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Audubon Chamber of Commerce announces new Director

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – Officials with the Audubon Chamber of Commerce, today (Thursday), introduced on social media, their new Chamber Director: Tiffany Wittrock.
An Audubon native, Wittrock graduated with the Class of 2013. She continued her education at Iowa State University in Interdisciplinary Studies. Shortly after graduation and two other jobs, she realized that wasn’t what she wanted to do anymore. The Chamber says “Tiffany found a job through Chick-fil-A JCTC and climbed the ranks quickly. In her four years, she became the D-O and helped bring the first Chick-fil-A Food truck to Iowa, and help her former Operator open a new restaurant in Florida. Many people from Audubon traveled to that specific CFA to support Tiffany and her accomplishments and it truly touched her heart every time a familiar face was in line. She always made sure each guest was treated with respect and left happier than they came in. After four years and the passing of her grandmother, she decided it was time to come home, to Audubon.”

New Audubon Chamber Director Tiffany Wittrock & family. (Chamber Facebook page photo).

After leaving Des Moines, Wittrock and her fiancé, Jared Coder (originally from Atlantic), relocated to Irwin to be closer to family with the anticipated arrival of Madison, their daughter. Very soon after her arrival, they were able to move to Audubon to raise their family and that’s where the brainstorming truly started happening. Tiffany took over the Audubon Farmers Market and the Spring/Fall Garage Sales. But that wasn’t enough, she wanted to help the community more and Modern Mix and Modern Rentals came to life.
The Chamber says “Tiffany wants Audubon to continue to thrive as do many others in this community.”
Previous Audubon Chamber of Commerce Director Mercedes Johnston resigned June 14th for personal reasons. She had served in the position for a little more than a year.
Following Johnston’s resignation, the Chamber took to social media, asking for the community’s input on how the organization should be run to best benefit Audubon.

Twenty-eight additional counties approved for Public Assistance under the May Presidential Major Disaster Declaration

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds announces the approval of twenty-eight (28) additional counties for Public Assistance under the previously approved Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA DR-4784-IA, for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from tornados, severe storms, and widespread flooding that occurred between May 20, 2024 – May 31, 2024. 

In addition to Adair County the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program has been activated for the following counties:  Adams, Buena Vista, Butler, Calhoun, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Jasper, Iowa, Jackson, Kossuth, Marshall, Mitchell, Montgomery, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Shelby, Story, Tama and Wright. The additional counties have been approved for funding for emergency work, such as debris removal and emergency protective measures. 

Adair County has also been approved for Public Assistance funding for permanent work. 

Iowa was approved for another Presidential Disaster Declaration on June 24, 2024 in response to flooding in northwest Iowa. Information on the second Presidential Disaster Declaration can be found here. 

Flood Death in Rock Valley confirmed

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Kyle Kreykes

(Radio Iowa) – A man who had been missing is now confirmed to have died in the flooding in northwest Iowa. Rock Valley Police Chief Monte Warburton says 52-year-old Kyle Kreykes, of Rock Valley, died as a result of flooding in Rock Valley over the weekend. Kreykes was listed as a missing person during the flooding, and Warburton says they found him late Monday afternoon.

According to the chief, Kreykes succumbed to injuries after the foundation of his house caved in and a wall fell on him. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning at 11 a-m at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon. It’s the second confirmed flood-related death in the area. An Illinois man died when a pickup he was driving was swept away by flood waters on the east side of Spencer Saturday.

State fire deaths right about average midway through the year

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Fire Marshal Dan Wood says there have been 15 fatal fires as we approach the halfway mark of this year.

“We have between usually 30 and 40 deaths a year you know some years a little bit more but we’re right about where we usually are this time of year,” he says. Wood says one issue he’s seen more of are fires that are started by people who smoke or those who smoke while on oxygen. “Those things seem to come up more and more each year. So, you know, it’s sometimes hard to reach those people because they not typically, you know on social media they’re not you know, getting out and being active. But the smoking and smoking well on oxygen also the ones that are really getting my attention each year,” Wood says. There are a lot of education efforts on the importance of smoke alarms, and he says they’ve seen some results.

“It seems to come and go we used to have fires where they have no smoke detection but you know it seems to get a little bit better every year you know people seem to change their batteries twice a year,” Wood says. “We still have fatal fires where they have smoke detection but it didn’t work.” Wood says it’s important to maintain and check the smoke alarms so they do work when you need them.

Wood says the smoke detectors with a battery that is good for ten years are an option to get away from having to replace old batteries. “Ten-year sealed lithium batteries are nice because you know typically you don’t have to worry about him for ten years,” he says. “There’s still that chance of the sensor going bad and you have to replace it before ten years. But the good thing about batteries you can’t take it out.” He says that ensures someone didn’t take the battery out of an alarm and forget to put it back in.

IGHSAU Released Regional Softball Pairings for 2024

Sports

June 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the full list of all regional postseason softball matchups for 2024.

 

Below is the link for the full brackets page of all classes:

https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/softball/2023-24/brackets

Full 2024 High School Baseball Postseason Brackets Revealed

Sports

June 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Baseball substate brackets for the 2024 postseason are now available for all classes.

