DES MOINES – Iowa 3rd District Rep. Cindy Axne, Thursday,  announced that Iowa is receiving $651,082,865 in new federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law she helped get signed into law earlier this year. The funding administered by the Federal Aid-Highway Program, part of more than $5 billion that is projected to reach Iowa over the next five years, will create new jobs improving Iowa’s roads and bridges.

Iowa is ranked number one in the nation for number of structurally deficient bridges, with 4,571 bridges in poor condition. Nearly a quarter of all bridges in Iowa are in poor condition. In Iowa, more than 400 miles of highway are in poor condition. The average Iowa driver spends over $300 a year in costs related to driving on roads in need of repair.

Earlier this month, Rep. Axne announced the first $110,745,000 investment from the IIJA to upgrade Iowa’s aging water infrastructure and create jobs while addressing key challenges like lead in drinking water.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg and Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens honored heroic citizens and First Responders at the 2020 and 2021 Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards ceremony held this morning in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda. A total of 35 individuals from communities across the state were recognized for their courageous responses. This was the second year the two awards programs were combined for one very special event that featured the Iowa State Patrol Honor Guard and the National Anthem performed by Trooper Nicholas Martin.

“President Calvin Coolidge once said that ‘heroism is not only in the man, but in the occasion.’ I think another way of expressing that sentiment is that moments of sudden, life threatening danger or severe hardship are testing grounds for the heroes among us,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “When circumstances thrust them onto testing grounds, today’s award winners responded. They sprang into action, showed unparalleled courage, and placed the safety of others ahead of their own.”

Added Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, “These Iowans intentionally and selflessly provided aid and assistance in times of need. It’s an honor to celebrate those who placed the needs of others above their own and answered the call to serve.”

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards Program recognizes recipients in four different categories including:
Lifesaving with Valor, which is awarded to those individuals who at the risk of their own life, attempted to save that of another.
Lifesaving, which is awarded to those individuals who have attempted to save the life of another individual, but did not put their own life in jeopardy.
Meritorious, which is awarded to those individuals in recognition of courageous and unselfish service rendered during a time of distress.
Outstanding Service, which is presented to persons who have performed a courageous act in an attempt to save an individual who was in danger of losing his or her life or to individuals who unselfishly rendered service in a time of emergency.

The Governor’s Lifesaving Awards honored 22 civilians. Here are the local recipients:
•    Daniel Gutschenritter – Lifesaving, Creston

Daniel Gutschenritter

Cameron Goodell

•    Cameron Goodell – Lifesaving with Valor, Missouri Valley

The Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor honors the memory of George, Frank, Joe, Matt and Albert Sullivan – all in their 20’s – who served together on the USS Juneau in the Guadalcanal naval battle in the fall of 1942. All five brothers died together in a tragic attack when two Japanese torpedoes struck their ship. This year’s ceremony recognized 13 First Responders from three county sheriff’s offices and three fire departments.

To make future nominations, or for general information on the Sullivan Brothers’ Award of Valor and Governor’s Lifesaving Awards, visit the DPS website: www.dps.iowa.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two Cass County residents who excel in the spirit of selflessness and giving were presented Thursday afternoon, with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce’ “Angels of Christmas” Award. Chamber Executive Director Bailey Smith and Programs Coordinator Kelsey Beschorner along with Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson and some special guests, surprised Erich and Tammy Wickman at their place of business, Wickman Chemical, northeast of Atlantic. (Photo’s by KJAN’s Ric Hanson)

Chamber Director Bailey Smith surprises Tammy and Erich Wickman with the Angels of Christmas award.

The Wickman’s were nominated by their employees. (Read the nomination letter below)

The couple were presented with a framed certificate honoring their spirit and compassion.

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson read the nomination letter and posed with the Wickmans.

Tammy was presented also with a bouquet of flowers from Chamber Director Bailey Smith. The Angel of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic recognizing and thanking area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long–putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet.

The employees and owners of Wickman Chemical gather for a group photo.

