United Group Insurance

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Weather

February 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of fog; Mostly sunny. High 30. SW @ 10 mph.
Tonight: P/Cldy. Low around 15. SW @ 5-10.
Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 37. SW @ 10-20.
Sunday: P/Cldy. High 39.
Monday (Washington’s B-day): Mo. Cldy. High 39.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 23. Our Low this morning, -9. We received 4.3″ of snow after 7-a.m. Thursday (thru 1-p.m) at KJAN, for a total of 5.5-inches (1.2″ fell prior to 7-a.m. Wed.). Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 30 and the Low was 7. The Record High on this date was 71 in 2017. The Record Low was -34 in 1958.

Posted in Weather |

Iowa’s Spencer Lee prepares for final home match

Sports

February 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Iowa three time NCAA champion Spencer Lee is trying to treat Sunday’s dual against sixth ranked Oklahoma State like any other match. Lee is 13-0 on the season at 125-pounds and it will be his final appearance as a Hawkeye in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The second ranked Hawkeyes are 14-1 and it will be Senior Day for a large class.

It has been a long road back for Lee who cut last season short to have ACL surgery on both knees.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa beats Ohio State 92-75

Sports

February 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Iowa closed the first half on a 12-0 run and roared away from Ohio State for a 92-75 win in Iowa City. Tony Perkins had 24 points and Connor McCaffery dished out 13 assists, three shy of the single game record.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says it was defense that allowed the Hawkeyes to take command.

Iowa is 9-6 in the Big Ten and visits second place Northwestern Sunday. The Wildcats are coming off wins over Purdue and Indiana.

Posted in Sports |

Northern Iowa women stumble at home against Illinois State

Sports

February 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

The UNI women came up short in a first place showdown against Illinois State. Kate Bullman made two free throws with seven seconds remaining as the Redbirds claimed a 72-70 win in Cedar Falls to take sole possession of the Missouri Valley Conference lead.The Panthers stormed back after trailing by nine in the second half.

That’s UNI coach Tanya Warren. The Redbirds made 11 of 20 from three point range to improve to 13-2 in the Valley. The Panthers fall to 12-3.

Posted in Sports |

Reynolds signs medical malpractice caps into law

News

February 17th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A state law is now effect to limit medical malpractice claims for non-economic or so-called “pain and suffering” damages. Governor Kim Reynolds was surrounded by a large crowd yesterday (Thursday) as she held a bill signing ceremony in her statehouse office. “Because of our efforts and that includes everyone in this room — legislators and health care providers, lots of people pulling together to get this across the finish line — we’re in a much better position to recruit and retain physicians in our communities and really preserve access to care for rural Iowans.”

The law took effect as soon as the governor signed it. There is no limit on coverage for medical expenses or economic losses caused by medical errors, but pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice cases are now capped at two million dollars for hospitals and one million dollars for all other health care providers. Starting in 2028, those caps will increase by an annual inflation factor of just over two percent.

“When mistakes happen, Iowans deserve compensation, but arbitrary multi-million dollar awards do more than that. They act as a tax on all Iowans by raising the cost of care,” Reynolds says, “They drive medical clinics out of business and medical students out of state.” Former Governor Terry Branstad started pushing for medical malpractice caps more than a decade ago. Reynolds made it one of her priority issues for the 2023 Iowa Legislature.

“Iowa finally joins the majority of U.S. states in enacting common sense medical malpractice reform by placing a reasonable cap on non-economic damages,” Reynolds said. Kevin Kincaid, the C-E-O of Knoxville Hospitals and Clinics, says the law has been a priority for hospitals. “To recruit the best and brightest, to keep these providers in Iowa, we need to have a stable practice environment,” Kincaid said. “This bill is a crucial step forward in helping Iowa to be a more attractive place to practice medicine.”

Democrats and 16 Republicans in the legislature voted against the law, arguing it was unfair to place a dollar value on when a person’s life is dramatically changed or ended due to a medical error. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst  says there’s no evidence the health care workforce issues Iowa faces are any better in states with medical malpractice caps.

