Northwest Iowa Rivers Likely To Rise Above Flood Stage
(Le Mars) — Heavy rains from the past few days, along with the forecast calling for additional rains have prompted the National Weather Services to issue flood watches and flood warnings for many rivers within northwest Iowa. Meteorologist Mike Gillispie with the National Weather Services in Sioux Falls says some areas located north of Le Mars received as much as ten
inches of rain within the past week.
Gillispie, the weather services’ hydrologist, says the Floyd River near Sheldon has already overflowed from its banks, and he is predicting that by later this evening, flooding will occur at Le Mars.
The National Weather Services official makes his prediction as to when the Floyd River will reach its crest stage.
Gillispie reports on the status of the Big Sioux and Rock Rivers.
According to Gillispie, he says the flooding conditions may not be as wide spread as the flooding that had occurred in June over much of the same area.
Gillispie says the Rock River basin may see the worst flooding, but again, not as bad as earlier in the year.
Gillispie says many of the secondary roads will have water over flowing by this evening. Both Sioux and Plymouth County authorities report some county gravel roads are closed due to flood waters.
Orange City Has Selected Its Tulip Festival Court
Orange City, Iowa — Orange City’s 2019 Tulip Court was elected on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2018.
Tulip Court members for the 79th annual Tulip Festival include: Aarika Van Gelder, daughter of Larry and Phyllis Van Gelder, Allison Haverdink, daughter of Mark and Suzanne Haverdink, Emma De Groot, daughter of Don and Michelle Vaas, Jadeyn Schutt, daughter of Bruce and Amy Schutt, Jadeyn Veltkamp, daughter of Brad and Susan Veltkamp.
A Queen’s Tea and Pageant will be held on November 12 to crown the 2019 Tulip Queen. The Queen and Court will serve as ambassadors for Orange City’s 79th annual Tulip Festival, set for May 16-18, 2019.
Several Buildings In Marshalltown Deemed Unfit Following July Tornadoes
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – City officials in central Iowa have designated about 60 structures as unsafe following a July tornado that damaged about 2,000 buildings.
The Times-Republican reports that the properties in Marshalltown now have small red posters that say “Dangerous building – do not occupy.”
Michelle Sponheimer is the city housing and community development director. She says the posters are a warning, not an eviction notice. Owners can decide if they want to rebuild or demolish the structure.
Sponheimer says the nonprofit Mid-Iowa Community Action is helping displaced residents find alternate housing.
Sponheimer says the city may eventually need to demolish unsafe properties that are abandoned because they pose a risk to public safety. She says the city may seek demolition funding assistance from entities such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
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Attorney’s Are Concerned About Governor Reynolds Missing A Deadline For A Judicial Appointment
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds failed to document the appointment of a district court judge by a mandated deadline in June and some attorneys
are saying it’s a slipup that has cast doubt on the judge’s authority to make rulings.
Under the Iowa Constitution, Reynolds had until June 21 to pick a judge for the eastern Iowa 6th Judicial District from two names submitted by a judicial nominating commission.
She says she told her chief of staff she’d chosen attorney Jason Besler that day but there is no proof and Besler wasn’t called until four days later. Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady says he takes her word that she made the verbal appointment.
Guy Cook, an attorney who served on a state judicial nominating
commission, says Besler’s appointment could create problems if someone who appears before him challenges his authority.
Gary Dickey, an Iowa lawyer who served as former Gov. Tom Vilsack’s chief attorney, says he plans to ask Cady to ratify the appointment to avoid such a challenge.
