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Public Hearing & Special CAM School Board meeting set for Dec. 18th

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a public hearing and special board meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.The meeting begins at 6:30-p.m. in the CAM High School Media Center. The agenda follows:

  1. Opening Public Hearing on the Secure Entrance Modifications
  2. Patrons may speak for or against the Secured Entrance Project
  3. Close Public Hearing on the Secure Entrance Modifications

Special Meeting Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Approval of Agenda
  3. Discussion/Action Items
  4. Discussion and Approval of Boyd Jones Proposal
  5. Discussion and Approval of Secured Entrance Project Bids
  6. Adjournment.

Atlantic Rising Delivers Annual Christmas Boxes

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Rising and volunteers could be seen out delivering food boxes on Thursday, December 12th in the evening. The organization began collecting donations and nominations in early November and completed another successful program. Atlantic Rising Secretary/Treasurer, Kelsey Beschorner says “We anticipated to see an increase in nominations due to the continued challenges of grocery prices. We were over-joyed to see the constant support of our community in both donations and volunteers.”

This year, Atlantic Rising was able to provide a holiday meal to over 130 individuals and families all throughout Cass County. The donations received from the community totaled over $6,000, which allowed each nomination to be fulfilled. Atlantic Rising, again, teamed up with the Washington G.E.M, a local 4-H group, who helped assemble, pack, and load the vehicles with the Christmas boxes which made the process run smoothly.

“Atlantic Rising is proud to carry on and grow this tradition of the Christmas Box program. We are so thankful to partner with Hy-Vee and other local organizations who continue to make this big project a huge success,” Beschorner stated.

If you are interested in joining Atlantic Rising and finding out what they are involved in throughout the year, you can contact Kelsey at 712-243-3017 or kelsey@atlanticiowa.com. The membership application can also be found at www.atlanticiowa.com.

Red Oak man arrested on a felony Burglary charge

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak arrested a man on burglary and drug paraphernalia charges, today (Monday). Authorities say 40-year-old Michael Scott Stafford, of Red Oak, was charged with Burglary in the 3rd Degree (a Class-D felony), and Possession of drug paraphernalia (A simple misdemeanor). Stafford was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Higgins, Johnson Earn AP All-America Distinction

Sports

December 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins and junior running back Kaleb Johnson were recognized as AP All-Americans, the announcement was made on Monday by the Associated Press.

Higgins is a first team selection, while Johnson was a second team honoree. Iowa has had at least one AP first or second team All-American 11 straight seasons (2014-24). The AP is one of five outlets recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans (Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association, Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America).

Higgins is nearing consensus All-American status, having earned first-team All-America distinction by Walter Camp, AP and AFCA. Higgins (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) was also honored as the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten. He 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, who was a semifinalist for the Lombardi, Lott IMPACT and Butkus awards, has racked 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 has been named second-team All-America by the AP and AFCA, while he was a first-team choice by Walter Camp. Johnson was also voted Ameche-Dayne Big Ten Running Back of the Year, first-team All-Big Ten and finalist for the Doak Walker Award. 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. Johnson 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 Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America teams will be announced on Tuesday and conclude with Sporting News on Wednesday.

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, AFCA, AP, CBS, The Athletic (first team)
KALEB JOHNSON: Walter Camp (first team); AFCA, AP, CBS, The Athletic (second team), Pro Football Focus
LUKE ELKIN: AFCA (first team)

(Updated) Gov. Reynolds appoints State Senator Chris Cournoyer as the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has chosen a state senator from Le Claire to be her lieutenant governor. Chris Cournoyer took the oath of office in a ceremony at the statehouse this (Monday) morning. “It’s an honor and somewhat surreal to be standing at this podium as Iowa’s lieutenant governor,” Cournoyer said. Cournoyer has served in the Iowa Senate since 2019. Iowa has not had a lieutenant governor since September 2 when Adam Gregg resigned to become CEO of the Iowa Bankers Association. Reynolds waited until after the election to begin interviewing candidates for the position. The governor said Cournoyer will support a wide range of policy priorities. “First and foremost she’s someone that Iowans could trust to serve as governor if I were ever unable to,” Reynolds said. “I have complete confidence in her character, her judgement and her ability.”

