Iowans who don’t enjoy the extreme heat that’s in the forecast this week may find relief in a prediction from the Farmers’ Almanac. The publication’s managing editor, Sandi Duncan, says they’re predicting a winter with below normal temperatures for about two-thirds of the country. “We are saying it’s going to be a very cold winter, in fact, we’re using the words ‘piercing cold’ in your neck of the woods, with normal snowfall,” Duncan says. “So, it’s going to be one of those rough, old-fashioned, very chilly, very cold, snowy winters.”

The Farmer’s Almanac for 2014 hit newsstands today (Monday). Scientists don’t put much stock in the almanac’s weather forecasts, which Duncan says are based on a secret, mathematical and astronomical formula. “It takes things like sun spot activity, tidal action of the moon, the position of the planets, and a variety of factors into play,” Duncan says. “We’ve been predicting the weather for 197 years and people who follow our forecasts say we’re about 80 to 85 percent accurate.”

The Farmers’ Almanac, which was founded in 1818, is predicting a heavy winter storm will hit the Northeast U.S. right around the time Super Bowl is played February 2 in New Jersey.

On the web at http://www.farmersalmanac.com/

(Radio Iowa)

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the theft of tools valued at $4,720, from a building in Blanchard. The incident happened on or about August 18th. A list of the tools was provided to the Sheriff’s Office last Friday by Joseph Nelson, owner of the tools. Anyone with information about the burglary and theft is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-246-5193.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says the local Fire danger signs have been in the “Low” category since spring, and while they are not implementing the bi-weekly fire danger assessments, given the general lack of rainfall…and expected very hot and windy condition expected to prevail through the next week…Seivert advises businesses and area fire departments to move the fire danger signs into the “Moderate” category.

Seivert asks residents of Shelby County to “Please report a planned or controlled burn prior to ignition,” by calling 712-755-2124. If you need help in determining if the burn can be conducted safely, you’re asked to contact the Emergency Mgt Agency, or your Fire Chief.

Seivert says his office will continue to monitor conditions and keep residents and the media updated as necessary.

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports the arrest of man who turned himself in on a warrant for unauthorized use of a credit card. 22-year old Keith James Land, of Clarinda, was unable to post a $2,000 bond, and was being held in the Page County Jail.

A nationwide campaign to remove drunk drivers from the road is being launched today and will run through September 8. Randy Hunefeld with the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau says motorists in Iowa, compared to others around the country, do a good job of designating a sober driver or calling a cab when they’re out drinking alcohol.

Iowa ranks 2nd as having the lowest number of alcohol related fatalities in the nation. “My hat goes off to drivers who are out partying because they are apparently taking responsibility for that,” Hunefeld says. The crackdown on drunk driving, dubbed “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“There are contracts with law enforcement agencies across the state, so there will be somewhere between 250 and 260 law enforcement agencies that’ll be out specifically working this enforcement effort,” Hunefeld says. “And even though there is an emphasis on drunk drivers, they will be looking for all traffic violations.”

In addition to the enforcement boost, the campaign is being supported by paid advertising. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s latest statistics, from 2011, show 9,878 people died across the nation in crashes involving drunk drivers. That equates to roughly one drunken driving fatality every 53 minutes. Over the Labor Day Holiday weekend in Iowa last year, there were no reported alcohol related fatalities, however there were four fatalities from traffic crashes.

(Radio Iowa)

The entire state is under a heat advisory today (Monday), as temperatures are going to push up into the 90’s. National Weather Service meteorologist, Brad Small, says it’s not that unusual to see such high temperatures at the end of August. “What is unusual is how long this is going to last,” Small says. “If we end up with how the forecast is expected to pan out, it will be the hottest end of August that we’ve seen on record for that seven-day period from yesterday through the 31st. So, it will be very unusual to see temperatures this warm for this long.”

Not only are the temperatures heating up — but for areas of the state that have had some recent moisture — the humidity is also a factor. “We’ve increased both the heat and humidity from what we’ve seen from earlier in the summer, especially recently what we saw right around the state fair,” according to Small. “Definitely a big change in that regard, and we’ll be pushing records by Tuesday.” When you factor in the actual temperature and the relative humidity, you get the heat index. That index is expected to be over 100 in many parts of the state this week.

The forecast shows just a slim chance for a little relief from the heat. He says there may be a brief cold front dropping down on north-east Iowa around Wednesday. “That will be brief and very temporary, if it even occurs at all, and most of the state will see really little change, with highs in the 90’s at least through the holiday weekend,” Small says.

While people can turn on the air conditioner to seek relief, the crops in Iowa’s fields don’t have that option. “We’re gonna really increase things as far as the stress on the crops with the heat and the lack of moisture. North-east Iowa is a little better off — they’ve had some rains recently — but the south-west two-thirds of the state is in drought conditions right now and it will continue to worsen,” Small says. Polk County in central Iowa is also under an excessive heat warning for today (Monday).

(Radio Iowa)

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest this (Monday) morning of 48-year old Carl Race, of Clarinda. Race was taken into custody on Bunge Road at around 1:25-a.m. for allegedly Violating a Protective Order and Interference with Official Acts. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

The Sheriff’s Office reports also, a Glenwood resident was transported to a hospital in Council Bluffs, following a single-vehicle accident Saturday morning. Kerry Newman was driving a 2009 Chrysler northbound on 221st Street  at around 10:35-a.m., when Newman swerved to the right to avoid another vehicle which has crossed into the northbound lane. Newman’s vehicle went off the road to the right and hit a curve sign and power pole before rolling over four times and coming to rest on its wheels in the east ditch. Newman was transported to Jennie Edmundson Hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon reports several facilities have offered to serve as cooling stations for Cass County residents needing to find relief from the prolonged high heat and humidity that is expected to blanket the area through this week.

The cooling station in Atlantic, located at the Nishna Valley YMCA at 1100 Maple Street, is open from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday thru Thursday and 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.

The Griswold City Library is open 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. M-F.

The Anita Health and Wellness Center will be available as a cooling station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday thru Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has predicted afternoon heat indices over 100F for the area through the week. Kennon says residents should “Drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the heat of the day, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives, neighbors, the elderly and pets. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9-1-1.”

w/ Ric Hanson

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Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones has announced his intention to run for re-election. Jones told KJAN News he feels his accomplishments over the past four-years include helping to lead the City to improve its streets, the Schildberg Recreation Area and recreational trails. He said he was also part of helping to secure grants for recreational projects. Jones says he thinks he’s done a good job, and is dedicated to moving the City forward in a positive manner during his second-term, if elected.

Jones said Ward 2 Councilperson Kathy Somers has also filed her papers for re-election to a four-year term. Fifth Ward Councilman Shawn Shouse and At Large Councilman Steve Livengood have not announced whether they will run for re-election or not.

The deadline for candidates to file nomination papers for the City Election in Cass County, is September 19^th, and must be filed with the City Clerk in their respective communities.