The first round of postseason games in 2A and 1A are scheduled for Saturday, July 6. In 2A and 1A, district finalists will meet in the substate final, matching Substate 1 District 1 with Substate 1 District 2, Substate 2 District 3 with Substate 2 District 4, etc.

Class 4A and Class 3A first round games begin Friday, July 12.

Eight teams from each classification will advance to the 2024 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament, currently scheduled for July 22-26 in Carroll (2A, 1A) and Cedar Rapids (4A, 3A).

 

Link to postseason brackets page: https://www.iahsaa.org/baseball-2024-postseason-brackets/

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce: Rodeo Scam ALERT

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce report they “…have received multiple calls asking about the Pro Rodeo in town this weekend. This is in fact a mistake/scam. We have confirmed with the Cass County Fairgrounds, there is NOT a rodeo this weekend.”
The Chamber asks you to share this information, as this event is VERY convincing. The event uses pictures from rodeo events in Cass County, and tickets can to be purchased online.

THIS EVENT IS NOT TAKING PLACE!

Red Oak man arrested on a Theft charge

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Red Oak was arrested this (Thursday) morning. 53-year-old Anthony Edward Decker was arrested at around 9:42-a.m. for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Decker was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Flooding continues across Iowa: safety and cleanup reminders to help with recovery

News

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — While some parts of Iowa continue to experience high and rising flood waters, other communities are in recovery and clean-up mode. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages people to put safety first and avoid flood waters until after they recede. Many rivers and lakes in Iowa are unsafe for swimming or boating due to fast currents, floating debris, hidden obstacles, and the potential of bacteria. Boaters and paddlers should plan ahead as additional areas may become unsafe as flood waters move downstream.

State Park Impacts

Several Iowa state parks have alerts and closures due to high waters, including:

  • Dolliver Memorial State Park – the entire park is closed due to the Des Moines River flooding.
  • Fairport State Recreation Area – the campground and boat ramp are closed due to high water on the Mississippi River.
  • Fort Defiance State Park – trails are closed due to flood debris and damage to bridges.
  • George Wyth State Park – the entire park is closed due to high water.
  • Great Lakes area – several state park beaches, docks and ramps are still underwater. Gull Point park and campground are closed. Existing campground reservations at Emerson Bay, Elinor Bedell, and Marble Beach are being honored, but new reservations or walk-in camping are unavailable through at least July 7. All other parks in the region remain open but caution is advised.
  • Lake Manawa State Park – the park is open but Catfish Road is closed due to high water.
  • Ledges State Park – the park is open but the Canyon Road, Lower Ledges Road, the Des Moines River boat ramp and Flood Pole parking lot are closed.
  • Stone State Park – the west entrance is currently closed while park staff clean up debris left behind by receding floodwaters. The east entrance is open.
  • Wilson Island State Recreation Area – the park is closed due to Missouri River flooding.

For latest updates, visit the DNR’s state park alerts and closure web page.

Recovery Assistance and Clean Up

For recovery assistance, visit Iowa Homeland Security’s disaster recovery web page or local emergency management teams, which should have resources to help with immediate needs. The Iowa DNR provides disaster assistance on debris management and other environmental impacts to communities, businesses and citizens. Visit DNR’s disaster recovery web page for information. Some important considerations:

Private Well Testing

Homeowners with private wells impacted by floodwaters can visit the DNR’s private well flood information web page for information on testing.

Debris and Hazardous Materials

Sorting disaster debris after flooding is important—both to keep cleanup teams safe and to ensure debris is disposed properly. Depending upon the community, household waste from a disaster may be collected at curbside or through drop-off. Either way, it’s important to separate wastes into:

  • Household hazardous waste such as paints, solvents, cleaners, household chemicals and lawn and garden chemicals
  • White and electronic goods including appliances, TVs and computers
  • Scrap metals
  • Garbage including mattresses, or plastic furniture, etc.
  • Tree limbs and trimmings

Stay safe during cleanup activities. Find more information on DNR’s disaster assistance webpage, including a list of materials likely to contain asbestos and how to manage waste disposal. For general assistance, contact the local DNR field office. For questions regarding asbestos requirements, contact Tom Wuehr, DNR environmental specialist at Tom.Wuehr@dnr.iowa.gov.

Displaced Containers

Recent flooding scattered tanks, drums, cylinders and barrels onto properties adjacent to the Missouri River and its Iowa tributaries. These items may contain hazardous materials such as propane and industrial chemicals and should only be handled by trained professionals. Iowa residents are encouraged to report displaced (“orphaned”) tanks, drums or other containers found in flood debris using the online form located on the Iowa DNR Disaster Assistance website.

Iowa Games registration deadlines approaching

News, Sports

June 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The next two Monday feature registration deadlines for next months Iowa Summer Games. Spokesman Cory Kennedy says the games will be held over two weekends in Ames and the surrounding area.

Kennedy says the weekend of July 18th through the 21st will include the opening ceremonies.

Kennedy on the sports facing registration deadlines the next two weeks.

For information on a sport you are interested in go to iowagames.org.