Reynolds, who was a state senator in 2010 when Governor Terry Branstad chose her as his running mate, said Cournoyer is ideally suited to join her administration. “Chris has been a state senator, a reserve deputy and a long time leader and volunteer in her rural community of Le Claire. She’s also a small business owner and an expert in technology and A.I. and what I know she considers her most important job — a mom to four children,” Reynolds said. “Even on paper, the depth of her experience stands out.”

Cournoyer, who is 54, graduated from the University of Texas with a computer science degree and worked as a consultant in a Fortune 500 firm before becoming an independent website developer. The governor said Cournoyer’s firsthand experience — including her work teaching robotics and coding to elementary and junior high students — are major assets. “It’s exciting to think about all of the ways that we can utilize Chris’s experience in her new role,” Reynolds said. “Here’s a working mother who has known the joys and challenges of raising children while being in the workforce and owning a business.”

Cournoyer has been chairman of the Iowa Senate Technology Committee since its creation. “Growing up in the ’80s, I had a subscription to PC Magazine and a treasured dot matrix printer,” Cournoyer said. “I even did an 8th grade science fair project on Artificial Intellience, so basically I was a computer nerd before it was cool and not much has changed.” Cournoyer first met the governor in 2015, back when Reynolds was lieutenant governor, at a Davenport event focused on encouraging girls and young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. “She isn’t afraid to tackle tough problems from tax reform to education freedom to mental health and so much more,” Cournoyer said. “She also has a rare gift for getting stakeholders to the table and a tenacity to championing a cause to completion.”

Governor Kim Reynolds (on right) and Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer (official governor’s photo)

The ceremony for Cournoyer’s ascention to the role of lieutenant governor was held in Reynolds’ formal office. Cournoyer’s parents, three other statewide elected officials and the Republican leader of the state senate entered the room before the event began. Cournoyer who spoke briefly after the governor explained her choice, said she’s ready to advance the governor’s agenda in any way that she can. “I never planned on entering public office, let alone imagine that I would be second in line to Iowa’s succession,” Cournoyer said. “In other words, this is a humbling responsibility for me and Iowans can be confident that I will always approach it with the seriousness that it deserves.”

Cournoyer’s first campaign was for the Pleasant Valley School Board after she had raised a safety concern — and didn’t get a response from the board. Cournoyer won her seat in the Iowa Senate in 2018. A special election will be scheduled next year to fill the vacancy in the Iowa Senate, where Republicans will hold a super majority in 2025.

HMU issues an updated statement, re: Friday’s major gas leak

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with Harlan Municipal Utilities today (Monday), issued an update statement with regard to Friday’s (Dec. 13th) major gas leak that prompted evacuations for some parts of the city. You can read the entire statement, below:

Adair County Sheriff’s report (12/16/24)

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office say there were four arrests last week. Saturday night, 53-year-old Trummer Lee Washington, of Greenfield, was arrested following a traffic stop, for Contempt of Court-Violation of a No Contact Order issued in Adair County.

On Dec. 10th, 33-year-old Carlie Rae Wright, of Clive, was arrested by Adair County Sheriff’s deputies on an Adair County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance-Marijuana/1st offense. Wright was released early the next day on a $2,000 bond.

On Dec, 8th, 60-year-old Lynne Marie Chapman, of Greenfield, was arrested by Stuart Police, for OWI/2nd offense. She was released later that evening on a $2,000 bond.

And, 29-year-old Kaleb Michael Hills, of Stuart, was arrested at around 3:50-a.m. on Dec. 8th by Stuart Police, for OWI/1st offense, and Reckless Driving. Hills was released later that morning on a $1,300 bond.

Fort Dodge woman gets 12 year sentence for second meth-related conviction

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Fort Dodge woman has been sentenced to federal prison for a second time for selling meth. Thirty-five-year-old Amanda Johnson — formerly known as Amanda Adams — was convicted in 2020 of possessing and distributing meth. According to a news release from the U-S Attorney’s Office, she was on parole in 2023 when she helped distribute over 15-hundred grams of meth in the Fort Dodge area. In late 2023, she sold meth to undercover agent in Waterloo. This summer, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth and has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

A central Iowa woman has been sentenced to federal prison in connection with the death of a 16-year-old. Court records indicate 21-year-old Nevaeh Simone Botts of Des Moines sold pills containing fentanyl to a teenager who overdosed and died. According to a news release from the U-S Attorney’s Office, a search of her apartment found hundreds of fentanyl pills — and she sold fentanyl pills to an undercover police office three times.