“Our frustration that is was a one size fits all approach,” Konfrst says. “…Iowa patients are the true losers here.” Konfrst says the caps benefit the insurance industry, with no guarantee medical malpractice insurance rates for doctors and hospitals will be controlled.

Posted in News |

DCI assists in apparent Waukee murder-suicide

News

February 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Waukee, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety report agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) were requested to assist the Waukee Police Department in a death investigation. Waukee Police and Fire/Rescue personnel responded at around 7:27-a.m. Thursday (2/16) to a call about a possible suicide in the 200 block of SE Boulder Court.

Upon arrival officers located two deceased persons inside the residence. Authorities say an investigation initially determined the deaths to be a murder-suicide, but the final determination will be made by the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office.

They said also, that there is no threat to the public, and that the incident remains an ongoing investigation.

Posted in News |

UPDATED: House GOP leaders propose carbon pipeline regulations

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The speaker of the Iowa House and 21 of his G-O-P colleagues have introduced a bill that could delay or possibly even derail proposed carbon pipeline projects in Iowa. Representative Steven Holt, a Republican from Denison, is a lead sponsor. “I am standing up for landowners that were there first,” Holt says. If the bill becomes law, pipeline developers would have to get voluntary access to 90 percent of the pipeline route through Iowa before state utility regulators could grant the companies eminent domain authority to seize the rest.

The bill also says the Iowa Utilities Board could not issue permits until new safety guidelines for carbon pipelines are issued by the federal government AND developers secure permits from the neighboring states that the pipelines would pass through. “All of these things, again, are designed to provide some protections for our property owners that are going through this situation,” Holt says. “Some of them do not want the pipeline to come through their property.”

Legislators began discussing new pipeline specific rules last year, but took no action. Pipeline backers have said it’s unfair to change regulations after project development is well underway. Holt says it’s not the concept of capturing carbon from ethanol plants that’s the issue, it’s the use of eminent domain to seize private property for these projects that’s the concern. “Let’s talk about the landowners. Let’s talk about the Century Farms that have been there for over 100 years. Let’s talk about these property owners that don’t want this pipeline under their farms,” Hotl says. “What about them? What about the rug being pulled out from under them?”

A Republican senator has introduced five different bills to address pipeline issues, but it’s unclear what the G-O-P majority in the Senate would support. The House bill has the backing of the top Republican in the House as well as the chairmen of House committees that deal with taxation and legal issues. Holt, who chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, says the bill would set up a process for landowners to file complaints with the Iowa Utilities Board about inadequate land restoration along the pipeline route.

“The bill expands damages that can be compensated for…This includes soil compaction, damage to soil or water conservation structures and damage to irrigation or drainage systems,” Holt says. “The bill further expands the claims a landowner can bring to include any identifiable loss due to pipeline activity and then finally it allows that a landowner may file a claim of relief in either small claims or district court.” Holt says the pipelines are major issue in his district, which includes Shelby County.

The Shelby County Board of Supervisors has established local zoning rules for the pipelines — and is being sued by Summit Carbon Solutions. “It’s a huge issue for landowners that believe as I do that the use of eminent domain should be for highways, it should be for essential government services and infrastructure that meets the public good,” Holt says, “and this is a very different project that does not meet those requirements.” Holt made his comments late this (Thursday) morning during an online news conference.

A spokesman for Summit Carbon Solutions says the company announced its carbon capture project two years ago and is hopeful that legislators will not change the regulatory rules in the middle of the game.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

2023 State Wrestling- Session 6- 3A Quarterfinals and Consolations

Sports

February 16th, 2023 by Jim Field

Class 3A 2nd Round Consolations

106

Kendall Kurtz (Iowa City, City High) 27-19 won by fall over Daniel Overall (Lewis Central) 22-22 (Fall 3:44)

Jaymeson VanderVelde (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 43-11 won by fall over Michael Dyett (Johnston) 14-14 (Fall 3:42)

113

Carter Schorsch (Lewis Central) 41-10 won by decision over Ashton Wisneski (Pleasant Valley) 19-18 (Dec 11-4)

120

Jonathon Ryan (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 31-15 won by decision over Airic Conn (Dowling Catholic) 17-15 (Dec 3-1)

