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NE truck driver killed in a NW Iowa crash, Saturday

News

October 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SAC COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU) — A semi driver from Omaha was killed in a single-vehicle crash near Odebolt on Saturday. According to a release from the Sac County Sheriff’s Office, the crash was reported at around 5:30 a.m. just north of the 360th Street and Cory Avenue intersection, about 6 miles southeast of Odebolt. When officials arrived, they discovered a 2025 Volvo semi-tractor that was in a field off to the west of the road. The semi appeared to have rolled.

Inside the vehicle, officials located 29-year-old Bryan Pubien, of Omaha. Pubien was pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation determined Pubian was traveling north on Cory Avenue,  when he lost control at the 360th Street intersection where Cory Avenue goes from being paved to gravel. That caused the semi to enter the west ditch and roll several times, according to the sheriff’s office. The vehicle came to rest in a cornfield.

Pubien was pinned inside the cab of the truck and was extricated by Odebolt Fire Rescue. He was not wearing a seat belt. According to GPS data obtained at the scene, the accident happened at 2:37 a.m., about three hours before officials were notified.

The Sac County Sheriff’s Office, Odebolt Fire Rescue, and Sac County EMS responded to the crash scene.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Tue., Oct. 15, 2024

Weather

October 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: FROST ADVISORY in effect until 8-a.m.; Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 55. NE wind 10-20 mph.
Tonight: Widespread frost after 11pm. FREEZE WARNING from 1-a.m. until 9-a.m. Wednesday; Clear, with a low around 26.
Tomorrow: Widespread frost, mainly before 9am; Sunny, with a high near 62. S winds 10-20 mph.
Tom. Night: Clear, with a low around 39. S winds 10-25 mph.
Thursday: Sunny & windy, with a high near 69.
Friday: Sunny & windy, with a high near 73.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 60. The Low 30. We received a few sprinkles in Atlantic early this morning. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 53 and the Low was 37. The Record High for Oct. 15th in Atlantic was 89, in 1892. The Record Low was 17 in 1952. Sunrise today: 7:31. Sunset: 6:39.

Posted in Weather |

2nd congressional district candidates Hinson, Corkery debate

News

October 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The two major party candidates in Iowa’s second congressional district met in a debate Monday night on Iowa P-B-S and disagreed on a host of issues. Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says illegal immigrants with criminal convictions should be deported immediately. “The right amount of illegal immigration in this country should be zero,” Hinson said, “and let’s focus on our Visa programs and taking care of those, but we must secure the border first.”

Democratic challenger Sarah Corkery says there should be more border patrol agents and presidents should have more authority to close the border, but immigrants are necessary for the economy. “If we all of a sudden deported everybody, the price of milk would go from $2 to $10,” Corkery said. “We would see massive increases in our costs because we rely on people to do a job.”

Corkery says her top priority would be passing a law to ensure women have a right to an abortion, with no reference to the number of weeks in a pregnancy beyond which abortions would be banned. “This is not a flippant conversation and that’s what it’s become when it’s become when we focus on one metric, so that’s why it should be between a doctor and a patient,” Corkery said. “Nobody should also tell you that the fetus you carry has more rights than you do.”

Hinson did not rule out supporting a federal law to limit abortions after some point in a pregnancy, but Hinson says it would have to provide exceptions for rape, incest and the health of the mother. “We need to have some protections in this country because life is valuable. I certainly don’t want to support a culture of death like my opponent,” Hinson said. “That, I believe, is extreme and you heard her say it right here. She does not believe in having a conversation about weeks.”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-Marion) and Democratic challenger Sarah Corkery of Cedar Falls debated on Iowa PBS on Oct. 14, 2024. (Iowa PBS photo)

The two also disagreed on the Trump-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2025. Hinson says they should be extended. “If those are allowed to expire, the average Iowa family will see an increase of about 25%,” Hinson said. “That’s the equivalent of about seven weeks of groceries for an Iowa family.”

