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House Speaker says limiting UI, ISU, UNI tuition increases a priority

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Speaker Pat Grassley says if Republicans retain control of the Iowa House after the November election, they’ll push to limit tuition increases at the three state universities. This spring, House Republicans proposed a three-percent cap on future tuition increases, but it did not pass the Iowa Senate.

(as said) “I think in the past we’ve looked at tuition freezes and the problem is we’ve done those in such short increments that the institutions of higher education have enough reserves that they can withstand it,” Grassley says. “What we wanted to do is look at a more long term freeze which really should decrease the cost to deliver the education if you have to really sit down and think: ‘Well, over the next five years we’re limited to 3% growth,’ which our bill did, they’re really going to have to make sure they’re more efficient in delivery of education.”

Grassley says it’s about providing a level of financial certainty to students and parents. Tuition is covering a larger share of spending at Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I as state support of the public universities has been declining. Grassley says legislators are providing adequate resources to the universities. He also cites shifting money from Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs on the campuses, which are being shut down, to scholarships for students earning degrees in high demand fields.

(as said) “We want to put our money into creating the next workforce. We know that’s an issue across the state,” Grassley says. “…That was a better use of the tax dollars.”

Grassley made his comment during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) on Iowa P-B-S.

Kids in SW Iowa town to get free books monthly via Dolly Parton’s reading program

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – (Note: “The Cass County Library Association launched an affiliation in 2021 to serve children under 5 who live in Cass County. While the actual number of books sent fluctuate from month to month, we will send 350 books in May.” – Atlantic Library Director Michelle Andersen.) There are currently 61 active affiliates in Iowa. You can see a map at https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/

A library in southwest Iowa is among the first in the state to partner with a reading program that’s being funded by a famous country music performer that will provide free books to area kids. Andrew Hoppmann, director of Clarinda’s Lied Public Library, explains how the new initiative will work.

(As said) “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library is a program where everyone in the designated ZIP codes that we serve — which there’s five of them and Clarinda’s the main one — those from zero up to five years of age will receive a book a month sent directly to them,” said Hoppmann.

The initiative was started in 1995 by the iconic singer-songwriter from Tennessee with the aim to foster early childhood literacy. Hoppmann says the goal is to plant the seeds of reading in children before they even enter school.

(As said) “They will build their own library, and they will hopefully become readers and library users,” said Hoppmann. “Because one book really isn’t enough per month for many kids, at least I know with my own. We’re excited to launch that program. We launched it about a week ago, and we already have close to 100 kids signed up.”

Parents in the 51632, 51656, 51631, 51651, and 51637 ZIP codes can enroll their kids for the program for free through the library’s website: clarindapubliclibrary.org

Brecht and Obermueller Named to Pitcher of the Year Watch List

Sports

April 26th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior right-handed pitcher Brody Brecht and sophomore left-handed pitcher Cade Obermueller were named to the College Baseball Foundation Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List.
The Pitcher of the Year award, college baseball’s version of the Cy Young Award, was created in 2009, and is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate pitcher. The initial watch list headlines 54 of the most talented pitchers in Division I college baseball.
Brecht has a 4.12 ERA and a 1-2 record. He has recorded 84 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched. The Ankeny, Iowa, native leads the Big Ten in strikeouts and ranks eighth in the nation, and he is first in the Big Ten and third in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (15.75).
Obermueller has tallied a 3.75 ERA in 48 innings pitched. He has 56 strikeouts while allowing an opponent batting average of .182. The Iowa City, Iowa, native has a 3-2 record in 10 starts for Iowa. He ranks 15th in the nation with 5.63 hits allowed per nine innings.
The Hawkeyes face Nebraska tonight at 6:05 p.m. (CT) as part of a three-game series against Nebraska April 26-28.

