The Iowa Department of Transportation, Saturday night, said the I-29/U.S. 34/U.S. 275 interchange (exit 34) had closed in Mills County, due to a levee breach. Several flood closures remain in place for Interstates 29 and 680 as well as many surrounding roads and others throughout Iowa. Travel in Missouri and Nebraska is also being impacted by flooding, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Interstate closures include:

• I-680 in both directions between the Nebraska border and I-29 near Crescent (Mormon Bridge).
• The North portion of I-680 between I-80 and I-29 remains open for northbound traffic.
• I-29 in both directions between the I-680 interchange (near Loveland) and North 25th Street in Council Bluffs.
• Northbound I-29 between U.S. 136 in Missouri (near Rock Port, MO) and the Iowa 92 interchange (in Council Bluffs).
• The I-29/U.S. 34/ U.S. 275 interchange (exit 34 near Pacific Junction) has also been closed.
• Southbound I-29 between the I-80 interchange in Iowa (near Council Bluffs) and U.S. 136 in Missouri (near Rock Port, MO).

Local traffic is urged to check www.511ia.org for current flood-related closures and detour routes. Detour routes and closures are changing rapidly, as levees continue to breach south of the Council Bluffs area.

Interstate 29 travelers are being detoured using the following route:

• Northbound I-29 traffic is being detoured at I-35 in Kansas City, MO where travelers will continue north on I-35 into Iowa. From Des Moines, travelers will drive west on I-80 and continue onto I-680 to connect back with northbound I-29 in Iowa.
• Southbound I-29 traffic will be detoured at Loveland onto eastbound I-680 where travelers will continue on to eastbound I-80 to Des Moines. From Des Moines, travelers will head south on I-35 into Missouri where travelers can connect with I-29 in Kansas City, MO.

Travelers should be aware that westbound I-680 on the detour route in Iowa is reduced to one lane due to damage from previous flood waters. Visit www.511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter.

Elsewhere, Highway 59, one-mile south of Harlan, is reduced to one-lane because of flooding. Temporary traffic lights are in-place.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:15 a.m. CDT

(RIVERTON, IA) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a Nebraska man died after the vehicle he was in was inundated by flood waters Friday night. Emergency personnel were called to the 3000 block of 250th street west of Riverton, for two subjects that were trapped in the flood water hanging on to trees. The responding units used a boat to get to the two subjects clinging to the trees and extracted them from the water, including 55-year old Aleido Rojas Galan from Norfolk, NE., who was flown to a hospital in Lincoln, where he died from unknown injuries. The second man was being treated at a hospital in Omaha. A third man was located later, about one-half mile west of the other victims. He was transported to the hospital in Hamburg. An investigation revealed that when the three men were in a vehicle that went around a Road Closed barrier, their vehicle ran into the flood water and was swept away, leaving the men with no choice but to try and swim to safety.

(GLENWOOD) – The Iowa Dept. of Transportation, Saturday night, said the I-29/U.S. 34/U.S. 275 interchange (exit 34) had now closed in Mills County due to a levee breach. Several flood closures remain in place for Interstates 29 and 680 as well as many surrounding roads and others throughout Iowa. Travel in Missouri and Nebraska is also being impacted by flooding, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — As rivers and creeks in flooded eastern Nebraska and western Iowa crest Saturday, officials have begun looking downstream at likely flooding further south along the Missouri River. The Jefferson City News-Tribune reports that Missouri Gov. Mike Parson met with emergency management team members Friday to review and update flood-response plans. Some flooding of low-lying areas around the Missouri River in northwest Missouri had already been reported Saturday.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) — Authorities say a 33-year-old University of Iowa graduate student found dead at Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah apparently fell 500 feet from an overlook. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office said Jonathan Hogue’s body was found Friday at the base over the Green River Overlook following a search that began Tuesday.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential contender Beto O’Rourke is getting some early reminders that running for president can be a bumpy ride. He is acknowledging mistakes he made as a teen and as a candidate as he responds to criticism of his campaign rhetoric toward his wife as well as writings he produced online as a teenager. He made the comments while taping the “Political Party Live” podcast in Iowa.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, Utah (AP) — Authorities say a 33-year-old University of Iowa graduate student found dead at Canyonlands National Park in southern Utah apparently fell 500 feet from an overlook.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office said Jonathan Hogue‘s body was found Friday at the base over the Green River Overlook following a search that began Tuesday. His car was found near the overlook in the park’s Island in the Sky district.

