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Tornadic storm damage reported near Bridgewater

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 4:08-p.m.) The National Weather Service says the Adams County Emergency Management Coordinator has reported damage from a tornadic storm that fired-up quickly and rapidly moved northeast, Saturday afternoon. The tornado damage occurred at around 2:10-p.m. about five-miles southeast of Bridgewater, near the Adams/Adair County line. Officials say two machine sheds were destroyed at a farmstead, but no one was injured.

Other storm reports from around Iowa: Time/Event/Location/Source

KCRG and KGAN TV stations in Cedar Rapids said officials in Fayette County report damage to the communities of Oelwein, Hazelton, Fairbank and Littleton. Viewers report damage near the Buffalo Run Apartments complex on the northwest side of Oelwein sustained roof, siding and window damage. A carport was also completely destroyed. Damage was also been reported at Red Gate Park in Oelwein as well. No injuries have been reported. (Incident timing: approx. 6:45-p.m.)

5:50-p.m. Tornado 4-miles E. of Hudson – Storm spotter reported grain bin and outbuildings destroyed.

5:40-p.m. Tornado 5 miles S. of Hudson (Black Hawk County) – Law Enforcement & confirmed by social media.

5:37-p.m.  Thunderstorm wind damage (Machine shed destroyed) 4 miles Se of Dike in Grundy County – Storm spotter observation

5:37-p.m. Hail ranging from dime- to half-dollars size fell near Manson (in Calhoun County).

5:30-p.m.  Quarter-to Ping-pong ball size hail fell in Rockwell City (Calhoun County) for about 10-minutes (from 5:19-to approx. 5:30-p.m.)

4:30-p.m. Penny-size hail near Ventura (Cerro Gordo County).

4:26-p.m. Brief tornado touchdown 2 miles S/SW of Rhodes (Marshall Co.) – Storm Chaser

3:54-p.m. Non-thunderstorm wind gust at automated site near Lamoni.

For other reports (as they come in) go to https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=DMX&product=HWO

 

Authorities search for man who fell out of boat in Iowa

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

HANLONTOWN, Iowa (Globe Gazette) — Authorities in north-central Iowa are searching for a man who reportedly fell out of a fishing boat on the Winnebago River near Hanlontown. The Globe Gazette reports that emergency responders were called around 1:20 p.m. Friday, saying a man had fallen into the water and not resurfaced.

Worth County Sheriff Dan Fank says it appears the boat hit some cables, spinning the boat and knocking the man into the water. A second man in the boat was not injured. Fank says the stretch of river the men were fishing is a popular spot for recreational boating and kayaking.

Iowa state parks reduce some amenities as part of COVID-19 response

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources put out a statement, Saturday, with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak. The DNR says “Iowa state parks are still open. However, please be aware of the following operational changes, effectively immediately, before visiting a state park:

  • All bathrooms, including pit latrines, are closed in Iowa state parks through April 15, 2020. Visitors should bring their own hand sanitizer, as no soap or sanitizer will be available in the park.
  • Because bathrooms are not available, camping is limited to self-contained (enclosed) campers with their own bathrooms through April 15. Camping through April 15 will be available for walk-ins only on a first-come, first-served basis. More details can be found on the park alerts page.
  • Shelters, camping cabins, youth camps and lodges are closed and not available for rentals because of the lack of bathroom facilities available.
  • Playgrounds are not advised to be used during this health emergency. Park staff are unable to keep them clean according to CDC guidelines. User discretion is advised.
  • Please remember to keep physical distance of at least 6 feet between you and other visitors, and avoid areas in parks where people may congregate such as points of interest, scenic overlooks, buildings and busy trails.”

Officials said also, “We appreciate your patience and assistance during these challenging times. We will also be monitoring the situation and may continue to make changes to park operations as needed. Please visit the DNR’s COVID-19 web page for more information about how COVID-19 is affecting DNR events, facilities and services.”

Clarinda man missing from residential care facility

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers sent out a notice at around 1:30-p.m. today (Saturday), with regard to a missing man. 28-year old Jordan Charles Quick is missing from a community residential care facility, in Clarinda. Quick, a dependent adult,  is 5’3″ tall, weighs 180 lbs, and has blue eyes.

He was last seen 11:30-p.m. Friday, March 27th, wearing a black/white hoodie, blue jeans & tennis shoes. If you seen Jordan contact the Page County Dispatch Center at 712-542-1419.