New Buses Arrive at Critical Time for SWITA

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Transit agencies across the country have been battling a major shortage of available new buses to replace aging fleets. Officials with the Southwest Iowa Transit Agency (SWITA) in Atlantic, say record ridership combined with a lack of replacement vehicles has put SWITA at the top of the list for oldest fleets in the state and near the top nationwide. SWITA says this month has brought some good news to help alleviate the problem, with the arrival of five new buses.

SWITA recently took delivery of five 2024 Ford Glaval 18-passenger cutaway buses from Hoglund Bus Company. The vehicles were originally ordered in 2021 but have only now just arrived. A multitude of factors have contributed to this bus shortage and delay nationwide, but the issue was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of bus manufacturers in the country had already started to dwindle with consolidation but the pandemic caused the industry to shrink to two major manufacturers. Supply chain issues combined with reduced capacity further delayed production. Starting from the lack of available chassis to start with all the way up to high demand for competing products like campers. An added layer that has slowed things down is manufacturing requirements for the Build America, Buy America legislation. Stakeholders in the transit industry have been working with legislators and manufacturers to try to break through the logjam.

The pandemic also resulted in record investment in public transit infrastructure, so it’s been a bit of a catch-22 to see results. Cost is another factor that has made procurement a big challenge. Back in 2021 these buses would have cost about $86,000, but continued cost increases and inflation have ballooned that figure all the way up to over $160,000 per bus today. Cost adjustments require contract changes, further slowing the process. That’s why SWITA says it is a big deal to see some new vehicles show up on the lot. Ideally, officials say, SWITA should take delivery of 10 new vehicles a year to keep up with wear and tear. Until that pace returns SWITA will continue to invest heavily in maintenance of existing buses and purchasing used buses where they make sense.

SWITA officials say they are excited to get the new vehicles rolling, and will continue to put effort into improving the bus ecosystem.

Supreme Court reverses multi-million dollar judgement in U-I case

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has reversed a multi-million dollar judgment in a dispute involving the construction on the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. Radio Iowa’s Dar Danielson reports.

(as said) – Modern Piping was awarded nearly 13 million dollars after alleging the U-I wrongly benefited from an injunction to delay arbitration in a construction dispute so they could gain early access to the Children’s Hospital. The Iowa Supreme Court says Modern Piping led the district court astray when it convinced the court the wrongful injunction entitled it to recover all the money made by the U-I after taking over the building early. The Supreme Court says the nearly 22 million dollars awarded Modern Piping in costs and fees to fight the temporary injunction is all they can collect.

Police walk-throughs to be allowed in vape shops, tobacco stores

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Starting July 1st, police won’t have to get a warrant to enter vape shops and stores that sell tobacco products AND let customers use the products in the store. The change is included in a bill that passed the legislature and has been signed into law by the governor. Representative Taylor Collins of Mediapolis says lawmakers heard concerns about potential underage drinking in lounges in the Iowa City area that do not have a liquor license, but do have a license to sell tobacco products.

Representative Eric Gjerde of Cedar Rapids says the law will provide a new measure of safety to neighbors of these shops.

A warrant would still be required for a police search of private records, the shop’s office or any living quarters that might be attached to the business.

Former Harlan CSD teacher/coach agrees to a plea bargain in his sexual exploitation/depiction case

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Harlan, Iowa — A former Harlan Community School District sixth grade social studies teacher charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and with the purchase/possession of a depiction of a minor in a sexual act, has plead guilty to lesser charges. 32-year-old Eric Robert Croghan, of Harlan, also served as the 7th Grade Boys’ Basketball Coach and Middle School Girls Cross Country Coach. He entered his voluntary/negotiated plea March 29, 2024, to charges that include Nonfelonius Misconduct in Office (A Serious Misdemeanor) and Purchase/Possession Depiction of a Minor in Sex Act 1st Offense (An Aggravated Misdemeanor). He was sentenced to time served, and received a suspended prison sentence, along with two-years probation. Eric Croghan was also placed on Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry April 1st, and must pay fines amounting to $1,285, and a Civil Penalty of $260.

