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Herky on Parade 20th Anniversary Bobblehead Series Unveiled

Sports

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Milwaukee, WI) – The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, Friday, in conjunction with the University of Iowa and Think Iowa City, unveiled 25 officially licensed, limited-edition bobbleheads commemorating the 20th anniversary of Herky on Parade. The bobbleheads are replicas of the statues that are currently on display throughout the Iowa City area featuring University of Iowa’s beloved mascot Herky the Hawk, who celebrated his 75th birthday on September 1st, 2023. The special edition bobbleheads are being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of the University of Iowa.

The series includes 25 bobbleheads that are replicas of the Herky on Parade statues as well as a Paint Your Own Herky Bobblehead that gives people the opportunity to create their own unique Herky on Parade Bobblehead. The bobbleheads included in the series are: 25 Years of Captain Kirk, Alumni Band Herky, Can’t Believe it’s Butter Herky, Cartoon Herky, Color Me Herky, Construction Herky, Dr. Grant Herky, Farm Strong Herky, From the Logo Herky, Game Day Herky, Golden Herky, Handcrafted Herky, Hayden Herky, Herk’s Anatomy, Herky in the Wildflowers, Herky’s Salute to Service, Iowa Prairie Proud, Just Herky, Lunch Lady Herky, Old Gold Herky, Paint Your Own Herky, Perspectives, Scout Herky, We Can Do It Iowa, Wrestler Herky, and Yoda.

Standing on a rectangular, gray, stone-like base, the Herky the Hawk bobblehead has his right fist up high “ready to charge.” Each bobblehead is individually numbered to only 2,024 and they are only available through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store. The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in November, are $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order. A set of all 26 is available for $1,000. A portion of the proceeds benefit the University of Iowa and Think Iowa City. Twenty years after the original parade, the third edition of Herky on Parade returned in May 2024. The wildly popular cooperative effort between the University of Iowa Department of Athletics, the Cities of Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, and Tiffin, Think Iowa City, and Iowa City Area Sports Commission debuted in 2004 and was re-introduced in 2014. In honor of his 75th birthday, Herky made his appearance across Johnson County with 100 new 6-foot-tall statues for all to enjoy. The number of statues was boosted from the originally planned 75 due to an influx of designs and a demand for statues from sponsors.

In the largest public art project Iowa has ever produced, the Herky statues were painted by local and regional artists. They hit the streets for public display on Wednesday, May 1st. The statues will be taken down during the last week of August before FRYfest. Anyone can buy a Herky for $5,000 – although over 50 percent have already been spoken for. Statues not sold will go to auction with proceeds going to the Iowa City and Clear Creek Amana community school districts, in support of art education programs and camp costs for low-income students.

“It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since we first ‘took to the streets’ with Herky on Parade in 2004,” Think Iowa City president Josh Schamberger said in a statement. “In 2014, Herky the mascot got a new makeover which we celebrated with the rollout of Herky on Parade 2.0. I recall several of us joking about how we’d be too old to do this again on a 20th anniversary. Well, here it is 10 years later, and we’re energized and excited to do it all over again. It coincides perfectly with Herky’s 75th birthday celebration.”

Created by journalism instructor Dick Spencer and first drawn as a cartoon in 1948, Herky made his mascot debut at an Iowa football game in 1959. An immediate hit, Herky acquired his name in a statewide contest. John Franklin came up with the winning suggestion as a reference to Hercules. Since his first appearance, Herky has become a familiar figure at University of Iowa athletic events – home and away. He can also be seen at events throughout the Hawkeye State during the year, including the Iowa State Fair, parades, grand openings, charity events, and weddings. Herky has become a regular representative of Iowa athletics in national mascot competitions, advancing to the national finals in 2006 and 2008.

“We are excited to release these very special Herky on Parade bobbleheads that are replicas of the awesome statues that can be found throughout the Iowa City area,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “Herky has been a staple at University of Iowa for generations and is loved by Hawkeye fans young and old. We know these bobbleheads will become collectibles that are passed down to future generations of Hawkeyes fans through the state of Iowa and beyond.”

Red Oak man arrested for OWI

News

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak report 34-year-old Kristopher Carl Friesenhahn, of Red Oak, was arrested late Friday night, for OWI/1st offense. Friesenhahn was taken into custody in the 1200 block of N. 2nd Street at around 11:58-p.m.

He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Saturday, July 20, 2024

Weather

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy w/a 60% chance of [non-severe] showers & possible thunderstorms. High near 71. S/SE winds 5-10 8 mph.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 61.
Sunday: Partly sunny w/a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. High near 75. Winds east at around 5 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Monday: Mostly sunny w/a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 79.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny w/just a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. High near 82.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 78. Our Low was 61. We received .13″ rain last night in Atlantic (at KJAN). Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 82 and the Low was 54. The All-Time Record High in Atlantic on July 20th, was 109 in 1934. The Record Low was 44 in 1953. Sunrise: 6:02; Sunset: 8:49.

NTSB releases findings on biplane crash at Council Bluffs airport

News

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (WOWT-TV) – The NTSB has determined the cause of a small biplane crash at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport in April. The National Transportation Safety Board, which did not travel to the scene, released its report this week on the crash, which occurred at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10.

The board determined the probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the plane during takeoff with a “direct gusting crosswind.” According to the report, winds were measured at 12 knots with gusts of up to 20 knots. The aircraft veered left off the left side of the runway during takeoff and over a beam, according to an earlier report from the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot tried to correct the plane, but the left wing struck the ground, and it ended upside down.

The pilot, who was not injured, said they hadn’t noticed any mechanical failures or malfunctions prior to the crash. The De Haviland Tiger Moth plane, at two-seater owned by a Bellevue man, sustained “substantial” damage in the crash.

