A heartless con artist is striking in an area of southwest Iowa that’s in eminent danger from the flooding Missouri River. Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers says someone is posing as a city official, knocking on doors and telling people they must evacuate right away — in an apparent attempt to lure residents away so the homes can be ransacked.

Chief Byers says, “We’ve had people, who have identified themselves as city employees, talked elderly people into vacating their houses immediately with the thought that they would be back in and a theft would occur.” Byers says the thief was even offering to help some of the elderly victims pack. Fortunately, no one has fallen for the scam by leaving their homes unattended.

“We had 11 people in the same neighborhood call 911 questioning the need to evacuate at the moment,” Byers says. “The police department responded. We couldn’t find the individual. We will prosecute to the fullest.” He says if this crook knocks on your door, call the police right away. He’s also asking neighbors to keep an eye on each other’s property — and each other.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

The Iowa House has passed a bill that would establish the toughest abortion restriction in the country. Five other states have passed laws that ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy. Earlier this year, the Republican-led Iowa House embraced a similar ban, but on Wednesday the House voted to establish an abortion ban that would begin two weeks earlier. Representative Dawn Pettengill, a Republican from Mount Auburn, was the point person for the G-O-P on this newly-worded bill, and she was surprised during a conversation with reporters after the bill passed to discover it tougher than the previous version. “I believe that life begins at conception, so to me, I say, ‘Great!'” Pettengill said. “I’m glad that is true.” This new bill passed on a day when House Republicans had estabished rules that wound up preventing debate of the measure before a vote was taken on it. House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines was incredulous.

“The fact that it was done, a major bill with serious health consequences for women, and we did it with no debate,” McCarthy said, his voice rising as he spoke with reporters. “It’s disgusting.” The bill faces a dim future in the Iowa Senate where Democrats have passed a proposal that sets up a new state permit process, written to prevent a Nebraska doctor from following through on his plans to open a late-term abortion clinic in the city of Council Bluffs. Pettengill says that’s not good enough.

“The people of Iowa, they told us they do not want a late-term abortion clinic in the state,” Pettengill says. “And not just in Council Bluffs, but completely across the state.” The only exception to the proposed ban would allow abortions after the 18th week of pregnancy if the mother’s life were at risk. Representative Beth Wessell-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says legislators shouldn’t be making these life-and-death decisions.

“Today as I looked around the House chambers I have to pause,” Wessell-Kroeschell said after the bill passed, but just before the House adjourned for the debate. “Do I want my daughter and prospective grandchildren, their lives in the hands of lawmakers with no knowledge of pregnancy, not even how long a pregnancy lasts?” Representative Dwayne Alons, a Republican from Hull, supports the newer, more restrictive ban.

“Let’s protect the future of our state, our country,” Alons said, “to see life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness extended a little earlier into the womb.” Doctors calculate the length of a pregnancy by starting with the day of the last menstrual cycle, but the law in Nebraska, for example, used the time of fertilization, which is about two weeks later.

(O.Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

As preparations and response to flooding in Western Iowa continue, IDPH reminds
residents that it is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed. "Whether dealing
directly with flooding, helping others, or simply watching events unfold on
television, the images and events of the past few weeks have been stressful for
many," said Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Mariannette
Miller-Meeks. IDPH reminds Iowans that it is normal to feel emotional during such
times - responses include fear, grief and depression. There are many things you can
do to help cope with stressful events:

*         Understand and accept that your feelings are normal.

*         Try to keep to your usual routine as much as possible.

*         Take time to resolve day-to-day issues, so they do not add to your stress.

*         Find ways to relax and be kind to yourself.

*         Find time for leisure and recreational activities.

*         Recognize that you cannot control everything.

*         Turn to family, friends or clergy for support, and talk about your
experiences and feelings with them.

Children are especially vulnerable to stressful situations, especially if their
parents or caregivers are overwhelmed. You can help your child by:

*         Letting your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad
or scary happens.

*         Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making
judgments.

*         Return your child to daily routines.

Sometimes stress can affect your relationship with your family and friends, or
affect your job. If you or someone you care about is having a difficult time
handling stress, or if their response escalates to substance abuse, depression or
suicidal feelings or thoughts, they should seek professional help from a health care
provider, local mental health clinic, or substance abuse treatment program.

