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UNI softball opens MVC series at Valparaiso on Friday

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The UNI softball team closes out the regular season with a three game Missouriu Valley Conference series against Valparaiso beginning Friday afternoon. At 16-5 the Panthers are second in the Valley race and will need help to pass conference leader Southern Illinois.

That’s UNI coach Ryan Jacobs. A factor in the league race may be the games that were not played. The Panthers were scheduled to host Indiana State back in March, but the entire series was cancelled due to weather.

Former Iowa State star Bridget Carleton previews the upcoming WNBA season with Minnesota

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Former Iowa State star Bridget Carleton is getting ready for her sixth season in the WNBA with the Minnesota Lynx. Carleton appeared in 38 games a year ago and averaged just over four points per game. She is coming of a successful season overseas in Hungary.

Carleton played for the Canadian National Team that took part in an Olympic qualifying tournament in February and is expected to be part of the team that will compete in the Paris Olympics.

The WNBA will take a month-long break for the Olympics.

An influx of talented rookies is bringing added interest into the upcoming season.

The Lynx open their preseason schedule on Friday night by hosting the Chicago Sky.

2024 Iowa Girls High School Soccer Rankings: Thursday, May 2nd

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 1A
School
Record
LW
1
Davenport Assumption
11-0
1
2
Gilbert
9-1
2
3
Des Moines Christian
9-2
3
4
Bishop Heelan
8-4
4
5
Nevada
9-4
5
6
Underwood
10-1
6
7
Denver
11-1
8
8
Hudson
11-1
7
9
Center Point-Urbana
8-0
9
10
Panorama
11-0
10
11
Treynor
10-2
11
12
Beckman Catholic
8-1
13
13
Council Bluffs St. Albert
11-2
14
14
Vinton-Shellsburg
8-2
12
15
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura
9-1
NR
 
Dropped Out: Van Meter (15)
 
Class 2A
School
Record
LW
 
1
Waverly-Shell Rock
8-0
2
2
North Polk
11-0
4
3
Norwalk
9-4
5
4
Dallas Center-Grimes
6-3
1
5
Pella
8-3
3
6
Independence
9-2
6
7
Iowa City Liberty
7-3
8
8
Lewis Central
9-4
7
9
Cedar Rapids Xavier
4-3
10
10
ADM
5-6
11
11
Spencer
9-4
9
12
Iowa Falls-Alden
8-1
12
13
Clear Creek-Amana
10-2
14
14
North Scott
7-7
13
15
Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson
9-2
15
 
Dropped Out:  None
 
Class 3A
School
Record
LW
1
Waukee Northwest
10-2
1
2
West Des Moines Valley
11-1
2
3
Ankeny
8-3
3
4
Waukee
8-3
4
5
Pleasant Valley
12-2
5
6
Ankeny Centennial
8-3
6
7
Linn-Mar
11-3
7
8
Bettendorf
7-3
8
9
Iowa City High
8-1
9
10
Southeast Polk
8-4
10
11
Iowa City West
6-3
11
12
Urbandale
5-5
12
13
Johnston
4-6
14
14
Mason City
8-1
15
15
Dubuque Hempstead
7-3
13
 
Dropped Out: None

IEDA Awards Tax Credits to Iowa Historic Preservation Projects in Carroll & Council Bluffs

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

May 2, 2024 (DES MOINES, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced over $19 million in awards to help transform 12 historic buildings. The awards were made through the Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.

“By supporting the restoration and revitalization of historic buildings, we not only preserve the architectural heritage of our communities but also breathe new life into them, creating vibrant spaces for generations to come.” said Debi Durham, director of IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program provides a state income tax credit to projects that rehabilitate underused or vacant historic buildings while maintaining the historic character-defining features that enhance neighborhoods and communities. Work completed on buildings must meet the federal Secretary of Interior Standards.

The most recent application round opened in January with approximately $19 million available for awards. IEDA received 13 applications requesting over $37 million in tax credits. Projects are scored based on readiness, financing and local support and participation. This round of awards will help to enhance historic buildings across the state including:

  • Ames: Rehabilitation of the Cranford Apartments. One of the few remaining historic structures in Campustown, this is a 1922 brick structure comprised of commercial space on the first floor and 30 apartments on the second through fourth floors. The project will upgrade mechanicals, re-establish original window openings, modify the apartments to provide new kitchens and bathroom and laundry in each unit, a workout room in the attic and renovate the first floor space for Jeff’s Pizza.
  • Carroll: Restoration of the Anne-Mar Building – Carroll Medical Center. This 1929 southwest Mediterranean architecture designed building located in the downtown area formerly housed a doctors’ clinic that served citizens outside of the hospital setting. The project involves converting the building into 12 new apartments.
  • Council Bluffs: Transformation of the Council Bluffs Federal Building and Post Office. Located at the west end of the downtown commercial corridor, this three-story building was completed in 1959. The project will convert the property into 53 apartments and helps with the city’s housing needs.
  • Dubuque: Revitalization of the Farley & Loetscher building. This project involves two buildings that formerly served as a window wood mill and furniture manufacturing facility. The buildings will be transformed into 127 apartments and mixed-use commercial/office spaces.

Download a spreadsheet with today’s awards here.

The Historic Preservation Tax Credit program is administered by IEDA. The next application round for large projects opens June 2024, with applications due September 16.  For more information on the program, visit www.iowaeda.com/historic-preservation-tax-credit/.

