Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday in response to flooding and flash flooding beginning March 13 and continuing.  The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for these five counties: Crawford, Delaware, Page, Palo Alto, and Tama. The addition of those five counties brings the number of counties impacted by recent flooding to 41 counties.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Nebraska to survey damage from flooding in the Midwest. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that President Donald Trump requested Pence go Tuesday to the Midwest to see the damage.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) — Beto O’Rourke has entered the 2020 Democratic presidential race amid much fanfare and media attention. In the first days of his campaign, he ran a 5-kilometer race, was mocked for flailing his arms so much when he speaks and drove a Dodge Caravan from Iowa through Wisconsin and Michigan to Ohio, stopping to talk with voters along the way. O’Rourke also showed some inexperience on foreign policy but talked up his U.S.-Mexico border expertise, and explained his changing views on health care.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of the felony convictions of three top staffers on Ron Paul’s 2012 presidential campaign. Campaign chairman Jesse Benton, campaign manager John Tate and deputy campaign manager Dimitri Kesari were convicted in 2016 of causing false records and campaign expenditure reports to be filed to the Federal Election Commission.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Barriers have been emplaced to protect some Cedar Rapids neighborhoods from floodwaters. The National Weather Service says the Cedar River is expected to crest later Monday at 18.5 feet. That’s nearly 3 feet into what the service says is major flood stage but nearly 13 feet below the 2008 record of 31.1 feet. Any flooding isn’t expected to reach houses and businesses.

(Radio Iowa) — Mills County officials are continuing to monitor flooding conditions throughout the area. The western one-fourth of the county — including the city of Pacific Junction — remains under an evacuation order due to rising water and the shutdown of utilities. The county’s public information officer, Sheri Bowen, says the majority of the floodwater from the Missouri River is coming from over-topped levees south of Highway 34.

“We’re seeing water coming back up into the corridor that’s running in directions we’ve just not seen before,” according to Bowen. “It’s back filling, it’s moving north, it’s flowing the wrong way — it’s just a whole lot of unusual water movement out there. So, we are continuing to monitor that area to ensure that it’s not accessed by folks who could have some sort of injury in that area, so we’re protecting that areas, protecting folks’ valuables and property the best we can.” Pacific Junction was placed under a mandatory evacuation order by Mayor Andy Young Sunday night.

Bowen says the evacuation order was prompted as water came into the city from the south and filled the streets. “There is a layer of water there and our aerial photos from Sunday showed that (the town) was pretty well surrounded — it was just dry within the community. The biggest change here is that the water is coming from the south and has filled those streets.” Bowen says those displaced by flooding are being directed to the American Red Cross shelter at Salem United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs. She says other flood victims have found refuge in Glenwood.

“Our goal is that everyone is safely evacuated and that they were able to safely find shelter. One of the pluses for the folks in Pacific Junction is that they did have a little bit of time to prepare and get ready. And I think they did have some good plans as to where they might go,” Bowen says.

Bowen says those wishing to donate food or time can go through Grace United Methodist Church in Glenwood. She says clothing and food donations can also be made to the Mills County Storehouse or the Open Closet program. Bowen says the county is working to setup an official avenue for monetary donations to flood relief. “We’ll be publicizing that information when we have it available. I would caution folks — Go-Fund-Me pages are a great resource for people and I’m not saying that’s not an appropriate use of your dollars — but please know that we will be coming up with an official Mills County flood relief fund,” Bowen says.

For more information on donating to flood relief in Mills County, contact Bowen at 712-527-0137, or the Mills County Communication Center at 712-527-4817.

(Radio Iowa) — A proposed change in how a federal block grant for mental health services is distributed in Iowa drew support and objections today (Monday) during a public hearing at the Iowa capitol. About five MILLION dollars has been sent THIS YEAR to 25 community mental health centers. The new plan would use that federal money to help set up mental health services for children in Iowa. Cynthia Steidl Bishop is C-E-O of a non-profit that provides mental health services in 11 counties.

“First I want to say that I fully support creating a children’s mental health system,” Steidl Bishop said. “What I don’t support is taking money from one mental health system to fund another mental health system.” Andrew Allen, C-E-O of Youth Shelter Services, is a member of the state board created to develop a children’s mental health system in Iowa. Allen says while he’d like to be discussing “new” funding, he supports the funding shift.

“Too often kids get smaller versions of what was created for adults. Kids are not simply short adults,” Allen said. “Kids are distinctly different and need specialty programs and benefit from specialty providers focused on them.” Allen says the money should help create a separate system for children’s mental health needs. “I’m frustrated that often times the prerequisite to get funding for kids is to serve adults,” Allen said. “It’s backwards.”

