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Forney Lake management is topic of June 4 public meeting

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Hamburg, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), next month, is hosting a public meeting to discuss past and future management of the 1,317-acre Forney Lake Wildlife Area. The meeting takes place June 4th, from 6-8 p.m., at the Wa-Shawtee Lodge within Waubonsie State Park, located at 2635 Wa-Shawtee Rd., northwest of Hamburg.

Staff with the Iowa DNR will give a presentation on Forney Lake, and then listen to comments and concerns from the public.

If you have special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, please contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

AI is being used to test diabetic veterans for eye degeneration

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Artificial intelligence or A-I could play a larger role in caring for Iowa’s 182-thousand military veterans. Dr. Mahsaw Mansoor is a resident physician at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Through her work in the Veterans Affairs health care system, she says they’re testing the use of A-I technology to recognize eye degeneration in people with diabetes, all without a physician being present.

Mansoor says, “If we can deconstruct that work, especially in a state like Iowa where the majority are coming from rural areas, small towns, I think it’s hard to imagine a reality where we are not going to be improving the status quo.” Mansoor made her comments during a hearing Monday in Iowa City that was called by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who chairs a House subcommittee that looks at veterans’ healthcare. Miller-Meeks, who was an ophthalmologist before going to Congress, says she supports tools that can get Iowans the care they need, especially given the state’s shortage of health care workers.

“You want to have access to healthcare, even if you live in a rural area, so how do you do that,” Miller-Meeks says, “and one of the ways to do that is to leverage AI.” During the hearing, Mansoor said the V-A is also testing the use of A-I to flag veterans who might be at higher risk of suicide.

Heartbeat Today 5-14-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

May 14th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Sheryl Burroughs about the opening of the new season at the Cass County Historical Museum in Griswold.

Play

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals Reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

May 14th, 2024 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .19″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .11″
  • Massena  .42″
  • Elk Horn  .08″
  • Bridgewater  1″
  • Villisca  1.55″
  • Logan  .18″
  • Clarinda  1.15″
  • Shenandoah  1.05″
  • Creston  .59″

Red Oak man arrested on Assault/Weapon charges

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak say a man was arrested this (Tuesday) morning in the 200 block of W. Washington Avenue. 35-year-old Chase Michael Samples, of Red Oak, was taken into custody at around 5-a.m., for Domestic Abuse Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon – an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Samples were being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Camper self-destructs, causes Union County accident

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – An accident Sunday afternoon on eastbound Highway 34 in Union County caused an estimated total $7,000 damage, but no one was injured. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Department, 59-year-old Michael Joe Podliska, of Ottumwa, was driving a 2023 GMC Acadia SUV that was pulling a camper trailer. When Podliska went to pass a vehicle, the camper blew apart and hit both sides of the SUV. The top of the camper came apart and separated from the bottom part of the trailer.

Authorities say Podliska was able to drive away. The camper and trailer were later picked-up, and towed away.

Iowa Food Pantries Receive $43,000 Worth of Food from Pork Producers

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, IOWA – Pork producers across Iowa donated more than $43,000 worth of pork to local food pantries during the past few months. It was done in conjunction with the Pork in the Pantry program, organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). Now in its second year, Pork in the Pantry provides funding of up to $1,000 to each county pork producer organization that participates. Counties are responsible for purchasing the pork and donating it, and IPPA reimburses them. This year, 38 county producer organizations participated in Pork in the Pantry. IPPA President Matt Gent says “Food insecurity remains a major issue in Iowa and these donations to local food pantries will help. Pork producers care a lot about their communities, and this is one of the many ways we show it.”

Along with donating much-needed protein to local food pantries, many county producer organizations purchased the pork from local vendors. So not only is Pork in the Pantry helping those in need, the program is also supporting local businesses. Food pantries are frequently short of meat products, so this is a great way to get nutritious protein into the diets of food-insecure Iowans. Iowa Food Bank Association Executive Director Linda Gorkow says “Hunger is rising in Iowa,” and “This Pork in the Pantry program is an incredible opportunity to ensure greatly needed protein is provided to families, individuals and seniors who don’t have enough food to eat. Protein is one of the highest requested items at food banks and pantries across the state so every ounce of the pork donated to the pantries serving Iowans will make an incredible impact.”

The $43,000 worth of pork will provide an estimated 55,000 servings of protein for Iowans who are facing food insecurity. Last year’s Pork in the Pantry program resulted in more than $40,000 worth of pork being donated to local food pantries.

Among the county pork producer organizations that participated in Pork in the Pantry in 2024, were those in Adair, Adams, Madison, Page, Ringgold and Taylor Counties.

