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Trojan Girls Fall @ Nodaway Valley

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by admin

The Atlantic Trojan Girls team took a two-game winning streak on the road Saturday afternoon to the 14th ranked team in Class 2A in the Nodaway Valley Wolverines. The Trojans would get off to a nice quick start as sophomore guard Zoey Kirkhhoff would bury a triple to give the Trojans an early lead, but the Wolverines duo of Lindsey Davis and Izzy Eisbach would be too much for the Trojans to handle all night. Turnovers have been a problem for the Trojans to start the season averaging 31 per game and that continued early on as the Trojans had 15 turnovers in the first half that allowed the Wolverines to push the ball in transition and get open easy layups. Head Coach of the Trojans Dan Vargason said his team played timid to start the game.

The Trojans would respond with a much better second of playing team basketball and taking care of the basketball. Ther Trojans struggled to get going from behind the arc as team shooting just 2-15 on the night but were able to get the inside game going led by junior Paytn Harter who led the Trojans in scoring with 14 points. The Duo of Eisbach and Davis combined for 43 points as both went over the 20-point mark to help lead the Wolverines to a 68-31 victory improving to 4-0 on the season and the Trojans fall to 3-4. Coach Vargason said his team has to learn and take some things away from this game to help them improve.

The Trojans now 3-4 on the early season but will be back in action Tuesday night at home to take Kuemper Catholic in a girls/boy’s double header with the girls tipping off at 6:00pm at Atlantic High School.

 

Posted in Sports |

Trojan basketball Grabs first win of the year

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by admin

The Atlantic Trojan boys basketball team had a dominating road victory, winning 72-35 to give Head Coach Dalton Franken his first win as Head Coach. The Trojans started on a 8-2 run and controlled the rest of the game. By halftime Atlantic was leading 41-16 and they never let their foot off the gas.

Atlantic was led by Colton Rassmussen who scored 27 points from multiple treys and Gavin McLaren with 14 points over five put backs. Coach Franken explained that while getting his first win was nice, he enjoyed the performance on the floor from his team more.

With the win, Coach Franken hopes the Trojans can carry the positive momentum and speed into Tuesday’s contest at home against Kuemper Catholic.

Atlantic is now 1-4 on the year and Nodaway Valley remains winless at 0-4.

Posted in Sports |

Update: Search continues for missing Sac County man – timeline of his disappearance

News

December 9th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Sac County, Iowa) – The Sac County Sheriff’s Office, this (Saturday) afternoon, updated the status of the search for a missing Wall Lake man. Multiple agencies and the United Cajun Navy along with countless volunteers have aided in the search for 53-year-old David Schultz, who went missing late last month (November, 2023).
Here’s the timeline in his disappearance, as provided by the Sheriff’s Department:
November 21, 2023, at 2:23 PM, Sarah Schultz after learning that her husband David Schultz had not dropped a load of pigs off at Wieckman’s hog buying station in Sac City as scheduled that day called the Lake View Police and reported her husband missing after she was unable to make contact with him by telephone. David Schultz left his home around 7:00 PM on the evening of November 20, 2023. Schultz was scheduled to pick up a load of pigs in the Eagle Grove area and transport the pigs to Sac City.
At 3:04 PM on November 21, 2023, a Sac County Secondary Road employee reported to the Sac County Sheriff’s Office that there was a semi-tractor-trailer parked on the traveled portion of the road at the intersection of D-15 (190th Street) and N-14 (Union Ave.). It was reported that this semi had been sitting there since early morning. Responding deputies determined that it was David Schultz’s. The semi was shut off, and inside deputies found David Schutlz’s wallet and cell phone. David Schultz’s driver’s license was in the wallet. Investigators would later learn that nothing was missing from the wallet.

David Schultz

Over the next several hours, law enforcement searched the immediate area on foot and with a K-9. The Sac County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Iowa State Patrol airwing unit. An airplane was dispatched from Iowa City that was equipped with forward-looking infra-red (FLIR). A state patrol pilot flew the surrounding area and did not detect a heat signature that would be consistent with a person. For the next two days, law enforcement, area firefighters, and volunteers expanded the ground search on foot and with the use of drones. Nothing of significant value was located.