Hogue was described as an avid hiker known for going off trail and traveling long distances.

A man rescued from his stalled and flooded vehicle in western Iowa has been flown to a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Omaha television station KETV reports the man called for help shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday and told emergency dispatchers he was stranded in a truck that was taking on water in Pacific Junction. Officials say it was almost an hour before rescue crews could reach him. He was flown to Nebraska Medicine around 8 a.m.

His name and medical condition have not been released. Authorities urged people to stay off the roads near rivers and creeks and warned motorists not to drive onto water-covered roads.

*************

Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in rural areas of Mills County in southwestern Iowa as the Missouri River overtopped levees there. Mills County Emergency Management officials issued the order Saturday, noting the river wasn’t done rising.

Residents in the evacuation area are required to leave as soon as possible but no later than 4 p.m. Saturday. An emergency shelter has been established north of the area at Salem United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs.

**************

Travel in western Iowa is still hampered by flooding, and officials there and in eastern Nebraska are urging people not to drive if they don’t need to. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s website says northbound Interstate 29 from the Missouri state line to about 40 miles north near the Pacific Junction exit remains closed due to flooding. Drivers on I-29 are being rerouted onto Interstate 35 in Kansas City, Missouri, north to Des Moines, Iowa, then over I-80 back to I-29 at Council Bluffs.

The detour takes drivers almost 140 miles out of the way.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests throughout the day on Friday.

At 12:39am Adams County Deputies arrested Keshav Kathikar of Wausu, WI for Violation of a No Contact Order.

At 9:55pm Deputies conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Highway 148 and Hunter Trail for a vehicle’s failure to display license plates. It was then determined that the driver Janet Marie Scuturio was wanted in Douglas County, NE for Child Neglect. During the stop Deputies noticed an overwhelming marijuana smell coming from the vehicle. Scuturio admitted that she had marijuana in the truck that she had just purchased. Two children under the age of 18 were in the vehicle. Scuturio was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and 2 Counts of Child Endangerment. She was being held awaiting extradition to Douglas County, NE.

An hour later at 10:55pm Adams County Deputies conducted a traffic stop near Highway 34 and Mulberry Avenue for a speeding vehicle that had no rear lights. The driver of the vehicle, Justin Horne of Plattsmouth, NE, did not have a valid driver’s license. K9 Baxo was deployed at the scene and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Horne was found to be in possession of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. He admitted to Deputies that he was under the influence of marijuana and had also taken a few shots of alcohol. He was placed under arrest for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 6 Counts of Child Endangerment.

Then at 11:45pm Adams County Deputies arrested Joleeen Most on Adams County Warrants for Violation of a No Contact Order and Harassment 3rd Degree.

A Red Oak woman was injured following a two-vehicle accident on Friday night. Red Oak Police responded to the accident at 11:36pm at the intersection of Highway 34 and N. 4th Street. After investigation it was determined that a 2003 Ford Explorer driven by 17-year-old Bryan Johnathon Erp of Red Oak was traveling north on N. 4th Street and stopped at the intersection with Highway 34. Erp and his two passengers stated they stopped at the intersection and proceeded but did not see a 2008 Buick Enclave that was traveling westbound on Highway 34. The Explorer struck the Enclave in the front driver’s side causing the Explorer to spin around 180 degrees and eventually stop after being put into park. The Enclave was driven by 67-year-old Betty Jean Blackwell of Red Oak and her vehicle came to rest in the north lane side of the highway facing west.

Blackwell was trapped in her vehicle but Red Oak Fire was able to pry the door open and get her out of the vehicle. She was taken to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital with a suspected head injury. Erp and his two passengers said they were fine and were released to their parents.