(Update) Icy roads cause numerous accidents this morning; 1 injured south of Lewis

News

December 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Lewis, Iowa) – Road conditions changed quickly this (Monday) morning from wet-to-icy, resulting in several accidents, including at least two on westbound Interstate 80, at one south of Lewis. Cass County Deputy Sheriff John Westering told KJAN News the accident happened around 7:24-a.m. on the curves at 580th Street and the Lewis Road, just south of Cold Springs Park.

The person transported was said to have been an 8-year-old female. Deputy Westering wasn’t sure whether she was transported from Cass Health to another facility. The driver of the 2015 Kia Sedona mini-van was identified as 30-year-old April Vanatta, of Atlantic. There were three children in the vehicle, in addition to Vanatta. Westering said he’s not sure, but she was probably taking the children to school. Most of the injuries appeared to have been minor, he said. Three of the accident victims refused treatment at the scene.

Deputy Westering said icy roads were the reason for that accident and several others in the area.

Other accidents were reported on westbound I-80 between Shelby and Minden, and near Stuart. He said of the accident near Lewis…

Westering said the curves on the Lewis Road are tricky to navigate when it’s dry, let alone icy. Griswold and Lewis Rescue along with Cass EMS responded to the scene.

Iowa Football Awards Announced

Sports

December 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior RB Kaleb Johnson and senior LB Jay Higgins were named Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Players as the Iowa football program announced its 2024 team awards Sunday.

Higgins has been recognized as an American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and Walter Camp first-team All-American, 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 0most 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 previously honored as an AFCA and Walter Camp All-American, 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 rushed for 1,537 yards in 12 games in 2024, 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.

Five permenent team captains were named, including senior TE Luke Lachey and senior C Logan Jones on offense, Higgins and senior FS Quinn Schulte on defense, and senior LS Luke Elkin on special teams. Jones was also recognized with the Iron Hawk Award.

Lachey has played in 11 games in 2024, leading Iowa’s tight ends and ranking second overall, with 27 receptions and 227 receiving yards. Lachey was a team captain in all 12 regular-season games in 2024 and is a two-time honorable mention Big Ten honoree.

Jones, who started all 12 games, was a first-team all-conference selection last week. The native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, anchored the Hawkeye offensive line, that allowed just 15 sacks and helped Iowa rush for 2,599 yards, the most since 2002.

Schulte ranks third on the team with 57 tackles as Iowa’s free safety. He also has three interceptions and three pass break-ups. Schulte was a team captain in all 12 regular season games in 2024 and is a two-time honorable mention all-conference honoree. Schulte has made 39 consecutive starts (fifth-longest nationally among DBs).

Elkin, who has been Iowa’s long snapper the past four seasons, was previously honored as a 2024 first-team AFCA All-American and second-team All-Big Ten selection. He snapped for Dakin and Stevens, as well as Tory Taylor, the Ray Guy Award recipient and consensus All-American in 2023.

The Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award was shared by Iowa’s five starting offensive linemen: Jones, senior tackle Mason Richman, junior tackle Gennings Dunker, junior guard Beau Stephens and senior guard Connor Colby on offense, Higgins, senior LB Nick Jackson, senior DE Deontae Craig, senior DE Ethan Hurkett and senior DT Yahya Black on defense, and Elkin and LB Kyler Fisher on special teams. The Hayden Fry Award is presented to team members who show exemplary leadership and dedication throughout the year as well as the offseason.

The Hawkeye offensive line was a Joe Moore Award semifinalist, which recognizes the top offensive line in the country. Jones and Colby earned first-team all-conference recognition, Dunker was honored on the second team, while Richman and Stephens both were honorable mention All-Big Ten.

Jackson amassed 83 tackles to rank second on the team and 11th in the Big Ten. He also accumulated five tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, five hurries, returned an interception 28 yards and tied for first on the team with seven pass break-ups. Craig, Hurkett and Black each started all 12 games on the defensive line in 2024. Craig has 38 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack, had six hurries and one pass break-up. Hurkett leads all defensive linemen, and ranks fourth on the team, with 55 tackles. He leads the team with 11.5 tackles for loss, including 6.5 sacks, while also forcing three fumbles and registering two hurries. Black has registered 31 tackles, including five for loss and one sack, recorded Iowa’s only blocked kick of the season (field goal versus Washington), and two hurries and two pass break-ups. Fisher has 25 tackles (16 solo, nine assists), including two tackles for a loss of six yards, one forced fumble, and one pass break-up.

