Weather Services Say Flooding For 2020 Is Likely
(Omaha) — The National Weather Service has released the first of its three spring flood forecasts. David Pearson is a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Omaha. He says the outlook is “grim” for western Iowans who live along the Missouri River below Sioux City. The soil in the Missouri River basin is saturated.
For the second year in a row, the risk of major flooding along the
Mississippi River on the EASTERN side of Iowa is high. National Weather Service Hydrologist Jessica Brooks says there’s more snow is on the ground in Minnesota and Wisconsin than there was at this time last year.
More flood projections will be released in late February and mid-March.
Communities along the lower Missouri River already were bracing for the prospect of more flooding this spring because many of their levees remain in poor shape after last year’s massive flooding. Nearly everywhere that flooded last year in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri is at some risk to flood again because of the extensive damage to levees.
Yesterday, Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation that sets aside 21 MILLION dollars in state money for flood-related projects.
Spencer Firefighters Find Body In Burning Home
SPENCER, Iowa (AP) – Firefighters battling flames at a house fire in northwest Iowa have found a body. The blaze was reported a little after 8 a.m. Thursday in Spencer. Firefighters report that flames were visible when they arrived. They found the body inside the house. The person’s name hasn’t been released. An autopsy was ordered. The fire cause is being investigated.
State Senate Passes Anti-Abortion Bill To Start Process For An Amendment To Iowa Constitution
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate has passed a resolution that would amend the Iowa Constitution to declare there is no right to an abortion in the state. The measure passed 32-18 with only Republican votes. It says the Iowa Constitution “shall not be construed to recognize, grant or secure a
right to abortion or to require the public funding of abortion.” It must pass in the House this year and the legislature again in 2021 or 2022 before it goes to a statewide vote. If voters eventually approve, the amendment would make it easier for lawmakers to pass abortion restrictions in Iowa. Republican State Senator Jim Carlin of Sioux City who represents northern Woodbury County and Plymouth County commented on the legislation.
Carlin is uncertain whether the bill will pass the Iowa House
School District Reaches Settlement With Family After Bus Fire Killed Student And Bus Driver
OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) – A western Iowa school district has agreed to pay an undisclosed amount in a settlement to the family of 16-year-old girl who died in a 2017 school bus fire that also killed the 74-year-old bus driver.
The Daily Nonpareil reported Thursday that Riverside Community School District had reached the settlement with the family of Megan Klindt, who died when the bus became stuck in a ditch, leading to a fire in the engine compartment that spread to the passenger compartment. The fire also killed driver Donnie Hendricks. Klindt’s family sued for negligence and wrongful
death in 2018, saying the school district knew Hendricks was in poor health and still allowed him to drive the bus.
40 Year Murder Case Finally Goes To Trial
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A prosecutor told jurors on the opening day of a murder trial that they were going on a journey in time to learn about an Iowa high school girl who was slain more than 40 years ago. Testimony began Wednesday in the trial of Jerry Burns. He’s accused of fatally stabbing 18-
year-old Michelle Martinko at a Cedar Rapids mall. A prosecutor says Martinko’s lungs and aorta were pierced and she lost about a third of her blood. The prosecutor also says DNA shows that Burns’ blood was found at the crime scene. But defense attorney Leon Spies told jurors that evidence will show Burns isn’t guilty of first-degree murder.
Man Suspected Of Killing Two Waterloo Women Is Arrested In Illinois
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a man suspected of killing two women at his Waterloo home in northeast Iowa has been arrested in Illinois.
Matthew Buford III surrendered to police in Peoria, Illinois, late Wednesday night. He’s being held on warrants listing two counts of first-degree murder. Court records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him. He’s accused of killing 42-year-old Tamica Allison and 41-year-old Andrea Anderson. Police say Allison lived in the home with Buford, and Anderson was visiting. Officers and medics who were called to the home
around 11:20 p.m. Monday found the two bodies.
