Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

STATE/REGION  – Thousands of people are without power this morning as storms pummel the Midwest. 1 fatality 19 injuries reported in Nebraska as the result of tornadoes.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Six teams competed in dragon boat races in the Cedar River in Waterloo as part of an annual event. The 20-person teams competed in the Sunday races, which were part of My Waterloo Days events. Rowers struggled to work together as they paddled the 40-foot boats with a dragon’s head and spiky tail.

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — A San Diego man charged with enticing a minor while posing as an actor from the “Twilight” movie series has pleaded not guilty. Thirty-three-year-old David LaVera entered a written plea of not guilty Monday. LaVera was arrested June 10 and charged with enticing a minor, carrying weapons and failure to have a valid driver’s license. A criminal complaint says he told a 14-year-old girl from Baxter he was an actor from the movie series. He touched her inappropriately and took her to his vehicle.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Relatives say an Iowa City man who drowned over the weekend at Coralville Lake was a fun-loving man dedicated to his family and young son. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that 36-year-old Somphaeng Syvixay drowned Saturday while swimming in Coralville Lake. His cousin, Connie Phommaly, says he was an outgoing, happy man who was “big on family.” He had a 2-year-old son.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police used ground radar to search the basement of a Des Moines house in connection with a woman who went missing more than 50 years ago. Officers were checking the south-side home Monday after

A pursuit early this (Tuesday) morning of a reported stolen pickup ended in a crash, and the suspect being transported to the hospital with serious injuries. According to scanner traffic, a Cass County Sheriff’s deputy was pursuing a white pickup truck, when the vehicle went out of control and rolled and landed on its top on the east side of Lewis at around 2:12-a.m. The driver of the vehicle was trapped, but conscious and breathing when Griswold Fire and Rescue and Lewis 1st Responders arrived on the scene at 582nd and Main Street.

Officials had asked for LifeNet to be launched, but due to the weather conditions the chopper was unable to take-off. The male driver of the pickup was extricated from his vehicle and was transported by Griswold Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.

The incident remained under investigation. No names had been released as of early this morning.

Three bus loads of veterans left Atlantic Monday evening after being served a meal at the Cass County Community Center, a roll call, and group picture. The 150 veterans and a dozen guardians were set to travel from Des Moines to Washington, D-C for a whirlwind tour of the nation’s war memorials. The trip – which comes at no cost to those who participate – would not have been possible had it not been for the generous contribution of two childhood friends and successful Ames businessmen, who graduated in 1976 from the Atlantic High School.

The Honor Flight veterans pose for a group picture before leaving Atlantic Monday evening. (Jim Field, photo)

One of those men is Jeff Becker, who was born and raised in Atlantic. Together with Roger Underwood, they co-founded Becker Underwood, the world’s leading supplier of non-pesticide specialty chemical and biological products to well-defined markets.

Roger Underwood (left) shakes the hand of Planning Committee member and organizer Steve Livengood.

Underwood said Monday, that he was honored and filled with pride to see the throngs of supporters who came to show their patriotic spirit and offer their gratitude for those who have served. Underwood explained how he and Becker came up with the idea for the Honor Flight, which is different from the “Freedom Flight.”  He said the Story County Freedom Flight was raising money for its second flight. The men realized Atlantic didn’t have such a flight. They pooled their money and organized the flight with the help of a planning committee comprised of 38 people.

Underwood said the success of the event far exceeded any expectations he could have had. He said he and Jeff wanted to do something good for the community that was so good to them growing up.  Underwood said he knows people want to thank him and Jeff and their families for what they’ve done to make this trip possible, but he humbly said “No, we came here tonight to say ‘Thank you’ to Atlantic,” and everyone who contributed in some way to making the trip a success.