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Puppy mill update: Eight Iowa breeders or kennels cited for violations

News

May 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Ames, Iowa) – Eight Iowa dog breeders or kennels were cited for federal regulatory violations during the first quarter of 2024. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports two of the Iowa operators cited for violations were also the subject of criminal referrals by the Iowa-based animal-welfare group Bailing Out Benji, the organization that compiles quarterly data on violators throughout the nation.

Bailing Out Benji reported that between January and March, eight Iowa breeders or kennels were cited for violations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. During that same period, 16 Wisconsin kennels or breeders — the most of any state — were cited for violations. Other states with a significant number of violators included Missouri, with 11, and Pennsylvania, with nine.

In terms of the number of violations cited, Iowa ranked second with 19 violations in the first quarter. Missouri ranked first with 21 violations, according to Mindi Callison of Bailing Out Benji. She noted that 37% of the violations in Iowa during the quarter pertained to veterinary care, the attending veterinarian or inadequate veterinary care. “That can be compared to the national number of 29.19% for those same violations,” she said.

A dog photographed by offficials from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the Iowa kennel operated by Dennis and Donna Van Wyk in 2017. (USDA photo courtesy of Bailing Out Benji)

Among the Iowa breeders cited for violations in the first three months of 2024, was William Davenport, Afton – During a Feb. 5 USDA inspection, Davenport was cited for one violation pertaining to veterinary care. The inspector reported that for the two most recent litters of puppies, there were no records of internal parasite medications being administered, and vaccination records were missing for one of the litters. At the time of the inspection, Davenport had 29 dogs and three puppies on hand. Davenport was also cited for violations in 2022 and 2023.

Other breeders in the report included:

  • Wuanita Swedlund, of Cantril
  • Larry Albrecht of Coldwater Kennel, Greene
  • Dennis and Donna Van Wyk of Prairie Lane Kennels, of New Sharon
  • Ed Van Doorn of Squaw Creek Kennels, of Barnes City
  • Heath Meyers of Century Farm Puppies, in Grundy Center
  • Helene Hamrick of Wolf Point Kennel, in Ackworth
  • Ida and Sarah Kauffman of Sunset Grove Kennels (aka Backyard Kennels), of Hazleton.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Thursday, May 9th, 2024

Weather

May 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy w/a 50 chance of showers & possible thunderstorms this afternoon. High near 65. N/NE winds 10-20 mph.
Tonight: Showers & thunderstorms ending late; gradually becoming mostly clear. Low 41.
Friday: Mo. sunny w/a very slight chance of showers late in the day. High near 72. W/NW winds 5-15 mph w/gusts to near 20.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 75.
Sunday: Partly sunny w/a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms. High near 78.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 79. Our Low this morning, 45. We received .01″ (One-one hundredth) of an inch of rain yesterday. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 74 and the Low was 56. The Record High was 96 in 1985. The Record Low was 24 in 1980. Sunrise: 6:08. Sunset: 8:26.

Atlantic Trojans Boys Soccer Team is Preparing For Final Two Regular Season Matches

Sports

May 9th, 2024 by admin

The Atlantic Trojans boy’s soccer team is coming off a 4-1 non-conference loss to Thomas Jefferson last Thursday. The Trojans lost 4-1 Kuemper Catholic in a Hawkeye Ten Conference on Tuesday after having a few weather delays.

The Atlantic boys are currently 3-10 overall and 0-5 in the Hawkeye Ten with only two regular season matches remaining.

The Trojans took a 1-0 lead against Thomas Jefferson but ended up surrendering four unanswered goals last week

Trojans Coach Mark Anderson was impressed by the way his team played against Kuemper Catholic despite a few weather delays.

The Trojans found out recently they will host a first round Class 3A-Region 5 Substate match against Winterset next Tuesday.

Coach Anderson talked about their upcoming Hawkeye Ten Conference regular season matchup against Harlan.

The Trojans next soccer match will be (Tonight) May 9th when they take on Harlan in a Hawkeye Ten Conference regular season matchup in Harlan. That match will get underway at 6:30 p.m.

 

Griswold Tiger Girls Track season update with Coach Rachel Larson

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

The Griswold Tigers girls track team has been having a great season. The Tigers finished 2nd place in the Corner Conference with 112 points and finished in 4th place in their recent meet at the Southwest Valley CO-ED, where they finished with 75 points.

The Griswold girls have been breaking some personal records this season according to coach Rachel Larson.

Coach Larson commented on how well the team did at the Corner Conference meet.

The Tigers broke more personal records at the Southwest Valley May CO-ED Meet as they are heading into their district meet.

The Griswold girls have been preparing for their state qualifying meet.

The Tigers next track meet will be Thursday May 9th in the Class 1A-State Qualifying Meet in Tabor. That meet will start at 4:00 p.m.

