AMES, Iowa – April 1, 2019 – Western Iowa roads are still feeling the impact of the last few weeks of flooding. Even though most of the water has receded and much of the debris has been removed, several roads remain closed to allow the Iowa Department of Transportation to test for structural damage and make needed repairs.

Depending on the extent of damage caused by floodwaters, the recovery process may take anywhere from a few days to several months. As soon as floodwaters recede, the Iowa DOT is working as diligently as possible to move through the recovery process and reopen the roadway.

(3-31-19) I-680_east-of-Mormon-Bridge

The following southwest Iowa roads are still closed and are in Stage 3 (Testing and inspecting the ability of roadways and structures to handle traffic.):

• I-29 in both directions between the Missouri State Line (near Hamburg) and the U-S 34 interchange (Near Glenwood)
• I-29 in both directions between N. 25th St. in Council Bluffs and Loveland.
• I-680 in both directions between the I-29 interchange (Old Morman Bridge Road Near Crescent) and I-680 in Nebraska (Mormon Bridge).
• U-S Highway 34 between the Nebraska State line and I-29 (near Pacific Junction).
• U-S Highway 275 in both directions between the Missouri State line and Iowa Highway 333 near Hamburg
• and, Iowa 333 in both directions, between I-29 and Fremont County Road J-64 (Near Hamburg).

(3-28-19) IA Hwy 2 near the I-29 interchange

One stretch of road on Iowa Hwy 2 between the Missouri River Bridge and the Nebraska State line and US HWY 275/Fremont County Road J-64 (near Sidney), remains under water.  Barriers blocking access to roads will remain in place until the road has been deemed safe for traffic. If you see a barricade, don’t drive around it.

ANKENY, Iowa – Updated, April 1, 2019 – In response to flooding emergencies in western Iowa and eastern Nebraska, the Iowa Department of Transportation is temporarily waiving some requirements for motor carriers engaged in flood response and recovery activities.

NEW: Motor carriers delivering relief supplies for flood recovery efforts can now obtain free permits to travel on the interstate system with overweight divisible loads. Travel on the interstate system will only be allowed using a permit issued by Iowa DOT, and permits are required for overweight loads greater than 80,000 pounds. Oversize divisible loads continue to be restricted from the interstates.

To expedite disaster relief and recovery in Iowa and Nebraska, some rules related to trip permits required by the International Registration Plan and fuel permits required by the International Fuel Tax Agreement have been temporarily waived for motor carriers transporting equipment, supplies, materials, and storm debris in conjunction with response and recovery efforts in Iowa and Nebraska.

These waivers apply to commercial vehicles traveling in and through the state of Iowa for the purpose of providing direct assistance to disaster areas in the states of Iowa and Nebraska. These waivers are effective immediately and will end on April 24, 2019, in concurrence with the expiration of the Governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency dated March 25, 2019, as amended.

Additionally, on March 22, 2019, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency in which certain state regulations were waived relating to size and weight permitting requirements for commercial vehicles providing disaster repair and recovery in this state.

For more information on flood resources and recovery efforts, go to https://floods2019.iowa.gov/

Two incidents of Theft were reported in Union County, recently. On Thursday, a woman from Newton said that sometime between December 20th, 2018 and March 28th, 2019, someone entered her storage unit at 1659 E Lucas in Creston and took a stereo system, consisting of a tuner, amp, tape deck, turn table and speakers.  The loss was estimated at $300.

And a man from Kent, reported March 31st,  that sometime between March 30th and 31st, someone took the radiator out of his skid loader on his property.  The loss was estimated at $1000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office has released a report on arrests. On Sunday, 20-year old Selena Jo Marie Hernandez, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at around 12:07-a.m., on charges that include Burglary in the 3rd degree, Criminal Mischief in the 1st, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd, three counts of Child Endangerment, OWI 1st, Reckless Driving, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Operating Non-Registered Vehicle, Littering and Minor In Possession. Her bond was set at $19,300.

Also arrested in connection with her arrest, was 19-year old Sophia Marie Kroll, and 18-year old Alejandro Hernandez, Jr. of both of Council Bluffs. Kroll and Hernandez, Jr., were taken into custody for Burglary 3rd, Criminal Mischief 1st, MIP and Littering. Bond for Kroll and Hernandez, Jr., was set at $10,000 each.

And, last Thursday, 79-year old Sherrill Dee Dashner, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at around 8:35-p.m., in Pacific Junction, for Public Intoxication.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Corrections has suspended a prison guard for giving an interview to his hometown newspaper for a positive feature story about his life and work.

The Bloomfield Democrat, a weekly paper in southern Iowa, featured John Cox in a front-page story about how he inspires and teaches inmates at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility.

The newspaper publisher, Karen Spurgeon, had taught Cox music in his youth and was impressed by his passion for prison work after bumping into him in December. Cox agreed to an interview.

Prison leaders put Cox under investigation after the article was published, saying he violated work rules that require prior authorization for media interviews. Ultimately, they gave him a three-day suspension. Cox and his union are appealing, arguing the discipline is an infringement on his free speech.