Corkery says the tax plan Trump signed in 2017 should end, so the wealthy pay higher taxes. And she called for getting rid of the cap on Social Security taxes, since the payroll tax is not charged today on annual income above 169-thousand dollars. “I’m worried about people who need to pay their groceries and their job is laid off or shipped to Mexico, our union brothers and sisters who are on the picket line,” Corkery said. “That’s who I’m worried about.”

This was the only debate between the two candidates before the November election.

Posted in News |

Atlantic Volleyball Sweeps Exira-EHK

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Christian Adams

The Atlantic Trojan volleyball team dominated the Exira-EHK Spartans by a score of 3-0. In a night where both teams were playing their final games of the regular season, it was an intriguing and important non-conference matchup. Although the Spartans were the first to put up points in each of the first two sets, the trojans would go on to grab control winning the sets 25-15, 25-21, and 25-7. Throughout the night Atlantic played a clean game and limited mistakes and miscommunications from start to finish.

In set one, Exira-EHK got a quick 3-0 lead. The teams would go to trade points before the Trojans went on a run and eventually grabbed their first lead at 7-6. Atlantic’s defense was superb throughout the night led by  Taylee Hagen and Morgan Botus the Trojans were all over the court keeping plays alive. They would only allow 7 more points in the first set.  Head Coach Alyssa Boltz says the defense was a big reason they were able to make plays.

Set two started much like set one. The Spartans got out an early lead, but Atlantic would go on a run, putting Exira-EHK on the defensive. This set would be the closest of the two as Exira-EHK was able to tie the game at 16 with some back-and-forth play. But once again Atlantic went on a run, and the Spartans could not keep pace. One of the main reasons was the consistency of the Trojans from the service line. Many of Atlantic’s servers, including Lila Wiederstien and Peyton McLaren, were able to keep service errors at a minimum and go on extended runs. Boltz stated that their aggressiveness and consistency helped lift the Trojans to victory.

Unlike the first two sets, Atlantic jumped out to an early lead and never looked backed. After starting with a 5-0 run, the Trojans would only surrender seven points and roll to a 25-7 victory in set 3.  For much of the night, it was clear that Atlantic was more in sync, communicated better, and ultimately were the better team on Monday night. Boltz echoed that focusing on cleaning up self-inflicted wounds was a focal point for Trojans leading up to the game.

Atlantic will play their last game of the regular season at St. Alberts on Thursday before heading to Clarinda for their 3A region 7 quarter-final against Clarinda next week.

Posted in Sports |

Girls High School Cross Country Results from Monday

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE MEET

1. Treynor (33 points) — 3. Madalyn Kerkmann (20:34.75), 5. Madeline Knispel (20:53.88), 7. Lilly Yochum (21:00.60), 8. Anne Miller (21:06.97), 10. Ryleigh Thomas (21:24.77)

2. Logan-Magnolia (59 points) — 1. Allysen Johnsen (19:47.18), 2. Madison Sporrer (20:10.35), 12. Haedyn Hall (22:07.16)

3. Tri-Center (68 points) — 6. Quincey Schneckloth (21:00.10), 11. Addison Boden (21:38.91), 15. Isah VanArsdol (22:20.87) 

4. IKM-Manning (77 points) — 4. Raegan Garrison (20:47.41), 9. Emily Albertsen (21:15.88)

5. AHSTW (117 points) — 14. Ava Paulsen (22:18.59)

6. Riverside (134 points) — 13. Iviana Schechinger (22:10.80) 

NTS. Underwood

NTS. Missouri Valley

 

OABCIG MEET

4. Boyer Valley (98 points) — 4. Hailey Cue (20:15.80), 9. Mariah Falkena (21:38.34) 

7. Exira/EHK (164 points) — 12. Michelle Wilson (21:51.50), 25. Leah Boyson (22:54.24 19), 54. Ruby VanderWal (26:21.92), 59. Gracie Bartz (28:01.51)

Posted in Sports |

Boys High School Cross Country Results from Monday

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE MEET

1. Riverside (37 points) — 1. Dawson Henderson (16:34.08), 2. Brody Henderson (16:34.98), 8. Owen Fenner (18:05.11), 12. James McCready (18:13.13)