126

Andrew Roland (Ankeny Centennial) 23-19 won by fall over Derrick Gregory (Lewis Central) 24-23 (Fall 1:02)

138

Dawson Fish (Dubuque Hempstead) 30-15 won by decision over Parker Herzog (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 36-16 (Dec 3-0)

160

Colin Falck (Cedar Rapids Kennedy) 37-10 won by fall over Paxton Blanchard (Lewis Central) 20-30 (Fall 1:02)

285

Cohen Pfohl (Dubuque Senior) 26-9 won by decision over Warren Summers (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 31-25 (Dec 5-2)

Class 3A Quarterfinals

170

Braylon Kammrad (Lewis Central) 42-6 won by injury default over Brent Slade (Southeast Polk) 40-5 (Inj. 1:03)

220

Ayden Hoag (LeMars) 43-1 won by decision over Jaxson Hildebrand (Denison-Schleswig) 42-1 (Dec 6-1)

Class 3A 3rd Round Consolations

106

Jaymeson VanderVelde (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 43-11 won by fall over Braxton Hutchinson (Burlington) 37-8 (Fall 3:25)

113

Cale Nash (Clear Creek-Amana) 39-7 won by decision over Carter Schorsch (Lewis Central) 41-10 (Dec 9-2)

120

Matthew McCrea Jr. (Bondurant-Farrar) 31-6 won by major decision over Jonathon Ryan (Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln) 31-15 (MD 15-3)

Posted in Sports |

Michigan Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Offenses

News

February 16th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports 42-year-old Her Tou Yang, of Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced Wednesday, February 15, 2023, to 60 months and 1 day in prison following his plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. After he is released from prison, Yang will serve two years of supervised release. His sentences was handed down in Council Bluffs U-S District Court.

On August 15, 2021, Yang possessed approximately five pounds of marijuana and a firearm that was reported stolen and sold them to another individual in Council Bluffs. On September 9, 2021, Yang possessed and sold an AR-style rifle in Council Bluffs.

The Council Bluffs Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.

Posted in News |

2023 State Wrestling- Session 5- 2A Quarterfinals and Consolations

Sports

February 16th, 2023 by admin

2A 2nd Round Consolations

106

Judah Gurwell (Winterset) 39-11 won by decision over Braxton Hass (Atlantic) 29-11 (Dec 2-0)

Jesse Jens (Harlan Community) 37-10 won by decision over Ryan Hartwig (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 21-15 (Dec 6-0)

120

Seth Ettleman (Southwest Iowa) 45-7 won by decision over Conner Pickerell (Albia) 31-10 (Dec 4-0)

126

Wes Martin (Estherville Lincoln Central) 27-14 won by fall over Briten Maxwell (Glenwood) 33-18 (Fall 1:37)

Kyler Sandholm (Red Oak) 34-12 won by decision over Dalton VanWyhe (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) 40-18 (Dec 7-6)

Jax Miller (West Delaware, Manchester) 32-10 won by major decision over Lincoln Keeler (Creston) 22-7 (MD 11-1)

132

Taevyn Zinnel (Algona) 37-10 won by fall over Gabe Johnson (Southwest Iowa) 36-13 (Fall 1:37)

Kaden Kremer (Independence) 37-11 won by fall over Trey Chesnut (Creston) 40-13 (Fall 1:01)

138

Tucker Wheeler (PCM, Monroe) 42-13 won by fall over Brody McKinley (Harlan Community) 37-15 (Fall 2:23)

Easton O`Brien (Atlantic) 23-11 won by fall over Parker Duitsman (Estherville Lincoln Central) 29-17 (Fall 3:22)

145

Nathan Lopez (Charles City) 28-10 won by decision over Jacob McGargill (Shenandoah) 40-16 (Dec 8-1)

Hudson Scranton (Anamosa) 43-6 won by decision over Reese Fauble (Glenwood) 21-11 (Dec 2-0)

152

Coy De Boer (Sheldon/South O`Brien) 41-3 won by decision over Adam Baier (Red Oak) 29-20 (Dec 7-5)

Owen Laughlin (Shenandoah) 47-6 won by decision over Zeke Hoven (Winterset) 28-17 (Dec 9-3)

