The month of May in Iowa was marked by severe storms and drastic swings in the temperature. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says 13 tornadoes touched down last month across Iowa. “Which is actually average for us this time of year,” Hillaker said. Eight tornadoes hit parts of western Iowa on May 11th.

The town of Lenox sustained the most damage, but no one was killed or seriously injured. Five more tornadoes ripped through rural areas of northeast and east-central Iowa on May 22. Iowa’s already recorded 37 tornadoes in 2011. “That already exceeds the total for last year and (2009),” Hillaker said. “The normal annual total is 48, so we’re not quite to that point.”

In 2008, Iowa recorded 120 tornadoes that killed 13 people – primarily in Parkersburg and New Hartford and at a Boy Scout camp in western Iowa’s Harrison County. Hillaker says Iowans should remain on alert for severe weather in the weeks to come. “June, on average, is our busiest month of the year for tornadoes in Iowa,” Hillaker said.

The statewide average temperature in May turned out to be “normal,” according to Hillaker, but the month included extreme heat and cold. The hot spot was Jefferson – which hit 100-degrees on May 10. Just one week earlier, on May 3, the coldest temperature of 20-degrees was recorded in both Spencer and Sibley. Hillaker says the statewide average rainfall was 5.2 inches. Normal rainfall for May is 4.25 inches.

Here in Atlantic, we received 4.17-inches of rain in May, which is three-tenths of an inch above normal. Our average High was 72-degrees, which is 10-degrees cooler than normal. The hottest day was on May 10^th, when we hit 97-degrees. The average low was 48, which is about average for the month.

(Sources: Radio Iowa, NWS, KJAN weather records)

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A survey in nine Midwestern and Plains states suggests that exports are helping fuel regional economic growth.  A report released Wednesday says the Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region rose in May, to 60.2 from 57.7 in April. Creighton University economist Ernie Gross oversees the survey.

He says that although higher commodity prices have hampered the regional economy, exports are making “a significant contribution to growth.” The survey of supply managers and executives and the report use a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months, while a score below 50 suggests a contracting economy.

States in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Police in Red Oak say one person was arrested Tuesday after officers investigated a reported odor complaint. 24-year old Tyce Samual Watts, of Elliott, was arrested after authorities went to 1660 east Summit Street in Red Oak, at around 1:30-p.m.

A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of a small amount of what authorities say was suspected to be marijuana, as well as drug paraphernalia.

Watts was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Police in Red Oak Police say a woman arrested in late May faces additional charges stemming from an on-going investigation. 18-year-old Andrea Marie Elarton was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, in connection with an arrest in the 900 block of East Reed Street in the late-evening hours of May 23rd.

Elarton was subsequently charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and a felony violation of the state’s drug tax stamp law She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail, on $5,000 bond.

Following a number of days of increasing responses to the current Missouri River flooding, Lynn Grobe, Chairman of the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday signed a local disaster declaration for Pottawattamie County including the Cities of Carter Lake and Council Bluffs. This allows for those two cities, as well as Pottawattamie County, to request  additional assistance if needed from outside resources and entities as the flood crisis continues.

Flooding continues on the low level areas near the river and City and County crews are monitoring closed areas and the levee system. Officials anticipate an increasing rise in the level of the Missouri River and are making efforts to anticipate any needs that may be required.

Pottawattamie County Emergency Management continues to facilitate calls between the State of Iowa Department of Homeland Security, the Army Corp of Engineers, and many citizens
and business partners that may be affected by this event. Planning sessions continued over the Memorial Day weekend and operations meetings with key responders will continue on a
daily basis.

A Nebraska girl suffered minor injuries in Griswold Sunday afternoon, after she was struck by a car. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says Ellie Howard, of LaVista, NE, was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, after she was hit as she was trying to cross the street at around 4-p.m., Sunday.
The accident happened at the intersection of Whitney and Park Streets in Griswold. Officials say 21-year old Eve Alexandria Kwiatkowski, of Griswold, was traveling westbound on Whitney Street when her 2008 Chevy Impala made contact with the girl, who is believed to be under the age of 10.
No citations were issued.

Three people were arrested on separate charges over the past week, here in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Department says 46-year old Tracy Joe Lane, of Griswold, was arrested May 24th on charges of OWI/3rd offense, Child Endangerment, and Driving While Revoked. Lane was brought to the Cass County Jail and released May 28th, on $10,000 bond.
Last Sunday, sheriff’s deputies arrested 34-year old Shawn Michael Egging, of Omaha, on a charge of OWI 1st Offense. Egging was released later that day on $1,000 bond.
And, on Friday, 36-year old Thomas Jordan Fredrickson, of Atlantic,  turned himself in to the Cass County Jail on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for OWI 2nd Offense. Fredericksen was released later that day on his own recognizance.

An Exira man was arrested early Friday morning on an OWI charge, following a traffic stop in Exira. 23-year old Brock Daniel Knapp faces a charge of Operating While Intoxicated/1^st offense, and Driving Under Suspension. He was taken into custody at around 2:30-a.m. Friday and brought to the Audubon County Jail.

Knapp was later released after appearing before the magistrate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former Republican state senator plans to announce a new advocacy group to build conservative support for gay marriage in Iowa. Jeff Angelo of Creston is expected to appear outside the Capitol in Des Moines on Wednesday to launch Iowa Republicans for Freedom.

He’ll make stops at Green Square Park in Cedar Rapids and at the Davenport Public Library on Thursday.

According to a media release, the group will “give voice to Iowans who believe that conservative values of smaller government should keep government out of the private lives of all Iowans.”

Angelo served in the Senate, but did not run for re-election in 2008. His position puts him at odds with many Republicans, who have sought to overturn the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage in 2009.

Police in Glenwood are asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen, custom Harley Davidson motorcycle. The cycle was reported stolen from a garage at 116 Hillcrest Avenue in Glenwood, Sunday morning. It was likely taken sometime Saturday night or early Sunday.

Officials say the keys to the cycle were previously stolen. The bike is described as being an orange, 2010 Harley with green flames. It has Iowa license plate 403-8MX.

If you see the motorcycle, call Glenwood Police at 712-527-9920 or 712-527-4844.