(Radio Iowa) – Nobody knows yet just how many tornadoes touched down in Iowa Wednesday afternoon and evening, but the National Weather Service says there were at least 12 and perhaps as many as 16. Miraculously, there are no injuries reported, but there’s damage to homes, businesses, trees and power lines across central and eastern Iowa. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service in metro Des Moines, says they’re sending survey crews to the worst-hit communities. “The most important thing is to go to the areas that had the most damage,” Hagenhoff says. “That for us today is going to be in Calhoun and Hamilton counties and also Bremer and Butler counties, and we’ll also likely swing through Tama County where Dysart got some damage.”

In this age where practically everyone has a smartphone, she says there’s plenty of evidence to sift through documenting the storm cells, large and small. “For areas where the tornado maybe remained in open farmland and didn’t cause as much damage, a lot of those tornado ratings can be determined based off of the video and pictures that we get rather than visiting the site directly,” Hagenhoff says, “especially if it didn’t strike a home or cause any injuries.”

The Johnston office of the Weather Service covers western and central Iowa, where Hagenhoff says “at least a dozen” tornadoes were reported. Of those, one is standing out. “Based off of video and pictures that we’ve seen, the Lake City tornado in Calhoun County appears to be the largest one,” Hagenhoff says. “Sometimes, the ones that are visually the largest may not actually be the strongest, but right now it looks like they’ve got the damage and just the size we’ve seen in pictures.” Calhoun County was under two separate tornado warnings that lasted until shortly before 7 PM. Mid-American Energy confirmed Wednesday night, that nearly 1,400 Calhoun County residents were without power. Mid-American Energy issued an update on Thursday morning that said they had restored power to over half of those residents. No deaths or injuries were reported as a result of the tornado.

Tom Philip is a meteorologist at the Davenport office of the National Weather Service, which covers Iowa’s eastern third. “We’ve got some crews going out to survey a couple of counties in different areas,” Philip says. “They’re headed to Jones County, Delaware County, Benton and Linn County.”  Philip would only say the damage in eastern Iowa is from four “possible” tornadoes.  “There may have been more but that’s why we’re going out to survey to determine paths and strength,” Philip says, “and whether or not they were tornadoes, too, or just straight-line winds.”

Tornadoes were reported in or near the following communities: Dysart, Gowrie, Jewell, Lake City, Manchester, Mason City, Monticello, Nemaha, Stanhope, Stratford and Waverly. In Story County, the town of Maxwell had more than five-and-a-half inches of rain, which brought flash flooding. Clarksville reported hail the size of ping pong balls. A Waverly man was reportedly trapped in his home for a time by downed trees and power lines, but he wasn’t hurt. Forecasters say a few scattered showers remain today but the next several days should bring relatively calm weather, with mostly clear skies and highs in the 80s.

2021 Educational Presentations Results

Parker Weirich (Senior)   – Purple Ribbon

Nick Denning (Senior) – Purple Ribbon

Top Senior Educational Presentation: Parker Weirich

Shooting Sports Competition Results: Click Here

Clothing Event Results: Click Here

Dog Show results:

Grand Champion Obedience: Madison Doyle & Waylon- Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Obedience: Rowyn Rigby & Jesse- Grant Spitfires

Champion Junior Dog Handler: Addelyn Gettler & Brinley- Stanton Strivers

Champion Intermediate Dog Handler: Landon Gigstad & Maddie- Stennett Panthers

Champion Senior Dog Handler: Madison Doyle & Raya- Grant Spitfires

Overall Grand Champion Dog Handler: Addelyn Gettler & Brinley- Stanton Strivers

Grand Champion Agility: Lilly Focht & Bella- East Sunrisers

Reserve Grand Champion Agility: Conner Christensen & Milo- Red Oak FFA

Poultry Show Results

Grand Champion Egg Production Individual: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Egg Production Individual: Madison Doyle – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Egg Production Pen of 3: Madison Doyle – Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Egg Production Pen of 3: Corbin Wolfe – Stennett Panthers

Grand Champion Standard Breeding Chicken: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Standard Breeding Chicken: Alexa McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Standard Breeding Pen: Corbin Wolfe – Stennett Panthers

Reserve Grand Champion Standard Breeding Pen: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Bantam Chicken: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Bantam Chicken: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Bantam Breeding Pen: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Breeding Water Fowl: Cord Nippert – East Sunrisers

Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Water Fowl: Allie Sandin – Stanton Strivers

Grand Champion Domestic Water Fowl Duck/Geese Breeding Pen: Madison Doyle – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Breeding Other Fowl: Corbin Wolfe – Stennett Panthers

Grand Champion Domestic Fowl Meat Production Individual: Grace Nippert – East Sunrisers

Reserve Grand Champion Domestic Fowl Meat Production Individual: Allie Sandin – Stanton Strivers

