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Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate with Speedforce Internet Cafe

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Justen and Tara Templeman, owners of Speedforce Internet Café, on Friday April 26th, 2024, to celebrate the new business located on Chestnut Street.

Justen has fond memories of growing up in Atlantic and getting together with friends at the “Underground.” Game enthusiasts would get together to play board games and card games in a casual welcoming environment. Justen and his wife Tara wanted to recreate a space like the Underground and opened a place in Walnut. The Templeman’s found that a majority of their customers in Walnut were coming from Atlantic, so they set out to find a space in town.

Pictured from Left to Right: Chris Parks, Megan Sramek, Dolly Bergmann, Tara Templeman, Jim Kickland, Alisha Wagner, Justen Templeman, Sue Liston, Elaine Otte, Jen McEntaffer, Steve Tjepkes, Julie Waters, Jeff Christensen, Anne Quist, Kelsey Beschorner

Speedforce Internet Café is open Wednesday and Thursday 2pm-8pm, Friday 2pm-10pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 8pm. During business hours, customers can gather with friends to play boardgames such as Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and Disney’s Locana, and more. Speedforce Internet Cafe also has an online store where gamers can purchase playing cards to better their game. Tara and Justen hope to host gaming events and competitions in the future as their gaming community grows.

Speedforce Internet Café is located at 317 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. For more information visit their Facebook page or call 712-249-6420.

Creston man injured in a single vehicle accident Saturday morning

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from Creston suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries Saturday morning, when he veered for a deer on the road and ended-up losing control of the car he was driving. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened at around 7:54-a.m., as 19-year-old Aiden James Evans was driving a 2006 Infiniti G35 eastbound on Rea Road, near 12 mile Lake.

Evans told authorities a deer was in the middle of the road. When he swerved in order to avoid hitting the animal, Evans’ car entered the south ditch and struck a grove of trees.

Evans was wearing his seat belt. He complained of wrist pain, but was not treated at the scene. The car sustained $6,000 damage and was declared a total loss.

Shelby County Supervisors declare a State of Emergency

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Shelby County have declared a State Of Emergency, as authorized under Iowa Statutory Law, following the destructive storms that struck the area on April 26th. In a press release, the Board said their action will result in the expenditure of emergency funds from all available sources, the invoking of mutual aid agreements. Approximately 60 homes sustained damage ranging from minor to destroyed. No towns were taking a direct hit in the county. The properties affected are in rural areas or on the edge of the incorporated limits. Officials say the goal is to complete the damage assessments by the weekend’s end. Utilities, some roadways, and the County Landfill were also damaged. At this time, the landfill will be closed until further notice.

Shelby County Courthouse, Harlan, IA

A number of trained professionals watched as a massive multi vortex tornado moved into Shelby County at around 6:05-p.m., Friday. There was significant damage between Portsmouth and Harlan with homes having been destroyed, outbuildings, grain bins and trees shredded and blown throughout fields. The Shelby County Golf Course north of Harlan sustained significant damage, with the roof torn off the clubhouse, sheds losing their roofs, and trees down all over the golf course.

The tornado moved from west of Harlan to the west edge of Harlan and traveled along highway 44, up highway 59 and Linden road to just south of Defiance, causing extensive damage. A tornado was observed just west of Manilla at about 7 pm.

According to the Shelby County EMA’s office, approximately 60 homes sustained damage ranging from minor to destroyed. Officials say the goal is to complete the damage assessments by the weekend’s end. Utilities, some roadways, and the County Landfill were also damaged. At this time, the landfill will be closed until further notice.

2 fatal crashes in northern IA over the weekend

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Delaware & Cerro Gordo Counties) – The Iowa State Patrol reports two people died and two others were injured in separate crashes over the past couple of days. One person was killed and two others were injured in a Delaware County crash Friday afternoon. The Patrol says a Polaris Ranger UTV was traveling southbound on 190th Ave in Rural Ryan around 2:30-p.m., when the operator of the machine, 39-year-old Kyle James Kelchen, of Manchester, failed to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle was then struck by a pick-up truck that was traveling eastbound on 310th Street. Both vehicles came to rest in a ditch. Kelchen died at the scene.

The driver of the pickup, 67-year-old Gerald John Beitz, and his passenger, 65-year-old Susan Eileen Beitz, both of Monticello, were injured but did not require transport to the hospital. Both were wearing their seat belts. The crash remains under investigation.