Don Bosco Catholic School System teacher dies in a lawnmower accident

News

July 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GILBERTVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – A man who died after being pinned under a lawnmower, Thursday, was identified as a teacher with Bosco Catholic School System. The Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office said 43-year-old Jake Knepper, of Jesup, was trying to load a commercial grade lawnmower onto a trailer in the 100 block of 160th Street when the mower tipped off the side of the trailer and rolled upside down, pinning him underneath it.

First responders were able to remove the mower and tried to administer life-saving measures, but Knepper died at the scene. In a Facebook post on Thursday, leaders with Bosco Catholic School System said there is now a hole in the community. School staff held a Mass, followed by a prayer vigil, on Friday morning.

Saturday golf tournament will benefit slain Algona officer’s family

News

July 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The family of slain Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram will be the beneficiaries of an annual charity golf tournament in Webster City this weekend. More than 140 golfers have signed up for the Saturday tourney at Briggs Woods Golf Course. Officer Cram was shot and killed last fall while serving a warrant, and the man who shot him was convicted of first-degree murder last week.

Rod Hicok, of the Hamilton County Peace Officers Association, is coordinating the golf event which aims to help out the officer’s widow and young sons. “Laura Cram and her three boys, and the boys’ names are Archer, Westin and Ira. Their ages are 13, 7 and 4,” Hicok says. “In fact, that day will be Ira’s birthday on Saturday, so we’re going to have a little surprise birthday party for him out there, too.”

Last year’s golf outing raised more than 27-thousand dollars for Jennifer Richardson and her family from Fremont County. Richardson’s husband, Austin, was a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy who was killed in a crash in June of 2022. Learn more about the golf tournament at Hamilton County Peace Officers Association Facebook page.

JO ANN HARMSEN, 95, of NM & formerly of Atlantic (Mem. Graveside Svcs. 8/5/24)

Obituaries

July 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JO ANN HARMSEN, 95, of Rio Rancho, NM (& formerly of Atlantic), died March 22, 2024.  Memorial graveside services for JO ANN HARMSEN will be held August 5th at 11-a.m., in the Atlantic Cemetery. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

JO ANN HARMSEN is survived by:

Her son – Matthew L. Harmsen, of Rio Rancho, NM.

5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

 Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

MARK W. HARMSEN, 65 (Walnut Class of ’71) – Memorial graveside svcs. 8/6/24

Obituaries

July 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MARK W. HARMSEN, 65 (Walnut Class of ’71), died November 9, 2018. Memorial Graveside Services for MARK HARMSEN will be held 11-a.m. August 6, 2024, at the  Layton Township Cemetery in Walnut. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

MARK HARMSEN is survived by:

His wife – Irina.

His sons – Scott (Cynthia) Harmsen; Joe (Rochelle) Olson; Gregory (Tara) Harmsen, and Charles Harmsen.

His daughter – Sara Olson.

His brother – Matthew Harmsen, of Rio Rancho, NM

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

MICHAEL SCOTT “Mike” BELL, 63 of rural Atlantic (Visitation 7/23/24)

Obituaries

July 19th, 2024 by Lori Murphy

MICHAEL SCOTT “Mike” BELL, 63 , of rural Atlantic, died on the family farm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Visitation for MIKE BELL, with family present, will take place on Tuesday, July 23 from 6-until 8-p.m., at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A private family graveside service will be held in the Wiota Cemetery.The service will be recorded and available for viewing on Roland’s website by the end of the day Thursday, July 25th.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to the Wiota Cemetery.

Michael “Mike” Bell is survived by:

His sisters – Tami (Bill) Nooning, of Westminster, CO; Joni (Don) Johnson, of Aurora, CO;  Lisa (Glen) Weaver, of Lafayette, CO; and Tressa Stohs, of Blair, NE.

His brother – Jim (Trisha) Bell, of Atlantic.

. Condolences can be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

Two more fined for massive chicken confinement fires

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has ordered three people to pay $10,000 apiece for burning 10 chicken confinement buildings near Villisca last year, without proper approval. Shawn Gohlinghorst of Red Oak and Darrel Schipansky of Villisca were recently fined for the June 29, 2023, fires. The DNR had previously fined Tyson Means of Villisca.

The Iowa Capital Dispatch previously reported the men had sought to raze the dilapidated buildings and grow crops on the land. Schipansky owned the property at the time of the fires, and Gohlinghorst and Means later bought it on contract.

Although state law typically forbids people from burning buildings to dispose of them — because of the potential to diminish air quality — there are exceptions for agricultural buildings. However, the men failed to inspect the buildings for asbestos, and they did not get approval from the local fire chief, which was required because the buildings were within city limits.

Each of the wood-framed buildings was 50 feet wide and 728 feet long, the DNR orders said. They were ignited about 3 p.m., after recent rainfall. Emergency responders were not aware of the fires before nearby residents began calling about them. “Various governmental entities in Montgomery, Page and Adams counties received dozens of telephone calls regarding the fire and black smoke,” the DNR orders said.

Fires burned 10 former chicken confinement buildings near Villisca in June 2023. (Photo by Brian Hamman/courtesy of Iowa DNR)

Brian Hamman, emergency management coordinator for Montgomery County, said the fires burned into the night, and that their smoke and glow were visible for miles. They were so large that it would have taken nearly 10 area fire departments to extinguish them if they began to spread, the orders said, but they remained confined to the building sites.

Sampling of the building debris did not reveal any asbestos, but it was not possible to determine whether asbestos existed in the building before the fires, the orders said. Gohlinghorst and Means disposed of the remaining debris at a landfill in September and October 2023.

All three men agreed to pay the $10,000 fines, which is the highest amount the DNR can assess administratively.