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

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(Radio Iowa) — Sports gambling will take the final step toward becoming reality Tuesday during a special meeting of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Commission administrator Brian Ohorilko says the regulators will take a vote on the emergency rules. “This is the same package that was commented on back on July 11th. There were a few changes made as a result of those comments and public input. The package continues to evolve, and at this point it will be considered for emergency adoption,” Ohorilko says.

The only comments at that July 11th public hearing were from gambling and sports betting representatives, as noone from the general public made comments. He says the emergency adoption allows things to be set in motion. “The commission will need to go through the standard rule-making process before anything will be in final form. And so, it’s reasonable to expect that the package that’s being voted on Tuesday could changes as the rules go through the normal process,” Ohorilko says.

Ohorilko says the earliest Iowa’s 19 casinos could take bets would be the middle of next month. “On this emergency package — there is language indicating that the rules would be effective July 30th — with wagering and contests beginning no earlier than on August 15th at noon,”according to Ohorilko. The casinos can offer on-line wagering and or take sports bets at their facilities. He says the casinos have been rapidly working to build the sports book areas, but some may not be ready right at the deadline.”We know one will not be ready for sure and then it will depend on the others in terms of how the construction is coming along and if they’re ready to go at each of the sites,” he says.

Ohorilko says most of the casinos are shooting for an opening of their on-site sports betting parlors near the end of month. “I think the goal for most of the properties is to be up and running before football season,” Ohorilko says. “And so, the August 15th date isn’t really maybe as critical for those companies. Although those that are ready to go on that date will be able to dip their toe in the water a bit and start accepting wagers on baseball and other sports.”

The casinos can create their own betting apps, or team with a company that will provide them. Ohorilko says the apps include the ability to know the user’s location, and the online betting will not work unless the geolocation provider can identify that the person is located within the state of Iowa. The special meeting Tuesday is at 10 a-m at the Drury Inn and Suites in West Des Moines.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (July 29, 2019) — To help address the current emergency blood shortage, all who come to give blood or platelets with the American Red Cross July 29 through Aug. 29 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. Currently, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types available and less than a two-day supply of type O blood. Individuals can schedule an appointment to give now by activating Amazon’s Alexa Red Cross Blood Skill by saying, “Alexa, find a blood drive,” or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

With the help of a generous $1 million donation from Amazon, the Red Cross hopes to motivate donors to roll up a sleeve and alleviate the blood shortage across the country. Amazon’s partnership with the Red Cross is part of their commitment to “Right Now Needs” to help increase blood donations to ensure patient needs are met.

The Red Cross urges individuals across the country to roll up a sleeve today to ensure blood is available for patients across the country. A blood donation takes about an hour from start to finish, but the actual donation itself only takes about 8-10 minutes. Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Some area upcoming blood donation opportunities July 29-Aug. 15:

Adair County: Greenfield, 8/14/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Methodist Church, 108  SW 5th Street

Adams County: Corning, 8/8/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Community Center, 601 6th Street

Audubon County: Audubon, 8/7/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 2050 Hwy 71 N

Cass County: Anita, 8/7/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Community Center, 805 Main Street; Atlantic: 7/31/2019: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Cass County Memorial Hospital, 1501 E. 10th Street; 8/2/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Walmart Supercenter, 1905 E. 7th Street

Montgomery County: Stanton, 8/11/2019: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Viking Center, 501 Elliot

Page County: Clarinda, 8/2/2019: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Lied Center, 1140 E Main

Pottawattamie County: Council Bluffs, 8/9/2019: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m., Ameristar, 2200 River Road, and from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ameristar, 2200 River Road; Crescent, 8/10/2019: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Fire Station, 102 West Florence.

Shelby County: 8/3/2019: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Shelby Community Building, 500 East Street; Elk Horn, 7/30/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Elk Horn Lutheran Church, 4313 Main Street; Harlan, 8/13/2019: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., CDS, 3107 Shelby Street; Irwin, 7/31/2019: 12 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Irwin Community Building, 504  Ann Street.

Union County: Creston, 8/6/2019: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Homestead of Creston, 1709 W. Prairie St

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say firefighters rescued a 4-year-old girl from a Waterloo apartment fire. Firefighters who responded to a report around 7:50 p.m. Saturday found the girl inside the smoke-filled apartment. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that she was taken to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. Her name hasn’t been released. Fire officials say the blaze started after food was left unattended while being cooked.

Officials with the Stuart Police Department posted a message on their social media page, Sunday, with regard to vandalism. The message said “Crime can happen to anyone, including police departments.” Authorities said early Sunday morning, a patrol car was vandalized. Images posted along with the message show a broken side-view mirror and a tire that was either slashed or the air was let out of, causing it to go flat.

Pictures from the Stuart PD Facebook page

Officials ask residents in Stuart to “Please keep an eye out for not only your own property, but the property of those around you. If you see something, say something.”  The true victims of this vandalism are the citizens of Stuart.”  If you have any information about the incident, you’re asked to call Guthrie County dispatch at 641-747-2214 or send a private message to Stuart IOwa Police Department, on their Facebook page.

Two women from Cass County were arrested Sunday night in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Department reports 20-year old Sydney Jo Redler, of Atlantic, was arrested at around 9:30-p.m. on a charge of Simple Assault. And, at around 9:40-p.m., 19-year old Marie Edna Amos, of Griswold, was arrested for Possession of Alcohol under the legal age. Both arrests were the result of an incident at 91 Main Street, in Elliot. Redler was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond, while Amos was released on a citation with a future court date. Red Oak Police assisted in making the arrests.