The original charges against Eric Croghan were filed May 8, 2023. According to court documents, a search warrant had been issued February 20, 2023 on Croghan’s person, property, and vehicles. The warrant stemmed from online contact Croghan had in December 2022 via private message on Kik Messenger with an Online Covert Employee (OCE) who was a member of the FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in Jacksonville, FL.

Eric Robert Croghan (IA Sex Offender Registry photo)

Harlan Community School District officials initially placed Croghan on administrative leave in 2023, but then he submitted his resignation for all teaching and coaching positions within the district. The school board approved his resignation.

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Welcome Holy Grail Antiques

News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – On Thursday, April 25th, 2024, the Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were on hand to celebrate the opening of a new business, Holy Grail Antiques, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Ambassadors had the opportunity to meet with the owners and view the unique retail space located in an old church.

Alan Guttenfelder, part-owner of Holy Grail Antiques, began collecting antiques in college around 1996. Alan’s passion for antiques grew throughout the years, and from 2007-2011, he owned and operated a store in St. Paul Minnesota. In 2013, Alan moved back to Iowa to care for his mother and became a vendor in various area shops. Alan always had dreams of opening another store in Atlantic, and in 2023 the Templeman Family showed Alan the church, and he fell in love with the stain glass windows and endless possibilities.

Fast forward to today, Alan and his nine vendors feature multiple styles of antiques from farmhouse to high-end, mid-century modern in both levels of the church. Alan looks forward to being a part of the Atlantic business community and is especially excited for Christmas in Atlantic as he enjoys large municipal Christmas décor and a lot of lights. Holy Grail is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:30 AM – 5 PM. Alan and his team continue to renovate the basement of the church in hopes of one day hosting parties and book clubs on occasion.

Pictured from Left to Right (Front Rows): Rebecca Clarken, Cheryl True, Tom Cristo, Cathy Lamer, Alan Guttenfelder, Diane Martens, Tracy Hansen, David Swain, Lana Westphalen, Kelsey Beschorner
Pictured from Left to Right (Back Rows): BJ Hart, Jeff Christensen, Angie Johnson, Mel Newton, Dolly Bergmann, Anne Quist, Krysta Hanson, Emily Kennedy, Bill Saluk, Jennifer McEntaffer, Jim Kickland, Kathie Hockenberry, Chris Parks, Julie Waters, Colt Doherty, Megan Sramek, Sue Liston, Rod Hansen;

Holy Grail Antiques is located at 801 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. For more information visit their Facebook page or call 612-743-777.

Kloewer wins Iowa FFA Proficiency Award

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic FFA Reporter Maddy Anderson says Mia Kloewer with the Atlantic FFA Chapter, was the first place winner in the area of Specialty Animal Production, sponsored through the Iowa FFA Foundation Gold Standard Partners, Mia Kloewer is part of the Atlantic FFA chapter. Mia worked in the school’s greenhouse caring for the fish and plants. Upon graduation, Mia would like to open her own greenhouse.

Mia began her Supervised Agricultural Experience project while participating in Horticulture at AHS. “During a class field trip, my interest peaked in plant science and greenhouses because once I walked into the greenhouse that we went to I knew that is what I wanted to do with my life outside high school”, said Kloewer. As part of Mia’s SAE program she began her project in the horticulture class and one of her responsibilities was to take care of the fish in the high school greenhouse. As the semester ended, Mia would also take responsibility to begin taking care of the fish on weekends. That duty transitioned to being part of the team of students that took care of the fish during the summer.

While Mia, responsibility in the greenhouse increased as the summer continued. She began with just feeding the fish to learning how to cleaning the tank and filters. While Mia was taking care of the fish, she also would help water the plants in the greenhouse. Mia said, “I always knew I wanted a career in Agriculture, taking care of fish has helped me explore this career choice because ever since I took horticulture class. This experience has taught me that I wanted to be more involved in the plants and agronomy side of things and less involved in the livestock side of things.”

