Winds gusting up to 53mph blew through Atlantic this morning, causing minor damage. The NWS in Des Moines reports a 53mph gust was recorded at the Atlantic Airport, at 4:25-a.m. Sustained winds around 40-mph were recorded through 5:05-a.m. Damage included tree down near 5th & Linn, a community church billboard on N. Olive Street destroyed, and scattered other incidents., including a large piece of drywall flying across 7th Street, across from a construction site at IWCC (IA Western Community College) at 4:25-a.m.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State environmental and agricultural officials are beginning to provide guidance to farmers who may have grain damaged by floodwaters along the Missouri River. Officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture say the floodwaters came up slow enough that most farmers and businesses had time to move their grain. But they say grain that was left behind likely won’t be suitable for animal feed or human consumption. They say it can mold rapidly and contain toxins that are unsafe for livestock and wildlife.

Officials say owners must test the grain and submit a plan to the Iowa Department of Agriculture if they wish to salvage it. Iowa Department of Natural Resources officials say few options exist for disposing of the grain because birds are especially sensitive to toxins in the grain.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa state audit says many school districts have failed to reach the state goal of smaller classes and higher academic achievement. The audit covered fiscal years 2006-2010 of the state’s Early Intervention Block Program, which has spent more than $146 million over that period. The class goal is 17 students for kindergarten through third grade.

The audit report, which was released Thursday, says some districts didn’t have paperwork to verify they had provided help for struggling students. Iowa Department of Education officials say that the class-size goal was merely that: a goal. The officials say the program gives districts some discretion on spending.

An Atlantic man was arrested Wednesday on a charge of Criminal Mischief in the 5^th Degree. Atlantic Police said Thursday, 24-year old Justin Knutsen was brought to the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday, two Red Oak residents were arrested this week, on drug charges. 25-year old Robert Beals, of Red Oak, was taken into custody Tuesday, and charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana, 4^th offense, and, a valid warrant out of Montgomery County. Beals was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond.

And, a registered child care provider in Red Oak was arrested Wednesday, following a search warrant executed at her residence on Highland Avenue. 47-year old Candace Johnson was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She was released on a citation, and ordered to appear later in magistrate court.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today (Thursday) announced that the state will receive $773,353 in grants for the repair and rehabilitation of flood damaged railroad infrastructure.  The funds come from the Iowa Department of Transportation through the Flood Damage Restoration for the Iowa River Railroad Program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds transportation initiatives.

The railroad repairs include debris removal, track regulation, bridge reconstruction, aligning and surfacing caused by flood damage. The funds will be used to reimburse short line and regional rails in the following counties:  Adair, Cass, Dallas, Des Moines, Hardin, Iowa, Jasper, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, and Poweshiek.

“Three years ago, devastating floods hit Iowa causing destruction across our state, including severe damage to our railway system,” said Harkin.  “These railroads are crucial to the safe and efficient movement of goods between Iowa communities and to places outside of our state, as well as critical to growing our economy.”

CRESTON, Iowa – Aug. 11, 2011 – Road construction work will reduce Iowa 25 to one lane between Guthrie County Road F-65 near Casey and Iowa 44 in Guthrie Center beginning Monday, Aug. 22nd, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Creston construction office.

A 16-foot lane width restriction will be in place in the open lane. Flaggers and a pilot car will be used to control traffic during the closure. The roadway will return to normal traffic patterns when workers are not present. This project is expected to be completed by Oct. 3rd.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations
are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

(IA-DOT News Release)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal authorities are forecasting a 2011 Iowa corn harvest of 2.43 billion bushels, a figure that would match the Iowa record set in 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the estimate is based on Aug. 1 conditions. Last year, 2.15 billion bushels were harvested in Iowa. The area expected to be harvested for grain is up to 13.75 million acres, compared with 13.05 million acres in 2010. The expected yield for 2011 is 177 bushels an acre. That’s 12 bushels higher than last year’s production but 5 bushels under the record set in 2009.

Duffy tribute - Butter Sculpture

A massive sculpture made of more than 12-hundred (1,200) pounds of butter was unveiled this (Thursday) morning as part of the opening ceremonies for the 2011 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. It’s located in the Ag Building near the famous life-sized butter cow which has now been part of the Fair for 100 years. The Fair’s “butter cow lady,” Sarah Pratt, also created the surprise sculpture which includes a cow and a young boy teaching a calf to nurse. It’s placed on a turntable so the entire sculpture rotates 360 degrees.

“Some people might know, but I’ll let out the secret, the other cow isn’t completely finished all the way around. It’s only finished on the parts that you can see from outside. So, I was excited to be able to do a sculpture that everyone could see from all sides,” Pratt said. The sculpture, located behind glass in a 42-degree cooler, pays tribute to Norma “Duffy” Lyon – who served as the Fair’s “butter cow lady” for 45 years. Lyon passed away earlier this year at the age of 81. Pratt says she was inspired by a story about how Norma met her husband Joe. Their first meeting involved a minor argument about Norma chasing a butterfly. The sculpture includes a young Norma Lyon with a butterfly in her hand.

“To me, it signifies her curious spirit and her love of all living things. But also, just that spirit that embodies the Fair of curiousity and learning and exploring,” Pratt said. “So, I hope when people are on the fairgrounds and they see a butterfly they might remember Norma.” The 34-year-old Pratt, who’s from Norwalk, learned the art of butter sculpting from Lyon and took over the role of the Fair’s “butter cow lady” in 2006. She spent three weeks working on the sculpture revealed this morning.

“Because it rotates and people can see it from all different angles, there was a lot of consideration taken into all the angles. And because it was all done in secrecy, it made it difficult to come outside and view the sculpture,” Pratt said. “Now that I can see it from outside, I think there are some things I might go in and fix up a little bit.” A long line of people stretched throughout the Ag Building this morning as fairgoers waited to see the butter cow and Pratt’s sculpture of Lyon.

(Radio Iowa)

Midway rides at the IA State Fair

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Iowa State Fair is spending more money to draw Omaha customers than the Nebraska State Fair as organizers continue their efforts to attract more Omaha-area fairgoers. The Iowa State Fair is spending $125,000 to advertise in Omaha this year, which represents about 20 percent of its total advertising and production budget. Iowa’s campaign includes print and broadcast advertising, seven Omaha billboards and another in Council Bluffs. Officials say their efforts, which began in 2010, are paying off.

Iowa fair marketing director Lori Chappell says roughly 15 percent of Iowa fairgoers came from the Omaha area last year. The Iowa State Fair kicks off today (Thursday) and runs through Aug.21st.