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Disaster Recovery Centers Opening in Three Counties

News

June 18th, 2024 by Jim Field

DES MOINES, Iowa — FEMA is opening Disaster Recovery Centers in Clarke, Polk and Pottawattamie counties to provide one-on-one help to people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding this spring.

Recovery specialists from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration will provide information on available services, explain assistance programs and help survivors complete or check the status of their applications.

CLARKE COUNTY
Clarke County Annex Building 109 South Main Street Osceola, IA 50213
Open 1-7 p.m. June 17
8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 18-20

POLK COUNTY
Riley Resource Group 4400 E. University Ave. Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 1-7 p.m. June 18
8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 19-21

POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Charles E. Lakin Human Services Campus
North Parking Lot 815 North 16th Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51501 Open 1-7 p.m. June 18
8 a.m.-7 p.m. June 19-21

FEMA funding is available to homeowners and renters for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that happened May 20-31 in the counties of Adair, Montgomery, Polk and Story. FEMA funding is also available for homeowners and renters in Clarke, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby and Union counties for the April 26-27 tornadoes and storms.
To save time, apply online or by phone before visiting a Disaster Recovery Center by:

  • Visiting DisasterAssistance.gov
    Calling FEMA directly at 800-621-FEMA (3362)
    Using the FEMA app

All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or with access and functional needs. They are equipped with assistive and adaptive technology such as amplified phones, caption phones, video phones, wheelchair ramps and other resources to help ensure all applicants can access resources.

Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. For an accessible video on three ways to apply for FEMA assistance, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU7wzRjByhI.

Millions of cicadas are emerging in eastern Iowa in rare double-brood

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One of the experts in all things creepy-crawly who helps to run Iowa State University’s Insect Zoo just returned from a four-day road trip exclusively to study the rare, double-brood emergence of cicadas. Ginny Mitchell, the I-S-U Insect Zoo’s education program coordinator, says the 13-year and 17-year cicadas are coming out of their underground burrows simultaneously, which only happens once in every 220 years.

Mitchell says the 17-year cicadas can be found in northeastern Iowa along the Illinois border, while the 13-year cicadas are in southeastern Iowa, along the borders with Illinois and Missouri. Their song can be almost deafening, as some estimates say there are perhaps trillions of the bugs emerging across the region.

The inch-long creatures that are appearing now are relatives of the ones that will start buzzing across the rest of Iowa within a few weeks.

Another difference in the three-year versus the 13- and 17-year cicadas is what time of day they choose to make themselves known.

On her road trip, Mitchell says she collected hundreds of both 13- and 17-year cicadas, including adults and nymphs. She plans to cook, yes, cook a variety of them for visitors to sample during the I-S-U Insect Zoo’s “Bug Village” event on August 24th. It will also feature a class called Insect Collecting 101, a Bug Costume Contest, and more than 150 species of living arthropods on display, with plenty of hands-on opportunities.

State approves new 5 year road plan

News

June 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa)- The State Transportation Commission has approved the five-year transportation improvement plan. D-O-T systems planner Stuart Anderson says the plan is updated every year, and last year was a difficult one due to inflation.

That meant they had to delay 12 projects in the plan last year. Anderson says the outlook was much different as they updated the plan this year.

There is approximately four-point-five billion dollars of state and federal funding forecast to be available over the next five years for road and bridge improvements in the plan. Anderson says bridges and interchanges get a lot of focus.

The program includes:

  • I-80 Middle Road Interchange reconstruction in Bettendorf
  • I-80 Mississippi River bridge replacement
  • I-35/80/235 Southwest Mixmaster modernization in Polk County
  • I-35 bridge replacement and widening at the U-S 30 interchange in Ames
  • I-35 widening between Ankeny and Iowa 210
  • I-29 interchange construction in Woodbury County
  • and adding more than 50 truck parking spots.

You can find the complete five-year plan on the D-O-Ts website. https://www.news.iowadot.gov

Atlantic City Council to act on Library Board appointments; Amended FY 24 Budget & SRO position

News

June 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic, Wednesday, will act on approving the appointments of three individuals to the City’s Library Board of Trustees. Their meeting at City Hall begins at 5:30-p.m.

