SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – U.S. Sen. John Thune says a bipartisan group of 14 senators in Missouri River states is requesting a Senate hearing to look into the Army Corps of Engineers management of the river before recent historic flooding. The South Dakota Republican says the group has sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee requesting a hearing. The letter was signed by senators from South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.

The corps has been criticized for its management of Missouri River reservoirs in the Upper Midwest that have been swollen by heavy spring snowmelt and rains. Some dam releases have been at record levels. The corps has said the reservoirs were in good shape to handle spring runoff until record rains fell upstream in May.

Adrenaline pumping rides and high-powered motor sports are among the many attractions for you to enjoy during Westfair, July 26^th through the 31^st at the Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds near Council Bluffs. The family-friendly fair also features fashion shows and art.

Bryon Menke, Westfair Board President, says “From the traditional 4-H livestock shows to a wide variety of entertainment…there should be something for everyone.” The fair has taken place at the fairgrounds located two-miles east of I-80 on Highway Six, for more than 70-years.

Gates at Westfair are open Tuesday, July 26^th, through Sunday, July 31^st, from 8-a.m. to midnight. The cost of admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-to-12. Children age 5 and under are admitted for free. Your gate admission fee includes entry to the Saturday night Chad Lee Band concert in the amphitheater.

Memberships to Westfair are also available. For more information, visit the fair’s website at www.westfairevents.com, or call Stacy Maddux at (402)-345-5401, ext. 111.

A special, public hearing will be held Monday evening in Greenfield, with regard to the proposed construction of a large, Confined Animal Feeding Operation, or CAFO, in the southern part of Adair County. Auditor Mindy Schaefer says Eric Taylor has submitted an application for a hog and pig feeding facility to be located somewhat south and between Fontanelle and Orient. She says the proposal calls for a 2,480 head feeder operation, which means the Animal Unit Capacity is 1,984. Since it’s over the threshold of 1,000, Adair County can use the Master Matrix scoring method to make it’s recommendation to the DNR following the public hearing.

The public hearing will last no longer than 90-minutes, with three-minutes allowed per speaker. No designees will be allowed. Sign-up for the hearing begins at 6:30-p.m., Monday in the Courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse. A member of the Board of Supervisors will sign-up speakers on a first-come, first-served basis. Speakers will make their comments in the order they signed-up. Once the meeting begins, no additional speakers will be allowed to sign-up, or speak.

Written comments must be presented to the Board of Supervisors by mail or hand-delivered prior to the public hearing at 7-p.m.. Schaefer says only written comments will accompany the Board of Supervisor’s recommendation to the DNR, along with the Master Matrix scoring.

Schaefer says experience has taught her these types of meetings are usually well attended.

Sheriff’s officials in Cass County report an investigation into various thefts from vehicles in the past two weeks has resulted in the arrest of a Montgomery County man. 18-year old Joel Alan Gronewold, of Red Oak, was arrested on three charges of Burglary in the 3rd Degree, and two charges of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Charges are also in the works against two juveniles from Montgomery County, in connection with the theft. Gronewold was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held awaiting an initial appearance before the magistrate. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in their investigation by officials with the Red Oak Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials report also, a Nebraska man was arrested Tuesday on a drug charge.  25-year old Jacob Lee Gronewold, of North Platte, NE, was taken into custody on a charge of Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) within 1000 Feet of a City Park. Gronewold was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was being held on $100,000 bond.