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Injury riddled Iowa baseball prepares for stretch run

Sports

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Learfield Sports) – Iowa’s depth will be tested as the Hawkeyes get set for the stretch run of the Big Ten baseball season. Third leading hitter Kyle Huckstorf suffered a broken hand in last Friday’s game at Nebraska and is likely done for the season while second leading hitter Sam Peterson’s lower leg injury continues to flare up. He has been placed in a boot and is expected be out the rest of the year. Huckstorf and Peterson have combined fore 89 hits and 67 RBI for an Iowa team that is currently sixth in the Big Ten race with a 10-8 record. The top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller who says it will change the way the Hawkeyes generate offense.

Heller says injuries are a part of baseball and it is up to other players to step up.

Heller says the availability of starting pitcher Cade Obermueller is uncertain for Friday’s start of a Big Ten series against Northwestern. He missed last weekend’s start at Nebraska with a sore back.

The Hawkeyes are 25-17 overall and are at home late this afternoon against North Dakota State in non-conference play. The Hawkeyes close the Big Ten race next week with series at co-leader Illinois.

Iowa State OG Jarrod Hufford talks Cyclone depth

Sports

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Learfield Sports) – Iowa State offensive guard Jarrod Hufford likes the depth the Cyclones have heading into next season. A total of 18 starters return from last years team that finished 7-6 after a loss to Memphis in the Liberty Bowl.

Hufford says versatility in the offensive line is key. He spent part of spring drills working at center.

Hufford says experience showed during spring drills.

Iowa State opens next season at home on August 31st against North Dakota.

The 2024 Iowa’s Best Burger Announced

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Ankeny, IA From cheese curds to chip dust, burgers as big as dinner plates to multiple patty burgers, fresh veggies to cheeses, and sauces to spreads, this year’s Top 10 Iowa’s Best Burger restaurants had it all. The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC), today (Wednesday), announced the winner of the title of “Iowa’s Best Burger in 2024,” is JJ’s Tavern + Grill in Ankeny, Iowa.

The IBIC’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Kylie Peterson, said owners Rick and Lilia Romero and Michael Roberts, also the general manager, and Liberty Van Genderen, say JJ’s Tavern + Grill is about family. They have worked diligently to build this for their employees, but also want their customers to recognize the family vibe. Michael even went as far as to say they’d like it to have the television show Cheers, “everyone knows your name” feel. The intimate atmosphere and upscale smaller space naturally lend themselves to that feel.

The Best Burger Contest’s timing is intentional and celebrates the kickoff of Iowa’s May Beef Month. JJ’s has several beef options. The menu currently features eight smash burger selections. All look delicious, but Rick and Michael highlighted the JJ’s Smash Burger, the Brock Curdy Burger, and the Jalapeno Cheddar. Each smash burger can be a single patty or double, but for that robust beef taste.

JJ’s Smash Burger

JJ’s Smash Burger is a classic, with tavern sauce, gooey American cheese, and notably fresh lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickle. The Brock Curdy Burger is named for San Francisco 49ers quarterback and former Iowa State player, Brock Purdy. The burger is loaded, with BBQ sauce, ranch, American cheese, cheese curds, pulled pork, and bacon.

The Jalapeno Cheddar Burger is topped with tavern sauce, cheddar, bacon, and of course, jalapenos.

The competition and being named as a Top 10 contestant in Iowa’s Best Burger competition has already had a significant impact on their business. Since being named a Top 10 contestant on March 12, they went from selling 13 burgers a day to over 36 burgers a day.

JJ’s recently opened in late November 2023. They have recently added a patio for an outdoor dining experience and additional seating. Rick shared that thanks to the contest they may consider moving up plans for a second location.

This was the 15th year for the annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest and had the added excitement of allowing previous winners the chance to be nominated again. There were three previous winners in the list of Top 10 contestants. The Best Burger Contest is sponsored by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to showcase the valued partnership between Iowa’s cattlemen and food service providers through delicious burgers crafted by Iowa’s talented chefs and restaurateurs.

Eastern Iowa Honor Flight hosts 50th trip to DC

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Veterans from across Iowa are in Washington D-C today (Wednesday) as part of the 50th Eastern Iowa Honor Flight. The trip honors 99-year-old World War Two Veteran Mike Wilson. Wilson tells K-C-R-G T-V that he and his late wife Esther were happy to donate to events like the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.   “She also believed in sharing, and we always got a lot of gratitude out of the people that we shared with,” Wilson said.

Together, they donated five to six million dollars to organizations across Cedar Rapids. Wilson was drafted into the navy in August 1944. He says he wants all veterans to get the attention they deserve, especially those who served in Vietnam who didn’t get a warm welcome home. “The public kind of turned on it and made it really tough for the veterans,” Wilson said. “They didn’t have a real good welcoming cap coming home, and yet what they did was just as honorable as what anybody did in World War Two.”

Photo from https://eihonorflight.org/

Eighty-eight veterans are on the Honor Flight. Friends and family will greet them as they return to the Eastern Iowa airport around 7 p-m. for the welcoming party.

The next Honor Flight is May 28th, the day after Memorial Day. The waiting list for the Honor Flight is roughly two and a half years, with around 700 veterans currently signed up. Veterans can learn more or apply by clicking here to visit the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight’s website. The trip is free for Veterans, but guardians will have to pay to tag along.

