The U-S Army Corps of Engineers is operating the Missouri River reservoir system in drought conservation mode and doesn't expect much to change for at least a few months.
Despite plentiful rainfall this spring, Corps engineer Kevin Stom says runoff in the region continues to be very low.
Jody Farhat, head of the water control division for the Omaha Corps office, says water-saving efforts are underway.
Farhat says the Corps may have to take further steps if the dry conditions persist.
The Corps reports the runoff forecast in the region north of Sioux City is well below where it should be. It's gauged at 20-million acre feet, which is 79-percent of normal.
THE SUSPECT ACCUSED OF THE APRIL 29TH SHOOTING OF A SIOUX CITY POLICE OFFICER HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE FIVE CHARGES AGAINST HIM IN THE CASE.
22 YEAR OLD JAMAL DEAN IS CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER, ASSAULT CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON AGAINST A PEACE OFFICER, WILLFUL INJURY AND GOING ARMED WITH INTENT.
DEAN APPEARED FRIDAY MORNING AT AN ARRAIGNMENT BEFORE JUDGE JOHN ACKERMAN IN WOODBURY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT:
JUDGE ACKERMAN SET AN AUGUST 6TH TRIAL DATE FOR THE CASE.
DEAN REMAINS IN CUSTODY IN THE WOODBURY COUNTY JAIL.
Powerball officials say the jackpot has now climbed to an estimated $600 million dollars, making it the largest prize in the game's history and the world's second largest lottery prize.
Iowa Lottery spokesperson, Mary Neubauer, says a number that big grabs everyone's attention.
A record Powerball jackpot of 587-million dollars was won in November. Neubauer says the switch from a one-dollar to a two-dollar ticket for Powerball has helped create bigger jackpots more often.
The next Powerball drawing is 9:59 p-m on Saturday. In Iowa, you can buy a ticket for Saturday's drawing up until 8:59 p-m that day.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are about 1 in 175 million.
