w/ Ric Hanson

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Passengers onboard an Amtrak train traveling through Creston were stranded for nearly five-hours early Thursday morning, due to the impact of flooding in Iowa, and delays resulting from the earthquake earlier this week, in the eastern U-S. The train, which was traveling from Pennsylvania to Utah, was already nearly 12 hours behind schedule by the time it left Creston at 8:30-a.m., because of backups in service due to the earthquake.

The floods have created headaches for the railroads all summer long. In Omaha, a section of track had to be removed to build a levy near a sewage treatment plant, and, the Amtrak station in Omaha remains closed. All Amtrak passenger service and Burlington Northern Santa Fe coal routes are currently being rerouted through Creston.

Before you fuel-up your vehicle in preparation for your Labor Day weekend travels, remember, the gas tank isn’t the only think that needs refueling. The American Red Cross says they typically experience a dip in blood donations before and after the Labor Day holiday weekend, and want to thank eligible donors who help to “refuel” the blood supply in southwestern Iowa. As an extra incentive to roll-up your sleeve, August 29th through September 7th all blood donors in the Midwest Blood Services Region are eligible to win one of three $500 gas cards.

Officials say in addition, you have a chance to win a 2012 Ford Fiesta. Now through September 14th, all presenting blood donors can register for a chance to win the car through Red Cross Racing! Visit redcrossracing.com for more information. All blood types are needed to help maintain a stable blood supply, and there is a special need for types O negative, B negative and A negative. Whether this is your first donation of the summer season, or you’re eligible to give again, officials encourage you to make an appointment today to donate. To donate blood, simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. 

Blood Donation Opportunities in S.W. IA :

CASS COUNTY 9/3/2011, 9:00 am- 1:00 pm, Hy-Vee, 1630 East 7th Street, Atlantic

HARRISON COUNTY 9/7/2011, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, West Harrison High School, 410 Pine Street, Mondamin

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY

8/29/2011, 12:30 pm- 6:15 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

8/30/2011, 9:30 am- 3:00 pm, Harrah’s Casino, 1 Harrahs Blvd, Council Bluffs

8/30/2011, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/1/2011, 7:00 am-12:30 pm, Pottawattamie County Courthouse, 227 S. 6th St., Council Bluffs

9/1/2011, 9:00 am- 2:00 pm, AmeriStar Casino, 2200 River Road, Council Bluffs

9/2/2011, 6:30 am-12:30 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/3/2011, 6:30 am-12:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

9/6/2011, 11:00 am- 5:00 pm, Loess Hills Chapter Donation Center, 705 North 16 Street, Council Bluffs

SHELBY COUNTY

9/6/2011, 11:30 am- 5:30 pm, Veteran’s Memorial Building, 1104 Morningview, Harlan

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A Council Bluffs police officer who was fired for allegedly slapping a 10-year-old child who ran away from home is getting his job back. The city’s Civil Service Commission on Wednesday reinstated Bo Wake. He can return to the force in early September after serving a 90-day suspension without pay from the firing date. According to the complaint, Wake responded to a call about a runaway child in April. After the child was found and taken home, Wake allegedly slapped the child. Wake was fired in June.

Commission member Tara Slevin says the board believes Wake touched the child, but there wasn’t enough evidence to “show it was a slap.”

Residents of Sioux City are finally seeing some positive signs that the flooding Missouri River is going back down. Woodbury County Emergency Management Director, Gary Brown, says the Missouri dropped below flood stage late Wednesday. “It’s been 81 days since the Missouri River has been below flood stage in Sioux City, Iowa,” Brown said.

The river crested on July 21st, and Brown says it is now almost five feet lower. The receding waters are showing how much work is ahead in the recovery. Brown says they are seeing damage to property in collapsed sidewalks, farm fields damaged, and trees toppled over. “So we’re seeing what we expected we would when the water started going back down,” Brown says.

He says the race is on now to get as much cleaned up as they can before winter sets in. He says they’re starting to clean up some of the mud and muck cleaned up. Brown says they really hope to get a main intersection at Hamilton Boulevard and I-29 re-opened as quickly as they possibly can so businesses in the area can get running again.

While the floodwaters are going down, Brown is warning residents to stay away from flooded areas as they are still dangerous.

(Radio Iowa)

View from north side of restaurant, looking west

View from North side looking southeast

Dinner time at a popular restaurant in Elk Horn was disrupted this (Thursday) evening, when a car crashed into the building, injuring three people, two women and a man. The accident happened at around 5:40-p.m. Vern Kline owner of the Danish Inn, told KJAN News it was a normal night, when all of the sudden there was a crash.

Kline said he heard a loud noise, and turned to see a red Toyota Solara crashing into the north side of the building. He says three people were knocked to the ground. The car entered past the driver’s side door into the structure.

