The UNI women’s basketball team had a tough time finding their shooting rhythm and lost at Missouri State 66-57 on Sunday afternoon.

Sydney Wilson scored 18 points and Abigayle Jackson scored 16 for the Bears. They coupled four players in double figures with their stifling top rated defense to earn the win.

UNI had two players in double figures with guards Karli Rucker and Kam Finley. The two guards both had 14 points in Sunday’s contest, including all but one of the team’s treys. Forwards Grace Boffeli and Bre Gunnels were just behind in scoring with eight and seven points respectively.

UNI is 16-8 overall and 9-4 in the Valley. Next up the Panthers host Drake on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Administrator in Atlantic reports the upcoming City Council meeting that begins 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, “Will be a longer meeting.” John Lund says “[there are ] A lot of important things to cover, including the FY 2023 Budget, 10 year budget forecast and 10 year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). In addition, Lund says “We also have an important presentation from the Housing Committee, swearing in our newest member of the Police Department, project approvals for the Airport Bridge and Bull Creek, an updated Clerk Agreement with Marne, and setting the dates for the annual debt for the landfill and the maximum tax dollars resolution.”

The agenda includes the swearing-in of Anthony Snyder as an Officer of the Atlantic Police Department. The A-PD recently lost Sgt. Cameron Ward to the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, and Sgt. Spencer “The Mountain” Walton. Snyder was recruited from Lake City. He’s originally from California, and began working with the Atlantic Police Department last week. He is already State-Certified, and as such does not have to attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, saving the City time in getting more boots on the ground.

Former Atlantic 2nd Ward Councilwoman Kathy Somers, who chaired the Housing Committee, will make a presentation to the Council with regard to the findings of a Rural Housing Readiness Action Plan report, which is 251 pages…but will be in a summary form for Wednesday’s meeting. Somers is also expected to address some of the progress the Committee has made on promoting housing development in Atlantic.

The Council will then act on an Order allowing Mayor Grace Garrett to sign all of the documents necessary to facilitate the joint Airport Bridge Rehabilitation Project with Cass County. The Board of Supervisors have already approved the County’s share of the costs associated with the project on 6th Street (Bridge #289) – known as the Airport Bridge. The project cost has increased slightly from projections made in 2019, at $203,000, as opposed to the earlier estimate of $200,000. A 28-E agreement between the City and County means the City/Council will split the cost 50-50, once the City officials signs on-board.

The Council will receive also, a presentation of the final plans and specifications for the Bull Creek Improvement Project. Thanks to the efforts of Parks and Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen in cooperation with Snyder and Associates Engineers, John Lund says the costs have been vastly reduced from earlier versions, and has received approval from the U-S Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps helped reduce the costs as well, when they pared down some of the more expensive elements, while still retaining the essential function of erosion control and habitat preservation. The final cost estimate is $435,535, with a five-percent match required. The City is offering a more generous 25% match to demonstrate its commitment and secure Water Infrastructure Grant funds. And, instead of using all of the ARPA resources, Lund says now, only $108,883.75 will be necessary.

In other business, the Atlantic City Council will act on a Resolution setting the date for a Public Hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation, Solid Waste Management Loan Agreement (and to borrow money) not to exceed a principal amount of $90,000. That’s with regard to the City’s 28-E agreement to support the Cass County Landfill. The Council is expected to approve the renewal and updating of a City Clerk Services Agreement with the City of Marne. Another task for the Council, is to set the date for a Public Hearing on Maximum Tax Dollars, as March 2nd, 2022. John Lund says on the property tax statements of properties where no changes in assessed or taxable value have occurred, the City will show an increase of 2.92% – not the 3.86% shown on the public notice, due to a four-dollar debt service levy that is hidden from the notice, and accounts for $1,014,669 dollars the city will tax.

Lund says “While the 2.92% is the increase in dollars generated, it is not going to be reflective of the impact on property taxes levied against individual properties. There is no way to know what the impact will be in year-to-year impact on taxpayers.” The taxpayer can, however calculate the changes in their property taxes, once the other authorities have set their levies. The formula is as follows:

• (Assessed Value)x(Property Class Rollback) = (Taxable Value)
• (Taxable Value)x(Combined Levy of All Taxing Authorities)/1,000 = (Gross Taxes Due)
• (Gross Taxes Due) – (Applicable Tax Credits) = (Net Taxes Due).

