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Participants in guaranteed income program say it has helped

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A guaranteed income program in central Iowa marked one year of monthly payments this week. Some of the 110 participants who get 500 dollars each month in the UpLift program spoke at an event, but used only their first names to keep their part in the program confidential. Nicole from Des Moines is using the money to start a nonprofit working with the elderly and her husband to become a lead (like the metal) abatement contractor. “It may seem like something small, but it’s something big because it’s not just for our household. It just goes out into the community. It goes out to our children. Then it’s that generational wealth that is just going to keep on going,” she says.

Skye from Altoona is a single mother of two and says UpLift helped pay for the car that got her to a class that landed her a new job at a hospital. “I got to experience my first graduation ever by getting this certificate. My kids got to see it. My kids got to be there and see mom graduate,” she says. Early data show the largest share of money, 42 percent, is spent on food. The Iowa Legislature passed a bill that was signed into law that prohibits cities and counties from enacting guaranteed income programs.

UpLift organizers say the program with finish out payments as scheduled through next spring thanks to support from private donors.

Red Oak Police arrest a man Thursday evening

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A traffic stop in the 1700 block of 200th Street in Red Oak, Thursday evening, resulted in an arrest. Red Oak Police say 24-year-old Brandon Lane Good was taken into custody at around 7:10-p.m., for Driving While Revoked. Good was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Thursday High School Baseball Scores

Sports

May 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Hawkeye Ten 

Red Oak 4, Fremont-Mills 3

Raccoon River Conference

Ankeny Centennial 10, Gilbert 0
Bondurant-Farrar 9, Norwalk 3
Dallas Center-Grimes 14, Carlisle 3
ADM 5, Saydel 2

Pride of Iowa Conference 

Clarke 10, East Union 9
Martensdale-St. Marys 3, West Central Valley 2
Creston 12, Nodaway Valley 0

Iowa edged by FIU to open baseball series in Des Moines

Sports

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Hawkeye baseball team spotted Florida International an early 2-0 lead and lost 2-1, Thursday, to open a three game series in Des Moines. The Hawkeyes lost despite out hitting the Panthers 9-2.

That’s Iowa coach Rick Heller. The Hawkeyes had their chances late. They stranded a runner at third in the bottom of the eighth and left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. It was the first of three games at Principal Park and Heller was asked about the atmosphere in the stadium.[

Iowa’s lone run came on a third inning solo homer by first baseman Davis Cop. Game two of the series is tonight (Friday night).

Governor directs $17.5M in COVID funds to opioid programs

News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is using 17-and-a-half MILLION dollars of federal pandemic relief money to pay for prevention and treatment programs for opioid addiction. She made the allocation after the legislature failed for a second year to agree on how the state’s opioid settlement funds should be spent.

“But hopefully then they can move forward with those funds next year because I think they’re sitting on $40-some million now,” Reynolds said. “And there’s such a need.” A residential addiction treatment center in Cambridge for 12 to 18 year olds is getting three MILLION dollars to finish construction of its “Recovery Campus.”

“Get them across the finish line,” Reynolds said. “I’m just impressed with that program and the impact that it has on our youth.” Another three MILLION dollars will be distributed as grants for what are called “sober living environments” that provide safe housing for people exiting an addiction treatment program.

Law focuses on accessibility issues at state parks

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Lawmakers have directed the Iowa Natural Resources Commission to review how accessible state parks are to people with disabilities and recommend improvements. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law at Big Creek State Park. “It’s hard to imagine a better way to experience the natural beauty Iowa has to offer than by making a trip to one of our many outstanding state parks,” Reynolds says. “Every Iowan, regardless of physical ability, should have the opportunity to experience them first hand.”

The bill passed the legislature unanimously. Representative Adam Zabner, a Democrat from Iowa City, made the proposal in January.”It was because I’ve heard from so many Iowans about challenges finding outdoor opportunities that are accessible,” Zabner said.

The new law directs the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to come up with a list of opportunities for persons with disabilities in state parks and public recreation areas and put that list on the department’s website. “Iowa is such a beautiful state and I know that access to the outdoors can be transformative,” Zabner said. “This time of year, all I want to do is get out to Lake Macbride in Johnson County, so very, very excited that we were able to get this done.”

