MUSCATINE COUNTY, IA (IRN) – The National Weather Service reports that the storm that blew through Muscatine County Thursday was likely an EF-1 tornado. The tornado was 30 yards wide and traveled a 9.5 mile path just after 10 p.m. It lasted from 10:07 p.m. until 10:18 p.m., starting four miles northwest of Muscatine and ending four miles south-southwest of Durant. The tornado caused damage mostly to crops and trees. One hog farm had two outbuildings destroyed.

UNION COUNTY, IA (IRN) – A 22-month-old child died this week in an accident involving a skid loader that was being driven by his father, according to KCCI-TV. The Union County Sheriff’s Department said Calab Brammar Jr. was sitting on his father’s lap on the skid loader and either fell or jumped to the ground. He died at the scene.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA (IRN) – A fire broke out at an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs yesterday, according to KETV. Reports are the fire started when a tanker on a semi-truck was either loading or unloading. One person was life-flighted from the scene. The plant, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, plant produces 110 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol every year. It also produces distiller’s grain and corn oil.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (IRN) – There’s been an increase in the number of panhandlers and complaints about them in Cedar Rapids. KCRG-TV reports the city council is working on an ordinance that would limit locations where panhandling will be allowed. The ordinance would ban panhandling at intersections with stoplights, exits off of interstates, ATM machines, public buses and in parking ramps.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IRN) – Two Urbandale police officers were honored in Washington D.C. Thursday. WHO-TV reports officers Curt Vajgrt and Andrew Dobbins were among the recipients of Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s Awards for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. The men were recognized for implementing a program for students. The “Culture of Integrity” program focuses on bullying, social media, personal safety, and achieving success.