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April unemployment rate drops

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The April unemployment rate dropped to 2.8% compared to 2.9% in March. Iowa Workforce Development director, Beth Townsend, says there were no major ups or downs in the month.

“Overall not a bad report, our labor force participation rate went down slightly again, We think that’s primarily due to retirements and then earlier in the year I think the decrease has been related to people going back to school,” Townsend says. Townsend says the economy shows signs of easing with several industries inching back from huge hiring sprees earlier in the year. “The job market is tightening in the sense that we did shed some jobs in April and it looks like employers are not hiring at the same rate that they were earlier in the year so that’s concerning,” she says.

Townsend says there appears to be some concern about the national economy. “You get the sense that everybody’s kind of waiting to see what happens,” she says, “there just seems to be, you know we’re not seeing big movements in hiring, we’re not seeing big layoffs either so that’s good….you know we’re in an election year and maybe that’s what’s going on,” Townsend says.

The number of unemployed Iowans decreased by 15-hundred to 47-thousand-200 in April. Workers at the Tyson pork plant in Perry are slated to lose their jobs in June, and Townsend says they are holding a job fair there today. She says they are trying to find the workers new jobs that are close. “And that’s kind of you know where we’ve been focusing our efforts is connecting and with employers in the Polk and Dallas County area,’ Townsend says. “Right now there are 165 job openings in Perry itself. Dallas County has about 1,100 job openings. Overall, Polk County has over 12,000 job openings, but we’re doing our level best to connect folks with manufacturers.” The Perry plant has some 1,300 workers.

Creston Community School District breaks ground on Panther Solar Field

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CRESTON, Iowa Officials with Alliant Energy report crews last week began construction on the Panther Solar Field in Creston. The 1.4-megawatt solar project partnership is between Alliant Energy and the Creston Community School District.  The solar project falls under the Alliant Energy® Customer-Hosted Renewables program. The company expects it will be operational in early 2025 and provide lease payments to the district for at least 20 years.

Creston School District Superintendent Deron Stender says “It has been a pleasure to partner with Alliant Energy to develop a solar garden on district property. The solar garden reflects the joint effort to support renewable energy, and provide educational opportunities and valuable resources for children, staff, Creston Schools and the community.” In addition to generating reliable, renewable energy, the Panther Solar Field will help Alliant Energy understand the benefits of placing projects on the local distribution system. With a local energy source and increased efforts to underground electric lines, Alliant Energy hopes customers see increased reliability in the community.

A similar solar field to one being constructed in Creston. This one is in Sheboygen, WI.

The school can use the approximately 2,500 solar panels as an educational opportunity for students of all ages.  Alliant Energy says the Panther Solar Field is an important part of the company’s Clean Energy Blueprint, their roadmap to diversifying its energy mix, and accelerate its transition to renewable energy. The company’s Clean Energy Vision includes a goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its utility operations by 2050.

Deere projects decline in profits due to ag-related sales

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Due to challenging market conditions, Deere and Company is reducing is prediction of profits for its current operating year. Over the past three months, net sales and revenue for Deere products worldwide were down 12 percent. Deere’s chairman and C-E-O points to a decline across the global agricultural sector. Corn and soybean prices are falling, production costs are increasing, and the U-S-D-A predicts farm income in the United States will be down over 25 percent this year.

Deere predicts sales of large farm equipment, like tractors and combines, will be down between 20 and 25 percent for the year. Still, the world’s largest farm equipment maker projects net income for its current fiscal year will be seven BILLION dollars. That’s about half a BILLION below its previous estimate.

Deere’s C-E-O says the company is managing production and inventory levels to adapt to demand. Over three-hundred workers at John Deere’s Waterloo Works were laid off indefinitely at the end of April. Last week, Deere announced 34 workers at one of its plants in Moline, Illinois would be laid off at the end of May.

ROBERT “Bob” SOTHMAN, 92, of Atlantic (Visitation 5/19/24)

Obituaries

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ROBERT “Bob” SOTHMAN, 92, of Atlantic, died Thursday, May 16, 2024, at the Heritage House, in Atlantic. A public visitation for BOB SOTHMAN, with the family present, will be from 4-until 6-p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2024, at Roland Funeral Service, in Atlantic.

Burial in the Dysart (IA) Cemetery is at 2-p.m. on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

BOB SOTHMAN is survived by:

His wife – Mary Ann (Worthington Lindeman) Sothman.

His son – Tracy (Stacey) Sothman.

