w/ Ric Hanson

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Officials with Atlantic Municipal Utilities report a large power outage caused by last night’s storms is effecting several AMU customers. The utility says crews are working on restoring service at this time.  As of 7:40-a.m., AMU officials said with the exception of about 20 customers, most have had their power restored. Those who remain should see the lights come back on within the hour.

The affected AMU customers weren’t the only ones who started off their day without “juice.” Tens of thousands of other Iowa residents were without power early this morning after severe storms packing high winds and heavy rain crossed the state. The Des Moines Register reports MidAmerican Energy had more than 27,000 customers without power early Tuesday morning due to the severe weather. Alliant Energy reported nearly 12,000 Iowa customers without power, including about 6,000 in the Cedar Rapids area.

The Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives showed nearly 800 customers without power, with the most in Franklin County.The storms were part of a large system that walloped parts of other Midwest states, including Nebraska.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Director Roger Herring reports the Atlantic Swimming Pool, which has been open since May 24th, has been very, very busy.  He says attendance is way up, with anywhere from 75-to 100 people using the pool each day since it opened. Herring told the Parks and Rec Board Monday evening that there’ve been no equipment problems, the facility was used for two private parties, and there’s been one special theme day, with another, family-friendly, kid-focused event in the works for July 4th.

He says for example, there’ll be a coin toss for a number of age groups, where kids jump in to retrieve coins they can keep, and a gold fish chase. There will also be trinkets from the Oriental Trading Company given away. More details about the events planned for July 4th will be released as the date approaches. Speaking of swimming, Herring reports 60 students are registered for the Swim Team, a number of whom are also registered in the Nishna Valley YMCA program. Herring says the team is doing well in competition. The team has competed two away events thus far, and placed second at both events.

In other business, Roger Herring said grading on the Senior Activity area site at Sunnyside Park has been delayed due to the weather, but work will begin as soon as possible. And, he says the number of people using the walking trails at the Schildberg Recreation Area have continued to grow. Herring said counters keeping track of users for the purpose of obtaining a Vision Iowa grant, have indicated 100-people per day are taking advantage of the outdoor walking paths to get their exercise and fresh air.

He says the counters have been taking their numerical survey for 40-days. So far, on the north side, nearly 4,000 “clicks” have been recorded. A click on the counter represents a person who is observed walking the longest portion of the trail. The inside trail is getting nearly as much use.

A two-vehicle collision in Red Oak Monday afternoon resulted in one of the vehicle ending up in a 10-foot deep hole, and both drivers being taken to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. Red Oak Police says officers responded to the crash at the corner of east Reed and north 3rd Streets, at around 4:50-p.m.  When officers arrived, a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup was found to be in a hole where an abandoned building used to be. The front end of the pickup was in the dirt, while the rear was resting on rocks and cement.  The other vehicle, a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser, came to a stop in the middle of the intersection.

An investigation revealed the pickup, driven by 83-year old Donovan Johnson, of Red Oak, had stopped at the intersection on north 3rd Street and left the sign too soon. The truck was struck by the PT Cruiser, driven by 28-year old Ronald Dolph, of Red Oak, as he was headed east on east Reed Street. After the collision, Johnson stopped on the road as if he was going to park, but his vehicle then took off and ended up in the hole, where it became stuck.  It’s believed Johnson mistakenly stepped on the gas instead of the brake.

Damage from the accident amounted to $9,200. No citations were issued.

An investigation into an explosion that injured six people March 27th in Pottawattamie County has resulted in a Council Bluffs man being cited for Possessing an Incendiary Device. The Omaha World-Herald, citing court records, reports 50-year old Erik Moore was cited for the incident that injured six people attending a Boy Scouts meeting at a home in Council Bluffs.  Moore is scheduled to make his initial appearance in court, on Wednesday.

Fire Chief Justin James told the paper the scouts and fathers at the meeting had been conducting an experiment that involved gunpowder and powdered coffee creamer, when something sparked an explosion.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