Anderson says 100% of FFA members have proficiencies as part of the agricultural program and the FFA. These proficiencies range in the areas of Agricultural Communications to Service Learning and from Diversified Agricultural Production to Swine Production. Proficiency Award winners have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career. State winners will advance to the National FFA competition where they will compete against winners from the other State FFA Associations.

The four national finalists that are selected from each area will be recognized at the National FFA Convention and Expo in October. The Iowa FFA Proficiency Awards program is possible with support from the many partners of the Iowa FFA Foundation. The specific partner for each area is identified in our summary of results. Listed below are the results from the 2024 Iowa Proficiency Awards program.

Atlantic FFA members earn their Iowa FFA Degree

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic FFA Sponsor Eric Miller reports several Atlantic FFA members have earned their Iowa FFA Degree:
Miller says “This year a record 8 Atlantic FFA members earned their Iowa FFA Degree at the 96th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference on April 16, 2024 at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
The Iowa FFA Degree is the highest degree that can be bestowed upon an FFA member by the Iowa FFA Association each year. Less than 4% of the FFA members in Iowa receive the degree each year.
“To receive the Iowa FFA Degree, FFA members must meet the following standards:
1) Have been an active FFA member for at least 24 months
2) Have completed at least two years of systematic instruction in agricultural education
3) Have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 or worked at least 375 hours in a supervised agricultural experience program
4) Have a satisfactory scholastic record
5) Have demonstrated leadership abilities from a specific
list of activities
6) Have completed 25 hours of community service
7) Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the local level.
“This year Parker Brock, Colton Becker, Charli Goff, Callee Pellett, Claire Pellett, Roth Den Beste, and Wyatt Simons have earned this prestigious award,” Miller said. Colton Becker began his SAE project by working on his family farm. “My current job description is Draft Horse Manager, Show Cattle Supervisor, Seed Assistant, and regular work on the family farm. A little about all those things, I buy and sell and show draft horses all year around. I do all the work from training to shoeing to showing and showcasing for sales” stated Becker. Along with all of those responsibilities, Colton also supervises the family show cattle operation. That includes the daily work like chores, washing, clipping, and advertising for the family sale. Becker also has another SAE working as a hired hand on the family row crop operation. He spends most of his time custom planting or custom vertical tilling. After high school, Becker plans to continue working for the family’s operation. He plans on continuing to sell cattle and draft horses, along with assisting the seed operation and the family farm.
Parker Brock began his SAE project by working on his parent’s farm as the caretaker of several rabbits that he would show at county and state fairs. “I feed, water, and breed the rabbits to sell at auctions or sales to make a profit,” Brock stated. Brock started his project about 5 years ago when he saw rabbits at the Cass County Fair and the people showing them. This piqued his interest so he decided he wanted to try to raise his own rabbits. Brock said “ Raising rabbits on my family’s farm is an integral part of Iowa’s agricultural community and the overall agriculture economy throughout the United States. Rabbits can be raised as breeding stock, pets, certain types of food, and more. Rabbits are a good animal to start a farm with, they have some of the lowest farm costs than other livestock animals. This makes rabbits an ideal livestock animal to raise for small farmers such as myself, and a straightforward animal to raise in the agricultural economy. Skills like analyzing the nutritional needs of rabbits and livestock are important to raising successful and healthy rabbits and that’s with every livestock animal.”
Roth Den Beste started his SAE project by working for Dean Bronley and his lawn-mowing business in the spring of 2021. Den Beste would start the day preparing, cleaning and fueling the mowers. “When I got the first yard I would begin by picking up sticks and weed-eating. Then I would use the mower to finish the lawn” said Den Beste. In the past 3 years Den Beste’s responsibilities have increased and so has the business to now mow approximately 50 yards in a week.