Grand Champion Domestic Fowl Meat Production Pen: Grace Nippert – East Sunrisers

Reserve Grand Champion Domestic Fowl Meat Production Pen: Cord Nippert – East Sunrisers

Grand Champion Chicken Meat Production Individual: Colin Jacobs – Southwest Valley FFA

Reserve Grand Champion Chicken Meat Production Individual: Corbin Wolfe – Stennett Panthers

Grand Champion Chicken Meat Production Pen: Alexa McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Reserve Grand Champion Chicken Meat Production Pen: Josie McCunn – Grant Spitfires

Champion Beginner Showmanship: Maven Allen – Stanton Strivers

Champion Junior/Intermediate Showmanship: Grace Nippert – East Sunrisers

Champion Senior Showmanship: Madison Doyle – Grant Spitfires

Grand Champion Overall Showmanship: Grace Nippert – East Sunrisers

(Radio Iowa) – The Science Center of Iowa is one of the first in the nation to host a touring exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution called, “The Bias Inside Us.” Center spokeswoman Emilee Richardson says as our country grapples with issues like diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s critically to find new ways to understand and seek solutions. She says one part of the exhibit features everyday objects, like a notebook, to demonstrate bias. “For instance, with the notebook, it is designed for right-handed people. Left-handed people struggle to use notebooks and not smear their ink all over their paper and all sorts of different things,” Richardson says. “Another is soap dispensers. Automatic soap dispensers don’t always recognize dark skin. These are things that have a significant impact on large groups of people.”

The Des Moines facility is perhaps best known for exhibits that showcase dinosaurs, the weather or space exploration, but on occasion, the exhibits will branch off and take us out of our comfort zones — in order to look inward. “We at the Science Center strive to present our audiences with new ideas that stretch their ways of thinking and encourage thoughtful conversation,” Richardson says. “‘The Bias Inside Us’ is an exhibit that does just that. It helps us be reflective on our own lives and spark those conversations about how we can create a more welcoming place for everyone.”

The exhibit features compelling images, hands-on interactives and powerful testimonials and videos. There are hard topics we have to face as a society today, and Richardson says the exhibit helps visitors to understand those topics and learn to be able to discuss them. “The exhibit does a great job of not labeling anyone as racist or sexist. It’s not about making you feel bad about your biases. It’s about helping you understand that these are things that exist,” she says. “Biases are human. It’s a natural, normal thing for our brains to create shortcuts and help us understand the world around us. Not all biases are bad.”

We’re a product of our environment yet we can “retrain our brain,” Richardson says, to reflect, adjust and move forward in the world. The exhibit is on its fourth stop of a four-year, 40-city tour. It will only be in Des Moines through August 8th.

More online at sciowa.org

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The Audubon County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Audubon County. As part of this fall grant cycle, $50,400 is available to support Audubon County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is September 1st. Of the total allocated funds, $2,825 is restricted to the Exira area, $2,375 is designated for the community of Audubon, and $45,200 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Audubon County under County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Please note that there is a new grant application portal this cycle; all applicants will need to create a new account when first accessing the application.

Only organizations providing services in Audubon County are eligible to apply. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

The Audubon County Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life in Audubon County by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, Audubon County. For Fall 2021, the Audubon County Community Foundation will entertain requests for capital and program support. Requests for general operating support will not be considered.

These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of Audubon County Community Foundation donors. To inquire about donating to the Audubon County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Audubon County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Board members of the Audubon County Community Foundation are Chair, Joel Hoegh of rural Brayton; Vice Chair, Steven B. Hansen of Audubon; Secretary/Treasurer, Megan Wagner of Audubon; Gina Benton of Exira, Bob Blomme of Audubon; Pat Kaiser of Audubon; and Donna Olson of Kimballton.

Please contact Stacey Goodman (stacey@omahafoundation.org) or Tess Houser (tess@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.

(Radio Iowa) – Veterans will get a chance to tell their story and have it preserved at the Library of Congress this weekend in central Iowa. Sara Robinson does the interviews as part of the Iowa Veterans’ Perspective organization she founded. “I travel all over the state depending on who wants to host me. The local libraries usually know the veterans in the area — so I am able to coordinate with them in order to bring in the local veterans in places like Newton, Guttenberg, Sioux City,” she says.

Her next event is Saturday at the Urbandale Public Library. Robinson is a member of the Iowa National Guard and says her family’s long military history spurred her to do this. “It’s a part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, so they have kind of a script that I go by that just asks generic questions about their life, because once you know a little bit more about a person’s life — you definitely know more about our nation’s history,” Robinson explains. She believes her own background makes it easier to get the veterans to open up. “I’ve actually found that as a veteran myself, since I can talk the talk, I am able to get them to open up to me a little bit more,” according to Robinson. “Because I know those little nuances in the conversation — such as the difference between boot camp and basic training — and we’re speaking this language that every veteran speaks, which is the language of veterans.”