Atlantic School Board meeting notes(5/8/24)

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met in a regular monthly session this (Wednesday) evening at the High School Media Center. Under the Action Items portion of their agenda, the Board approved the following:

  • Renewing a Memorandum of Understanding with Family Connections for another year.
  • A Green Hills AEA agreement for paid (managed) services.
  • A proposed, modified agreement with the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, re: The Early Childhood Center, Wickman Center, etc., spaces, through the end of  the 2024-25 School Year. The agreement must also approved by the YMCA’s Board of Directors.
  • An i-JAG agreement. The District has had an agreement with i-Jag for two-years.
  • The Board approved an Operational Sharing agreement for the 2024-25 School Year, with the Griswold CSD for a Transportation Director. ACSD Transportation Director Steve Anderson will split his services 80-20 between the Districts. Griswold has already approved the continued sharing agreement.
  • and Sharing Agreements for Boys and Girls Sports: Swimming and Soccer.

The Atlantic School Board also approved the resignations of:  Troy Roach – Speech & Debate Coach (effective 6/30/24, not June 1st, as the previous agenda had indicated), and Caleb Winters, Special Education Para (effective at the end of the current school year).

They also approved Contract Recommendations for the 2023-24 School Year: Makenna Askeland – MS Softball Coach (Summer 2024); Tina Franken – Summer Lunch Position (6/2024 & 7/2024); Terry Hinzmann – Summer Credit Recovery; and Kay Schmitt – Transportation & oversee Voc. Rehab.

And, they approved other Contract Recommendations, for the 2024-25 School Year, include: Jim Brauer – HS Sped Teacher; Amber Moore – 7th Grade Volleyball Coach, Fall 2024, along with Athletic Volunteer Coaches, including: Baseball – Josh McLaren & Darby McLaren, Softball – Bob Gross; and MS Softball Volunteer Coach – Paul Kite.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen spoke about the Home School Program and School Board Recognition month. She said Linda Nichols – CPI/Home School Coordinator – is retiring, so her position is being moved to Cara Andersen. She is currently serving one-quarter time until next year, when she will serve three-quarters time. The full-time (FTE) home school teacher positions will stay the same, according to Dr. Johnsen. She said the home school program continues to grow, with kids being added every year.

With May being School Board month, Dr. Johnsen thanked members of the Atlantic School Board for everything they do.

Board Member Gini Jordan was pleased to report negotiations between the District and its Certified/Non-Certified Staff appear to be going well.

Late last month, the Atlantic Education Association and the Atlantic School District presented proposals for contracts for the next two to three years during a special meeting. Association members proposed a 9% total package increase for the first year, and district officials proposed a 9.27% salary increase.

Lisa Jones, Director of Finance/Board Secretary, said the District’s financials “look really good.” The District is nearly finished with the current fiscal year, she said, with only this month and next remaining. That means they are finishing-up with the little things that need to be purchased yet this year and thinking about their needs for next year.

(Jones said with regard to nutrition, they are still encouraging those who owe money on their lunch accounts to get payments turned in before the end of the school year.) And, while many in the community have reached out and donated to help the lunch account…

(Jones said there’s still a need, “and so we’re asking those parents to find a way to finish that off or set-up a payment plan of some sort….so they’re not coming into next year with a negative balance, because that does roll over…and that’s not how we want the students to start their year.”)

The Board approved: a five-cent increase in Nutrition Meal Prices for 2024-25; Trash, Milk and Bread bids for 2024-25; and, Student Fees, rates and charges. The fees remain unchanged from last year. The JMC portal will have an application for free-and-reduced lunches, according to Finance Director Lisa Jones.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Austin Sonntag reported to the Board the Storage Building project at the High School, that began last year, is in the process of wrapping-up. The final pay application amounts to $3,739.80. The Board passed a Resolution accepting the work on the building.

The Board’s next meeting (A Special Session for to ratify the bargaining agreement with District Certified Staff) will take place May 15th. A Work Session was set for May 22nd.

Iowa State Trooper (former Red Oak & Glenwood Police officer) loses her battle with cancer

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol, Wednesday (Today), announced on social media, that one of their Troopers has lost her battle with cancer. The Patrol says “It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Trooper Rose Ives’ (ISP #191) passing. Throughout her battle with cancer, she displayed immense strength and bravery until the very end. Trooper Ives was an essential part of District 3 (Council Bluffs) and the Iowa State Patrol, setting a shining example of what it means to be a State Trooper.”

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Rose Ives served with District 3 in southwest Iowa.  Before joining the ISP, Ives served the Red Oak and Glenwood communities as a police officer.

The Patrol says “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends as they navigate through this difficult time.” Arrangements for Trooper Ives are pending at this time.

Iowan sees dream of baseball book come true

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A central Iowa T-V sportscaster has realized a life-long dream with the publishing of a book that makes youth baseball a life or death proposition. Scott Reister says the book “Baseball Spy” features a kid named Zane who is trying to find a deadly spy on his team before things go wrong. “And if he doesn’t keep winning kuh-blammi everything goes down so literally in Baseball Spy the book it’s life or death Little League is life or death,” Reister says. Reister says the idea for the story came from his own baseball experience.

