The Iowa Department of Transportation reports several major corridors for vehicle travel remain closed in Western Iowa, due to flooding or flood damage. Among them:

• U-S Highway 59 one-mile south of Harlan to I-80 is still open to one-lane only. Temporary traffic lights are in-place.
• Interstate 680 in both directions, one-mile west of the Crescent area/I-29, and the Old Mormon Bridge Road into/out of Omaha.
• I-29 in both directions between N. 25th Street in Council Bluffs and Exit 71/I-680, one-mile south of Missouri Valley.
• I-29 in both directions from south of Bunge Avenue (Council Bluffs), to near Hamburg.
• Mills County Road H-10, from west of I-29 to Nebraska State Line.
• Highway 34 westbound, between I-29 near Pacific Junction, to the Nebraska State Line.
• Iowa Highway 2 in both directions (Fremont County) from Highway 275 to the Missouri River Bridge
• Iowa Highway 333 (Fremont County) in both directions between I-29 and U-S 275 at Hamburg.
• U-S 275 from the Missouri State Line to IA 333 (Near Hamburg)
• U-S Highway 169 between U-S 6 and Highway 44 (near Adel) is closed in both directions.
• Iowa 141 in both directions between Sloan and Smithland, in Monona County.

IVINS, Utah (AP) — Authorities say a teenage boy from southwest has died after falling inside Snow Canyon State Park in southwestern Utah. KUTV in Salt Lake City reports park officials say the incident happened Sunday afternoon. 13-year-old Elijah Baldwin, from Shenandoah, was free climbing with no ropes or equipment. The accident occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m. in the Pioneer Names area of the park. Park officials say he was dead at the scene. The boy was visiting his mother and two other children. The death remains under investigation. Baldwin was a 7th grader at Shenandoah Middle School. Shenandoah School District officials say grief counselors are available to talk to students and staff at the middle school this (Monday) afternoon from noon to 3 p.m. Funeral Services are pending. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home of Shenandoah is in charge of arrangements.

California Democratic 2020 Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign has announced the Senator’s Iowa Campaign Chair, Deidre DeJear, will travel Iowa to host or participate in a series of meet and greets to discuss Harris’ vision for the country. DeJear will visit Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs to hear directly from local leaders and Democratic elected officials about the issues facing families in their communities.

Deidre DeJear will join Pottawattamie County Democrats for a “Drinking Liberally” meet-and-greet, 6-p.m. Thursday, March 21st, at Sugars Lounge and Diner (2725 E. Kanesville Blvd.), in Council Bluffs.

The campaign says “DeJear will discuss Harris’ plans to build an economy that works for all Iowans, guarantee access to health care, and take on challenges like climate change.” Harris is running a campaign that is organizing in every corner of the state and announced last week that she has supporters in all 99 Iowa counties. Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.

The Adams County Auditor’s Office has released the names of candidates who have filed for the April 9th Supervisor – District 5, Special Election. Adams County will hold a special election on April 9, 2019 to fill the Supervisor District 5 seat vacated by Karl McCarty. Corey Moore was appointed to fill the vacancy on February 15 and will serve until the results of the canvass of the election are complete.

Candidates who have filed for the special election on April 9th are:

• Bobbi J. Baker-Maynes (Rep)
• Corey B. Moore (Dem) current appointee
• Karen A Carlson (nominated by petition)
• Tim Peterson (nominated by petition)

Questions may be directed to the Auditor’s Office.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests and accident dating back to March 5th. Most recently, on Sunday, 40-year old Michael Matthew Noe, of Atlantic, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Revoked. Noe was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance. Saturday, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year old Justin Ray Kinney, of Griswold, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Kinney was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on his own recognizance. That same day, at around 1:30-a.m., deputies responded to a report of an accident in the 400-block of Fremont Street, in Griswold.