And, at around 6-p.m., Sunday, 37-year old William James Bartlett, of Brown Summit, North Carolina, was arrested on two valid Montgomery County warrants: Violation of Probation, and Violation of a No Contact Order. Bartlett was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:35 a.m. CDT

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of communities line the Mississippi River, but Davenport, Iowa, is among the few where people can dip their toes into the water without scaling a flood wall or levee. It’s a point of pride in Davenport but after historic flooding this spring inundated some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and shops, residents are confronting a painful question: Can they remain connected with the river without being overwhelmed by it? The mayor has formed a task force to consider options.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska officials who want to profit off their government experience and connections after leaving office face virtually no obstacles in becoming lobbyists, unlike most states that bar them from switching roles. A report by consumer-rights group Public Citizen says Nebraska is one of seven states with no restrictions on former lawmakers, governors or other elected officials. Nebraska stands in contrast to Iowa, which the group praises for having tough “revolving door” laws.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Iowa child care provider left a 1-year-old alone for nearly two hours in a portable crib in a downstairs furnace room before discovering that the child was cold to the touch. The Des Moines Register reports that a Department of Human Services revoked the license of provider Jenna Dale, of Indianola, last week, following the death in April of Nash Bloem.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Police in northeastern Iowa say a Waterloo woman wounded in an accidental shooting is expected to recover. The Courier reports that the woman was taken to a hospital following the shooting Thursday night. Police say first responders were called to a home around 10:15 p.m. Thursday and found the woman with a single gunshot wound to the torso. Officers say a man at the house was handling a handgun when it accidentally fired.

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an Iowa child care provider left a 1-year-old alone for nearly two hours in a portable crib in a downstairs furnace room before discovering that the child was cold to the touch.

The Des Moines Register reports that a Department of Human Services revoked the license of provider Jenna Dale, of Indianola, last week, following the death in April of Nash Bloem. He strangled on a teething neckless he was wearing, despite federal warnings that such devices shouldn’t be used for infants.

A complaint from the department said Dale had previously been warned about child hazards in the home’s furnace/laundry room. The complaint says Dale placed the child in the area because he was “socially different” and needed to be away from other children.

Dale cried when approached by a reporter and said “Now is not a good time.” Additional attempts to speak to her weren’t successful.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of communities line the Mississippi River on its 2,348-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico, but Davenport, Iowa, stands out for the simple reason that people there can actually dip their toes in the river without scaling a flood wall, levee or other impediment.

It’s a point of pride in Davenport, a city of 100,000 people that calls itself Iowa’s front porch and which has repeatedly tolerated the floods that have long since convinced all other major riverfront cities to build concrete or dirt walls.

“It’s the personality of the community,” said Kelli Grubbs, who runs a business a few blocks from the nearly half-mile-wide river. “There is just a great love of the river.”
That love is being tested this summer after record-setting floods broke through temporary barriers and for weeks inundated some of Davenport’s trendiest restaurants and shops with foul-smelling water. Now that the river has finally seeped back to its banks, business owners and city officials are confronting a painful question: Can they still remain connected with the river without being overwhelmed by it?

Looming over the discussions is an acknowledgement of what’s likely coming from climate change: heavier rainstorms that, combined with spring snowmelt, will swell the river to ever higher levels. Even as residents scoff at the prospect of a concrete wall or rocky levee replacing the gently sloping lawn that dips down to the river, they wonder if a downtown that has seen roughly $500 million in investment in recent years can survive being awash and cut off from the rest of the city so frequently.

Of the 15 biggest floods in Davenport’s history, seven have occurred since 2008. Davenport owes much of its roughly 200-year-old history to the Mississippi River, which was instrumental in the area’s selection as a fort. The river allowed steamboats to reach the community and later led to bridges that connected people and products to large cities to the east.

That history is one reason that despite repeated flooding in the last 40 years — especially severe in 1969, 1975, 1993 and 2001 — Davenport residents have largely supported a modest containment system that includes a wide strip of grass and Nahant Marsh, a 305-acre wetland.

During more serious flooding, large sand-filled temporary barriers can be placed on River Drive, which runs parallel to the river, to protect the low-lying business district. Most homes are safely perched on the hills rising steeply to the north. But this spring, separate crests repeatedly pressured and finally breached the barriers, causing an estimated $30 million in lost revenue and damage.

Davenport residents couldn’t help but notice that across the river in Rock Island, Illinois — where a permanent floodwall was erected after floods in 1993 — the city stayed almost completely dry. Bettendorf and Moline, Illinois, the other two communities that make up the Quad Cities, also have floodwalls and didn’t flood.

Mayor Frank Klipsch has formed a task force to consider options, which include setting aside more land that could be open for flooding and improving the system of temporary barriers protecting the city’s nine miles of riverfront. Environmentalists support giving the river more room instead of a wall.

Becca Clark said she supports the city’s go-slow approach, even though the flooding forced workers and customers to frantically haul items up a narrow staircase to the second floor of her clothing and jewelry shop. “The city is all about the natural flow of the river and green space. It would ruin that,” said Clark, who grew up in the area.

But, as they settled into a new location a block farther from the river, her business partner Nicole Perez noted, “We fixed our problem. We moved up higher from the river.”

Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County this (Sunday) morning, arrested 29-year old Cody Thomas Hoggatt, of Villisca. He was taken into custody at around 4:37-a.m. in Villisca, following an incident at N. 3rd Avenue and E. 3rd Street. Hoggatt was charged with Public Intoxication and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.