Vision Atlantic Spearheads Transformative Economic Development Project in Atlantic, Iowa

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  An official with Vision Atlantic, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, says the organization is at the forefront of driving economic development within Atlantic. With a strategic focus on housing, childcare and quality-of-life enhancements, the organization operates under the guidance of a seven-member board. The late Bob Camblin serves as co-founder and honorary board member. Vision Atlantic Board President Christina Bateman, says “Our mission is to empower growth, enhance lives and create a thriving community together. We’re poised to transform Atlantic for generations to come.”

Bateman said after thorough research with community partners over recent years, Vision Atlantic has identified three critical areas that are pivotal for stabilizing and enhancing Atlantic’s population: expanding housing, childcare facilities, and amenities. Collaborative efforts with community stakeholders, generous donors, and foundational support channel an estimated $75.5 million into these vital projects. This includes $48 million directed towards new housing, $11.5 million for a state-of-the-art childcare center and $16 million for the expansion of the current YMCA facility.

Contributions towards a $30 million fundraising goal have been robust, with over $7.6 million pledged by local donors. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation has committed a remarkable $8.6 million, significantly supporting the childcare center and YMCA expansion. An additional transformative pledge of $23 million from the Foundation will serve as the catalyst, igniting the rapid development of new housing in the community.

Steve Wild, President of the Charles E. Lakin Foundation, says “Atlantic isn’t just waiting for a brighter future, they’re building it. Our investment and Vision Atlantic’s bold leadership are the catalysts propelling this community into an era of prosperity.” Bateman said “We are extremely grateful to the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and all our local businesses and residents who have already committed financial support to help make this once-in- a-lifetime project a reality.”

Under the leadership of President Christina Bateman, Vice-President Nick Hunt, Secretary Melissa Ihnen, Treasurer Debbie Waterbury and directors Keith Harlan, Jessie Shiels and Liz Hunt-Reid, Vision Atlantic has established a project committee. The team of community leaders has worked diligently over the past year to bring the project to fruition. The committee chairs include: Christina Bateman, Dan Haynes, Nick Hunt, Paul Gude, Duane Acker, Bailey Smith, Bob Sharp, Keith Harlan, Liz Hunt-Reid, Billie Hoover, Debbie Waterbury, Ted Robinson, Brad Henningsen, Jill Euken, Ardith Gillepsie, Dianna Williams, Jackie Sampson and Nick Zimmer.

The committee is currently looking for volunteers to join this transformative project. If you are interested in contributing to the growth and development of Atlantic, please contact Christina Bateman at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Your involvement can make a significant difference.

Vision Atlantic remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing a vibrant future for Atlantic, fostering a community where economic growth and quality of life go hand in hand.

Next Honor Flight for Iowa veterans is set for May 22nd

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Several dozen veterans from 55 Iowa counties will board a chartered jet for a trip to Washington D-C next week on the region’s latest Honor Flight. Mary Lou Walker, who serves on the Brushy Creek Honor Flight committee, says they’ll spend the day visiting memorials. “The first ones that we’ll go to will be Lincoln, Korean and Vietnam. Then they will arrive at the World War Two Monument. They will also visit Arlington National Cemetery, observe the changing of the guard, and then go for Iwo Jima Monument after that point. They also will visit the Air Force Memorial.”

Walker says they’ll have 163 people on the trip, including all of the veterans, medical personnel and support staff. She notes many of the veterans who will be on this flight served in one of two conflicts. “We have Korean veterans, and people that are in between Korea and Vietnam, and Vietnam veterans,” she says, “so we’re talking anybody between June of 1950 through May 7th of 1975.”

Image from honorflight.org.

The charter will fly out of Fort Dodge Regional Airport early on the morning of May 22nd and return home late that night. The group’s next Honor Flight is scheduled for September 18th.

Crop progress slowed again this past week by wet conditions

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Planting progress was slowed again last week by wet conditions. The U-S-D-A crop report says there just two days suitable for field work due to the rain. The amount of corn planted went from 47 to 57 percent — which is now one week behind last year — after being just two days back the week before. Soybean planting moved from 30 to 39 percent complete, and is now also one week behind last year’s pace.

While the rain has slowed planting, it has helped continue to push back the drought conditions. D-N-R Hydrologist Tim Hall says the timing of the rain has been important. “We haven’t gotten you know a month’s worth of rain in one day. We’ve had several significant rainfall events that have been spaced out far enough so that moisture has time to get into the system,” Hall says. He says there has been some flooding, but the lack of soil moisture has kept that down. “The fact that the soil has been very dry has really taken the hard edge off some of the flooding,” he says.

The U-S-D-A weekly report shows 92 percent of topsoil moisture is now adequate or at a surplus — compared to 73 percent that showed adequate or surplus moisture one week ago.