The Brett Greenwood Award was shared by Elkin, senior FB Hayden Large, RS Kaden Wetjen, and junior WR Max White. Established in 2011, the Greenwood Award goes to former walk-ons who embodies the values and behaviors of former Hawkeye walk-on Brett Greenwood. These student-athletes have made a significant contribution to the team through persistence, determination, commitment, preparation and action.

White and Large played in 12 and 11 games, respectively, in 2024. Wetjen, who is the 2024 Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and finalist for the Jet Award, leads the nation with 888 combined kick return yards (next most is 674 yards). He is second in the FBS in punt return yards (312) and sixth in kickoff return yards (576). The native of Williamsburg, Iowa, native had an 85-yard punt return for a score against Northwestern, the seventh-longest in school history.

Lachey received the Forest Evashevski Academic Achievement Award. Lachey, who was a 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy nominee, graduated last May with a degree in enterprise leadership and a 3.74 grade point average. He is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, three-time recipient of the Presidential Committee on Academic Medallion, three-time Dean’s List and named to the President’s List once.

The Reggie Roby Special Teams Award was shared by junior PK Drew Stevens (specialist) and Wetjen (overall). Stevens, a two-time all-league honoree, connected on 19-of-22 field goals as in 2024. He tied the school-record with five made field goals in Iowa’s win at Maryland and converting two field goals, including a 53-yard game winner as time expired, in the regular season finale versus Nebraska. Stevens has made a school-record eight field goals of 50 yards or more in his career, while his 1.58 field goals made per game in 2024 rank second best in the Big Ten and 15th nationally.

Eight Hawkeyes earned the Next Man In Award: junior QB Brendan Sullivan, senior OT Nick DeJong, senior OG Tyler Elsbury, junior TE Johnny Pascuzzi and sophomore RB Kamari Moulton on offense; DB TJ Hall on defense; and WR Alex Eichmann, DB Jaylen Watson and LB Landyn Van Kekerix on special teams.

Sullivan has played in nine games, including two starts. He has completed 24-of-35 passes for 344 yards and two touchdowns, and 35 rushes for 144 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. When he is under center, Iowa is 16-of-16 in red zone scoring opportunities (14 touchdowns, two field goals). DeJong and Elsbury both played in 12 games, including two starts, in 2024. Hall played in 11 games, including six starts, amassing 17 tackles, two pass break-ups and intercepting one pass. Moulton saw action in 11 games, rushing 70 times for 377 yards and two scores, including a crucial 68-yard touchdown run at Maryland. Pascuzzi, Eichmann, Watson and Van Kekerix all saw meaningful minutes in 2024.

Coaches Appreciation Award recipients were sophomore TE Zach Ortwerth, sophomore WR Jarriett Buie and OL Kade Pieper on offense; Schulte, Fisher, senior DB Sebastian Castro and junior DT Jeremiah Pittman on defense; White, junior LB Jaxon Rexroth, sophomore LB Jayden Montgomery, junior LB Jaden Harrell, freshman punter Rhys Dakin and senior punter Ty Nissen on special teams.

Ortwerth has 10 catches for 133 yards, Buie has six receptions for 64 yards, while Pieper has seen action in 10 games. Castro’s 56 tackles were fourth most on the team. A two-time all-conference honoree, Castro also had an interception, three tackles for loss, forced two fumbles, one pass break-up and a hurry. Pittman, Rexroth, Montgomery, Harrell and Nissen all saw significant minutes in 2024. Dakin is averaging 44.2 yards on 60 punts, which ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 25th nationally. Thirty-one of his punts have been fair caught, 27 have been downed inside the 20 and 16 have traveled 50+ yards. Only five of his punts have been touchbacks.

Team Hustle Awards went to sophomore RB Jaziun Patterson, junior WR Jacob Gill and junior TE Addison Ostrenga on offense; junior DT Aaron Graves and junior DE Max Llewellyn on defense; redshirt freshman DB Zach Lutmer, sophomore DB John Nestor and junior LB Karson Sharar on special teams.

