United Group Insurance

Local producer selected for Choose Iowa grant

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reports the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded nearly $250,000 in grants to help 13 Iowa farmers, businesses and non-profits increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings. Among the grant recipients, was Brun Ko Farm, owned and managed by Emily and Nathan Paulsen. The farm, located near Exira, is being awarded $15,000 toward a total project cost of $30,000, to increase vegetable production by increasing washing and storage capacity.

Naig said “Iowa agriculture is the envy of the world as our farmers continue to lead the way in producing healthy, high-quality, affordable food. It is essential that consumers have access to the Iowa-grown products they know and love. The Choose Iowa grant program makes this possible through value-added projects that help Iowans grow their businesses and access new markets. I am proud to invest in these projects that continue to position Iowa as a top place to grow, today and in the future.”

To view the entire list of Choose Iowa Marketing and Promotion grant recipients, click HERE.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Friday, March 25th, 2022

Weather

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Today: **Wind Advisory from 10-a.m. until 7-p.m.** Partly cloudy & windy. High 52. NW @ 20-35 mph+.
Tonight: Mostly clear.  Low 23. NW @ 10.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. High 49. N @ 10-15.
Sunday: P/Cldy to Cldy. High around 50.
Monday: Mo. cloudy. High 56.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 41. Our Low this morning, 33. Last year on this date the High in Atlantic was 45 and the Low was 38. The Record High on this date was 91 in 1907. The Record Low was 5 in 1894.

Wind Advisory today (Friday) from 10-a.m. until 7-p.m.

Weather

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

A WIND ADVISORY continues today for Iowa. The Advisory, for gusty northwest winds of 25-to 50-mph, is in effect from 10-a.m. until 7-p.m.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Red Flag Warning (Noon-7-pm) for counties in pink; Wind Advisory for counties in tan.

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

In addition, a RED FLAG WARNING for high wind and very low relative humidity, is in effect for Harrison and Monona Counties in our listening area, from Noon today until 9-p.m.

* Impacts…Any fires that ignite may spread rapidly, exhibit extreme behavior and be very difficult to control. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Iowa State men preview Friday night’s game against Miami

Sports

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State took to the practice floor in Chicago Thursdays afternoon in Chicago to get ready for tonight’s Midwest Regional semifinal round game against Miami. In his first season as coach T.J. Otzelberger has led the Cyclones back to the Sweet-16 after a 2-22 record a year ago.

Otzelberger says his first goal was the restore pride in the program.

Otzelberger’s wife played basketball for Iowa State and he says Ames is a perfect fit for his family.

Otzelberger says the credit goes to the players for the work ethic they established last summer.

Otzelberger says Miami’s pressure defense is designed to force turnovers and generate easy baskets.

Otzelberger says the Cyclones must limit turnovers.

ISU senior guard Izaiah Brockington says the Cyclones are enjoying the run.

ISU guard Gabe Kalscheur says defense will be the key once again.

Iowa State women play Creighton tonight (Friday night)

Sports

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State women play Creighton tonight (Friday night) in the Sweet-16 in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is the Cyclones’ first trip to a regional semifinal since 2010.

That’s ISU coach Bill Fennelly who says the Cyclones are thrilled to be part if it.

Fennelly says at the point in the tournament it is about role players stepping up.

Fennelly says a key will be defending a Creighton team that can put five guards on the court.

Fennelly does not view his third seeded Cyclones as a heavy favorite over the 10th seeded Bluejays.

On unrecorded vote, House passes temporary moratorium on land seizure requests for carbon pipelines

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has endorsed a temporary measure in response to landowner complaints about proposed carbon pipelines. Under the proposal, developers wouldn’t be able to apply for eminent domain authority to seize property for the carbon pipelines before February 1st of next year. Representative Bobby Kaufmann, a Republican from Wilton, says it’s about ensuring the negotiation process between the pipeline companies and landowners is fair.

“This is a moratorium on the ability to schedule a hearing where condemnation authority can be granted,” Kaufman says. “…It sends a message that we’re watching. It sends a message that we have expectations of how you treat landowners.” Representative Steven Hansen, a Democrat from Sioux City, says this doesn’t respond to landowners who have no desire to have the pipelines on their properties.

“We could have addressed this head on and I don’t think we are,” Hansen says. “I think people were under the impression that we were going to deal with this, this year.” House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says this should be the start of the legislature’s hard conversation about these kind of projects. “Land owner rights, public good definition, what kind of pipelines we want, what are the environment implications — all of the issues around this are critically important,” Konfrst says, “and we need to talk about them.”