Health officials: 64 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Iowa

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say 64 additional cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed, bringing the state’s total to nearly 300. The Iowa Department of Public Health said Saturday in a news release that the new cases included 14 in Linn County and 12 in Polk County.

The new cases include 29 who range in age from 18 to 40; 22 who are 41-60 years old; and 13 who are older than 60. There have been 4,375 who have tested negative to date and three deaths from the virus.

The new totals come a day after Gov. Kim Reynolds activated more than three dozen more Iowa Army National Guard members to help handle coronavirus response missions across the state.

7AM Sportscast 03/28/2020

Podcasts, Sports

March 28th, 2020 by admin

w/ Chris Parks

Play

7AM Newscast 03/28/2020

News, Podcasts

March 28th, 2020 by admin

w/ Chris Parks

Play

Congresswoman Finkenauer says it’s time for a stay at home order

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer thinks the Governor isn’t going far enough in restricting the movement of Iowans to address the coronavirus outbreak. The Democrat from Dubuque has sent a letter to the governor, asking her to issue a statewide stay at home order.

Finkenauer says she has been talking with the governor throughout this week — and decided to send her letter after talking with doctors from Dubuque — who have also sent a letter to the governor.

She says the governor feels the actions the state is taking are enough to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Finkenauer says she not only represents her district — but on the federal level has to speak for the rest of the nation — as she’s concerned that the national food supply could be hurt.

Finkenauer says she could not sit back and not say something publicly after seeing the two additional deaths in her district. The two latest COVID-19 deaths reported Friday, happened in Allamakee and Poweshiek County. The first death was reported in Dubuque County.

First Case of COVID-19 Confirmed in Shelby County

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, reported Friday, that a case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Shelby County. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), the individual is self-isolating at home.

Myrtue Medical Center’s Public Health Director Lori Hoch said “We encourage all residents to continue to make prevention a priority.” Those actions include:

  • Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
  • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow/upper arm.
  • Staying home when ill.

Atlantic City Council meeting to be held electronically April 1st

News

March 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

It’s no joke….The Atlantic City Council will hold it’s first-ever electronic meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, April 1st, “In order to discourage the spread of the COVID-19 virus.” The meeting will be conducted through “Zoom,” a remote conferencing service that combines video conferencing, online meetings, chat, and mobile collaboration.

There is a lot on the Council’s Agenda. Here’s a brief rundown:

  • A Public Hearing on the Adoption of the Final Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget for the City of Atlantic. (The Council passed the preliminary FY21 Budget March 4th)
  • A Resolution “Adopting the [FY21] Budget” (which calls for lower property taxes, but increased costs in labor & health insurance) [Total tax levy rate per $1,000 valuation on regular property= $16.56/$1,000; on Agricultural land= $3.00/$1,000]
  • A Public Hearing on the Adoption of the 10-year CIP (Capital Improvement Plan).
  • A Resolution “Adopting the Proposed [FY21] CIP.”
  • A Resolution “Setting Salaries for Appointed Officers and Employees of the City of Atlantic.” (Basically, wage adjustments for the Police Chief, Library Director, Parks & Rec Director, Street Superintendent and City Administrator, plus a 2.4% increase for all employees, keeping in-line with other cities of similar size, as well as Union agreements)
  • The Council will also act on a Resolution “Setting the Seasonal Wages for Atlantic Parks & Recreation Department for 2020.”
  • Action on a Resolution for a “Temporary [suspension] of Certain Personnel Policy Requirements in Order to Address the COVID-19 Emergency.”
  • A Resolution “Setting the date for a public hearing on designation of the expanded North Urban Renewal Area and on [an] Urban Renewal Plan Amendment,” as it pertains to the City’s 2017 development agreement with the Whitney Group.
  • And, a public hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Refunding Loan Agreement and to borrow money thereunder, with regard to recent changes in the bond market.

To view/listen to the City Council meeting, tune to the local access cable channel (here in Atlantic), or join via Zoom using the following:

Meeting ID: 717 380 714
Password: 360692

Only Mayor Jones, City Administrator Lund, City Clerk/Treasurer Barrick, Administrative Assistant Amanda Martin, Police Chief Dave Erickson, Council Members Dick Casady and Pat McCurdy and Cable TV Operator Nick Kern will be allowed to be physically present at Atlantic City Hall, 23 E. 4th St.   The Council Chamber doors will be locked.