AMES, Iowa – July 8, 2011: 6 a.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that work on installation of the flood barrier wall along the north side of U.S. 30 in locations west of Missouri Valley is completed and the road reopened.

Police in Harlan reported Thursday, a Harlan man was arrested June 30^th on drug charges, after they investigated a suspicious vehicle in the pit area of the Shelby County Speedway. Officials say 52-year old Kenneth Kenkel, of Harlan, faces charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Prohibited Acts.

Authorities report also, 37-year old Mark Anthony Kaufman, of Harlan, was arrested this past Monday (July 4^th), on a disorderly conduct charge, and two counts of assault. He was taken into custody after police were called to an altercation between Kaufman and three other persons, at a residence on Hill Street. Two of the individuals were from Council Bluffs, the other from Minden.

And, 21-year old Cody Lister, of Harlan, was arrested June 27^th after turning himself in to the Harlan Police Department. Lister was wanted in connection with the theft of a vehicle from Shelby, and the burglary of a residence. He faces 3^rd degree burglary, Aiding & abetting Possession of Stolen Property and Forgery charges.

The Iowa State Patrol says a man from Minnesota died Wednesday, after being hit on an Interstate 80 off-ramp in Pottawattamie County. 31-year old Mosadaq A. Aden, of St. Paul, MN, was walking on the I-80 westbound Shelby/Exit 34 off-ramp, at around 3:10-a.m., Wednesday, when he was hit by a vehicle or vehicles.

The Patrol says the road was very dark and unlit, when Aden, who was wearing dark colored clothing, was hit. Officials say whomever hit him may not have known the accident occurred.

He suffered a crushed pelvis and severe head injuries, and was flown to an Omaha trauma center, where he later died. Officals say he had been traveling from Las Vegas, NV to St . Paul.

The State Patrol said Aden had been making his way across the country with whatever transportation was immediately available him,  including by bus, taxi and hitchhiking.

AMES, Iowa – July 7, 2011: 11:50 p.m. – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reporting that flooding has closed the ramp from northbound U.S. 75/Iowa 376 to westbound U.S. 20/Gordon Drive. Pumping of flood water allowed the ramp to open briefly on Thursday, but additional flood and ground water has forced it closed again.

Key traveler information resources

· Iowa DOT’s flood information call center 866-452-8510, open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; speak to an operator for travel assistance

· Road condition information 24 hours a day call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (anywhere in the United States) for a recorded message of road closures

· Iowa DOT on Twitter- http://twitter.com/#!/iowadot/

· View the flooded Iowa roads map for road closures, detours and areas at risk of flooding – http://tinyurl.com/3o2mtlp

Due to ongoing flood concerns in Mills County, officials say there is a need for additional sandbags for use by the Levee and Drainage Districts and to stockpile for needs by the City of Pacific Junction, City of Glenwood and Mills County. We would like to request your help in meeting this need. Please consider volunteering to help fill sandbags on any of the next 3 Saturdays.

Dates and locations are listed below:

Saturday, July 9, 2011 – 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Mills County Engineer’s Office, 403 Railroad Ave., Glenwood, Iowa.

Saturday, July 16, 2011 – 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Pacific Junction Fire Station

Saturday, July 23, 2011 – 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Pacific Junction Fire Station

To assist the county in scheduling and tracking volunteers,  a new method will be used, requiring an on-line sign-up for all volunteers as well as registration for each volunteer event you are interested in participating in. Those without computer access can call 712- 527-4231 for assistance.

To complete your volunteer sign-up and activity registration, please access the website as follows:

1) www.millscoia.us

2) “Flood 2011”

3) “Click here to register for and view Volunteer opportunities for flooding in Mills County”.

At this point, you can select what day/shift you would like to help with and register. You will be prompted to enter your contact information as part of this process. Please remember that sandbag volunteers need to be able bodied, wear close toed shoes and bring the following items – gloves, water, bug repellent and sunscreen. Extra shovels would also be appreciated. Each of our locations will have restrooms, air-conditioned break areas, beverages and food; however, all sandbags are filled outside.

Youth under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult to assure safety. Please call 712-527-4231 for additional information.