What can you build from a box of junk? A STEM event for all local 3rd-8th graders on Thursday, June 26 will let youth build, design and discover. The STEM at Work day camp will be at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic and will include a variety of hands-on science focused activities. Youth will be inventive and plan to create a robot from a box of junk, design a pinball game and explore environmental science.

The STEM at Work camp will be the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is free with lunch, snacks and resources provided, but youth must register by June 24. Registration forms are available at the YMCA, Cass County Extension Office or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. There is a minimum registration of 10 participants and maximum of 50 participants so don’t delay.

The Nishna Valley YMCA and Cass County Extension staff and volunteers have teamed up for this day of hands-on learning to celebrate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. “We are continuing to expand our STEM efforts because there is increased evidence of need and support from the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council,” said Beth Irlbeck, Cass County Extension Youth Coordinator. “4-H has done science and positive youth development programming for years and we’re excited to continue our partnership with the Y who has also made its history supporting youth.”

This STEM at Work event promises lots of fun, hands-on science, opportunities to design and build and meet new friends. Pre-registration required by June 24. There is no charge for this event and lunch will be provided. Questions? Call Cass County Extension 712-243-1132.

(Press Release)

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) – National Guard soldiers and South Dakota Transportation workers are dismantling a levee across Interstate 29 that blocked traffic between Iowa and South Dakota. An Associated Press reporter on the scene says crews are removing the sandbags and other containers used to block the freeway on Thursday at North Sioux City, South Dakota. The governor’s office says I-29 should reopen later Friday.

The National Weather Service says the Big Sioux River where Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota meet already crested at a level lower than expected. Crews built the temporary levee across Interstate 29 to protect homes from flooding, but it forced motorists onto detours. Floodwaters also blocked most other roads connecting South Dakota and Iowa between Sioux Falls and Sioux City.

w/ Ric Hanson

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NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) – A swollen river that threatened homes where Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota meet already has crested. The National Weather Service had predicted that the Big Sioux River would hit a record high around midday Friday. But the agency said early Friday that the river crested at Sioux City, Iowa, around midnight a couple of feet below the previous record. The reason for the change wasn’t immediately clear.

Todd Heitkamp with the weather service in Sioux Falls says the river level should hold steady and eventually recede. Crews built a temporary levee across Interstate 29, which should protect much of the city but closed off the interstate and forced motorists onto detours.

With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Jerry Hayes of Atlantic was one of the veterans on the Cass County Honor Flight to Washington DC June 16-17, 2014.  Jerry shot lots of video from the trip.  Click these links to see them!

Laying of the Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Send off from Atlantic

Flight and Washington Welcome including Water Cannon Salute

Washington and Home again with mail call

THANK YOU VETERANS & THANK YOU JERRY!!!

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Omaha Public Power District officials say it will reduce power as it prepares for rising water on the Missouri River. The district’s Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant sits on the west bank of the river about 20 miles north of Omaha and was surrounded by water during the flooding three years ago. OPPD says the plant isn’t required to shut down until the river reaches the level of 1,004 feet above mean sea level. The U.S. Weather Service expects the river to hit that level on Saturday.

The district says sand-filled temporary berms have been erected around critical equipment. Flood doors and mobile pumps are ready to be employed. OPPD says its preparations for the possible flooding are guided by lessons learned three years ago.

Omaha Television station WOWT reports two people were taken into custody early this (Friday) morning, following a chase involving a stolen vehicle that ended in Pottawattamie County with a crash. The vehicle was taken from Bellevue, NE. During the pursuit, which ended in the 2200 block of Veterans Memorial Highway in Council Bluffs, the suspect vehicle traveled the wrong way for a time before it left the road and flipped over

The chase ended at around 1:20 a.m. No further details are currently available.

Two complaints against the Red Oak Community School District were filed Thursday with the Iowa Public Information Board. The Omaha World-Herald reports the Board accepted the complaints from Red Oak High School Principal Jedd Sherman and Red Oak resident Don Rogerson, both of whom allege the Red Oak School District violated state law when the Red Oak School Board held discussions in closed session about Sherman’s contract.

The Red Oak School Board voted on May 5th to consider the termination of Sherman’s contract. He appealed that decision, and his case is set to go before an administrative law judge on July 2nd. The Iowa Public Information Board is a separate entity, which seeks to resolve disputes about open-meeting and public record law.

That Board will have to consider whether the School Board had the right to exclude the public from discussions on April 14th and May 5th, when Sherman did not request a closed hearing.

Police in Red Oak report three residents were arrested on separate charges early this (Friday) morning or late Thursday night. Officials say 53-year old Gary Lee Ruckman, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 2:40-a.m. Friday at a location on 1st Avenue, on a warrant out of Atchison County, Kansas, for Criminal Threat, Stalking and Harrassment by Telecommunication Device. Ruckman was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) on $25,000 bond.

Just before 11-p.m. Thursday, police in Red Oak arrested 34-year old Jolene Mardell Cain, of Red Oak, for Breach of Peace. The woman was taken into custody in the 400 block of north 3rd Street and held in the Montgomery County LEC on $300 cash bond.

And, at around 10:10-p.m. Thursday, Red Oak Police arrested 52-year old David Lawrence Howe, of Red Oak, on a charge of Public Intoxication. Howe was being held in the Montgomery County LEC on $300 cash bond.