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Atlantic City Council pays tribute to Chief Erickson & approves APD appointments

News

March 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, made an official change of command in the Police Department. The Council paid special recognition to Police Chief Dave Erickson, who is retiring at the end of the month, after more than 25-years of service to the City. Mayor Grace Garrett gave a brief biography of the Chief, and his long career not only with the City, but serving our Country in the U-S Marines.

Once his stint with the Corps was over, Erickson worked for the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and a member of the Atlantic Police Reserves from 1996-to 1997.

Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett congratulates Chief Dave Erickson for his service to the City & the Country.

With his departure on March 31st, the Council moved ahead with appointing the Mayor’s choice to succeed him, Devin Hogue, and Lt. Paul Wood as the first ever Assistant Police Chief. Lt. Hogue has served the force in Atlantic since August, 2011. He also spent several years and a substitute teachers with the Atlantic Community School District, and has been very involved in school emergency preparedness and many community programs. The Mayor explained why the Assistant Police Chief’s position was created.

Left to right: Chief Dave Erickson; Lt. Paul Wood; Lt. Devon Hogue.

Lt. Wood has been with the department since Nov. 2004. He’s also served as member of the Atlantic Fire Dept. since 2007. Both men bring extensive experience and knowledge to their respective proposed positions. In other business, the Council appointed of Bev Moffatt to the Beautification Committee. They Adopted the Final, FY 2023 Budget for the City of Atlantic, along with the FY 2023 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Both actions followed public hearings, during which there were no comments. The Atlantic City Council also Amended Seasonal Wages for the Atlantic Parks & Recreation Dept. for 2022, and have passed a resolution “Setting salaries for appointed officers and employees of the City of Atlantic,” for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

One of their final items of business, was to adopt a resolution for the Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract for the Bull Creek Improvement Projects, and, the awarding of a contract for the improvements to Caliber Construction out of Adair, in the amount of $369, 039.03. City Engineer Dave Sturm said they received four bids for the project, all of which came in under the Engineer’s Cost Estimate.

Prior to adjourning the meeting, Mayor Garrett asked business and residential property owners to get into the spring cleaning spirit.

Posted in News |

Cardinals announce revised 2022 MLB regular season schedule

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 16, 2022 – The St. Louis Cardinals, in conjunction with Major League Baseball’s league-wide release this afternoon, announced their revised 2022 regular season schedule.  The team’s Home Opener versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, April 7, at 3:15 PM CT remains unchanged.

Under the revised schedule, which features re-scheduled dates for five Cardinals road games originally slated between March 31-April 6, the regular season has been extended by three days with the final day of the season now scheduled for Wednesday, October 5.

The Cardinals originally scheduled three-game series at Pittsburgh on March 31-April 3 will now take place during the additional three days of the MLB regular season on October 3-5 at 5:35 PM (October 5th game time to be determined).

The Cardinals originally scheduled two-game series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs on April 4-6 will be made up as split-doubleheaders on two previously scheduled Cubs road dates; the first on Saturday, June 4, at 12:20 PM and the second on Tuesday, August 23, at 1:20 PM.

Additionally, start times for Cardinals home games vs. the Pirates on Monday, April 11 (previously 6:45 PM) and Sunday, October 2 (previously 2:15 PM), have changed to 1:15 PM.

An updated 2022 regular season schedule can be viewed at cardinals.com/schedule

Posted in Sports |

Proposed moratorium on eminent domain requests from pipeline developers

News

March 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – House Republicans appear poised to vote for a year-long moratorium that would prevent the companies planning to build carbon pipelines from seeking eminent domain to seize property along the pipeline routes. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton presented the plan in the House State Government Committee and all but one Republican voted for it.

“The name on a deed on a piece of paper that makes you a landowner does not subject you to all this government crap,” Kaufmann says. “That’s what this is about.” House Speaker Pat Grassley says pipeline companies would still able to negotiate easements with landowners, but this would let the legislature weigh in next year if the companies seek mass condemnation of land.

“There are people that want the project, people that have signed up,” Grassley said. “We’re not trying to break those agreements because we respect private property rights on both sides.” Democrats on the committee, like Representative Mary Mascher, didn’t object to the idea, but to the unusual parliamentary move used to advance the proposal.

“My no vote today is not because I don’t want to address this. I think we need to, but let’s do it in the right way,” Mascher says. “Let’s be transparent with our voters, let’s put it on the agenda…and have an opportunity to hear from all sides.” Kaufmann says voters don’t care about legislative procedures.