Adair County Supervisors pass bond resolution, vacating a road, & courtyard use permit

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday (today), approved a request from Auditor Mandy Berg, for 6-month pay increases for the Courthouse Custodian and Auditor Clerk. Supervisor Jodie Hoadley said she’s “heard nothing but good things” about the two County employees. The Board also passed a Resolution to issue General Obligation Bonds, not to exceed $5-million. Auditor Mandy Berg…

On a related note, the Supervisors in Adair County passed a resolution to take additional action on the bonds, along with a resolution directing the advertising for sale of, and electronic bidding, and an Official Statement. In other business, representatives of Main Street Greenfield requested from the Board a courtyard use permit for the July 23rd RAGBRAI® event. Main Street Greenfield Executive Director Stacie Eshelman laid-out the tentative arrival plan.

Some of the support vehicles for the riders will be arriving in town the night before.

Vendors for the event will be located on the square in Greenfield, and at the park. Local vendors have dibs on where they will locate their items. The Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a permit issuance. The Adair County Supervisors held a public hearing to vacate a portion of 292nd Avenue/Lane, south of Bridgewater. Rich Hall, of Massena, who owns property in the area, asked the Board not to close the road.

Hall previously told Supervisor Jodie Hoadly, according to Hoadley, that it would decrease the value of his property, and make it harder for someone who wants to build a new home, access to the property. It’s unclear what the road is classified as. It is maintained by the County, as if it were a Level B road, even though it is not posted as such. After considerable discussion, the Board voted three-to-one to pass a resolution vacating the road, as proposed. Supervisor Hoadley was the lone no vote.

In other action, the Adair County Supervisors approved a Hungry Canyons Project agreement, contract and performance bonds. County Engineer Nick Kauffman reported on the effects of the heavy rains and hail received in the County, Tuesday evening.

Kauffman said some roads were closed overnight due to water flowing across the them.

10.2% of state job classifications require a bachelors degree

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for Governor Reynolds says just over 10 percent of state government job classifications require a bachelor’s degree. Kollin Crompton, the governor’s spokesman, is responding to State Auditor Rob Sand’s announcement that he’d collaborated with a non-profit and found 28 job classifications in state government where a four year college degree was not necessary.

Crompton says two years ago Governor Reynolds directed the state’s human resources agency to review the more than 800 unique job classifications within state government. The goal was to allow alternative requirements for employment wherever possible.

Today, just 10-point-two percent of job classifications require a bachelor’s degree. Crompton says the Reynolds Administration will continue to look for opportunities to update job requirements, making state government employment as accessible as possible to Iowans.

Grassley says Chinese money laundering of drug money a problem

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says congress must move carefully as it considers legislation to crack down on Chinese money laundering organizations. “Now is the time to make it harder for criminals to move dirty money and buy assets in the United States, not making easier,” Grassley says. “This complex money-laundering problem requires well thought-out solutions.”

Experts say underground Chinese networks are helping transfer money from Mexican drug cartels and international gangs. Just last month, five Chinese nationals were charged with money laundering after depositing money from drug deals in banks in Charlottee, North Carolina. Grassley cites a mass shooting at a medical marijuana farm in Oklahoma where workers were all Chinese nationals.

“According to Oklahoma law enforcement, 2,000 of the 3,000 licensed marijuana farms flagged for suspicious activity over the last year had a Chinese connection providing funding, labor, or both,” Grassley says. Grassley says legislation under consideration in the Senate would not adequately address money laundering by Chinese nationals and drug cartels because it assumes state and local regulations are preventing organized crime from infiltrating the U-S marijuana industry.

Hail and a tornado reported in/near Elliott Tuesday

News, Weather

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A KJAN listener sent us photo of a tornado on the ground and hail that fell, Tuesday evening, near Elliott. Thank you!

Red Oak woman arrested in Glenwood

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Glenwood Police Department reports a woman from Montgomery County was arrested on an OWI charge Tuesday. Authorities say 50-year-old Amy Batten, of Red Oak, was charged with OWI/1st offense. She posted a $1,000 bond and was released.

A Ringgold County town’s sirens that failed during tornado outbreak were working in March

News

May 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

TINGLEY, Iowa — [KCCI] – The tornado sirens in the Ringgold County town of Tingley did not sound off Friday night before a powerful tornado swept through the town of about 130 people. Ringgold County Emergency Management coordinator Melissia Stark tells KCCI the town lost power just before 7 p.m. that day. She said the sirens were triggered three separate times. But they never sounded off. Stark said the sirens were working when they were tested just last month.

Power has been restored in the town, but the siren had not been fixed as of Tuesday afternoon. Mayor Larry Jarred said he hopes to have it up and running again, soon. Jarred said the town is also going to build a concrete storm shelter. Tingley currently doesn’t have one. People in town said they were surprised they didn’t hear the sirens. One resident said he is excited about the potential of having a storm shelter. (Photos from the TingleyIowa Facebook page)

Tingley Community Bldg.

Tingley Presbyterian Church

Ringgold County Emergency Management says it’s important to have multiple ways to receive weather alerts. They recommend people sign up for Alert Iowa and pay attention to updates from the National Weather Service.