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Atlantic’s Chamber Director named “Angel of Christmas” 2024

News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Executive Director of the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce was brought to tears this (Friday) morning, when she was named the 2024 “Angel of Christmas,” sponsored by Cass Health. The Angel of Christmas is presented to those who “embody the Christmas Spirit all year long,”and go above and beyond their job description, according to Smith, who was humbled by the experience.

Smith thought she was at the event to see the award presented to a hospital employee. She was further surprised by the sight of her family at the presentation.

Bailey Smith learns she’s the “Angel of Christmas”

Cass Health CEO Brett Altman presents the award to Bailey Smith, who was surrounded by her family and co-workers

The award was presented to her at Cass Health in Atlantic. Cass Health CEO Brett Altman said Baily Smith is well deserving of the title, “Angel of Christmas.” (Photos by Asa Lucas)

Christmas Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long–putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet.

Posted in News |

Forecast: Ice could make Iowa roads treacherous tonight

News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – It could be a lucky Friday the 13th — for Iowa tow truck drivers and dent repair shops. The entire state is under a Winter Weather Advisory starting at 2 PM in western counties, while an Ice Storm Warning kicks in at 8 PM for a dozen east-central Iowa counties. National Weather Service meteorologist Donna Dubberke says this afternoon’s commute is liable to be trouble due to the mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow. Oh, and the ice. “Most of the day itself isn’t going to be too bad, cold still, but the rain is going to be coming in later today,” Dubberke says, “and with all this cold air in place, that is going to fall as freezing rain and drizzle and we could see some accumulations. It’s really going to be a mess.”

Motorists statewide will likely have to contend with slick, ice-covered roads, though this evening’s Ice Storm Warning is for 12 counties in an area where getting traction could get especially dicey. “That runs kind of the I-380 corridor, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and then back west to Grinnell,” she says. “That’s the area where we expect a little bit higher amount of ice accumulation, but everywhere is going to be slippery and messy.” On the plus side, she says any ice that accumulates shouldn’t be around too long. “We do have warm air coming up from the south, and as that warm air comes up, we’ll see the freezing part of it stop,” Dubberke says, “maybe in a little bit of mix, but as it exits, the temperature should climb above freezing by the end of the day on Saturday.”

The forecast calls for Sunday to be dry and warmer, with highs in the upper 30s and lower 40s statewide.

Posted in News |

2 arrested on warrants in Glenwood, Thursday

News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Two Glenwood residents were arrested on separate Mills County warrants, Thursday. The Glenwood Police Department says 39-year-old Micheal Hutfless, and 34-year-old Carly McCord were taken into custody and held without bond in the Mills County Jail, until seen by a Magistrate Judge.

And, the Glenwood PD says a woman from Glenwood reported Thursday an incident of Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Additional details about the incident were not provided.

Posted in News |

Major fire in Corning Friday morning

News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – The Corning Iowa Fire Department was called to the scene of a structure fire at Red Star Feeds (404 Davis Street) early this (Friday) morning. Once the extent of the blaze became clear, Corning Fire promptly request mutual aid from the Lenox Fire Department, Prescott Fire and Rescue, Creston and Red Oak Fire Departments. Creston’s ladder truck was requested at around 3:10-a.m.  Crews fought the fully engulfed blaze in near single digit temperatures. (Photos are courtesy of the Creston and Red Oak Fire Departments)

Fire officials say the structure appeared to be a total loss. Assisting crews were on the scene until around 6:15-a.m. The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.

ROFD photo


Posted in News |

Vilsack says Farm Bill talks hit snag over shifting unspent funds to farmers

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says it appears Farm Bill negotiations have gotten more complex. House Speaker Mike Johnson says a majority of House Republicans oppose a Senate plan to take nearly 10 BILLION in unspent funds from the so-called Inflation Reduction Act and use it on conservation programs. “It would have actually provided additional resources for congress to increase the level of disaster assistance and emergency assistance that could have been provided to producers in Iowa and across the country,” Vilsack says. Vilsack says current budget rules would allow that 10 BILLION dollar transfer. “The sad reality is, by not protecting those resources, potentially congress could redirect them from farmers and ranches towards some other priority,” Vilsack says.

Funding for federal conservation assistance was increased dramatically by the Inflation Reduction Act. “This is a historic opportunity for us to significantly reduce the backlog of farmers who have been waiting for a while for resources to be able to do on their land what they know needs to be done,” Vilsack says, “to protect it and to enhance it.” Neither the House nor the Senate brought a new Farm Bill up for a vote this year. If congress fails to reauthorize the 2018 Farm Bill this month, federal farm policies revert to laws passed eight decades ago. Vilsack says that would create chaos in the markets.  “I’m sure that something is going to get done, the question is whether it will get done in a way that provides the best benefit and the most opportunity for farmers and ranchers and producers who work so hard for the rest of us,” Vilsack says.

Lawmakers from states hit by Hurricane Helene in late September are seeking federal disaster aid for farmers who lost crops, livestock and farm buildings.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

CYCLONES PLACE THREE ON AP ALL-BIG 12 TEAMS

Sports

December 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State football program placed three players on the Associated Press All-Big 12 team, announced today by the organization.

Jaylin Noel led the way on the first team as an all-purpose selection after having more than 1,300 all-purpose yards as a senior. The Kansas City, Missouri native finished with 72 receptions for 1,077 yards and seven touchdowns. He also returned 13 punts for 199 yards, averaging better than 15.0 yards per return.

Wide receiver Jayden Higgins and defensive back Jontez Williams earned spots on the second team.

