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.

 AMES, Iowa – June 11, 2011 – 12 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

·         UPDATE: 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 Way/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 
·         NEW: 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. 
·         UPDATE: 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. 
·         UPDATE: 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.

For traveler assistance, call the Iowa DOT’s flood information call center
866-452-8510 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. 

For current updates on road conditions – 24 hours a day, visit www.511ia.org or call
511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state). 

For all of the Iowa DOT’s flood-related information, visit http://www.iowadot.gov/
and click on the “Flooding Ahead” sign. You can also follow the Iowa DOT on Twitter
at http://twitter.com/#!/iowadot/.

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne were called to the scene of a reported barn fire this (Saturday) afternoon, east of Atlantic. The call from the Charles Adams farm at 58202 Galveston Road came in at 3:09-p.m.

Atlantic Fire reported only light smoke showing from the structure upon arrival. By 3:25-p.m., no smoke was visible upon approach by KJAN News Director Ric Hanson. Atlantic Firefighter Gene Schmeling told KJAN News the fire was electrical in nature, and the actual damage to the structure was minimal.

Crews were on the scene for about 30-minutes. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters work to disconnect an electrical line feeding to the barn.

The barn shows no visible damage. Most was inside the structure.

Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report two Creston men were arrested Friday night, following a non-injury accident just north of  the intersection of  Highway 34 and T Avenue (east of Viking Lake State Park). 46-year-old Darryl Steeve, was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on charges that include OWI First Offense, Interference with Officials Acts, and No Insurance (Accident Related).  55-year old Thomas R. Hanner, was being held on a charge of possession of prescription medication. Their bail was set at $1,000 each.

A Shelby, Iowa, man entered a plea of “No contest” Friday in Douglas County, NE, District court, to two felony charges of sexual assault and one felony charge of use of a weapon.

45-year old Todd Mills had originally plead not guilty to eight charges ranging from sexual assault to kidnapping. In exchange for his plea to three felony charges, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining charges.

Prosecutors said Mills picked up four women in Omaha and at gunpoint drove them across the river into Iowa to an isolated road. He then allegedly beat and sexually assaulted them. In one case, Mills used a gun to force a woman her into a car before forcing her to commit sexual acts on him.  DNA evidence linked him to three of the four sexual assaults that date back to 2008.

Mills’ sentencing was set for September 9th. Prosecutors said even when the case is settled,  additional charges could be filed against Mills in Pottawattamie County.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has released new information on the number of residents who’ve been forced from their homes because of Missouri River flooding.

The State Joint Information Center said Saturday that 200 to 300 people have voluntary evacuated in Modale and more than 300 people were ordered to leave their homes on the south side of Hamburg. About 100 homes were vacated in Council Bluffs, but the number of residents affected wasn’t known.

The Missouri River is rising rapidly because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water it releases from upstream reservoirs to deal with heavy spring rains and snowpack. The river is expected to crest 5 to 7 feet above flood stage in Iowa and Nebraska next week, but the water will remain high into fall.