A regional commander of the U-S Army Corps of Engineers says we’re in a “very dangerous time,” with weakened levees and dams after the summer-long flood of the Missouri River. Brigadier General John McMahon, commander of the Corps’ Northwest Division, says floodwalls all along the river in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska were significantly damaged by the many months of rising, rushing water.

“The big concern now is the winter weather and also how much runoff we’re going to have as the construction season unfolds that might interfere with that,” General McMahon says. “There’s lots of unknowns. We’re very vulnerable with respect to the condition of the levees now.” Critics say there was a serious lack of communication between key governmental agencies and community leaders in threatened areas prior to the start of flooding this spring, and McMahon says he does not want to see a repeat.

McMahon says, “We’re going to have to work very closely together and communicate well and keep everybody informed as we go through this very dangerous period of time.” The Corps estimated in September that it would cost more than 500-million dollars to repair the many miles of levees, earthen berms and other structures that were damaged in the prolonged flooding. That dollar figure is continuing to grow.

“We currently know of $630-million in repairs, mainly focused on the levees and some on the dams,” General McMahon says. “We’re still assessing the dams and I expect a report from our Omaha district by the end of this month. There’s also additional assessments to the navigation channel.” While work is underway on levee repairs, he says little more can be done until next year and possibly, not before the spring flood season starts up again. 

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

No fewer than four separate law enforcement agencies cooperated in a chase and the arrest early Sunday morning, of a woman who faces numerous moving violations, in addition to an OWI charge. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office told KJAN News 44-year old Laura Sue Sturdy, of Orient, was taken into custody after a roadblock was set-up in Montgomery County.

Officials say Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Quist was on patrol at around 11:30-p.m. Saturday, when he observed a vehicle weaving on the road near 630th and Upland Road. When he attempted to stop the vehicle, it sped-off and ended up near the intersection of Highway 71 and old Highway 34, in Montgomery County, a little over 30-minutes later, when authorities set up a roadblock.

Sturdy was taken into custody without further incident. She was brought to the Cass County Jail on a Class D Felony charge of eluding. In addition, Sturdy was charged with OWI/1st Offense, and Reckless Driving.  The woman was released from custody after posting a $5,000 bond Sunday morning.

Assisting the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in the pursuit and arrest, were officers with the Atlantic and Red Oak Police Departments, and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

A public reception will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) in Atlantic, for a woman who has spent more than 30-years in service to the community. Cass County Home Care director Lorilyn Schultes has announced that she will retire at the end of 2011, concluding a career spanning over three decades in the health care industry. Her retirement will be effective January 1, 2012.

Denise Coder, currently manager of public health at Cass County Home Care, will now manage operations of the entire agency effective January 1, 2012. Coder has over 15 years of experience in the areas of community and public health, serving in dual roles at Cass County Memorial Hospital and Cass County Home Care. She has supervised community health assessments, managed health promotion and prevention planning initiatives and created public health programs.

Schultes announced her retirement from CCHC with “Mixed emotions.” She says she will greatly miss being around her colleagues, many of whom she considers to be good friends, but at the same time she welcomes the opportunity to have more time for her family and friends.

A reception in honor and recognition of Schultes’ career and contributions to Cass County Home Care will take place on Wednesday, from 2 – 5 p.m. at Cass County Home Care, located at 1500 E. 10^th St., Atlantic. Refreshments will be offered and attendees will be able to give Schultes their congratulations and best wishes.