ROCK VALLEY – Dozens of Iowa communities received the wrath of heavy rain that fell Thursday through Saturday across the northern tier of counties in the state. Governor Kim Reynolds and the State of Iowa mobilized state and federal resources over the weekend as the cities of Spencer and Rock Valley were mostly underwater. Those communities were among many that received more than six inches of rainfall, and a levee failure led to mass evacuations in Rock Valley. The Iowa State Patrol and Iowa DOT at one point issued a travel advisory for Lyon, Sioux, O’Brien, Clay, Emmet and Dickinson Counties. The storm also prompted evacuations and rescues, and damage is widespread. The National Weather Service reports many rivers in northwest Iowa exceeded record flood stages in 1993. Many streams downstream from the heaviest rain may rise rapidly in the coming days as the excessive precipitation begins to drain from the worst of the flooded area.

ADAIR – An appeal made by the former Adair Police Chief found guilty of misusing his position to purchase machine guns was denied. KCCI-TV reports Brad Wendt will not get a new trial after he was found guilty for 11 federal charges. The judge in the case shared evidence that included texts and law letters Wendt made during his tenure.

INDIANOLA – Simpson college students received a unique opportunity while studying abroad in India. The group received a personal blessing from the Dalai Lama, according to the Des Moines Register. The class they were attending was called “Tibetan Diaspora in India: Religion and Culture” and was part of an 18-day trip overseas.