DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested a Presidential Disaster Declaration for seven Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from spring flooding. 

The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Allamakee, Clayton, Des Moines, Dubuque, Jackson, Lee, and Scott counties for the Mississippi River flooding that occurred from April 24-May 13, 2023.  

Following a joint federal, state, and local damage assessment of the affected counties, it was estimated the flooding caused more than $6 million worth of damage that could be eligible under the Public Assistance program. Funding from this program is 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. 

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, today (Sunday) issued a disaster proclamation for Lee and Sioux counties in response to severe weather that occurred beginning Aug. 4th. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at  https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

 The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious disaster-related needs. Disaster case advocates work with clients to coordinate services and resources to address disaster-related unmet needs, build a recovery plan, and access available resources. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation.  To sign up for the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local Community Action Agency: https://iowacommunityaction.org/find-an-agency/.

(Montgomery County, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Montgomery County report a woman from Red Oak faces an OWI charge, following an accident in the 1900 block of 200th Street, in Red Oak, Friday evening. 37-year-old Sara Sue Batten was transported to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries she suffered during the accident. As a result of an investigation, deputies found Batten’s blood alcohol content was more than four-times the legal limit. She was charged with OWI/1st offense and issued a written warning for Failure to Maintain Control. She was cited into court.

Red Oak Police report two arrests took place Friday: 33-year-old Dylan Thomas Griffeth, of Red Oak, was arrested for Domestic Assault/1^st Offense, and on a Red Oak Police Department warrant for Domestic Abuse Causing Bodily Injury. Griffeth was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Red Oak Police also arrested 30-year-old Isaias Guerra, of Red Oak, Friday. He was taken into custody on a Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation. Guerra was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on a $5,000 bond.

In addition, a 16-year-old male faces charges associated with a collision Friday afternoon, at the intersection of S. 2nd Street and E. Park Avenue, in Red Oak. Authorities say the teen – whose name was not released – was charged with Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way, Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability, Violation of Instruction Permit, and Operation Without Owners Consent. The police report said the teen was traveling northbound on S 2^nd Street at a high rate of speed and failed to obey a stop sign before the vehicle he was driving struck a westbound 2012 Dodge Avenger. No injuries were reported.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Cass County Conservation Department reports Nishna Valley Trails is holding a Kids Bike Ride August 12th, 2023 10:30 AM at Schildberg Recreation Area west parking lot, in Atlantic. Check-in and start the ride at the West Parking lot.

Three age groups ride a length of the trail according to age. The event is FREE, and all ages welcome. After the ride check out Atlanticfest going on in the downtown area!

The Kids Bike Ride is co-sponsored by Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Conservation, Fareway, and West Side Diner, in Atlantic. For questions, call Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning, at 712-769-2372.

OMAHA, Neb. — Prosecutors in Nebraska said an Omaha man has been stealing and selling catalytic converters for months. KETV in Omaha reports detectives believe Phillip Love has been caught on camera stealing and selling catalytic converters. Police said in one case, Love is seen on camera cutting one from under a car in just over a minute. Love was recently arrested in Carter Lake, Iowa on one case. Love has to pay $5,000 to get out of jail. If he’s convicted, he faces up to two years in jail.

Prosecutors revealed that a metal recycling shop in Carter Lake, Iowa helped link love to several thefts. That includes one stolen from a car parked at the University of Nebraska Omaha on June 5 or 6. Lakeside Auto Recyclers told police Love scrapped one between those days. Authorities said Lakeside has been cooperative with police in identifying the more than 50 sales love participated in. Still, they’re working to link those sales to thefts.

Officers add it’s not Love’s first time getting busted for this exact crime. In February, he was arrested for felony theft and possessing burglary tools. In 2022, the same crime, and he was sentenced to just over 220 days in jail. Police said they’ll continue to try to link Love to thefts around the area and say thieves often cross jurisdictions, so there’s much work to be done. In the meantime, they suggest people park in well-lit areas, and take the precautionary steps to try to reduce the chances of becoming a victim in the first place.