Gill leads the team in receiving with 32 catches for 382 yards and two touchdowns, Patterson has rushed 54 times for 235 yards and two touchdowns, while Ostrenga has 14 catches for 85 yards and a score. Graves had 32 tackles, including eight for loss and six sacks, forced three fumbles, and was credited with two pass break-ups and two hurries. Llewellyn has 20 tackles, including eight for loss and 5.5 sacks, three pass break-ups, seven pressures, recovered one fumble, and scored team’s first safety of the season. Lutmer, Nestor and Sharar all were key contributors on special teams.

Team Leader Awards were presented to freshman WR KJ Parker, freshman RB Brevin Doll and OL Bodey McCaslin on offense; freshman LB Derek Weisskopf, freshman DL Devan Kennedy, freshman LB Cam Buffington and senior DB Jamison Heinz; and Buffington, Doll and freshman LB Devan Van Ness on special teams.

Lachey, Stephens and junior WR Seth Anderson were presented the Comeback Player of the Year Award. All three offensive players returned to the lineup after suffering injuries and elevated their play. Anderson had 106 receiving yards on five catches (15.1 average) in seven games.

The Bump Elliott Appreciation Award was presented to Kevin and Rick Manary of Harry’s Trophies.

Brian Cassady and Chet Wieland shared the 2024 Distinguished Service Award. The duo coordinate sideline communications for the football program. Wieland is in his 14th season, while Cassady in completing his ninth year.

Iowa (8-4) will face No. 19 Missouri (9-3) in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 in Nashville (1:30 p.m. CT, ESPN). The Hawkeyes earned their 22nd bowl invite over the past 26 seasons under Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz.

 

 

Forest Evashevski Academic Achievement: Luke Lachey

Iron Hawk Award: Logan Jones

Roy Carver Most Valuable Players: Kaleb Johnson, offense; Jay Higgins, defense

Permanent Team Captains: Luke Lachey, offense; Logan Jones, offense; Jay Higgins, defense; Quinn Schulte, defense; Luke Elkin, special teams

Hayden Fry Award: Mason Richman, offense; Beau Stephens, offense; Logan Jones, offense; Gennings Dunker, offense; Connor Colby, offense; Jay Higgins, defense; Nick Jackson, defense; Deontae Craig, defense; Ethan Hurkett, defense; Yayha Black, defense; Luke Elkin, special teams; Kyler Fisher, special teams

Reggie Roby Special Teams Award: Drew Stevens, specialist; Kaden Wetjen, overall

Team Leader Award: KJ Parker, offense; Brevin Doll, offense; Bodey McCaslin, offense; Derek Weisskopf, defense; Devan Kennedy, defense; Cam Buffington, defense; Jamison Heinz, defense; Devan Van Ness, special teams; Cam Buffington, special teams; Brevin Doll, special teams

Brett Greenwood Award: Hayden Large; Luke Elkin; Kaden Wetjen; Max White

Comeback Player of the Year: Luke Lachey; Beau Stephens; Seth Anderson

Coaches Appreciation Award: Zach Ortwerth, offense; Jarriett Buie, offense; Kade Pieper, offense; Sebastian Castro, defense; Quinn Schulte, defense; Kyler Fisher, defense; Jeremiah Pittman, defense; Jaxon Rexroth, special teams; Jayden Montgomery, special teams; Max White, special teams; Rhys Dakin, special teams; Ty Nissen, special teams; Jaden Harrell, special teams

Team Hustle Award: Jaziun Patterson, offense; Jacob Gill, offense; Addison Ostrenga, offense; Aaron Graves, defense; Max Llewellyn, defense; Zach Lutmer, special teams; John Nestor, special teams; Karson Sharar, special teams

Next Man In Award: Brendan Sullivan, offense; Nick DeJong, offense; Johnny Pascuzzi, offense; Tyler Elsbury, offense; Kamari Moulton, offense; TJ Hall, defense; Alex Eichmann, special teams; Jaylen Watson, special teams; Landyn Van Kekerix, special teams

Bump Elliott Award: Kevin and Rick Manary (Harry’s Trophies)

Distinguished Service Award: Brian Cassady and Chet Wieland