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Spring is only six weeks away (we hope) – Now’s the time for a midwinter boat checkup

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News) – A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Water is bad. The number-one concern for any boat in long-term winter storage is water. It can’t be allowed in, but if it does, the water needs a way out. Check the boat’s winter cover to ensure it still allows rain and heavy snow loads to easily shed away from the boat. Small boats should have the drain plug removed. A tight-fitting winter cover will also help keep out the critters, including raccoons, feral cats and muskrats, whose damage boat insurance policies generally do not cover.

Take it home. If you forgot to bring home life jackets when you put the boat away in the fall, it’s best to do it now. That includes throwable devices you keep near the helm. Lifejackets will last longer and stay cleaner. Store in a dry location at home. Signal flares can be kept aboard if they are in location not affected by moisture. Some handheld air horns can leave a not-easy-to-remove rust ring when stored in their upright position. Both signal devices can be put into zip top freezer bags. Other common items left on the boat during winter storage are liquid cleaners that can burst open during the freeze/thaw cycle and food, which draw vermin.

Air it out. Try to ventilate the boat, which will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If the boat is closed tightly and doesn’t have ventilation, use desiccants – often sold in bucket type containers – in cuddy cabins or living space below. Follow the manufacturer instructions and you should be able keep a fairly dry boat making spring cleanup easier and preserving the boat’s value.

Be safe. There may be ice and snow this time of year. If you need to use a ladder, ensure its firmly planted, always tie it off at the top, and have a friend hold it while ascending/descending. Never move or adjust a jack stand – call the yard for assistance. Tying off a winter cover to jack stands is also a bad idea as the stands could be yanked out from under the boat during high winds.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Winter Day camps Set for February and March

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Mark Your Calendars! Winter Conservation Day Camps are coming up in February and March, you won’t want to miss the fun as Cass County Extension and Cass County Conservation partner to offer these fun, hands-on camps for youth in K-5th grade.

February Snow Camp sessions are for youth in 3-5th grade. Learn about all things snow at this fun, day-long winter day camp. This camp will be offered free of charge, but pre-registration required. Snacks will be provided, but please bring a sack lunch. Don’t forget to bring your winter coats and boots, as we will be outside for a hike in the snow if weather allows!

  • February 17th – Snow Day Camp @ Atlantic Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders. Please RSVP by 2/13
  • February 20th – Snow Day Camp @ Anita Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders.  Please RSVP by 2/13
  • February 24th – Snow Day Camp @ Griswold Community Center 9:00am-4:00pm for 3rd -5th graders. Please RSVP by 2/20

March Penguin Camps are for youth in K-2nd grade. Learn about the life of a penguin while having fun with hands-on activities. Free to attend, pre-registration required. Snack will be provided. These half-day camps offer plenty of fun and learning through play and crafts!

  • March 15th, Penguin Day Camp @ Griswold Community Center 9:00am-Noon for K-2nd graders. Please RSVP by 3/9.
  • March 24th, Penguin Day Camp @ Atlantic Community Center 9:00am-Noon or 1:00pm-4:00pm for K-2nd graders. Please RSVP by 3/20

Call the extension office at 712-243-1132 to RSVP or to get more information.

Posted in News |

Class 1A Boys District Basketball Scoreboard 02/10/2023

Sports

February 11th, 2023 by admin

District 13

First Round
East Union 56, Lamoni 53

District 14

First Round
Glidden-Ralston 55, Paton-Churdan 28

District 15

First Round
Boyer Valley 86, Whiting 29

District 16

First Round
Logan-Magnolia 72, Griswold 28- ON KJAN

Regular Season Games

CB Abraham Lincoln 61, Bishop Heelan 42
Carroll 66, ADM 54
Denison-Schleswig 66, Glenwood 51
Exira-EHK 63, Ankeny Christian 50
Harlan 64, Creston 43
Nodaway Valley 76, CAM 53
Sergeant Bluff-Luton 44, Lewis Central 39

Posted in Sports |

First flood forecast shows only concern is in eastern Iowa

News, Weather

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The National Weather Service’s first look at the potential for flooding this spring shows most of the state in good shape. Hydrologist Jeff Zogg says eastern Iowa is the only area raising concern. “The first flood outlook for the state of Iowa for this spring is showing a near to below-normal risk of flooding. And most streams in the state the main exceptions, the Mississippi River in far eastern Iowa, where the risk is above normal,” Zogg says.

The snowpack in eastern Iowa is one part of the equation that raises the risk for the Mississippi River for flooding. “We consider a bunch of different factors when we assess the spring flood risk. We look at river levels, soil moisture, the snowpack, specifically, the liquid content, how much water is in that snowpack, frost depth, and we also consider the temperature and precipitation outlooks,” he says.  Zogg says this year’s outlook is typical of the recent pattern.

