DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Dubuque racing group has approved a plan to spend $3.4 million on a veterans memorial for an island in the Mississippi River. The Telegraph Herald reports that the Dubuque Racing Association board of directors on Tuesday voted for the Veterans Memorial Plaza project, which will include walkways, a waterfall and a sculpture. It will be built on Chaplain Schmitt Island, which is home to Q Casino and Hotel.

The memorial sculpture titled “Skyward” will honor Aloysius Schmitt, a chaplain who died aboard the USS Oklahoma on Dec. 7, 1941, when the ship was attacked at Pearl Harbor and eventually capsized. The project also will need approval from the Dubuque City Council and the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission before it can move forward.

(Radio Iowa) — The political debate about America’s immigration system has been re-ignited by the tragic death of the 20-year-old woman from Brooklyn who authorities say was murdered by a man living in the country illegally. President Trump mentioned the case last (Tuesday) night during a rally in West Virginia. “You heard about today with the illegal alien coming in, very sadly, from Mexico and you saw what happened to that incredible, beautiful young woman,” Trump said. “Should have never happened.”

The 24-year-old accused of murdering Mollie Tibbetts had been living illegally in Poweshiek County for up to seven years, according to authorities. Governor Kim Reynolds issued a written statement late Tuesday afternoon, saying Iowans are “angry that a broken immigration system allowed a predator like this to live in our community.” The two Republicans who represent Iowa in the U.S. Senate released a joint statement. Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst said: “too many Iowans have been lost at the hands of criminals who broke our immigration laws” and “we cannot allow these tragedies to continue.”

The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa addressed what he termed “anti-immigrant sentiment” following the arrest of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, the 24-year-old accused of Mollie Tibbets’ death. Mark Stringer said it was “unfortunate that during a tragedy like this some people choose to polarize our communities and our state by politicizing the situation and emphasizing the immigration status of the person accused.” Stringer said “people of all races and levels of citizenship commit crimes.”

Two of Iowa’s congressmen made statements about the case on Twitter. Congressman Steve King, a harsh critic of any effort to grant citizenship to those living in the country illegally, said “justice must now be served,” but King did not mention Rivera’s immigration status. Congressman David Young tweeted that “Iowans and many more mourn together over the loss of Mollie Tibbetts.” Fred Hubbell, the Democratic candidate for governor, issued a written statement, commending law enforcement for working “around the clock to investigate this crime.” Hubbell concluded by saying: “In this sate, if you break the law, you will face the consequences.”

Mollie Tibbetts’ aunt posted a note on Facebook that said: “Please remember, Evil comes in EVERY color” and she expressed thanks for the “love, friendship and support throughout this entire ordeal by friends from all different nations and races.”

Officials with the Harlan Municipal Utilities water plant said Tuesday the plant is on track to set a record for gallons produced in a month, and they’re asking customers to implement voluntary water conservation over the next couple of days. Doug Hammer from HMU said”We’ve seen a large demand for water this month. The water plant has been running at full capacity for most of August. We’ve been able to keep up with demand but we’re asking our customers to please implement some voluntary conservation and refrain from watering yards or gardens over the next couple of days to give us a chance to catch up and replenish the clear wells and water towers. There has been no compromise to quality, we just need a little breathing room this week so if customers could cut back just a little, it would help us out.”

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police have been seeking the mother of a 5-year-old Davenport boy who died after he was assaulted by her boyfriend. Murder warrants have been issued for 24-year-old Jacqueline Rambert and 26-year-old Tre Henderson. Police say Ja’Shawn Bussell died May 1, 10 days after he received head and other injuries in Henderson’s attack.

(UPDATED) — Police in Red Oak arrested a man on an arson charge, Tuesday afternoon. 38-year old Luke Daniel Rinehart, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 2-p.m.  Officers were sent to a residence in the 300 block of Second Avenue, with regard to a man that had set two lawn mowers on fire on his property. When authorities arrived on the scene, Rinehart was seen pouring gasoline inside of his residence. He was taken into custody before he was able to light the home on fire.  Rinehart was charged with Arson in the 2nd Degree, and is held in the Montgomery County Jail on $10,000 bond.

Officials with the Iowa DOT’s Cherokee construction office said Tuesday, a road construction project on U.S. 30 east of the north junction with U.S. 59 in Denison will require closing the roadway to traffic starting at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, until 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, weather permitting.

During the closure, traffic will be detoured around the work zone using Seventh Street, Avenue C, Iowa 39, and U.S. 59.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.