LE MARS FLOOD IMPACTS
FEMA teams are expected in Le Mars soon, to assess flood damage. This is Fire Rescue Chief Dave Schipper.
They will also discuss ways to prevent future flood damages.
One other note from Schipper flood report to the city council. He said at no time was the city’s water supply in danger. Schipper received several calls from people concerned about shutting off water because of the flood. He says Le Mars’ water source is safe from floods and at no time was it in danger.
NORTHWEST REC BUSINESS DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM
The Board of Directors of North West REC has approved a Business Disaster Loan program to provide working capital assistance to small commercial and industrial businesses in Plymouth, Sioux, O’Brien and Ida counties who have had their operations affected by the recent flooding event. The loans will assist with working capital needs for up to 5 years at zero percent interest. Funding amounts range from 5-thousand to 20-thousand dollars. The cooperative will accept applications on an on-going basis for weekly review until program funds are exhausted. Businesses that are interest in learning more about this program or want to submit an application can contact the Orange City office of North West REC.
NW IOWA FLOODING EXACERBATES IOWA’S HOUSING SHORTAGE
State officials estimate two-thousand homes were damaged or destroyed during recent flooding in northwest Iowa. After previous flooding in Cherokee, FEMA bought out 40 properties. Another 70 homes in Cherokee were destroyed in this year’s flooding and Cherokee Mayor Craig Schmidt doesn’t know where people will go because all the other nearby towns have the same problem — no workers and no housing. Governor Reynolds says the state needs to figure out how to combine state and local resources and get new homes built as quickly as possible. The governor says she and her staff are trying to come up with some type of transitional housing plan as well as incentives for developers that build homes and apartments.
HIGH WATER ADDS CONCERNS FOR HOLIDAY BOATERS
Iowa D-N-R Boating Law Administrator, Susan Stocker, says continued rain has caused water levels and conditions to change daily as boaters head out for the holiday. She says make sure wherever you’re going to check to make sure the ramps are open because high water could force some ramps to closes. The flooding has washed all kinds of debris into the water and it may be tough to tell what is lurking below. Stocker says what looks like a small log could potentially be a 30 foot tree that is under the surface. Stocker where a lifejacket so you have it on if you do hit something and are thrown from the boat.
LAWMAKER CONSIDERING BILL AFTER COURT RULING ON CHILDREN’S TESTIMONY IN ABUSE CASES
The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled it was unconstitutional to let two children testify remotely against an alleged abuser. The children were in the judge’s office and their testimony was shown in the courtroom, but four Iowa Supreme Court justices ruled that violated the defendant’s right to confront his accusers. A University of Iowa law school professor says the opinion may have been different if it was a two-way video connection and the children had a view of the defendant in the courtroom. State Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the ruling is outrageous and she may sponsor a bill to make it clear children may testify against an alleged abuser via two-way video.