Those nominated include: Kat (Katrina) Niemann; Dianna Blake, and David Schwab.  The Atlantic Public Library Board meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30-p.m.  Trustees are appointed to a six-year term by the Mayor. Terms end June 30th of the year listed by each member. Once the appointments are approved, each nominated member will be administered the Oath of Office by the Mayor.

Afterward, the Council will hold a public hearing on Amending the Fiscal Year 2024 City of Atlantic Budget, followed by action on passing a Resolution amending the same. The amendment was prepared by the City’s financial consultant from the Iowa League of Cities, Teresa Rotschafer. A copy of the budget amendment as proposed, was previously posted in a separate story on the KJAN.com News page.

In other business, the Council will act on passing a Resolution in “Support of a Partnership between the Atlantic School District and the City of Atlantic, for a School Resource Officer (SRO) Position.” The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee have unanimously recommended the Council move forward with the partnership, with the understanding that a 28E information sharing agreement with the School District must still be reached. City Administrator John Lund notes grants are currently being applied for by both entities, to help get the program up and running, with the intention being to open the position for hire later this Fall, and having someone in place when students return from the Christmas break.

And, the Council’s final order of business, Wednesday, is to act on approving an Order authorizing the closure of selected streets, No Parking requests, and Special Vehicle Permits (to be administered by Police Chief Devin Hogue) for the July 22nd-23rd overnight RAGBRAI® event in Atlantic. The affected streets would be closed from 6-a.m. to 2-a.m. Monday, July 22nd and Tuesday, July 23rd, or when vendor areas are cleared. The streets include:

  • Chestnut: from the Courthouse Driveway access in the 700 block to 2nd Street (Used for stage/entertainment area, and vendors)
  • 6th Street: from Locust to Walnut (Used for entry to the entertainment area, bike parking, and vendors).
  • Poplar Street: from 7th to 5th (used for bike parking & portable bathrooms).
  • 7th Street (Already approved by the Iowa DOT): from Poplar to Walnut Streets (used for entertainment area and crowd area while the bands are playing).
  • 10th Street: At the intersection with 7th, for eastbound traffic (Only during peak times of riders getting to-and-from town).
  • 14th Street: From Olive to Plum Street (On July 23rd, while the riders are leaving town.)

Temporary No Parking zones (Signs will be put in-place July 21st and removed after the riders leave town on the 23rd), will include the following:

  • 10th Street, from 7th to Oliver (North side of the road)
  • 6th Street, from Sunnyside Lane to Poplar St. (North side)
  • Roosevelt Drive: from Olive to 14th St. (Both sides of the road)
  • Palm Street: from 9th to 10 (west side)
  • E. Mahogany at 9th Street (North & West sides)
  • W. Mahogany at 10th Street (west side)
  • Ed Podolak Drive: from Linn to Olive Streets (north side)
  • Linn Street (from 10th to Ed Podolak Drive (west & east sides)
  • 14th Street by the Heritage House (South side of the street)
  • Olive Street/Roosevelt Drive: 100-feet north, on the east side, and,
  • 10th/Olive: One-half block in all directions.

The City will be asking vendors, committees, and groups that feel the need to use a four-wheeler, ATV or golf cart (for used July 22nd or 23rd so as to have easier access to their working areas), to fill-out an application to do so. Those applications (approved by the Chief of Police or his designee, will be given a permit allowing those machines to be used, and must be posted on the “Special Event Vehicle” while in use.

The full City Council agenda is viewable here: City Council Agenda Packet 06-19-2024-compressed

Skyscan Forecast for Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Weather

June 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny & breezy w/a slight chance of late day showers & thunderstorms. High near 87. South winds 20-40 mph.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 66. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. A few strong to severe storms are possible with a thereat of large hail and damaging winds.
Tomorrow: Showers and thunderstorms. High near 73. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tom. Night: Mostly cloudy w/a 60% chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low 62.
Thursday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 84.
Friday: Mostly sunny w/a slight chance of afternoon showers & thunderstorms. High near 88.

