Construction is slated to officially begin Thursday morning in Red Oak, for the new Jail/Law Enforcement Center (LEC). The project received a “green light” in Montgomery County last August, when more than 72-percent of registered voters in the County approved a 5.675-million dollar bond issue, designed to replace the current jail, which is more than 100-years old. The new jail will be located in a vacant lot adjacent to the current facility.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new jail and LEC begins at 11-a.m., Thursday, with several local dignitaries on-hand, along with the project‘s architects, and general contractors. The project is expected to be finished in a little over a year.

The completed facility will offer a space for female prisoners, who are currently transported to the jail in Adams County for holding, because the Montgomery County Jail lacks the necessary space to separate female-and male inmates. The county’s 9-1-1 dispatch center will also be housed in the new jail/LEC.

Groundbreaking for the new Montgomery County jail takes place a little more than six-months after a similar event occurred in Greenfield, for a new Adair County Public Safety Center/Jail. A 2.8-million dollar bond referendum was approved by voters in Adair County in May 2010. The facility is in a lot adjacent to the current, nearly 110-year old jail. The new facility in Greenfield, will serve as the jail, as well as home for the Greenfield Police Department, and administrative offices.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa is warning drivers to stay away from roads, bridges and ramps that are closed by flooding along the Missouri River because it’s against the law and dangerous. The Department of Transportation on Tuesday reminded  motorists that signs, barricades, fencing and other devices where roads have been closed are there for a reason – to protect the public.

Officials say even if water is not currently flowing over a highway, the road could be damaged or there could be other risks ahead making it unsafe for travel. According to the department, a little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, while 2 feet of floodwater can float a car.

734th Agribusiness Development Team insignia

A community homecoming ceremony for the 734th Agribusiness Development Team (“ADT”), Iowa National Guard will be held Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. in the Johnston High School large gym, 6501 NW 62nd Ave., Johnston. Local officials and Iowa National Guard leadership will participate, and the public is

Their mission was to provide training and advice to Afghan universities, provincial ministries, and local farmers with the goal of increasing stability and improving opportunities for Afghanistan’s re-emerging agribusiness sector.

w/ News Director Ric Hanson

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Two Cass County men were arrested last week on drug charges, following a traffic stop in Audubon County. Sheriff’s officials say 45-year old Thomas Lee Roy Jackson, of Anita, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, 3^rd offense, and 30-year old Travis Austin Moon, of Wiota, was charged with Possession of Meth along with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Their arrests took place after an Audubon County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle the men were traveling in on Highway 71, near 225^th Street, at around 4-p.m., Friday. Both men were released from jail after appearing before a judge. Their preliminary hearings were set for July 7^th.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports an Audubon man was arrested over the weekend after setting a traffic ticket on fire. 47-year old Wallace Rhino Abildtrup was arrested Saturday night on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

His arrest followed a traffic stop on Market Street in Audubon, when Abildtrup allegedly became belligerent, and several times refused to sign a traffic ticket before setting the ticket on fire. He was brought to the Audubon County Jail and later released after appearing in front of a magistrate.

And, an Atlantic man was arrested Sunday night on OWI and other charges. Sheriff’s officials say 24-year old Robert Dale Hackwell was charged with OWI 3^rd offense, Careless Driving, and numerous other traffic violations, after he was pulled over in Gray. Hackwell was brought to the Audubon County Jail, posted bond, and was later released. His preliminary hearing was set for June 30^th.

w/News Director Ric Hanson

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BLENCOE, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Transportation says it will place some anti-flooding devices along Interstate 29 near Blencoe in western Iowa’s Monona County. The department says it will place a flood control barrier system along the inside and outside shoulders of lanes in both directions near mileposts 107 and 109 north of town. The department says the work will take several days to complete.

The department also says it is unable to reopen Iowa Highway 2 between I-29 and Nebraska City, Neb., across the swollen Missouri River. The department says a levee system adjacent to the highway is susceptible to a breach, making the route too dangerous for highway users, even if a flood barrier system were installed.

The highway stretch likely will be closed for weeks, until the water ebbs.

Police in Atlantic said today (Tuesday), two local men were arrested Monday on separate charges. 20-year old Andrew Rice, of Atlantic, was taken into custody on a charge of Criminal Trespassing on private property.  And, 19-year old Nicholas Anderson, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, after he allegedly broke out a car window.

Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.

Omaha Community Foundation logo

Officials with the Fremont and Mills County Community Foundations have announced Flood Relief Funds have been established to provide assistance to those who have been affected by the 2011 Missouri River Flooding. Both Community Foundations are an affiliate of the Omaha Community Foundation.

100% of the monies from the funds will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that are directly serving flood victims in Fremont or Mills County. In Fremont County, an initial deposit of $5,000 was made by the Great Western Bank in Hamburg for the Fremont County Flood Fund.

Checks for donations to either county’s funds should be made payable to the fund of your choice (for example: the “Fremont County Flood Fund”) and mailed to either the Fremont or Mills County Community Foundation, 302 South 36^th Street, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68131.

Or, your donation can be dropped off at any of the following bank locations:

In Fremont County…

First Community Bank – Sidney

First National Bank – Farragut

First State Bank – Tabor

Great Western Bank – Hamburg, Riverton, and Sidney

Tri-Valley Bank – Randolph

In Mills County…

First National Bank – Glenwood

Great Western Bank – Glenwood

Glenwood State Bank – Glenwood and Pacific Junction

Houghton State Bank – Emerson

Malvern Trust & Savings Bank – Malvern 

To make an online donation, go to http://omahafoundation.org/givenow and select “Fremont County Flood Fund” or “Mills County Flood Fund” from the dropdown list, enter the amount you wish to donate, fill in the required information (Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Phone, Email) and click the “Submit” button. You will be redirected to PayPal to provide your credit card information. (Credit card donations will incur a 3% merchant processing fee from the credit card company.) 

Donations receive a gift receipt from the Omaha Community Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) allowing maximum tax benefits.