The Iowa DOT is urging motorists to use extra caution due to record corn crop likely to be recorded this year in Iowa. That’s because the tall corn is likely to block motorists view at roadway intersections and railroad crossings.

The DOT says motorists should treat intersections that are not marked with a stop or yield sign as if they did have a posted sign. They recommend drivers not to enter an intersection or cross railroad tracks until they are absolutely certain no vehicles or trains are coming from the side

DOT statistics show during 2010 there were 46 crashes at rural intersections attributed to obstructed views by trees or crops. One person died as a result of these crashes and at least 49 people were injured. The state normally sees approximately two fatalities each year due to sight obstructions on rural gravel intersections and driveways.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division (HSEMD) would like to remind residents along the swollen Missouri River that flooding is likely to continue and river levels are projected to remain high for several more weeks. It is important that residents in threatened areas remain prepared in case conditions change. Officials urge residents to keep a bag packed with essential items and to establish a family evacuation plan if an evacuation order is given.

Reports say the river flow on the Missouri on Monday was 35.73 feet. The river may begin to recede slightly though in the coming weeks. The US Army Corps of Engineers forecast that the river could drop to 34.5 feet during the first week of August.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrests of several people on Satutrday.

Forty five year old John Anthony Welch of Council Bluffs was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Appear on Driving While Revoked.

Thirty Three year old Nickolas James Haley of Malvern was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault.

Thirty Seven year old Marcus Walter Truitt of Eldrege was arrested for Public Intoxication and Public Consumption.

And twenty Seven year old Jesse Ray Salmons-Rice of Malvern was arrested for Driving Under Suspension and No Insurance.

The Iowa State patrol reports that three people were injured in a crash Monday morning on Interstate 80 in Cass County.

A 2011 Nissan Sentra driven by Ebony Porter of Peoria, Ill was traveling eastbound on interstate 80 in the right lane.

Porter says she was attempting to pass another vehicle in front of her by entering the left lane. One of her tires went off the shoulder and into the median and Porter attempted to hit the brakes, but accidentally hit the gas pedal instead.

Porter’s car went across both lanes and into the south ditch where it struck a farm fence and came to rest in a corn field.

Porter had two other passengers in her car. They were identified as 27-year-old Marquita Adams of Peoria, Illinois and 26-year-old Paul Lee of Union City, California. All three were taken by Anita Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

The Atlantic School Board will hold their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.

On the agenda is the resolution for the issuance and the securing of payments of bonds.

The board will also discuss a couple of issues regarding building space.

They’ll hold a discussion of classroom space at Washington Elementary School and the relocation of Link Center for the 2012-2013 school year.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 Tuesday evening at the Atlantic High School Media Center.

Thunderstorms on Saturday morning in Adair County led to a semi-truck rollover accident.

At about 8:40 AM Saturday, a semi-truck driven by Alfredo Santos of Denver was westbound in the right lane on interstate 80 near mile marker 88.

There were severe winds and heavy rain due to a thunderstorm that was passing through the area. The strong winds caused the truck driven by Santos to veer to into a ditch and roll onto its side.

No injuries were reported and total damage from the incident was about $6,000.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrests of several people the past few days.

On Wednesday, 19-year-old Bryan Dacey Herbst of Shenandoah was arrested for person under the legal age.

On Tuesday, three people were arrested.

They include 39-year-old Shannon Gene Bruce of Hamburg who was arrested for three counts of child endangerment.

Twenty-nine-year-old Jenny Christine Bruce of Hamburg was arrested for three counts of child endangerment.

Also on Tuesday, twenty-five-year-old Brian Keith Palm of Des Moines was arrested for a Des Moines Police Department warrant.

On July 17, 20-year-old Jeffrey Paul Hull of Des Moines was arrested for criminal mischief in the 5^th degree and person under legal age.

w/ Brett Johnson

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The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of two people Friday.

Thirty-five-year-old Dean Jensen of Audubon was arrested for theft in the 5^th degree. The charges stem from a check written to an Audubon business.

Jensen was transported to the Audubon County jail where he was released after appearing before the magistrate.

Also on Friday, 59-year-old Belinda Joy Vanaernam of Ida Grove was arrested at about

7 PM. She was charged with operating while intoxicated 1^st offense and open container.

The charges stem from a traffic stop in the 1600 block of Highway 71.

She was transported to the Audubon County jail where she posted bond and was released.

The draining of Prairie Rose Lake around Harlan is set to begin this week.

Its part of a $3 million restoration project based on a 2008 lake study and recommendations from Iowa State University.

The water is expected to fall by about three feet per week until the lake is completely drained. The draining is expected to be complete by about Labor day. Boat ramps will probably not be usable after next Monday.

The lake is expected to be completely refilled by 2012, although the DNR hopes they can begin re-filling the lake by next summer.

Once the project is finished, the lake will be re-stocked with many different species of fish.

For those concerned about the campground and other facilities, the DNR says they will remain open while the lake is drained.