“Nobody should be surprised what we’re doing here. Give me a break. We do things all the time to make sure that legislation gets accomplished,” Kaufmann said. “The people back home that are affected…they don’t give a shit about the process. They care about results.” The proposal is now eligible for debate in the full House.

Posted in News |

Report: Iowa needs 450% increase in gerontologists to meet looming demand

News

March 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A new report from the Alzheimer’s Association paints a dim picture for Iowa and its aging population. Geriatricians are rare here. Those are primary care doctors who have special training to treat older adults. Lauren Livingston, spokeswoman for the association’s Iowa chapter, say Iowa has a little over two dozen geriatricians and the report says we’ll need well over a hundred by 2050 to meet demand.

“We need an increase of almost 450% for geriatricians across the state,” Livingston says. “Surprisingly, there are only 26 practicing geriatricians in Iowa, which seems very small — and it is — compared to the population and the increasing aging population.” There are four gerontology programs in Iowa — at Iowa, Iowa State, U-N-I and at Des Moines Area Community College. As the prevalence of Alzheimer’s rises in Iowa, so does the need for dementia care workers who can diagnose, treat and care for those living with the disease.

“One thing would be training primary care physicians and other health specialists to recognize diseases like dementia that come across in older age,” Livingston says, “so, training more doctors, even if they’re not geriatricians, to recognize those signs and be able to refer them on to a geriatrician or another specialist.” About six-million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including some 66,000 Iowans. The report calls Iowa a “dementia neurology desert,” where the demand for direct care workers is projected to grow by more than 40-percent in the coming years while their availability will likely fall.

“There are 20 U.S. states that have been deemed ‘dementia neurology deserts’ which means they have less than ten neurologists per 10,000 people with dementia and that doesn’t even include people living with other diseases that might see a neurologist,” Livingston says, “so that’s a crisis as well.” In 2018, Iowa had more than 19-thousand home health and personal care aides. The number of these workers will have to increase 34-percent just by 2028 to meet the growing demand. See the full report, 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, at the website: alz.org/facts

Posted in News |

JAMES LOWELL “Jim” ECKERT, 64, of Oakland (Memorial Svc. 4/9/22)

Obituaries

March 16th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

JAMES LOWELL “Jim” ECKERT, 64, of Oakland, died Tuesday, March 15th, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. A Memorial service for JIM ECKERT will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 11:00 AM, at the Oakland Community Building. Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is assisting the family.

Visitation with the family and lunch will be held following the memorial service.

Interment will be at a later date.

JIM ECKERT is survived by:

His wife – Moni Eckert, of Oakland.

His daughters -Rebecca Hargens, of Avoca, and Tine (Paul) Reimers, of Oakland.

His brother – Randy Chaney, of Omaha.

His sister – April Chaney, of Cape Coral, FL.

2 grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Clark, Czinano earn AP All-America nods

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa sophomore Caitlin Clark was named a first team AP All-American and senior Monika Czinano was named an AP All-America honorable mention, the Associated Press announced on Wednesday.

Clark and Czinano are two of nine Hawkeyes to be named AP All-Americans. Clark’s first-team honor is the second AP All-America recognition of her career after earning second-team honors as a freshman, and Czinano’s honorable-mention nod is the first of her career. They sit among Hawkeye greats Kathleen Doyle, Megan Gustafson, Samantha Logic, Jaime Printy, Kachine Alexander, Cara Consuegra, and Amy Herrig. P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Coach Lisa Bluder has coached eight of the nine AP All-Americans.

In 30 games this season, Clark, a Des Moines, Iowa, native leads the nation in assists per game (7.9), total assists (236), points per game (27.4), total points (821), free throws made (189), triple doubles (5) and 30-point games (11).

Clark registered five triple-doubles this season, leading the country in most career triple-doubles by an active player with six. Clark’s six career triple-doubles ties former Hawkeye Sam Logic’s Big Ten record (2011-15) for most in a career and ties for the fifth most single season (5) and career (6) triple-doubles in NCAA Division I history.

In January, Clark joined the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Hardin, Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only NBA, WNBA, Division I men’s and women’s basketball to record back-to-back 30-point triple doubles since 2000. She is one of 10 women’s basketball players (15 times) to register back-to-back triple doubles in their careers — the only NCAA player (male or female) to do so with 30-plus points in the pair.

Clark broke the 1,000-career point barrier against Evansville in early January and became the fastest Division I player (men’s or women’s) to reach 1,500 career points over the last 20 seasons, reaching the feat in 56 games.

