Authorities Find Male Body In Iowa River
HILLS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating after recovering a dead body from the Iowa River.
Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said Thursday that people who were fishing in the river near Hills called Wednesday night after seeing a pair of pants and boots protruding from a brush pile.
He says sheriff’s deputies and the Hills Fire Department responded to the scene using boats, and a body of a white male was recovered. Pulkrabek says the body hasn’t been identified, and appears to “have been in the water awhile.”
Pulkrabek says an autopsy by the Johnson County Medical Examiner’s office is scheduled for Thursday.
The body was located near the Hills Access park, which is popular for camping, fishing and boating and is south of Iowa City.
Body Found In Mississippi River Last Week Has Been Identified
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a body found last week in the Mississippi River was that of a missing Davenport man.
The Quad-City Times reports that 57-year-old John LaBarre was reported missing June 6. His daughter has said he was last seen at his favorite fishing spot near the bike path downstream from the Marquette Street boat ramp.
His body was found across from Buffalo.
Davenport Police Capt. Brent Biggs says an investigation into LaBarre’s death remains open, pending final results from an autopsy.
Work Crews Trying To Construct Flood Barriers Before The Next Rain
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) – Crews are working to install flood barriers in Burlington although weather forecasts say the Mississippi River will rise little in the coming days.
The Hawk Eye reports that the river on Wednesday was measured at around 16.1 feet. The National Weather Service predicts the river will rise to 16.3 feet Thursday.
The weather service said that strong to severe storms are possible Saturday in Burlington as a cold front moves through the area. Several rounds of thunderstorms likely will follow Sunday through Tuesday.
John Hasse of the weather service says heavy rainfall and possible flash flooding could occur.
Meanwhile, crews were sent Wednesday to work on a dock after it buckled from high waters.
Camp Expanding
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa camp is expanding to serve more children who are economically disadvantaged or have health problems.
KCRG-TV reports that work on a new multipurpose building at Camp Tanager is expected to finish in three weeks.
The camp’s director, Donald Pirrie, says the facility is planned for year-round use. It will have a gym that can be used for sports and to host community meetings.
Campers are currently participating in the Hemophilia program, which is designed for children with the bleeding disorder. Camper Brody Nolte says the program allows him to meet and talk with others about something they have in common.
The Linn County camp opened in the 1920s and is free for children.
Branstad Asking President Obama To Declare The Bird Flu As A Major Disaster
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says more than 1,500 workers will likely lose their jobs as a result of the bird flu outbreak and he is asking President Barack Obama to declare a major disaster for four of the hardest hit counties.
The presidential disaster declaration would draw federal help in coordinating recovery efforts.
In his letter to the president Thursday, Branstad says 438 people have sought unemployment benefits from Buena Vista, Sioux, Webster and Wright counties. More are expected to lose their jobs by August.
Branstad says Iowa’s egg industry expects losses in excess of $1 billion from lost production. Turkeys and chickens lost from the bird flu are valued at more than $83 million.
He says the outbreak is of such severity that federal assistance is necessary.