Monday’s high was 91 and this morning’s low 68.  This day last year the high was 83 and the low 59.  The record high in Atlantic on June 18 is 98 degrees, set in 1910.  The record low temperature is 46 degrees, set in 1974 and matched in 2000.  Sunrise this morning was at 5:45 am, sunset this evening is at 8:56 pm.

CAM baseball dominates in Anita against Ar-We-Va

Sports

June 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The CAM Cougar baseball team had their strongest showing of the year with a 15-0 run rule victory against the Ar-We-Va Rockets on a windy Monday night. Through the first inning it looked to be a competitive ball game as the Cougars could only manage to score 1 run from a Bradyen Chester RBI double to make it 1-0. Then in the second inning the CAM batters locked in scoring 6 runs, four of which came off a Chase Spieker grand slam adding on to the Cougars lead making it 7-0 at the end of 2. Brody Paulsen continued his dominant performance on the mound for CAM consistently sending batters back to the dug out to end the top of the third. The Cougars picked up 4 more runs in the third with a 2 RBI triple from Jack Follmann, a Bradyen Chester RBI single, and a bases load walk to have CAM up 11-0 at the end of three innings. Ar-We-Va tried to rally back in the top of the fourth with two base hits but neither runner would advance past third base due to a strikeout and line fly towards center field.

The ballgame ended in dramatic fashion for the Cougars as Chase Spieker was at the plate with a 2-1 count and bases loaded. The pitch came and Spieker made solid contact to watch the ball go over the fence for a walk off grand slam. Spieker ended the night going 3-4 with 8 RBI’s and 2 homeruns. CAM Head Coach Drew Ticknor was proud of the way Spieker throughout the night.

It wasn’t just Spieker’s performance at the plate that led to the 15-0 win for CAM. Starting pitcher Brody Paulsen did his part pitching 4 innings, having 4 hits, 6 strikeouts, and no runs.

The win props up CAM to a record of 8-5 as they head to Grand View Chrisitan on Tuesday. Ar-We-Va’s loss keeps them winless on the year at 0-8 and they will be at home on Tuesday facing Exira-EHK.

Heavy rainfall in northwest Iowa leads to multiple wastewater treatment bypasses near the Okoboji Lakes area, public advised to avoid floodwaters

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DICKINSON COUNTY — Heavy rainfall and power outages in northwest Iowa led to multiple wastewater discharges in the Iowa Great Lakes area this (Monday) morning. The DNR Field Office in Spencer was notified early Monday morning of a wastewater bypass occurring at a lift station just south of Manhattan Point on the west side of West Lake Okoboji.

The Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District pumped down the lift station and hauled as much wastewater as possible to the treatment plant to minimize the bypass. Officials estimated that about 10 gallons per minute of untreated wastewater flowed into the lake. All drinking water systems and a nearby resort were notified, as well as residents in the vicinity of the bypass. Area officials report the discharge ended around noon.

At 9:30 a.m. the Field Office was notified of another bypass occurring at a lift station near Francis Sites on East Lake Okoboji. This bypass ceased around noon. The City of Spirit Lake is also bypassing their wastewater collection system to storm sewers and discharging to East Lake Okoboji. Pumps are running at two locations on the west side of upper East Okoboji to try and keep wastewater out of basements. Residents are being notified.

Heavy rainfall can overload wastewater collection systems, which are underground sewer pipes that carry sewage to a treatment plant. With sewage pipes overwhelmed, excess water has nowhere to go, and can back up into basements through floor drains.

Bypassing can lower the water level and alleviate pressure in the collection system, keeping sewage from backing up into basements, which could present health risks. DNR staff continue to monitor these situations and will provide assistance to impacted communities.  It is highly recommended people and pets avoid these areas and stay out of flooded and elevated waterways due to safety concerns.

Gov. Reynolds appoints Donna Bothwell as District Judge 

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Monday) announced her appointment of Donna Bothwell as a district judge in Judicial District 4.  

