The Iowa Department of Transportation reports U.S. Highway 30 between Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Blair, Neb., could close without further advance notice due to rising flood and ground water levels.

The threat level has been elevated because the Missouri River water levels have risen substantially today in this area. A breach also occurred this morning south of U.S. 30, approximately 1 mile south of mile marker 2. The combination of these factors increases the threat that the roadway could be overtopped.

The Iowa DOT is closely monitoring the situation. The road will remain open as long as it is safe for travel. If U.S. 30 is closed, the public will be notified and a detour designated.

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Key traveler information resources…

·Iowa DOT’s flood information call center 866-452-8510, open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, speak to an operator for travel assistance

·Road condition information 24 hours a day: visit http://www.511ia.org/, or call 511 (in Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (outside of the state) 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

Authorities in Council Bluffs have suspended their investigation into a shooting incident which occurred early Wednesday morning, because the victim has refused to cooperate with detectives. 41-year old James Andrews, of Council Bluffs, suffered a single gunshot wound to the abdomen. Bluffs Police Investigator Ron Branigan said Friday investigators were able to identify a suspect after interviewing Andrews, but the man has since refused to cooperate.

Officers were called to Andrews’ home on the city’s west side at around 12:40-a.m. Wednesday. Andrews was found outside the home, near the rear of the residence. He was transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Department reports three people were arrested Friday on felony charges. Friday night, 41-year old James Castillo, of Prescott, was arrested on charges of aiding and abetting a fugitive with felony warrants. Castillo was being held in the Adams County Jail on $2,000 cash bond.

And, 24-year old Garret Templeton along with 20-year old Zach Gilbert, both of Corning, were arrested on warrants for an incident of vandalism to a vehicle which occurred on June 12^th. The men were being held in the Adams County Jail on $5,000 cash bond.

AMES, Iowa – June 24, 2011 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) will be
implementing flood mitigation measures along Iowa 175 to help keep the road open as
long as possible. This road is an important transportation connection between Onawa,
Iowa, and Decatur, Neb., as well as other communities along the Interstate 29
corridor.  

The success of these mitigation strategies remains dependent on the level of
continued rising river and ground water levels. They are being deployed at this time
due to the increased release of water by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is
projected to raise river water elevations from .5 to 1 foot. Those levels would
cause inundation of portions of the roadway.

Preliminary sandbagging will be performed this weekend along the shoulders of the
roadway in lower-lying areas. Starting Monday, additional measures will be taken to
address a rise in river water levels of up to 1 foot. 

If water levels exceed 1 foot, conditions will be created within the overall basin
area that will make it impossible to contain the water and keep the roadway open. In
that event, the roadway will be closed.   

An additional benefit of these mitigation strategies is the fact that it may allow
the roadway to be reopened sooner, if closed. 

Next week, contractor employees will be placing sandbags and concrete barrier wall
along the west side of Cashew Avenue. In addition, sandbags and barrier wall will be
placed along the north side of Iowa 175. The lowest-lying areas will be the target
of the sandbagging effort. 

The Iowa DOT has already strengthened the shoulders of the north side of Iowa 175 at
certain locations to help mitigate damage to the roadway surface.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad will join Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Director Gen. Derek Hill and Congressman Steve King on Monday, June 27,
2011 in traveling via Black Hawk helicopter for an aerial tour of the flood-affected
areas along the Missouri River.

The trio will visit with local officials and hold press conferences in Sioux City
and Council Bluffs regarding flood damage, and prevention efforts, along the
Missouri River. They will then conduct an aerial surveillance of the flood-affected
areas while traveling from Sioux City to Council Bluffs.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports a California man was arrested today (Friday), for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. 27-year old Christopher Lawrence Gaul,  of Hemet , CA,  was brought to the Cass County Jail and is being held on $5,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s office reports also, 26-year old Sarah Shanelle Olsen, of Griswold, was arrested Thursday, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Olsen was brought to the Cass County Jail, pled guilty to the charge and was released the next day.