Detectives from the Sac County Sheriff’s Office and the Lake View Police traveled to the Eagle Grove area and with assistance from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, located the hog confinement that Schultz was scheduled to load from. Load crew members were interviewed, and load records were obtained. Investigators learned that Schultz had picked up his load but had been late to arrive and he was the last truck loaded. Schultz left at about 10:50 PM.
Investigators obtained video footage of David Schultz at 11:15 PM on November 21, 2023, at the MM126 truck stop east of Fort Dodge on Hwy 20. Schultz is there for 16 minutes before leaving the truck stop. He is then seen on a DOT camera on Hwy 20 west of MM 126 truck stop heading west. This was the last time David Schultz was seen. Cell phone data obtained from David Schult’s phone corroborates this timeline.
Cell phone data also shows investigators that Schultz travels across Hwy to the intersection of Hwy 20 & Hwy 71 junction. There was not any usable video from the DOT camera at Hwy 4 and Hwy 20, and there is no video of Schultz stopping at the truck stop at Hwy 4. Cell phone shows Schultz’s phone arrives at Hwy 20 & 71 at about 12:18 AM. The data shows the phone traveling north to where the truck was found. Data suggests the truck may have been there since 12:40 AM on November 21, 2023.
Video surveillance from an area business was obtained near Wieckman Hog Buying station. This video shows that David Schultz never made it to Wieckman’s. Law enforcement has searched for additional video footage from Eagle Grove to Fort Dodge but has not located any.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has assisted with a forensic search of David Schultz’s phone. They have also confirmed that David Schultz has not legally gone through a US Bordering Crossing. Information was received that a person named David Schultz had a one-way flight from Minneapolis to Phoenix, AZ on the late afternoon of November 21, 2023. Working with Minneapolis Airport Police and the airline, it was determined after viewing video footage of the gate and receiving ticketing information, that it was not the David Schultz that is missing. DCI continues to assist in the examination of other digital evidence that has been obtained or requested through a subpoena or search warrant.
Over 100-thousand acres have been searched by the United Cajun Navy and many volunteers. As of the time of the latest press release today (Saturday, 12/9/23), David Schultz has not been located. Agencies that have assisted the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, Lake View Police Dept., and Sac County Attorney’s Office are the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa State Patrol, Wright County Sheriff’s Office, and Minneapolis, MN Police.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sac County Sheriff’s Office at 712-662-7127 or your local law enforcement agency.

Posted in News |

Hawkeyes Cruise Past Columbia, 38-3

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The fourth-ranked University of Iowa men’s wrestling team won nine of 10 matches to cruise to a 38-3 victory over Columbia on Friday night on Mediacom Mat inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  The Hawkeyes posted seven bonus point wins and had a 37-3 advantage in takedowns in the dual.

“We have to be steady and keep looking to put the best ingredients on the mat for this team” said head coach Tom Brands. “Whatever the ingredients are, those are the ones that need to be on that mat.”

The victory moves Iowa’s dual record to 5-0 heading into Big Ten Conference action in January.  The Hawkeyes next competition will be the Soldier Salute at Xtream Arena on Dec. 29-30.

“We have to keep looking to put the best team on the mat,” said Brands. “It isn’t rocket science to say we need 10 weight classes contributing. That’s what we’re looking for.”

Of Note…

  • Jared Franek’s winning streak moved to 10 consecutive victories.
  • Caleb Rathjen and Bradley Hill recorded the first victory of their careers in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
  • Eight of Caliendo’s nine victories have been via bonus points this season.
  • Iowa had a 15-0 advantage in back points and a 140-39 advantage in total match points.

