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Funds sought to help repair tornado-damaged Minden American Legion Bldg.

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MINDEN, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The tornado that struck Minden on April 26 damaged homes and businesses, and knocked over part of the American Legion Post. Now, there are appeals for funds to help the repair the building.

Post 437 had no insurance, and to repair the ceiling and wall damaged by the tornado, it will take approximately 50-60 thousand dollars.

The Minden American Legion Post sustained heavy damage to the building causing wall and ceiling collapse. Dean Olson, Commander of the Legion Post 437 said they have been talking to a contractor – who is also a veteran, and known for his construction skills – who can repair the fallen wall, reinforcing it, making it better than ever.

People wanting to contribute to rebuild the Legion Hall can send their checks to the Minden Legion directly. Their address is 211 Broadway St. Minden, Iowa 51553.

Perry School District rename basketball court in honor of beloved principal killed in Jan. 4 shooting

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Jan. 4 school shooting is likely something Perry schools and the community will never forget, but through that grief, the district is choosing to honor a beloved staff member who died that day. Monday night, the Perry School Board voted to rename the court in the high school gymnasium in honor of Dan Marburger, the high school principal who lost his life in the tragedy.

Dan Marburger (Perry Community School District photo)

The Perry School Board voted to approve the resolution to name the gym court at its meeting Monday night.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Tue., May 14, 2024

Weather

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 73. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tomorrow: A chance of showers & thunderstorms, otherwise partly sunny. High near 72. E/SE @ 5-10 mph.

Tom. Night: Showers/thunderstorms. Low around 54.

Thursday: P/Sunny w/a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 76.

Friday: P/Sunny to Sunny, w/a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms. High near 79.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 65. Our Low this morning was 49. We received .19″ of rain, Monday, at KJAN. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 74 and the Low was 52. The Record High for May 14th was 97 in 2013. The Record Low was 29 in 1937. Sunrise: 6:03. Sunset: 8:31.

Feenstra’s GOP opponent says federal gov’t should have been shut down to force border security

News

May 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Republican who’s challenging Congressman Randy Feenstra in next month’s G-O-P Primary says Feenstra is not conservative enough to represent the fourth district. Kevin Virgil cites Feenstra’s support for the six budget bills that passed the House in March.

“He refused to stand with the conservative Republicans in congress and force the federal government to shut down as a way to force the corrupt Biden Administration to close the border,” Virgil said. Virgil grew up on an O’Brien County farm and served in the Army. He joined the C-I-A after 9/11 and, after leaving the agency, Virgil founded a software firm that has won multi-million dollar contracts with the U-S Defense Department. In December, Virgil moved from New York to his family’s century farm near Sutherland.

“I’ve always come back to Iowa frequently with my kids just because we enjoy the farm and we’ve maintained close contact with our family and friends and neighbors,” Virgil said. “…One of the reasons I decided to run for congress is because the…biggest threat our country faces isn’t necessarily from abroad, but it’s a federal government that is completely out of control.”

Virgil made his comments at the Iowa G-O-P State Convention. Virgil supports “drastic measures” to reduce the federal government’s budget, power and authority. Virgil says Feenstra failed to support limits on a program federal intelligence agencies say is used to disrupt terrorist activities and cyber attacks.

“Last month he voted against an amendment that would have required the federal government to get a warrant to spy on you and your families,” Virgil said. “That’s a direct violation of the Fourth Amendment.”

Feenstra, who is seeking a third term in the U-S House, says he supported the national security legislation because due to Biden’s failed foreign policy our enemies no longer fear us and our allies no longer trust us. The June Primary is three weeks from today (Tuesday).