2. Tri-Center (38 points) — 3. Haven Weers (16:54.56), 4. Evan Wham (17:22.22), 6. Brennan Boden (17:53.91), 13. Nicholas Dahir (18:19.560, 14. Kyle McDonald (18:24.64)

3. Missouri Valley (70 points) — 5. Aiden Rangel (17:35.54), 9. Xavier Rangel (18:09.04), 11. Adam Meadows (18:12.68) 

4. IKM-Manning (76 points) — 10. Isaac Blankman (18:11.75), 15. Kasche Huehn (18:27.27) 

5. Treynor (152 points)

6. Underwood (159 points)

NTS. Audubon 

NTS. Logan-Magnolia 

 

OABCIG MEET

3. Boyer Valley (112 points) — 5. Dane Gorham (17:26.58), 

10. Exira/EHK (251 points) — 11. Austin Rasmussen (17:47.25), 45. Tim Reinhardt (20:32.04), 65. Carter Wiemann (21:43.73), 80. Ben Baggett (23:15.26)

Posted in Sports |

High School Volleyball Results from Monday

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

CORNER CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT — FIRST ROUND 

East Mills 3, Griswold 1

Fremont-Mills 3, Bedford 0

Sidney 3, Hamburg 0

Stanton 3, Essex 0

 

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT 

Play-in: Logan-Magnolia beat AHSTW

First Round: Riverside 3, Logan-Magnolia 2

First Round: Underwood 3, Missouri Valley 2

First Round: Tri-Center 3, Audubon 0

First Round: Treynor 3, IKM-Manning 0

 

PRIDE OF IOWA CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT 

Play-in: East Union beat Nodaway Valley

First Round: Southwest Valley 3, East Union 0

First Round: Mount Ayr 3, Wayne 26-22-17-26

First Round: Southeast Warren 3, Martensdale-St. Marys 0

First Round: Lenox 3, Central Decatur 0

 

NON-CONFERENCE 

Atlantic 3, Exira-EHK 0

 

Posted in Sports |

Paramedic alleges city fired him due to military service obligations

News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – An Iowa paramedic is suing the City of Stuart, alleging the city demoted and fired him due to the costs associated with his service in the National Guard. According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, Luke Dahl, who lives in Adair County, is suing the city in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. He alleges that he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 2009 and is currently serving as an Army flight paramedic on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for a unit based in Waterloo.

The lawsuit alleges that Dahl began working for the city as a full-time paramedic in November 2016, and that his ongoing military service has required him to attend drills two to three days per month, with an additional two weeks of training each year. In 2022, Dahl was promoted to assistant director of the city’s emergency medical services, but was not offered health insurance benefits that were awarded other full-time city workers, according to the lawsuit.

(Photo and logo provided to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, courtesy City of Stuart EMS)

On May 20, 2024, the lawsuit claims, his supervisor, EMS Director Sean Bovinett, allegedly called Dahl into a meeting on Dahl’s day off and said his budget was “hurting” because Dahl was a salaried employee taking time off for military training. According to the lawsuit, Bovinett said that due to Dahl’s military service obligations, he intended to demote Dahl and convert his pay from salary to hourly.

Dahl alleges he complained to the city administrator, Ashraf Ashour, arguing the plan was illegal under the provisions of the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. The lawsuit alleges that the city moved forward with the plan and demoted Dahl, eliminated the assistant director job, and promoted a part-time paramedic who didn’t serve in the military to the position of EMS coordinator.

The lawsuit claims that on June 25, the city fired Dahl, with Mayor Dick Cook and Bovinett telling Dahl he was being fired for mishandling patient information, responding to fire calls while on duty as a paramedic, and for timecard or scheduling discrepancies. The lawsuit alleges the reasons given for the firing were pretextual and that Dahl was actually fired “because of his military service.”

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act

Posted in News |

DCI Arrests Council Bluffs Man for First Degree Murder

News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – On February 17, 2024, the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting an unidentified deceased female body located in rural Fremont County, Iowa. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office requested the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to assist with the investigation.

The body was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner and later identified as Brianne McIntosh, 28, of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Autopsy results indicate that McIntosh sustained severe facial injury related to her death. McIntosh had been reported as a missing person to the Omaha Police Department on December 12, 2023, by a relative.

