United Group Insurance

Iowa prepares for Illinois State

Sports

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa will open the season on Saturday against Illinois State without head coach Kirk Ferentz. The veteran coach was suspended for the opener due to a recruiting violation. It will be the first time Ferentz has missed a game.

Ferentz will not be allowed to be at the stadium and expects to watch the game from home.

Iowa’s Jay Higgins previews the season

Sports

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

An experienced Iowa defense is once again expected to be one of the best in the country.All-American linebacker Jay Higgins led the nation in tackles in 2023 and is one of several Hawkeyes who returned for an additional season.

Higgins says the defense remains motivated by a new challenge.

Higgins did not enter the starting lineup until his senior season but he quickly became a team leader.

Iowa State prepares for North Dakota

Sports

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State has high hopes heading into Saturday’s opener against North Dakota. The Cyclones return a lot of starters off a team that finished 7-6, including quarterback Rocco Becht. He is ready for his second season as the starter after being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year on offense.

With a year under his belt Becht is much more confident heading into this season.

New this season is in-helmet communication. Becht will get the play call from quarterbacks coach Jake Waters.

Becht is hoping to get more than just the play call in his ear piece.

Baccam to stop in Atlantic Sept. 7th

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Iowa 3rd District Congressional candidate Lanon Baccam will be in Atlantic, September 7th. The Democrat from Des Moines is challenging incumbent Republican Zach Nunn of Bondurant, for the chance to represent the District in Washington, D.C. Nunn is seeking his second term in office. The third congressional district includes counties in central and southern Iowa.

Baccam will meet with Cass County Democrats at the County’s Democratic Headquarters, located at 704 Walnut Street, Suite 2, on Saturday, September 7th, from 3:30-until 4:30-p.m.

There is no cost to attend, but organizers say donations are welcome.

Democratic candidate Lanon Baccam (Official campaign photo)

Reservations may be made HERE.

Baccam is a former Iowa National Guardsman who was born and raised in Mount Pleasant (IA). His parents came to the U.S. from Laos. He joined the Iowa National Guard at the age of 17 and, in 2004, he did a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Baccam also worked for former Governor Tom Vilsack at the USDA.

Creston woman cited following a collision Friday afternoon

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) (Corrected for the day of the accident) – A collision in Creston Friday afternoon caused a police estimated $4,500 damage, but no one was injured. According to the Creston Police Department, 45-year-old Jessica L. Libby, of Creston, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop Sign/Failure to Yield, after the 2011 Nissan Sentra she was driving struck the passenger side a 2012 Toyota Scion XB, driven by 18–year-old Caleb Bunner, of Creston.

The accident happened at around 2:30-p.m., at the intersection of E. Howard and N. Elm Street, when Libby stopped, but then proceeded into the intersection, as she was eastbound on E. Howard, and the Toyota was southbound on N. Elm. The collision caused the airbags on the Toyota to deploy.

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Advisory Commission to meet Wednesday afternoon

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A regular monthly meeting of the City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Commission will take place Wednesday (Aug. 28), at the Parks & Rec Office located just off Sunnyside Lane. The meeting begins at 3:30-p.m.

The only item of New Business on the agenda, is “Playground evaluation,” plus any other matter of new business that may come before the Commission.

Old Business/discussion items include:

  • An update on the model solar system for the Schildberg Recreation Area. During their meeting last month, Parks Coordinator Jeff Christensen said he was still trying to find a business that would make different-size metal spheres.
  • Splash Pad Update: Concrete for the pad near the Sunnyside Pool was poured on August 15th.

    The concrete base for the SplashPad in Atlantic was poured on Aug. 15, 2024 (Atlantic Splashpad Facebook page photo)

  • Guidelines for donations – relocating, removal, etc.
  • Signage for the Bull Creek entrance. At last report, Commission Chair Kevin Ferguson had presented the cost ($600) to Junior Federated, and was waiting for a response. He was assured by the Atlantic Junior Federated organization representative Jamie Joyce, that the sign would be stable and able to withstand the elements.

Montgomery County Supervisors to act on Township Officers ballot measure & more

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa)  – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will hold their regular, weekly meeting Tuesday in their Board Room at the Courthouse, in Red Oak. Their session, as always, begins at 8:30-a.m.

New Business/Action items on their agenda include:

    1. Approve Weed Commissioner contract

    2. Discuss/appoint two supervisors to meet with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Commissioners to discuss the watershed structure maintenance for Montgomery County

    3. Approve claims payable for Wednesday August 28, 2024, in the amount of $427,543.07

    4. Approve Resolution 2024-33 Approving Public Measure for the Placement on the November 5, 2024, General Election Ballot, for Appointment of Township Officers

    5. Approve Snyder & Associates, Inc., Supplemental Agreement for Additional Services #001

Montgomery County Auditor Jill Ozuna notes also, members off the Board of Supervisors may be attending the Summit Carbon Pipeline informational meeting at the Red Coach Inn. The meeting begins at Noon on Tuesday. And, the Board may attend a Montgomery County Safety Action Plan Workshop on Wednesday, at 8:30-a.m., in the Emergency Management Conference Room (1906 N. Broadway St.) in Red Oak.