Liz Cox, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, says improving the children’s mental health system is critical to Iowa’s well-being, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the 25 community mental health centers. “These agencies are the only resources in many of our counties in our state, especially rural counties, and those communities rely heavily on their services to get the funding they need,” Cox said. “And not only do they need to preserve their funding, they need additional funding so they can expand their services to children.”

The proposal is included in a larger bill that spells out how several federal block grants are to be distributed in Iowa. The bill will be considered by a House subcommittee tomorrow (Tuesday).

(Radio Iowa) — This week’s devastating flooding is giving many people in southwest Iowa foul flashbacks to the disaster along the Missouri River eight years ago. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she remembers well the impact of the 2011 flooding. Ernst visited Fremont and Mills counties over the weekend. Ernst says she hates that the area is experiencing another similar disaster.

“I think we’re at a much worse place than where we were in 2011,” said Ernst. “Just horrible flashbacks from that time. I know folks are scrambling to get to high ground and figure out what their next moves are.” The Republican from Red Oak says it’s too early to put a price tag on what repairs may cost after a -second- major flood along the river within a decade.

“We won’t be able to get solid estimates yet on how much damage, but looking back to 2011, we can gauge off of that, already,” Ernst says. “We haven’t had the water flowing over the interstate system as long as we did in 2011, but we don’t know how long it’s going to be there. It was a devastating flood several years back and I think we’re looking at some of the same this time around, as well.”

Southwest Iowa city and county leaders expressed their frustration to Ernst over not just a repeat flooding event, but the fact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased flows from Gavins Point Dam to 90,000 cubic feet per second before decreasing them. They also complained about a lack of communication and information from Corps officials regarding the floods of 2019. Ernst says she intends to speak with Corps officials regarding their handling of this flood.

“It impacts the folks on the ground down here,” she says. “So, we’ve got to figure out, were they releasing as much as they could have released early on? Were they holding it? That was the situation in 2011. They held water way too long, in my estimation. We’ll hear what the Corps has to say and hear what the solutions might be.” In the meantime, Ernst echoes sentiments of local officials, urging residents to stay safe during the floods.

“If you are in one of those low areas, if you are near a breach point, if the sheriff is asking you to evacuate, if the emergency manager is asking you to evacuate, you darn well better evacuate,” Ernst says. “We don’t want to be out looking for folks. We need everybody to be safe, be smart, go stay with family and friends.”

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a 52-year-old Nebraska man was killed when the vehicle he was riding in was swept off a road in southwest Iowa near Riverton on Friday. Three men were in the vehicle when it was caught by floodwaters after driving around a barricade. Aleido Rojas Galan of Norfolk was killed while the two other men survived. Midwestern flooding is blamed for two deaths, so far.

Recent flood damage to the Schildberg Recreation Area was not as bad as feared. Interim Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Director Bryant Rasmussen told the Parks and Rec Board Monday evening, that “We went out there today expecting the worst, and it wasn’t quite as bad as what we were originally thinking.”

Rasmussen said some fencing was knocked down by flowing ice and water at the Schildberg Dog Park, and will have to be replaced. About one-third of the chain-link fencing was destroyed and some poles bend over. The damage is estimated at $10,000 to $12,000. Officials will see if a grant is available to help reimburse the costs for replacement fencing, dependent upon a State of Iowa Disaster Declaration for Cass County.

Parks Board 3-18-19

He said also, “The docks are separated. The small dock over by the Rotary Shelter is free-floating, so we’ll have to fish that one back out. The big dock is up on the shoreline. The cement pillars that were holding it in place have been ripped-out, so we will have to go out and assess what we will have to do with that one.”

Fortunately, he said “All of our trails are intact. All the rip-rap held up, so it’s just going to [involve] routine cleaning after the flooding.” He did say that a portion of a walking trail off of Iowa Avenue had part of the soil sediment ripped out on the back side, which will have to be replaced, but the trail is still there. The trail up to the new bridge is fine, just a little muddy right now. The Atlantic Little League Park also survived without any major damage.

Rasmussen said the park will be opened-up as soon as possible, once all the inspections are complete. Parks Advisor Roger Herring said the best part was there there was no structural damage to the levies around the Schildberg Parks lakes. On a related note, the Schildberg Park Campground Area is tentatively expected to open April 1st, weather permitting.