She makes appointments for the interviews so there is time for the stories and so veterans don’t have to wait. You can sign up online. “My website is www.vetstories.org, or you can just go to Google and type in Iowa Veterans’ Perspective and it will take you to all my different social media platforms, and you are able to send me messages that way,” she says. Robinson says any libraries that would like to host a session can also contact her. She says the interviews are an hour to an hour-and-a-half and then volunteers package up the interviews and send them to the Library of Congress for historical preservation.

The Veterans Interview Day Saturday has appointments starting at 9:00 a-m and running until 6:00 p-m. Veterans of all wars and representing all military branches are encouraged to register to share their stories. If you have questions about the interview process, contact Sara at Iowa Veterans’ Perspective at 515-710-9869.

(Radio Iowa) – A line of severe storms swept through Iowa Wednesday, with trained spotters confirming more than a dozen tornadoes. Tornadoes started touching the ground in north central Iowa late Wednesday afternoon, along the Highway 20 corridor and to the east of Interstate 35. Just after 10 p.m., National Weather Service radar confirmed a tornado east of Monticello. Farmsteads, the school bus shed in Lake City, the football stadium in Oelwein and the sale barn in Manchester are among the facilities damaged. Just before 8 pm, spotters reported a tornado on the ground southwest of Manchester and another touchdown to the north. Delaware County Emergency Management Director Mike Ryan. “I thought: ‘Oh no, here we go. We’ve finally got that one night where we’ve got one that cuts a path through town on us,'” he says. “It affected some folks and then it just dissipated.”

There was minor damage to a convenience store’s building and vehicles on the lot. The Delaware County Fair is underway this week and about 15-hundred people were evacuated from the fairgrounds. Ryan says about five years ago, the fair board updated its emergency response plans. “We did a two-and-a-half hour exercise where we challenged that plan this spring,” Ryan says, “and tonight’s an example of why we do this stuff.” A tornado touched down west of Lake City shortly before 4 p.m. Eric Wood is the city administrator in Lake City. “A lot of trees, most of the power lines are down,” he says.”The school’s bus barn lost its roof. Bowie International lost a roof on a building and then it continued east out of town.”

A month ago, Dobson Pipe Organ Builders in Lake City was destroyed by fire and this is the second tornado in six years to hit the community.  “We feel like we’re a little snake bitten in town right now with the Dobson fire and six years ago,” he says. “Luckily this didn’t do any more damage. We had our public works crews out right away. We had a couple of volunteers running some skid loaders and a couple of other things. We have the trees pushed off the roads.”

The storm system also produced some downpours and flash flooding in the state. More than five-and-a-half inches of rain was reported near Maxwell.

The Cass County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from organizations providing charitable services in Cass County. As part of this fall grant cycle, $33,200 is available to support Cass County nonprofit organizations and community projects. The deadline to apply for funds through the online application process is September 1st. Of the total allocated funds, $2,000 is restricted to the community of Griswold, and $31,200 is available to support projects throughout the county.

Beginning July 15, application details, a fact sheet, and a link to the application form can be found online by selecting Cass County under County Listing at www.swiowafoundations.org. Applications will only be accepted through the online system. Please note that there is a new grant application portal this cycle; all applicants will need to create a new account when first accessing the application.

Only organizations providing services in Cass County are eligible to apply. They must be able to demonstrate broad community/county support and be an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) public charity, a local municipality, or a fiscally sponsored project.

The Cass County Community Foundation aims to improve the quality of life in Cass County by supporting community needs in the areas of civic engagement, culture, health, education, and social services. The objective of the grant program is to fund projects that will have a permanent impact on, and in, Cass County. For Fall 2021, the Cass County Community Foundation will entertain requests for capital, program, and operating support.

These grant funds are made possible by the generosity of Cass County Community Foundation donors. To inquire about donating to the Cass County Community Foundation, please contact the Community Foundations of Southwest Iowa staff or any board member listed below. Gifts to permanently endowed funds through the Cass County Community Foundation may be eligible to receive a 25% Endow Iowa Tax Credit.

Board members of the Cass County Community Foundation are Chair, Kristi Burg of Massena; Vice Chair, Mark D. Kyhnn, CPA of Atlantic; Secretary/Treasurer, Sue Hunt of Atlantic; Sandy Bierbaum of Griswold; and Gaylord Schelling of Atlantic.

Please contact Stacey Goodman (stacey@omahafoundation.org) or Tess Houser (tess@omahafoundation.org) at 800-794-3458 with application-related questions. All completed grant applications will be considered at the October Board meeting, with applicants being notified of funding decisions by the end of October.