A few regularly schedule meetings are scheduled for Monday evening in Massena and Audubon. In Massena, the C-and-M Board of Education will hold it’s meeting at 4-p.m., in the CAM Middle School Library. Among the items on their light agenda, is action on a board policy with regard to Governmental Accounting Practices and Regulations.

The Massena City Council will gather at 6:30-p.m. to review and pay the bills. At 6:45, a Public Hearing will be held on Emergency Brake Ordinance 2011-02. During the start of the regular session at 7-p.m., the Council will hold the 1st reading of the E-brake ordinance, and the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to Holiday Leave. Later on in the meeting, discussion and possible action will take place with regard to: proposed parking and/or street closings, in preparation for Massena’s 125th Celebration; a cable TV franchise; and, nuisance properties & junkyards.

The Audubon City Council will also meet at 7-p.m. Monday, when they will hear: from ISU Extension’s Kate Hargens, with regard to the Wellness Walk; an update from the Fire Department Chief John Ballou; a presentation from Oscar Arras, with Utility Service Partners.  The Council will also act on: a resolution re-appointing Bob Sornson to the Landfill Commission, a resolution hiring a custodian, and a request from Audubon County Traveler’s, with regard to cable in the campground.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report two Union County men were arrested recently on Public Intoxication charges. 47-year old Roger Austin, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:45-Friday night while walking along Highway 34.  He served a 24-hour jail sentence and was released Saturday.

And, 24-year old Anthony Keeler, of Creston,  was arrested at around 11:10-p.m. Saturday at the Adams County Speedway. Keeler is required to appear before the magistrate. No bond was set for him over the weekend.

AMES, Iowa – June 11, 2011 – 7:15 p.m. – Flooding from the Missouri River is
expected to impact additional roads in western Iowa as water levels continue to
rise. Roads impacted by flooding are expected to be closed for an extended period of
time. 

Iowans are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered
roadway. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not
uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe
conditions for motorists.

The flooding situation is dynamic, ever-changing throughout the day. Take extra
precautions at night when it is difficult to see a flooded road ahead. Avoid travel
in areas threatened by flood waters.  

If you must travel on roadways where water is nearby, give your full attention to
the driving task and expect vehicles ahead to slow down or make sudden stops. Keep
your focus on the road ahead, not on the water around you and adjust your speed for
conditions.

Current road closures/restrictions
I-29 Hamilton Boulevard interchange in Woodbury County: The southbound I-29
interchange ramps at Hamilton Boulevard in Sioux City are closed. The northbound on-
and off-ramps remain open. An alternative ramp has been constructed from southbound
I-29 to Wesley Parkway/U.S. 77.
I-29 in Pottawattamie County: The south- and northbound lanes of I-29 between
milepost 55 (N. 25th Street in Council Bluffs) and the I-29/I-680 interchange at
milepost 71 (near Loveland) are closed.
I-680 in Pottawattamie County: I-680 is closed from the I-29/680 interchange (exit
61 near Crescent) in Iowa to North 30th Street in Omaha, Nebr. (exit 13). This
closure includes the Mormon Bridge across the Missouri River. The Iowa detour route
for interstate roadways closed in this vicinity is: I-680 east from the I-29/I-680
interchange near Loveland to I-80, and then take I-80 southwest to Council Bluffs.
Eastbound travelers on I-680 in Omaha that are intending to travel to Iowa must exit
at North 30th Street (exit 13), continue south on North 30th Street to U.S.
75/I-480, and then continue south on I-480 to I-80 eastbound.
Iowa 2 in Fremont County: The right lane of eastbound Iowa 2 is closed west of I-29.
The westbound lanes remain open. The speed limit will be reduced on this highway to
assist travelers safely navigate through the area. 

Highway segments at high risk of being closed due to flooding
I-29 near Blencoe: Two segments of I-29 are at risk of being impacted by flood
waters in this area: (1) near milepost 103.5 south of Blencoe; and (2) near milepost
107 north of Blencoe. 
I-29 and U.S. 30 near Missouri Valley: Locally sponsored agricultural levees provide
some measure of protection for this area. Three highway segments are at most risk in
this area: (1) U.S. 30 west of I-29 between mileposts 7 and 8; (2) U.S. 30 east of
I-29 between mileposts 9 and 10; and (3) I-29 between mileposts 77 and 78.
I-29/I-680 interchange between mileposts 71-72 near Loveland: This interchange is
presently part of the I-29 detour. It is expected to be covered with flood waters. A
loss of this interchange will significantly impact I-29 travel along the entire
highway corridor because it currently serves as a connector between the northern and
southern portions of the route. The extent of the traffic impact on the multistate
region is yet to be determined. It is dependent on what other Missouri River bridges
and roadway segments along the corridor are eventually closed due to flooding.     
I-29, U.S. 275 and Iowa 333 at Hamburg in Fremont County: Temporary repairs have
been made to the levee in Atchison County, Mo., to delay a full breach. The timing
of the closure of these roadways hinges on a full breach.
Iowa 127 near Mondamin: The segments most at risk of flooding are located east and
west of Mondamin, near mileposts 0.8 and 1.5.
Iowa 175 near Onawa: The segment most at risk of flooding is west of I-29 near the
Missouri River. This route serves as the river crossing between Onawa, Iowa, and
Decatur, Nebr.

Undergoing further evaluation or being monitored 
I-29 northbound off-ramp to Dace Avenue in Sioux City (exit 147B or commonly known
as the Downtown/Tyson Events Center): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to keep this ramp open.
I-29 northbound and southbound lanes in Sioux City at the U.S. 77/Wesley Parkway
underpass (between exits 148 and 149): Flood mitigation efforts will be deployed to
try to prevent this low area from being flooded. 
I-29, from south of Bellevue (milepost 39) to Hamburg (milepost 1): This area is at
a lesser risk, but would be inundated if the levee is breached or overtopped.
Iowa 376 (U.S. 75 Business): The roadway from Gordon Drive to Third Street in Sioux
City may be closed if current pumping efforts are not sustainable.

AMES, Iowa – June 11, 2011 – When Henry Ford experimented with the mass produced,
gasoline-powered motor car in 1913, the Model T was the pinnacle of technology at
the time. By 1927, 15 million Model Ts had been manufactured. 

From the hand crank to start a Model T to today’s electric remote starters, our
world has developed a dependence on the motor vehicle. But, the task of driving has
become so common that many drivers do not realize the risks they take behind the
wheel.

Traffic laws have changed to keep up with the technological advances. Most recently,
the Iowa General Assembly passed legislation limiting the use of cell phones and
other handheld devices and updating the requirements for seat belt use for
passengers ages 18 and younger. 

Since July 1, 2010, law enforcement has been issuing warnings related to these new
laws. As of July 1, 2011, tickets will be issued. 

Basic elements of Iowa’s updated motor vehicle laws related to distractions are as
follows.

Restrictions for drivers under age 18 who hold less than a full license
·         Use of any electronic communication or electronic entertainment device
(e.g., cell phone, iPod, Blackberry, computer, etc.) while driving is prohibited.

Restrictions for drivers over age 18
·         Use of any electronic communication device (e.g., cell phone, Blackberry,
etc.) to write, send or read a text message while driving is prohibited unless the
vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.

Seat belt use
·         All passengers age 18 and under are required to be restrained in a vehicle
safety belt, car seat or booster seat, depending on the age of the child. 

To find out more about Iowa’s updated laws related to distractions such as mobile
phones and the changes to the mandatory seat belt law, log on to
http://www.iowadot.gov/CurbItClickIt/index.html.