Clark was named Big Ten Player of the Year and earned unanimous first team All-Big Ten honors and also was named a Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Finalist and to the WBCA Wade Trophy Midseason Watch List, John R. Wooden Award National Ballot Top-15 and a Dawn Staley Award Finalist.

In 30 games this season, Czinano averaged 21.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and led the country, shooting 67.8 from the field.

The Watertown, Minnesota, native registered two double-doubles. She ranks seventh in field goals made (259), 13th in points per game (21.1) and 14th in total points (611). Czinano also earned the third All-Big Ten honor of her career.

Posted in Sports |

ISU’s Ashley Joens earns AP All-America accolade

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Ashley Joens continues to make history, earning Second Team All-America honors by the Associated Press, the organization announced on Wednesday. Joens becomes the fourth Cyclone to make an AP All-America team, joining all-time greats Bridget Carleton (2018-19), Angie Welle (2000-01, 2001-02) and Stacy Frese (1999-00).

Joens had another strong campaign for Iowa State. The senior led Iowa State averaging 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game en route to her third-consecutive unanimous All-Big 12 First Team selection. She also leads the team with a career-best 84 triples.

Joens’ appearance on an AP All-America team is the first of her career, earning honorable mention honors the last two seasons.

The Iowa City, Iowa native has helped Iowa State to a 26-6 overall record, while the Cyclones’ 25 regular season victories set a new program record. Iowa State has also been ranked in the AP Top-10 for much of the 2021-22 season, climbing as high as No. 6.

Joens also cemented herself as the most prolific scorer in Iowa State history with 2,307 career points and counting, holding Iowa State’s top mark in the record book and ranking ninth in the Big 12 record book. She also ranks third in school history with 1,052 career rebounds.

Last season, Joens was also named the Cheryl Miller Award winner, honoring the nation’s best small forward.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa utility play Keaton Anthony earns 2nd Big Ten Weekly Honor

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa utility player Keaton Anthony has been named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week, it was announced Wednesday by the league office.  It is Anthony’s second honor of the season.

The Hoschton, Georgia, native earned the distinction after hitting .500 (5-for-10) with five runs and four RBIs during Iowa’s three-game road series at UC Irvine.  Anthony posted a .571 on-base and .800 slugging percentage on the weekend.

Anthony hit safely (and had a double) in all three games, running his hitting streak to 11 games and his on-base streak to 14 contests.  He had multi-hit games in two of the three games, his sixth and seventh such games this season.

In game one, Anthony went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs and he finished 2-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs in the Hawkeyes’ 12-10 win over the Anteaters in the series finale.

Anthony is leading the team in doubles (9) and is tied for the top on-base percentage (.507), while ranking second in batting average (.396), runs (15), RBIs (13), slugging percentage (.679), hits (21) and home runs (2).

Anthony was previously honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Feb. 23.

The Hawkeyes (8-7) return to action Friday, hosting No. 12/17 Texas Tech in the first of a three-game series at Duane Banks Field.  The game is the first of a season-long eight game homestand.

Posted in Sports |

Women’s NCAA First Rounds in Carver-Hawkeye Arena are sold out

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 2022 NCAA First Round games set for Friday, March 18 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena are sold out. The announcement was made Wednesday by the University of Iowa Athletics Department.

No. 7 Colorado and No. 10 Creighton square off at 12:30 p.m. CT before No. 2 Iowa hosts No. 15 Illinois State at 3 p.m. It is the second women’s basketball sell out in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season and the fourth women’s basketball sellout in program history (1985, 1988, 2022). Due to the removal of floor seating to accommodate the NCAA layout, capacity of Carver-Hawkeye Arena for this event is officially 14,382.

Doors will open 60 minutes prior to Friday’s first game. Below is a list of parking options for fans. For all the latest information, visit hawkeyesports.com/wbbgameday.

The tip time for Sunday’s NCAA Second Round game is still to be determined. Tip times will be announced at the conclusion of all of Friday’s first round games. For tickets, visit hawkeyesports.com/tickets.

Posted in Sports |

Keegan Murray garners additional All-America Honors

Sports

March 16th, 2022 by admin

BUFFALO, New York — University of Iowa men’s basketball sophomore Keegan Murray has been named second team All-America by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and first team All-America by The Athletic on Wednesday.

The NABC is one of four outlets used by the NCAA to determine its consensus All-America teams (Associated Press, United States Basketball Writers Association, Sporting News, and NABC). In addition to today’s NABC honor, Murray has already been recognized as first-team All-America by Sporting News and the Associated Press, with the USBWA expected to make its announcement later this week.

Murray is also a Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award Semifinalist, a Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Finalist, and named to the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Midseason List.

Posted in Sports |