712 Digital Group - top

Iowa DNR to host virtual public meeting on chronic wasting disease

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a virtual public meeting to update the public on statewide chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts.

The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., and will be hosted on Zoom. Those wishing to attend must register in advance using the link below. To view and listen to the presentation, attendees will need a computer or smart device (e.g., phone, tablet) with a secure internet connection. Attendees can also join by calling in but will only be able to listen to the audio. The recording will be posted to the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel and shared on social media platforms, when available.

To register to attend, visit: https://bit.ly/CWD120524

As of Nov. 19, a total of 397 wild deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease in 25 Iowa counties.

“Chronic wasting disease will be a generational challenge,” said Dr. Rachel Ruden, state wildlife veterinarian with the Iowa DNR. “What we do to limit the spread of this disease today will pay dividends tomorrow, and we need everyone at the table.”

This public meeting is an opportunity for all Iowans to learn more about chronic wasting disease surveillance and management efforts in Iowa, understand ways they can help, and most importantly, ask questions.

“As this disease continues to expand its geographic footprint in Iowa, we encourage all Iowans to stay up-to-date on where we have found CWD so they can make informed consumption decisions,” she said.

Testing for the disease requires a tissue sample from a particular lymph node found just behind the jaw.

Chronic wasting disease is a neurological disease belonging to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. It attacks the brain of infected deer causing the animal to lose weight, display abnormal behavior, lose body functions, and die. It is always fatal to the infected animal and is present in all tissues, including the meat.

To learn more about chronic wasting disease and the DNR’s surveillance and management efforts, visit www.iowadnr.gov/cwd.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Snow showers possible over northern & parts of central Iowa on Wednesday

Weather

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service in Des Moines reports snow showers and gusty winds will be possible over north central and parts of central Iowa, on Wednesday. Reductions in visibility may occur at times. A few slick areas on roadways could occur near sunset and after. Any accumulations will be light.

There is still uncertainty as to the impacts warm road temperatures will have on potential road conditions. Potential road impacts will increase near to after sunset and may result in wet roadways to freeze. At this time, the primary potential for winter weather is over northern Iowa, there is the potential to extend south into the Des Moines metro.

Stay abreast of the latest weather updates on our KJAN Facebook and X social media pages.

Posted in Weather |

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz on the QB situation heading into Maryland

Sports

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Jackson Stratton could start Saturday’s game at quarterback at Maryland. The transfer from Colorado State entered the loss at UCLA after Brendan Sullivan left the game with an injured ankle. Cade McNamara was listed as the starter on Monday’s two-deep and has returned to practice but his availability is still uncertain.

Ferentz says the limited game experience Stratton got at UCLA was a plus. He completed three of six passes and led Iowa on a touchdown drive.

Sullivan started the last two games and Ferentz says he could be available for a bowl game.

Ferentz says a decision on the starting quarterback will be made on Friday. Ferentz has coached against several former Iowa coaches and players but this will be the first time he has gone up against a family member. Former Hawkeye offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is an offensive assistant at Maryland.

Posted in Sports |

Summit files new app for South Dakota pipeline permit

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Summit Carbon Solutions has submitted a second application in South Dakota for construction of a carbon pipeline. Last year, South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission rejected Summit’s initial application. Officials said it did not comply with county zoning rules. Earlier this month, South Dakota voters upheld those restrictions. According to a news release from Summit Carbon Solutions, the company has made major changes in its South Dakota pipeline route after more than a year of one-on-one work with landowners.

Iowa and North Dakota regulators have approved permits for the project. It would ship carbon from 57 ethanol plants in five states to underground storage in North Dakota.

Summit’s C-E-O says the project represents a pathway to new markets and lasting economic growth for generations to come. Nine IOWA counties passed zoning ordinances for carbon pipelines and tomorrow (Wednesday), judges on the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Omaha will hear arguments over ordinances in Shelby and Story Counties that Summit sued to overturn. Summit has pending lawsuits against Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto Counties and recently sued Bremer County over its zoning ordinance.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

KAY FRANCIS WHITEHEAD, 79, of Exira (Svcs. 11/27/24)

Obituaries

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

KAY FRANCIS WHITEHEAD, 79, of Exira, died Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at the Exira Care Center.  Funeral services for KAY WHITEHEAD will be held 10:30-a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27th, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Audubon. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26th, from 4-until 6-p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon will follow the service on Nov. 27th. Following the committal, a luncheon will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish Center in Audubon.

Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church in memory of Kay and mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

KAY WHITEHEAD is survived by:

Her daughter – Ronda (Mike) Arnold, of Paynesville, MN

Her son – Brian (Jess) Christiansen, of Omaha, NE.

8 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.

Posted in Obituaries |

Payton Sandfort Named to Lute Olson National Player of the Year ‘Early Season’ Watch List

Sports

November 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior forward Payton Sandfort has been named to the 2024-25 Lute Olson National Player of the Year ‘Early Season’ Watch List, the announcement was made Tuesday by the College Insider, Inc. The award is presented annually to the top player in Division I college basketball.

Sandfort is one of eight Big Ten players on the list, along with Rutgers’ Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo, Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin, Washington’s Great Osobor, Purdue’s Braden Smith and Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton.

Early in the 2024-25 season, Sandfort has reached double figure in each of Iowa’s first four games. He flirted with triple-doubles in Hawkeye victories over East Texas A&M and Southern, and he is averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists, while shooting 42.3 percent from the field with 12 3-point field goals.

Sandfort has also been named to the John R. Wooden and Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch Lists.

As a junior, the 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward put up career-best numbers across the board, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe.

Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times. The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.

Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.

The award is named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, who won 776 games in 34 seasons, 24 of which were spent at the University of Arizona and nine at Iowa. Olson is one of just 25 head coaches in NCAA history to win 700 or more games and he ranks ninth on the Division I career victories list.

In 2002, Olson was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He passed away on Aug. 27, 2020.

The recipient of the award is determined by a 10-member voting committee, which consists of current and former head coaches, as well as two senior staff members of collegeinsider.com.

The 2025 award will be announced in San Antonio, Texas – the site of the men’s Division I Basketball Championship.

The Hawkeyes return to action tonight, hosting Rider at 7 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be streamed live on B1G+.

Posted in Sports |

Kaleb Johnson Recognized As Doak Walker Semifinalist

Sports

November 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior running back Kaleb Johnson has been named as a semifinalist for the 2024 Doak Walker Award, it was announced Tuesday by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.

In its 33rd year, the award is named after SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.

Johnson, who is also a Walter Camp and Maxwell semifinalist, is having a record-breaking year for the Hawkeyes. He has tallied a school-record 126 points this season, via a school-record 21 total touchdowns. Johnson (6-foot-0, 212-pounds) has rushed for 20 scores, which ties Shonn Greene’s single-season record set in 2008. Johnson has rushed for 1,328 yards in 10 games in 2024, the third-most in the country and seventh most in program history.

The native of Hamilton, Ohio, has scored at least one touchdown in 10 straight games — the longest stretch in school history. He has seven games this season with two or more rushing touchdowns, believed to be the most in a single season in program history.

Greene won the 2008 Doak Walker Award, while former Hawkeye Albert Young was a semifinalist in 2005.

Voting begins tomorrow (Nov. 19) to determine the finalists, which will be announced on Nov. 26. The award recipient will be announced on Dec. 12.

Iowa (6-4, 4-3) returns to action Saturday, Nov. 23 at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. (CT) in College Park, Maryland. The game will be televised on BTN and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Kaleb Johnson | National Rankings
Total Touchdowns: 2nd (21)
Rushing Yards Per Game: 3rd (132.8)
Total Points scored: 3rd (126)
Rushing Touchdowns: 4th (20)
Rush Yards Per Carry: 6th (7.06)
All-Purpose Yards: 7th (143.7)

Kaleb Johnson | 2024 Honors
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp National POY Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
CBS Sports, Sporting News, The Athletic Midseason All-America
Doak Walker National RB of the Week (Sept. 24)
Big Ten Co-Offensive POW (Sept. 23)
Big Ten Offensive POW (Nov. 4)
Senior Bowl Co-Offensive National POW (Oct. 14)
UI September Male Athlete of the Month

Posted in Sports |

Business pitch competition for entrepreneurs in 4 NW IA counties

News

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An economic development group is launching a competition for entrepreneurs in four northwest Iowa counties. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation is sponsoring the Big IDEA challenge in Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson and Emmet Counties. Trevor Smith, the group’s senior vice president, says business owners are invited to submit a 90 second video that will be posted online in January. “(It) will then go to a voting period where the public can vote on the best entrepreneurship idea,” he says, “and then the top five finalists for that will then go to a final ‘pitch off’ in late May where they will present their idea to a panel of judges and compete for a prize.” Each of the five finalists will get a cash prize.

