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Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Friday, June 7, 2024

Weather

June 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 11pm. Low around 62.
Tomorrow: A slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, otherwise partly sunny, with a high near 78. W-N winds 10-20.
Tom. Night: A slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 82. The Low this morning was 49. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 85and the Low was 65. The record High for June 6th was 98 in 1934 & 2011. The record Low was 36 in 1894. Sunrise: 5:46. Sunset: 8:51.

NASCAR driver Michael McDowell previews the Iowa Speedway

Sports

June 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

NASCAR Cup Series veteran Michael McDowell is looking forward to his return to the Iowa Speedway next week. The 2021 Daytona 500 champion will be among those competing in the Iowa Corn 350, the first cup series race at the track. McDowell last raced at the Iowa Speedway in a Nationwide Series event back in 2014.

McDowell says he was not surprised when the Cup Series added a race at Iowa.

Racing at a new track is an adjustment and McDowell says practice sessions will be important next week.

Sunday nights Iowa Corn 350 and Saturday’s Xfinity race sold out in a matter of hours and McDowell says that will make for an outstanding atmosphere.

It is the first time the track will host the Cup Series but 19 drivers who could be in the field for the Iowa Corn 350 have taken the Checkered flag at Iowa Speedway.

McDowell is currently 24th in points as the NASCAR Cup Series prepares for Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 in Sonoma, California.

Sierra Club analysis says carbon pipeline would use 3.3 billion gallons of water per year

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa)  – An analysis released by the Sierra Club and landowners who object to the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline suggests the project will require drawing well over three BILLION gallons of water from Iowa’s aquifers each year. Jess Mazour is the conservation coordinator for the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club.  “This is not a good use of our public water supply,” Mazour says. “We need to ensure we have water for generations to come and not squander it on a private company.”

Mazour says ethanol plants already use a significant amount of water and the pipeline would be an even bigger drain on Iowa’s water supply. “We have no idea how much water is below us underground,” Mazour says. “…Our bottom line is we need Iowa to take a long, hard look and study our aquifers and we need to deny water for carbon capture and storage for any company.”

Jess Mazour of the Sierra Club’s Iowa Chapter speaking during an online news conference June 6, 2024.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has already granted Summit a permit to withdraw up to 55 million gallons of water each year from a new well near an ethanol plant in Chickasaw County. Wally Taylor, the attorney for the Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club, says the agency has been handing out water use permits like candy, without considering the impact on groundwater resources.

“The DNR sees its role as serving its customers and the customer is the applicant for a permit,” he says. “In fact, they used to call that portion of the DNR the Environmental Protection Division. Now it’s the Environmental Services Division. That tells you all you need to know.”

According to federal reports, it takes between 10 and 17 liters of water to produce ethanol. More water would be required at each ethanol plant site to cool carbon so it can be compressed, liquefied and pushed through a pipeline. More than half of Iowa’s corn crop is used to produce ethanol. Summit and corn growers who support the project say the pipeline is crucial to the survival of the ethanol industry, as more consumers demand fuel that has a low or no carbon footprint.

Summit’s pipeline would sequester carbon from 57 Midwest ethanol plants, including 30 in Iowa.

Iowa West Awards $10,000 to each Pottawattamie County Volunteer Fire Department that Responded to Tornadoes in Southwest Iowa

News

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Council Bluffs, IA) – Volunteers for local southwest Iowa fire departments went above and beyond in the aftermath of recent tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Pottawattamie County.  According to Jacob Nelson with the Minden Volunteer Fire Department, his colleagues immediately sprang into action checking on residents and their homes, ensuring safety, assisting with gas shut offs, and clearing streets among other duties. Several first responders did so even though their own homes were directly affected, according to Jacob Nelson with the Minden Fire Department.

“Our first responders -in the following hours, days, and weeks – put their lives on hold, taking time from work to assist in the daunting task of cleanup efforts and ensure our residents felt cared for,” he said. “We are so proud to call this our hometown.”

To recognize and support these efforts, the Iowa West Foundation board of directors approved a $10,000 grant to each volunteer fire department that aided in the disaster response. In addition to Minden, 10 other southwest Iowa departments responded including Avoca, Carson, Crescent, Lewis Township, McClelland, Neola, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, and Walnut. IWF also awarded a $4,000 grant to Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department for their response in Shelby County.

“The Minden Fire Department is beyond grateful to all those who came from all over the county, state, and country to assist in clean-up efforts,” Nelson said. “The outpouring of support for our community is something magical and brings tears to our eyes. There are so many people, businesses, and entire communities to thank.”

Iowa West Foundation’s contribution to local fire department’s is in addition to its commitment of $50,000 to match donations to the Community Foundation for Western Iowa’s Southwest Iowa Disaster Relief fund.

“We’re fully committed to bolstering the immediate relief efforts in the affected regions and aiding those who have been impacted. Our dedication extends beyond the immediate crisis, as we remain steadfast in our commitment to stand by these communities and their residents throughout the rebuilding process,” said Brenda Mainwaring, President, and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation. “It’s inspiring to witness the outpouring of support from individuals rallying to assist their neighbors, and the Iowa West Foundation is privileged to play a role in supporting these commendable endeavors.”
About the Iowa West Foundation

The Iowa West Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Midwest. It has awarded more than $550 million to nonprofits and governmental agencies throughout southwest Iowa. Funding for the grants comes from investment earnings and the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives contractual fees from casino operators, Ameristar and Harrah’s. The Foundation targets resources into programs and projects that focus on belonging, financial stability, opportunity, and wellbeing.

Bridgestone-Firestone tire Mfg. in Des Moines to layoff employees

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Bridgestone will be laying off some employees at its Des Moines plant. In a statement, Bridgestone confirmed the layoffs but would not specify how many workers would be impacted.