#4 Iowa 38, Columbia 3

125 – #17 Drake Ayala (UI) tech. fall Nick Babin (CU), 18-3 (3:32)

133 – Cullan Schriever (UI) dec. #11 Angelino Rini (CU), 9-6 (OT)

141 – No. 1 Real Woods (UI) tech. fall Kai Owen (CU), 17-2 (3:00)

149 – Caleb Rathjen (UI) major dec. Richard Fedalen (CU), 15-3

157 – #2 Jared Franek (UI) dec. Jaden Le (CU), 9-5

165 – #7 Michael Caliendo (UI) major dec. Kyle Mosher (CU), 18-5

174 – #14 Patrick Kennedy (UI) tech fall Garrett Bilgrave (CU), 20-3 (3:45)

184 – Aaron Ayzerov (CU) dec. Aiden Riggins (UI), 4-2

197 – #18 Zach Glazier (UI) major dec. Jack Wehmeyer (CU), 14-2

285 – Bradley Hill (UI) tech fall. Billy McChesney (CU), 19-4 (5:00)

Posted in Sports |

Hawkeyes Win Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Dual

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – University of Iowa swimming and diving defeated Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series dual on Friday evening,168-115.

“Very proud of our team tonight for earning a hard fought victory in the Cy-Hawk series,” Iowa head coach Nathan Mundt said. “We have some excellent performances highlighted by our three pool records here at Beyer Hall. I thought that Iowa State really improved from last week, and they were really tough here at home. We had to rise to the occasion and make sure that we got the job done, but kudos to them. It is always a very highly contested meet, but we are really happy to come out with a victory and look forward to the rest of the season.”

The Hawkeyes won 13 individual events and two relays, highlighted by the sixth-best 100 breaststroke (1:01.53) in program history by freshman Olivia Swalley. Swalley also won the 200 breast (2:15.05) and 200 IM (2:01.17). Fifth year Kennedy Gilbertson (50 free), sophomore Sabina Kupcova (100 free), freshman Jenna Kerr (200 free, 500 free), sophomore Scarlet Martin (100 fly, 200 fly), freshman Annie Galvin (100 back, 200 back), junior Makayla Hughbanks (1-meter dive, 3-meter dive) rounded out individual wins. The Hawkeyes also won both relays with Gilbertson, Kupcova, Kerr and Martin setting a pool record in the 400 free relay (3:22.56).

Two additional Beyer Hall Pool records were set by the Hawkeyes. Martin set a record in the 100 fly with a time of 53.79. Swalley followed with a 200 IM pool record (2:01.17).

University of Iowa women’s swimming and diving travels Tuesday, Jan. 2 to take on Miami at 1 p.m. (CT) inside Whitten Center Pool in Coral Gables, Florida.

Posted in Sports |

3 Hawkeyes Tabbed Walter Camp All-America

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa Postseason National Honors 

SEBASTIAN CASTRO: Pro Football Focus (first-team All-America) 

COOPER DEJEAN: Walter Camp, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated, CBS (first-team All-America)

JAY HIGGINS: Sports Illustrated (first-team All-America); CBS (second-team All-America)

PHIL PARKER: Broyles Award

TORY TAYLOR: Walter Camp, The Athletic, CBS, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated (first-team All-America); Ray Guy Punter of the Year Award

The No. 17 Hawkeyes will play No. 21 Tennessee on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will start at noon (CT) and will be televised on ABC.

Posted in Sports |

Taylor Wins Ray Guy Award

Sports

December 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Tory Taylor has been named the recipient of the 2023 Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top collegiate punter. The announced was made Friday by the Augusta Sports Council.

Taylor becomes the first Hawkeye to win the Ray Guy Award. The Augusta Sports Council began honoring the top punter in 2000. Taylor is the second consecutive Melbourne, Australia, native to receive the prestigious award (Adam Korsak, Rutgers).

Taylor (6-foot-4, 232 pounds) was named the Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media last month. During the regular season, he was recognized as the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week three times (Oct. 9; Oct. 16; Nov. 20), the Ray Guy National Punter of the Week on Oct. 24 and named to Ray’s 8 five times.

Taylor, who was also a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in 2020 and 2021, is a first-team All-American by CBS (unanimous), The Athletic and Sports Illustrated as a senior. Taylor (46.2) will finish his collegiate career breaking the NCAA’s career punting average record; currently held by Baylor’s Daniel Sepulveda (42.5). Taylor has averaged 40 or more yards in an NCAA-best 42 career games.

