DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Environmental activists are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ authority to manage a program designed to limit water pollution.

About 30 members of the group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement held a state Capitol rally Tuesday. They distributed a letter to the EPA alleging the DNR hasn’t done enough to regulate large hog farms, which can pollute water. The group is asking federal officials to manage water pollution regulations.

The DNR accepted a five-year work plan with the EPA in 2013 to bring its oversight of a pollutant discharge program into compliance with federal regulations. A department spokesman says the DNR is “sufficiently following” the plan.

The EPA will decide on any further action following a final DNR report in August.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With recent heavy rains and more on the way, the National Weather Service says there is a potential for serious flooding in the southern half of Iowa by week’s end. While only some scattered thunderstorms are expected across the state for much of Tuesday, more widespread storms and heavy rain are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday, with some spots possibly getting up to 4 inches.

Rain and storms are expected through Friday over much of Iowa. Consecutive days of rain will likely lead to river flooding in the southern half of Iowa — particularly around the Des Moines and Cedar rivers, National Weather Service meteorologist Allan Curtis said Tuesday. But Curtis says it would take much more rain to see the type of devastating flooding as in 2008.

Heavy rain in central Iowa this week has already prompted flood warnings for the Raccoon River. Nearly 2 inches fell in the Perry area on Monday, causing road and field flooding. The river was more than 2 feet below flood stage Tuesday morning, but was expected to rise above flood stage Wednesday morning and crest nearly 2 feet above flood stage by Thursday evening.

The service says a flood warning also is continuing until Friday for the Wapsipinicon River near DeWitt in eastern Iowa. Moderate flooding already is occurring at less than a foot above flood stage and could imperil residences between Calamus and Wheatland if the water were to reach a foot above flood stage.

Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, released their most recent report on arrests and incidents. Authorities say two people were arrested Monday. 56-year old Melanie Marie Mogensen, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop near 7^th and Baldwin.  Mogensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating while intoxicated 2^nd, failure to yield right of way, and open container. Also arrested Monday, was 34-year old Andrew Jacob Smith, of Harlan. Following a traffic stop, Smith was found to have had an active warrant out of Pottawattamie County.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where, in addition to his warrant, he was charged with driving while suspended, operating a non-registered vehicle, and failure to prove security against liability.

On Sunday, 61-year old Cindy Jo Cassidy, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about an unwanted person on the premises in the 1100 block of Chatburn Avenue.  Cassidy was cited for trespass in the 2nd degree. Last Saturday, 29-year old Dustin Allen Delgado, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about a reckless driver in the 1000 block of Chatburn Avenue.  Delgado was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated.

And, on June 9th, 37-year old Chantel Rea Andersen, of Defiance, was arrested on an active Crawford County warrant.  She was transported to the Crawford County Jail.

Harlan Police also investigated separate accidents occurring on June 6th, 14th, 15th and 16th. None of which resulted in any injuries.

Council Bluffs Police, at around 10-a.m. Tuesday, located a stolen vehicle in the area of S. 9th and 2nd Avenue. When officers attempted to stop the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the vehicle took off. At S.16th and 2nd Avenue, a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy picked up the pursuit. The vehicle continued to flee from officers until it went out of control, drove through a fence and into the yard of 820 9th Avenue.

Kimberly Golden

The driver of the stolen vehicle, 28-year old Kimberly Golden, of Coin, was placed under arrest for Theft 2nd degree (for possession of a stolen vehicle) and eluding. She was also wanted on an outstanding warrant. A 20-year old passenger was identified and released, because there were no active charges on her.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Tadd Quincy Madden, of Shambaugh, was arrested at around 9:45-a.m. today (Tuesday), on a warrant out of Adams County. The warrant was for OWI 1^st Offense.

Madden was transported to the Page County Jail where he posted a $1,000 cash bond, and was released.

MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says the federal government should stop separating children from their parents when they enter the country illegally. The Des Moines Register reports that Reynolds said on Tuesday that “it’s just horrific” that children are used as “pawns” in an immigration policy dispute. The Republican governor called on Congress to come up with a solution this week that stops the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy at the U.S.-Mexico border. Reynolds says the U.S. should provide “stability” to families instead of separating them from their children.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, a Democrat, also announced Tuesday that he has joined 20 other Democratic attorneys general in calling for the policy to stop. In a letter, the state attorneys general say the policy runs “contrary to American values.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Heavy rain in central Iowa has prompted flood warnings for the Raccoon River. Nearly 2 inches fell in the Perry area on Monday, causing road and field flooding. The river was more than 2 feet below flood stage Tuesday morning but was expected to rise above flood stage Wednesday morning and crest nearly 2 feet above flood stage by Thursday evening. However, the National Weather Service also says more thunderstorms are forecast through Friday.

The service says a flood warning is continuing until Friday for the Wapsipinicon River near DeWitt in eastern Iowa. Moderate flooding already is occurring at less than a foot above flood stage and could imperil residences between Calamus and Wheatland if the water were to reach a foot above flood stage.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson’s staff has released a report on seven recent arrests. On Saturday, Officers arrested 43-year old Craig Figgins, of Des Moines, for OWI and Interference with Official Acts. Last Friday, 27-year old Michelle Dougherty, of Atlantic, was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and, 28-year old Joshua Olwell, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, as well as on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation.

On June 14th, 19-year old Charisma Burg, of Atlantic, turned herself-in to authorities. Burg was wanted on a Cass County warrant for Simple Assault. Burg was booked into the Cass County Jail, posted bond and was released. That same day, 38-year old Misty Scybert, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Violation of Probation. (As Previously mentioned) On June 12th, 45-year old William Cook, of Stockton, AL, was arrested for Assault causing Injury. And, on June 9th, 47-year old Brenda Osborn, of Atlantic, was arrested on two Cass County warrants for Violation of Probation.

Unless otherwise mentioned, all of those persons were booked into the Cass County Jail and held pending an initial court appearance.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet 9-a.m. Wednesday in the Adair County Boardroom at the courthouse, in Greenfield. On their agenda is discussion with Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, with regard to a vehicle purchase, and Matt Ott, with MidAmerican Energy, as it pertains to the Wind Farm Project. MidAmerican announced on May 1st, construction of two new wind farm projects will begin this summer, in Adair County. They include the “Arbor Hill” and “Orient Wind Farm” projects.

Officials have said previously, the Arbor Hill wind farm project features 125 wind turbines. The Orient wind farm project will have 150 turbines, with the option to add up to 100 more. The combined projects, when completed, can produce up to 550 megawatts of energy, or enough to power 230,000 average Iowa homes. The newest projects will add to MidAmerican’s complement of three other wind farms already in Adair County. Together, the two new wind energy projects are expected to add an estimated $6.6 million in annual property taxes for Adair County.

In other business, County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present documents for the Board to sign with regard to a road rock contract, a bridge construction design agreement, and other, regular department matters.

The Cass County Board of Supervisors will hold their regularly scheduled meeting 8:30-a.m. Wednesday, in their Board Room at the Cass County Courthouse. On their agenda is one of two Public Hearings on an Amendment of the Veterans Assistance Program Ordinance, followed by approval of the first reading of the ordinance. The second reading will be held June 29th. The Board will also act on approving a fireworks display in an unincorporated area of the County, and the appointment of a Deputy Cass County Medical Examiner for the remainder of a term ending Dec. 31st, 2018. The names of two individuals who have moved out of the County will be removed from the list of candidates.

In other business, the Board will act on a Resolution to abate the tax on a property in Atlantic, and act on a Resolution for FY 2019 Expense appropriations. They’re also expected to receive certifications from County Officers for base salaries of their deputies and certify those base salaries, in addition to determining the compensation of “Other employees.” As time allows, the Cass County Supervisors will canvass the Primary Election recount results for District 3 Supervisor. The recount took place Monday (June 18th).

At one point during their meeting, the Board will enter into a closed session to discuss strategy with legal counsel, with regard to a civil lawsuit filed by a person who fell on County owned property in Atlantic. When they emerge and enter into an open session, it’s expected the Board will act on approving a litigated settlement agreement.