“Maybe I was 11 or 12 and I’m about to bat and in this pressure situation, I felt all these eyes on me and I thought, man, it’s not like it’s life or death, right?,” he says. “And then I started thinking, what if it was, what if I didn’t get this hit? Then there’s some bad guy out there about to blow everything up. And I always thought that’d be the coolest idea for a book or a movie, and I never really did anything about it. And I started thinking about if I ever wrote a book that was it, and I finally dedicated myself to figuring out how to write a book.” While the book’s plot includes spies and potential destruction, he says it’s a thriller that adults or kids would like.

“I would say if you’re about that fourth grade age anything younger than that be hard to kind of grasp the plot, but adults love it, kids love it, it’s a great gift especially if you have kids playing baseball, Reister says. He says the book has sold well already and says the plot keeps everyone interested. “There’s two major twists in the story that kind of propel the story forward, and then the end is so exciting, all heck breaks loose in the very end scene,” he says.

Reister had done a lot of writing as a sportscaster, but had to learn a whole new set of skills to write the book. It took him six years to get the book published and he has this advice for anyone who wants to give it a try. “As long as you’re willing to wait and not give up and seek as much advice as possible. And also take your time before you send it to literary agents, you know, you only get one shot at it to write that pitch letter to these agents,” Reister says. “So unless you know you’ve spent all that time on the book, and it’s as good as it can possibly be, don’t rush it. Take your time, get it completely ready, and then start to begin that process.”

Reister’s patience paid off and he now has a deal for two more books, with the ending of “Baseball Spy” setting up the second book, “Football Spy.” He has been busy doing signings are little leagues in central Iowa. You can find the book on Amazon and other book sellers.

Here are some of the upcoming book signings:
Saturday 5/11 3:00-5:00 Barnes and Noble (Jordan Creek)
Tuesday 5/21 6:30-8:00 Beaverdale Books
Saturday 6/8 11:30-1:30 Barnes and Noble (University Clive)
Saturday 6/29 10-12 Urbandale Public Library

Ernst says Biden must explain delay in shipping arms to Israel

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is blasting the Biden Administration for putting a hold on the shipment of 3500 bombs to Israel.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,” Ernst said. “Withholding any support from Israel is literally appeasing Iran-backed Hamas terrorists while they are still holding our Americans hostage and so I am demanding answers for why the administration is turning its back on Israel and preventing it from defending itself.”

Ernst and a fellow Republican senator returned to the U.S. Tuesday after meeting with allies in the Middle East, including Israeli government officials. “We have yet to hear from the (Biden) Administration on the true reasons why they have stopped these weapons shipments,” Ernst said.

During testimony at a U.S. Senate hearing today, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the U.S. had put a hold on a shipment of weapons and that U.S. assistance to Israel could change if there’s a major Israeli operation in Rafah, a major city in southern Gaza. Ernst said the delay in providing military assistance to Israel runs counter to President Biden’s own declarations.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), Israeli PM Netanyahu, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) (photo provided by offices of Budd & Ernst)

“He had stated a while back that his support of Israel was iron clad, so he’s either misleading the people of Israel or he’s just certainly lying to Americans,” Ernst said. “…Hamas is the enemy, not Israel.”

A month ago, congress approved a package that included $26 billion in aid to Israel. Ernst indicated it’s not clear if this delayed shipment is part of that. Ernst said if these are weapons Israel has paid for, “which is often the case,” then they need to be delivered.

“There have been a number of responses again through the media because he has not been forthcoming with any information stating, ‘Oh, it’s a paperwork issue,’ but we’ve also heard, ‘Oh, the president has concerns about the operations in Rafah,’ which is why he stopped those weapons and munitions,” Ernst said, “so we’re seeking clarity, we’re seeking transparency.”

During her Middle East trip, Ernst met with Kurdish allies in Iraq. She also visited American soldiers at U-S installations in Syria and the United Arab Emirates. Israel was the final stop and Ernst met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other Israeli government leaders and the families of Hamas hostages.

“We still have eight Americans that are held hostage, three of whom we know are deceased,” Ernst said. “We really want to see the return of our five American hostages.”

Ernst said too many Americans have forgotten what happened in Israel on October 7, 2023.

Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Four Counties Impacted by Recent Severe Weather

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for four counties in response to severe weather that occurred on May 6. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Clarke, Marion, O’Brien, and Pottawattamie. 

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.   

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.    

Skeletal remains found in Pott. County

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Council Bluffs Police Department reports that at around 10:10-a.m. today (May 8, 2024), Pottawattamie County Communications received a phone call from a subject who had found skeletal remains. The caller had found the remains while walking in the area north of Veterans Memorial Hwy and E. Manawa Dr. Officers responded and found a skeletal torso that is believed to be human in nature.

The remains appeared to have been exposed to the elements for some time due to the state they were found in. At this time, there is no means to identify the remains. The cause of death is unknown, and the gender of the remains is not confirmed at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. The remains will be sent to the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

Authorities say it may take several weeks to learn an identity associated with the found remains.