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Record setting year for tornadoes in Iowa

News, Weather

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [NWS/Des Moines] — New data shows 122 tornadoes struck Iowa so far in 2024, setting a new state record. The change comes from new damage surveys released by the National Weather Service this week. The surveys confirmed two tornadoes formed in Winneshiek County back on Aug. 5, pushing the state’s annual total above the previous record. Until now, 2004 held the top spot for most tornadoes in a year with 120.

There have been just five years with 100-plus tornadoes in Iowa since records began in 1950. The state averages around 50 tornadoes annually. More than two-thirds of Iowa’s 122 twisters have occurred on just four days in the last five months. The state’s first outbreak of 2024 happened on April 16, when 17 tornadoes formed, the strongest being an EF2 that traveled across southeast Iowa.

The following week, another powerful system hit the state on April 26, producing 29 tornadoes. An EF3 destroyed much of the small town of Minden, and an EF2 caused significant damage in Pleasant Hill. In May, Iowa was dealt two more outbreaks in the same week.

May 21 brought 13 more tornadoes, including the EF4 that devastated Greenfield and killed five people. Three days later, an early-morning derecho produced 23 more tornadoes — most of them in eastern Iowa.

All tolled, a tornado touched down somewhere in Iowa on 16 different days so far this year. While peak tornado “season” has passed, Iowa still often sees tornadoes during the fall months. Multiple November outbreaks have occurred in the last couple of decades. In 2021, 63 tornadoes struck the state during a rare December derecho.

This year’s tornado count could easily still rise above 122.

ANN MARIE ELLIOTT, 79, of Council Bluffs (Memorial Svcs. 8/23/24)

Obituaries

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ANN MARIE ELLIOTT, 79, of Council Bluffs, died August 10, 2024, at her home in Council Bluffs. A Memorial Service for ANN ELLIOTT will be held 11-a.m. Friday, August 23rd, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth  Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family with arrangements.

Interment will be in the Carson Cemetery at a later date.

ANN ELLIOTT is survived by:

Her husband – John Elliott.

Her daughters – Theresa Carr, of Council Bluffs, and Lisa Ebbling, of Shenandoah.

Her son – James Carr, of Clarinda;

Her step-daughter: Susie Elliott, of Omaha.

Her step-son: Boyd (Kelly) Elliott, of Omaha.

Her sister – Amelia (John) Egizano, of Wallkill, NY.

21 grandchildren; 19 ½ great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

HARRY WARREN KEMP, 90, of Griswold (Visitation 8/19/24)

Obituaries

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

HARRY WARREN KEMP, 90, of Griswold, died Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Cass Health in Atlantic. Visitation for HARRY KEMP will be held on Monday, Aug. 19th, from 5:30-until 7:30-p.m., at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

A private family interment will take place at a later time.

HARRY KEMP is survived by:

His son – Kim Kemp, of Griswold.

His sister – Karen Alff, of Tucson, AZ

other relatives, and friends.

Atlantic City Council to act on street closures for Homecoming; Fireworks permit; PD vacation hours, & more

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic is set to meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21st, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. Among the Action items on their tentative agenda, is:

  1. An Order to Close Selected Streets on Friday, September 27, 2024, Between 2:15 P.M. and 3:30 P.M. for the Atlantic Homecoming Parade.
  2. An Order to Approve Fireworks Event Permit for Alan Zelmer at 805 West 10th Street for the Tractor Pull on August 24, 2024.
  3. An Order to Approve Engineering Agreement with Snyder & Associates for the 2025 West 22nd Street Improvements
    Project.
  4. A Resolution (# 49-24) “Extension of Maximum Vacation Hours for Police Department Employees Unable to Utilize Their Vacation Time.”
  5. An Order to Approve Pay Application #1 for $30,975.83 the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation – UV CIIPP Lining Project.
  6. A Public Hearing on a Proposed Ordinance Vacating the 66’ Wide Street Right-of-Way of West Fourth Street in the City of Atlantic, Iowa Described as Follows: Beginning at the West Right-of-Way Line of Laurel Street Extended, Thence West to the East Property Line of the Iowa Interstate Railroad. Said Parcel Containing Approximately 0.7 Acres. Said Described Real Estate is Subject to a Stormwater Sewer Easement Reserved unto and Held by the City of Atlantic, Iowa.
  7. And, the First Reading of Ordinance No. 1045 “Vacating the 66’ Wide Street Right-of-Way of West Fourth Street in the City of Atlantic (as described above).