“It’s $5000 for first place, $3000 for second, $1000 for third and $500 for the fourth and fifth place finalists,” he says. Smith says the money and attention from the competition could be a great opportunity to turn a dream into reality. “We have plenty of entrepreneurs in our region and plenty of people who have great ideas,” Smith says. Similar contests are held throughout the state. Last week, a business pitch competition in southwest Iowa called REV 2024 handed out 19-thousand dollars in prize money to two start-ups.

This past spring, the Red Rock START Up competition in Marion County connected four businesses with mentors and investors. And in 2012, the City of Grinnell sponsored a competition to attract a restaurant to a vacant spot. The winner got three months of free rent, 10-thousand dollars in cash and 30-thousand dollars worth of food, dishes, silverware.

Posted in News |

Atlantic YMCA Exec. Director responds to comments about Jack & Jill Preschool; cancellation of MOU, re: Wickman Playground

News

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes, today (Tuesday), responded to a comment made during the November 13th meeting of the Atlantic School Board, with regard to the Jack and Jill Preschool. As we reported, during that meeting, Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the district’s pre-school numbers are down. She said also, that while the Jack and Jill preschool is free, they are “maxed-out” on capacity. Dr. Johnsen said the Atlantic Head Start pre-school is maxed-out too, but they could grow up to 20-percent. Anything more than that, she said, and they’ll have to find the space to teach those students, somehow.

Haynes says:

  • Jack and Jill in the past has run 2-3 separate four-year-old classes depending on the demand. “This year we could see the numbers where going to be lower for this group so we decided to only run two 4-year-old classes. These classes have 18 in the am leaving 2 openings and 16 in the pm leaving 4 openings. These classes can have a maximum of 20 kids each. We are sure open for additional students.”
  • Jack and Jill in the past normally runs two three-year-old classes. “This year,” Haynes said, “we have two classes again with 22 in the morning and 13 in the afternoon. We have room in our pm class for up to 9 more students.  Again, we are open for additional students here as well.”
  • And, “After checking with Head Start they have two openings as well in their 4 year old class.”

Dan Haynes said also, “In other news, we were disappointed to get the cancellation notice of the MOU we worked on for our shared usage of the Wickman playground and Lincoln gym. We did removed our play things from the gym. We do get in the gym occasionally in the am when time allows and appreciate that time. Lunch, naps, snack, and wrestling doesn’t allow for us to use the gym any other time.”

Posted in News |

Red Oak Police to conduct Toys for Tots drive

News

November 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Officials with the Red Oak Police Department says their 9th Annual “Toys for Tots” drive is underway. The event serves children and families who may not otherwise experience the full joy of the holiday season. Last year, more than 130 children from Montgomery County received toys through the program, enabling them to enjoy the holiday with their families.

Donations of NEW unwrapped toys for kids age 0-to 14, or monetary donations, are being accepted through December 14th. Toys may be dropped-off at the following locations in Red Oak: The Police Department; Fareway store; Red Oak Express; YMCA; Val’s Sugar Shack; Dollar General; Tractor Supply; the Buck Snort; Dollar Tree/Family Dollar Store; Montgomery County Memorial Hospital, and the Red Oak Library.

Monetary donations may be made payable to: Behind The Shields. Child sign-ups for the “Toys for Tots” program will take place at the Red Oak Fire Station on Thursday, Nov. 21st, from 3-until 5-p.m., and at the Red Oak Fareway Meat and Grocery, on Dec. 2nd, from 4:30-until 6:30-p.m.  Children ages 0-14 may be signed-up. Please bring the child’s birth certificate or medical card.  The deadline to sign children-up is Dec. 3, 2024.

If you have any questions, please call Amber Jennings at 712-623-6500.

Posted in News |