In other business, the Parks Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nishna Valley YMCA, for Sunnyside Swimming Pool Director Chelsie Huddleson. The agreement calls for an increase in pay for Huddleson, who has served as Pool Director for the past two-or-three years. Her pay was frozen last year, due to budget reasons. Rasmussen says she “Runs a tight ship, and is good for the pool and making sure things get done properly.”

He said also, the Sunnyside Ice Rink is closed due to the warm conditions, and the roads to the Park are still closed, but the park gates remain open. The roads to the park will re-open, Rasmussen said, when the long-term forecast shows no chance of snow. The Atlantic Parks Board will next meet during a special session at Noon on April 1st, to review and act on bids for the Schildberg Shelter House.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports five arrests over the past few days: on Saturday, 27-year old Walker James Langel, of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI/3rd offense, Felony Eluding, Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device, Open Container, and unsafe backing on a highway. His bond was set at $10,300. Also arrested Saturday, was 36-year old Joylynna Anne Tronson, of Glenwood, for OWI/1st offense. Bond was set at $1,000.

Three people were arrested on separate charges, Friday: 28-year old Tyler Milton Study, of Thurman, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension and Motorcycle/Moped license violations. Bond was set at $300; Jerrell Nakeed Pringle was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance [PCS] ($1,000 bond); and, 46-year old Ronald Marquez Roulhac, of Miami Gardens, FL., was arrested for PCS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Failure to Provide proof of liability; Fraudulent use of registration, and improper rear lamps (Bond $1,300).

(Council Bluffs, IA) The Iowa West Foundation Board of Directors recently approved $6.4 million in grants and initiatives funding to 35 nonprofit organizations and government entities in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. 2019 Cycle 1 Grants and Initiatives (*denotes Multi-Year Funding Grantee) include:

• *American Midwest Ballet – General Operating Funding, $125,000
• *Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands – General Operating Funding for Council Bluffs Club, $85,000
• Carson Volunteer Fire Department – Personal Protective Equipment, $10,000
• City of Council Bluffs – Furthering Interconnections, Revitalization, Streetscapes, Transportation, and Aesthetics for a Vibrant Economy, $500,000
• City of Council Bluffs – Loessfest 2019; River’s Edge activation, $250,000.
• Council Bluffs Soccer Club – Iowa West Sports Plex, $768,809.50
• *Durham Museum – General Operating Funding, $25,000, Exterior Restoration Initiative $50,000.
• *FAMILY Inc. – General Operating Funding, $120,000.
• *Green Hills AEA -Preschool funding, $1,100,000.
• Hancock Volunteer Fire Department – Gear and Equipment, $10,000.
• *Heartland Family Service – General Operating Funding supporting Iowa Family Works, substance abuse services, and homeless services, $330,000.
• *Immigrant Legal Center – General Operating Funding supporting immigration legal services in southwest Iowa, $65,000.
• Iowa Legal Aid – Community Stabilization Project, $15,000.
• Iowa West Foundation Initiatives – Downtown Cultural Trail, $50,000; Riverfront Revitalization, $500,000.
• *Iowa Western Community College Foundation – General Operating Funding for the Performing Arts Center, $30,000.
• *Joslyn Art Museum – General Operating Funding supporting Joslyn’s Kent Bellows Mentoring Program, $25,000.
• *Lauritzen Gardens – General Operating Funding, $12,500; Railroad Days, $25,000.
• *Lutheran Family Services – General Operating Funding to support child abuse prevention and sexual abuse treatment in Council Bluffs, $50,000.
• Manning Betterment Foundation – Playground Safe Surfacing Update, $3,000.
• *Micah House – General Operating Funding supporting homeless families, $90,000.
• Neola Betterment Corporation – Senior Housing, $200,000.
• New Visions Homeless Services – General Operating Funding, $100,000.
• Omaha Bridges Out of Poverty, Council Bluffs Poverty Alleviation Initiative $100,000.
• *Omaha Children’s Museum – General Operating Funding supporting field trips, outreach visits and low-cost memberships for families in southwest Iowa, $45,000.
• Omaha Community Foundation – Pottawattamie Gives! Incentives, $29,000.
• Omaha Development Foundation – Entrepreneurial Development for southwest Iowa, $100,000.
• *Omaha Symphony Association – General Operating Funding supporting Adventures in Music for southwest Iowa students, $25,000.
• *Opera Omaha – General Operating Funding, $25,000.
• Pheasants Forever, Inc. – Strengthening Quality of Life and Rural Economies through Growing Outdoor Recreation Opportunities, $44,759.60.
• *Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment (PACE) – Harvester II Arts & Culture District, $2,000,000.
• Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors – 2019 CITIES Program, $93,765; Art on the Frontier Trails (ArtFITS), $20,000.
• SHARE Omaha – General Operating Funding for Pottawattamie County launch, $50,000.
• The 712 Initiative – General Operating Funding/Placemaking Consortium, $500,000.
• *The Rose Theater – General Operating Funding for School Field Trip Program for southwest Iowa students, $25,000.
• Treynor Volunteer Fire Department – Ambulance Cot, $10,000.
• Underwood Volunteer Fire Department – Thermal Imaging Camera, $8,650.
• United Way of the Midlands – Community Care Fund, $255,500.

