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Weak tornadoes form near Atlantic, Marne & other towns in Cass County; No early reports of damage

News, Weather

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Many people were caught off-guard this (Friday) evening, when the tornado siren blew in Atlantic. There was no prior warning from the National Weather Service. Instead, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon said he too, was surprised when he received word from Marne Fire Chief Josh Krause, that he had observed a funnel cloud south of Marne, west of Atlantic.

Photo courtesy Jeremiah Bruning, of Atlantic, taken just west of Atlantic on June 28th

The sirens in Marne and Atlantic were set-off a little before 8-p.m. Kennon said he saw a lot of rotation in the clouds, a rope tornado that primarily maintained its form as a funnel cloud, but others saw the twister connect with the ground. Its movement was very slow, Kennon said.  The first warning from the National Weather Service was issued at 7:55-p.m.

“That was only the beginning,” he said. “Lewis had a lot of rotation in the clouds, so we set-off the sirens.” There were also reports of a funnel east of Atlantic. “A lot of people were watching it closely,” Kennon said, as “We were really prepared for setting those sirens off again if something came down.”

The sirens were then set-off for the communities of Wiota and Anita. Kennon said he stopped in Wiota. “I believe everybody in town was out watching the rotation as it spun on the south side of town.” He reported there  was also a funnel cloud or two by Lake Anita.

Funnel cloud taken from West 29th Street at 8:01 p.m. Friday night SW of Atlantic (courtesy Brett Altman)

Another Tornado Warning was issued for NE Cass County and NW Adair County, at 8:47-p.m.  There have been no reports of damage, as the weak tornadoes were mainly in the rural areas. Kennon said “There were a lot of people in their yards and a lot of people out, parked along the edge of the roads,” looking for rotation, and tornadoes on the ground. “With the sunset the way it was, you could really see what was going on, for sure.” Kennon says unless you are a trained storm spotter, being outside in the storm is “Not something I would recommend.”

Photos courtesy of Zach Ploen & Evie Scott, west of Anita at around 9:30-p.m. Friday

One of the questions KJAN was asked on our Facebook page, was why there was no “All Clear” siren given after the danger appeared to have passed. He said “It’s been some time since we’ve had an All-Clear. The reason for that was…in general, people don’t know what the “All-Clear” means. It’s just a siren that’s going off, so they take it as another warning of some kind.” He recommends have a way to receive emergency messages, whether it’s by radio, NOAA Weather Radio or phone app, so that you can get information and know when it is safe to get out of your shelter. (Sign-up HERE for emergency alerts on your cell phone, in Cass County).

Mike Kennon reminds area residents tornadoes can form any time of the year, including during the month of December, as was the case on December 15, 2021, when 63 tornadoes touched down that day, making it the biggest single-day tornado outbreak in Iowa’s recorded history, according to the Weather Service. His advice: “Be weather aware.”

Riverside Softball takes a win against Westwood

Sports

June 28th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Riverside Bulldogs softball team won an 11-1 slow paced contest against the Westwood Rebels on Thursday night. Early on for Westwood they realized it would be a long evening against Riverside pitcher Peyton Schafer who had 2 walks and 2 strikeouts in the top of the 1st. In the bottom Riverside got on the board with a passed ball into the backstop with a runner on third to put them up 1-0. In the top of the 2nd, Westwood hit an extra base hit but again Schafer struck out 2 more batters and left Westwood scoreless. The Bulldogs then used that momentum in the bottom of the 2nd to score 3 runs from, 5 walks, and an RBI single off of Madison Kelley. Riverside was then up 4-0 heading into the top of the 3rd. The Rebels scoring troubles continued until the top of the 4th where they had back-to-back base hits to finally bring in a run. The game was at 5-1 heading into the bottom of the 4th where Riverside had an RBI single towards right field and boosting their lead to 6-1.

The Bulldogs finally brought the game home in the bottom of the 5th where they had 6 runs come in due to 2 hits by pitches, a walk, and 3 hits including Peyton Schafer’s Walk off single to end the game at 11-1 with the run rule being achieved. Riverside’s key factor on the night was the patience at the plate with 7 Bulldog batters being walked, 5 hit by a pitch, and 6 solid hits. Westwood’s best batter on the day was Kayla Gray hitting an RBI single with her two at bats.

Some of the strong performances for Riverside came from Peyton Schafer pitching 5 innings, having 1 earned run, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 4 walks. Batting wise Schafer went 3-4 with 2 RBI’s and second baseman Kayden Schanck had an RBI Triple.

Riverside Head Coach Lacie Patterson the overall show by her team on the evening.

Riverside improves to 17-11 on the year thanks to their win and will head off to Essex on Monday. The Rebels now sit at 6-14 with their loss and travel to Sioux Central on Monday.

Lee Named to Team Canada for 2024 Paris Olympics

Sports

June 28th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

TORONTO, Ontario – Incoming University of Iowa gymnast Cassie Lee has been named to Team Canada for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Earlier this month, Lee competed at the 2024 Canadian National Championships where she placed fifth on beam and 11th in the all-around. The Toronto, Ontario, native has been a member of Team Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games, 2023 Pan American Championships and the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships. Lee joins fellow incoming freshman Aurélie Tran as Hawkeyes representing Canada at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Special Atlantic City Council meeting Monday morning regarding TIF Variance letter, re: Vision Atlantic

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council will hold a Special Meeting at 9-a.m. Monday, July 1st, in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall. The  only item on their agenda is a presentation, and discussion, with regard to a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) letter received from IEDA (the Iowa Economic Development Authority), as it pertains to the Vision Atlantic Housing Development project.

