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.

Here are some images from the Honor Flight Honor Dinner at the Cass County Community Ceneter, and the motorcade from Atlantic to Des Moines Monday evening. 150 veterans from Cass and area Counties will arrive in Des Moines after passing through Wiota and Anita on their way to I-80 near Adair. Three buses full of veterans and their escorts/medical staff were preceded on their journey by throngs of motorcycles, and followed by emergency vehicles from Atlantic, Marne, Griswold and elsewhere, along with two Deuce and a half trucks and other vehicles.

The veterans will depart Des Moines at sunrise Tuesday enroute to Washington, D-C. They will return at around midnight Tuesday. The trip was made possible thanks to Atlantic natives Roger Underwood and Jeff Becker, two successful businessmen from Ames. (Jim Field and Ric Hanson photo’s)

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest of two men on Theft charges. 26-year old Bret Alan Hurt, of Glenwood, and 49-year old Raymond George Webster, were taken into custody at around 12:25-a.m. Monday at a location on Nuckolls Street in Glenwood, and charged with Theft in the 5th Degree. Their bonds were set at $300 each.

And, late Sunday night, 48-year old Michael Scott Holtz, of Omaha, was arrested in Mills County on an outstanding Pottawattamie County warrant for Failure To Appear. His bond was set at $5,000.

Police in Clarinda report the arrest late Friday evening of a woman on drug charges. 31-year old Lacey Jo Smalley, of Clarinda, was arrested at around 7:25-p.m. on a felony charge of  Possession with intent to deliver more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, and, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

Smalley was being held in the Page County Jail on $100, 000 bond. A decision regarding the filing of formal charges on the woman is under review by Page County Attorney Jeremy S. Peterson.

The National Weather Service in Valley, NE has cancelled Severe Thunderstorm Watch # 301 for Fremont and Mills Counties in Southwest Iowa. The Watch remains in effect until 2-p.m. for Harrison, Pottawattamie and Monona Counties in the KJAN listening area.

The primary threat from storms that develop will be large hail with isolated damaging winds up to 70-miles per hour possible.

Cass County K-9 “Vader” made it clear he was in-charge Friday night, when he cornered a suspect wanted  on an assault charge, in Audubon County. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department reports 56-year old Rick Joseph Santee, of Manning, suffered bites from the dog, and required stitches at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital, after he was located hiding behind a fence upon being tracked by Cass County Deputy Kyle Quist and his partner “Vader.”

Santee was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – with intent to inflict serious injury, 1st degree Harassment, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Interference with official acts. The charges are the result of an incident which allegedly occurred at 1665 Bluebird Avenue in rural Audubon County, Friday evening. Santee was taken into custody at around 9-p.m. Friday.

Officials say after being patched up at the hospital for minor injuries, Santee was transported to the Audubon County Jail and held on $4,000 bond. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department was assisted in the search and apprehension of the suspect, by deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Audubon Police Department, and the Cass County Sheriff’s Office.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An exhibit focusing on Iowa’s place in movie history has been announced by Gov. Terry Branstad. “Hollywood In The Heartland” opens at the State Historical Museum of Iowa on June 27. It features a 6,400-square-foot exhibit of Hollywood memorabilia including Academy Awards won by actresses Cloris Leachman and Donna Reed, both Iowa natives.

Items from other Iowa-born actors including John Wayne, Ashton Kutcher, Brandon Routh, and Tom Arnold are on display. Arnold, an Ottumwa native, is scheduled to appear at the exhibit’s premier to talk about his movie making experiences. The exhibit discusses movies made in Iowa including “Field of Dreams” and “Bridges of Madison County.”

It also offers historical information and artifacts from some of Iowa’s historical movie theaters including drive-in theaters.

The latest weather statement from the National Weather Service points to an ever-increasing risk for severe thunderstorms across Iowa, today. Scattered thunderstorms may be moving northeast out of Nebraska into western Iowa and may contain large hail over an inch in diameter. More vigorous activity is expected to develop by mid to late afternoon over northwest Iowa then shift east into this evening.

The latest outlook shows an increased risk for damaging winds and large hail.

Very strong storms are expected with this activity. Initial storms may produce very large hail and a few tornadoes before evolving into a damaging wind threat by mid to late evening. Heavy rainfall is possible as well, especially over northern Iowa. Localized flash flooding may occur with storms producing intense rainfall rates.

(Updated 9:45-a.m.)