Construction on major thoroughfare through Iowa Great Lakes to be done by Labor Day

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa)  – A major road upgrade in the Iowa Great Lakes region is ahead of schedule. Iowa D-O-T engineer Darwin Bishop says the goal is for out-of-town motorists on Highway 71 to think everything looks normal during tourism season. “We’re on schedule to be completed with our roadway paving May 24. We might be out there for a couple of weeks after that working on driveways and sprinkler systems and sod,” Bishop says. “We’re going to go through and repaint everything through town so it looks nice for vacation season and hopefully there’s very little interruption for anybody.”

The project began LAST spring, replacing Highway 71 pavement and some sidewalks in Okoboji and Arnolds Park. “The rain has slowed us down a little bit, but we had a great start and the contractor has been doing a real good job of moving his crew around to the work that the weather conditions allow,” Bishop says, “so if it’s a little muddy and dirty, they’ll work in an area where they’re not in the dirt and then when the weather’s good, they can pave away.”

Iowa DOT map of Highway 71 in Iowa Great Lakes region

All of the road construction in the area should be done by Labor Day. Bishop says they’ll replace the adjacent sod in the spring of 2025. Highway 71 is the main thoroughfare through the Great Lakes. According to Vacation Okoboji, cell phone data indicates over 180-thousand tourists visited the area last July – about a quarter of them stayed more than six days.

Gov. Reynolds requests expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for severe weather

News, Weather

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for nine Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe weather that occurred on April 26, 2024. The governor requested funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program and the activation of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program for Clarke, Crawford, Harrison, Mills, Polk, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Shelby, and Union Counties.

Funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses access to programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.  In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

‘The letter can be read in its entirety here.

Iowa joins lawsuit over private firearm sales regulations

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa is joining a lawsuit challenging a new rule that would stop some private firearm sales. A new rule from the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms, known as ATF, would require a federal firearms dealer license for every person who sells a gun for a profit.

The change would force some private sellers to conduct background checks on potential gun buyers. The rule is set to go into effect on May 20. The filed lawsuit says the rule is unconstitutional because it is vague and circumvents Congress.

Attorneys General in 21 states are part of the lawsuit against the new ATF rule.

Iowa man arrested after allegedly flashing gun during road rage incident

News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A Cedar Rapids man was arrested after police said he flashed a handgun at a driver in a road rage incident on Interstate 380 in Johnson County on Wednesday. According to KCRG-TV, a criminal complaint says 36-year-old Shawn Pettit is charged with assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. Law enforcement said they were called by a driver heading south on I-380 near mile marker 4, saying a heavy-set, bald man driving a Chevy Silverado had flashed a handgun at them after brake-checking in front of them.

The caller told police the driver of the truck was driving “extremely fast,” well over the posted speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic. Police said they later found the truck with the same license plate number and description near the 87-mile marker on Highway 218.

According to the complaint, Pettit admitted to having a handgun in the vehicle and admitted to having the confrontation with the victim while driving fast and weaving in and out of traffic on I-380 through Johnson County.

FREYLER, KLOTZ RECEIVE NICK BASSETT PERSEVERANCE AWARD

Sports

May 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell announced Thursday that seniors Beau Freyler and Stevo Klotz are this season’s recipients of the Nick Bassett Perseverance Award.

Nick Bassett was a supporter, fan and friend not only to the Cyclone Football program, but to the entire Iowa State community. He had various health struggles from age two until he passed away in January of 2022 at 29 years old. 

Nick served as an inspiration to everyone he met. His continued positive spirit, attitude toward adversity of all kinds, ability to persevere through challenges he faced and continued support and love for those he cared about provided an illustration all people can learn from – both in the Iowa State community and around the world. Nick’s life and legacy continues to impact Iowa State’s players, staff, fans and the entire program in tremendous ways.

The award recognizes two football players annually at the conclusion of spring football practice each season. The players that earn the honor are selected based on exemplifying the characteristics of that we remember Nick by: positive spirit, perseverance and selflessness.

Freyler is a senior from Colorado Springs, Colorado, while Klotz is a redshirt senior from Chaska, Minnesota. The pair will wear a Nick Bassett Perseverance Award decal on the back of their helmets next season.

Nick Bassett Perseverance Award Recipients

2022 – Zach Ross, Tayvonn Kyle

2023 – Jake Remsburg, Gerry Vaughn

2024 – Beau Freyler, Stevo Klotz

ISU professor says it’s often unsafe for farmers to pull over to let motorists pass

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State records show about 30 percent of farm-related crashes on Iowa roads occur during April, May and June. Steven Freeman, a professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, says farmers need to make sure all lights on their equipment are working and the “slow moving vehicle” signs and reflective markers are in the right position. “That maintenance is something that will help the motorists see them,” Freeman says. Freeman says in rural areas, drivers need to exercise patience and keep their distance from farm equipment.

“Even if they have to follow farm equipment for a couple of miles, that’s just a couple of minutes out of their day,” Freeman says. “They should not try to pass because sometimes that’s not going to be safe and they should not be impatient and honking and expecting the farmer to pull over and let them by because sometimes that’s not safe.”

Freeman says the side of the road, especially a gravel road, may not support the weight of the farm equipment and pulling over to let a vehicle pass endangers the safety of the farmer. From 2017 to 2022, there were 114 vehicle accidents in Iowa involving farm equipment that caused serious injury or death. Widespread rain has likely paused planting in much of the state. The U-S-D-A estimates 39 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and about a quarter of Iowa’s soybean fields were planted by last Sunday.