Lane restrictions on US 218; Megabus expanding; Guard conducts training; more

Lane restrictions on U.S. 218 begin Monday

Construction work on U.S. 218 between Iowa 92 near Ainsworth and Iowa 22 near Riverside will restrict traffic to one lane in each direction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, beginning Monday, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation?s Mount Pleasant construction office.

Motorists will be assisted through the work zone by flaggers. In addition, a 12-foot width lane restriction is in effect in the open lanes. Theproject is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

The Iowa D.O.T. reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limits 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.

Task force to focus on prescription drug abuse

DES MOINES (AP) ­? State drug officials say a special task force has been formed to focus on the increasing abuse of prescription drugs in Iowa.

Iowa?s drug policy coordinator Mark Schouten announced the creation of the task force Thursday, saying the group?s goal is to define the nature and scope of the problem in Iowa and to make recommendations in an Iowa Prescription Abuse Reduction plan later this year.

The task force is made up of 32 Iowa physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals, substance abuse and treatment providers, law enforcement and others.

Schouten says prescription drug abuse is putting the health and safety of Iowans at risk.

The task force is expected to look at areas including education, the securing and disposal of medicines, and prescription monitoring and enforcement.

Tax-free holiday saves mone

y

DES MOINES (AP) ? Iowa?s annual sales tax holiday gives Iowans a chance do some back-to-school shopping without paying state sales tax.

The special days this year are today and Saturday.

Qualifying items that cost less than $100 will be exempt from the tax. Those items include clothing and footwear for everyday use, including shirts, pants, socks and shoes.

Items that aren?t tax exempt are computers, backpacks, school supplies, jewelry, and special clothing or footwear designed for sports.

More information is available at the Iowa Department of Revenue?s website, www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/holiday1.html.

Dog rescued from Keokuk tar pit

KEOKUK (AP) ? A small dog rescued from an abandoned tar pit in Keokuk is recovering and officials are seeking donations for his care.

The Keokuk Daily Gate City is reporting that the 15-pound beagle-dachshund mix was saved by police officers and the city?s animal control officer on July 25 after someone heard the dog?s cries.

Jean Meyer, of Keokuk?s Animal Services, says only one side of the dog?s face was above the tar, which had liquefied in the summer heat.

Animal control officer Eric Lindley says rescuers used boards positioned underneath the dog to pry him from the tar.

The dog was taken to a local vet where he was cleaned and treated.

Officials with Friends of Keokuk Animal Services are seeking donations to help pay for the dog?s care.

Megabus expands to Omaha, adds routes to Iowa City, Chicago

DES MOINES (AP) ?The low-fare, high-tech intercity bus service Megabus will add two daily trips to Omaha, Neb., and increase its service to Iowa City and Chicago to four round trips daily.

The Des Moines Register reported that Megabus announced its plans Thursday to add the routes beginning Aug. 17.

The service features a limited number of seats on each bus for as little as $1. It began in the Northeast in 2006 and in Des Moines 16 months ago.

Besides its low fares, Megabus? main attraction is accommodations that include train-style seats with individual power supplies and Wi-Fi service.

The bus line now has 150 vehicles serving 60 cities and officials say ridership has grown 47 percent in the past year.

Iowa Air National Guard to conduct training runs

DES MOINES (AP) ? The Iowa Air National Guard says residents in northwestern Iowa should expect to see and hear low-flying military planes participating in training operations over the next several months.

The guard said Thursday that Operation Badger Denial will begin Tuesday and take place on selected days through December.

The exercise will take place in an area that will extend west from Carroll to Charter Oak, north to Sanborn and east to Whittemore. In that zone, aircraft will operate at altitudes between 8,000 feet and 2,500 feet and could be audible as late as 9 p.m.

The guard says F-16 fighter jets will be flying over much of northwest Iowa while KC-135 tanker aircraft will also be operating in the area. The guard says nothing will be dropped from the planes.