Board of Supervisors meeting preview for Aug 20th: Montgomery & Cass Counties

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak and Atlantic, Iowa) – The Boards of Supervisors in Cass and Montgomery County will hold their regular (separate) meetings, Tuesday morning (August. 20th). In Red Oak, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting gets underway at 8:30-a.m. The only item of New business on their agenda, is discussion with regard to a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Family Connections Contract, with action as necessary. Their next regular meeting, is on August 27th at 8:30-a.m.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Board of Supervisors meeting begins a 9-a.m., Tuesday. There are several matters on their agenda, including:

  1. Presentation of the annual audit by Darren Welsh, with Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C.
  2. Approve the auditing firm contract for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024
  3. Monthly report by Jotham Arber, Executive Director of Cass/Guthrie County Environmental Health
  4. Discussion/action on the commercial lease with Fourth Judicial District, Department of Correctional Services for the premises located at 601 Walnut Street, Suite 1, Atlantic, IA.
  5. Approve Resolution 2024-25 Allocating ARPA Funds for the Anita Food Pantry Parking Lot Improvements in the amount of $15,000.
  6. Approve Resolution 2024-26 Allocating ARPA Funds to the City of Griswold Land of Oz Housing development Lift Station in the amount of $35,000.
  7. Monthly report by Mitch Holmes, Cass County Veteran Affairs Executive Director for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
  8. Quarterly report by Micah Lee, Cass County Conservation Executive Director for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
  9. Report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken.

The meeting will take place in-person, and is accessible on Zoom or over the phone. Details below:

Location Cass County Courthouse, Board Room, 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022
Join Electronically https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2899195216?pwd=R0hSa2FOOTh0NUdra1ZSdVhVW
HpMUT09
Meeting ID: 289 919 5216
Passcode: 012064
Call In 312-626-6799, press *9 to indicate you wish to speak.

The Board’s next regular meeting is September 3rd at 9-a.m.

The Montgomery County Supervisors meeting will also be held in-person and available electronically or over the phone:

Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85039693411

Call-in:

Meeting ID: 850 3969 3411

Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 If you are calling in, Press *9 to raise your hand if you wish to speak.31

Missing Arizona teen found safe in Ankeny; 20-year-old male arrested

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the FBI say a teenager from Arizona who was reported missing earlier this month after flying to Des Moines to meet with someone she met online, was found safe in Ankeny, and a 20-year male was arrested in connection with the incident. 17-year-old Liliana Munguia was located in Ankeny Friday afternoon. The FBI arrested 20-year-old Malachi Reed, charges are pending.

As previously reported, the 17-year-old was seen on home security video leaving her father’s home in Bapchule, Arizona, at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 5th. Later that evening, she purchased a plane ticket and flew from Mesa, Arizona, to Des Moines to meet an individual she had met online.

17-year-old Liliana Munguia

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate with The Moviehouse & Event Center

News

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors were on-hand, Thursday, to celebrate the opening of a new business, The Moviehouse & Event Center, located in a renovated space above Brymons Interiors in downtown Atlantic. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Jennifer Miller, owner of Brymons Interiors & Moviehouse & Event center, purchased 412 Chestnut building 6 years ago from the Mason’s. The Mason’s continued to rent the top levels of the building to host meetings, but the elevator fell out of operation, and the group found other arrangements for the meetings. When the movie theater left Downtown Atlantic, Jennifer recognized the need and went to the drawing board. In March of this year, Jennifer and her daughter Cambrie began cleaning, painting, remodeling and installing equipment.