On October 14, 2024, DCI agents, the Council Bluffs Police Department, and the 4th Judicial Fugitive Investigation Unit arrested Justin Sickler, 45, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the following criminal charges related to McIntosh’s death:

Count 1: Murder in the First Degree (Class A Felony)

Count 2: Abuse of a Corpse (Class C Felony)

Count 3: Theft in the 3rd Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

Sickler was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Justin Sickler booking photo

Posted in News |

Third Edition of Iowa High School Football Rankings (Oct. 14, 2024)

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Rankings for Class 2A, Class 1A, Class A, and Eight-Player will be determined throughout the 2024 regular season by official rankings committees, as debuted in 2023. The committee rankings for 2A, 1A, A, and 8P will feature a top 10 consensus-built list as compiled by a six-person group: Two former head coaches and one media member – each representing different state regions – and three IHSAA staff members. The IHSAA will use the rankings as a primary tool for postseason assignments, while maintaining school and geographic considerations.

Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) is a formula instituted in 2018 using records to determine a team’s relative strength in a single regular season.

PLAYOFF QUALIFIYING INFORMATION

 

STANDINGS & POINT DIFFERENTIAL

Classes: 2A, 1A, A, 8P.

Qualifiers: 32 per class.

Regular Season: 8 weeks.

About: Complete district standings are available as automatic qualifiers will be the district champion, district runner-up, district third place team, and the district fourth place team in Classes 2A, 1A and A. The +/- point differential is used as a 17-point tiebreaker, with overtime games counting for +/- 1.00. In Eight-Player, automatic qualifiers will be the district champion, district runner-up and district third place team. There will be two at-large qualifiers in Eight-Player based on the +/-17 point tiebreaker.

First Round Matchup Release: 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19

 

RATINGS PERCENTAGE INDEX

Classes: 5A, 4A, 3A.

Qualifiers: 16 per class.

Regular Season: 9 weeks.

About: Formula instituted in 2018 using team’s record, their opponents’ record, and their opponents opponents’ record to determine relative strength in a single regular season. Class 5A uses RPI to determine all 16 playoff qualifiers. In 4A and 3A, RPI will determine the four remaining at-large qualifiers, as the district champion and runner-up from each of the six districts will earn automatic qualifying spots. Starting in 2024, the +/- 17-point tiebreaker will be utilized if necessary to determine automatic qualifiers in 4A and 3A.

First Round Matchup Release: 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 26

 

RATINGS PERCENTAGE INDEX:

Class 5A

Class 4A

Class 3A

Class 2A

Rank School W L
1 West Lyon 7 0
2 PCM 7 0
3 Spirit Lake 6 1
4 Van Meter 6 1
5 Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 6 1
6 Northeast 7 0
7 North Fayette Valley 6 1
8 Roland-Story 5 2
9 Central Lyon/George-Little Rock 5 2
10 Anamosa 6 1

 

Class 1A

Rank School W L
1 Grundy Center 7 0
2 Dike-New Hartford 6 1
3 Emmetsburg 7 0
4 Wilton 7 0
5 Hinton 6 1
6 South Hardin 6 1
7 Regina, Iowa City 6 1
8 Sigourney/Keota 6 1
9 Treynor 6 1
10 OABCIG 5 2

 

Class A

Rank School W L
1 West Hancock 7 0
2 ACGC 7 0
3 Saint Ansgar 6 1
4 Lisbon 7 0
5 Tri-Center 6 1
6 Gehlen Catholic, LeMars 6 1
7 Maquoketa Valley 6 1
8 Pekin 6 1
9 Riverside 5 2
10 North Linn 6 1

 

Eight-Player

Rank School W L
1 Lenox 7 0
2 Bishop Garrigan, Algona 7 0
3 Don Bosco, Gilbertville 7 0
4 St. Mary’s, Remsen 7 0
5 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 6 1
6 Audubon 7 0
7 Iowa Valley 7 0
8 Woodbine 6 1
9 Bedford 6 1
10 GTRA 6 1

 

Posted in Sports |