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Morning headlines: Thursday, June 23, 2011

The Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water released from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota this week, so the Missouri River will rise even more in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.
(U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Jay Woods)
The Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water released from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota this week, so the Missouri River will rise even more in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri.

Another Levee Breach in Northwestern Mo.

A new levee breach in northwestern Missouri threatens to close yet another section of Interstate 29.

Holt County emergency management officials said Wednesday the Mill Creek levee has failed, sending still more floodwater into the evacuated town of Corning. Water is about 8 feet deep in the small town between the Missouri River and the Tarkio River. Officials say the failure is threatening I-29 at the 99 mile marker. The interstate is already closed 11 miles north at marker 110 in Atchison County, near the Iowa border.

Meanwhile, crews are racing to build a 4-foot earthen levee around the water treatment facility in the Holt County town of Craig. Residents there are already under orders to evacuate as floodwaters continue to rise, and most have already left.

Move to do away with St. George Moves Forward

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reportsthat the petition to put a proposed disincorporation to a binding vote will be submitted to St. Louis County within two weeks.

The newspaper says supporters of disincorporation may have already gathered the signatures of the requisite half of the city's roughly 850 voters needed for the vote, which could take place in November. Passage would require support of 60 percent of voters at the polls. Organizers say St. George has had too many scandals, many involving the now-dissolved police department.

Mo. Low-Interest Loan Program Now Permanent

Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation making permanent a Missouri program that encourages low-interest loans to small businesses and farms.

Under theMissouri Linked Deposit Program, the state deposits money in banks at low interest rates, and the banks in turn make low-interest loans to qualifying applicants. The program overseen by Missouri Treasurer Clint Zweifel had been due to expire Dec. 31, 2015. Zweifel says the extension should ease potential concerns among lenders about offering five-year, fixed rate loans under the program.