Late Saturday night, a wrong-way driver on Interstate 35 in Cerro Gordo County, died when the 2008 Chevy Cobalt he was driving, collided with a 2015 Freightliner semi. The driver of the car was identified as 40-year-old Glen Evan Hemming, of Mason City. The accident happened as the car was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of traffic at around 11:20-p.m., near mile marker 194. The Patrol says the driver of the semi – a man from Burnsville, MN – was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

Red Oak man arrested Sunday morning on a felony warrant

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report a man was arrested early Sunday morning (April 28), on a Felony warrant. 28-year-old Dylan Elwood Taylor, of Red Oak, was arrested on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Theft in the 2nd Degree – a Class D Felony. Taylor was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

[Updated 4/28/24] Storm damage & event assessments underway; Union County tornadoes rated EF-2

News, Weather

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County, Iowa– A state of emergency remains in effect for Pottawattamie County and in the City of Minden, following severe weather that occurred on Friday, April 26th, when several confirmed tornado activity in the areas. Affected areas include western portions of Council Bluffs, northeast of Crescent, east of McClelland, southwest of Treynor, and the city of Minden. In total, the NWS Omaha issued 42 tornado warnings for its coverage area, which includes parts of western Iowa.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County Friday night. Officials think about half the town of Minden – with a population of about 600 – was destroyed. Four storm-related injuries have been reported. Three individuals were treated and released, while one remains hospitalized in stable condition. Saturday morning, the city opened for residents to be able to start their cleanup and recovery.

“We signed a disaster proclamation last night, which opened up state resources and individual assistance for the community,” Reynolds said Saturday. She said emergency responders are on the ground and were working to remove debris. She said “then we’ll just assess what we need to do next, what next steps are.”

Minden’s mayor broke down in tears at one point during the governor’s tour of the damage. The Mayor sustained damage to his home and business in 1976 and now in 2024. Community members are hopeful that they will recover. A curfew of 10-p.m. until 6-a.m. remains in until further notice for the City of Minden.

Preliminary information indicates varying degrees of damage to approximately 120 homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County. American Red Cross established two shelters in the county that were not needed as displaced residents were able to arrange overnight accommodations, according to the Pott. County EMA.

The most concentrated damage from these weather events occurred in Minden. Gas and power utilities services have been disrupted, and access to the city of Minden has been closed to outside traffic. Due to the hazardous conditions, only residents of Minden will be granted access at this time.

Ongoing disaster information can be found on Emergency Management Agency website at https://pcema-ia.org. Community-specific information for Minden can be found on the City of Minden Facebook page, as well as the Tri-Center Community School District Facebook page. Damage to residential and business properties should be reported at the Emergency Management Agency website.

The NWS office in Des Moines says, based on preliminary reports, at least 10 tornadoes occurred in their central/southern Iowa warning area of responsibility. Damage to trees and homes has been reported in multiple counties from Crawford to Union and Ringgold up to around Polk and Jasper Counties. Teams continue to evaluate damage.

Twisters in the Creston and Afton areas were rated as EF-2’s, with with speeds estimated at between 125-130 mph, and were on the ground anywhere from 6-10 miles. They ranged from 150 to 350 yards wide. A tornado near Mount Ayr was rated an EF-1, with winds of up to 110-mph. It was on the ground for 26.5 miles, and was 300 yards wide.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, April 28, 2024

Weather

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Showers and thunderstorms. Some severe weather is possible this afternoon & evening. High near 69. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms ending late. Low around 42. West winds 10-20 mph.New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. West wind 15 to 25 mph mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny in the morning; Showers & or thunderstorms possible during the afternoon. Some severe storms are possible. High near 78.
Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, otherwise partly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Wednesday: Partly sunny w/a chance of showers and thunderstorms,  especially during the afternoon. High near 71.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 63. Our Low this morning was 52. We received .32″ of rain in Atlantic Saturday. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 62, and the Low was 34. The All-Time Record High on April 28th in Atlantic, was 94, in 1910. The Record Low was 26, in 1965. Sunrise: 6:21. Sunset: 8:14.

**Massena reports .3″ rain from 7-a.m. Saturday through 7-a.m. today**

Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund Will Assist Communities Impacted on April 26

News

April 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Our southwest Iowa communities, as well as our neighbors in eastern Nebraska, are coping with heartbreaking loss and destruction caused by a series of tornadoes and storms that tore through the region on Friday, April 26. Damage is so severe, that many impacted neighborhoods and communities are inaccessible at this time.