High School Boys Golf District Results

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CLASS 1A DISTRICT AT CAM 

State qualifiers: 1. Sidney 323, 2. MMCRU 329

Other scores: 3. East Mills 329,

4. CAM 330

7. Mount Ayr 340

8. Audubon 344

Area individual state qualifiers: 1. Chase Jahde, CAM (69), 2. Keith Thompson, Hamburg (72)

IOWA CLASS 1A DISTRICT AT GEHLEN CATHOLIC 

State qualifiers: 1. Boyden-Hull 305, 2. Gehlen Catholic 315

IOWA CLASS 2A DISTRICT AT PANORAMA 

State qualifiers: 1. Panorama 303, 2. Pella Christian 305, 3. Treynor 322

Area individual state qualifiers: 8. Jade Spangler, Shenandoah (77)

Monday High School Boys Soccer Scores

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Substate Scores

Class 1A

Kuemper Catholic 7, Logan-Magnolia 0
East Sac County 6, AHSTW 3
Columbus Catholic 2, Cedar Valley Christian 1
Denver 4, Garner Hayfield Ventura
Cascade 1, Clayton Ridge 0
Postville 5, Monticello 1
Beckman Catholic 10, MFL MarMac 0
Bellevue 2, Prince of Peace 1
Central Lee 3, WACO 1
Danville 3, Columbus 1
Pella Christian 2, Albia 1
West Central Valley 3, PCM 0
Des Moines Christian 8, Grand View Christian 0

Class 2A

Boden-Hull/Rock Valley 3, MOC-Floyd Valley 2
Hampton Dumont 7, South Tama 0
Clear Lake 10, Charles City 0
West Delaware 3, Vinton Shellsburg 2
Solon 6, New Hampton 1
Wahlert Catholic 4, Anamosa 0
Maquoketa 3, Independence 2
Keokuk 4, Mount Pleasant 3
Burlington Notre Dame 10, Wapello 0
Chariton 2, Fairfield 1
Greene County 11, Panorama 1
Creston 2, Red Oak 0

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder retires

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder is retiring after 24 years as the Hawkeye’s head coach and her long-time assistant Jan Jensen is now leading the program.

Former Iowa star Caitlin Clark on WNBA opener

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Five weeks after closing her college career in the NCAA championship game former Iowa star Caitlin Clark will play her first WNBA regular season game Tuesday night when her Indiana Fever visit the Connecticut Sun. The two-time national player of the year averaged 16 and-a-half points in two exhibition games.

Clark is ready for the season to start.

Indiana will be challenged by a talented Connecticut team that finished 27-13 last season. The Fever struggled to 13 wins in 2023.

Bluder Announces Retirement; Jensen named Head Coach

Sports

May 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Lisa Bluder announced on Monday her retirement from coaching after 40 years as a collegiate head coach, including 24 at the University of Iowa.

Jan Jensen, who has served the last 20 years as the associate head coach under Coach Bluder, has been named the program’s sixth head coach by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. Jensen has more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, working alongside Bluder the past 24 years at Iowa and eight at Drake University.

“It is bittersweet news for all of us who love the University of Iowa and who have incredible admiration and respect for what Coach Bluder has accomplished and for how she did it. Lisa has left an indelible mark on this program, touched countless lives, and brought joy to all who know and love the Hawkeyes. Words can’t appropriately express the gratitude I share with so many for the impact she has made on the game of women’s basketball and the University of Iowa.” said Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. “While we are saddened that she will no longer lead our young women on the court, we are thankful for what she has given to all of us and are comforted knowing she will continue to be our biggest champion and fan.”

Among her many accolades, Bluder was named the Naismith Coach of the Year (2019), was a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2001, 2008, 2010), four-time regional coach of the year (2001, 2008, 2018, 2019), and the Carol Eckman Award winner (2015) in addition to being an inductee into the Des Moines Register Hall of Fame (2016), the Quad City Times Hall of Fame (2012), the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame (2008) and the Northern Iowa Hall of Fame (2000). Bluder amassed 884 career wins, 10th most in NCAA women’s basketball history.

“I am thrilled to share with you that current Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen has agreed to become the next P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach. This program has always been about family, and the contributions to its incredible culture are shared by alums, current, student-athletes and the entire staff. One of those contributors has been in the team circle for 24 years as a tireless recruiter, skilled teacher of the game, and charismatic personality that has endeared her to the Hawkeye community. Coach Jensen has been an instrumental part of our success, assisting in all aspects of the program. After several conversations with Coach Bluder and President Wilson over the last few days, it is clear that everything that we are seeking in a head coach, we have found right here.”

