DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — More disaster proclamations have been issued for Iowa counties affected by recent severe weather in the state. Gov. Terry Branstad on Wednesday issued proclamations for Clinton, Crawford, Des Moines, Hardin, Lee and Shelby counties.

The proclamations mean state resources can be used to respond to flooding and severe weather. The proclamation for Clinton, Des Moines, Hardin, and Lee counties is in response to weather that began June 26. The proclamation for Crawford and Shelby counties is for weather that began June 13.

Several counties under proclamations will also be able to utilize the state’s individual assistance program. That offers grants of up to $5,000 to certain low-income households. Branstad has issued proclamations since Monday for other counties around the state.

An medical condition caused an accident Tuesday afternoon in Audubon County that sent a Cass County man to the hospital. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 4:40-p.m. Tuesday on Highway 71, about two miles north of Exira. Officials say 59-year old Danny Ray Green, of Lake City, was traveling north on Highway 71, while 31-year old Michael David Updike, of Atlantic, was traveling southbound.

When Updike fainted, his 2004 Ford Explorer crossed the center line of the road and struck the rear tandem tires of the 2004 Freightliner semi driven by Green and registered to Randy’s of Carroll. Updike was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital by Exira Fire and Rescue. He’s been charged with Failure to Maintain Control.

Damage from the accident amounted to $11,000.

Floodwaters are still rising in parts of eastern and southern Iowa after heavy rains earlier this week. Several severe storms in recent weeks have caused many millions of dollars damage to homes and businesses, crops, roads and bridges. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is in eastern Iowa for town hall meetings this week and called from Muscatine. “On the road, I’m seeing tremendous damage done by downpours and the wind,” Grassley says. “It’s really shocking and recovery will be challenging.” Six more counties were declared state disaster emergencies late Tuesday by the governor, following Monday’s violent weather which included four tornadoes statewide. Grassley says it’s possible Iowa will qualify for federal aid.

Grassley says, “If it’s determined that the federal law threshold has been met for federal disaster requests, I will very promptly urge President Obama to approve the request from Governor Branstad.” The state declarations allow for the use of state resources in the disaster response process, but the federal dollars would bring more tools for rebuilding and recovery.

Grassley says, “The damage is great and there’s loss in agriculture and of both private and public property.” Flooding and storm damage has forced the closure or partial closure of at least a dozen state parks, heading into the 4th of July holiday, what’s typically a very busy camping weekend.

(Radio Iowa)

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) invites Iowans to join a statewide series of “Community Conversations” this month to help shape the future of arts, history and culture in Iowa in conjunction with revitalization plans being developed for the State Historical Building of Iowa. In southwest Iowa, the meetings will be held: Monday, July 28h from 3-to 5-pm at the Wilson Performing Arts Center, in Red Oak; Tuesday, July 29th from 8-to 10-am at the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs, and later that same day in Elk Horn, from Noon until 1:30-p.m., at the Museum of Danish America. The meetings will include a brief introduction from DCA followed by an active discussion facilitated by its Master Planning consultant, Lord Cultural Resources.

DCA Director Mary Cownie said “Since the State Historical Building is the hub for the Department of Cultural Affairs, it serves as the heart and soul of our statewide outreach. As part of our revitalization planning, we are hosting Community Conversations to listen to Iowans and gather input about the visitor experience at the State Historical Building, the department and how we can better serve the state. These efforts must go hand-in-hand, so we invite Iowans to attend and share their thoughts and ideas about arts, history and culture, and how they impact our quality of life in Iowa.”

R.S.V.P. for a Community Conversation today at www.culturalaffairs.org. Iowans who cannot attend but want to participate may join the conversation at www.culturalaffairs.org or on Facebook and Twitter by using #iowaculture.

Gov. Terry E. Branstad today (Wednesday) announced appointments to fill Iowa’s Regional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Advisory Boards. Each of the individuals’ appointments began July 1st, and is not subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

Branstad appointed Mary Trent, of Carroll, to the Northwest Regional STEM Advisory Board, and, Kimberly Carter from Council Bluffs, Carol LaFaver, from Creston and Lori Stitz from Harlan, to the Southwest Regional STEM Advisory Board.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad paid a visit to Atlantic this (Wednesday) morning. The Governor spoke with representatives of the City and County, and hospital administrators before taking a private tour of the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

During the meeting, Branstad spoke briefly about recent storm damage in the state, but his primary focus was on health care, and making Iowa one of the healthiest states in the nation. He said that starts with excellent healthcare, close to home. Branstad said he was aware of, the recent multi-million dollar spending on renovations that have taken place at CCMH as part of that process.

Gov. Branstad with CCMG CEO Todd Hudspeth. (Photo provided)

CEO Todd Hudspeth went into a little more detail about the changes.  He said they had made a $25-million dollar addition to the facility over the past 3 years, tore down part of the structure and added a new in-patient wing and emergency room surgery. The process also involved extensive remodeling of the rest of the facility.

Cass-Atlantic Development Corporation (CADCO) Vice President Pat McCurdy told the Governor that the hospital plays a very important role in economic development when businesses are thinking about moving to or expanding in Cass County. Branstad said the goal of being the healthiest state in the nation wouldn’t be possible without a public-private partnership. He said that type of cooperation is a better approach than what the Obama Administration is doing.

He says the State has been working with Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Hy-Vee and others. They also passed the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, which uses Accountable Care organizations in terms of a delivery system. Branstad said “This is a much better approach than just expanding Medicaid, which was the Obama way, and, as you know that’s got plenty of problems and controversy.” He said the State is trying to come up with its own direction “A truly Iowa plan,” that he says so far, is “Off to a pretty good start.”

As a way of “Leading by example” when it comes to healthy living, Branstad said he’s lost 12-pounds – enough to wear the Army uniform he wore in 1971 – while wife has lost 25 pounds. Branstad was scheduled to make other appearances today (Wednesday) in Mondamin, Onawa and Guthrie Center.

Police in Atlantic report two people were arrested Tuesday on unrelated charges. 50-year old Brenda Buboltz, of Atlantic, was arrested for Assault, Disorderly Conduct, and Public Intoxication 2nd Offense. And, 34-year-old Amanda Maier, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Cass County Warrant for Theft in the 4th degree.

Both women were booked into the Cass County Jail.