The Community Foundation for Western Iowa is here to support our southwest Iowa communities in gathering donations through the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund. Donations to the fund will support Iowa nonprofit partners, communities, disaster relief organizations, and public health organizations who are on the front line of disaster relief efforts.

To donate to the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund, visit: https://bit.ly/southwest-iowa-relief-fund. Additionally, SHARE Iowa – an initiative of the Community Foundation — is a resource to access information on how you can assist our communities through relief efforts. Many nonprofit organizations and individuals have started to arrange donation drives and volunteer opportunities in support of individuals and communities impacted by the tornadoes, and SHARE Iowa will update its resource website and Facebook page frequently as information is received: www.sharegoodiowa.org/tornado or
www.facebook.com/sharegoodiowa.

Community Foundations of SW IA

All relief items for the Minden and East Pottawattamie County communities can be taken to the Neola Area Community Center at 110 4th Street, Neola IA 51559. Relief items for the Crescent community can be taken to the Crescent fire barn at 102 W Florence Street, Crescent IA 51526 between noon and 3PM today.

Relief items that are needed include: blankets, warm clothing such as sweaters and sweatshirts, nonperishable food items, ice, water bottles, Gatorade, charging cables with multi-charge ports, cell phone charging cords and charging blocks, gauze, hand sanitizer, clementines or other easy bulk fruit, jugs of water, non-typical bandage sizes, pet food, baby formula, hygiene items, toiletry items, heavy trash bags, totes and boxes.

Mail carrier finds a body in a Webster County ditch; 2 face murder charges

News

April 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) –  Officials with the Ft. Dodge Police Department report that at around 12:18-p.m., Friday (April 26, 2024), the Webster County Telecommunications Center received a call from a mail carrier on his route stating that he had possibly located a body in a ditch in the 2100 Mile of 280th St. Webster County Deputies were dispatched to the scene.
When Deputies arrived on scene, they located a deceased male who had an a apparent gunshot wound. The man was identified as 55‐year‐old Dennis R. Jones. of Fort Dodge. Investigators were called in and the scene was processed. As the investigation unfolded, it was determined that Mr. Jones had not been shot where he was located. As a part of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained and executed at 1440 2nd Ave S., in Fort Dodge.
As a result of this investigation to date, 2 offenders have been arrested on the following charges:
  • 26‐year‐old Alec R. Jones of Fort Dodge:  Murder in the First Degree (A Felony)
  • 21‐year‐old Nathan T. Jones of Fort Dodge: Aiding and Abetting Murder in the First Degree (A Felony)
As with all cases, both Alec Jones and Nathan Jones are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. At this time investigators are continuing to follow up on this incident. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Dodge Police. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
The Fort Dodge Police Department was assisted by the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Dodge Fire Department, the Webster County Attorney’s Office, the Department of Natural Resources, the Webster County Coroner, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT).

Pottawattamie County Declares State of Emergency

News, Weather

April 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Pottawattamie County, Iowa– On April 26 th , Pottawattamie County experienced severe weather, with confirmed
tornado activity in several areas. Affected areas include western portions of Council Bluffs, northeast of Crescent, east
of McClelland, southwest of Treynor, and the city of Minden.

The City of Minden has declared a state of emergency. Pottawattamie County has declared a state of emergency, and
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Pottawattamie County.

At the time of this release, four storm-related injuries have been reported. Three individuals were treated and
released, while one remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Preliminary information indicates varying degrees of damage to approximately 120 homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County. American Red Cross established two shelters in the county that were not needed as displaced residents were able to arrange overnight accommodations.

Photos of Minden, courtesy of Zach Ploen.

Pott. County EMA

The most concentrated damage from these weather events occurred in Minden. Gas and power utilities services have
been disrupted, and access to the city of Minden has been closed to outside traffic. A curfew has been issued for the
city of Minden between 10:00PM and 6:00AM and will remain in effect until further notice.

Beginning at 8:00AM on April 27 th , impacted residents seeking a return to Minden will be allowed admission. The
check-in location for admission will be at the Minden United Church of Christ at 106 Lincoln Street. Due to the
hazardous conditions, only residents of Minden will be granted access at this time. Officials are not currently seeking
outside volunteer assistance but will announce those opportunities in the coming days.

Ongoing disaster information can be found on Emergency Management Agency website at https://pcema-ia.org.
Community-specific information for Minden can be found on the City of Minden Facebook page, as well as the Tri-
Center Community School District Facebook page.

Damage to residential and business properties should be reported at the Emergency Management Agency website.