Iowans who still have leaves to rake may soon find they’ve all blown away, as a wide section of the state will be under a High Wind Warning tonight (Wednesday) and into tomorrow (Thursday). Meteorologist Jeff Zogg, at the National Weather Service, says it’ll get more blustery as the day goes on. “We have a very strong storm system that will be lifting northeast into Iowa later today and moving further northeast tonight and the winds will really increase around the back side of this system,” Zogg says, “with surface winds speeds sustained as high as 40 miles per hour, possibly gusting up to 60 miles per hour.”

Iowans need to take precautions, he says, as the winds could be severe. “With strong winds like we’re expecting tonight, people need to secure outdoor objects, things that may blow around easily, trash cans, lawn furniture,” Zogg says. “Also if you’re traveling, high-profile vehicles are especially at risk, just from the surface area they present to the wind. With that strong wind, it can cause issues if you’re driving those kind of vehicles.”

Those winds are just one key element of a massive storm system that’s stretching across much of the central U-S, likely bringing thunderstorms to Iowa this afternoon. “The greatest threat of severe weather later today will be from southwest into southeast and up to central Iowa, the greatest threat being primarily south of Highway 30,” Zogg says. “The primary threat will be strong winds, however, if we get enough sunshine to destabilize, we may see a couple of tornadoes with some of the stronger storms.”

If there’s a silver lining to the cloudy forecast, it’s that snow is unlikely for Iowa. “There is the possibility, as the system lifts out tonight, we may see a brief change over to snow or a rain-snow mix across northwest and north-central Iowa,” Zogg says. “However, by the time it cools off enough, the precipitation will be lifting out, so we don’t expect any kind of accumulation from the snowfall.”

Parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado are under a Blizzard Warning, with several inches of snow expected along with severe winds, likely bringing white-out conditions.

(Radio Iowa)

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers reports on Monday, November 23rd, the Clarinda Police Department and Clarinda E-911 Communications Center will begin Operation Blessing 2015. The community project embodies the spirit of Christmas by helping to make sure every child in Clarinda receives a gift on Christmas day. Retired Police Chief Joe Newton and retired 911 Communications Supervisor Diane Newtown will be managing the program again this year.

Children may be signed up for involvement in the program by calling the Clarinda Police Department at 712-542-2194. A Clarinda E-911 Communications Specialist will take the child’s name, age, sex, and address and two gift requests per child/children. Names of children can be submitted beginning Monday, November 23rd, 2015 and will be accepted through Monday, December 21st 2015.

Cash contributions in c/o of Operation Blessing 2015 can be dropped off at the Clarinda Police Department or mailed to the Clarinda Police Department, 200 South 15th Street, Clarinda, Iowa 51632. Cash contributions will be used by the Clarinda Police Department to purchase gifts for the children. If you wish to purchase a specific gift for a child, please contact the Clarinda Police Department and ask to speak with Joe and Diane Newton to make arrangements to purchase a specific requested gift item(s).

Families will be contacted by the Clarinda Police Department when the gift items are ready to be picked up.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.3MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Both lanes of Interstate 80 eastbound in Cass County were reopened this morning at around 7:45 following an accident involving a semi that happened about 1.5-miles west of Adair at around 5:30-a.m. The road was closed for more than two hours while traffic was rerouted south into Anita and then east on G-30.

The semi, hauling non-hazardous materials was blocking both lanes of the interstate while crews worked to remove the wreckage. No serious injuries were reported.

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (3.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

In an update to our earlier reports, one-lane (inside lane) of I-80 eastbound, west of Adair was temporarily re-opened at around 6:50-a.m. after being blocked for nearly 75-minutes following a semi tractor-trailer rollover accident at the 74.4-mile marker. The road was re-opened for a few minutes, but then shut-down again so a wrecker can remove the semi. Officials estimate the interstate will be closed for another 30-minutes. (Until about 7:30).

The accident was reported at around 5:30-a.m. Both lanes of the interstate eastbound are completely blocked. Authorities had been re-routing traffic south into Anita off I-80 at Exit 70 (Anita/Highway 148).

The International semi was hauling paper towels and other, non-hazardous materials. The 42-year old driver from Nebraska was being checked out by medics.

No other details are currently available.

Traffic is backed-up past the Cass-Adair County line early this (Wed.) morning due to a semi tractor-trailer rollover accident about 1.5-miles west of Adair, at around the 74.4 mile marker of Interstate 80 eastbound. The accident was reported at around 5:30-a.m. Both lanes of the interstate eastbound are completely blocked. Authorities were re-routing traffic south into Anita off I-80 at Exit 70 (Anita/Highway 148).  Traffic will then take White Pole Road (G-30) east to Exit 75 past and back onto I-80 eastbound.

The International semi was hauling paper towels and other, non-hazardous materials. The 42-year old driver from Nebraska was being checked out by medics.

No other details are currently available.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were arrested early this (Wednesday) morning, on separate charges. A little after 2-a.m., deputies arrested 59-year old Fredrick Clifton Welsch, of Elliott, in Elliott. Welsch was taken into custody on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd degree. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

And, at around 12:50-a.m., deputies in Montgomery County, assisted by Red Oak Police, arrested 42-year old James Donald Uhlmann, Jr., of Red Oak, in Red Oak. Uhlmann was taken into custody on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $20,000 bond.

People on at least six floors of the Harrah’s Council Bluffs hotel/casino were evacuated early this (Wednesday) morning, when a fire erupted in the kitchen on the 12th-floor of the restaurant. The Omaha World-Herald reports thick smoked filled at least two floors of the casino on the western edge of the city, and a light haze drifted through other floors. Authorities said a 24-year-old security guard at the hotel was taken to Mercy Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.