DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of goats are gobbling up weeds near a waterway in Dubuque as part of an effort to reduce the use of chemicals. KCRG-TV reports about 50 goats are eating weeds on less than an acre of land along a water retention basin. Officials opted to try the goats as part of city initiative to reduce the use of chemicals.

Parks division manager Steve Fehsal says it’s also safer for goats rather than city employees to climb around the steep property. And because the ground is soggy, the city can avoid creating ruts with equipment.

Peg Harbaugh, whose company Goats on the Go is supplying the animals, says they should finish in about a week. The city is spending $1,250 to hire the goats and will analyze how the animals do before deciding whether to hire them again.

(Update 6:30-a.m.) Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies are reporting flash flooding in parts of the County this morning. Rainfall overnight and into this morning has led to flooding along the West Nodaway River, especially from 730th and Rockport Road to 740th St near Massena . A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen. An additional 1-to 2-inches are possible this morning.

Just before 6-a.m, on Tucson Road between 720th & 730th Streets, water was over the road, and the flooding was described as being 1/2 mile wide in spots. Flooding was also observed in the area of 730th and Seattle Road. Sheriff’s officials are warning people NOT to drive around looking at the floodwaters, because they are rising rapidly, and you could be caught off-guard. Deputy KYle Quist said “It’s very dangerous right now, and people are driving around barricades.”  If you encounter a barricade or water over the road, remember to “Turn around. Don’t Drown!” If you see water over the road.

Some locations that will experience flooding include…Corning, Lake Icaria, Fontanelle, Casey, Massena, Cumberland, Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Lake Icaria State Park and Corning Municipal Airport.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man in Mexico on charges related to the July 2018 death of a man in Sioux City. The Sioux City Journal reports police in Mexico arrested Ray Avila on Monday in Jalisco, Mexico. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault causing injury in the death of 31-year-old Peter Johnson.

Sioux City police say authorities in Mexico acted on information from the U.S. Marshals Service, which believed Avila had been staying in the small town of Jalisco, where he had relatives.
Police accuse the 24-year-old Avila of being involved in the July 29, 2018, fatal assault of Johnson in downtown Sioux City.

Avila will be transported to Woodbury County to face charges.

Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Des Moines IA
417 AM CDT Fri May 24 2019

The National Weather Service in Des Moines has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for…
Southern Cass County in southwestern Iowa…
Northwestern Adams County in southwestern Iowa…
Western Adair County in southwestern Iowa…

* Until 1015 AM CDT Friday.

* At 412 AM CDT, local law enforcement reported heavy rain across
the warned area. This rainfall has led to flooding along the West
Nodaway River, especially from 730th and Rockport Road to 740th St
near Massena . A widespread 2 to 4 inches of rain have fallen.

* Some locations that will experience flooding include…
Corning, Lake Icaria, Fontanelle, Casey, Massena, Cumberland,
Bridgewater, Nodaway, Carbon, Lake Icaria State Park and Corning
Municipal Airport.

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in the
warned area.

This includes Interstate 80 between mile markers 78 and 82.