The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) will not accredit the existing flood plain map for an area of southeast Des Moines that lies west of U.S. Highway 65 because of a delay in obtaining data related to Des Moines River flooding in 2008. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was to tell FEMA by today whether it could certify protection from a 100-year flood for property within its levee system in the area. The Corps of Engineers has collected data and submitted it to the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), which is creating a new computer model to determine why 2008 flooding in the area exceeded expectations. However, the Corps of Engineers would not certify the levee system until it received an analysis of the data from the DOT. Studies have shown that 2008 flood levels in the area were higher than in 1993 even though the river flow was lower. Previous modeling of the area was done prior to the construction of Highway 65. That construction occurred after the 1993 flood. Lack of FEMA certification would mean that property owners using federal funds would be required to obtain private flood insurance. The Corps of Engineers said it might have to raise the height of the levees or make other changes to certify protection from a 100-year flood.

Peoples Co. is adding foreclosure management to its real estate brokerage services with the opening of Peoples Management Group LLC (PMG). The firm plans to assume the property management and marketing responsibilities that often fall on bank executives or attorneys, Peoples President Steve Bruere said. PMG’s initial clients will consist primarily of national lending institutions, he said, adding that he has yet to see a lot of local banks in need of foreclosure services.

The Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that the state’s same-sex marriage ban violates the constitutional rights of gay and lesbian couples, making Iowa the third state to legalize gay marriage, the Associated Press reported. The decision upheld a 2007 Polk County district court judge’s ruling and stems from a 2005 lawsuit against the Polk County recorder and registrar, Timothy Brien.

Andrew Meek announced that he will close Sage restaurant in Windsor Heights on April 25 and become executive chef of Sbrocco in downtown Des Moines. In an e-mail to patrons, Meek said “I need to be challenged by food and grow my creativity without the distractions of marketing ideas, payroll taxes, increasing government regulation and other facets of running a restaurant that I do not enjoy.” Meek recently shut down Torroco! Italian Grill less than a year after it opened; he will try to sell Sage. Meek has been featured in publications including Nation’s Restaurant News, Cooking Light and Chefs Magazine.

The Iowa Leading Indicators Index fell to 101 in February from 102.2 in January, the 11th-straight month of declines from a peak of 108.4 in March 2008, according to the latest report from the Iowa Department of Revenue. Out of the index’s eight indicators, only one – the difference between the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds and 3-month Treasury notes – increased. The Iowa stock market index, average weekly manufacturing hours, unemployment insurance claims, diesel fuel consumption, the agricultural futures price index, the new orders index and new residential building permits were all negative.

Timothy Lyle has been named president and CEO of Broker Dealer Financial Services Corp., an Iowa-based registered broker dealer with 325 licensed representatives nationwide. Lyle takes over for Michael Sherzan, who had held both positions since 1991. Sherzan will continue as chairman of the board and president and CEO of Bankers Financial Services Corp., a sister company.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona will conduct a public hearing from 10 a.m. to noon April 11 in the Meadows Event Center to take comments on the future of horse racing at the gaming and entertainment complex.