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March 2024 Weather Data for Atlantic

Weather

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa – KJAN) – Weather data for the month of March, 2024 in Atlantic, shows we were warmer and wetter than average. The Average High last month was 54, and the average Low was 27. Typically, we would have had an average High of 48 and an average Low of 26. Precipitation (rain & melted snowfall) amounted to 3.28 inches last month, which nine-tenths (.9″) of an inch above the norm, and helped to put a dent in our drought, according to the latest drought monitor. Cass and area Counties are in a Moderate drought.

Snowfall for the month was just two-tenths of inch (.2′). The data was compiled at KJAN, the official National Weather Serving reporting site for Atlantic.

Looking ahead, we find the Average High for the month of April, in Atlantic, is typically 62 degrees, while the Low should average out to be around 37. Precipitation (rain & or melted snow) is typically 3.43  inches.

DEV JENSEN, 66, of Fontanelle (Celebration of Life Svcs. 4/6/24)

Obituaries

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DEV JENSEN, 66, of Fontanelle, died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at his home.  Celebration of Life services for DEV JENSEN will he held 2-p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024,  at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Burial is in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  Desserts and refreshments will be held at the funeral home following the burial.

Memorials may be directed to the family to help cover funeral expenses.

DEV JENSEN is survived by:

His wife – Connie Jensen, of Fontanelle.

His daughters – Sherri Jensen, of Council Bluffs; Amanda (Troy) McCurdy, of Atlantic; Staci Firch, of Adair, and Elizabeth (David) Rynearson, of Humeston.

His brother – Duff (Teresa) Jensen, of Blair, NE.

All of his grandchildren and great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Fire damages National Balloon Museum in Indianola

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

INDIANOLA, Iowa [WHO-TV]— A fire destroyed portions of the National Balloon Museum in Indianola on Friday morning. Eric Martens, president of the National Balloon Museum, said a worker with the National Balloon Classic was getting ready to start her day at the office when she smelled smoke. She called 911 and emergency crews quickly responded to the scene. Staff believe the fire started in the children’s area of the museum, but the cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No one was injured in the fire, but some historical artifacts and the offices for the National Balloon Classic and Balloon Federation of America were damaged.

On the museum’s Facebook page, officials said as a result of the fire, “The scheduled reopening on April 6th, 2024 is regrettably cancelled until further notice. Renovation of the museum was nearly complete when the fire broke out.

In a Facebook post, officials with the National Balloon Classic, said while the fire was devastating, it won’t affect the festival this summer. The 2024 National Balloon Classic is still scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 3. The museum team is working closely with authorities and insurance adjusters to assess the damage and restore the museum as soon as possible. The public can stay up to date on the progress by following the museum’s Facebook page.

The National Balloon Museum in Indianola, IA (Facebook photo taken before the fire)

The Balloon Federation of America opened the museum in 1973. In 2003 the museum was expanded, allowing the museum to showcase even more aviation history. Another renovation was nearly complete and the museum was set to reopen on April 6. Due to the fire the reopening has been canceled until further notice.

Pony Express riders raise money for adults & kids w/disabilities

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — Hundreds of volunteers rode horseback across the state on Saturday to raise money for adults and children with disabilities. Pony Express Riders of Iowa raises funds for Easterseals Iowa & Camp Sunnyside in Des Moines. Local groups ride horses across the state “relay style” to bring in the funds throughout the year.

Last Saturday, everyone involved with the nonprofit paraded together to celebrate their achievements. Their mission is for all Iowans to be able to experience the joys of camp. The group has donated more than $12 million to support the organization over the last five decades.

Photo from the Jefferson, Iowa PD Facebook page

Over 40 communities in Iowa receive grants to plant 1,300 trees

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Alliant Energy has named 41 Iowa communities, including the City of Atlantic and Creston FFA, as recipients of grants totaling nearly $145,000 through the company’s Community Tree Planting program, part of its One Million Trees initiative.  Alliant Energy partners with Trees Forever to help communities develop, select and plant a diverse mix of trees. A tree expert helps communities select the best species for their areas and create care and maintenance plans to ensure the new trees have long, healthy lives.

Atlantic receives a $3,000 grant for community tree planting at the local campground next to camp sites. Local students will volunteer this spring.  The Creston FFA Chapter will receive a grant for $4,950, for community tree planting led by the local FFA chapter. Locations will be on city property and school locations.

Since 1990, Trees Forever and Alliant Energy have awarded over $7.85 million in grants and planted more than 1.1 million trees through their partnership and programs in Iowa and Wisconsin.  Across Iowa, communities are eligible to apply for grants up to $5,000 to fund new trees.

Some communities will begin to plant trees this spring while others will wait until fall.

Review of wrong Powerball number report is complete

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Lottery C-E-O Matt Strawn says the independent review of an error that led to the wrong numbers being reported for a Powerball drawing last November is done. He says Lottery employees and the gaming company they use were involved. “It will lead to improvements in our respective job reporting processes and is something that is currently being implemented by both of the respective parties,” he says. The wrong numbers were manually entered for the Powerball drawing and the system for checking and cashing a Powerball tickets was shut down for several hours until the correct numbers were entered. Strawn says he cannot reveal the exact processes due to security concern.

