(Radio Iowa) — While it was unseasonably cold across Iowa this (Thursday) morning, forecasters warn it’ll get much colder next week which will likely freeze soil moisture in place and raise the chances of spring flooding. Doug Kluck, the Central Region Climate Services Director for the National Weather Service in Kansas City, says his team of forecasters is watching several elements carefully. “You’ve got wet soils, you’ve got high reservoirs, it’s going to take a while to drain,” Kluck says, “Even the rivers will take a very long time to drain out and probably won’t until next spring, and that’s only if we don’t get average or above-normal precipitation during those times.”

The winter outlook calls for above-normal snowfall for most of the Northern Plains, though Kluck says there are no big indicators right now. “Something we lean on a lot in the climate world in terms of outlooks is El Nino and La Nina and we don’t have a strong one or the other pushing our forecast one way or the other,” Kluck says. “Those outlooks, although based on the best science that we have, have a relatively low confidence level attached to them.”

As for the winter ahead, Kluck says a quiet weather pattern would be the best-case scenario. “What we really need to happen is to have a relatively dry and a relatively warm winter season so we can get rid of some of the water that’s already existing across the entire Missouri and upper Midwest,” he says. Kluck notes snowpack is already accumulating in the Rocky Mountain region which will melt next spring and feed into the Missouri River basin, which has flooded repeatedly this year.

Cass County 4-H is hosting the 4-H County Convention this Sunday, November 10. The annual awards program will begin at 2:00 PM at the Cass County Community Center, and is being organized by the 4-H Youth Council and Youth Action Committee.  At County Convention, members and leaders of all twelve 4-H clubs in Cass County will be present on stage to receive recognition. Record book project awards will be announced and recognition will be given to members who did outstanding project work throughout the year. Local club leaders will be recognized for their service to the 4-H program.

Special recognition will be given to 4-H clubs for exceptional community service projects, herdsmanship at fair, 4-H Endowment Fund contributors, and promotional activities during National 4-H Week. Club officers will also be recognized for their excellent work. Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator, says “This is a great event for 4-Hers to receive recognition for their accomplishments. We will also be recognizing community members and businesses for their continued 4-H support. Without those individuals, our 4-H program would not be as strong.”

This year there are 23 Clover Kids who have completed 3rd Grade and moved into 4-H. A Clover Kids Graduation ceremony will be held to recognize those members, and help them transition into the 4-H program. This is the third year of the event. 4-H’ers serving on the 2018-2019 Cass County Youth Council are Claire Smith, Katie York, Eric Plagman, Nathan Beherends, Mitchell Williamson, Aly Brockob, Grace Clay, Emily Plagman, Carli Henderson, Craig Alan Becker, Jacob Rattenborg and Haley Becker. Graduating members will be recognized and final activities of the day will be the announcement and installation of the 2019-2020 Cass County 4-H Youth Council.

Parents, relatives, friends and 4-H supporters are invited to attend the celebration and recognition event for Cass County 4-H members and leaders.

The City Council in Walnut is set to meet this evening, beginning at 5 o’clock. On their agenda is continued discussion and possible action, with regard to a MidAmerican Energy Franchise Renewal. During their meeting on Oct. 3rd, the Council heard from MidAmerican’s Mark Reinders, who was asked also, about rumored, proposed rate increases, the last of which took place in 2013. Reinders said the energy company is not proposing a rate increase through 2029.

Mayor Gene Larsen asked Reinders if a franchise fee could be imposed at any time, during an Ordinance approving the Franchise Renewal. Reinders said MidAmerican tries not to do more than two cities per month, so as to not overwhelm their billing and I-T Departments. Other than that, a franchise fee can be put into place at any time. The process would take up to 90 days to get it up and running. Councilperson Linda Booth said that with the recent increase in the water bill, citizens she’s spoken with are opposed to a franchise fee. Mayor Larsen didn’t see any big issues with the budget and the Community Center.

Booth mentioned during last month’s meeting that she was still opposed to a 25-year franchise agreement, and hopes it will be reduced to 15, like the last agreement, and with no franchise fee. Mark Reinders told her the lowest MidAmerican will generally go, is 20-years. Afterward, the first reading of an Ordinance granting the energy company franchise rights for 20-years with zero franchise fees for an electric system, and communications facilities, was held. The motion failed, but was brought up again and approved, with the caveat that the second reading be held tonight, along with further discussion. Reinders then informed the Council that if they move forward with the franchise fees at a later date, the City would need to pass a Revenue Purpose Statement.

Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report Shelby County 911 lines are being transferred to Harrison County to insure appropriate location, and call back information are accessible. Local Public Safety resources will be dispatched following normal protocols. Authorities say local 911 Service has been affected by a Server Failure that is currently being repaired. Contingency plans are in place with adjacent counties for these types of events.

Shelby County EMA/911 wanted to inform local residents, when they access 911 the call will be answered by Harrison County. Harrison County will immediately contacts Shelby County, and we dispatch the appropriate help.

Red Oak Police say no injuries were reported after a woman traveling on E. Corning Street Wednesday afternoon, took her eyes off the road and ended-up crashing into a tree. 69-year old Linda Ann Olsen, of Red Oak, told police that she looked down and reached into her glove box for just a second, and when she looked back up, her 2007 Nissaan Murano had crossed the center line of the road. The SUV drove over a curb and struck a tree in the 11-hundred block of E. Corning Street. Damage from the accident amounted to $5,000. No citations were issued.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The University of Northern Iowa president says he’s forming a committee to address minority and other students’ allegations of systemic racism on the Cedar Falls campus. President Mark Nook took responsibility in a recent letter to the university community for the university’s failure to adequately fulfill goals set by an ad hoc student group and backed by the student government.

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that Nook’s action follows a social media campaign of criticism by the student group, Racial and Ethnic Coalition. Among other things, the group posted video testimonials from minority students talking about problems they’ve had on campus, including dealing with a racist professor and trying to navigate university diversity policies.

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man being held in the Pott. County Jail on OWI and Parole Violation offenses, was served Wednesday morning, with two arrest warrants for six-counts of Sexual Abuse by Force in the 3rd Degree/1st offense. 39-year old Richard John Siemer, of Council Bluffs, was read the charges against him and then returned to his cell.

Atlantic City Councilman Chris Jimerson informed the City Council during their meeting Wednesday evening, that Fire Chief Mark McNees would be stepping down from his lead position with the AFD. McNees, who has served the City as a fireman for 29 ½ years, and the past 13-years as Chief, explained why he’s decided to switch gears and return to being a firefighter.

He says there are other things he needs to take care of in life and to work on that he has neglected because of his current duties. He began to think about stepping down a couple of years go.

Under the by-laws, an Atlantic Fire Chief is elected every two-years. The department will vote on the new Chief at their first meeting in December, and pending City Council approval, the new Chief will take over their duties on January 1, 2020.

His advice to his successor:

During his tenure as Chief, McNees also served on the Iowa Fire Fighters Association and was elected as the President during his time with the Association.

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees (File photo)

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — General Mills and union officials say they’ll meet today (Thursday), to work on a contract that would avert a strike following the union’s rejection of the company’s latest offer for the Cedar Rapids plant. Officials say 99% of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union’s Local 110 workers who voted Wednesday said no.

The two sides have been negotiating since January, when workers voted for the union representation. The workers voted Oct. 3 to authorize a strike. The union represents 520 workers, who perform production, sanitation and maintenance work.

Union Vice President Roger Grobstich says workers object among other things to General Mills’ proposed scheduling changes and raise proposals.