OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific says its crews are working around the clock so rail traffic can return to normal in Nebraska and adjacent states hard hit by floodwaters from a late-winter storm and snowmelt. Spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said Wednesday that workers are clearing trees and other debris off the Omaha-based railroad’s tracks and have begun repairing them and bridges. Some of the lines run between Nebraska and Iowa or merely within Nebraska.

She says water remains over portions of the tracks between Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kansas City, Kansas. The company is unsure when that line can be reopened. Levees have been breached or overtopped in southwest Iowa. Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF Railway says it also is confronting flood-related washouts in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports a singe-vehicle accident occurred about one-half mile south of Shenandoah just before 10-p.m. Tuesday. The incident resulted in about $1,500 damage altogether, but no one was injured. Authorities say a 2017 Freightliner semi driven by 50-year old Kenneth William Perrigan, of Piney Flats, TN, was stopped at the intersection of Highways 59 and 2, facing west. Perrigan decided to turn north onto Highway 59, but then didn’t allow for space for the sharp turn, as he had not gone into the right turning lane of the intersection.

The semi drove over the stop sign causing an estimated $500 damage to the sign. The vehicle then attempted to continue north, however the stop sign damaged the air lines to the brakes, disabling them. The result was about $1,000 damage to the semi, owned by PRD Trucking INC of Newland, NC. No citations were issued. The Shenandoah Police Department assisted at the scene by providing traffic control.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Four Des Moines police officers are being hailed for catching children dropped by their mother from a third-story window during an apartment fire. The officers had been dispatched around 3:15 a.m. Tuesday to help firefighters at the complex in northern Des Moines. Officials say the officers arrived before firefighters and quickly arrayed themselves on the ground to help the mother save the three young children.

Top L, SPO Cole Johnson; Top R SPO Craig Vasquez; Bottom L SPO Casey Sanders, Bottom R SPO Tyler Kelley. (Photo from Dsm PD Facebook page)

On a video released by Des Moines police, one officer can be heard yelling over the sound of sirens, “I got ’em, yup. Drop ’em!” Fire Lt. Rick Thomas says none of the children, firefighters or officers was injured. The fire cause is being investigated. The Police Department posted on its Facebook page praise for officers Cole Johnson, Tyler Kelley, Casey Sanders and Craig Vasquez.

Police in Glenwood report a woman was arrested on a trio of charges this (Wednesday) morning. 34-year old Elizabeth Horn, of Glenwood, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault, Theft and Burglary. Horn was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a magistrate judge.

Members of the Griswold School Board met earlier this week. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says the Board decided to list the Elliott Building with a Realtor to try and sell the property. Henrichs says they’re also planning on holding a surplus auction on June 8^th, for materials or equipment that’s no longer needed. Much of those items will come from the Elementary Building, but some are from the High School, as well. He says to be on the lookout for Sale Bill postings as we get closer to June.

The Board also approved the 2019-2020 Budget, which calls for a levy of $14.01/$1,000 assessed valuation. That’s just under what they promised the public it would be [$14.02]. He said they held a public hearing prior to acting on the budget. There were no comments or objections. The levy rate breaks down to: $10.68 for the General Fund; 73-cents for the Management Fund (which pays for property insurance, unemployment insurance, workman’s comp); PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy, 33-cents; and Debt Service (to make a payment on the Elementary Building, $2,28).

The Griswold School Board also raised the Driver’s Education fees for this coming summer. He said the student fee went from $300 to $325. The out-of-district student fee was set at $425, as long as there is room for those students. The instructor’s pay was increased as well. A straight fee is paid for classroom time, regardless of how many students there. The fee went from $1,300 to $1,400, and the driving instructor’s paid an hourly wage for drive time, went from $25 to $30.

The Board decided also, to purchase a used vehicle for Driver’s Ed. They vehicle they’ll be looking for will cost between $10,000 and $15,000. The old Driver’s Ed car will be sold at the surplus auction. Henrichs said also, they have missed 75 Instructional Hours of the required 1,080 days, but they’ll make those up. The dates have not yet been finalized. In other business, the Board evaluated Board Secretary Nancy Taylor in a closed session. Henrichs said that went very well. Another closed session was held for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Strategy. The Griswold School Board also agreed to continue a mowing contract with Bob’s Mowing, since there were no other bids, and he’s done the work for several years. The price was nearly identical to last year.

Officials with the Mills County Emergency Management Agency said today (Wednesday), there are increased chances the water in Glenwood may contain disease-causing organisms including bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and headaches.

Residents should continue to boil water used for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth or preparing food, as boiling kills any bacteria and other organisms that may be in the water. Residents should bring water to a boil for one minute and let cool, or use bottled water. The boil order is in effect until further notice for customers of Glenwood Municipal District.

The Glenwood Police Department reports also, that City Hall is open from now until 7:00 p.m. tonight. Bottled water is available for Mills County residents. Bring your ID with you:

• Households with 1-3 people will receive (1) 24 pack of water and (1) gallon of water.
• Households with 4-7 people will receive (1) 32+ pack of water and (2) gallons of water.
• Households with 8+ people will receive (2) 32+ packs of water and (2) gallons of water

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report two separate arrests took place this morning. At around 1:50-a.m., 36-year old Jacob Lee Kimball, of Henderson, was arrested in Henderson, for Violation of a No Contact Order. Kimball was being held without bond, in the Mills County Jail. And, at around 6:40-a.m., 39-year old Robert Matthew Justice, of Glenwood, was arrested in Glenwood, for Driving Under Suspension and Failure to have SR-22 Insurance. His bond was set at $1,300.

(9-a.m. News)

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa group is hoping to get permission to build a sculpture commemorating women’s voting rights in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that members of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo 19th Amendment Centennial Committee asked the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to authorize the monument.

The group hopes to install the steel sculpture in front of the Black Hawk County courthouse. Board members are expected to vote on the proposal next week. Committee member Maureen White says another piece will be placed outside the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club. The group is working to raise $25,000 in donations for both projects. The 19th Amendment was approved on Aug. 20, 1920 and gave women the right to vote nationwide.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a West Des Moines firefighter was hospitalized after battling a house fire. Firetrucks were dispatched to the home around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday. Station KCCI reports that someone inside the house was evacuated safely. The firefighter was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that don’t appear to be life-threatening. The firefighter’s name hasn’t been released. The fire cause is being investigated.

The Atlantic Police Department reports Buck Creek Road within the City Limits, from 2nd Street, and the compost site near the Schildberg Recreational Area, are now open. The street and site were closed March 15th due to flood damage. The Schildberg Rec Area itself, and the Dog Park, remain closed, as is Iowa Avenue, Clark Street and North Chestnut Street just south of Iowa Avenue, in Atlantic.