COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa –Weather forecasters have indicated the chance for widespread rainfall over the next five days in the Missouri River Basin. Current river forecasts estimate an additional 1.6’of river rise as a result. The crest of this latest rise is anticipated around 7a.m. on July 5th. Emergency Management and County Roads officials in Pottawattamie County are advising that some residents in the northwest portion of the county could have access to their homes cut off or limited during this rise, once again.

Residents south of Rosewood Road and 145thStreet could be impacted by this latest river level increase. Currently, the intersection of Rosewood and 145this inundated with water and will likely remain so until levees in northern Pottawattamie County are repaired, as well as areas at the southern portion of Meadowlark Loop. Sumac Road and 152ndStreet may also be over-topped during this upcoming river level increase.

Pott. County Emergency Management Director Doug Reed, says “We want people in the areas still impacted by ongoing flooding to be aware of the potential over the next few days and take appropriate action now, in case safe access to your property is hindered or completely shut-off from this next round of flooding.”

With the potential for additional flooding and isolated thunderstorm chances over the holiday week, all residents should remain weather-aware and take heed to warnings issued by the National Weather Service. Free alerts can be obtained by signing up for Pottawattamie Alert! at www.pottcounty-ia.gov.

Residents are also reminded that the deadline to file for FEMA assistance related to the flooding disaster has been extended to July 16th.

(Radio Iowa) — Fireworks, love ’em or hate ’em, they’re a big part of how Iowans mark the 4th of July. Iowa’s largest home insurer is urging everyone who plans to celebrate the holiday with a bang to use extreme caution. James Walford, a State Farm agent in Des Moines, says in addition to the risk of injury, there’s also a significant fire hazard from fireworks — and it’s vital to have your policy up-to-date.

“If you were to cause damage to your own home, that would be covered under State Farm’s property damage on your homeowner’s policy,” Walford says. “If you were to cause damage to your neighbor’s property, they would actually use their own homeowner’s coverage to cover that damage.”

If the fire damage to a home is significant, the case may quickly evolve into a lawsuit based on negligence and other factors. As far as insurance, a house fire caused by fireworks may be considered much like any other disaster that’s the result of a storm or flood.

“If my tree falls on your property, you’re using your homeowner’s policy,” Walford says. “Sometimes it comes down to, what’s your relationship with your neighbor? Is this a lawsuit thing? Is this a ‘I’ll use my policy but pay my deductible?’ so, it can get interesting.” The way the fine print reads, the homeowner would have to pay a deductible — perhaps $500 or $1,000 — for damage to their own home that was caused by a neighbor’s fireworks.

“It can catch people by surprise,” Walford says. “I’m big on education. That’s the value of having a local agent is staying informed and understanding how your policy works.” State Farm says there are nearly 20,000 reports of fireworks-associated fires every year nationwide and another 13,000 injuries. Last year, a northeast Iowa teenager died after setting off fireworks that exploded on the ground instead of in the air in rural Waverly.

Harlan Mayor Gene Gettys reports “Due to heavy rains 6^th Street will be temporarily closed from Chatburn Avenue to Walnut Street,” today (Wednesday).

DES MOINES – State, federal and local law enforcement agencies will be focusing on the boating while intoxicated law as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence. Iowa DNR Conservation Officers will be heavily patrolling Iowa waterways over the Fourth of July holiday and during the Operation Dry Water campaign, July 5 – 7.  The DNR will be conducting heightened awareness and enforcement of boating under the influence laws in hopes to decrease the number of crashes, causing injuries and deaths and remove any impaired boat operators, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for boaters this season.

Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says “The effects of alcohol can be intensified when combined with wind and wave action and an extended time spent in the sun.  Operators may not think they are under the influence, but their judgment, reaction time, balance and vision indicate that they are.”

Tips to staying safe on the water this summer:

• Boat sober.Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths*. Alcohol and drug use impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.
• Wear your life jacket.
• Take a boating safety education course.

Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all navigable waters of the State and can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Iowa, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a BAC level of .08 or higher – the same as it is to operate a vehicle. If you are found to be impaired and operating a boat you will face the consequences.

2018 top areas for BWI arrests

Saylorville Lake: 9
Okoboji: 6
Coralville: 5
Lake Manawa: 5
Total BWI: 38

Some Iowa streams are still swollen and swift after a rainy end of June.  While some rivers remain dangerously high, others have dropped to safe levels for paddlers. Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and Outreach Coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa DNR, says “High rivers are super powerful and have unpredictable current along with numerous deadly river hazards.  Piles of trees and branches can suck a paddler in and under with little chance of escape.” The Iowa DNR learned of a kayaking fatality on the South Skunk River last weekend.

Stay safe this holiday weekend and each time you paddle with these simple safety tips:

• Always wear your life jacket. Kids 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when underway on a recreational vessel on any Iowa water. It’s also law that those 13 and over, if not wearing their life jacket, must have a life jacket on board their vessel. “It’s best to wear your life jacket, not just store it on board,” encourages Robertson. “If you are not wearing your life jacket, it probably won’t be there when you really need it.”
• Tell a friend or loved one where you will be paddling, including what access to what access, and when you are expected to return. It will be easier to find you if you need help.
• Always know your rivers conditions before you go paddling.

For the latest river conditions, visit the USGS site for Iowa streamflow readings at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/current/?type=flow. You can also call the local county conservation board where the river flows through and ask for an update. Check the Iowa DNR’s interactive paddlers map for updates on real-time hazards like downed trees and log jams, strainers and bridge construction: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Things-to-Do/Canoeing-Kayaking/Where-to-Paddle

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office is reporting numerous arrests took place from June 26th through July 2nd.

