(Radio Iowa) – Southpark Mall, a retail hub in Spencer that was hit by flash flooding a month ago, will reopen according to an executive with the company that owns the property.

“We’re looking for all of our tenants to come back,” Steven Williams, a senior vice president for Security National Properties, said. “We have commitment from all of our nationals and anchors. They are heavily involved in construction and coordinating with us right now to get these stores open as soon as possible for the local residents. We know they need places to shop and we are pushing to get this mall back open so we can serve the local community.”

The Southpark Mall in Spencer was flooded with well over a foot of water. “Sixteen inches of water throughout, so that means we have to do a four-foot flood cut throughout the entire mall and anything that touched that water has to come out,” Williams says. “We’re looking at this as an opportunity to improve this asset. Flooring, walls will all be new and fresh. Some of these stores that have dated finishes…they may be looking to upgrade to their more modern prototype.”

Earlier this week, the Facebook page for “The Palms Movie Theaters” at the mall in Spencer announced “incredible strides had been made in post-flood recovery efforts” and demo work is nearly done. Williams says Hobby Lobby, JC Penneys and Dunham’s are among the anchor stores that have committed to reopening, too.

(Radio Iowa) – Cyclists are converging in western Iowa this weekend for the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, commonly known as RAGBRAI. Glenwood is the starting point for the 434 mile route. Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan expects the town of about five-thousand to more than triple in size on Saturday night, bringing along some much-welcome business. “It’s maybe a longer-lasting economic boost just in the fact that you get the name of these local businesses out to people who wouldn’t normally know about them,” she says. “Day of, I think you’ll definitely see some local businesses make some money. They’re not going to get rich, but they will enjoy a nice weekend, I believe.”

Jennifer Uphoff, of Glenwood, will be hosting 30 RAGBRAI riders. “We have a group of one bus with 20 people. I just know they are setting up ten tents, and then we have another bus with ten people coming to stay at our house — so yes, it’ll be an exciting weekend,” she says, with a laugh. Riders will exit Glenwood Sunday morning, headed to spend Sunday night in Red Oak.

The other overnight stops are in Atlantic, Winterset, Knoxville, Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant and Burlington. This the 51st year for RAGBRAI and while this year’s route
is the shortest ever — it’s also the hilliest.

(Reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Participants in the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI ®) will be riding into Atlantic Monday, July 22nd. Preparations have been made and now residents need to be prepared to change their normal routine (with regard to parking and getting around), as the mass of bicycles and their support vehicles swarm the town. Support vehicles will arrive as early as 7-a.m.,  Monday, to set up camps and park. Officials anticipate riders will begin rolling into town around noon, Monday. All riders and support vehicles will be in town by 5-p.m.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reminds business owners, riders may come into your stores and shop, and they may also ask to use your restrooms or faucets. You are welcome to accommodate them or refer them to a map which highlights the kybos (porta-potties). Riders are encouraged to fill up their waters at City Park Shelter or the Library. Riders are typically very courteous, and will respect your wishes.

The Chamber has issued the final list of road closures and no parking restrictions (shown below), shuttle information, information for businesses, a map of the stations and other necessary information, such as vendor data and restroom locations. They’ve also provided details about Atlantipalooza. You can find all that information in documents shown below. The Chamber says parking will be limited, and streets will be congested. If you can shuttle to work, that would be a great option. If you are already parked in a City parking lot, you do NOT need to move your vehicle.

Road Closure and No Parking requests for July 22 & 23, 2024.

Monday July 22nd-Tuesday July 23rd starting at 6AM-2AM (or when vendors and entertainment areas are cleared)

Chestnut Street: from the Court House Driveway access in the 700 BLK to 2nd street. (Used for stage/entertainment area, and vendors.)
6th Street: from Locust to Walnut. (Used for entry to the entertainment area, Bike parking, and vendors.)
Poplar Street: From 7th Street to 5th Street. (Used for bike parking and portable bathrooms)
7th Street *already approved by the Iowa DOT*: From Poplar to Walnut Street. (Used for entertainment area and crowed area while the bands play.)
10th Street: At intersection with 7th street for Eastbound, traffic. (Only during peak times of riders getting to and leaving town.)
14th Street: From Olive to Plum. (On Tuesday the 23rd while riders are leaving town.)

Temporary no parking (will be put out on Sunday, July 21st and picked up after riders have left town on Tuesday, July 23rd.)

