ST. LOUIS (AP) — An advocacy group for Mississippi River communities says this year’s prolonged flooding has created more than $2 billion in damage. Heavier than normal snow melt in March and frequent and heavy rains through the spring led to flooding that approached record levels at several towns and cities along the Mississippi and its tributaries. The Mississippi remains well above flood stage throughout much of the corridor.

Mayors from river communities who spoke in a conference call Tuesday agreed that this year’s flood has been particularly damaging both because of how high the water rose, and for how long it has stuck around. Colin Wellenkamp of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative says the river has been above flood stage at some southern towns for more than 200 days.

Two people were arrested last week on separate charges, in Adair County. The Sheriff’s Office says 46-year old Michele Marie Crawford, of Van Meter, was arrested in Stuart for OWI/1st offense, after she was pulled over for having no functioning tail lights on her vehicle. Crawford later tested at .138% on the Breathalyzer at the Sheriff’s Office. Authorities also located three open containers of alcohol in her vehicle. She was later cited and released.

And, during the late evening hours of June 20th, 30-year old Jose’ Hernandez Mata, of West Liberty, was arrested by Adair County Deputies at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Mata was wanted on Adair County warrants for Theft in the 1st Degree, and Driving While Barred. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

Patrons of the Riverside Community School District are heading to the polls today to cast their ballot during a Special Election to seek voter approval for a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Property Tax, and a PPEL Income Surtax. The Public Measure essentially asks if the District will be permitted to impose the levy for 10-years, at a tax rate not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 taxable valuation, beginning with the levy of property taxes for collection in the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2021, and a not to exceed 2% income surtax effective December 31st, 2020. A 50% plus 1 simple majority of votes are needed, in order for the measure to pass. Polling places are at the Oakland and Carson Community Centers, and Macedonia City Hall. The polls are open until 8-p.m. The first proposal presented to District patrons was defeated April 2^nd , with 56.4% opposed and 43.6% in favor. Voter turnout during the previous election was a low, 21.4 percent.

School officials say if it is approved this time around, the PPEL would generate an estimated $3.7 million over the 10-year period for capital improvement projects, such as the aging HVAC system at the Elementary and Intermediate schools. Revenue raised from the surtax – if approved – would be used to pay down the property tax levy to an estimated $1.29 per $1,000 of valuation.

(Read the full ballot Public Measure here):

“Shall the Board of Directors of the Riverside Community School District, in the County of Pottawattamie, State of Iowa, for the purpose of purchasing and improving grounds; constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings;purchasing of buildings; purchase,lease or lease-purchase of technology and equipment; paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, not including interest on bonds; procuring or acquisition of libraries; repairing, remodeling,reconstructing, improving, or expanding the schoolhouses or buildings and additions to existing schoolhouses;expenditures for energy conservation;renting facilities under Chapter 28E;purchasing transportation equipment for transporting students; lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment; purchasing equipment authorized by law; or for any purpose or purposes now or hereafter authorized by law, be authorized for a period of ten (10) years to levy and impose a voter-approved physical plant and equipment tax of not exceeding One Dollar Thirty-Four Cents ($1.34)per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) of assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district, and be authorized annually, in combination,as determined by the board, to levy a physical plant and equipment property tax upon all the taxable property within the school district commencing with the levy of property taxes for collection in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021,and to impose a physical plant and equipment income surtax upon the state individual income tax of each individual income taxpayer resident in the school district on December 31 for each calendar year commencing with calendar year 2020, such surtax not to exceed two percent (2%) to be determined by the Board each year?”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenager in northeast Des Moines. Station KCCI reports that Marcus Brown was captured in Mishawaka, Indiana, and has been returned to Des Moines. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for Brown. Brown, Makaveli Russell and Javell Williams have been charged with murder and robbery in the April 14 shooting of 17-year-old Donzell Martin.

Williams has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go on trial July 29. Court records say Russell also has pleaded not guilty, but prosecutors said in a filing Monday that they’d don’t intend to pursue the case against him.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man wanted for Violation of Probation was taken into custody late Monday morning. 30-year old Matthew John Johnson was arrested at the Pott. County Courthouse on a valid warrant through the State of Iowa. Johnson was transported to the Pott. County Jail and booked-in without incident.

(Radio Iowa) — As one of his colleagues proposes wiping out all college debt for 45-million Americans, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley asks — where will that end? Wipe out all home mortgages? Grassley, a Republican, says the legislation offered by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who’s running for president, is at first glance impractical, and upon closer inspection, contrary to what Democrat Sanders is fighting for. “I would be surprised about a very liberal person like Sanders that’s always complaining about the one-percent wealthy, the billionaires,” Grassley says. “This would benefit the rich and middle class the most and not necessarily helping those that he’s trying to help.”

Grassley says his own legislation would tackle the problem Sanders is trying to address. Iowa’s senior senator says he met a few years ago with then-University of Iowa president Sally Mason, who detailed how the average U-I student was graduating with 29-thousand dollars in debt. “The federal government is encouraging people to get in debt by a law that says you have to tell kids the maximum amount they can borrow, so presumably, they do,” Grassley says. “My ‘Know Before You Owe’ bill would do away with that requirement.”

Under that measure, Grassley says students would only be encouraged to borrow what they’d need for tuition, books, fees, and room and board — and not the thousands of dollars more. “There’s a lot of debt that’s freely taken because people choose to do it, people choose to go to college,” Grassley says. “I think we all understand that you probably appreciate a little more your education if you’ve got some skin in the game.”

Sanders’ bill, called the College For All Act, would wipe out one-point-six billion dollars in debt. The rationale is, without that debt, college graduates could spend their earnings on other things — like houses — that would stimulate the economy.

An interim Superintendent has been hired for the Harlan Community School District. The Harlan School Board, Monday evening, approved a contract for Lynn Johnson, who currently serves as the Arlington, Nebraska District Superintendent, and is retiring on June 30th. In their press release, officials said after receiving feedback from several groups and the interview team, Johnson was identified as the right choice to lead the district based on her experience and qualifications. Johnson must obtain her Iowa superintendent license before she can officially begin work on or about July 15th.

Interim HCSD Superintendent Lynn Johnson

The District says Lynn Johnson earned a Specialist Degree in Educational Administration in 2007 from Wayne State College. Her Masters in Secondary Administration was issued from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1991. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Math Education Degree from Fort Hays State University an Associate of Arts Degree from McCook Junior College.

Johnson has served as the Arlington School District superintendent for the past ten years, after previously serving as their Secondary Principal. Some of her notable accomplishments include oversight of an $8 million dollar addition/renovation project and 3 million dollar HVAC project. She also successfully helped pass a bond issue for the district, implemented Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) and expanded course offerings for students. In her application, she said, “I can offer Harlan a servant leader who is passionate about public education and about working hard for our students and staff.”

In the press release, Johnson said she was excited to accept the position, and “Have the chance to join a school environment that is welcoming and committed to excellence.” She said she looks forward to “Continuing the journey of building dreams for our children with the board, staff, and patrons of Harlan Community Schools.” Lynn is married to her husband Steve, who is a teacher and coach in the Arlington School District. The couple has four children (including a daughter-in-law) and most recently one grandchild. They enjoy time with family, sports, physical activity, and all student activities.

Grundmeyer Leader Services will once again assist the district in recruiting and hiring the next long-term superintendent, a process that will begin in November, with more stakeholders involved in the process.