No 10-a.m. Arthritis Water class today at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic.

Investigators say someone tampered with a train switch in west-central Iowa which could’ve caused a serious accident. Mick Burkart, Iowa Interstate Railroad’s Chief Operating Officer, says the switch box was broken into just west of Menlo. It was discovered around 4 a.m. Sunday.

“A passing crew noticed the switch target did not look right. They notified out train dispatcher who stopped all trains in the area,” Burkart said. “We got some maintenance personnel out there to check and they found the switch had been tampered with.” If the crew had not made the discovery, Burkart says at some point, a train would’ve derailed.

“We could’ve had fatalities, we could’ve had a release of hazardous materials, we could’ve had quite a bit of damage…very bone-chilling to think about what could have happened,” Burkart said. Authorities have been taking fingerprints in the area of the switch box.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation. The Iowa State Patrol and Guthrie County Sheriff’s office are also involved. Burkart says there are locks on switch boxes, so they are not easy to break into.

“People, if they’re very determined, can do just about anything. So, it just depends on how determined they are,” Burkart said. All trains were shut down in the area from 4 a.m. until noon.

(Radio Iowa)

The chapter of the American Red Cross that covers southwestern Iowa and eastern Nebraska is launching a series of disaster orientation classes in hopes of bringing in new volunteers to assist others in recovering from floods, tornadoes and other catastrophes. Andrea Noon, spokeswoman for the Heartland Chapter, says they’re running short on help.

“We really do need the volunteers,” Noon says. “We’ve had over 30 disaster operations going since late March. With the situations that are happening, we’re going to need more local volunteers as well, so that’s why we’ve added more training classes to get those volunteers prepared for the classes and the things they are going to need to do.”

Among the requirements, Noon says volunteers need to be at least 18 years old.
“Anybody who wants to volunteer has to take our Disaster Orientation class,” she says. “That’s the basic overview about the Red Cross, about how we work with our volunteers and then what you would experience on a disaster relief operation. That is a requirement before anybody can be deployed or take some of these more specialized courses.”

Noon says if you want to be sent on a disaster mission, make sure you can get the time off from work or school. “What we’re looking at right now is a two-to-three-week deployment period,” Noon says. “That’s something that people have to consider. We also have specialized deployments for medical personnel as well.”

Noon says they had more than 100 people attend an orientation meeting several days ago and she hopes that trend continues. Specialty classes include basic food safety, shelter operations, disaster assessments and bulk distribution. The chapter is based in Omaha/Council Bluffs. Learn more at “RedCrossOmaha.org” or call (402) 343-7700.

(Radio Iowa)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Smaller communities along the Missouri River may face the greatest flood risk this summer as the water rises. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says this summer’s Missouri River flooding could rival the record years of 1952 and 1993 in places.

Officials will increase releases to 150,000 cubic feet per second of water from five of the river’s dams on Tuesday. As a result, the river will rise 5 to 7 feet above flood stage in most of Nebraska and Iowa before continuing into Missouri where it may rise 10 feet above flood stage in several places.

The places in most danger of flooding include the small towns of Hamburg, Blencoe and Pacific Junction in Iowa; South Sioux  City, Rulo and Plattsmouth in Nebraska; and St. Joseph, Mo.

A few regularly schedule meetings are scheduled for Monday evening in Massena and Audubon. In Massena, the C-and-M Board of Education will hold it’s meeting at 4-p.m., in the CAM Middle School Library. Among the items on their light agenda, is action on a board policy with regard to Governmental Accounting Practices and Regulations.

The Massena City Council will gather at 6:30-p.m. to review and pay the bills. At 6:45, a Public Hearing will be held on Emergency Brake Ordinance 2011-02. During the start of the regular session at 7-p.m., the Council will hold the 1st reading of the E-brake ordinance, and the second reading of an ordinance pertaining to Holiday Leave. Later on in the meeting, discussion and possible action will take place with regard to: proposed parking and/or street closings, in preparation for Massena’s 125th Celebration; a cable TV franchise; and, nuisance properties & junkyards.

The Audubon City Council will also meet at 7-p.m. Monday, when they will hear: from ISU Extension’s Kate Hargens, with regard to the Wellness Walk; an update from the Fire Department Chief John Ballou; a presentation from Oscar Arras, with Utility Service Partners.  The Council will also act on: a resolution re-appointing Bob Sornson to the Landfill Commission, a resolution hiring a custodian, and a request from Audubon County Traveler’s, with regard to cable in the campground.

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County report two Union County men were arrested recently on Public Intoxication charges. 47-year old Roger Austin, of Creston, was arrested at around 8:45-Friday night while walking along Highway 34.  He served a 24-hour jail sentence and was released Saturday.

And, 24-year old Anthony Keeler, of Creston,  was arrested at around 11:10-p.m. Saturday at the Adams County Speedway. Keeler is required to appear before the magistrate. No bond was set for him over the weekend.