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Flood worries increase with rain and melting snow

March 11, 2010 By

Iowans living in low-lying areas are keeping a close eye on rivers and streams as flood warnings and flood advisories are posted across a good portion of the state. Meteorologist Roger Valhollek, at the National Weather Service, says there are several areas of particular concern.

Valhollek says, “Fort Dodge is expecting to see conditions at least up to some major flooding in that area, and even in Cedar Falls, we may see some major flooding occurring.” He says much of Iowa’s seeing a double-whammy from Mother Nature right now, on the brink of spring.

Vallhollek says, “This is all because of the snow pack that we had during the winter months and then on top of that, the rainfall that we’re getting and all of it’s beginning to melt.” Some areas of northern Iowa had nearly two-feet of snow on the ground a few days ago, but heavy rain and temperatures creeping into the 40s and 50s are bringing a big turnaround very quickly. For more information, visit :www. weather.dot.gov“.

By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City

Photo courtesy of Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Ice jams on Cedar River draw a crowd in Cedar Rapids

March 11, 2010 By

Ice jams caused some concern as they moved downstream along the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids. The Ellis Boat Harbor in northwest Cedar Rapids was a main attraction Wednesday as dozens of people watched water and ice slam up against non-moving chunks of ice.

Roxanne Repstien who grew up along the harbor and now lives nearby was surprised to see the ice backing up through the harbor. “I’ve never seen it come through and jam up in the harbor like this before and I’ve come and watch the ice go since I was a little girl,” Repstein said.

The ice jam continues to move downstream and some roads, the boat ramps, and a park are closed, but Craig Hanson with the Public Works Department says it’s not unusual for those places to flood. He says rain could help further break-up the ice. Hanson cautions people to not go near the water and to follow detours. He says it’s too tough to tell how the ice jam will continue to affect the area because it’s unpredictable.

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Weather

Harkin encouraged by vote on biodiesel

March 11, 2010 By

A tax credit on biodiesel fuel that expired in December, virtually shutting down that portion of Iowa’s renewable fuels industry, is being revived. The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to extend the dollar-a-gallon tax credit through the end of 2010.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says he’s encouraged by the vote for biodiesel. “It passed by 63 to 36 so it was a pretty strong vote for this,” Harkin says. “It’s good news for the biofuels industry, great news for Iowa. I believe the other part of the bill will provide tax and other relief for Iowa’s families and small businesses.”

Most of Iowa’s 15 biodiesel plants closed in January because of the lapsed subsidy. Harkin says the biodiesel legislation was part of a larger tax and jobs provisions package. “We have an extension of Medicaid assistance to the states, that’s so important,” Harkin says.

“We extended the unemployment and COBRA for people that’re unemployed to December 31st. At a time of crisis when people are out of work and really needing help, and when we need to ramp up our biodiesel industry, this is a very good bill.”

The Senate version of the bill needs to be reconciled with the House version before it can go on to the president.

Filed Under: Agriculture, Politics & Government Tagged With: , ,

Iowa City man charged in girlfriend’s death

March 11, 2010 By

The live-in boyfriend of an Iowa City woman who was found dead earlier this week is now charged with first-degree murder. Johnson County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the home of 34-year-old Sarah McKay at 9:30 Sunday night.

McKay was found dead in her bedroom. Her live-in boyfriend, 26-year-old Eric Osborn, admitted hitting her with a baseball bat and strangling her to death. He then tried to kill himself by cutting his wrists and neck. Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness says Osborn’s criminal history includes several drug-related charges and a drunk driving conviction one year ago.

“I would say an OWI is not going to give any indication there’s going to be this kind of violence in the future,” Lyness said. Osborn told investigators he had no idea why he killed McKay, but said it happened early Sunday morning after a night of drinking and taking drugs. He blacked out in his truck after trying to kill himself and called his mother when he awoke Sunday night.

By Jamie Brinton, KCRG-TV, Cedar Rapids

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Judge says Durant principal should not be fired

March 11, 2010 By

A judge is ruling in favor of a suspended high school principal in eastern Iowa. Following a hearing that concluded early last month, administrative law judge Larry Bartlett says in an 86-page decision that Durant High School principal Monica Rouse should not be fired. School superintendent Duane Bark suspended Rouse with pay last September.

The school board voted a month later to consider firing her, citing 15 allegations of wrongdoing, including falsifying student records and academic fraud. Rouse denied the charges and requested the hearing. Bartlett says the allegations against Rouse were not backed up by specific examples.

And he says decisions Rouse made were to benefit students and did not harm the school district. The Durant School Board will now decide whether to fire or reinstate Rouse.

By Phil Roberts, Davenport

Filed Under: Crime & Courts, Education

ISU’s season comes to an end in Big 12 tourney

March 11, 2010 By

Iowa State’s season came to anm end Wednesday night at the Big 12 Tournament. Texas used an 11-0 run in the second half to take control in an 82-75 victory over the Cyclones. After starting the season with high hopes the Cyclones close it out at 15-17.

Coach Greg McDermott says it’s frustrating that they’ve lost so many games,but he says he’s not frustrated by the way the team conducted itself. McDermott says Marquis Gilstrap will not return for next season. Gilstrap had been seeking an extra year of eligibility, but they got word back late Monday night that the appeal was denied. He says he waited to tell Gilstrap until after they were done playing.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,

Ames opens defense of state title with win over CR Washington

March 11, 2010 By

Top ranked Ames got off to a sluggish start but the Little Cyclones pulled away in the second half for a 57-44 win over Cedar Rapids Washington in a class 4A quarterfinal. Harrison Barnes had 29 points and nine rebounds to pace Ames. The Little Cyclones are a heavy favorite to win a second straight title but Barnes says their goal is to advance to the next round.

Barnes says they just try to focus in on each game and each day, because if you lose, you don’t advance.

Washington coach Brad Metzger says the Warriors tried to control the tempo but score enough to give themselves a chance. He says it’s hard to win a game in the 40′s with them and they tried to manage getting the most out of their possessions while stopping them on defense. Metzger says they did a good job, but there were places where they physically were not able to stop them.

Other 4A quarterfinal round scores.

Sioux City East 51, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 43; Linn-Mar beat Clinton 67-60; Southeast Polk outlasted West Des Moines Dowling in overtime 48-41.

Davenport Assumption opened the game by outscoring Dallas Center-Grimes 10-2 and opened the third quarter with a 9-0 run as the top ranked Knights beat the Mustangs 57-40 in a class 3A quarterfinal.

Assumption’s Joe Daniel says they like to come out and set the tone and be aggressive. He says they got a little comfortable for awhile and they can’t afford to do that in the tourney. Daniel finished with 14 points

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With:
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