Erp was issued citations for Failure to obey stop sign and yield right of way and Violation of a minor’s restricted license. Damage to the Ford was estimated at $5,000 and damage to the Buick was estimated at $8,500.

Red Oak Police were assisted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Red Oak Fire Department.

The Red Oak Police Department reports two arrests on Friday.

At 6:53pm Friday Red Oak Police arrested 20-year-old Michael Wade Hamilton of Red Oak for Simple Assault, a simple misdemeanor. Hamilton was arrested in the 700 block of N. Broadway Street in Red Oak and taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 bond.

At 10:35pm Friday Red Oak Police arrested 38-year-old Christopher Michael Lowrance of Red Oak for Simple Assault, a simple misdemeanor. He was arrested in the 300 block of N. 4th Street in Red Oak and taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $300 cash bond.

Flood Warnings remain in place Saturday for the Western and Southwestern Counties in the KJAN listening area. Here is a look at the warnings still in place.

…A FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT SATURDAY FOR
CARROLL…SAC…CRAWFORD COUNTIES…

At 427 AM CDT, emergency management reported flooding across the
warned area. Several roadways, especially secondary roadways,
remain closed.

* Flood Warning for…
Mills County in southwestern Iowa…
Shelby County in southwestern Iowa…
Monona County in west central Iowa…
Pottawattamie County in southwestern Iowa…
Montgomery County in southwestern Iowa…
Fremont County in southwestern Iowa…
Harrison County in southwestern Iowa…
Page County in southwestern Iowa…

* Until 945 AM CDT Saturday.

* At 943 AM CDT, residual extensive flooding continues today, as
rivers and streams expand to areas unaccustomed to flooding.
Travel is still hazardous, and is discouraged. Please do not drive
across flooded roadways.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of small
creeks and streams, country roads, farmland, and other low lying
spots.

A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All
interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.

The Flood Warning continues for…

Missouri River At Decatur affecting Monona…Thurston and Burt Counties.
Missouri River Near Blair affecting Harrison and Washington Counties.
Missouri River At Omaha affecting Douglas…Pottawattamie and Sarpy Counties.
Missouri River At Nebraska City affecting Fremont and Otoe Counties.
Missouri River At Brownville affecting Nemaha and Atchison Counties.
Missouri River At Rulo affecting Holt and Richardson Counties.

The Flood Warning continues for
The West Nishnabotna River At Randolph.
* At 3:00 AM Saturday the stage was 23.8 feet…or 4.8 feet above
flood stage.
* Flood stage is 19.0 feet.
* Moderate flooding is occurring and Moderate flooding is forecast.
* Forecast…The river will continue to fall to below flood stage by
early tomorrow.
* Impact…at 23.0 feet…County road J18 (120th Street) west of
Randolph begins to flood.

The Flood Warning continues for
The Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg.
* At 2:45 AM Saturday the stage was 29.1 feet…or 4.1 feet above
flood stage.
* Flood stage is 25.0 feet.
* Moderate flooding is occurring and Moderate flooding is forecast.
* Forecast…The river will continue rising to near 29.4 feet by this
evening. The river will fall below flood stage Tuesday afternoon.
* Impact…at 27.5 feet…State Highway 275 south of the gage may be
threatened in several spots.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has met with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, legislators and advocates of private schools to promote a proposal that would provide grants to students to attend school anywhere they choose including private and religious schools.

The proposal DeVos outlined on Friday would provide up to $5 billion in federal tax credits to donors to a nonprofit organizations set up in participating states that would distribute the grant money.

DeVos called the Education Freedom Scholarships program introduced in Congress by Sen. Ted Cruz and others “a historic opportunity to expand education freedom.” She denied the proposal will take money away from public schools. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price says Reynolds and DeVos are working together to “enact their secretive school voucher tax credit scheme.”

Reynolds spokesman Pat Garrett says Reynolds is open to looking at innovative ways to help public and non-public schools as well as homeschooling. Rep. RasTafari Smith, the top Democrat on the Iowa House Education Committee says he’s disappointed public education supporters were not invited to the closed-door invitation only discussion arranged by DeVos’ office.