Severe storms tore through Crawford County and Allamakee County Wednesday evening, knocking down trees and power lines and damaging sheds and roofs across the area. The storms moved through around 5 p.m., during the evening commute, bringing strong winds that left widespread damage in their wake. Crews spent the afternoon and evening responding to reports of storm damage and working to clear hazards from roadways. Officials are reminding residents to use caution around any downed power lines. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. A message from the Grant County Office of Emergency Management Director Steve Braun said There is a damage path, possibly caused by a tornado, extending from just southeast of Boscobel through Hickory Grove and Castle Rock, and exiting Grant County near Highland. This would be consistent with a line from a reported tornado that impacted Crawford County. Reported damage includes agricultural buildings that were damaged or destroyed, numerous trees down across roadways, and downed power lines and utility poles. No injuries have been reported, and no major damage to residences has been identified. Montfort Fire Dept reported that there is a farm on Shemak Road that lost most or all of their buildings. Fire Departments were out conducting preliminary damage assessment, opening roadways and standing by for downed power lines. The National Weather Service will survey damage today.  A social media post from Iowa County Sheriff Michael Peterson said there are multiple reports of damage from Highland to south of Ridgeway and Barneveld. There is significant structural damage, wire damage, along with trees down. No injuries were reported in Iowa County as of last night. Storm damage was reported in the northside of Belleville, too.   Belleville officials said two families will likely be displaced.  Roads in the affected areas will remain closed.  Minor damage was also reported in the Town of Montrose.  

Iowa’s Auditor of State finds more than 18-thousand dollars in improper and unsupported payments tied to the Lansing Emergency Medical Services. Auditor of State Rob Sand reported the special investigation identified $8,461.20 of improper disbursements and $9,778.67 of unsupported disbursements. However, because EMS records were not sufficiently maintained, it was not possible to determine if additional amounts were improperly disbursed. Sand recommended EMS officials implement procedures to ensure that internal controls are strengthened, including segregation of duties, performing independent review of bank statements, and ensuring all disbursements are properly supported, approved, and paid in a timely manner. In addition, EMS officials should ensure all actions taken during meetings are properly documented in the minutes of Board meetings.  

Embattled beagle breeder and research facility Ridglan Farms will soon shut down after transferring its remaining dogs, the Center for a Humane Economy said Monday. Big Dog Ranch Rescue negotiated the transfer of the remaining 475 Ridglan beagles. Beginning Monday, 325 dogs will be transferred to rescue partners and Big Dog’s campuses in Florida and Alabama. The remaining 150 will leave Ridglan by the beginning of August, meaning there will be no more dogs left at the facility. In a statement, Ridglan Farms confirmed it reached an agreement Monday to sell 325 dogs to Big Dog. The remaining dogs will be donated to Big Dog before the end of August. Ridglan also asked for protests against the facility to end now that the dogs are leaving. 

On Friday Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for 11 Counties including Iowa in response to continuing severe weather that started on June 5.  Governor Reynolds’ proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and the Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the affected counties.  The proclamation is effective immediately and will remain in effect for 30 days unless terminated or extended.  The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants up to $7,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for home or car repairs, replacement of personal property or food, and temporary housing expenses.  The Disaster Case Advocacy Program assists clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource.   

Beginning Thursday, the City of Dubuque will provide free collection of tree limbs and branches that were downed as a result of the storms that impacted the city on Wednesday. The final day for this no-charge collection will be Friday, June 19. Limbs and branches must be placed at the curb or alley line where residents normally set out solid waste containers.  Collections will be performed by City crews on the resident’s regularly scheduled trash/recycling collection day. 

The city of Asbury will provide free collection of tree limbs and branches resulting from the severe storms that swept through the community Wednesday. Collection will occur on residents’ regularly scheduled yard waste day — Thursday, June 18. All materials must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day. Residents will not be required to purchase yard waste tags for this special storm debris collection.  

A semi fire in Dubuque spread to a business’ dumpster and resulted in a fluid spill. Dubuque fire crews responded to the fire near Simmons Pet Food Monday afternoon. Crews were able to suppress the fire, but the semi had a significant coolant and engine oil leak that resulted in some contaminated runoff into an adjacent grassy field. Fire crews worked with a recycling contractor to remove and dump the smoldering contents of the dumpster in a safe location. No injuries to fire personnel or facility personnel were reported.  The semi sustained heavy fire damage and was declared a total loss, with an estimated replacement value of $175,000. Additionally, the fire compromised the side wall of a nearby dumpster, resulting in an estimated replacement cost of $8,500. 

The City of Platteville has announced a rescheduled date for the new pool’s ribbon cutting and grand opening. Due to an unexpected delay in the arrival of two key pool filters, the Pool Ribbon Cutting Ceremony has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., with the official Ribbon Cutting at 4:30 p.m. Music in the Park takes place the same night from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at City Park. The earlier ribbon-cutting time provides an opportunity for community members to celebrate the  new pool, then enjoy an evening of live music.  

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed an executive order Monday that will establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation for Iowa. Reynolds signed the order at an event near Indianola. The office will serve as an extension of the Iowa Tourism Office under the Iowa Economic Development Authority. 

Iowa’s Democratic candidate for governor announced the selection of a running mate. Rob Sand announced that Dave Muhlbauer will join the ticket as candidate for lieutenant governor. A press release states that Muhlbauer is a member of the Crawford County Board of Supervisors and a fifth-generation family farmer. Sand will face Republican Zach Lahn in the race for Iowa governor.