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Traffic levels on state highways above pre-pandemic levels for the first time

News

November 9th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One thing for certain has returned to the way it was before the pandemic. Iowa D-O-T spokesman, Stuart Anderson, briefed the Transportation Commission today (Tuesday) on the traffic levels for October. “this month is the first month I believe that our overall traffic in the state of Iowa is above pre-pandemic levels on a monthly comparison basis,” Anderson says.  He says travel returned from a big drop during the height of the pandemic — and has been at a steady level until last month.  “Our October 2021 vehicle miles traveled in Iowa was one-point-five percent higher than October of 2019. We’ve been very steady around that zero percent level,” he says.

Anderson says the traffic levels have varied a little bit based on which system you are looking at. “The county system had a nice bump in October — certainly the harvest season has impacted that,” according to Anderson. “Most importantly, overall traffic in the state is positive now.” He says rail volumes have increased some as well, but are still being held back by the supply chain issues. And air travel continues to rebound.

Nishna Valley showdown at the dome, CAM and Audubon ready for the spotlight

Sports

November 9th, 2021 by admin

The 8-Player football semifinals will kick off with a Nishna Valley flair on Wednesday morning at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The CAM Cougars (11-0) will square off against the Audubon Wheelers (10-1) in the first semifinal game of the season at the dome. It’s a rematch of a regular season tilt that CAM came out on top of 58-42 back on September 24th. That win allowed the Cougars to come away with the District 10 championship. This time a trip to the state championship is on the line. CAM Head Coach Barry Bower said it will be a lot of fun to have another big game against the Wheelers.

Audubon Head Coach Sean Birks said they expect another hard fought game. He said both teams have a ton of respect for each other and it will make for a great atmosphere.

Both teams like to rely on the ground game. CAM senior Lane Spieker is in the midst of the greatest single season rushing output in Iowa 8-Player football history with 2,951 yards and counting. Spieker also, during the quarterfinal win over Newell-Fonda, passed the all-time mark for touchdowns (rush, receive, and return) in a season at any level with 65. That’s not to mention his 11 passing touchdowns on the season. Audubon Head Coach Sean Birks said they will obviously need to slow Spieker down a bit.

The Wheelers have been solid in the run game too with senior Gavin Smith leading the charge with 2,074 yards rushing with 43 touchdowns. The quarterback has also added 995 yards and 13 scores through the air. Coach Bower thinks both teams have improved greatly and the Cougars will need to play their assignments well.

The Wheelers are back to the dome for the second time in three years. In 2019 the Wheelers made it all the way to the title game and finished as runners-up to Don Bosco. CAM is playing in the dome for the first time in school history. After coming up short in the quarterfinals the past two years, the Cougars were able to get over the hump this season.

We’ll have all the action on KJAN with pregame at 9:00 a.m. and kickoff at 10:00 a.m. at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call on AM 1220, FM 101.1, and audio online at KJAN.com

Axne says Iowa will get $5 billion from bipartisan infrastructure bill

News

November 9th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Third district Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the bipartisan infrastructure package that cleared the House late last week will provide five BILLION dollars to Iowa for roads, bridges and water infrastructure as well as the repair of locks and dams. Axne says at least 100 million of that will be spent on broadband projects. “Providing support for those in all parts of our state, urban included, who can’t afford it,” she says, “because access to the internet is about availability and about cost.”

Axne, a Democrat from Des Moines, was the only member of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation to vote for the bill. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley voted for it when it cleared the U.S. Senate in August. Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks says she voted against it because it’s tied in negotiations to the so-called Build Back Better plan. That plan is expected to put hundreds of billions toward climate change and childcare costs. Axne says it aims to fix problems the infrastructure plan doesn’t.  “Not once have I heard: ‘Gosh darn it, I can’t get to work because a bridge is down,’ ’cause we’ll fix the bridge,” Axne says. “Over and over I hear: “I can’t find childcare and so I can’t get a job.'”

Axne says Democrats’ social spending package could come to a vote as soon as next week.

No. 12 Iowa State women’s hoops opens with win over Omaha

Sports

November 9th, 2021 by admin

AMES, Iowa – The 12th-ranked Iowa State (1-0) women’s basketball team opened the 2021-22 campaign Thursday morning with a 65-38 win over Omaha (0-1) at Hilton Coliseum.

Emily Ryan had nine steals, tying the school record set by Tracy Horvath against Marquette on Jan. 7, 1989. Ryan also became just the sixth player in Big 12 history to hit the mark. Ryan added nine points and tied a career-high with three blocked shots. Lexi Donarski had a game-high 18 points for the Cyclones, while Ashley Joens had 15 points and eight rebounds. Izzi Zingaro had a career-high seven rebounds off the bench, while Denae Fritz had four assists.