Bluder was named head coach at the University of Iowa in 2000 and retires as the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history with an overall record of 528-254 and a Big Ten record of 262-145. Under her leadership, the Hawkeyes advanced to the last two National Championship Games and made 22 postseason appearances overall (18 NCAA and 4 WNIT), including 14 of the last 16 NCAA Tournaments. Bluder led the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, and two shared Big Ten regular season championships.

Under her tutelage, Hawkeye players were named the National Player of the Year three times with two others named consensus All-Americans. Three different players were named the Big Ten Player of the Year and also three different players recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Sixty-five Hawkeyes earned All-Big Ten honors. Seventeen former Hawkeyes went on to play professionally. In the classroom, her student-athletes were named Academic All-Big Ten more than 150 times, while Ally Disterhoft (2016, 2017) and Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024) were both recognized as the Academic All-American of the Year.

Bluder began her coaching career as head coach at St. Ambrose University for six seasons (1985-90) followed by a 10-year head coaching stint at Drake (1991-2000). Bluder and the Bulldogs won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000) and three regular season titles (1997, 1998, 2000).

“It has been the honor of my career to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye family, and to lead a women’s basketball program filled with so many talented and remarkable young women, who have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives,” said Bluder. “There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established. I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”

Jensen, helped guide Iowa to 22 postseason appearances, including 18 NCAA Tournaments, will enter her 25th year as a Hawkeye coach in 2024-25. Jensen was instrumental in mentoring the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, including three straight, and sharing two regular season conference championships. Jensen and the Hawkeyes advanced to back-to-back National Championships (2023, 2024), and made the Elite Eight three times (2019, 2023, 2024) and the Sweet 16 five times (2015, 2019, 2023, 2024).

She began her coaching career at her alma mater in 1993 as an assistant to Coach Bluder, winning four MVC Tournament and three regular season championships (1997, 1998, 2000) on the Drake coaching staff.

Jensen quickly gained attention for her recruiting prowess and development of post players. Jensen and the Hawkeye recruiting classes consistently rank among the nation’s elite. Since arriving in Iowa City, she has been integral in attracting top recruits to the University of Iowa, including McDonald’s All-Americans (Samantha Logic, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and Caitlin Clark) and developing and maintaining consensus All-Americans Samantha Logic, Megan Gustafson, Kathleen Doyle and Caitlin Clark. Gustafson (2019) and Clark (2023, 2024) were ultimately voted the Naismith Player of the Year.

Coach Jensen is a native of Kimballton, Iowa, and played her college ball under Coach Bluder at Drake University, earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1991, followed by a master’s degree in higher education in 1996. As a senior, she led the nation in scoring and was the Gateway Conference Most Valuable Player, a Kodak Honorable Mention All-American, a member of the All-Gateway team, and the GTE Academic All-American Player of the Year. She currently ranks fourth on Drake’s all-time scoring list, sixth in field goal percentage and eighth in rebounds, and is one of only two Drake players to have her number retired in the Knapp Center. After college, Coach Jensen played professionally in the European Professional Basketball League for BTV-Wuppertal in Germany, winning the German Cup.

Off the court, Coach Jensen has been involved in the United Way of Johnson County and was recognized as the United Way of Johnson County Volunteer of the Year. She was also a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award and was named a recipient of the `Women of Influence’ Award by the Corridor Business Journal.

“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role and want to thank President Wilson and Beth for the opportunity to lead this program. I truly love The University of Iowa and I am profoundly honored and excited to continue building on our success. The support we have in every realm from our administration, donors, alumni and fans is unmatched and I am so proud to be a part of this special university.”

Coach Jensen and her spouse, Julie Fitzpatrick, have a son, Jack, and a daughter, Janie.

NE IA man charged with attempting to murder his father

News

May 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A man from the northeast Iowa town of Winthrop is charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting his father. Thirty-two-year-old Ashton Wayne Root is accused of shooting his father on April 27th. He was arrested on Friday, 13 days after the shooting.

According to the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Root arrived at a local hospital’s emergency room with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and arm. Investigators say the father and son had been arguing for at least two days before the shooting, which happened at a home in Winthrop.