During both meetings, there is a possibility that there will be a quorum of Supervisors, but NO OFFICIAL COUNTY BUSINESS by the Board of Supervisors will be acted upon during the meetings.

Diocese of Sioux City priest charged with theft, fraud

News

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ALGONA, Iowa (KCAU) — An Iowa priest affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City has been accused of misappropriating nearly $70,000 in funds. The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that Father Steven McLoud, 65, of Fort Dodge, has been charged with first-degree theft and first-degree fraudulent practices, both felonies.

McLoud is accused of knowingly falsifying expense documents such as receipts and reimbursements of nearly $70,000 while serving as a priest in the Bancroft and Algona parishes.  Earlier this year, the Catholic Diocese of Sioux City requested that the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office investigate allegations of misappropriated funds within the two parishes.

Steven McLoud (Courtesy: Lumen Media)

“The Diocese of Sioux City has turned over this matter to the Kossuth County Attorney,” the diocese’s communications office stated. “Father Steven McLoud is assigned to limited ministry in Webster County, Iowa. Due to pending legal action, the diocese cannot comment further.”

McLoud is set to appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9 a.m.

Hunting seasons for 4 animal species set to begin at or near the end of this month

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News)  – Several hunting seasons are set to begin at the end of this week (Aug. 31st) and on Sept. 1st, in Iowa. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel hunting season opens this coming Saturday (8/31). The DNR says “The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the southern half of the state seeing the best overall numbers.”

Last year, an estimated 19,600 hunters harvested nearly 68,500 cottontail rabbits. The most popular way to hunt is with a shotgun walking brushy areas with grass next to crop fields in the morning or evening. It can be done individually or with a group of friends. Cottontail rabbit season is Aug. 31 to Feb. 28, 2025. The daily limit is 10 rabbits with a possession limit of 20. Jackrabbit season is closed. While wearing blaze orange clothing is not required to hunt rabbits, it is recommended. Shooting hours for rabbits is sunrise to sunset.

Local squirrel populations vary depending upon nut production and it appears to be a good nut year in many areas. Squirrels will be found around hickory trees, oaks and walnuts for their food resources. Hunters will generally find plenty of squirrels and little competition. The DNR says it would also be a good opportunity to do some scouting for a spring turkey hunt or to look for whitetail deer rubs before bow season. Squirrel season is Aug. 31 to Jan. 31, 2025, with a daily bag limit of six total or combination of red fox squirrels or eastern grey squirrels and a possession limit of 12.

Hunters looking for places to go rabbit or squirrel hunting should use Iowa’s online hunting atlas at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting, with more than 600,000 acres of public land that allows hunting.

In addition, Iowa’s Dove and Teal hunting season opens on Sept. 1st. Dove season is Sept. 1-Nov. 29. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily bag limit is 15 (mourning or Eurasian collared) with a possession limit of 30.

Hunters are reminded that their gun must be plugged to hold no more than three shells. If hunting public areas north of I-80, hunters should check to see if nontoxic shot is required. The Iowa online Hunting Atlas at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Places-to-Hunt-Shoot identifies all county, state and federal land open to hunting, zone information and nontoxic shot requirements.

All dove hunters are required to register with the migratory Harvest Information Program (HIP). It’s free, fast and the information is used to help determine participation and harvest. Go to www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/Migratory-Game-Birds to register.

Iowa’s statewide teal only hunting season is Sept. 1-16, providing hunters of all ages and experience an opportunity to enjoy time in the wetlands, ahead of the regular duck season. Only teal are legal during this season and shooting hours are from sunrise to sunset, which is different than the regular duck seasons. The daily bag limit is six teal; blue-winged, green-winged or cinnamon teal, combined.

Hunters are required to have the state migratory game bird fee and federal duck stamp, in addition to their hunting license and habitat fee. Hunters are reminded to register for HIP (Harvest Information Program) before hunting migratory game birds (ducks, geese, mourning doves, snipe, rail and woodcock). HIP is an annual registration that is available through the Go Outdoors Iowa app, or through the Go Outdoors Iowa webpage. Hunters will need to save the HIP registration number to their phone or write it on their paper license.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Sunday, Aug. 25, 2024

Weather

August 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: HEAT ADVISORY in effect from 1-until 8-p.m. Sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 109. South winds around 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 73. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: HEAT ADVISORY FROM 1-UNTIL 8-P.M.; Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. South southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Tue. Night: A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms; Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low was 65. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 92, and the Low was 69. The Record High in Atlantic on Aug. 25th, was 105 in 1936. The Record Low was 37, in 1908. Sunrise – 6:38. Sunset – 8:06.