Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities report a large power outage caused by last night’s storms is effecting several AMU customers. The utility says crews are working on restoring service at this time.  As of 7:40-a.m., AMU officials said with the exception of about 20 customers, most have had their power restored. Those who remain should see the lights come back on within the hour.

The affected AMU customers weren’t the only ones who started off their day without “juice.” Tens of thousands of other Iowa residents were without power early this morning after severe storms packing high winds and heavy rain crossed the state. The Des Moines Register reports MidAmerican Energy had more than 27,000 customers without power early Tuesday morning due to the severe weather. Alliant Energy reported nearly 12,000 Iowa customers without power, including about 6,000 in the Cedar Rapids area.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives showed nearly 800 customers without power, with the most in Franklin County.The storms were part of a large system that walloped parts of other Midwest states, including Nebraska.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Roger Herring reports the Atlantic Swimming Pool, which has been open since May 24th, has been very, very busy.  He says attendance is way up, with anywhere from 75-to 100 people using the pool each day since it opened. Herring told the Parks and Rec Board Monday evening that there’ve been no equipment problems, the facility was used for two private parties, and there’s been one special theme day, with another, family-friendly, kid-focused event in the works for July 4th.

He says for example, there’ll be a coin toss for a number of age groups, where kids jump in to retrieve coins they can keep, and a gold fish chase. There will also be trinkets from the Oriental Trading Company given away. More details about the events planned for July 4th will be released as the date approaches. Speaking of swimming, Herring reports 60 students are registered for the Swim Team, a number of whom are also registered in the Nishna Valley YMCA program. Herring says the team is doing well in competition. The team has competed two away events thus far, and placed second at both events.

In other business, Roger Herring said grading on the Senior Activity area site at Sunnyside Park has been delayed due to the weather, but work will begin as soon as possible. And, he says the number of people using the walking trails at the Schildberg Recreation Area have continued to grow. Herring said counters keeping track of users for the purpose of obtaining a Vision Iowa grant, have indicated 100-people per day are taking advantage of the outdoor walking paths to get their exercise and fresh air.

He says the counters have been taking their numerical survey for 40-days. So far, on the north side, nearly 4,000 “clicks” have been recorded. A click on the counter represents a person who is observed walking the longest portion of the trail. The inside trail is getting nearly as much use.

A two-vehicle collision in Red Oak Monday afternoon resulted in one of the vehicle ending up in a 10-foot deep hole, and both drivers being taken to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Red Oak Police says officers responded to the crash at the corner of east Reed and north 3rd Streets, at around 4:50-p.m.  When officers arrived, a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup was found to be in a hole where an abandoned building used to be. The front end of the pickup was in the dirt, while the rear was resting on rocks and cement.  The other vehicle, a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, came to a stop in the middle of the intersection.

An investigation revealed the pickup, driven by 83-year old Donovan Johnson, of Red Oak, had stopped at the intersection on north 3rd Street and left the sign too soon. The truck was struck by the PT Cruiser, driven by 28-year old Ronald Dolph, of Red Oak, as he was headed east on east Reed Street. After the collision, Johnson stopped on the road as if he was going to park, but his vehicle then took off and ended up in the hole, where it became stuck.  It’s believed Johnson mistakenly stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

Damage from the accident amounted to $9,200. No citations were issued.