(Audubon, Iowa) Officials with the Audubon County Emergency Management Agency, Thursday, released a statement with regard to damage from Wednesday’s storm. Mike Jensen, Emergency Management Coordinator, said “The Audubon County Emergency Management, Audubon County Sheriff’s Office and several local officials spent the morning conducting total property damage assessments over most of the County. The Audubon County Secondary Roads Department is working today [Thursday] to clear debris from the roadways and reopen the roads.

“The impact of last night’s (Wednesday night’s) storms,” Jensen said, resulted in damage primarily to out buildings and downed trees. Damage ranging from moderate to total losses were noted. While we had damage throughout the county, the primary storm system path has been identified to be from south and west of Brayton, taking a northeasterly path crossing Highway 71 just north of Exira, and proceeding on to the northeast and east central portions of the county.”

Jensen concluded by saying “Audubon County Emergency Management is taking pro-active measures working with State officials, with regard to any forthcoming declarations.” He added, “If you (the citizens of Audubon County) have any further damages, please contact Emergency Management at 712-563-3483.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Thursday (Today) issued a disaster proclamation for 43 counties in response to Iowa’s Dec. 15 severe weather.  The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program for qualifying residents, along with the Disaster Case Management Program, for the following counties: Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Bremer, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cass, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Davis, Fayette, Floyd, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Howard, Ida, Kossuth, Lucas, Madison, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Page, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Union, Washington, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Wright, and Worth.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website at https://dhs.iowa.gov/disaster-assistance-programs. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

The Disaster Case Management Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case managers work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referral to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Management Program, contact your local community action association or visit www.iowacommunityaction.org.

The proclamation also temporarily suspends regulatory provisions of the Iowa Code that pertain to procurement of goods and services, hours of service for disaster repair crews, and various requirements for the transportation of loads related to disaster repairs.  Residents of counties impacted by the recent severe weather are asked to report damage to help local and state officials better understand the damage sustained. Damage to property, roads, utilities and other storm-related information may be reported. This information will be collected by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and shared with local emergency management agencies.

Damage may be reported at www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s utilities will need a few days to get electricity restored to everyone after the powerful storm system that raked across the entire state last (Wednesday) night, packing winds approaching 90 miles an hour. Tina Hoffman, spokeswoman for MidAmerican Energy, says repair crews responded after the first outages were reported, braving the severe weather to get people back online. “We had nearly 50,000 customers at the peak experiencing an outage,” Hoffman says. “Despite really challenging working conditions overnight, our crews were able to make great progress and we’ve been able to restore over 30,000 customers just in the overnight hours.”

At least five tornadoes are confirmed to have touched down in the state during the storm and as many as 150-thousand customers statewide lost power. Hoffman says damage to MidAmerican’s power infrastructure will take time to repair — or replace. “Transmission lines and distribution lines were both affected. Those transmission lines feed the distribution lines, so in some areas it will take longer to get some of those customers on,” Hoffman says. “We’ve got all hands on deck. We’re calling in additional crews, even from neighboring utilities and we’ll be working 24-7.”

Fort Dodge and the surrounding area have significant storm damage, according to Hoffman, and some residents there may not see the power restored until Saturday morning. Also, the Council Bluffs area was hard hit by the strong, straight line winds. “We’re estimating that we’ll be able to restore most customers in that area by midnight tonight but some could take as long as 6 PM on Saturday,” Hoffman says. “Those are going to be a long few days for those folks in that area. Lots of poles that we’ll need to replace and really get in there and make some major repairs in that area.”

As Iowans survey the damage, Hoffman makes two requests of customers. “First and foremost, it’s very important to stay away from any downed lines you might see. Assume they’re energized. Don’t go near them and call us right away,” Hoffman says. “Second, if you have an outage, report it to us and we’ll get out there as quickly and as safely as we can.”

As of mid-morning, Thursday, Alliant Energy was reporting more than 27-thousand of its customers were still without power in Iowa and Wisconsin.