WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Officials say air is leaking from the inflatable dam used by Waterloo to raise the Cedar River level for summer boaters. Waterloo city engineer Jamie Knutson says the leak was detected Thursday during normal maintenance, but it’s uncertain exactly where on the dam it is and how much air is rushing out. Knutson told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that the city won’t know how soon the leak can be repaired and at what cost until a contractor can start working on it.

The city has inflated the bladder dam since 2009, raising the Cedar River level by about 4 feet. It’s usually inflated in June and deflated in October. Knutson says boaters would be wise to be extra cautious on the river this year, given the loss of the liquid safety margin.

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

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a Sioux City eye clinic manager stole more than $6,100 in a credit card scheme and planned to use customer information to take out loans. Woodbury County court records say 36-year-old Amy Inniss-Reyes, of Sioux City, is charged with theft and tampering with records. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press.

A criminal complaint says Inniss-Reyes was managing two Exact Eye Care branches between April 19 and May 30 when she used three of her credit cards to obtain fraudulent refunds. The complaint says she also told investigators that she made copies of 20 patients’ personal records, intending to use them to obtain loans. The copies were recovered from her home.

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 5.

In an update to their previous report, the National Weather Service in Des Moines says the hottest weather of the year thus far will impact Iowa through the upcoming weekend. High temperatures will top out in the upper 80s to mid-90s each day, with overnight lows only in the 70s each night. Heat index values will approach 100°F each afternoon/evening, making this easily the hottest stretch of weather experienced since last summer. The hottest temps are likely in the western half of Iowa. A Heat Advisory is in effect for three counties in Northwest Iowa.

The latest information puts the Heat Index (how it feels) in Atlantic, Council Bluffs and Sheldon at around 103 degrees, Sioux City 105, 101 in Carroll, Des Moines and Ft. Dodge, 102 in Algona and Ames, and 100 in Estherville. Other locations will have a heat index of 95-to 97-degrees. If planning outdoor activities, avoid prolonged exposure to the heat and be HEAT SMART.

Heat is the #1 weather-related killer in the United States! Here are a few tips on staying safe during episodes of dangerously hot weather:

• First and foremost, minimize your time outside, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Stay in an air conditioned building.
• If you must be outside, wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water or natural juices if you are out in the heat, even if you do not fell thirsty. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
• Think about others! NEVER leave children in a car on even a moderately warm day as conditions in the car can quickly heat to unhealthy levels. Check on the elderly or other people at risk.

For more information, check the National Weather Service’s Heat Safety page.

Officials with the Creston Police Department, Thursday, said one of their beloved, retired K9’s has died. In their social media post, authorities said “It is with great sadness the Creston Police Department announces the passing of retired K9 “Minko”. Minko was a German Sheppard born in 2009 and started with the Creston Police Department in 2011 with K9 handler Jared Auten. In 2012 Minko went to Officer Jayrd Merritt where he continued service for 4 more years. In December 2016 Minko retired to farm life with his former handler Jayrd. Minko served our community with pride and will be missed.”

Creston Police Officer Jayrd Merritt and K9 “Minko.” (Photo from the Creston P-D’s Facebook page)

Police in Red Oak arrested 28-year old Kirsten Lynn Wilwerding, of Red Oak, at around 8:40-p.m., Thursday.  The woman was taken into custody in the 300 block of E. Market Street, for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:10 a.m. CDT

WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) — A northeastern Iowa man has been arrested for having no license and driving to a court hearing _ on his tractor. Television station KCRG reports that 54-year-old Jeffery Johanningmeier, of Wadena, was stopped Wednesday by deputies when he pulled up to the Fayette County Courthouse on his John Deere tractor. Deputies say he had made the nearly 15-mile trip for a court appearance, but did not have a valid driver’s license, which has been suspended for nonpayment of child support.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a new state law that changed the way Supreme Court justices are selected in Iowa. The lawsuit filed in May by a group of Democratic lawmakers and lawyers against Gov. Kim Reynolds was dismissed Thursday by a judge who says they don’t have legal standing to sue. Judge Sarah Crane, appointed to the bench by Reynolds last year, dismissed the case. Nate Willems, an attorney for the plaintiffs says it will be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

DUNKERTON, Iowa (AP) — The police chief of a small eastern Iowa town has been placed on paid leave while facing accusations that she misreported the hours she’d been working. Black Hawk County court records say Katherine Krieger, of Jesup, is charged with theft, felonious misconduct in office and four counts of records tampering. Her attorney said Thursday that Krieger intends to plead not guilty.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers has partially opened the Mississippi River to barge traffic, but farmers in Iowa are still worried about the financial impact of the slow recovery of shipping on the waterway. Dozens of barges have been at a standstill during this devastating flood season. Robb Ewoldt tells the Quad-City Times that he has around $80,000 worth of soybeans in storage at his farm in Scott County, waiting to be shipped down the river.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputies were called Thursday to the vicinity of 2405 Broadway Street in Red Oak, for a reported suspicious female. Deputies arrived on the scene and made contact with 28-year old Jaimee Renea Miner, of Red Oak.

Upon further investigation, Miner was taken into custody for Possession of Unlawful Prescription drugs. She was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on a $1,000 bond.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a new state law that changed the way some judges are selected in Iowa. The lawsuit filed in May by a group of Democratic lawmakers and lawyers against Gov. Kim Reynolds was dismissed Thursday by a state court judge who said they don’t have legal standing to challenge the law.

The new law passed by Republicans and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds gave the governor an additional appointment to the 17-member state judicial nominating commission resulting in the governor having a majority of nine appointees. Lawyers continue to elect eight members to the group.

The lawsuit alleged that the vote of the lawyer members of the commission has been diluted and that the law is an unconstitutional overreach by the legislative branch of government into the judicial branch. The commission nominates justices for the Iowa Supreme Court and the Iowa Court of Appeals and sends finalists to the governor.

Judge Sarah Crane, who was appointed to the court by Reynolds last year, dismissed the case. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say the decision will be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

WEST UNION, Iowa (AP) — A northeastern Iowa man has been arrested for having no license and driving to a court hearing — on his tractor. Television station KCRG reports that 54-year-old Jeffery Johanningmeier, of Wadena, was stopped Wednesday by deputies when he pulled up to the Fayette County Courthouse on his John Deere tractor.

Deputies say he had made the nearly 15-mile trip for a court appearance, but did not have a valid driver’s license, which has been suspended for nonpayment of child support. Johanningmeier was arrested and later released.