During the 2023 season, Taylor broke Iowa’s single season punting yardage record for a third consecutive season. He has an NCAA-best 86 punts for 4,119 yards with his 47.9 average leading the Big Ten and ranking third nationally. Thirty-six of his punts have traveled 50+ yards (six punts of 60+), 27 have been fair caught, 30 have been downed inside the 20, 11 inside the 10 and six inside the 5. He only has six touchbacks and opponents average just 8.8 yards per return.

Taylor broke Iowa’s career punting record during the Week 12 victory over Illinois. He has 288 punts for 13,297 yards — both school records — and his 46.2 career average will break Jason Baker’s mark come season’s end. Taylor has punted at least seven times in seven games this season and six times in 11 of 13 contests. He matched a personal best with 10 punts at Penn State and his 52.3-yard average in the game was a career best.

The No. 17 Hawkeyes will play No. 21 Tennessee on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will start at noon (CT) and will be televised on ABC.

Posted in Sports |

Special Weather Statement for strong northwesterly winds today (Saturday); Wind Advisory for Harrison County

Weather

December 9th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(National Weather Service) – Breezy winds out of the northwest will gust 30 to 45 mph throughout the rest of the afternoon, tapering off this evening. This may result in loose objects such as holiday decorations being blown around. It may also make for difficult travel with high profile vehicles, especially during periods of light snow which may reduce visibility at times.

Special Weather Statement for counties in flesh color on this map: Wind Advisory for counties in light brown. https://www.weather.gov/dmx/

..WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING FOR HARRISON COUNTY in the KJAN listening area.

* WHAT…Northwest winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Secure outdoor objects.

Posted in Weather |

CDBG projects continue to shape downtown revitalization

News

December 9th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with SWIPCO (Southwest Iowa Planning Council), in Atlantic, report Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding continues to spur downtown revitalization in rural Iowa communities, and a recent project in Atlantic is nearing completion.

The building located at 509 Chestnut Street is nearing completion of two one-bedroom upper-story apartments. SWIPCO helped the building owner apply for the Upper Story CDBG in the Fall of 2021 and the project was awarded funding in 2022. The grant is awarded to the City of Atlantic, and the owner is the sub-recipient/developer of the project. SWIPCO administers the grant, with funds running through the city.

The upper story housing project (pictured to the right) received $199,999 in CDBG funding, with $243,209 in match funds provided by the owner. The units are nearing completion and are required to be rented to a low to moderate income tenant for a period of 5 years, with maximum allowable rents set under the HOME program. The Upper Story Housing Conversion program is part of a federal initiative to provide more available and affordable housing in geographical areas of need. The program provides assistance for the conversion of existing downtown building space into new residential units.

The building was one of seven buildings on Chestnut Street, between the Fourth and Sixth blocks in downtown Atlantic, that were assisted with the downtown facade program in 2020. The buildings had their front facades updated, which included tuckpointing, painting, windows, etc, with a collaboration of 50% CDBG, 25% City, and 25% owner funding.

For more information on the Downtown Revitalization or Upper Story Housing Conversion CDBG grants, please contact SWIPCO at 712-243-4196.

Posted in News |

State Auditor Rob Sand Releases a Report on the City of Shenandoah

News

December 9th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Auditor of State Rob Sand, Thursday, released an audit report on City of Shenandoah, Iowa.

The report said the City’s receipts amounted to more than $11.8-million dollars ($11,869,174) for the year ended June 30, 2023, an 8.4% decrease from the prior year. Disbursements for the year ended June 30, 2023 were slightly more than $11.6-million ($11,642,816), a 4.1% increase over the prior year. The significant decrease in receipts is due to a prior year bond issuance. The increase in disbursements is due primarily to increases in business type activities for golf course repairs, water capital outlays and public works street repairs during the year.

Sand reported four findings related to the receipt and disbursement of taxpayer funds. They are found on pages 54 through 57 of this report. The findings address a lack of segregation of duties, disbursements exceeding budgeted amounts before amendment, deficit fund balance and co-mingling of City funds with the Shenandoah Library Foundation. Sand provided the City with recommendations to address each of the findings.

Three of the four findings discussed above are repeated from the prior year. The City Council has a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the City’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.

A copy of the audit report is available for review on the Auditor of State’s website.

Posted in News |