Kline said there were two people in the vehicle. He said they appeared to be fine, but three patrons in the restaurant were injured. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known, but Kline says they were taken away on stretchers. One of the patrons was nearly directly in front of the vehicle at a table, when it crashed. Two others were seated off to the side. None of the restaurant’s staff were injured.

The restaurant was closed for the rest of the evening, and it was unclear when it would reopen. Kline said he and his staff are still in shock over the event.  Additional details on the injured and what caused the crash are currently not available.

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say an western Iowa man died after a collision on Interstate 80 near Omaha that happened as traffic was backed up from an earlier accident.  29-year-old Andrew Shutters, of Council Bluffs, died when his car hit the back of a pickup truck about 6:45 a.m. on Thursday.

The Sarpy County sheriff’s office says the truck was stopped because traffic was still tied up from a collision between two semitrailers that happened around 6 a.m. The impact caused a fire in Shutters’ car. Witnesses removed both drivers before the fire spread. Shutters died at an Omaha hospital.

The driver of the pickup was taken to an Omaha hospital. Officials say his injuries were not considered life threating.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – State leaders are interested in hearing directly from the public on the impacts of flooding and how the Missouri River can be effectively managed at a meeting scheduled for Sept. 9 in Council Bluffs.  The meeting of the State of Iowa Missouri River Authority (SIMRA) is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Looft Conference Center at Iowa Western Community College, 2700 College Road in Council Bluffs. The agenda, which includes participation by Gov. Terry Branstad, includes updates on the flooding impacts and recovery efforts as well as a panel discussion.

The public comment and question period is scheduled from 2:15-3:05 p.m. and all comments will be distributed to the relevant state personnel in the departments/agencies involved in the SIMRA organization for further consideration. Agencies included in SIMRA are the Iowa Governor’s Office, natural resources, economic development, transportation, the Iowa Utilities Board and agriculture.

Those unable to attend the meeting in person can also provide written comments by fax at 202-624-8189 or by email at Christine.bartel@iowa.gov.

ATLANTIC – Dr. Seann Atkinson will be joining Atlantic Medical Center (AMC) in October 2011.  Dr. Atkinson is a board-certified family practice physician, currently practicing in Sturgis, SD.

Dr. Seann Atkinson and family

He will provide comprehensive family medicine services. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Atkinson join our practice,” said Dr. Angela Weppler, AMC Family Medicine Physician.  “He and his family will be a wonderful asset to our clinic, hospital and community.” In addition to caring for patients at Atlantic Medical Center, Dr. Atkinson will be on staff at Cass County Memorial Hospital.  “Dr. Atkinson comes to us with seven years of experience and outstanding recommendations,” noted Pat Markham, CCMH Administrator. “We are very pleased to add another such well-qualified physician to care for our patients throughout Southwest Iowa.”

Dr. Atkinson grew up in Ankeny, Iowa, and received his zoology degree from Iowa State University.  He graduated from the Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center in 2001, and went on to the Rapid City Regional Hospital Family Practice Residency Program, Rapid City, SD.  Since completing his residency in 2004 he has practiced with the Regional Health Physicians in Sturgis, SD, providing inpatient, outpatient and emergency room care.  “From my first visit, the medical professionals and staff in Atlantic have been very welcoming,” Dr. Atkinson said.  “They are a wonderful group of people, and I’m looking forward to joining them.”

Dr. Atkinson and his wife, Shelly, have three children – Tyler (9), Brayden (7), and Kayla (4).   “We fell in love with Atlantic – the people, community and lifestyle,” Dr. Atkinson continued.  “It’s just what we were looking for!”

Pending approval of his Iowa medical license, Dr. Atkinson will begin seeing patients at Atlantic Medical Center and Cass County Memorial Hospital in late October.

Police in Harlan report numerous arrests were made this week. On Sunday: 18-year old Brandon Allen, of Harlan, was arrested on charges including four-counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, prohibited acts penalties, and ongoing criminal conduct; 21-year old Dane Dodge, of Harlan, was arrested for interference with official acts, driving with defective equipment, and failure to prove proof of insurance; 29-year old Tacy Bruck of Panama, was arrested on a charge of public intoxication, and 29-year old Bruce Spray, of Harlan, was arrested on a charge of 2^nd offense OWI, driving while revoked, and failure to obey a stop sign; and, 55-year old Jeron Henscheid, of Harlan, was arrested Monday, on a Shelby County warrant for contempt of court related to child support.

Each of those individuals were brought to the Shelby County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate. The Harlan P-D said also, after officers checked on a vehicle parked on the west side of the courthouse, Monday, it was determined the 1992 Buick Century had been reported stolen out of Harrison County. Officials in that county were notified, and the vehicle was returned to its owner.