A decade after devastating floods, a Linn County official says the Cedar Rapids area still isn’t as prepared as it should be for future disasters. In June of 2008, the Cedar River flooded cities across eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, which was 14-percent underwater. For years, local officials have lobbied for federal funding for flood control projects, but Linn County Supervisor John Harris says it may be time to ask local taxpayers for the money through a ballot referendum. “Let the people decide, where they think that a tax increase should go,” Harris says, “and should it go to helping Cedar Rapids or partnering with Cedar Rapids for flood control downtown?”

However, Linn County voters have rejected similar proposals in the past, leaving Cedar Rapids with few options to fund its 750-million dollar flood control plan. Harris says it remains a vital issue. “It’s important to get these flood walls up as soon as we can,” Harris says, “and then we pray that it never happens again.” For now, the plan to build the seven-mile system of walls, pumps and levees along the Cedar Rapids riverfront is — just a plan.

(Radio Iowa, w/Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

Winnebago Industries is announcing plans to expanding its recreational products to boats. The Forest City-based motor home manufacturer announced today that they have acquired Chris-Craft, a recreational boat builder, from Stellican Ltd., which has owned the brand since 2001. Winnebago president and CEO Michael Happe says Chris-Craft is as iconic, premium brand that dates back to 1874 that shares many similarities with the Winnebago brand. Happe says Chris-Craft’s strong brand, high-quality product line, and premium position in the marine market make it an attractive addition to the Winnebago portfolio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, but Winnebago says they expect to maintain Chris-Craft’s Sarasota Florida headquarters and to have Chris-Craft’s president Stephen Heese to continue in that position.

(Radio Iowa)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office has filed a report on recent activities. On June 1st, an arrest warrant was served on an inmate at the Pott. County Jail. 37-year old KC Joe Brown, of Council Bluffs, was served with a warrant for Failure to Appear on an original charge of Driving Barred. He was presented with the warrant and then returned to the custody of jail staff. A traffic stop Friday night in Pott. County resulted in the arrest of 38-year old Jamie Marie Tallant, of Council Bluffs. She was taken into custody for Driving While Revoked, and brought to the jail. And, one person was arrested following an investigation into a physical disturbance in Carson, Saturday evening. 40-year old Matthew Eugene Tiarks, of Carson, was arrested for Simple Assault, and transported to the Pott. County Jail.

If you are a local business or organization that deals with food, Cass County ISU Extension wants to know: what you do with the “extras”? Kate Olsen, Extension Program Coordinator, says they are working with a team of local partners to explore options for reducing food waste in Cass County. Identifying existing food waste and food recovery efforts going on in Cass County is one of their priorities. The team would like to learn about existing programs, businesses, and organizations that assist in food recovery and waste management throughout the county. They would also like to find organizations that might be interested in participating in programs like this if they were developed. Kate says they are asking local businesses and organizations you to take a brief survey to help the team understand the current situation in Cass County.

They would like to have the surveys returned by June 11^th. Here’s the survey link: https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aW5Ko3FTNApWiKp

Kate says they “Hope to lay the ground work for future activities and resources that can assist in getting food to its highest purpose- helping where it is needed most and decreasing the amount of food that is wasted every day. If you would like more information on this project, or would like to be involved in our project team, please call or email Kate Olson at the Cass County Extension Office- 712-243-1132 or keolson@iastate.edu.

(You can listen to an interview with Kate Olsen on the “Heartbeat Today” podcast found under the “Podcast” tab on the kjan.com home page)

Officials with the Audubon Chamber of Commerce report 566 people were served during the Chamber’s Annual Flight Breakfast, Sunday. The event took place at the Audubon Airport from 6:30-until 10:30-a.m.  The breakfast consisted of ham and cheese omelets, pancakes, coffee, milk and juice. 38 aircraft flew in for the event, with pilots and their passengers coming in from 19 communities located primarily in western and central Iowa, and from Omaha, Millard, Gretna and Bellevue, Nebraska. The Bicycle Clubs also rode in on the T-Bone Trail to add more great, local support to the event. Mother Nature helped by providing cool, breezy conditions and sunny skies.

(9-a.m. News)

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report Deputies recently brought multiple narcotic investigations to a close, resulting in several arrests. The investigation was conducted May 30th through June 1st. Among those who were taken into custody:

• 37-year old April Watson, of Red Oak, was arrested for Felony Delivery of Methamphetamine. Her bond was set at $100,000.
• 42-year old Dawn Anderson (AKA Dawn Dawson), of Red Oak, was charged with two counts of felony Delivery of Meth. Her bond was set at $50,000.
• 34-year old David Shuffler, of Red Oak, was also charged with two felony counts of Delivery of Meth, with bond set at $50,000.
• And, 23-year old Kaylie Hudson, of Red Oak, was arrested for felony Delivery of Meth. Her bond was also set at $50,000.

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

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Officials with the Creston Police Department say there were two arrests over the weekend. 61-year old Gregory Kaufman, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, Saturday, on a Union County warrant for Violation of Probation. Kaufman was later released on a $300 bond. And, 35-year old Nicki Jones, of Creston, was arrested Saturday on two Union County warrants for Violation of Probation on a charge of Theft in the 4th Degree, and Violation of Probation on a 3rd Degree Theft charge. Jones was being held in the Adams County Jail, where her bond was set at $2,000.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Sioux City’s fire department wants to charge companies for firefighters’ responses to ruptures of natural gas lines. The Sioux City Journal reports that a proposal headed for a City Council vote Monday would bill the company that causes the break $2,000 for the first hour of response and $250 for each additional 15 minutes. There would be more charges for additional personnel, vehicles, ambulance service or supplies.

The fees would not apply to small leaks that do not require a full response, incidents lasting under 30 minutes or leaks occurring to above-ground piping inside buildings. Sioux City Fire Rescue estimates it would have received more than $640,000 for its responses to gas line breaks since 2001 if the fee structure were in place.