DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI]  — Reports from some Iowans and others across the Midwest, Friday morning, say they saw an unexpected spectacle in the sky. A fireball meteor streaked through the atmosphere around 6:15 a.m. The meteor itself was located over southwestern Wisconsin but was visible from hundreds of miles away.

NASA’s Meteor Watch reports that “over 70 eyewitnesses in the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota have filed reports on the American Meteor Society website of a bright fireball seen this morning (August 23) at 6:13 AM Central Daylight Time. An analysis of these accounts indicates that the meteor was first seen at an altitude of 50 miles above the Wisconsin town of Fairchild, moving slightly east of South at 36,000 miles per hour. Traveling 39 miles through the atmosphere, it brightly flared twice before breaking up 29 miles above the town of Shamrock.”

Meteors often break up as they enter the atmosphere and can explode, which is just what Meteor Watch says happened: “The fireball broke apart with an energy of approximately 60 tons of TNT and the flares were easily detected by the Geostationary Lightning Mappers on the GOES 16 and GOES 18 satellites. The available data indicate that the meteor was produced by the atmospheric entry of a small asteroid 3.5 feet in diameter and weighing roughly 4000 pounds.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is speaking out against Kamala Harris’s southern border policy outlined in her acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination. Hinson’s comments came after Vice President Harris said she would approve the bipartisan border security bill the Donald Trump opposed.
Hinson says the bill simply wouldn’t do enough.

Hinson made her comments during her weekly conference call with reporters and says Harris’s stance on the southern border had been virtually nonexistent before the convention.

Hinson, who represents Iowa’s second district, went on to criticize the Vice President for not yet having met with the head of the Border Patrol Union so close to the election.

The latest data from the Iowa Association of Realtors shows home prices are up by more than six percent last month compared to July of last year. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

(As said) – From July of 2023 to July of this year, there was a two-point-seven percent increase in the total number of homes sold in Iowa and the median price was 15-thousand dollars higher. However, from June to July, pending home sales declined about two percent. The president of the Iowa Association of Realtors says inventory is the bright spot in Iowa’s housing market. There was a nearly five percent increase in the number of homes LISTED for sale in July of this year compared to July of 2023. A TOTAL of 77-hundred Iowa homes were on the market in July. That’s 22-point-six percent more than July of last year.

Lloyd & Sharon of Cass County were inducted into the 2024 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H Exhibits Building at the Iowa State Fair on Sunday, Aug. 18. Ninety-three Iowa

Lloyd and Sharon Roberts photo submitted for Iowa 4-H Foundation Hall of Fame Nomination

counties participated this year and selected 125 inductees for their outstanding service and dedication to 4-H. Inductees or their surviving family members were presented a certificate by the Iowa 4‑H Foundation President, Jeff Murphy, and State 4-H Program Leader, Mitchell Hoyer, as they were introduced on stage.

The commitment, passion, and contributions that Sharon and Lloyd Roberts have left in Cass County have made an indelible mark on the lives of many people and the community. For over 30 years, they have been active 4-H parents, with all four of their sons participating in Cass County 4-H. Lloyd served as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent for Rabbits, and as a night guard at the Cass County Fair. Sharon volunteered in the 4-H Exhibit building and assisted with check-in during judging. Along with these volunteer opportunities they also became a host family for a 4-Her from North Dakota.

Counties select inductees for their exceptional work in contributing to the lives of 4-H members and the overall 4-H program, said Katie Bateman, Cass County Youth Coordinator. Many inductees serve as club leaders, youth mentors, fair superintendents or fair board members, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach County council members, county youth council members, fair judges, financial supporters, chaperones or ISU Extension and Outreach staff members. The inductees have demonstrated dedication, encouragement, commitment and guidance to Iowa’s 4-H’ers through the years.

“We are honored to recognize these special individuals, for their advocacy and dedication to the Iowa 4-H program,” shared Iowa 4-H Foundation Executive Director, Emily Saveraid.