Iowa Department of Natural Resources director Kayla Lyons says new construction projects at the parks over the past dozens years have met Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Over the past five years, engineering interns traveled to all state parks with D-N-R staff to audit accessibility issues. “We want to provide facilities and experiences for everyone,” Lyons says. “…With more accessible facilities, better information on our website about accessible trails, bathrooms, fishing piers and other items.”

The agency has purchased an electronic track chair that will help Big Creek visitors with limited mobility get around the park. “It will be available to anyone now, free of charge to anyone. It’s on a first come, first served basis through our concessionaire here at Big Creek. It’s the only one we have so far, but hopefully we’ll have more in the future,” Lyons says. “We’re excited to have the combination of the track chair and our infrastructure improvements to address accessibility in our state parks.”

A grant from the Ford Motor Company’s Bronco Wild Fund paid for the track chair and a person named Jack used it to move from sidewalks to grassy areas and the beach after the bill signing ceremony. Senator Annette Sweeney, a Republican from Iowa Falls who led senate debate of the bill, says it shows how making state parks accessible will open up new adventures for some Iowans.  “With this bill being definitely a bipartisan bill, we got to work together because we believe all Iowans should be able to enjoy our great outdoors,” Sweeney said.

The legislature appropriated 250-thousand dollars to finance some of the fixes, including sidewalk and curb repairs, needed to make state park facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Friday, May 17, 2024

Weather

May 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts to around 20 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 57.
Tomorrow: Sunny & breezy. High near 83. South winds becoming N/NW @ 10-20.
Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54.
Sunday: Partly sunny & breezy w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms. High near 82.
Sun. Night: Showers and possible thunderstorms. Low around 59.
Monday: P/Sunny w/a 50% chance of shwrs & tstrms. High near 81.
Tuesday: P/Sunny w/a 70% chance of shwrs & tstrms. High near 77.

Thursday’s High in Atlantic was 78. Our Low this morning, was 49. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 84 and the Low was 49. The Record High for May 17th was 92 in 1908 & 1939. The Record Low was 32 in 1912 & 1973. Sunrise: 6:00. Sunset: 8:34.

Riverside Bulldogs Baseball Season Preview with Coach Cole Chapin

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by admin

The Riverside Bulldogs are coming off a 12-2 loss in the second round of the Class 1A-Region 8 playoffs last season.

The Bulldogs have 25 guys out for baseball and are coached by Cole Chapin.

Coach Chapin had this to say about their season ending loss to West Harrison from last season.

Chapin says the Bulldogs will be returning everyone from last years team.

Chapin said on most days the Bulldogs get about 15 guys at practice with other spring sports going on.

Coach Chapin commented on what team’s goals for the season.

Riverside baseball team will open up their regular season when they travel on the road to take on Missouri Valley in Western Iowa Conference regular season game. The first pitch of that game will be thrown at 7:30 p.m.

AHSTW Vikings Baseball Season Preview With Coach Trey Brix

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by admin

The AHSTW Vikings baseball Vikings baseball team is coming off a season ending 10-2 loss to Shenandoah in the first round of the Class 2A-Region 8 playoff bracket.

The Vikings lost only two players to graduation from last season and 26 players are out this season. AHSTW will be coached by Trey Brix.

Coach Brix said the Vikings team found ways to work hard over the offseason.

Brix commented on adding a good number of 8th graders to the roster.

The Vikings are going to rely on two seniors.

Brix elaborated on what his teams goals are for the season.

The Vikings next game will be Friday May 17th when they will take on Stanton Vikings in a non-conference game. First pitch of that game will be at 7:30 p.m.

Iowa State talks preparations for 2025 football opener in Ireland

Sports

May 16th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard predicts 12 to 15 thousand Cyclone fans will travel to Ireland for the 2025 football opener. ISU will play Kansas State August 23rd of 2025 in Dublin.

Pollard says it will be a great showcase for the entire university.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell did not hesitate to accept the invitation to play in Ireland.

It also means one of the biggest games in the Big-12 race will be played in August.