(Radio Iowa) — Triple-A predicts a three-and-a-half percent increase in travel volume this Memorial Day weekend, sparked — perhaps — by lower gas prices. Triple-A’s fuel price survey indicates the average price today (Friday) for regular unleaded gasoline is two-66 a gallon in Iowa. That’s 20 cents less than it was during the Memorial Day weekend last year. Gas prices in Iowa were about seven cents higher per gallon a month ago. Triple A projects that nearly 40 million Americans will travel 50 or more miles from home this weekend.

(KJAN/Radio Iowa) — National Weather Service forecasters say strong storms with heavy rain, hail and even a tornado are possible today in parts of Iowa. Parts of southwest Iowa’s Cass and Adams Counties got four inches of rain overnight. Several roads remain flooded. Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon. “That branch of the Nodaway River that runs from Massena down towards the central part of the county is still flooded,” Kennon says.

Crews have set up barricades on several secondary roads. “Don’t go through those barricades. They’re there for a reason,” Kennon says. “Don’t drive through standing water or running water going over a roadway. You’re just asking for trouble and I’m not a law enforcement officer, but I’ve got to believe somebody would try to cite for something if you do those silly things and end up in some trouble.”

The fine for failing to obey a “road closed” sign is 195 dollars when court costs are included — plus the cost of repairing water damage. In mid-April, a woman who ignored was injured after ignoring the “road closed” signs on Highway 34 was injured in Mills County. Her vehicle was launched 20 feet in the air when it hit several large chunks of concrete.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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DES MOINES – The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program will award grants to 13 small, rural Iowa communities to help deconstruct or renovate abandoned structures, remove asbestos and limit construction and demolition materials going to the landfill.

The DNR Derelict Building Grant Program was instituted by statute to help rural communities with populations of 5,000 or less. DBGP funding is awarded annually on a competitive basis with cash matches required. Applications for the next funding round will be due on Feb. 20, 2020.

Among the projects that will receive a total of $396,864 as reimbursement grants are in:

• City of Afton — $31,403 to abate asbestos and deconstruct commercial building. City plans for a new community social center that will feature Wi-Fi for locals to use for gaming and access to the internet. And,
• City of Farragut — $12,100 to inspect and abate asbestos and complete a structural engineering analysis in an abandoned grocery store to determine the future use of the building.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reports heavy rain fell overnight as well as strong storms through the area. Rivers, streams and creeks are running full. Emergency Management Coordinator Brian Hamman advises residents to please be cautious if traveling. He says Nature Ave between Highway 34 and 220th St., west of Stanton has water over the roadway so please avoid the area. If you encounter flooded roadways TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!

Images from the Montgomery County Emergency Mgmt. Agy. Facebook page

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of goats are gobbling up weeds near a waterway in Dubuque as part of an effort to reduce the use of chemicals. KCRG-TV reports about 50 goats are eating weeds on less than an acre of land along a water retention basin. Officials opted to try the goats as part of city initiative to reduce the use of chemicals.

Parks division manager Steve Fehsal says it’s also safer for goats rather than city employees to climb around the steep property. And because the ground is soggy, the city can avoid creating ruts with equipment.

Peg Harbaugh, whose company Goats on the Go is supplying the animals, says they should finish in about a week. The city is spending $1,250 to hire the goats and will analyze how the animals do before deciding whether to hire them again.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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(Update 6:30-a.m.) Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies are reporting flash flooding in parts of the County this morning. Rainfall overnight and into this morning has led to flooding along the West Nodaway River, especially from 730th and Rockport Road to 740th St near Massena . A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen. An additional 1-to 2-inches are possible this morning.

Just before 6-a.m, on Tucson Road between 720th & 730th Streets, water was over the road, and the flooding was described as being 1/2 mile wide in spots. Flooding was also observed in the area of 730th and Seattle Road. Sheriff’s officials are warning people NOT to drive around looking at the floodwaters, because they are rising rapidly, and you could be caught off-guard. Deputy KYle Quist said “It’s very dangerous right now, and people are driving around barricades.”  If you encounter a barricade or water over the road, remember to “Turn around. Don’t Drown!” If you see water over the road.

Some locations that will experience flooding include…Corning, Lake Icaria, Fontanelle, Casey, Massena, Cumberland, Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Lake Icaria State Park and Corning Municipal Airport.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man in Mexico on charges related to the July 2018 death of a man in Sioux City. The Sioux City Journal reports police in Mexico arrested Ray Avila on Monday in Jalisco, Mexico. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault causing injury in the death of 31-year-old Peter Johnson.

Sioux City police say authorities in Mexico acted on information from the U.S. Marshals Service, which believed Avila had been staying in the small town of Jalisco, where he had relatives.
Police accuse the 24-year-old Avila of being involved in the July 29, 2018, fatal assault of Johnson in downtown Sioux City.

Avila will be transported to Woodbury County to face charges.

Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
417 AM CDT Fri May 24 2019

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for…
Southern Cass County in southwestern Iowa…
Northwestern Adams County in southwestern Iowa…
Western Adair County in southwestern Iowa…

* Until 1015 AM CDT Friday.

* At 412 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported heavy rain across
the warned area. This rainfall has led to flooding along the West
Nodaway River, especially from 730th and Rockport Road to 740th St
near Massena . A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include…
Corning, Lake Icaria, Fontanelle, Casey, Massena, Cumberland,
Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Lake Icaria State Park and Corning
Municipal Airport.

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
warned area.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 78 and 82.