Higgins, a senior from South Miami, Florida, teamed up with Noel as the only teammates nationally to record 1,000 receiving yards. Higgins finished with 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine receiving touchdowns, all of which are the second-best season totals in school history.

Williams had four interceptions and 38 tackles in his first season as a starter. The Starke, Florida native picked off a pass in four-straight games, including two that came in the end zone and another that sealed Iowa State’s victory against UCF.

The Cyclones return to action at the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 at 2:30 p.m. (CT) on ABC.

Posted in Sports |

Higgins, Johnson Tabbed Walter Camp All-America

Sports

December 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two University of Iowa football players – junior running back Kaleb Johnson and senior linebacker Jay Higgins — have been named Walter Camp First-Team All-Americans, it was announced Thursday by the Walter Camp Foundation.

The Hawkeyes have had at least one Walter Camp All-American (first or second team) over the past 11 seasons, dating back to 2014. Iowa has the longest active streak nationally of having a first-team All-American (2019-24). The Hawkeyes have had multiple Walter Camp honorees in five of the last six years, including the last two seasons with multiple first-team selections.

Walter Camp, the nation’s oldest college football All-America team, is one of five outlets recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans (Football Writers Association of America, American Football Coaches Association, Sporting News, Associated Press).

Higgins earns Walter Camp All-America honors for a second straight year, after earning second team distinction in 2023. Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) has been recognized as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten. Higgins, who was a semifinalist for three national awards (Lombardi, Butkus, Lott IMPACT), is the only player in the nation with 100+ tackles and four interceptions. His four picks are tied for the most amongst linebackers from a Power 4 conference. Higgins has been a tackling machine for Iowa’s defense, racking up 118 tackles — second most in the Big Ten, 13th-most nationally. The Indianapolis native has been a leader on an Iowa defense that is ninth nationally, allowing 17.1 points per game.

Johnson, who was honored as the Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten and a Doak Walker Award finalist, had a historic year. He posted school single-season records in points (138), total touchdowns (23) and rushing scores (21). Johnson (6-foot, 225 pounds) rushed for 1,537 yards in 12 games, sixth-most in the country and third-most in program history. The native of Hamilton, Ohio, scored at least one touchdown in all 12 regular season games — the longest stretch in school history. He had seven games in 2024 with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history. He declared for the NFL Draft earlier this month.

The 2024 American Football Coaches Association FBS Coaches’ All-America teams will be announced on Friday.

The Hawkeyes will play No. 19 Missouri on Dec. 30, 2024, in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville. The game will start at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on ESPN.

2024 IOWA POSTSEASON ALL-AMERICA NATIONAL HONORS
JAY HIGGINS: Walter Camp, CBS, The Athletic (first team)
KALEB JOHNSON: Walter Camp (first team); CBS, The Athletic (second team), Pro Football Focus

Posted in Sports |

Ottumwa child charged with threatening to ‘shoot up the school’ via TikTok post

News

December 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa child is charged with making a threat on social media. Lieutenant Jason Bell of the Ottumwa Police Department says they were informed by the FBI on Monday of a post on TikTok that contained the phrase “shoot up the school” along with other concerning language. After an investigation, the minor responsible for the social media post was arrested on Thursday. The child was charged with terroristic threats, a Class D felony, and released to their parent.

Bell says that while the child did not have the means to carry out the threats posted on TikTok and the threat was not directed to a specific school, this type of communication will not be tolerated.

Posted in News |

Atlantic Girls Wrestling Battling in Very First Season

Sports

December 13th, 2024 by Christian Adams

In their very first year of existence, the Atlantic Girls Wrestling are battling and competing in their very first season. Although they dropped two matches at last night’s Triangular at Creston, Cadence Kinzie, Leah Thomas, and Hayley Armstrong all picked up wins. Head Coach Mike Greving has been proud of the way the team has battled through the early part of this first season.

There are always challenges when starting anything from scratch, much less a sports team. This can include anything from fundraising, acquiring uniforms and equipment to things like setting up procedures, habits, and even teaching athletes a new sport. Although Coach Greving said there have been challenges, the wrestling community of Atlantic has been there to help.

Despite being in their first season, there is some experience and leadership on this Atlantic team.

Some of those leaders for the Trojans have been sophomore Cadence Kinzie and junior Haley Huffman. Both bring experience to the table and have first and second-place finishes in their respective weight classes this year. Coacher Greving has been proud of the way they have wrestled this year, in addition to helping out the team.

Given the first-year status of the program, there were bound to be pleasant surprises and Greving has been impressed with some of his wrestlers who have adapted to a new sport.

Above all though, Coach Greving says it is about more than just results.

Coming up on Friday the Trojans will head to Council Bluffs for the Council Bluffs Classic and Greving is excited to see where his team is at.

After the Council Bluffs Classic, Atlantic will compete in the ADM Girls invite next Saturday before the Christmas break.

 

Posted in Sports |

High School Girls Wrestling Results from Thursday

Sports

December 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AT CRESTON

Creston 48, Atlantic 18

Creston 48, Red Oak 33 

Red Oak 48, Atlantic 18 

Creston winners — Alainah Galanakis (2), Karlie Kruse, Evy Marlin (2), Grace Keeler (2), Lydia Williams, Danikka Barber (2), Nevaeh Chestnut (2), Karter Clayton (2), Sydney Hoffman

Atlantic winners — Leiah Thomas (2), Haley Armstrong (2), Cadence Kinzie (2)

Red Oak winners — Nicole Bond (2), Paige Baier (2), Lilly Ford (2), Abbi Henderson, Emma Sallach (2), Elaina Kuipers (2), Jaden McAlpin, Amber Rea, Bryleigh Mauer

Posted in Sports |