STATE/REGION  – Thousands of people are without power this morning as storms pummel the Midwest. 1 fatality 19 injuries reported in Nebraska as the result of tornadoes.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Six teams competed in dragon boat races in the Cedar River in Waterloo as part of an annual event. The 20-person teams competed in the Sunday races, which were part of My Waterloo Days events. Rowers struggled to work together as they paddled the 40-foot boats with a dragon’s head and spiky tail.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A San Diego man charged with enticing a minor while posing as an actor from the “Twilight” movie series has pleaded not guilty. Thirty-three-year-old David LaVera entered a written plea of not guilty Monday. LaVera was arrested June 10 and charged with enticing a minor, carrying weapons and failure to have a valid driver’s license. A criminal complaint says he told a 14-year-old girl from Baxter he was an actor from the movie series. He touched her inappropriately and took her to his vehicle.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Relatives say an Iowa City man who drowned over the weekend at Coralville Lake was a fun-loving man dedicated to his family and young son. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that 36-year-old Somphaeng Syvixay drowned Saturday while swimming in Coralville Lake. His cousin, Connie Phommaly, says he was an outgoing, happy man who was “big on family.” He had a 2-year-old son.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police used ground radar to search the basement of a Des Moines house in connection with a woman who went missing more than 50 years ago. Officers were checking the south-side home Monday after

Thousands of people were without power early this (Tuesday) morning, as storms dropped tornadoes, created damaging wind and large hail, and left copious amount of rain that resulted in street flooding in some areas. As of 4:45-a.m., just under 43,300 people were without power across Iowa (down from more than 60,000 an hour earlier), with about two-thirds of of the customers located in Des Moines and the surrounding area. MidAmerican Energy reported a total of 31,014 customers who were without power, Alliant reported 11,452, while the Rural Electric Cooperatives fared much better. Only 840 customers were without energy statewide, with most being in Franklin County.

The Des Moines Register reports tornado sirens sounded, falling trees snapped power lines and heavy rain battered the Des Moines area It was a night of severe weather statewide. Storm spotters reported at least seven tornadoes throughout the evening and into the early morning, including twisters near Plover, Goodell, Laurens, West Bend, Clear Lake, Mason City and Tripoli. At least two of those — West Bend and Tripoli — were confirmed by the weather service on Monday.

Authorities in Nebraska say dual tornadoes that touched down in a small town about 100 miles northwest of Omaha killed a 5-year-old and injured at least 19 people, some of them critically. It happened in Pilger, a community of about 350. The National Weather Service says the twin twisters touched down within roughly a mile of each other. A county commissioner says more than half the town was wiped out. Many homes were damaged and the structures that were demolished including the co-op grain bins. A sheriff said a school is beyond repair.

The injured had to be taken to three regional hospitals, including a trauma center in Omaha. Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman declared a state of emergency. The National Guard is preparing to assist local emergency responders and help with the cleanup.

A pursuit early this (Tuesday) morning of a reported stolen pickup ended in a crash, and the suspect being transported to the hospital with serious injuries. According to scanner traffic, a Cass County Sheriff’s deputy was pursuing a white pickup truck, when the vehicle went out of control and rolled and landed on its top on the east side of Lewis at around 2:12-a.m. The driver of the vehicle was trapped, but conscious and breathing when Griswold Fire and Rescue and Lewis 1st Responders arrived on the scene at 582nd and Main Street.

Officials had asked for LifeNet to be launched, but due to the weather conditions the chopper was unable to take-off. The male driver of the pickup was extricated from his vehicle and was transported by Griswold Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

The incident remained under investigation. No names had been released as of early this morning.

Three bus loads of veterans left Atlantic Monday evening after being served a meal at the Cass County Community Center, a roll call, and group picture. The 150 veterans and a dozen guardians were set to travel from Des Moines to Washington, D-C for a whirlwind tour of the nation’s war memorials. The trip – which comes at no cost to those who participate – would not have been possible had it not been for the generous contribution of two childhood friends and successful Ames businessmen, who graduated in 1976 from the Atlantic High School.

The Honor Flight veterans pose for a group picture before leaving Atlantic Monday evening. (Jim Field, photo)

One of those men is Jeff Becker, who was born and raised in Atlantic. Together with Roger Underwood, they co-founded Becker Underwood, the world’s leading supplier of non-pesticide specialty chemical and biological products to well-defined markets.

Roger Underwood (left) shakes the hand of Planning Committee member and organizer Steve Livengood.

Underwood said Monday, that he was honored and filled with pride to see the throngs of supporters who came to show their patriotic spirit and offer their gratitude for those who have served. Underwood explained how he and Becker came up with the idea for the Honor Flight, which is different from the “Freedom Flight.”  He said the Story County Freedom Flight was raising money for its second flight. The men realized Atlantic didn’t have such a flight. They pooled their money and organized the flight with the help of a planning committee comprised of 38 people.

Underwood said the success of the event far exceeded any expectations he could have had. He said he and Jeff wanted to do something good for the community that was so good to them growing up.  Underwood said he knows people want to thank him and Jeff and their families for what they’ve done to make this trip possible, but he humbly said “No, we came here tonight to say ‘Thank you’ to Atlantic,” and everyone who contributed in some way to making the trip a success.