Authorities say a parked 2005 Ford Expedition owned by Delvan Wayne Tye of Griswold, was facing southbound on Fremont Street when it was struck in the front by a southbound 2011 Ford F150 owned and driven by 54-year old Lee Allen Wyman, of Griswold. No injuries were reported. Damage to Wyman’s vehicle is estimated at $10,000; damage to Tye’s vehicle is estimated at $5,000. Upon investigation, deputies arrested Wyman on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. He was also cited with Failure to Maintain Control. Wyman was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on his own recognizance.

Last Friday, 45-year old Billy Jack Simon, of Anita, was arrested on charges of Possession of Meth/2nd Offense; Providing False ID to Law Enforcement; and, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Simon was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on $2,000 bond. Also on March 15th, 36-year old Zachary Alan Frank, of Lewis, was arrested by Cass County Deputies on an Atlantic Police Department warrant for Harassment 3rd Degree, and Theft 5th Degree. Frank was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $600 bond.

On March 13th, 52-year old Philip Reed Thompson, of Lewis, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Violation of Probation and an additional charge of Driving While Barred. Thompson was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $3,000 bond. March 11th, 35-year old Brenda Nichole Leah Kinzie, of Council Bluffs, was arrested on two District Court warrants for Probation Violation. Kinzie was taken to the Cass County Jail where she remains held on $20,000 bond.

On March 9th, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested 56-year old Katherine Anne Lange, of Anita, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Lange was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance. On March 6th, 20-year old Kolby Austin Fulk, of Harlan, was arrested on a charge of Driving While Barred. Fulk was taken to the Cass County Jail and was released later that day on $2,000 bond. And, on March 5th, 28-year old Timothy Alan Brown, of Griswold, was arrested by Cass County Deputies on charges of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree; Public Intoxication; and, Disorderly Conduct. Brown was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on his own recognizance.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A city in northwest Iowa is waiting for a biofuels company to pay $77,500 in fines and explain why its Nebraska plant has exceeded daily limits on solids sent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Sioux City is still seeking answers on why Wisconsin-based Big Ox Energy has surpassed daily limits of about 48,500 pounds of solids sent to the city’s wastewater treatment plant at least 33 times since June. The releases have put the city at risk of violating its own wastewater treatment permit with the state.

Assistant city attorney Justin Vondrak tells the Sioux City Journal that Big Ox has mentioned equipment failures, but hasn’t provided a full explanation. Big Ox spokesman Kevin Bradley says the company is working to resolve the issues. The city is currently reviewing the company’s permit renewal request.

The Creston Police Department reports three, recent arrests. Sunday morning, 31-year old Kristine Jensine Porter, of Creston, was arrested for Driving while revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of controlled substance. Porter was later released on $2,300 bond. At around 1:45-a.m. Saturday, 22-year old Kaylee Nelson, of Creston, was arrested for OWI 1st. Nelson was released on her Own Recognizance. And, at around 1:30-p.m. Friday, 40-year old Demion Lee Garrison, of Creston, was arrested by Creston Police for Driving while Suspended. Garrison subsequently bonded out of custody.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports one arrest and one warrant served. At around 9:15-p.m. Sunday, a Deputy assigned to the road patrol division was advised of a possibly intoxicated driver on Interstate 80. The Deputy located the vehicle and placed 23-year old Mackenzie Anne Megel, under arrest for OWI/1st offense. She was later released from custody. The report did not indicate where she was from.

And, a man being held in the Pott. County Jail was presented with a warrant Friday morning. 27-year old Patrick James Carpenter, Jr., of Council Bluffs, was read a warrant for Violation of Probation, and returned to Corrections Staff.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A murder charge has been filed against a man accused of setting a Cedar Rapids apartment fire. Linn County District Court records say an amended criminal complaint with the new charge was filed Friday against 24-year-old Dallas Tullis, of Cedar Rapids. He’s also charged with arson and two counts of assault. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Monday from The Associated Press.

Investigators say Tullis set a fire Feb. 28 that destroyed the apartment complex and injured some tenants, including Tullis. One of them was 65-year-old Steven Balvin, who died days later. His death prompted the new charge against Tullis.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS