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Man arrested on drug charges Monday morning (6/24) in Red Oak

News

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a man on drug charges at around 2:30 this (Monday) morning. Michael Scott Gardner (whose city of residence was not listed) was taken into custody in the 100 block of W. Coolbaugh Street, for Possession of a Controlled substance/3rd offense – a Class D Felony, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor), and Keeping a vehicle for controlled substance use (Aggravated Misdemeanor). Gardner was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Sunday evening, Red Oak Police arrested 29-year-old Tylor Daniel Fine, of Red Oak, for Driving While Suspended (Simple Misdemeanor). His bond was set at $491.25.

Attorney General Bird hopeful Iowa Supreme Court will uphold six week abortion ban

News

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling on Friday that will determine whether most abortions will be outlawed in Iowa. Last July, Governor Reynolds signed a law to ban abortions most around the sixth week of a pregnancy, when fetal activity can be detected, but the law was quickly put on hold due to a legal challenge. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says the 2022 U-S Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade has paved the way for state action.

“That makes a law like our ‘Heartbeat Law’ here in Iowa a legal possibility and we’ll hope that after the decision comes out, a legal certainty, right? That we can uphold that law,” Bird said. Bird spoke Saturday at the “March for Life” at the Iowa Capitol. Her office defended the six week abortion ban in court.  “We know nothing is more precious than life and we know who the Creator with a capital C of life is,” Bird said, to applause. “And especially as a mom I’m thankful I get to protect everybody, both the born and unborn.”

Opponents of Iowa’s six week abortion ban are set to hold events this week. The law includes exceptions for rape, incest and to protect the life of the mother. Critics say the rules prepared to enforce the law aren’t clear enough and women will be denied abortions in medical emergencies.

Governor calls flooding in northwest Iowa ‘staggering’

News

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says flood related losses in northwest Iowa are staggering and she is asking for a presidential disaster declaration to trigger federal aid for flood victims. Governor Reynolds says the preliminary estimate is at least 19-hundred properties in 22 counties have been swamped by flood waters and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

“I can tell you the devastation is severe and it’s widespread,” Reynolds says. “In almost every community impacted the rivers crested several feet above record levels from the floods of 1993.” Over a thousand Iowans stayed in emergency shelters Saturday night. By Sunday, at least 10 communities had no drinking water. “The seven day forecast calls for more rain,” Reynolds said, “which means flooding may continue to be an issue and may impact other parts of the state as well.”

Sixteen river gauges in northwest Iowa have already recorded historic flood levels. On Sunday night, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management director John Benson met with local officials about making preparations in the other places where those flood waters are headed. “This is a very serious flood that we’re in right now and it is not going to cease,” Benson says. “It is going to blossom across the state.” Benson says the key is protecting critical infrastructure, like drinking water plants.

Governor Kim Reynolds and top aides took a helicopter tour of flooded areas of northwest Iowa on Saturday. (Photo from Office of Governor Kim Reynolds.)

“Where it does become a challenge is if you have, like we had up in northwest Iowa…a completely excessive, unforecastable rainfall,” Benson said, “…but if we get normal stuff, they’re on top of it…We’re already having those conversations about what we can do to get better prepared for what we’re going to see here in the future.” Last week over 10 inches of rain fell in northwest Iowa and the nearby river basins in Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota that drain into northwest Iowa. Donna Dubberke, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Johnston, says that’s eight times the average amount.

“That water is now working its way down through the system,” she says, “so the concern with the forecast is we remain in an active weather pattern, which means periodic rain chances throughout the next week to 10 days.” The governor is urging Iowans who get evacuation orders to heed those warnings. Helicopters were deployed to rescue residents after a levee was breached in Rock Valley and Iowa Department of Natural Resouces staff performed 250 water rescues throughout northwest Iowa on Saturday. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says state troopers witnessed two drivers who ignored a “road closed” sign.

“Kind of barrelled headlong into floodwaters, ended up getting swept away,” Bayens said. “We had one individual that was on the cusp of losing his life had the Iowa State Patrol Air Wing not spotted his heat signature in the water and was able to dispatch boats in a timely way to rescue him.” Iowa Department of Transportation director Scott Marler says his agency has moved 23 pumps into northwest Iowa to try to clear water from roadways. On Sunday, the Iowa D-O-T moved five-thousand Hesco barriers to build temporary levies in key locations.

“If you see those barricades that say, ‘Road Closed,’ please turn around and don’t try to go around those barricades and proceed past them,” Marler says. Reynolds is asking President Biden to activate federal assistance for individuals as well as low interest Small Business Administration loans for businesses in nine counties. She’s also seeking federal help for local governments in 22 counties that are dealing with damage to public infrastructure and the cost of removing debris. Governor Reynolds says Rock Valley may be unable to quickly revive its drinking water plant and the Iowa National Guard may step in with a temporary system that produces drinking water for the community.

(As previously mentioned), Reynolds is asking President Biden to activate federal assistance for individuals as well as low interest Small Business Administration loans for businesses in nine counties. Those nine counties are Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux. The governor’s also seeking federal help for local governments in 22 counties that are dealing with damage to public infrastructure and the cost of removing debris. Those counties are Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright.

(Update) Flood Warnings continue for counties along the Missouri River

News, Weather

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Flood Warning continues from 8-p.m. today (Monday) until 2-a.m. on July 1st, for the Missouri River, affecting the following counties in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri:

  • Missouri River At Nebraska City affecting Fremont (IA) and Otoe (NE) Counties.
  • Missouri River at Plattsmouth affecting Mills (IA) and Cass (NE) Counties.
  • Missouri River At Decatur affecting Burt, Thurston (NE) and Monona (IA) Counties.
  • Missouri River Near Blair affecting Harrison (IA), Washington (NE) and Pottawattamie (IA) Counties.
  • Missouri River At Brownville affecting Atchison and Nemaha Counties in NE.
  • Missouri River At Omaha affecting Douglas, Sarpy (NE) and Pottawattamie Counties (IA).
  • Missouri River At Rulo affecting Holt and Richardson Counties (NE).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Additional information is available at water.noaa.gov.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Monday, June 24, 2024

Weather

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 94. HEAT ADVISORY from 1-until 8-p.m. Heat index values as high as 102. South winds 10-20 mph w/gusts to near 30 this afternoon.
Tonight: Partly cloudy to cloudy w/a 30% chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 71.
Tomorrow: Partly sunny to sunny w/a 30% chance of afternoon showers & thunderstorms. High near 93. Heat index values as high as 100. SW winds around 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Thursday: P/Sunny w/a 40% chance of showers & possibly some thunderstorms.  High near 79.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 88, and the Low 65. This day last year in Atlantic the high was 87 and the low 62. The record high in Atlantic on June 24th, was 105 in 1937, & the record Low was 41, in 1961. Sunrise this morning: 5:47 am. Sunset: 8:57 pm.

SHIRLEY DAVIS, 52, of Prescott (Private Svcs. at a later date)

Obituaries

June 24th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SHIRLEY DAVIS, 52, of Prescott, died Saturday, June 22, 2024, in Corning.  Private family services for SHIRLEY DAVIS will be held at a later date. Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is assisting the family.

Memorials may be directed to the family, to be established at a later date.

SHIRLEY DAVIS is survived by:

Her husband – Jerry Davis, of Prescott.

Her sons – Quincey Davis (Haylee Gardner), of West Des Moines; Quenton Davis, and Quade Davis, both of Prescott.

Her mother Linda (Robert) Bolinger, of Kent (IA).

Her sisters – Wannita Olson, of Corning, and Edith Davis, of Creston.

Her step-sister: Misty (Kevin) DeBoer, of Creston.

Her step-brothers: Shane Bolinger, of Arizona; and Dusty Bolinger and Cody Bolinger, both of Washington.

Other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Walker Finishes as Semifinalist at U.S. Olympic Trials

Sports

June 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Kalen Walker concluded his season with a 10.22 finish in the semifinals of the 100-meter dash on Sunday night at Hayward Field.

Walker placed 21st overall after starting in lane one and finishing seventh in heat three. Christian Coleman and Brandon Hicklin earned the automatic qualifying bids from the heat. 

Walker was the lead leg of Iowa’s title-winning 4×100 relay team at the Big Ten Championships in May. He also was a first-team All-American in the 60 meters indoors, breaking Iowa’s school record several times throughout the season. 

UP NEXT: Seniors Kat Moody and Gratt Reed compete in the qualifier rounds of their respective events on Monday. Moody opens in the discus at 7 p.m., while Reed gets set for the 110-meter hurdles at 7:05. Alumni Laulauga Tausaga and Jamal Britt will join Moody and Reed, respectively, in the discus and hurdles.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
100 Meters Semifinals
21. Kalen Walker – 10.22

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE
Kat Moody (Discus)
Monday, June 24
Qualifier Round (7:00 p.m.)

Laulauga Tausaga (Discus)***
Monday, June 24
Qualifier Round (7:00 p.m.)

Gratt Reed (110-Meter Hurdles)
Monday, June 24
Qualifier Round (7:05 p.m.)

Jamal Britt (110-Meter Hurdles)***
Monday, June 24
Qualifier Round (7:05 p.m.)

7 Drake Relays Alumni Make Olympic Team

Sports

June 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Men’s Pole Vault Final

—Four-time Drake Relays champ Sams Kendricks, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, wins pole vault  with meet record 19-5…was bronze medalist at 2016 Olympics

2019 Drake Relays champ Chris Nilsen finishes second at 19-3…was silver medalist @ 2021 Olympics 

Men’s Javelin Final

Curtis Thompson (6th in 2024 Drake Relays) wins with season best 272-5  …makes first Olympic team

—Capers Williamson (5th in 2204 Drake Relays) finished second with season best 261-0….makes first Olympic team

Women’s Hammer Throw Final

—Annette Echikunwoke (4th in 2023 Drake Relays) wins hammer throw with season best 245-0…makes first Olympic team 

—Erin Reese (3rd in 2024 Drake Relays) was third at 233-7…makes first Olympic team

Men’s 100 Final

—Kenny Bednarerk (2019 Drake Relays champ) was second in personal best 9.87…makes second straight Olympic team

2024 IHSBCA Baseball Rankings (Week 6)

Sports

June 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

4A

Team Name

Overall Record

1

Cedar Rapids Kennedy

28-2

2

Dallas Center-Grimes

27-1

3

Iowa City High

27-4

4

Ankeny Centennial

21-6

5

Johnston

23-5

6

Linn-Mar

20-7

7

Waukee

20-10

8

Iowa City Liberty

20-10

9

Waukee Northwest

18-11

10

Davenport North

22-9

Others

Cedar Rapids Prairie

19-11

Others

Des Moines Roosevelt

18-11

Others

Indianola

19-9

Others

Sioux City East

20-9

Others

Southeast Polk

17-11

 

3A

Team Name

Overall Record

1

North Polk

17-4

2

Marion

21-3

3

Wahlert

21-8

4

Western Dubuque

18-8

5

Heelan

22-8

6

Central DeWitt

18-6

7

Assumption

16-11

8

Grinnell

19-8

9

Solon

19-9

10

Bondurant-Farrar

17-7

Others

Algona

20-4

Others

CPU

18-7

Others

Harlan

19-6

Others

Pella

18-7

Others

Saydel

20-8

 

2A

Team Name

Overall Record

1

West Marshall

27-1

2

Underwood

18-2

3

Van Meter

25-4

4

Des Moines Christian

22-2

5

Beckman, Dyersville

15-6

6

New Hampton

20-3

7

Estherville- Lincoln Central

13-4

8

Sumner-Fredricksburg

17-3

9

Clarinda

15-3

10

I-35

18-5

Others

Alburnett

20-5

Others

Anamosa

15-7

Others

Mid-Prairie

16-7

Others

Northeast

13-6

Others

Unity Christian

17-7

 

1A

Team Name

Overall Record

1

Akron-Westfield

17-2

2

Burlington, Notre Dame

21-3

3

Newman Catholic

21-4

4

St. Mary’s Remsen

15-3

5

Lynnville-Sully

21-3

6

Saint Ansgar

17-2

7

Wapsie Valley

24-6

8

Tri-Center, Neola

15-4

9

North Linn

17-4

10

Sigourney

15-2

Others

Bishop Garrigan

15-5

Others

Don Bosco

17-7

Others

Logan-Magnolia

16-5

Others

Woodbine

17-2

Others

Woodbury Central

16-4

Gov. Reynolds requests expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for severe storms and widespread flooding

News

June 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on June 21 and continuing.  

The letter requests activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program, and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans for the following nine (9) counties: Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux. In addition, the letter requests the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for the following twenty-two (22) counties:  Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright. 

Funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses access to programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.  

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program provides funds that can be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, severe weather.  

In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.  

The letter can be read in its entirety here.