DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Storms that rumbled over much of central Iowa have knocked down trees, cut power and flooded streets.

A tornado was reported Tuesday morning near Melcher-Dallas, southeast of Des Moines. It’s unclear whether any injuries have occurred.

The National Weather Service says more than 4.5 inches (11.4 centimeters) of rain fell on Eagle Grove, and a 60 mph (96.6 kph) wind gust was reported at Adair.

MidAmerican Energy reports that more than 17,000 customers have lost power in the Des Moines metropolitan area.

Street flooding and downed power lines and trees have been reported in several communities.

w/ Chris Parks

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The Atlantic Park and Recreation Board met on Monday evening in the Council Chambers at City Hall and voted during the meeting to remove the Interim tag for Park and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen.

After a brief closed session prior to their regular meeting the board voted unanimously to hire Rasmussen as the full-time director effective immediately. Rasmussen has had the Interim Director title since March following the resignation of Seth Staashelm, who left to take a job in Marion. Rasmussen was promoted from Foreman to the Director role at that time.

The Personnel and Finance Committee will now work on a salary agreement for Rasmussen in the full-time role.

According to the Iowa Department of Transportation I-80 Westbound is blocked due to a semi crash near Casey. The road is blocked between Exit 83 Antique Country Drive and Exit 76 County Road N54 near Casey. The initial word on the slowdown came out a little before 6:00am.

Update 7:40am: Just the right lane is still blocked as cleanup continues.

Update 8:45am: Roadway has fully reopened to traffic.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors is set to meet Tuesday morning for a regular session at 9:00am at the Adair County Courthouse.

On their agenda is an annual report from Conservation Director Dominic Johnson. They will also hear from Sheriff Jeff Vandewater on Academy costs and questions, as well as meal reimbursements discussion.

The board is also set to hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffman on a number of road projects that are in the works. That discusssion will include approving an engineering agreement with JEO for bridge design for N22 Jackson.

The board will also hear a number of monthly reports and talk about the Manure Management Plan and Child Abuse Prevention Grant Draw Down.

The Atlantic Rising organization is teaming up with Deter Motor Company for a school supply drive. Items can be dropped off through Wednesday at either Deter Motors or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Items collected will be distributed to area schools on Thursday, August 22nd in time for Back to School night.

Last year the drive was able to provide supplies to four area schools and it is hoped that number will grow to all of the elementary schools in the area.

State Representative Cindy Axne will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday in Council Bluffs. The event is scheduled to take place at Iowa Western Community College’s Looft Hall from 6:00pm-7:15pm.

The town hall event provides an opportunity for constituents to meet the Congresswoman, ask questions regarding her work in Washington, and discuss concerns facing local communities.

A man with a long traffic violation history was arrested on multiple charges in Red Oak early Tuesday morning. At 12:11am Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Steven James McDonald of Stanton for a minor traffic violation at Highway 34 and 8th Street in Red Oak. Upon further investigation it was determined that Mr. McDonald’s license had been suspended 26 times. He was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and prescription drugs.

McDonald was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Drugs, and Driving While Suspended. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $5,000 bond.

A Red Oak man was arrested on a Burglary charge Monday night. At 7:20pm Officers arrested 49-year-old Clinton Joe Hans England at 306 2nd Avenue in Red Oak for one count of Burglary. He was taken to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.

The Atlantic City Council meets 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21st, in their chambers at City Hall. During their session, the Council will act on an Order to approve select streets for the Atlantic Homecoming Parade that takes place Oct. 11th. The parade is expected to begin that day at 2:30-p.m., but set-up will likely be earlier. The route begins at 10th and Linn Streets and proceeds west on 10th to Chestnut, north on Chestnut to 3rd Street, then east to Walnut, and finally south on Walnut, to 6th Street.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will discuss and act on a Resolution “Approving the Veteran’s New Housing Forgivable Loan Program policy.” City Administrator John Lund said in his agenda notes, “Housing continues to be one of the top concerns we hear about concerning rural economic development.” Housing is not only an issue in Atlantic, he says, but across the State.

Home Base Iowa reports nearly 200,000 individuals retire from the military every year, and their initiative is designed to bring those persons home to Iowa. The Veteran’s New Housing Forgivable Loan Program revolves around a $15,000 incentive for new housing. The first part is a zero-percent, deferred and forgivable loan up to $10,000 to cover the down payment and closing costs, when buying a newly constructed home within the City Limits. And additional $5,000 deferred and forgivable loan is being offered to cover the costs of purchasing new appliances or making improvements to the property.The program is currently seeded with $90,000 from the EDR (Economic Development Revolving) Fund, which Lund says should secure six forgivable loans. The City may pursue replenishing the loans through a TIF (Tax Increment Financing), but specific projects will need to be identified, and can occur later.

Issues of credit worthiness, income and employment verification are important to lenders, and the City Council, Lunds says will accept the findings of those institutions when it comes time to contributing City funds to the closing process. Lund says the only requirements are that the applicant was Honorably Discharged to the U-S Military, and have not held residence in Atlantic for the past 24 months. Lund says that particular time-frame was selected to ensure the City is not just giving “free money” away to existing residents, but still extending the opportunity to Atlantic graduates that chose to enter the military, and may now be considering moving back to the area.

The program requires the applicant to live in the property for five-years, with an equal percentage of the loan being forgiven for each of those five-years. If the property is sold, transferred to someone other than a spouse or heir, is cashed-out for equity, and is not converted to rental property, the outstanding balance is owed immediately. The same goes for if the applicant lied on their application. Unusual, or tragic circumstances that may require a veteran’s family to leave the area do allow for Special Review by the City Council, to determine if the outstanding balance will be pursued, or not.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on passing a Resolution “Amending the City Financial Policy to add Section 204” (A Federal Procurement Policy), with regard to Federal Disaster funds from FEMA. Cass County was declared an eligible county to apply for disaster relief funding from FEMAm following flooding this past Spring. The Policy outlines uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.