9 stepchildren and spouses; 28 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; and his special friend, Larry Mitchell.

Condolences may be left online at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Artists flock to Mason City to install 20 new public sculptures

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – New sculptures are being added to the River City Sculptures on Parade display this week in downtown Mason City. It’s the 12th year of the program as artists from across the country are in town, installing their works on pedestals throughout the nearly two-mile route that winds through downtown. Sculptures on Parade director Mary Markwalter says 20 new sculptures are being installed this week. “It’s a really pretty walk, very diverse,” Markwalter says. “The artists came in for it, it was really nice, we have a lot of artists here for this install.”

Photos by Bob Fisher, KRIB

Markwalter says a key milestone of one-million dollars was recently reached with sculptures that have been purchased from the displays. She says one of the latest purchases will be placed along the city’s new trail system. “This year we had someone buy one of the sculptures that had come in, it was the little reindeer that was by Principal, and it is going on the city right-of-way on the new path that is along the old Scrip Road,” she says. “We’re kind of starting to spread out through the city, too, which I like to see that.”

One of the artists that’s new to this year’s display is Garth Hite from Wichita, Kansas. He says he’s enjoyed seeing the sculptures, the architecture and MacNider Art Museum being a big part of the community. Hite was asked him why art displays like the Sculptures on Parade are important to a community.

“It gives people a chance to think about the sculpture and what the artist was thinking about,” Hite says, “and just how people are so different, and just enjoying the beauty of each person’s interpretation of living in the living world.” Hite says he’s impressed with Mason City’s extensive display.

“They’ve had several sculptures and it’s good for all the artists out there to be able to show their work and just keep a living doing that,” he says. Maps will be available for this year’s display once the sculptures are all in place.

2024 State Track and Field Meet – Day 1 – Class 2A and 3A Session 05/16/2024

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

*Place is listed at beginning for events that have completed, Place winners and qualifiers in bold. Listed times for other events are qualifying times.

2A Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay Prelims

19th-Shenandoah (Caroline Rogers, Jenna Burdorf, Abbagale Dumler, Chloe Denton) 1:11.06

20th-Audubon (Taryn Petersen, Mattie Nielsen, Jaelynn Petersen, Michelle Brooks) 1:11.51

3A Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay Prelims

21st-Atlantic (Morgan Botos, Lila Wiederstein, Adler Bruce, Jayci Reed) 1:11.26

Girls 2A 3000M

21st-Shenandoah (Hailey Egbert) 11:24.60

Girls 3A 3000M 

4th-Harlan (Lindsey Sonderman) 10:27.58

6th-Glenwood (Grace Berglund) 10:31.86

12th-Lewis Central (Madelyn Hoss) 11:06.77

Boys 2A 3200M 

5th-Clarinda (Kyle Wagoner) 9:37.55

14th-Kuemper Catholic (Jacob Greving) 10:04.09

Boys 3A 3200M

3rd-Lewis Central, Ethan Eichorn, 9:18.35,

4th-Lewis Central, Kevin Coots, 9.18.43,

6th-Glenwood, Bryant Keller, 9:22.76,

7th-Glenwood, Andrew Smith, 9: 24.23,

Boys 3A High Jump

15th-Atlantic, Colton Rasmussen, 6-02.00

Boys 2A Long Jump 

2nd-Underwood, Mason Bootbhy, 22-00.50

14th-MVAOCOU, Tanner Dixon, 20-00.

21st-Clarinda, Kaiden Room, 19-06.00

23rd-Kuemper Catholic, Benjamin Gerken, 18-11.00

Girls 2A Shot Put

10th-Kuemper Catholic, Ellie Sibbel, 37-00.75

13th-Shenandoah, Aliyah Parker, 36-00.

23rd-Shenandoah, Lynne Green, 32-11.

Girls 2A 200M Prelims

3rd-Clarinda, Jerzee Knight, 25.37 Qualified

16th-Red Oak, Jocelyn O’Neal, 26.58

Girls 3A 200M Prelims

12th-Glenwood, Danika Arnold, 25.76

24th-Creston, Avery Staver, 36.88

Boys 2A 200M Prelims

6th-AHSTW, Luke Sternberg, 22.51 Qualified

8th-Missouri Valley, Chris Dworak, 22.64 Qualified

19th-Red Oak, Brayden Sifford, 22.81

Boys 3A 200M Prelims

3rd-Harlin, Cade Sears, 21.87 Qualified

15th-Harlin, Matthew Sorfonden, 22.38

23rd-Atlantic, Tye Houser, 23.28

Girls 2A 4x800M Relay 

9th-AHSTW (Delaney Goshorn, Makenna Paulsen, Bella Lamp, Ava Paulsen), 9:53.57

Girls 3A 4x800M Relay

12th-Lewis Central (Ava Bussey, Madelyn Hoss, Addison Holt, Delayna Reese) 9:58.12

15th-Glenwood (Breckyn Petersen, Madelyn Berglund, Lauren Hughes, Maya Schau) 10:01.54

21st-Creston (Maylee Riley, Hope Henderson, Avery Staver, Payton Davis) 10:15.98

Boys 2A 4x800M Relay

19th-AHSTW (Collin Harder, Caleb Hatch, Chase Wheatley, Caden Geraghty) 8:27.89

22th-MVAOCOU (Joey Koithan, Mason Kuhlmann, Kael Hamann, Charlie Forbes) 8:30.62

24th-Kuemper Catholic (Thomas Pottebaum, Ryan Sundrup, Jacob Greving, Wyatt Wunschel) 8:31.29

Boys 3A 4x800M Relay

15th-Atlantic (Bennett Whetstone, Alex Sonntag, Colin Rudy, Preston Williams) 8:15.82

24th-Creston (Brandon Briley, Austin Evans, Davin Wallace, Tyler Riley) 8:30.67

Girls 2A 100M Prelims

5th– Jerzee Knight, Clarinda, 12.73 Qualified 

Girls 3A 100M Prelims 

20th- Kyia Clark, Denison Schleswig, 12.85

22nd- Allison Koontz, Glenwood, 12.91

Boys 2A 100M Prelims

3rd- Brody Cullin, Shenandoah, 10.94, Qualified

6th- Brayden Sifford, 11.05, Qualified

14th- Peyton Gress, MVAOCOU, 11.31

Boys 3A 100M Prelims

3rd- Cade Sears, Harlan, 10.68, Qualified

9th- Matthew Sorfonden, Harlan, 10.97

14th- Trey Darden, Glenwood, 11.08

19th, Tye Houser, Atlantic, 11.19

Girls 2A 400M 

11th- Jocelyn O’Neal, Red Oak, 1:00.02

16th- Reagan Seuntjens, MVAOCOU, 1:01.46

Girls 3A 400M

5th- Marie Dea, Carroll, 57.77

8th- Danika Arnold, Glenwood, 58.99

10th- Madeline Fidone, Lewis Central, 59.32

Boys 2A 400M 

2nd- Alex Razee, Shenandoah, 49.35

19th- Brayden Sifford, Red Oak, 51.95

Boys 3A 400M

19th- Cooper DeLashmutt, Glenwood, 52.78

Boys 2A Shuttle Hurdle Prelims 

4th-Underwood (Mason Boothby, Sam Hulsing, Lucas Bose Jr., Jack Vanfossan) 1:00.29 Qualified

19th-AHSTW (Camden Soukup, Nick Denning, Seth Pope, Gavin Newcomb) 1:05.00

Boys 3A Shuttle Hurdle Prelims 

DQ- Atlantic (Dante Hedrington, Colton Rasmussen, Grant Petty, Shelton Mualia)

Girls 3A Discus Throw

11th- Olivia Rowdier, Carroll, 110-05

12th- Jordyn Matiyow, Lewis Central, 109-04

19th- Mayah Slater, Denison-Schleswig, 106-06

Boys 2A Shot Put 

2nd- Maxwell Tiaras, Underwood, 57-11.50

8th- Jace Henderson, MVAOCOU, 50-08.50

12th – Evan Adams, Kuemper Catholic, 49-09.75

15th- Ryker Adair, Underwood, 47-10.50

Boys 3A Discus Throw 

11th- Xavier Darrow, Atlantic, 148-02

15th- Garret Rutledge, Lewis Central, 141-07

Girls 2A Long Jump

9th- Kylie Meier, Clarinda, 16-08.25

14th- Jocelyn O’Neal, Red Oak, 16-03.00

18th- Irelynne McNamara, MVAOCOU, 15-09.00

Girls 3A High Jump 

12th- Olivia Ausdemore, Lewis Central, 5-00.

 

Atlantic 4th Ward citizen meeting to be held next month; Atlantic fireworks schedule proposed

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – An Atlantic City Councilman is offering citizens in the Ward he represents, to meet him and discuss issues of concern to them. 4th Ward Councilman Sean Sarsfield said at Wednesday’s Atlantic City Council meeting, he wants to meet with his constituents on June 4th, from 6-until 7:30-p.m., at The Venue, in downtown Atlantic.