Representative Kaufmann says current regulations are too vague. “Comprehensive eminent domain reform, which entails decisions and parameters set around the Iowa Utilities Board has been a priority of mine since I started here,” Kaufmann says. “…The IUB’s job is to follow what we prescribe and I’m open to changing that prescription and making it better.” Representative Chris Hall, a Democrat from Sioux City, says legislators should examine proposals now that would protect landowners.

“This is pushing the issue to next year specifically to, from my vantage point, avoid the politics and the passions that will come out on this issue prior to an election,” Hall says. On a voice vote, the House attached the temporary moratorium to a far larger budget bill that now goes to the Senate for consideration.

LYLE MILLER, 89, of Fontanelle (Graveside service 3/30/33)

Obituaries

March 25th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

LYLE MILLER, 89, of Fontanelle, died Thursday, March 24, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle. Graveside services for LYLE MILLER will be held 11-a.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at the Fontanelle Cemetery.  Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Tuesday, March 29th, from 3-until 7-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 6-until 7-p.m.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Lyle Miller Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

LYLE MILLER is survived by his brother: Merle (Bonnie) Miller, of Austin, Texas; other relatives and friends.

Ashley Joens named WBCA Region Finalist

Sports

March 24th, 2022 by admin

ATLANTA – Iowa State women’s basketball’s Ashley Joens added yet another honor to her storied senior campaign as she was named one of 52 region finalists by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Joens’ season has been anything short of stellar, averaging 20.5 points and 9.6 rebounds. She has connected on a career-best 90 3-pointers and is shooting at a career-best 37.8 percent clip. The Iowa City, Iowa native helped the Cyclones to a program record 28 wins and to the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010.

Joens was recently named a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press, becoming just the fourth Cyclone to be named to an All-America team.

Joens’ selection as a Region 3 Finalist puts her under consideration for the prestigious 10-member WBCA Coaches All-America Team, which will be announced on Thursday, March 31.

Clark, Czinano earn WBCA All-Region, Clark named Wade Trophy Finalist

Sports

March 24th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s basketball sophomore Caitlin Clark was named a Wade Trophy finalist and WBCA All-Region honoree along with senior Monika Czinano, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association announced Thursday.

The Wade Trophy — in its 45th year — is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen. The list includes Clark, South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard and Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith.

For the third time in program history, the Hawkeyes have produced two WBCA All-Region selections. Clark earns her second honor and Czinano joins the team for the first time.

Clark, a Des Moines, Iowa, native, led the nation in points per game (27.0), assists per game (8.0), total assists (257), total points (863), free throws made (200), triple doubles (5) and 30-point games (11). Clark is the only women’s basketball player to lead the country in both assists per game and points per game in a single season.

Czinano led the country for the second consecutive season in field-goal percentage (67.9), while ranking sixth in field goals made (277), 10th in total points (656), 13th in points per game (21.2) and 52nd in free-throw percentage (84.3).

Drake falls to South Dakota State at WNIT

Sports

March 24th, 2022 by admin

BROOKINGS, South Dakota — The Drake University women’s basketball team fell to South Dakota State, 84-66, in the Women’s National Invite Tournament in the round of 16 Thursday evening.

SDSU opened the game with a shot beyond the arc, to which junior forward Maggie Bair retaliated with a layup to start the first half battle.

Freshman guard Katie Dinnebier tied the game with 7:37 left in the first quarter, 7-7. The Jackrabbits quickly responded with after a pair of free throws made by Myah Selland.

The Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run to finish off the first quarter and lead 22-19.

The second quarter was a constant back and forth battle for the two teams. The game tied on two occasions with seven lead changes. Heading into halftime, the Bulldogs trailed by four. Neither team led by more than five points in the first half.

Bair opened the third quarter with a layup and steal to bring the Bulldogs within two of SDSU. She finished with her third double-double of the season, as she recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Jackrabbits took an eight-point lead, their largest at that point, with 6:58 left in the third quarter and never looked back. The Bulldogs attempted to minimize the Jackrabbits lead to a single digit, but SDSU racked up eight steals in the third quarter and 25 points to slow the Bulldogs.

Drake out-rebounded South Dakota State 35-30 and recorded 18 bench points, compared to their 10.

In the fourth quarter, Drake hit four threes to bring the Jackrabbits lead down. Junior guard Megan Meyer hit two of her four threes of the evening to bring Drake within 19.

Meyer finished with 14 points and two steals. Dinnebier added 13, in addition to five assists and two steals.

Selland added 13 points for SDSU in the second half, to finish with 21.

The Bulldogs finish the season with a 20-14 record, making Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman only the second coach in Drake history to record 20 wins in their first season.