine and came to rest in a tree line. The accident happened at around 9:07-p.m., March 14^th. Peacock was transported to an unknown hospital by LifeFlight helicopter.

No other information is available.