“For the past couple of years, the spring flood outlooks have been pretty favorable for the state, not really any high risk of spring flooding across the state,” Zogg says. “Some locations, maybe a little bit above normal. Kind of like this year, the Mississippi is above normal risk, not much above normal, but above normal.” The second flood outlook will be released on February 23rd and Zogg says the updates take into account the forecast ahead. “The big thing that we have to look at is the future precipitation, things like rainfall or snowfall,” he says. “Of course, much of the face on a drought, so we would welcome the rainfall, it’s just that we don’t want it all at once. We want that rainfall spread out over time.”

These flood outlooks are for the long-term potential for river flooding. “They really don’t consider things like flash flooding, it’s more of a shorter-term hazard. That’s usually in response to a localized heavy rainfall event,” Zogg says. “So, people still need to be aware of the potential for that if we have any heavy rainfall events going forward. And as people who live in Iowa for a while now, we can definitely get heavy rainfall events in the spring and summer.”

The third and final spring flood outlook will be released on March 9th.

Posted in News, Weather |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023

Weather

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny. High 48. NW winds at 10-15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Low around 27. S @ 15 mph.

Tomorrow: Cloudy. High 47. SW winds @ 5-10.

Monday: Mostly sunny. High 53.

Tuesday: Cloudy with a 95% chance of rain. High 49. SW @ 10-20 mph.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 39. The Low was 13. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 49 and the Low was 4. The Record High on this date was 64 in 1951 & 1999. The Record Low was -26 in 1899.

Posted in Weather |

Class 3A Girls Regional Basketball Schedule 02/11/2023

Sports

February 11th, 2023 by admin

The girls basketball postseason tips off for Class 2A and 3A schools on Saturday night around the state. Here is a look at the area contests with all games set to start at 7:00 p.m.

Class 2A Regional Basketball Pairings

Region 7

First Round
West Central Valley @ Woodward-Granger
Ogden @ ACGC
Southwest Valley @ I-35

Region 8

First Round
East Sac County @ IKM-Manning
Missouri Valley @ AHSTW

Class 3A Regional Basketball Pairings

Region 5

Van Meter @ Des Moines Christian
Shenandoah @ Clarke
Clarinda @ Atlantic- ON KJAN
Red Oak @ Harlan

Posted in Sports |

Planned Griswold Daycare Center receives a huge financial boost

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) — Officials with the Noble Initiatives Foundation in Griswold have announced the organization working to build a new childhood development center in Griswold, has received large grant to further their goal. According to NIF Board Member Steve Baier, the Foundation received a $500,000 grant through the Charles E. Lakin Foundation for their ongoing effort to raise nearly $2.6 million for a proposed 8,800-square-foot facility.

The funds will ensure completion of the facility, Baier said, which will be named the Charles E. Lakin Child Development Center of Griswold. Crews have been hard at work pouring the concrete for the foundation. When complete, the Lakin Child Development Center should be able to house nearly 100 children throughout the day, including those aged six weeks to four years old, and a separate area for before and after school care for elementary-age kids. The facility would also include four classrooms and a gym.

The childcare center will provide year-round child care, including full-time, drop-in, and before/after school care. It will be located south of the Griswold Elementary School.  Fundraising efforts for the center went public in July, 2022.

If construction goes smoothly, Baier says the hope is to have the facility up and running by the fall of 2023. An official groundbreaking is scheduled for March 25th. More information is available on the organization’s website and Facebook page.

Posted in News |

Nebraska man arrested Friday night in Montgomery County

News

February 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man from Nebraska was arrested at around 10-p.m. Friday, in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 49-year-old Rafael Hernando, of Omaha, on an active Montgomery County warrant for driving while license suspended. Hernando was being held in the Montgomery County jail on a $1,000 bond.

Posted in News |

District Wrestling hits the mats on Saturday

Sports

February 10th, 2023 by admin

District Wrestling tournaments for all three classes will hit the mats on Saturday, February 11.

In April, the board approved changes to the individual postseason by expanding the state tournament to 24 qualifiers per weight class in each classification, and eliminating sectional tournaments.

District tournaments will expand in Class 2A and Class 1A to 12 sites with the top two place-winners at each weight advancing to state. The top three place-winners will advance in Class 3A.

Select the class below to view district assignments and host sites.

CLASS 3A

CLASS 2A

CLASS 1A

We had planned live coverage of the 2A district in Glenwood but due to illness we aren’t able to now. We are deeply sorry for missing out. Results will be posted on this page. Thanks for understanding.

Posted in Sports |

KATHY JACOBSEN, 72 of Avoca (Memorial Svcs 2/14/23)

Obituaries

February 10th, 2023 by Lori Murphy

KATHY JACOBSEN, 72 of Avoca, died Friday, February 10, 2023 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. A Memorial service for KATHY JACOBSEN will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home has the arrangements.

Family will greet friends on Tuesday, February 14 from 10am-11am at the church.

Burial will be at a later date.

KATHY JACOBSEN is survived by:

Daughter: Shela Jacobsen, of Avoca

Brother: Thomas (Cheryl) True, of Walnut

4 Grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |