ANITA, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa DNR report the water level of Lake Anita in Cass County will be lowered five feet for a seawall replacement project. This may limit access to Lake Anita this fall. The gate will be closed and the lake allowed to refill as construction allows. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to extend the boat ramps to allow for boating access after the drawdown is complete. All other facilities at Lake Anita State Park will remain open.
Severe storms that blew through southwest and Central Iowa Monday afternoon and evening, causing extensive damage to a rural property five-miles West/Northwest of Hepburn, in Page County. Emergency Management officials say two large metal buildings were damaged by strong thunderstorm winds at around 4:40-p.m., and there was varying degress of tree damage. The farm is located between Stanton and Bethesda, or in the area of 120th and Q Avenue. You can see Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency drone pictures of the damage on the Weather page at kjan.com.
At about the same time as that damage was taking place, thunderstorm winds estimated at 51 mph were recorded by the AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System), two-mile South/Southeast of Clarinda.
At around 4-p.m., the Adair-Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency reported 4-to 6-inch diameter tree limbs were down in Menlo. Just before 5-p.m., winds gusting up to 57-mph were reported by a Cooperative Weather Observer, four-miles North of Nodaway, in Adams County. And, at around 5:46-p.m. EMA officials reported a power pole was broken a White Pole Road and Adair Streets, in Menlo.
In Central Iowa’ Story County, an estimated 70-mph gust of wind at around 5:50-p.m. Near Colo, caused a 10-inch diameter tree limb to snap on a older tree, and several 3-to 4-inch limbs to break on newer trees. Winds gusted up to 61 mph near Collins, as well. Two miles east of Ames, Law Enforcement reported the wall of a building was pushed-in six-feet, and the contents of the building were blown around. The event was estimated by radar to have occurred at around 5:11-p.m.
In Polk County, winds gusted upwards of 60 mph Monday evening about two-miles west of West Des Moines. One-mile southeast of Sheldahl, law enforcement reported a telephone pole and a No Passing sign were leaned-over at around 4:48-p.m. Elsewhere, multiple trees were downed in the Hardin County town of Hubbard. One of the trees was 24-inches in diameter. In Black Hawk County, the skirting for a mobile home was damaged two-miles north/northwest of Washburn, and numerous tree limbs were down. Shingles were also reported blown off a home north of Hudson. Tree and power line damage was also reported in Grundy, Dallas, Boone, and Butler Counties. In Butler County, a couple of trees reportedly fell on homes in Parkersburg and Clarksville.
The storms also caused damage early this (Tuesday) morning in central Iowa. A spotter reported trees down 2 miles southeast of the Des Moines International Airport at around 3:50-a.m. Five minutes later, Public Safety Officials said a tree fell on a power line in the same area, causing power flashes in south Des Moines.
(Radio Iowa) — Four Hamilton County fire departments battled a Monday evening fire at an abandoned chicken hatchery in Ellsworth. The entire structure was engulfed in flames when the Ellsworth Fire Department arrived. The departments spent several hours on the scene of the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.
(Radio Iowa) — A diesel locomotive caught fire in Cedar Rapids late Monday afternoon. The fire happened at what’s called the “dry mill” owned by Archer Daniels Midland, or A-D-M. The Cedar Rapids Fire Department says it had to use one thousand gallons of water and foam to put out the fire. Fire investigators estimate the damage to the train was one million dollars. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Members of the CAM School District’s Board of Education met Monday evening in a short, regular session. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board set September 30th as the date for a Board workshop with Boyd Jones, pertaining to the District’s Facilities Study.
The Board also approved para-educator and other staff contracts.
In other business, the Board approved out-of-state trips for Elementary School Students.
And, they approved the donation of MacBook computers to schools in Kenya.
The CAM School Board approved activities fundraisers including a “Hog Wild” raffle. The raffle give you a chance at winning one of two donated hogs that will be processed. It ends the Friday night of Homecoming. They cost $10 for one ticket, $20 for 3 tickets, and $100 for 20 tickets. And the Board approved CAM Sports’ 50-50 fundraiser.
LaVon Eblen visits with Historian Kathy Wilson about a program at the Heritage House.
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The AHSTW girls cross country took the top four spots and and won the Coon Rapids-Bayard Meet on Monday night. The AC/GC boys took the team title in that race.
The Individual titles were won by Ryann Portch of AHSTW in the girls race and Underwood’s Bryce Patten won the boys race.
Girls Team Scores
Girls Individual Top 5
Boys Team Scores
Boys Individual Top 5
Full results HERE.
The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will meet in a regular session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, in the High School Media Center. On their agenda is the approval of General Education and Special Education Contracts, approval of resignation for Jennifer Renz, Secretary to the Finance Director & HR Specialist, approval of contract recommendations or Letters of Assignment for 17 individuals, and a Facilities Project Liaison position for Bob Sweeney.
Superintendent Steve Barber is recommending Sweeney to begin serving in the position starting with the Athletic Facilities construction bid opening set for September 26th. The position will pay $22.50 per hour, for a total estimated salary of $20,000. The Board and Facilities Committee have been talking over the past few months about the need to have someone provide oversight and communication between the key players in the project. Barber says Sweeney “brings a wealth of knowledge of our facilities, high school athletics, and current plans of our project.” He added that “His detailed organization and communication skills along with his passion for Atlantic and Atlantic Community Schools provide the skills and characteristics we are looking for in this position.”
In other business, the Atlantic School Board will discuss the Facilities Project, following an update, and discuss a plan for the disposal of obsolete equipment, including a 2003 International School Bus that needs significant repairs in order to operate efficiently, and a 2006 Ford Taurus that is unsafe to operate. The Board is expected to act on selling both for scrap metal.
A reminder also, Sept. 19th is the last day to file nomination papers with the school district secretary, in advance of the Nov. 5th School/City elections.
BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 25-year-old suspected of shooting to death a Burlington man. Des Moines County Jail records say Diavontae Davis remained in custody Tuesday. Burlington police say he’s charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the slaying of 28-year-old Reynaldo “Rey” Villarreal.
Officers were sent early Sunday morning to check a report about several gunshots. They found the man later identified as Villarreal suffering from a gunshot wound. Police say he died later at a hospital.
AMES, IOWA – In an on-going effort to build future leadership for both the Iowa cattle industry and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, ICA is taking applications for the 2020 Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. The application deadline is November 1, 2019 and can be downloaded from the ICA website, www.iacattlemen.org. Matt Deppe, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, says “With all of the issues facing agriculture today, it’s more important than ever that we equip young cattlemen and women with the knowledge and skills needed to lead our industry into the future. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program will help participants better understand the industry and work towards solutions to the problems their generation will face.”
Those selected for the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) will meet six times in the coming year on January 8-9, 2020, February 18-19, 2020, May 28-29, 2020, August 6-7, 2020, November 5-6, 2020 and December 3-4, 2020. They will tour beef production facilities, learn about trending cattle issues, enhance their leadership and communication skills, and play an active role in the legislative process. The program is free to all participants.
The application for YCLP asks potential participants to explain why they are interested in participating in the program, as well as explaining their goals and giving their vision for the future of the cattle industry. Preference will be given to current ICA members. If you have questions about the program, or would like an application mailed to you, contact Adair Lents at adair@iacattlemen.org, or call 515-296-2266.
YCLP is sponsored by ICA with funding provided by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation and members of the ICA President’s Council.
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