Charli Goff has had several jobs while working towards her Iowa FFA Degree. She began working at Fareway where she provided customer service to customers by assisting in carrying out groceries and stocking the shelves with fresh produce. Her second job was working at the Heritage House as a dietary aid to provide safe and nutritious meals for residents. After residents finished eating, she cleaned and sanitized dishes and counter surfaces. In 2023 Goff worked two jobs, first at Scooters where she provided safe and nutritious drinks and food to customers, and the Wickman Center as a dietary aid. “I had to make sure that safe food handling practices were being used and that dishes and counters were properly sanitized,” said Goff. Throughout my SAE projects, I played a part in providing nutritious food for people of all ages from children to senior citizens.”
Callee Pellett began working for Pelcorp LLC. for the last 5 years. Pellett’s role in the company has expanded from just helping as needed to planting, fertilizing, harvesting, selling, and making crop decisions. Pellett also helped care for, wash, and repair equipment. “I am one of the primary grain cart operators during the harvest season. I also plant and transport seed to planters during the planting season, and pick up anhydrous tanks during fertilizer seasons,” said Pellett. Pellett will continue with her SAE project in the coming years. She will continue working for Pelcorp LLC while starting her own farm operations. “I plan on running my own farm operation in the future while continuing to help the family operation,” said Pellett.
Claire Pellett has 2 SAE Projects. The first is working at the family farm, Pellett Ridge Farms. Pellett said “While working for Pellett Ridge Farms, I help sort feedlot cattle and implant and vaccinate the cow herd. In the spring, I help check cows and assist with calving. I help when we wean calves and preg-check cows in the fall.” Pellett also would help with any work that needs to be done on machinery, buildings, or other items. Pellett’s second Entrepreneurship SAE is FFA show calves. “I buy calves from my father’s herd in the winter and raise them in winter and spring to show them at the county fair in late summer,” said Pellett. Pellett assists with daily feeding, and making decisions for their well-being and training. “My daily care routine for the calves in the spring and summer consists of walking, washing, grooming, feeding, and showing technique practice. I sell the calves at the fair’s sale day,” said Pellett.
Colton Rudy’s SAE Project is working for DeVore Fencingm, which is a privately owned small business providing fence installation services to customers in Western Iowa, Eastern Nebraska, and Northwestern Missouri. DeVore fencing installs Continuous, Guard Rail, Barbed, Barless, Vinyl, and Chain Link fences. “I used to work with my Dad and Brad DeVore on smaller jobs before the pandemic, learning how to install wire and woven wire fences. Working throughout the summer break for the next three years until I joined the Iowa National Guard and spent my summer at Basic Combat Training” said Rudy. While working for DeVore Fencing, Rudy learned how to install all kinds of fences for large and small animals. Along with commercial and residential Chain Link for clients establishing a property line containing their pets or businesses trying to keep wildlife off sensitive areas. As a Junior, Rudy entered the Iowa National Guard
and will complete AIT this summer with hopes of becoming a pilot someday.

Wyatt Simons began his SAE project working for Van Wall John Deere in Adair. Simons works side-by-side with current agriculture technicians, helping them with their projects to get them done in a more timely fashion. “This is to build my own experiences and ensure that I understand the basics of being a technician before furthering my education with the company. I work on everything agricultural-wise”, said Simons. This includes but is not limited to tractors, combines, forage harvesters, lawn mowers, lawn tractors, planters, sprayers, manure spreaders, skid loaders, etc. Simons will attend school next fall in the John Deere Tech program. Van Wall will continue to employ Simons and pay for most of his education. In the next two years, Simons will attend school for a few months and then return to Adair to receive hands-on educational experience. “In essence, my role is a hands-on contribution to the agricultural economy, ensuring farmers have the tools for continued production, and my skills support prosperity and the economic system,” said Simons.

Left to Right
Parker Brock, Colton Rudy, Callee Pellett, Claire Pellett, Charli Goff, Colton Becker, Wyatt Simon. Missing Roth Den Beste.

Eric Mills said each Iowa FFA Degree recipient receives a certificate and the Golden State FFA Degree Charm which is made possible with support from Pioneer-Corteva through the Iowa FFA
Foundation.