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has distributed more than $484 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies through southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska since the inception of its grant program. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of homes flooded in several Midwestern states after rivers breached at least a dozen levees following heavy rain and snowmelt in the region, authorities said Monday while warning that the flooding was expected to linger.

About 200 miles of levees were compromised — either breached or overtopped — in four states, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said. Even in places where the water level peaked in those states — Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas — the current was fast and the water so high that damage continued to pile up. The flooding was blamed for at least three deaths.

“The levees are busted and we aren’t even into the wet season when the rivers run high,” said Tom Bullock, the emergency management director for Missouri’s Holt County.

He said many homes in a mostly rural area of Holt County were inundated with 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2.1 meters) of water from the swollen Missouri River. He noted that local farmers are only a month away from planting corn and soybeans.

“The water isn’t going to be gone, and the levees aren’t going to be fixed this year,” said Bullock, whose own home was now on an island surrounded by floodwater.

One couple was rescued by helicopter after water from three breached levees swept across 40,000 acres (62.5 square miles), he said. Another nine breaches were confirmed in Nebraska and Iowa counties south of the Platte River, the Corps said.

In nearby Atchison County, Missouri, about 130 people were urged to leave their homes as water levels rose and strained levees, three of which had already been overtopped by water. Missouri State Highway Patrol crews were on standby to rescue anyone who insisted on staying despite the danger.

“The next four to five days are going to be pretty rough,” said Rhonda Wiley, Atchison County’s emergency management and 911 director.

The Missouri River already crested upstream of Omaha, Nebraska, though hundreds of people remained out of their homes and water continued to pour through busted levees. Flooding was so bad around Fremont, Nebraska, that just one lane of U.S. 30 was uncovered outside the city of 26,000. State law enforcement limited traffic on that road to pre-approved trucks carrying gas, food, water and other essential supplies.

“There are no easy fixes to any of this,” said Fremont City Administrator Brian Newton. “We need Mother Nature to decrease the height of the river.”

In southwest Iowa, the Missouri River reached a level in Fremont County that was 2 feet (0.6 meter) above a record set in 2011. The county’s emergency management director, Mike Crecelius, said Monday that more water was flooding into low-lying parts of Hamburg, where a wall of sand-filled barriers was breached when one failed.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, touring flood-ravaged areas of the state for the second straight day, warned that flooding will worsen along the Mississippi River as snow melts to the north.

The National Weather Service said the river was expected to crest Thursday in St. Joseph, Missouri, at its third-highest level on record. Military C-130 planes were evacuated last week from nearby Rosecrans Air National Guard base.

In North Dakota, Fargo was preparing for potentially major flooding along the Red River — the same river that ravaged the city a decade ago.

The city declared an emergency and Mayor Tim Mahoney asked residents to help fill 1 million sandbags. That was in response to the National Weather Service warning that snowmelt poses a big risk in Fargo, which now stands a 90 percent chance of major flooding. Sandbag-filling operations begin March 26.

In Illinois, weather service readings showed major flooding along the Pecatonica River at Shirland and Freeport, and the Rock River in the Rockford area and Moline.

Freeport City Manager Lowell Crow said officials there expected the Pecatonica River “to possibly rise to a record level or at least to a level we haven’t seen in 50 years.”

The flooding started after a massive late-winter storm hit the Midwest last week. Among the victims was 80-year-old Betty Hamernik, whose body was recovered Saturday by divers after earlier rescue efforts failed because of the dangerous conditions, the Omaha World-Herald reported.

The Missouri Department of Transportation reported about 100 flood-related road closures, including a stretch of Interstate 29.

Jud Kneuvean, the emergency manger with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Kansas City district, blamed a combination of higher temperature, rainfall and snowmelt “converging all at the same time.”

No significant flooding was expected east of Kansas City, though Kneuvean said the Corps was watching weather forecasts closely.

“When you have a high river and have any forecast of rain on it, it can change the scenario very quickly,” Kneuvean said.