Bothwell, of Logan, Iowa, is a district associate judge in Judicial District 4. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado and law degree from Drake University.  
 
Bothwell fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Hon. Jeffrey L. Larson. Judicial District 4 includes Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby counties. 

Wastewater released near Carter Lake

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CARTER LAKE, IOWA – On Friday, June 14th, the Iowa DNR Field Office in Atlantic received a complaint alleging sewage flowing on the ground at Lakeside Estates Trailer Home Park in Carter Lake.

DNR staff started their investigation on Friday and continued it on Monday. On Friday, they observed wastewater overflowing from an open connection at a vacant lot. The sewage flowed onto the ground and concrete pathways throughout the trailer home park. On Monday, the DNR identified a blockage in the sewer line that caused the wastewater to back up through an open connection.

Lakeside Estates subcontractors cleared the blockage and are cleaning the sewage on the ground.

Authorities are advising people and pets to avoid wet areas in the gutters, street, and any standing or pooling water. Samples have been collected and will be submitted for laboratory testing.

DNR staff will monitor cleanup and containment. The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.

Special Election to be held July 9th for patrons of the West Central Valley School District

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Auditor’s Office, Monday (today) said there will be a special election held on July 9th 2024, for the West Central Valley Community School District. The election is to fill vacancies for two Board of Directors, one in District #6 and the other in District #7.

The official notice of election is shown below. Only residents within the WCV district will vote in this election, for that reason the electors residing within the school district, in precincts 1NW and 2NE, will vote at the Stuart Legion Hall at 323 SW 2nd St. This polling location change for residents in 1NW is a temporary polling location change and only for this special election.

NOTICE TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WEST CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
A SPECIAL TO FILL VACANCY ELECTION WILL BE CONDUCTED ON JULY 9, 2024

Notice is hereby given to the registered and qualified electors of the WEST CENTRAL VALLEY COMMUNITY SCHOOL
DISTRICT of Adair, Guthrie, and Dallas Counties, that a SPECIAL SCHOOL ELECTION will be held July 9, 2024.

NOTICE: Temporary Polling location change for Precinct 1NW
Polling location will change (for this election only) to:
The Stuart Legion Hall
323 SW 2nd St.
Stuart, IA 50250

NOTE: 1NW and 2NE precincts will utilize the same polling location
POLLING PLACE for all voters residing within the West Central Valley Community School District in ADAIR County is:
The Stuart Legion Hall (323 SW 2nd St, Stuart, IA)

POLLS OPEN at 7 A.M. and POLLS CLOSE at 8 P.M.

Pre-registered voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and
casting a regular ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on Election Day – and
voters changing precincts must also provide proof of residence. A voter who is unable to provide an approved form of
identification (or prove residence if required) may have voter’s identity/residence attested to by another registered
voter in the precinct, prove identity and residence using Election Day Registration documents, or cast a provisional ballot
and provide proof of identity/residence at the County Auditor’s office by July 15, 2024, at Noon.

Election Day Registrant attesters must provide an approved form of identification. For additional information about providing proof of identity and/or residence visit: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterIDfaq.html or phone 641-743-2546.

Voter pre-registration deadline is 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the Adair County Auditor’s office. Absentee ballots are available in the County Auditor’s office during regular business hours June 19, 2024 – July 8, 2024. The deadline to request a mailed absentee ballot is Tuesday, June 25, 2023, at 5 P.M.

Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. The public test of Adair County’s voter equipment to be used in the July 9, 2024, Nodaway Valley CSD Special Election will commence at 10:00 a.m. on June 19, 2024, in the Adair County Courthouse and will continue until completed. The public is invited to attend.

For further information, please contact the county auditor’s office at the telephone or e-mail address listed below:

Telephone: 641-743-2546 E-mail: auditor@adaircountyiowa.org

West Central Valley Community School District Board of Directors to Fill Vacancy
WCV Board of Directors District #6 (TFV)
o Laura Weber
o Dustin Foster

WCV Board of Directors District #7 (TFV)
o Jeff Dudley