And, in his report to the Council, City Administrator John Lund will present the FY 2023 Budget, 10-year Budget Projections, and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. The Council has 13 days to review the documents before the preliminary budget hearing is scheduled for approval on March 2nd, 2022, and set the date for a Public Hearing on approving the final budget. March 16, 2022 is the date the final budget will be adopted. The budget is due-in to the Iowa Department of Management by March 30th.

(Radio Iowa) – The Dubuque County Treasurer has resigned after being arrested in a prostitution sting. Sixty-year-old Randy Wedewer, of Epworth — the now former Dubuque County Treasurer — is among 11 men arrested last week at a Dubuque hotel. Authorities say the men responded to social media posts from police who were posing as sex workers. The Dubuque County Board of Supervisors appointed Wedewer as county treasurer in early January to replace the county’s long-time treasurer who retired. Wedewer had worked in the Dubuque County Treasurer’s office for 33 years. He submited his resignation on Friday. The criminal complaint against Wedewer said he paid $75 for a sex act after responding to the social media advertisement. He was then arrested after arriving at the hotel at 4:51 p.m.

The Dubuque County Auditor announced Wedewer’s resignation at 8 p.m. Friday and, by law, the auditor is now the acting treasurer for Dubuque County. According to a written statement, the county’s board of supervisors will meet in the coming weeks to determine next steps. County treasurers are elected to four year terms and voters in all 99 counties will have a chance to vote for a county treasurer candidate this November.

Others arrested during the sting include:

Vincent J. Hanson Jr., 59, of rural Dubuque; Timothy J. McAndrews, 57, of rural Dubuque; Kevin M. Bockenstedt, 41, of Sherrill, Iowa; Joshua J. Vondran, 40, of Epworth, Iowa; Ryan P. Besler, 21, of Farley, Iowa; Timothy Murphy, 55, of Peosta, Iowa; Jordan H. Watkins, 38, of Bellevue, Iowa; Timothy A. Griffin, 32, of Dickeyville, Wis.; Kevin Stanton, 63, of Cuba City, Wis.; and Craig A. Mason, 57, of Stoughton, Wis.

Authorities noted that the investigation is ongoing and additional charges related to the sting are possible.

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School District’s Board of Education will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 6:30-p.m. Monday, in the CAM High School Superintendent’s Office (in Anita). On the Consent Agenda for approval, are any: Open Enrollments; Resignations, and Contracts. Discussion and/or action items include, but are not limited to:

• The FY22/23 School Calendar
• The FY22/23 Budget
• Approval of an SWCC (Southwestern Community College) Educational Services Contract
• Approval of a Budget Guarantee for 2022-23
• A Resolution Adopting the Cass County Multi-Jurisdictional HMP (Hazard Mitigation Plan) for the CAM CSD.
• and continued discussion with regard to District Facilities.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak, Saturday, arrested a woman for Harassment in the first degree, and Interference with Official Acts. 29-year-old Amanda Joy Williams, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 1:30-p.m. and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where her bond was set at $2,000.

(Anita, Iowa) – One person was flown from the scene of a head-on crash northwest of Anita this (Saturday) morning. According to Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Kyle Quist, the collision occurred at around 8:40-a.m. on Dallas Road, between 730th and 740th Streets.

A 2008 Chevy pickup driven by Brent J. Asberry, of Exira, collided with a 2015 Chevy Malibu, driven by Dennis C. Wahlert, of Anita. Anita Fire and Rescue and Cass EMS freed Wahlert from the vehicle wreckage. Wahlert was transported by LifeFlight helicopter to the hospital for treatment of injuries he suffered.

Asberry suffered minor injuries, but was not transported. Quist said an investigation will result in Asberry being cited for Failure to Yield half of the roadway.  The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Iowa State Patrol.

(Worldwide) — The 25th Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is set to take place from Friday, February 18 through Monday, February 21. Volunteers from around the world are invited to count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. Anyone with internet access can participate, no matter what their skill level—it’s a great family activity, too. Officials say a lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years.

Varying weather conditions so far this winter are producing a few trends that GBBC participants can watch for during the count. Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s National Program Director, reminds participants in Canada and the U.S. to keep watch for snowies. He says, “The GBBC has done a terrific job of tracking irruptions of Snowy Owls southward over the past several years. We can’t predict what winter 2020 will bring, because Snowy Owl populations are so closely tied to unpredictable ‘cycles’ of lemmings in the Arctic. These cycles occur at intervals between two and six years.  Nevertheless, there are already reports of Snowy Owls as far south as Virginia.”