Councilperson Elaine Otte added…

Atlantic Councilman Dana Halder reported Wednesday, the Community Protection Committee met Wednesday afternoon, prior to the Council meeting, and will forward a recommendation to the Council, with regard to citizen use of fireworks in July.

On a similar note, the Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, passed an order for a Special Fireworks display on private property at 1303 Maple Street on July 16th, should the Atlantic Trojan Softball Team host the regional Softball Final, and win the game. The request was made by local fireworks specialist Dan Vargason.

And, with regard to a City-sponsored fireworks display, Councilperson Emily McDermott said those plans are still being finalized, with the idea to hold them around Labor Day once again. Last year’s 4th of July fireworks program was reschedule to Sept. 2nd, due to inclement weather. The Council last year had discussed moving the event to later in the Summer, so as to not draw attention away from popular events, such as those held in Exira, which also offers a parade.

Councilman Halder said the Community Protection Committee reviewed and discussed allowing side-by-side (off-road/Utility) vehicles on City streets in Atlantic.

In other business, the Council approved a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, to vacate a Phantom Right-Of-Way (ROW) that begins at the corner of W. 4th and Laurel Streets, going westbound and terminating at the Phantom Railroad ROW. The Council ordered City Administrator John Lund to proceed with having the City Attorney prepare a public notice with regard to vacating the alley, turning it over to Rob Stamp, who would like to have access to his property to the north, and would do so by cutting the curb in the vacated area, pouring a driveway, and maintaining it as another entrance.

The Atlantic City Council then passed the 3rd and final reading of an amended ordinance that changes vendor fees and dates, as they pertain to the July 23 RAGBRAI®  event in Atlantic.

Mills County Sheriff’s Office report 2 arrests & 2 incidents

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Officials with the Mills County Sheriff’s Office report two recent arrests. 26-year-old Ryan Paul Escareno, of Deridder, LA, was arrested at around 2:15-p.m., Tuesday, following on I-29 at mile marker 39, in Mills County. Escareno was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. His bond was set at $2,300.

And, 18-year-old Gavin Lee Burch, of Omaha, was arrested at around 9:35-a.m. Wednesday, on a Mills County warrant for Eluding, and Theft in the 2nd Degree. His arrest took place at the Douglas County, NE, Jail. Bond was set at $5,000.

Sheriff’s officials said also, ABC Electric, of Council Bluffs, reported Wednesday morning, an incident of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. The incident occurred at the company’s location on Bunge Avenue in Mills County.  A Glenwood resident reported an incident of Theft in the 5th Degree, Wednesday afternoon. The incident occurred at a location on Gingry Lane.

Orange City Tulip Festival features new flower for first time in U.S.

News

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The 83rd Annual Orange City Tulip Festival begins today and it will have something unique this year. A brand-new tulip has been developed, and although it is not in bloom, the bulbs are available for sale.

Tulip Town Bulb Company owner Keri Drescher says the Dutch Heritage Boosters asked if they could partner with her for the new tulip. “I didn’t know a lot about it, but basically it’s new to the U-S, and it’s exclusive to Orange City,” she says. Heritage Booster member Jodi Vander Zwaag says they got the idea when the Consulate General from the Netherlands visited Orange City last year and told them something surprising.

“When we’re in the park he mentioned that we should baptize a tulip and we’re like oh,” Vander Zwaag explained. After figuring out what this meant, they got in contact with a bulb company in the Netherlands that develops exclusive bulbs. They found out the process takes between seven to ten years, but there was a bulb available with orange in it if they wanted it. “So the process went really fast for us and we you know figured out how you baptize a tulip we were able to name it so the Oranjestad DHB,” she says. The name means Orange City, Dutch Heritage Boosters; to honor the Dutch heritage and the Dutch Heritage Boosters.

Oranjestad DHB tulip

Vander Zwaag says that the final act is to baptize the tulip. Not knowing how that’s done, she learned one was just baptized this spring in Chicago. She says it involved the consulate pouring champagne on the tulips. The Oranjestad DHB tulip, is bright yellow with orange to apricot tips, and can be purchased at the festival which runs through May 17th.

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals Reported at 7:00 am on Thursday, May 16, 2024

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

May 16th, 2024 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  .32″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .22″
  • Exira  .35″
  • Elk Horn  .24″
  • Earling  1.49″
  • Neola  .37″