The Iowa Department of Transportation reports the right lane of westbound I-80 at the 112 mile marker (Racoon River near Van Meter/Desoto) has been closed by the Iowa State Patrol. Troopers continue to monitor the rising waters in that area and will make further closures if need be. Drivers need to use caution in that area or plan an alternative route.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – One of three veteran Iowa State Patrol officials who were on leave during an internal investigation has been transferred to a new job. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says Maj. Todd Misel is no longer in charge of field operations for the patrol. Instead, he has been moved into a position in the commissioner’s office overseeing the department’s compliance with national law enforcement accreditation standards.

Misel and two other patrol officials were placed on paid leave in April while the department investigated whether they mishandled a state contract to purchase handguns. The department announced earlier this month they had returned to work without discipline. The department has refused to release the findings of multiple investigations but says the three didn’t commit any crimes or violate any policies.

CLIVE, Iowa (AP) – West Des Moines and other Polk County cities are preparing for flooding as rivers and creeks rise past flood stages following heavy rains. The National Weather Service says the Raccoon River is expected to top out at least a half foot above the record level later Thursday. Polk County authorities say floodwater at that West Des Moines spot could wash over Interstate 35, close Iowa Highway 28 and spill into Raccoon River Park.

This is the Middle River, east of Casey this morning. (Photo from Adair-Guthrie County EMA)

The Des Moines River is expected to crest nearly 7 feet above flood stage but nearly 5 feet under its Des Moines location record. An apartment complex in Clive was evacuated early Thursday morning as water spilled from North Walnut Creek.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings for several Iowa counties.

The National Weather Service reports near-record level flooding was occurring this morning, in Des Moines. Due to widespread rainfall of 3 to 5 inches overnight, with some places receiving over 6 inches of rain, water levels along the Raccoon River, the Des Moines River, and Walnut Creek are reaching near-historic levels.

Water has already covered Grand Avenue and has impacted nearby residences and businesses. There have been numerous reports of road closures, water rescues, and evacuations across parts of the Des Moines metro.

Brett Irlmeier, Chair of the Audubon County Community Foundation, a countywide community foundation, reminds Audubon County nonprofit organizations that the fall grant program is now beginning. The deadline to apply for funds through a grant application process is September 1st. Irlmeier says they have $41,170 allocated for the fall grant cycle.

From the grant funds, $2,500 is available for the Exira area, from the Leon and Iva Milliman Endowed Fund, $2,900 from the Charles T. and Kathleen K. Manatt Endowed Fund, $690 from the Audubon State Bank/Stephen Garst Endowed Fund, $1,200 is available for the City of Audubon area from the Audubon Masonic Association Endowed Fund, $490 is available for the City of Audubon from the Fred and Evelyn Nissen Endowed Fund for Audubon, and $490 for the City of Audubon from the Merle and Norma Petersen Endowed Fund.

The Audubon County Community Foundation grant dollars are awarded for a single year.The ACCF’s grants and program Mission is to participate in funding community betterment projects and nonprofit organizations that have similar objectives. Only organizations providing services in Audubon County are eligible. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and supply a copy of their 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter. Requests for general operational funds will not be considered.

Application procedures and grant guidelines can be obtained online at www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/auduboncef. Detailed instructions are provided in a downloadable form, as well as a link to the online application. Only online applications will be considered.

These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of the Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To inquire about donating to the ACCF, please contact a Board member. Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Brett Irlmeier of Audubon, 563-2644; Vice Chair, Jonnie Meislahn of Audubon, 563-2009; Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Johnson of Audubon, 773-5732; Genelle Deist of Audubon, 563-2651; Jay Nelson of Atlantic, 549-2277; Daryl Olsen, DVM of Audubon, 563-2080; and Joseph T. Rasmussen, Esq. of Exira, 268-5357,

Community Foundations in Southwest Iowa are particularly attractive charities because donations to these funds may be eligible for a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

You may contact Dennis Nissen at 800-794-3458 (dennis@omahafoundation.org) or Denise Cardos at (denise@omahafoundation.org) with grant application specific questions. All completed applications will be considered at the October board meeting with notification of results the end of October.

Iowa Republican Senator Joni Ernst, from Red Oak, will hold Town Hall meetings this Saturday afternoon and evening, in Corning and Creston. The meeting in Corning takes place at the Corning Opera House, beginning at 12:30-p.m., Saturday, while the meeting in Creston is in the Performing Arts Center, multi-purpose room #124 at Southwestern Community College, beginning at 5:30-p.m., Saturday.

The meetings are being held as part of Ernst’s 99 county tour of Iowa.

More area and State news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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UTE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say the pilot of an ultralight aircraft has been hospitalized after crashing into a western Iowa cornfield. The accident occurred a little before 7 p.m. Wednesday, about five miles northeast of Ute. Authorities say it appears the aircraft was caught in a downdraft. Crawford County sheriff’s investigators estimate that the pilot, 27-year-old Brian Borkowski, of Irwin, plummeted 50 to 60 feet as his aircraft went down.

Borkowski was taken to a Denison hospital and then flown to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

The Creston Police Department today (Thursday) issued a report on recent arrests and incidents. Officials say early this (Thursday) morning, 19-year old Jacob Davis, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County Law Enforcement Center on a charge of Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

Wednesday afternoon, 48-year old Joel Weeks, of Creston, was arrested for Driving While Barred. He was later released on $2,000 bond. And, Wednesday morning, 37-year old Amanda Mitchell, of Creston, was arrested at the Union County LEC on a Union County warrant for Assault Causing Serious Injury. Mitchell was later released on $5,000 bond.

And, Creston Police took a report Wednesday night from a resident, who said someone broke the glass out of door at the probation office at 219 1/2 N. Pine Street. The incident, which occurred sometime Wednesday evening, caused about $400 damage.