(Creston, Iowa) – A high speed crash at around 9:45-p.m. Saturday, in Creston, claimed the life of a person from Creston, and resulted in injuries to a man from Ames. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2001 Ford Mustang was traveling south on Highway 25 in Creston, when the driver lost control near the intersection of Sumner and Howard Streets.

The car left the roadway to the left and struck a parked vehicle before vaulting and striking the front of two houses on the east side of  the road. The vehicle flipped over and came to rest on its top at 313 Sumner Avenue.

The driver suffered life-threatening injuries at died at the at hospital in Creston. A male passenger in the vehicle was flown by Mercy helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Both occupants were wearing their seat belts. Their names were not immediately released.

The crash remains under investigation. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by Creston Police and the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

(Fremont County, Iowa) – An accident Friday evening in southwest Iowa resulted in a person from Colorado being injured. The Iowa State Patrol, Saturday, reported a 2020 Honda 250R dirt bike driven by 31-year-old Casey Winstead, of Fort Collins, CO, was traveling southbound on 380th Street in Fremont County at around 5:52-p.m., when Winstead failed to stop for a posted stop sign at 120th Street.

As the motorcycle crossed 120th, it was struck by a 2015 GMC Yukon driven by 31-year-old Vanessa Frank, of Randolph (IA). Winstead suffered serious injuries and was transported by Life Flight helicopter to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Vanessa Frank was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – (UPDATED) One person died in a house fire this (Saturday) afternoon, in Atlantic. According Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel, a female resident in the home died. Her name was not immediately released. The house at 804 Walnut Street was a total loss. A cause had not been determined. Two neighbors in the area saw the fire and both called 9-1-1.

The call went out at 4:27-p.m.  Atlantic Police observed heavy smoke upon their arrival, and said the house appeared to be fully involved. Atlantic Fire, Cass EMS and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies were on the scene moments later. Chief Cappel said flames were coming out of the north, south and east side of the structure. Front entry was attempted, but the smoke was so dense it make it difficult to see, according to Cappel.

He said the fire in the upstairs of the home was made all the more difficult to fight because renovations had been made by means of a wall between the north and south bedrooms. In addition, the stairs were compromised, and along with the main floor.

Additional manpower/mutual aid was requested from the Lewis and Marne Fire Departments. Mother Nature provided some assistance in the form of a brief shower, at around 4:45-p.m.

Ric Hanson (photos)

The State Fire Marshal’s Office was notified and were expected to be on scene shortly.

Chief Cappel thanked the Marne and Lewis Fire Departments, Atlantic Police, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County EMC Mike Kennon and others were stayed at the scene and offered assistance.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Organizers of an event in Atlantic that includes fireworks, music and more, have updated information about the event that will take place September 2nd. Everyone is invited to come out to the Atlantic Little League Sports Complex on Saturday, September 2nd for the Saturday Night Bash at the Ballfields event. The fun will begin at 5-p.m.

The event will feature live music from Gut Feeling out of Des Moines and the City of Atlantic’s fireworks show by Wild Wayne’s Fireworks.  (Postponed from the 4th of July!) There will also be a beer garden, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, bags, and a punt/pass/kick contest.

Organizers wish to give special thanks to their title sponsor, Camblin Mechanical, for sponsoring the band, and Stamp Construction, L.C., for sponsoring the beer garden.  Thanks also, to: Frederiksen Iron Recycling, Inc.; Lyman Ag Supply, Inc.; Browns Shoe Fit; Car Quest Auto Parts; Duke Rentals; McCurdy Investments, and First Whitney Bank and Trust for their sponsorships of the kids’ activities and attractions.

A record Mega Millions jackpot might be on the way for Tuesday’s drawing after no ticket matched all the winning numbers in Friday’s estimated $1.25 billion dollar jackpot. The next drawing is now being estimated at $1.55 billion grand prize, which would top the previous record prize of $1.53 billion that was won in South Carolina in 2018.

Friday’s wining numbers were 11-30-45-52-56 with a Mega Ball of 20. Although no one hit the jackpot, lottery officials say two tickets won $2 million and seven others won $1 million by matching the first five numbers.