Passengers onboard an Amtrak train traveling through Creston were stranded for nearly five-hours early Thursday morning, due to the impact of flooding in Iowa, and delays resulting from the earthquake earlier this week, in the eastern U-S. The train, which was traveling from Pennsylvania to Utah, was already nearly 12 hours behind schedule by the time it left Creston at 8:30-a.m., because of backups in service due to the earthquake.

The floods have created headaches for the railroads all summer long. In Omaha, a section of track had to be removed to build a levy near a sewage treatment plant, and, the Amtrak station in Omaha remains closed. All Amtrak passenger service and Burlington Northern Santa Fe coal routes are currently being rerouted through Creston.

Before you fuel-up your vehicle in preparation for your Labor Day weekend travels, remember, the gas tank isn’t the only think that needs refueling. The American Red Cross says they typically experience a dip in blood donations before and after the Labor Day holiday weekend, and want to thank eligible donors who help to “refuel” the blood supply in southwestern Iowa. As an extra incentive to roll-up your sleeve, August 29th through September 7th all blood donors in the Midwest Blood Services Region are eligible to win one of three $500 gas cards.

Officials say in addition, you have a chance to win a 2012 Ford Fiesta. Now through September 14th, all presenting blood donors can register for a chance to win the car through Red Cross Racing! Visit redcrossracing.com for more information. All blood types are needed to help maintain a stable blood supply, and there is a special need for types O negative, B negative and A negative. Whether this is your first donation of the summer season, or you’re eligible to give again, officials encourage you to make an appointment today to donate. To donate blood, simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. 

Blood Donation Opportunities in S.W. IA :

CASS COUNTY 9/3/2011, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm, Hy-Vee, 1630 East 7th Street, Atlantic

HARRISON COUNTY 9/7/2011, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, West Harrison High School, 410 Pine Street, Mondamin

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

8/29/2011, 12:30 pm- 6:15 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

8/30/2011, 9:30 am- 3:00 pm, Harrah’s Casino, 1 Harrahs Blvd, Council Bluffs

8/30/2011, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/1/2011, 7:00 am-12:30 pm, Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs

9/1/2011, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm, AmeriStar Casino, 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs

9/2/2011, 6:30 am-12:30 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/3/2011, 6:30 am-12:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/6/2011, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

SHELBY COUNTY

9/6/2011, 11:30 am- 5:30 pm, Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview, Harlan

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs police officer who was fired for allegedly slapping a 10-year-old child who ran away from home is getting his job back. The city’s Civil Service Commission on Wednesday reinstated Bo Wake. He can return to the force in early September after serving a 90-day suspension without pay from the firing date. According to the complaint, Wake responded to a call about a runaway child in April. After the child was found and taken home, Wake allegedly slapped the child. Wake was fired in June.

Commission member Tara Slevin says the board believes Wake touched the child, but there wasn’t enough evidence to “show it was a slap.”

Residents of Sioux City are finally seeing some positive signs that the flooding Missouri River is going back down. Woodbury County Emergency Management Director, Gary Brown, says the Missouri dropped below flood stage late Wednesday. “It’s been 81 days since the Missouri River has been below flood stage in Sioux City, Iowa,” Brown said.

The river crested on July 21st, and Brown says it is now almost five feet lower. The receding waters are showing how much work is ahead in the recovery. Brown says they are seeing damage to property in collapsed sidewalks, farm fields damaged, and trees toppled over. “So we’re seeing what we expected we would when the water started going back down,” Brown says.

He says the race is on now to get as much cleaned up as they can before winter sets in. He says they’re starting to clean up some of the mud and muck cleaned up. Brown says they really hope to get a main intersection at Hamilton Boulevard and I-29 re-opened as quickly as they possibly can so businesses in the area can get running again.

While the floodwaters are going down, Brown is warning residents to stay away from flooded areas as they are still dangerous.

(Radio Iowa)