160

Jackson Hird (Mount Vernon) 37-15 won by decision over Kellan Scott (Glenwood) 29-13 (Dec 5-4)

170

Jarrett Armstrong (Atlantic) 38-13 won by decision over Jayden Dickerson (Shenandoah) 43-12 (Dec 4-0)

182

Wayne Johnston (Knoxville) 29-13 won in sudden victory – 1 over Brenden Casey (Atlantic) 35-17 (SV-1 7-5)

220

Rhett Schaefer (Assumption, Davenport) 31-14 won by decision over Miles Mundorf (Atlantic) 31-14 (Dec 6-2)

285

Trent Patton (Glenwood) 36-10 won in sudden victory – 1 over Sean May (BCLUW-SH) 37-10 (SV-1 3-1)

Evan Sorensen (Atlantic) 39-10 won by fall over Jack Leng (Sheldon/South O`Brien) 26-19 (Fall 2:46)

 

Class 2A Quarterfinals and 3rd Consolations.

113

Aiden Smith (Atlantic) 36-11 won by fall over Mack Morgan (Eagle Grove) 39-4 (Fall 1:12)

3rd Round Cons.

Jesse Jens (Harlan Community) 38-10 won by decision over Wyatt Stewart (Albia) 35-7 (Dec 9-8)

120

Blake Fox (Osage) 49-2 won by major decision over Christian Ahrens (Creston) 43-8 (MD 9-0)

Vinny Mayberry (Glenwood) 34-1 won by decision over Carson Less (West Delaware, Manchester) 38-6 (Dec 3-0)

3rd Round Cons.

CJ Davis (Notre Dame, Burlington) 49-3 won by decision over Seth Ettleman (Southwest Iowa) 45-8 (Dec 6-1)

126

3rd Round Cons.

Kyler Sandholm (Red Oak) 35-12 won by fall over Wes Martin (Estherville Lincoln Central) 27-15 (Fall 1:27)

132

Matt Beem (Glenwood) 27-1 won in sudden victory – 1 over Cadyn Wild (Assumption, Davenport) 38-4 (SV-1 9-7)

3rd Round Cons.

N/A

138

McKinley Robbins (Greene County) 46-0 won by decision over Austin Evans (Creston) 28-6 (Dec 7-4)

3rd Round Cons.

Easton O`Brien (Atlantic) 24-11 won by fall over Kaden Hanson (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 28-14 (Fall 4:42)

145

3rd Round Cons.

Cooper Ludwig (Carroll) 43-3 won in sudden victory – 1 over Chris Aragon (Creston) 39-14 (SV-1 4-2)

152

3rd Round Cons.

Owen Laughlin (Shenandoah) 48-6 won by fall over Maxwell Mintle (Grinnell) 27-5 (Fall 1:26)

160

Dawson Bond (Red Oak) 42-3 won in sudden victory – 1 over Logan Peyton (West Delaware, Manchester) 19-5 (SV-1 3-1)

Max Gast (Osage) 43-7 won by decision over William Bolinger (Creston) 43-10 (Dec 4-3)

170

Nicholas Fox (Osage) 47-2 won by major decision over Kaden Street (Creston) 45-8 (MD 17-4)

3rd Round Cons.

Jarrett Armstrong (Atlantic) 39-13 won by decision over Austin Pfantz (West Marshall) 30-7 (Dec 9-4)

195

Gabriel Christensen (Ballard) 47-1 won by decision over Zane Bendorf (Harlan Community) 42-5 (Dec 9-7)

CJ Carter (Glenwood) 45-3 won by decision over Will Ward (West Delaware, Manchester) 36-3 (Dec 5-3)

220

Nick Reinicke (Dike-New Hartford) 43-0 won by fall over Mason Koehler (Glenwood) 45-8 (Fall 3:34)

285

3rd Round Cons.

Skyler Young (Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont) 19-5 won by decision over Evan Sorensen (Atlantic) 39-11 (Dec 15-11)

Trent Patton (Glenwood) 37-10 won by decision over Colton Wieland (Carroll) 33-8 (Dec 5-2)

Posted in Sports |