For more information on flood-related health issues, visit
www.idph.state.ia.us/EmergencyResponse/Flooding.aspx<http://www.idph.state.ia.us/EmergencyResponse/Flooding.aspx>.

DES MOINES, Iowa - June 8, 2011 - Due to flood preparations along the Missouri
River, MidAmerican Energy Company is moving its Council Bluffs Customer Office to a
temporary location at the Mall of the Bluffs in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

MidAmerican Energy's existing customer office, located at 3003 S. 11th St. in
Council Bluffs, will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 10. Crews will work this
weekend to relocate the office to its temporary location at the Mall of the Bluffs,
1751 Madison Ave., #516, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 51503.

The Mall of the Bluffs location will open to customers at 8 a.m. on Monday, June 13.

The phone numbers for the customer office will not change.

The customer office will remain at this location until future notification.

Fresh Artisan cheese, wines, lavender, and fine handcrafted creations are much closer than the hills of France! Just a short drive away, nestled against the rare and beautiful Loess Hills, nine unique destinations welcome your curiosity Saturday, June 18th. The Living Loess Family Tour is an affordable, memorable family outing on less than a tank of gas.

The Loess Hills along the western border of Iowa are comprised of silt deposited over 15,000 years ago when glaciers receded. Similar to the Yellow Hills in China, our Loess Hills cradle fossils, diverse plant life, extraordinary birds and butterflies, and a surprising array of craftsmen for you to experience.

The Living Loess Family Tour on Saturday, June 18th, runs from 9am to 3pm, and features special programs and discounts at nine unique destinations, all conveniently located along a 20 mile corridor:

Sawmill Hollow Family Farm, Aronia berry plants and products, premium wines on a 150 acre farm; Loess Hills Lavender Farm, where the mystical herb lavender is raised, lotions and bath products, too; Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center, reminiscent village, Lincoln Highway, trails; Hitchcock Nature Center, bird watching tower, nature preserve, hiking trails, educational programs; Loess Hills Woodworks, impressive handcrafted custom furniture from local hardwoods; Harvest Studio, one-of-a-kind botanical art and hands-on projects; Gallaher Designs, Silversmith demonstration and amazing wearable art; Honey Creek Creamery, historic Goat farm and fresh Artisan cheeses; Garden Grove Eatery, an 1896 Victorian farmhouse offers a gourmet menu and locally grown items.

Just outside Missouri Valley and Crescent, Iowa, each destination can be reached East of Interstate 29 on the Loess Hills Trail, the Old Lincoln Highway, or are just off the road nearby.

The Living Loess Family Tour will be available for you to enjoy each third Saturday of the month from June through October-June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, and October 15. Be sure to pick up a “passport” from any of the destinations, visit all 9 Living Loess attractions and have your passport stamped, and enter a drawing for an end-of-season prize.

Valued at $500, the prize features desirable handmade items from the Living Loess group. For a map, occasional fees, a list of participating locations and addresses, and vivid descriptions of all you’ll enjoy, please log onto www.livingloess.com or call 712-642-2114.

(Press Release/Council Bluffs CVB)

The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday) approved a proposed preliminary plat for a new subdivision, located about 2.5-miles south of Atlantic near the old Walnut Grove Research Farm. Zoning Administrator Rich Hansen said plans for the Walnut Grove Subdivision off of Highway Six, started last October. He said the septic systems have already been approved, the utilities are accessible and hard surface roads are nearby for those who want to construct homes on at least three of four available lots. Plans for the fourth lot, which is a little over 11-acres are still being discussed.

Hansen said there were also some issues with regard to easements for some water lines, but the zoning board approved the preliminary plat, and recommended the Supervisors follow suit. Hopefully, he says, that issue will be resolved by the time the final plat is presented to the zoning board.

Hansen says the land itself won’t be rezoned. It’s classified as agricultural, and the prospective property owners were made aware of that.  The subdivision is bordered on the north by Lansing Road, on the east-southeast side by Highway Six, on the west/southwest by the Jerry and Linda Petersen, and Billy and Leanne Pellett properties, and the Pellet property on the south.

In other business, the Cass County Board of Supervisors approved expense appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012, certified the base salaries of deputies serving county offices, a two-percent across the board compensation increase for non-union or other such county employees, and a 28-E agreement with Adair County for the services of Cass County Engineer Charles Marker. The 28-E agreement stipulates Marker will get a two-percent increase in pay, the cost of which will be shared by the two-counties.