“As much as we can remove human element from these processes I think that continues to instill confidence in lottery games going forward,” Strawn says. He says it was important to do a full outside review. “Because at the end of the day, every player needs to have a belief that these games are fair. And they are. And you know, the operation is one that has the utmost integrity attached to it,” he says. “So I’m confident that as those processes are going to be put into place that we won’t see the type of human error involved in reporting results.”

The Lottery’s spokesperson said at the time that the incorrect results were only available on the Lottery system from about 12:30 a-m until 7:15 a-m when there would not be a lot of people checking them.

Iowans are called to promote positive childhood experiences, prevent abuse

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Iowa, and Sharon Miller, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, says they hope to raise awareness about the problem which prompts some 35-thousand investigations statewide each year. Miller says, “It’s really a time for us to focus on the efforts of prevention, to advocate, and promote the work with others who work tirelessly to help children and families in our communities thrive.” Miller says the biggest child abuse problem in Iowa is typically child neglect.

“It can manifest as food insecurity, it can manifest as children being left home alone too long, their parents are working multiple jobs,” Miller says, “they’re not having their critical needs taken care of.” State studies show about 59% of child abuse cases in Iowa involve neglect, followed by drug-related cases at 28%. Physical and sexual abuse make up a small fraction of cases, but a federal study finds sexual abuse is widely under-reported, with roughly one in four girls and one in 13 boys sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Miller says there is a message for the month, as they hope to promote positive childhood experiences and prevent the adversity children sometimes face.

“What we really would like folks to do is think about our neighbors because parenting is hard,” she says. “Raising children is hard, and what we know is that, the more connections and the more relationships that we have that can uplift and empower families, the better it is for the children.” The annual Child Abuse Prevention Conference will be held April 30th and May 1st at the F-F-A Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The state’s Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline is 1-800-362-2178.

On the web at pcaiowa.org

City of Atlantic contracts w/Nishna Valley Family YMCA for the operation of Sunnyside Pool; free Life Guard class thanks to a donor

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, during their meeting March 21st, adopted a memorandum of understanding with the YMCA with regard to 2024 Summer operation of the Sunnyside Pool, in Atlantic. YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes the agreement means the YMCA will hiring all the management and staff for the pool. And, an anonymous donor will pay for the first 10 people to take a YMCA-sponsored Life Guard class, and who plan to work for the YMCA at Sunnyside or the pool at the YMCA. The class normally costs $200 There is also a new $15 per hour or more starting wage for Life Guards, depending on experience. Life Guard candidates must be 15-years-old by the last day of the lifeguarding class, which is also open to adults.

The Red Cross Lifeguard class will be held April 17th, so you have time to compete the on-line portion of the class, according to Haynes. A pre-required swim will take place April 24th from 5-until 7-p.m. for lifeguard candidates. You may arrange for another time with instructors if needed, but the on-line portion of the class must be completed before attending the first session on May 3rd from 5-until 7-p.m. Additional classes will be held May 4th & 5th, from 9-a.m. until 6-p.m.

The Nishna Valley Family YMCA has also announced they will be hiring a three-month Seasonal Manager and Assistant Manager(s) for the Sunnyside Pool. Those positions will pay up to $25/hour, depending on experience. The Manager position requires leadership skills to organize a staff team, and provide a safe, fun, professional and encouraging atmosphere. The Manager position will come with a FREE one-year adult or family membership to the NV YMCA, and support the newly formed Aquatics Committee, made up of YMCA and community representatives.

For more information: Call Dan Haynes at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (712-243-3924); Stop by the Y at 1100 Maple Street, or apply on-line at nishnavalleyymca.com under “about us” “Careers.”

 

NO ONE IS A GOOD DISTRACTED DRIVER

News

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa – The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with Iowa law enforcement to launch a new campaign to combat an alarming trend: distracted driving.

Beginning April 1, motorists will see law enforcement efforts increase to educate overconfident drivers found illegally using an electronic device while driving. In order to lessen distractions, the bureau encourages Iowa drivers to start using the focus driving feature found on phones and begin utilizing hands-free driving devices.

The traffic safety bureau says distracted driving is a primary law in Iowa which means that any officer can stop any driver who is texting, reading or using any portable electronic device unless the vehicle is at a complete stop off the roadways.

The bureau is a part of the Iowa Department of Public Safety that develops strategies to lessen deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

“When talking with Iowa drivers, a common sentiment is believing they can manage things behind the wheel,” said GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes. “During one focus group, a participant said they drive better when texting because it forces them to pay attention to the road. This is ridiculous and not true. Driving requires our full attention. The reality is, No One is a Good DISTRACTED Driver.”

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Monday, April 1st, 2024

Weather

April 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 49. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a north wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tomorrow: A 20 percent chance of showers before 9am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Windy, with a north wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 50. Windy.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 55.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 60. The Low was 37. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 57 and the Low was 24. The all-time Record High in Atlantic on April 1st, was 87 in 2003. The Record Low was 14 in 1924. Sunrise today: 7:04. Sunset tonight: 7:45.