“Bridgestone regularly evaluates all aspects of its business to ensure we remain competitive and resources are allocated in a manner that best supports our business strategy,” the company said in a statement.

Bridgestone says it notified United Steelworkers (USW) leadership in Des Moines about the workforce reduction, citing “demand constraints in the agriculture tire sector.”

The Iowa Senior Games open with a record number of hopeful medalists

News, Sports

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

More athletes than ever before are taking part in this year’s edition of the Iowa Senior Games. Cory Kennedy, spokesman for the 38th annual event, says it’s gratifying to see the popularity continue to grow, year after year.

The games opened Wednesday, with many events underway at Waukee High School in metro Des Moines.

Tennis is among the 30 sports at the games. (Iowa Senior Games 2023 photo)

The sports range from football and tennis to pickleball and granny basketball.

The events run through Sunday. You have to be at least 50 years old to participate in the Iowa Senior Games, though Kennedy says they have a good number of competitors who are well into their 90s.

Originally known as the Iowa Senior Olympics, Kennedy says the event provides a venue for competition among peers with the chance to earn the gold, silver, or bronze medals awarded to the top three individuals in each age group event. Winners have the opportunity to advance to the National Senior Games and world competition.

One the web at www.iowaseniorgames.org

Iowa’s twister tally is growing, approaching all-time record

News, Weather

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – As the experts study the damage, satellite photos and other data, the number of tornadoes that have hit Iowa this year continues to rise. The National Weather Service now says Iowa has had 94 tornadoes touch down in the state this year, in what’s still considered a preliminary count.

That includes 45 tornadoes during April, which broke the record for the month of 40, set in April of 2001. We had 48 more tornadoes in May, and one confirmed so far in June. The yearly total record for Iowa is 120 tornadoes, set in 2004.

There’s still roughly three weeks left in the three-month tornado season, though twisters can strike during any month.
Back in 2021, Iowa had a record of 63 tornadoes in a single day — in December.

Each dot or streak represents a tornado, color-coded for severity. The lone red slash is the EF-4 that hit Greenfield. (National Weather Service image)

Audubon County Sheriff’s report (6/6/24)

News

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – Audubon County Sheriff Todd Johnson reports seven arrests took place between March 12th and May 27th:
  • Kelly Scott, age 53, of Kimballton, was arrested March 12th, on a Domestic Abuse Assault-1st Offense charge. He appeared before the magistrate and was released on his own recognizance.
  • Daniel Pleiss, age 63, of LaVista, Nebraska, was arrested on March 25th, on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance- Methamphetamine 1st and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation. He posted bond and was released.
  • Militina Dumitru, age 30, of Orlando, Florida, was arrested on March 24th, on charges of Theft 4th, Neglect or Abandonment of Dependent Person and Interference with Official Acts. She appeared before the magistrate and was held until she posted bond later the next day.
  • Brandon Toft, age 41, of Audubon, was arrested on April 27th on an Operating While Intoxicated-1st charge. He was released on his own recognizance and will appear before the magistrate at a later date.
  • Xavier Prine, age 18, of Exira, was arrested on May 12th on charges of Possession of Controlled Substance-Marijuana 1st and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance.
  • Mario Garcia, age 35, of San Pablo, California, was arrested on May 16th, on a charge of Possession of Controlled Substance- Marijuana 1st. He was released on his own recognizance.
  • Joel Jens, age 42, of Elk Horn was arrested on May 27th, for Operating While Intoxicated-1st. He was released on his own recognizance that following day.
Note: Criminal Charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Report IDs ‘red flags’ in bookkeeping by city clerk in small SW IA town

News

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand says auditors have identified major concerns about how a city clerk in a small southwest Iowa town handled city funds.  “Cities have multiple accounts,” Sand says, “and if funds are not properly attributed to the accounts where they are due, then you can end up in a messy situation like this.” In August of 2022, Doris Loy was fired from her job as city clerk of Lorimor, a town in Union County with fewer than 400 residents.

The state auditor’s report shows there was a quarter of a million dollar deficit in the town’s General Fund budget — and Sand says auditors found Lorimor residents were being overcharged for natural gas service and had paid 44 percent more in property taxes than was called for in city records. The report also cites Loy’s request for back-pay after she was fired. “Someone asking for payouts when they are terminated and the basis that they are asking for that on is a handbook where electronic evidence shows it was edited just shortly before that person was terminated,” Sand says. The report identified over two dozen concerns about Loy’s bookkeeping, like checks getting signed before she had authority to do so. “This is a red flag,” Sand says. “That just shouldn’t ever happen.”

State Auditor Rob Sand, speaking at a recent news conference in his statehouse office. (RI file photo)

Auditors could not find two computers the city acquired about eight months before the clerk was fired. Loy has recently been city clerk in the small communities of Woodburn and Patterson as well. In 2013, Loy was fired after working for about a decade as city clerk in Grand River. A special investigation by the State Auditor’s office in 2013 found Loy was responsible for mishandling 27-thousand dollars worth of city funds.

Iowa State’s Jack Sadowsky on his early success

Sports

June 6th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State linebacker Jack Sadowsky admits even he was surprised he got on the field so early. The native of Batavia, Illinois earned a starting spot as a true freshman and started all 13 games last season. Despite some early growing pains Sadowski finished the season with 33 tackles.

Sadowsky says support from his teammates and coaches helped him adjust.

Sadowsky says the experience he gained last year will help as he prepares for a new season.

Sadowsky is part of an experienced linebacking corps that has high hopes heading into next season.

The Cyclones open next season at home on August 31st against North Dakota.