Damage in southwest Iowa from last weekend’s twin tornadoes is climbing into the many millions of dollars, but the price tag apparently isn’t high enough for two hard-hit communities to qualify for federal aid. Iowa U-S Senator Tom Harkin says it’s an unfortunate fact and the rules are in place for a reason. “We’ve spoken with Homeland Security about this,” Senator Harkin says. “They’ve noted that it’s quite unlikely that Thurman would be eligible for a presidential disaster declaration, given the level of loss and the expected insured rate. The same would be true also, I’ve heard, of Creston.”

In the small town of Thurman, virtually every home had at least some twister damage, while 14 houses were destroyed and 28 more were heavily damaged. In Creston, the hospital and community college were among the larger structures that were hit by the tornado, in addition to a number of homes and other businesses. Governor Terry Branstad has declared Union and Fremont counties as state disaster areas, but Harkin says that’s probably as far as it’ll go.

Harkin says, “What you look at are the uninsured losses and they’re well below the limits that would be required for a presidential declaration at the national level.” It’s not that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is broke, Harkin says. FEMA has the money, he adds, it’s just that Creston and Thurman won’t qualify for it.

“Obviously, budgets are tight,” Harkin says. “We’ll do whatever we can to assist and help but there are pretty set requirements for what is a national disaster and what is a local or state-type of disaster.” Both tornadoes that hit Saturday were classified as E-F-2s, with winds topping out around 125 to 135 miles an hour.

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

No injuries were reported following an accident in Atlantic, Wednesday evening. According to Atlantic Police, a vehicle driven by Patty Hogue, of Atlantic, was traveling north on Olive Street at around 6:35-p.m., when a vehicle driven by Eric Renner, of Atlantic, backed out of a driveway and collided with the Hogue vehicle. The accident happened in the 25-hundred block of Olive. Damage from the mishap amounted to $2,000. There were no citations issued.

Arrests made earlier this year in Atlantic haven’t stemmed the tide of spray-paint vandalism being perpetrated on City property and private businesses. City Councilman Dana Halder reported at Wednesday night’s Council meeting, AMU officials are concerned about recent incidents of graffiti having occurred at the water plant. Halder told Mayor Dave Jones it’s not the only location being hit by spray-paint vandals.

He said there are a lot of buildings around town that have been targeted. Halder and Mayor Dave Jones implored citizens to call City Hall if you find incidents of vandalism, and if you see anyone committing the act, to call police.

In January, Police Chief Steve Green reported three juveniles were arrested in connection with a string of spray-paint vandalism incidents in the downtown area, which occurred over a period of several weeks. More than two-dozen buildings sustained damage. The teens were charged with Trespassing, Criminal Mischief in the 2^nd degree, and Criminal Gang Participation.

In the Summer of 2010, six people were arrested for vandalism and spray painting incidents at locations which included the downtown City Park, and at downtown businesses. The incidents included a homemade acid bomb which was used at the park shelter and on a monument. At the time, the damage was estimated at $3,000.

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A 25-year-old western Iowa woman has been charged with murdering her 15-month-old son by drowning him. Police say Ashley Cameron, of Onawa, was arrested Wednesday afternoon. Officers had been sent to an Onawa home on Feb. 11 because of a report that a toddler wasn’t breathing.  He later was identified as Markis Dahms, Cameron’s infant son.  An autopsy by the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office determined that the boy had been drowned by someone.  Cameron remains in Monona County Jail, pending $1 million bail. It’s unclear whether she has a lawyer.  Police haven’t released other details about the case.