DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 13 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due on Feb. 20, 2020.

Among the projects that will receive a total of $396,864 as reimbursement grants are in:

• City of Afton — $31,403 to abate asbestos and deconstruct commercial building. City plans for a new community social center that will feature Wi-Fi for locals to use for gaming and access to the internet. And,
• City of Farragut — $12,100 to inspect and abate asbestos and complete a structural engineering analysis in an abandoned grocery store to determine the future use of the building.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of goats are gobbling up weeds near a waterway in Dubuque as part of an effort to reduce the use of chemicals. KCRG-TV reports about 50 goats are eating weeds on less than an acre of land along a water retention basin. Officials opted to try the goats as part of city initiative to reduce the use of chemicals.

Parks division manager Steve Fehsal says it’s also safer for goats rather than city employees to climb around the steep property. And because the ground is soggy, the city can avoid creating ruts with equipment.

Peg Harbaugh, whose company Goats on the Go is supplying the animals, says they should finish in about a week. The city is spending $1,250 to hire the goats and will analyze how the animals do before deciding whether to hire them again.

(Update 6:30-a.m.) Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies are reporting flash flooding in parts of the County this morning. Rainfall overnight and into this morning has led to flooding along the West Nodaway River, especially from 730th and Rockport Road to 740th St near Massena . A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen. An additional 1-to 2-inches are possible this morning.

Just before 6-a.m, on Tucson Road between 720th & 730th Streets, water was over the road, and the flooding was described as being 1/2 mile wide in spots. Flooding was also observed in the area of 730th and Seattle Road. Sheriff’s officials are warning people NOT to drive around looking at the floodwaters, because they are rising rapidly, and you could be caught off-guard. Deputy KYle Quist said “It’s very dangerous right now, and people are driving around barricades.”  If you encounter a barricade or water over the road, remember to “Turn around. Don’t Drown!” If you see water over the road.

Some locations that will experience flooding include…Corning, Lake Icaria, Fontanelle, Casey, Massena, Cumberland, Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Lake Icaria State Park and Corning Municipal Airport.