10th Street: from 7th to Olive, North Side of Rd
6th Street: from Sunnyside Lane to Polar Street – North side
Roosevelt Drive: from Olive to 14th Street – Both sides of the street
Palm Street: from 9th to 10th, West side
East Mahogany at 9th Street: North & West Sides
West Mahogany at 10th Street: West Side
Ed Podolak Dr: from Linn to Olive, North Side
Linn Street: from 10th to Ed Podolak Dr, West & East Sides
14th by Heritage House Sign: South Side
Olive Street/Roosevelt Drive: 100 Ft North on East Side
10th/Olive: Half Block in all directions

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – A draft horse is still recovering after the Animal Rescue League of Iowa said someone called about a very thin horse pulling a carriage in downtown Des Moines. The Percheron Horse, named Bruce, was attached to a carriage on June 22 when officers with the ARL arrived and said they clearly saw he was malnourished. Officers reported being able to see every rib, and his hips and spine protruded from beneath his skin. The horse also had small sores and open wounds across his body.

A draft horse is still recovering after the Animal Rescue League of Iowa said someone called about a very thin horse pulling a carriage in downtown Des Moines.(Animal Rescue League of Iowa)

The temperatures on that day were around 90 degrees, and ARL officers said the horse was dripping in sweat and his nostrils were flaring. The horse’s owner, Ramsey Zimmerman, has been charged with livestock neglect. On July 12, a judge ruled against allowing the horse to be returned to Zimmerman.

The horse remains at the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch, where he continues to recover.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Riders associated with the largest river-to-river (Missouri-to-Mississippi) bicycle ride in Iowa will be traveling from west to east this coming week, and the Atlantic Police Department suggests residents in the community, and persons from around the area who may have business in town during RAGBRAI® (July 22^nd and 23rd),  find alternate driving routes. Riders will be entering Cass County throughout the day, Monday, and exiting through at least mid-day on Tuesday.

Authorities ask you to “Please pay close attention to the roadways and the significant amount of increased traffic, to include bicyclists! Give yourself plenty of extra time during your daily commute(s).”

Maps of the bike route through Cass County can be found on RAGBRAI’s downloadable maps site, and the turn-by-turn mapping option, on their website. Please see https://ragbrai.com/maps/ for additional information and more clear mapping options.

Here is a synopsis of the route:

(Sioux City, Iowa) – A high-speed pursuit resulting from an attempted traffic stop in northwest Iowa ended with the arrest of two people. According to the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, deputies tried to stop a vehicle on Highway 141 a little after 8-a.m., Wednesday. The driver refused to yield and led deputies on a chase along northbound Interstate 29. Officers with the Sergeant Bluff Police Department assisted the Sheriff’s Office, by deploying stop sticks. A Woodbury County Deputy then performed a successful pursuit intervention technique – or, PIT, maneuver. The Iowa State Patrol also assisted during the incident.

The vehicle finally stoped on I-29 near mile marker 142. Two male occupants, who were identified as 34-year-old Shelton Lapointe, and 29-year-old Richard Martinez, were taken into custody. Lapointe, who was the driver, was charged with violating a parole warrant, driving with a barred license, felony eluding, and possession of a controlled substance. Martinez was charged with possession of a controlled substance, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Traffic in the area was temporarily tied-up while both lanes of I-29 north were closed during the incident investigation.

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Friday) is the 35th anniversary of the crash of United flight 232 at the Sioux Gateway Airport. The Mid American Museum of Aviation and Transportation is holding and open house to remember the 112 who died in the crash, the 180 who survived, and the first responders and community members who aided them. Museum board member Pam Mickelson says begin at 10 a-m and will have activities throughout the day. “At 3:45 we’re starting a presentation that doctor Mitch Simmons is going to talk about the communications that went on in the D-C-10 between Captain Alfred “Al” Haynes and the crew members, and how that saved lives. So that’s the focus of his discussion. And then at four o’clock we’re going to have a moment of silence,” she says.

Mickelson says Simmons will talk about research that tells the story through the eyes of flight attendant Susan White and how the crew worked together with the late pilot Al Haynes. She was 26, she hadn’t been on are many flights, so she’s in the back of the plane and Jan Brown is in the front of the plane taking instructions and communicating with Captain Haines and the flight crew,” Mickelson says.

Part of the Flight 232 exhibit in Sioux City. (KSCJ photo)

Mickelson says White is one of the few people who were involved that haven’t retired. She says they still get weekly visitors to the exhibit that was created during the 25th anniversary. Mickelson says it’s an opportunity for a new generation to hear the details of the heroic efforts of those involved in the crash on July 19, 1989.