Tufted Titmouse

In addition to counting birds, the GBBC photo contest has also been a hit with participants since it was introduced in 2006. Since then, tens of thousands of stunning images have been submitted. Learn more about how to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count at birdcount.org where downloadable instructions and an explanatory PowerPoint are available. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada and is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

This is a wonderful family program for bird watchers of all ages and is free of charge. All you need is basic knowledge of bird identification! It is not required that you record every species you see, only those that can be properly identified. To participate in the bird count either call the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372 and receive everything you need in the mail (or pick up in the office), or go to the website: http://www.birdcount.org/ and follow the instructions.

Learn how to participate on-line step by step directions, at the following (AREA) locations:

• Atlantic Public Library Community Room; Friday February 18th 10 AM 3rd grade and up
• Anita Public Library; Wednesday February 16th 3:30 PM 3rd grade and up

Get ready to be involved in a great citizen science project! Organizers will show and explain how to participate in the project. They will also include some tips on identifying birds.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – You’re invited to join Cass County Conservation and Atlantic Parks and Recreation, for a FREE, “No school Winter Recreation Afternoon!” February 18th, from 2-until 4-p.m. Activities take place Sunnyside Park, near the Kiddie Korral. Cass County Conservation will have their snowshoes available for check out near Kiddie Korral shelter. The Atlantic Parks and Recreation offers an assortment of winter recreation opportunities for all ages and skill levels. Cross country skis and sleds are available to be checked out from the Parks and Rec Office at (712) 243-3542.

There are several miles of trails around the park for cross country skiing, rustic hiking trails, cleared trails along the hard surfaced road, and there are Fox and Goose trails made for all to enjoy. The Parks and Rec Department is currently hosting a Snow Sculpture Contest with plenty of space for people and snow for everyone to take advantage of. Hot Chocolate will be available!

Be sure and dress for the weather. The event WILL be CANCELLED IF there is no snow.

(Radio Iowa) – Lawmakers working for the past few years on legislation to protect mobile home residents from being priced off the properties have reached a bipartisan compromise. Republican Representative Brian Lohse, of Bondurant, had hoped to do more, but he says the bill’s latest version has the support of mobile home park owners and is likely to pass the House.

“I believe it’s a meaningful bill,” Lohse says. “I believe it has some very good provisions for the tenants and, you know, in the long run maybe we can do other things as issues pop up.” The bill would require notices of rent and utility increases be provided sooner and it would offer some protections from retaliation by mobile home park owners. It would not limit rent hikes. Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls, of Coralville, began working on the issue in 2019 after learning of sizable rent increases at mobile home parks in his area.

“There have been a host of people involved in this conversation. I would say that there are several good things in this piece of legislation that I’m happy to see. There are also a lot of good things that are not in this legislation,” Wahls says. “Of course, that is the nature of compromise…and I do expect that I will likely wind up voting for it.” Wahls made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press” that airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

Democratic Representative Lindsay James is from Dubuque, where residents of the Table Mound Mobile Home Park say they’ve faced skyrocketing fees after a Colorado company bought the property four years ago. “The challenge of these out-of-state corporations exploiting our residents here in Iowa is significant,” James says. “This bill is not going to be the end-all solution for this. I think it’s one step forward in making sure that these residents have protections.”

The bipartisan bill cleared a House panel this week. There are at least 549 mobile home parks in Iowa and a Legislative Services Agency report found nearly half are owned by out-of-state companies.

(Reporting by Iowa Public Radio’s Katarina Sostaric and Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson)

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court says defendants do not have to be present in some misdemeanor trials if the person is intentionally trying to delay justice. The case involved Randall Hurlburt of Le Mars man who was convicted after being charged with driving while intoxicated. Hurlbut asked for a new lawyer three times and showed up to some hearings — but didn’t show up for his trial in February 2020 — telling his lawyer he couldn’t get a ride.

The Supreme Court ruling says a misdemeanor defendant who knows his trial date yet deliberately chooses without good cause, to remain absent from his trial cannot then cry foul when the court follows through with the trial. It says the defendant has rights — but the state possesses a compelling interest in the orderly disposition of justice