LOCAL

 IOWA-FLOOD THREAT
     Flood threat continues in Iowa
    
     DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Flood watches and warnings remain in
effect across Iowa as rivers and creeks continue to rise because of
melting snow and rain.
     In central Iowa, Iowa Highway 4 north of Jefferson was closed
Thursday morning because of water flowing across the road.
Officials says it's a low-lying area and the flooding was caused by
snowmelt.
     In Cedar Rapids, an ice jam on the Cedar River that closed part
of a downtown city street has moved on, and the street has
reopened. However, a park and boat ramps remain closed because of
debris and ice.
     In Des Moines, ice jams on the Raccoon River have passed through
the city, leaving giant chunks of ice along the riverbanks. Police
had to hustle to check homeless camp and warn those camping along
the river.
    
    
 IOWA-UI FLOOD PREPARATIONS
     University of Iowa gets ready for flooding
    
     IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The University of Iowa is stockpiling
barriers, sand, pumps and other supplies just in case of flooding
in Iowa City this spring.
     University President Sally Mason told a Staff Council meeting on
Wednesday that the likelihood of flooding is unknown, but officials
don't want to take any chances.
     The university is still recovering from the June 2008 flood that
caused an estimated $743 million in campus damage.
     Mason says it's still early, but they learned their lesson and
the university is stockpiling supplies, just in case.
    
    
 IOWA-SUSPECT DIES
     Iowa man accused of attacking girlfriend dies
    
     DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Des Moines authorities say a man who
tried to hang himself after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend
with a bat has died.
     Fifty-year-old Richard Yazell died at a hospital on Tuesday.
     Yazell was charged with attempted murder. He was accused of
assaulting Ora Tigner on March 3. Police found Yazell hanging in a
garage behind a house. Police found Tigner inside the home.
     According to police, Yazell called dispatchers and said that
Tigner had been injured. When questioned, Yazell ended the call.
     Detectives say their investigation is closed. Tigner continues
to recover.
    
    
 PLAYER SUSPENSION
     Iowa high school basketball player suspended
    
     DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Southeast Polk High School has suspended
a starting player on the boys' basketball team while the Rams play
in the state tournament.
     School officials say Tony Sandquist must sit out two games for
violating the student conduct code last month for attending a party
where alcohol was present.
     The decision came on Wednesday, hours before the Rams beat West
Des Moines Dowling in a Class 4-A quarterfinal game. The Rams face
Marion Linn-Mar on Friday.
     School officials told Sandquist on March 1 that he would be
suspended for the rest of the season. Last week, a judge issued an
injunction blocking the suspension. On Friday, the judge ruled the
school could suspend Sandquist.
     Sandquist's lawyers say he maintains his innocence and will ask
for another review.
    
    
 IOWA STATE-GILSTRAP
     Gilstrap done at Iowa State
    
     DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa State coach Greg McDermott says
senior Marquis Gilstrap won't return next season after the school's
request for an extra year of eligibility was denied.
     The 22-year-old Gilstrap began an injury-plagued career in
junior college five years ago. Iowa State had appealed to the NCAA
to give Gilstrap one more season under the medical hardship rule.
     McDermott announced the NCAA's ruling shortly after the Cyclones
lost to Texas 82-75 in the Big 12 tournament Wednesday night.
     Gilstrap was the only Big 12 player to average at least 10
points and 10 rebounds in conference games. He scored 17 points and
grabbed eight rebounds in the loss to the Longhorns.