Six people were arrested on various Theft and/or Burglary charges June 26th, in Mills County:

• 39-year old Daniel Lee Walling, of Glenwood, was arrested for Ongoing Criminal Conduct, as well as Theft in the 1st, 2nd and 5th degrees, and Burglary in the 3rd degree. His bond was set at $45,300.
• 23-year old Gregory Jacob Jamison, of Glenwood, was arrested: for Possession of a Controlled Substance; a Drug Tax Stamp Violation; Possession of a Firearm; Possession of drug paraphernalia; 1st and 2nd degree Theft, and ongoing Criminal Conduct. His bond was set at $50,300.
• 32-year old Shaw Aaron Peterson, of Glenwood, was arrested for: ongoing Criminal Conduct; 3rd degree Burglary, and Theft in the 3rd and 4th degrees. Bond was set at $33,000.
• 32-year old Danielle Jean Frazier, of Glenwood, was arrested for Ongoing Criminal Conduct and Theft in the 3rd. Her bond was set at $27,000.
• And, 42-year old Matthew Michael Zimmerman, of Lincoln, NE., was arrested June 26th for OWI/1st offense, and Theft in the 1st degree. His bond was set at $2,000.

On Tuesday (7/2), 20-year old Chase Zachary Stewart, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the sheriff’s office for Violation of a No Contact Order. And, 41-year old Andy Charles Andrews, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the sheriff’s office for Theft in the 1st degree. His bond was set at $10,000.

Last Saturday, 19-year old Sexztinh Richard Donaldson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Bond was set at $5,000. There were three arrests last Friday in Mills County: 30-year old Arron Wade Opdyke, of Malvern, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and on two counts of Child Endangerment; 40-year old Christopher Michael Peterson, of Wichita, TX, was arrested for Public Intoxication, Interference with Official Acts, Criminal Mischief in the 3rd and 4th degrees. His bond was set at $3,600; and 18-year old Nathan Edward Lee Richardson, of Malvern, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

Last Thursday, Mills County Deputies arrested 40-year old Christina Mae Robbins, of Glenwood, for Assault and Criminal Mischief in the 5th degree. And, 55-year old Kevin Dale Elwood, of Glenwood, was arrested on two counts of 1st degree Harassment. His bond was set at $4,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were injured during two recent, separate accidents. Authorities say on Monday, a vehicle driven by 24-year old Yamini Chebrolu, of Clarinda, was traveling south on Highway 59 at around 10-p.m., when her 2013 Chevy began to pull hard to the left for no apparent reason. She tried to correct the vehicles’ course, but over-corrected, causing the vehicle to enter a ditch. The vehicle then struck a driveway embankment in the ditch, vaulted over the driveway and landed on an embankment on the west side of the road before rolling over and coming to rest on its top. Chebrolu was treated at the scene by Emerson and Red Oak EMS, before being transported by LifeNet helicopter to a hospital.

Late Sunday morning, a 2018 Chevy driven by 52-year old Deborah Koperski, of Glenwood, was traveling north on Levi Road. A second Chevy was traveling south in the wrong lane, forcing Koperski to take to the shoulder of the road. The roadway was recently re-done, and had high, uneven shoulders. When Koperski’s vehicle hit a driveway, it went airborne and dove nose-first into a ditch. Koperski was injured and transported by Glenwood Rescue to Mercy Hospital.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa parole officer has been fired after an investigation concluded that she abused her power by conspiring with a detective to conduct an illegal search of a drug suspect’s home. A termination decision from the Department of Correctional Services says that officer Kari White committed “egregious” unethical and unprofessional conduct. The firing stems from White’s unusual role in a criminal investigation of Daniel Vinnece, who was on parole for drug crimes and lived in Boone.

White was not Vinnece’s parole officer. But a Boone narcotics investigator who was investigating Vinnece sought her help getting into his home without a warrant last year. Unlike police, parole officers can conduct warrantless searches to check on parolees. The search uncovered some marijuana and led to charges against Vinnece. But a judge dismissed the case after ruling the search violated his rights. White has appealed her firing, contending she acted appropriately.

The Iowa Department of Transportation  is restoring limited mobility at the Interstate 29 and Iowa 2 interchange in southwest Iowa today (Wednesday). Officials say all interstate ramps are now open. Iowa 2 east of the interchange is fully open, but Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue remains closed due to flood damage. Fuel and other services are now accessible at this interchange.

Some limited mobility is expected to be restored to Iowa 2 west of 210th Avenue by late August. We are working on an extensive long-range plan to modify Iowa 2 to help mitigate future flooding impacts. A contract has been awarded to re-align the levee and build an overflow bridge. That work is anticipated to be complete next Spring.

Other flood-related closures continue on Iowa 275 and Iowa 333. Travelers should check 511ia.org, the Iowa 511 mobile apps or call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide) for up-to-date closure information on state-owned roadways across Iowa. Closures due to flooding can be viewed by turning on the incident layer on the online map and mobile app.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa firefighter who was seriously injured in a fiery explosion that killed one of his colleagues early this year has returned to work. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 23-year-old Adam Cain returned to full duty just six months after the fire that injured him and killed 33-year-old fire Lt. Eric Hosette.

The fire at the ADM grain facility left Cain with two broken bones in his back, a dislocated elbow, bruised brain, two broken bones in his right arm and most of his ribs broken.
Cain says he just kept working steadily to get better.

Fire Chief Frederick Roling says he is grateful to have Cain back at work, and it’s fortunate that he was found during the fire because he was in bad shape.