DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa and Nebraska cities along the Missouri River are preparing for flooding, but it is not expected to be extensive. At Omaha, Nebraska, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, the river is expected to crest Sunday morning at 31.6 feet. That’s above the 29-foot flood stage and should mean flooding of riverside parks in both cities. At Blair, Nebraska, the river should reach nearly 30 feet Saturday night, above the 26.5-foot flood stage.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reducing water releases at Gavins Point Dam near Yankton, South Dakota, from 30,000 cubic feet per second to 12,000 to lower flood risk. The river at Sioux City will remain below flood stage. About 43 miles downstream at Decatur, Nebraska, it is expected to reach flood stage Saturday morning and then fall.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A National Weather Service hydrologist says the Big Sioux River peaked earlier and lower than expected at Sioux City because significant water was released when a levee failed upstream. National Weather Service Hydrologist Mike Gillispie says the Tuesday night levee failure 27 miles upstream at Akron, Iowa, allowed water to spill onto agricultural land, dropping the river level downstream.

The river had been expected to crest Friday at Sioux City about a foot above the 108.3-foot record set in 1969. Instead it peaked at about 105 feet overnight and began dropping.Gillispie says the river at Sioux City will stay elevated longer than previously predicted.

He expects the river to fall below the 99-foot flood stage, the level at which farmland around Sioux City is underwater, by Monday morning.

The 16th Annual Cass County Relay for Life is set to get underway this evening on the grounds of the Atlantic High School. The event is held each year as a celebration of life in support, and in memory of, those whose lives have been touched by cancer. It features entertainment, music, food and family fun. Joyce Wieser and Jenny Williams are the Co-Chairs of the Survivor’s portion of the Relay.

Wieser says HIPPA confidentiality and Privacy rules makes it hard to get the names of cancer survivors, which is why it’s important for family and friends of cancer survivors to let them know about the event, which all survivors are welcome and invited to attend. Wieser says survivors don’t need to worry about registering in advance in order to take part in the activities.

She says you can “Just show up.” Register at the high school beginning at 4:30 during the “Survivor’s Social” in the high school, featuring a free meal for all cancer survivors and one guest, courtesy the Atlantic Hy-Vee. You’ll also get a purple event t-shirt. Then at 6-p.m., cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to partake in a “Survivors Lap.” The Survivor’s Lap features several “Honorary” Survivors each year, and this year is no exception. There are four individuals from Cass County who were selected at random to take the banner and lead-off the lap.

During the Relay for Life itself, teams of eight to 15-people will walk, jog or run in a relay around the High School track. They have been working to raise money through donations to help in the fight against cancer. Funds raised enable the American Cancer Society to continue its program of research, education, advocacy and service to cancer patients.

Entertainment during the evening includes Salute Gymnastics, games for kids by the Atlantic National Honor Society, a “Smart Shop” from 5:30-to 8:30-p.m., along with free door prizes and food samples. There are also performances by Dance Atlantic, vocalist Betty Lillard, and vocalist Jeremy Faga and his acoustic guitar.

A highlight of the event is a Luminary Ceremony, which begins at 9-p.m., with music to walk by at 10-p.m.

DE SOTO, Iowa (AP) – A Florida man who is riding a mule across the country to keep a promise to his granddaughter is getting help from an Iowa rancher. Randy Tucker, of Ocala, Florida, bought the mule for his 9-year-old granddaughter, but a truck taking it to her home in Dubois, Wyoming, broke down in Paducah, Kentucky, leaving the mule in a shelter. Tucker decided to take a bus to Paducah, then begin a slow mule ride to Wyoming.

The Des Moines Register reports police in suburban Des Moines received calls about a man riding a mule.
Officers sought help from a De Soto rancher who happened to be driving soon to South Dakota’s Black Hills. He’ll give Tucker and the mule a lift, cutting their ride to a more manageable 400 miles.

What can you build from a box of junk? A STEM event for all local 3rd-8th graders on Thursday, June 26 will let youth build, design and discover. The STEM at Work day camp will be at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic and will include a variety of hands-on science focused activities. Youth will be inventive and plan to create a robot from a box of junk, design a pinball game and explore environmental science.

The STEM at Work camp will be the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is free with lunch, snacks and resources provided, but youth must register by June 24. Registration forms are available at the YMCA, Cass County Extension Office or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. There is a minimum registration of 10 participants and maximum of 50 participants so don’t delay.

The Nishna Valley YMCA and Cass County Extension staff and volunteers have teamed up for this day of hands-on learning to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “We are continuing to expand our STEM efforts because there is increased evidence of need and support from the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council,” said Beth Irlbeck, Cass County Extension Youth Coordinator. “4-H has done science and positive youth development programming for years and we’re excited to continue our partnership with the Y who has also made its history supporting youth.”

This STEM at Work event promises lots of fun, hands-on science, opportunities to design and build and meet new friends. Pre-registration required by June 24. There is no charge for this event and lunch will be provided. Questions? Call Cass County Extension 712-243-1132.

(Press Release)

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) – National Guard soldiers and South Dakota Transportation workers are dismantling a levee across Interstate 29 that blocked traffic between Iowa and South Dakota. An Associated Press reporter on the scene says crews are removing the sandbags and other containers used to block the freeway on Thursday at North Sioux City, South Dakota. The governor’s office says I-29 should reopen later Friday.

The National Weather Service says the Big Sioux River where Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota meet already crested at a level lower than expected. Crews built the temporary levee across Interstate 29 to protect homes from flooding, but it forced motorists onto detours. Floodwaters also blocked most other roads connecting South Dakota and Iowa between Sioux Falls and Sioux City.

w/ Ric Hanson

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NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) – A swollen river that threatened homes where Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota meet already has crested. The National Weather Service had predicted that the Big Sioux River would hit a record high around midday Friday. But the agency said early Friday that the river crested at Sioux City, Iowa, around midnight a couple of feet below the previous record. The reason for the change wasn’t immediately clear.

Todd Heitkamp with the weather service in Sioux Falls says the river level should hold steady and eventually recede. Crews built a temporary levee across Interstate 29, which should protect much of the city but closed off the interstate and forced motorists onto detours.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Jerry Hayes of Atlantic was one of the veterans on the Cass County Honor Flight to Washington DC June 16-17, 2014.  Jerry shot lots of video from the trip.  Click these links to see them!

Laying of the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Send off from Atlantic

Flight and Washington Welcome including Water Cannon Salute

Washington and Home again with mail call

THANK YOU VETERANS & THANK YOU JERRY!!!