“This is a great way to honor the volunteers and staff across the state of Iowa that generously give their time and talents to foster positive partnerships with our 4-H youth,” said Tillie Good, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager.

Kurt Roberts (Lloyd and Sharon’s son) accepting the honor at the Iowa State Fair August 18th at the 4-H Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

The Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame was initiated in 2002 to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of 4-H. A summary of previous honorees was on display at the 2022 Iowa State Fair in the 4-H Exhibits Building.  These summaries are also available at the Iowa 4-H Foundation office in the Extension 4-H Youth Building at Iowa State University. Information about previous inductees to the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame also is available on the Iowa 4-H Foundation website, organized by year and by county. Go to www.iowa4hfoundation.org/ and under the heading “What We Do” select “Recognizing Service” then “Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Cass County woman was arrested Friday morning in Red Oak, following an investigation into an incident at the Tractor Supply Store, in Red Oak. According to Red Oak Police, 31-year-old Ashley Dawn Eden, of Griswold, was arrested at around 10:15-a.m., for 5th degree theft, and unlawful possession of a prescription drug.

Eden was taken to the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond pending further court proceedings.

(Atlantic, Iowa – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by First Whitney Bank on Friday, August 23rd, 2024, to celebrate the completion of the 300 Chestnut Street Apartments.

Paul Gude, CEO and President of First Whitney Bank, shared about the 4-year process of acquiring and renovating the building began with working with the Southwest Iowa Planning Council to secure a Downtown Housing Grant. Paul thanked the City of Atlantic and SWIPCO for the diligent work, and said it was very important to use all local business to get the project done. From the appliances to the Wi-Fi it all was all done locally.

Pictured Left to Right: Anthony Drogo, Trey Cappel, Lucas Mosier, Eric Steinhoff, Kyle Lenderman, Garrett Eblen, Chris Parks, John Bricker, Rob Clausen, Janet Cappel, Dr. Keith Leonard, Sonya Clausen, Kennedy Freund, Lana Westphalen, Dolly Bergmann, Krysta Hanson, Megan Sramek, Bill Saluk, Elaine Otte, Alisha Wagner, Jason Nicholas, Paul Gude, Jeremy Butler, Jennifer McEntaffer, Anne Quist, Scott Bennett, Jake Olsen, Jeff Christensen, Bailey Smith, Jeff Gude, Kelsey Beschorner

The upstairs apartments include two, two-bedroom apartments, and two, one-bedroom apartments. The building includes a commercial space on the lower level, that will be “completed to order” for the tenant that moves into the space. Paul shared there are a few prospects in the works to occupy the commercial space.

For availability and information about the 300 Chestnut Street Apartments, call First Whitney Bank at 712-243-3195.

(Radio Iowa) – A death investigation is underway in Charles City after the discovery of two bodies in a house. A Charles City Police Department Facebook post about 1:30 pm Thursday afternoon alerted the public of the investigation and that “there is no reason to believe there is any danger or risk to the public.”

CCPD was dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of Court Street in Charles City shortly before noon. There, Chief Hugh Anderson says upon entry to the home, two people were found dead. The Iowa DCI was notified and assisted with the incident and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

At this time, no names are being released as authorities work to contact family members.

(Radio Iowa) – At least two more Iowa schools have recently moved to ban smart phones from high school classrooms. Casey Berlau, the superintendent of Carroll Community Schools, says cell phones were already prohibited in elementary and middle school classrooms in the district, but the ban now extends to the high school. High schoolers will be allowed to put their cell phones, smart watches and ear buds in their lockers.

Each class lasts for 41 minutes and Berlau says without the distraction of a cellphone, students are likely to be more engaged in what’s happening inside the classroom.

Dallas Center-Grimes recently adopted a policy that bans cell phones from high school classrooms. In May, Des Moines Hoover High School administrators announced students would not be allowed to use smart phones, AirPods or other personal electronics during the school day. High schoolers in Ottumwa may take their phones to school, but have to store the devices in their locker all day.