During their regular meeting on June 5th, the Atlantic City Council approved making an application to IEDA for a waiver to allow a more flexible use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funding to help pay for the proposed housing project. The TIF request  for $10.5 million, is the largest request in Atlantic’s history. TIF funding can be used for market rate housing, but due to regulations, a certain percentage of the TIF funding needs to be set aside for low to moderate income housing. That percentage for the city of Atlantic is 47%, but if the waiver is approved, that percentage could go to 10%.

The idea to use TIF funding was part of the original proposal from Vision Atlantic that included the sale of 48 acres of land for $1 from the city to the group.

As previously mentioned, the project will invest $4,129,597 in infrastructure, $48,800,000 into housing, and a $10,700,000 child development center on the land.

Gov. Reynolds issues proclamation for 27 counties impacted by recent widespread flooding

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has issued a proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Fremont, Harrison, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright Counties in response to widespread flooding in Iowa.

The governor’s proclamation allows for the additional targeted suspension of specific regulatory requirements in affected counties to effectively respond to and recover from the effects of this event.

Suspend the regulatory provisions of licensed professionals who are acting on a temporary basis to aid disaster victims or provide emergency services for the following professions: architecture, engineering or land surveying, social work, psychology, marital and family therapy, and mental health counseling.

Suspend the regulatory provisions and administrative rules promulgated thereunder, requiring a current, active Iowa license to practice architecture and engineering to the extent that the individuals practicing architecture and engineering hereunder meet educational, experience, and training requirements to obtain an Iowa license and are acting on a temporary basis to aid disaster victims or provide emergency services.

Suspend the regulatory provisions requiring state electrical inspection fees be due and payable at or before commencement of the installation and requiring minimum fees when a state inspection is requested by a property owner to the extent said inspections are performed in response to and in aid of residential disaster victims.

Planned Parenthood reacts to the Supreme Court abortion ruling

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, Ruth Richardson had this reaction to the Iowa Supreme Court ruling on abortion. “Today’s decision marks a dark moment in Iowa’s history. Iowa’s freedom to control their bodies and their futures has been destroyed,” she says. Richardson says they have been planning for the decision and says they will continue to work to help Iowans travel out of state for an abortion.

“We’ve been making long term regional investments to ensure patients who face bands have regional options. For example, our expansions to Omaha and Mankato health centers will help meet the needs of Iowans who are now facially facing that harsh reality that they must travel hundreds of miles for care,” Richardson says.

Richardson made her comments on a video call this afternoon.

Gov. Reynolds appoints John Sandy as Court of Appeals Judge 

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES– Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced her appointment of John Sandy as an Iowa Court of Appeals judge.
Sandy, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, serves as District Judge in District 3A.  He received both his undergraduate degree and law degree from The University of St. Thomas.
Sandy fills a vacancy created following the retirement of the Hon. Chief Judge Thomas N. Bower.

Iowa Air National Guard Asked to Help with Debris Clean Up in Wake of Historic Flood

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Johnston, IA —  The Iowa National Guard state headquarters in Des Moines has tasked the 185th Air Refueling Wing and 132d Wing to provide up to 30 Airmen to help with debris clean up in the wake of historic flooding in Iowa. The Sioux City based Iowa Air Guard unit has been tasked to help in their home county of Woodbury in the western side of the state as well as neighboring Cherokee, Ida, and Buena Vista counties.

As part of their state mission, the Air Guard has Debris Removal Teams, specialized personnel and tools that includes chain saws, skid steer loaders, dump trucks and other vehicles. Airmen assigned to the domestic response mission are primarily assigned to the unit’s Civil Engineering Squadron.

A series of rainstorms caused widespread flooding that quickly overwhelmed dozens of municipalities in the Northwest corner of the Hawkeye state. As residents began cleaning up, communities were faced with large amounts of debris that included items like basement carpet, drywall, furniture, and other household content.

Getting cleanup operations underway as quickly as possible is paramount as flood debris can present public health concerns. The ANG teams will be on duty to assist with recovery efforts, starting in Spencer, Iowa.

Air National Guard Debris Removal Teams were used as recently as 2020 when they were called to Cedar Rapids in the wake of the derecho windstorm.

Retired Iowa National Guard General dies

News

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa National Guard says F-16 fighter jets will fly over West Des Moines this weekend to honor a retired Air Guard General who has died.  Brigadier General Travis K. Acheson died June 21st after a year-long battle with brain cancer. General Acheson graduated from Valley High School in 1986 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Iowa in 1990. He retired from the Guard after 33 years in September 2022.

(Ret.) Brigadier General Travis K. Acheson

He amassed nearly three-thousand flying hours in the F-16 and completed over 500 combat hours during five overseas deployments. He also had a career as a commercial pilot with American Airlines.

Acheson is survived by his wife Brooke and three daughters. There will be an F-16 flyover around 10:30 Saturday at Resthaven Cemetery following a celebration of life ceremony.

EVAN JOSEPH BOWMAN, 15, of Lakehills, TX (A native of Atlantic) – Celebration of Life 7/6/24

Obituaries

June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

EVAN JOSEPH BOWMAN, 15, of Lakehills, TX (A native of Atlantic), died March 18th, 2024, at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for EVAN BOWMAN will be held at 11-a.m. on July 6th, 2024, at the Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold. Rieken Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.

EVAN BOWMAN is survived by:

His mother – Melinda (Mindy Hoffman) Bowman.

His father – David (Dave) Bowman.

His sisters – Layney and Sydney Bowman.

His brother – Alec Bowman.

Grandparents: Larry Bowman, Rex and Marian Hoffman.

and other relatives.