OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Officials at Eppley Airfield in Omaha say crews have begun the cleanup of what was left behind by this summer’s flooding along the Missouri River.  Contractors have started removing the flood control infrastructure around the airport. They also say specially designed wells that kept floodwaters away from the runways will continue to operate through October. The Omaha Airport Authority says it has spent $17 million on flood control but will eventually spend $26 million to protect the airport. The flooding also left behind a 300-yard swath of sand and silt between the river and the airport’s levee system. It was a grassy mix of fields and farmland leased out by the airport and it’s not clear if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will restore the area.

Officials with Mid-American Energy have reported their semi-annual property tax payments to Iowa counties, schools and cities for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. All together, the company has paid more than $45.7-million, which they say makes them the largest property tax-paying entity in the state.

In this area: nearly $299,520 was paid to Cass County on September 30^th; Adair County received more than $419,335; Adams County $66,220; Audubon County $155,758;Guthrie County, $14,269; and Montgomery County, $343,182.

Pottawattamie County received the biggest chunk in property tax payments from Mid-American, at slightly more than $4.2-million dollars. Shelby County has received a nearly $119,000 payment. The same amounts will also be distributed to each of those counties on March 31^st, 2012.

The single largest tax bill installment of more than $12.1-million was paid to Polk County. Mid-American Energy, which is headquartered in Des Moines, and is Iowa’s largest energy company, provides electric service to 729,000 customers, and natural gas service to 709,000 customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say two local teenagers have been arrested following an investigation into the theft of a pickup which was burned in the 2900 block of Falcon Avenue, and an ATV that was stolen and burned in the 1500 block of 260th Street, during the evening hours on August 5th and early morning hours on August 6th.

Officials say 16-year old Dustin Joseph Hunter, of Audubon, was taken into custody at around 4-p.m. Monday. He was charged with Arson in the second-degree (aiding and abetting), Theft in the second-degree (aiding and abetting), and burglary.

17-year old James Rathmann, of Audubon, was also arrested in connection with the same incidents. Rathman faces charges which include Burglary in the third-degree, Theft in the second-degree, Arson in the second-degree (Accessory After the Fact), and Theft in the second-degree (Aiding and Abetting). Hunter was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. Rathman was released to the custody of his parents and his case referred to Juvenile Court Services.

Last month, 20-year old Mackenzie Jacob Belnap, of Ottumwa, was also charged in connection with the crimes. He faces 1st- and 2nd-degree Arson charges, along with two counts of burglary in the 3rd degree and two-counts of theft in the 2nd degree. He’s entered a written plea of not guilty to the charges. A jury trial in his case will take place November 29^th. Belnap remains in the Audubon County Jail on $25,000 bond.

The Adair and Cass County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday, in Greenfield and Atlantic, respectively. In Adair County, the Board will hear from Sheriff Brad Newton, with regard to the Public Safety Center, which is currently under construction. And, they hear from County Custodian Rich Wallace, with regard to correspondence from the City of Greenfield, pertaining to sidewalk issues.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Supervisors will receive a 1934 lithograph of the U-S Constitution, which the board approved at a meeting in mid-August. The framed and matted lithograph will be presented by Gary Stephenson, of Fort Dodge, and local sponsors, for display on the second floor of the courthouse. Stephenson is traveling through each of Iowa’s 99 Counties in hopes local officials will express an interest in having the lithographs displayed in the various 100 county courthouses in the state.

The Board will also act on awarding a bid and contract to Gus Construction for full-depth Portland Cement Concrete patching work on County Road G-61, east of Highway 148, as well as approval of plans for a Hot Melt Asphalt resurfacing project on Route M-56, from Marne to the Shelby County line. And, they’ll hear from a representative with the CAM Community School District, with regard to tax changes resulting from the construction of wind turbines in the district.

Both Board of Supervisor’s meetings begin at 9-a.m.