An official with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the Lewis and Clark State Park campground near Onawa, was reopened to campers, Thursday, nearly two months after it was closed as a precaution ahead of the predicted Missouri River flooding.

Kevin Szcodronski, chief of State Parks for the Iowa DNR, says they “Pulled all the electrical breakers, and removed other expensive utilities to try to minimize the impact of the flood waters, but the flood did not come,” so they didn’t have the extensive clean up they initially thought would be necessary, in order to reopen the park.

Szcrodronski says “The campground, lodge and modern restrooms are open with two caveats: for the rest of the recreation season, campsites will be available on a first come basis and several campsites immediately along Blue Lake will remain closed to allow them to further dry out.”

The lodge can be reserved by calling the park office at 712-423-2829. The Lewis and Clark State Park draws on average, about 25,000 campers per year.

Some employees at the Post Office in Council Bluffs are steamed over their working conditions. They contend building officials were purposely turning off the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day, but building maintenance officials say that’s not the case.

Cindy Martinez, acting Postmaster for Council Bluffs says the heating and cooling system in the facility…located at 8 South 6^th Street…is at least 50-years old, and is in need of a major repair or replacement. Building maintenance official James Califf told the Omaha World-Herald there were a couple of incidences when it got uncomfortably humid, but those problems were corrected within 24-hours. Another reason the building could be hot, according to owner Michael Kim, in Seattle, is that the dock area remains open to the heat during the day.

Califf said the air conditioning is turned-off in the evening, and not restarted until the first crews arrive at 2-a.m. The recent heat and humidity wave he says, means the building takes longer to cool after the system is turned-off. Workers say they don’t like entering the hot and humid environment.

One worker said it becomes noticeably hot and humid in the building between 3-and 3:30-p.m.. Other workers say patrons of the Post Office have also mentioned the uncomfortable conditions they encounter, in the lobby.

A heating and cooling contract associated with the building, says it is to be cooled to the mid-70’s. Califf says daily records show the warmest it has been inside the facility, is 80-degrees.

MOVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the names of two Iowa brothers who were injured in a “tough truck” competition at the Woodbury County Fair in Moville.

Authorities say the men were in a truck that flew off a jump and landed on its nose. It took 20 minutes to free the two men after the accident Thursday night.

The men were identified as 28-year-old Matthew Andresen, of Hornick, and his brother, 24-year-old Michael Andresen, of Ute.

The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office says both men were conscious and breathing as they were taken to a hospital. Their conditions aren’t available yet.

(DES MOINES) -Governor Branstad was notified late yesterday (Thursday) by Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate ,that Iowa’s request for activation of the Federal Individual Assistance Program for Fremont, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie, and Woodbury Counties has been denied.

“Obviously I am disappointed for the citizens in the impacted counties that my request was denied,” said Gov. Branstad. “However, I intend to appeal this issue with FEMA based on the simple facts that the flood is still occurring and as the waters slowly recede, new damages will be revealed which will have further impacts to Iowans already fighting through this unprecedented flooding event.”

The appeal of the decision by FEMA will be coordinated by the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD). HSEMD Administrator Brigadier General Derek Hill indicated that the Division will be working closely with the local emergency management agencies to determine additional damages and impacts caused by the ongoing flood.

“It is incredibly important to the citizens along the Missouri River that we are successful in this appeal,” said Hill. “The aid provided in the Individual Assistance program is a major piece of the puzzle that is needed to help Iowans recover from this flood.”

The FEMA Individual Assistance Program is made available to homeowners, renters and businesses and can include grants and low interest loans to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other aid programs.