There likely will -not- be snow, but forecasters say a large portion of Iowa could see severe weather roll into the state late Tuesday and into Wednesday. Roger Vachalek, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, says it’s relatively rare but not unheard-of for a storm of this magnitude to strike during November. Vachalek says folks living across Iowa’s southern half should be on guard.

“There is a risk for severe weather in Iowa and especially for states to our south,” Vachalek says. “We have a slight risk all the way up to around Highway 30 and we may see storms that include hail or the possiblity of high winds and maybe some tornadoes.” Most of Iowa had very unseasonably warm weather last week, with highs in the 70s that were some 20 degrees warmer than normal. Vachalek says milder weather will be sticking around and should prevent any snowflakes from flying in this storm.

“There isn’t quite enough cold air coming in behind it to change the rain on the back side over to snow but we’ll be watching that,” Vachalek says. “There may be a brief change-over somewhere in far northwestern Iowa or maybe even in southern Minnesota, but for the most part, this will not be the snow event that some folks are looking for. We may have to wait a few weeks for that.” It’s a good idea, he says, for Iowans to be prepared for a storm like this.

“Folks should keep up with the forecast over the next few days and monitor the outlook that we mentioned for Wednesday and monitor the latest forecast and, of course, any watches and warnings that are issued,” Vachalek says. “We’re still a couple of days away from it so things could change, but it does look like a fairly significant event coming.” Learn more at the National Weather Service website: weather-dot-gov.

(Radio Iowa)

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports the Silver Cord Program is getting off to a strong start. Silver Cord is a graduation incentive program to promote volunteerism in the Atlantic Area. Atlantic High School seniors who volunteer a minimum of 200 hours throughout their high school career with graduate with a silver cord and be eligible for a $500 scholarship provided by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.

Several Silver Cord students came out to volunteer their time to help stock the mobile food pantry, pictured above are Bailey Schildberg, Ashley Freund, Tori Krogh, and Maddy Williams.

The program encourages volunteer opportunities with all Civic Organizations and will benefit the entire community. The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Atlantic High School and several other Community minded organizations and businesses to start the Silver Cord Program in Atlantic. In an effort to make the program more accessible to students, the Chamber is utilizing volunteerspot.com.

Volunteer Spot is an on-line tool used for volunteer sign-ups, scheduling and management. Chamber Executive Director Ouida Hargens says “Volunteer spot will be beneficial to the students involved in the Silver Cord Program and the entire community. Everyone will have access through www.AtlanticIowa.com.”

Students will be able to find, sign-up for, and manage their different volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Spot which will help both students and organizations stay organized during volunteer opportunities! If you have any questions about the Silver Cord Program or volunteerspot.com you can contact the Chamber of Commerce at 712-243-3017 or chamber@atlanticiowa.com.

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said Monday, an elk of unknown origin in west central Iowa was shot at the request of the DNR Sunday morning, to protect the Iowa deer herd and domestic livestock from the potential impacts of chronic wasting disease and other diseases.

Elk sightings in Iowa are fairly common and when an elk is spotted, the DNR works with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to determine status of elk and the best available options. If the elk can be returned to the proper owners, then they are. If not, they then pose a risk to spreading CWD and/or other diseases and are dispatched.

The bull elk, estimated at 3-4 years old, was killed Sunday morning by a Monona County deputy sheriff as directed by the DNR after it appeared in front of a farmer combining his field. The animal was examined for identification markings without success and was buried according to Iowa livestock burial regulations in Monona County Monday morning. The brain stem and lymph nodes were removed for testing.

While the risk that escapees are introducing CWD or TB to Iowa’s wild deer may be small, the consequence to the resource is enormous and it is a risk that should be avoided. Removing a wandering elk is the responsibility of the Iowa DNR working in conjunction with the IDALS, and is not allowed by the public.

Left to Right
Kristin Johnk, Tucker Sager, Wyatt Saeugling, CJ Richards (photo provided)

Louisville Ky – Each year, the National FFA Organization honors FFA members who show the utmost dedication to the organization through their desire to develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The Atlantic FFA chapter had 4 FFA members earn the American FFA Degree this year.

The American FFA Degree is bestowed up on a select group of students in recognition of their years of academic and professional excellence. This year, 3,434 American Degrees will be awarded. This year Kristin Johnk, Chancey Richards, Wyatt Saeugling and Tucker Sager were awarded the American FFA Degree at the 88th National FFA Convention & Expo Oct. 28-31 in Louisville, Ky. Sponsored by ADM Crop Risk Services, Case IH, DuPont Pioneer, Elanco, Farm Credit and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, the award recognizes demonstrated ability and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing or service programs.

To be eligible, FFA members must have earned and productively invested $10,000 through a supervised agricultural experience program in which they start, own or hold a professional position in an existing agriculture enterprise. Recipients must also complete 50 hours community service and demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities and civic involvement.

Each recipient of the American FFA Degree receives a gold American FFA Degree key, certificate and matted frame after being recognized on stage at that national convention. Wyatt Saeugling said, “I was glad to make the trip down to Louisville and receive my American FFA Degree. It’s really cool to see all of the other kids our age pursuing the same passion for agriculture that I have. I’m also excited to see where the ag industry will be within the next few years.” Kristin Johnk said “It is a great honor to have received this award, being among the 1% that attain this award nationally. This has been an opportunity of a lifetime and we couldn’t have done it without the help of our former FFA Advisor Mr. Bruce Johnk, current advisor Mr. Eric Miller, our families, and others in the community who have encouraged the four of us to pursue this degree.” Tucker Sager said, Getting my American Degree was a great learning experience that I had to work hard to get, but it was worth it.

The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 610,240 student members as part of 7,665 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for
premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org, on Facebook, Twitter, the official National FFA Organization blog or Atlantic FFA on Twitter.

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports a traffic stop in Exira Saturday morning resulted in the arrest of one person on numerous drug charges. 19-year old Koy Triston Anderson, of Elk Horn, was taken into custody at around 12:30-a.m.  Anderson faces charges that include: Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Deliver; Possession of Prescription Pills; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Alcohol.

He was brought to the Audubon County Jail and released after making an appearance before the magistrate. Anderson’s preliminary hearing was set for Nov. 23rd.

The Boards of Supervisors in Cass and Adair Counties will canvass the votes of last Tuesday’s Municipal Elections tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. The Boards will hold their respective canvasses in Atlantic and Greenfield, respectively, beginning at 8-a.m.

During their regular meeting that begins at 8:30, the Cass County Supervisors will act on a Resolution or motion setting the number of deputies, assistants and clerks, in the offices of County Recorder and Treasurer, and if available, act on the appointment of a person to fill a vacancy position on the Cass County Civil Service Commission.

During the regular meeting in Adair County, the Supervisors will receive a 5th District Annual Judicial report, and at 8:15, hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to RCB Projects in Lee Township, and other office business.

A report from the Iowa Department of Human Services shows there are nearly 800 children in the state who are eligible for adoption and November is National Adoption Month. Bambi Schroeder, of Iowa KidsNet, says more foster parents are urgently needed as more and more children are in need of temporary homes. “With the shortage of foster parents that we have right now, literally, people are getting their license and within days or weeks, they’re getting kids in their homes,” Schroeder says. “We are needing homes so badly that families have to be ready when they are done with their classes to be ready to get kids pretty quickly.”

To become a licensed foster care provider, parents need to complete a 30-hour training course. It runs ten weeks with each session meeting for three hours. “The goal is, within 40 days of the classes ending, the family would be submitted to DHS who would have the final stamp of approval,” Schroeder says. “We would get the family licensed and then the matching process starts.”

Adoption Day events were held this past weekend in Iowa cities including Dubuque, Des Moines and Peosta, with more adoption events scheduled in the coming days in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport, Webster City, Mason City, Council Bluffs and Sioux City. Learn more at: www.iowakidsnet.com

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) – A Coast Guard veteran has been honored for his heroism during the Vietnam War, when he led a response to an enemy attack and fires at a Navy ammunition and supply base in 1968. Officials at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, on Friday awarded 72-year old William Carr a plaque that was placed on the Wall of Gallantry in the academy’s Hall of Heroes.

The resident of Davenport, Iowa, commanded a patrol boat crew that led firefighting efforts, saved ammunition and other materials from the fires and called in medical assistance to the base just south of the demilitarized zone. He received the Bronze Star for his actions.  Carr says the attack and fires on the base killed six to nine servicemen and wounded 98 others.

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) Board of Directors recently awarded $900,937 in grants to twenty-one organizations to assist homeless and domestic violence shelters with costs associated with providing essential services and emergency shelter operations. The funding is made available through the Shelter Assistance Fund program. IFA Executive Director Dave Jamison said Monday (today) the grants “Will have a direct impact on thousands of Iowans in need of assistance and provide many positive ripple effects to communities all throughout Iowa.”

Among the agencies sharing in the funds, is New Visions Homeless Services, in Council Bluffs, which received $47,500, and, Community Action Agency of Siouxland, in Sioux City, which received $42,439. Shelter Assistance Fund applications are accepted on an annual basis and are judged through a competitive process. The Iowa Finance Authority received 23 eligible applications for the 2015 round requesting more than $1 million in funding. The program is funded with proceeds from the Real Estate Transfer Tax.

The Iowa Council on Homelessness reports that 22,195 Iowans experienced homelessness or were at-risk of homelessness in 2014 and a total of 18,141 were served by a shelter.