Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Utilities Board has denied landowners’ request to halt construction of an oil pipeline beyond this week. The three-member board voted Thursday afternoon against a lengthy stay of construction of the Dakota Access pipeline on parcels of 14 landowners while a court considers a lawsuit they’ve filed. Chairwoman Geri Huser says the board concluded landowners have little likelihood of success in court case and that Dakota Access would be financially harmed by construction delays.
ELKADER, Iowa (AP) — Volunteers scrambled Thursday to erect sandbag walls around businesses and some homes as the rain-swollen Turkey River threatened to breach protective levees in northeast Iowa. Authorities say the flooding already occurring in Clayton County’s Elkader and elsewhere is expected to worsen as the river is forecast to hit 27 feet Friday morning in Elkader. That’s 15 feet above flood stage and just three-quarters of a foot under the record crest of more than 27.75 inches in 2008.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Five counties ravaged by storms and flooding in northeastern Iowa will get disaster assistance. Gov. Terry Branstad issued a disaster proclamation for Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties. Under the declaration, the counties can use state resources to recover from the disasters.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Trial has been set for a former Iowa City dog groomer accused of kicking a dog while it was in his care. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that 22-year-old Lucas Van Orden V is set to stand trial on Nov. 1 on an aggravated misdemeanor charge of animal abuse. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.