The Moviehouse & Event Center shows movies that are “current release” or “classic” movie every Saturday night. Jennifer shared that as fall and winter approach they may increase the amount of showings and possibly add a matinee. Jennifer looks forward to community feedback and requests to help guide their selections.

Pictured from Left to Right: Jeremy Butler, Chris Parks, Jennifer McEntaffer, Dr. Keith Leonard, Krysta Hanson, Kennedy Freund, Sue Liston, Ruth Sears, Colt Doherty, Jennifer Miller, Elaine Otte, Anne Quist, Dolly Bergmann, Gabby Wahlert, Lana Westphalen, Emily Symonds, Connie Wahls, Julie Waters, Alden Harriman, Kathie Hockenberry, DeeDee Kalny, Bailey Smith

The Moviehouse & Event Center is located at 412 1/2 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. For more information and movie scheduled visit their Facebook page @The Moviehouse & Events Center.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024

Weather

August 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 84. North northwest wind 6 to 11 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 59. North northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning.
Tom. Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Light east northeast wind.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low this morning, was 62. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 77 and the Low was 68. The Record High here on Aug. 17th, was 108 in 1936. The Record Low was 38 in 1897. Sunrise today: 6:30-a.m.; Sunset: 8:17-p.m.

Perdue Foods LLC, Recalls Frozen, Ready-To-Eat Chicken Breast Nugget and Tender Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

News

August 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2024 – Perdue Foods LLC, a Perry, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 167,171 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender products that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, ready-to-eat chicken breast nugget and tender items were produced on March 23, 2024. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

  • 22-oz. (1.38-lbs.) vacuum-sealed plastic packages containing “PERDUE Simply  Smart ORGANICS Breaded CHICKEN BREAST NUGGETS” with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.
  • 29-oz. (1.81-lbs.) vacuum-sealed plastic packages containing “PERDUE CHICKEN BREAST TENDERS with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.
  • 22-oz. (1.38-lbs.) vacuum-sealed packages containing “BUTCHERBOX Organic Chicken Breast Nuggets” with Best If Used By date of “03 23 25” represented on the back of the package.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-33944” on the back of the package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and sold online directly to consumers.

The problem was discovered after the firm received consumer complaints about metal wire embedded in the product and notified FSIS of the issue.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Perdue Consumer Care at 1-866-866-3703.

Griswold Football is Motivated for upcoming season

Sports

August 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The start of the 2024 football season is less than two weeks away for the Griswold Tigers and they’re ready to move on from their (1-8) campaign a year ago. One of the biggest strengths for this year’s Tigers team will be the amount of depth they bring back since they had no players graduate last year. Second year head coach Seth Lembke is excited with the plethora of experience his team will have.

The leadership coach Lembke has seen from his seniors has been one positive take away from summer workouts and practice.
Griswold’s offense will be assisted by senior quarterback Bode Wyman who threw for over 1200 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. Next to him in the back field will be senior Zane Johnson with 5 touchdowns last season and sophomore Owen Johnson who picked up 334 yards rushing in 2023.

Defensively Griswold will be looking to tackling leader (46.5) senior Wyatt Petersen and sack leader (4) sophomore Owen Johnson for help with a defense that was allowing 54.5 points per game. Coach Lembke is positive with the talent that his team has stored.
Coach Lembke was candid about the recent struggle that Griswold football has had in the last decade with winning football games. Still, he believes in the capability of the 2024 Tigers team to change that.
Looking at the upcoming season for Griswold coach Lembke says fans can expect excitement and passion from his squad.
The Tigers first game of the season is on August 30th at home against the Boyer Valley Bulldogs.