How It Happened

It was a slow start for the Cyclones, as Omaha led 12-11 after the opening quarter. Iowa State was held scoreless for the first 3:32 of the game and was 1-of-12 from 3-point range in the opening frame. The Cyclones opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run and took a 26-18 lead at the half after holding the Mavericks to just six points in the second quarter.

Iowa State held a 19-9 advantage in the third quarter, taking a 45-27 lead into the final quarter. Iowa State opened the fourth on a 12-4 run before pushing the lead to 27 with 1:17 to play, its largest lead of the day. Iowa State had a 19-6 advantage in points off turnovers and 21-9 in second chance points.

Up Next

The Cyclones return to action on Monday, Nov. 15 against South Dakota State at Hilton Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Huge new investment announced for Elite Octane

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 9th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, Iowa – Nearly a dozen special guests, including Iowa 3rd District Congresswoman Cindy Axne and U. S.  Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres-Small, attended a roundtable event at Elite Octane, Tuesday morning. The local dry mill ethanol plant in Atlantic served as a backdrop for Axne to announce new rural energy investments in Iowa to help modernize energy infrastructure, lower energy costs, and implement renewable energy systems across the state. Elite Octane President & CEO Nick Bowdish began the meeting by saying the ethanol plant started the morning with 3.25-million bushels of corn on the property. Two huge bins hold two-million bushels each, leaving a large mountain of corn on the ground.

Bowdish said “It’s been a great-great harvest, safe harvest.” Congresswoman Axne, who toured the plant last year, was excited Tuesday to announce a REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) grant of $250,000 was awarded to the company, as part of $1.8-million being invested in Iowa.

Far end of the table, from left to right: Nick Bowdish; Xochitl Torres-Small; Rep. Cindy Axne & Darin Leach, Acting State Dir. USDA Rural Development in Iowa.

Another way the company is saving money and reducing the impact on the environment, especially with regard to the underground aquafirs, is by using recycled wastewater.

The funds are part of the government’s recently passed infrastructure improvement program.

Undersecretary Torres-Small, who is from rural New Mexico, and represented the Biden Administration and AG Secretary Tom Vilsack, said she knows how important biofuels are to the State of Iowa.

Axne and Torres-Small said the USDA investments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to help rural America build back better.

Other attendees at Tuesday’s meeting included Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Acting State Director of USDA Rural Development Iowa Darin Leach, and representatives from the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Cass/Atlantic Development Corporation, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Farmers Union, Iowa Soybean Association, and Iowa Rural Development Council.

CAM pep rally and send-off this afternoon

Sports

November 9th, 2021 by admin

The CAM school district will be holding a pep rally and send-off for the football team this afternoon as they head to Cedar Falls for the state football semifinals. The pep rally will be held in the high school gym at 3:00 p.m. and will be followed by the team departure. State football shirts that were ordered can be picked up at the school at this time as well. The bus will be going down Walnut Street and Main Street if you would like to line the street and send the team off.

Iowa’s Linderbaum named Lombardi Award finalist

Sports

November 9th, 2021 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior center Tyler Linderbaum has been named one of four finalists for the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award. The announcement was made Tuesday by the Rotary Lombardi Award in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Houston.

The Lombardi Award winner will be presented Dec. 8 in Houston. The award annually recognizes the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.

Joining Linderbaum as finalists are offensive lineman Kenyon Green of Texas A&M, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Iowa State linebacker Mike Rose. Former Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn was a finalist for the Lombardi Award in 2010.

Linderbaum has started 30 consecutive games at center for the Hawkeyes after playing as a defensive lineman as a true freshman. Iowa has posted a 23-7 record during that span. Iowa won its final six games in 2020 and began the 2021 season with six straight wins. The Hawkeyes are ranked 14th in the current coaches poll after being ranked No. 2 in the nation earlier this season.

The Solon, Iowa, native was tabbed a midseason first-team All-American by four outlets, including Associated Press, The Athletic, CBSSports.com and Sporting News. He was named preseason first-team All-Big Ten and preseason first-team All-America by five media outlets. Linderbaum was also named to the Big Ten Conference preseason honors list, as well as the Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists.

Linderbaum (6-foot-3, 290-pounds) was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy a year ago and earned first-team All-America honors from The Athletic and Pro Football Focus. He was a second-team All-America honoree by the Associated Press, FWAA, Phil Steele, and the Walter Camp Foundation. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by league media.

Iowa hosts Minnesota on Saturday (2:40 p.m., BTN). Saturday’s contest is sold out. Iowa closes the home season the following Saturday, hosting Illinois on Senior Day (1 p.m., FS1).

ISU’s Rose named finalist for Lombardi Award

Sports

November 9th, 2021 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State All-American linebacker Mike Rose is one of four finalists for the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award, announced today by the Rotary Club of Houston.

The Rotary Lombardi Award annually recognizes the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi.

Linebackers are also eligible for the prestigious award.

Rose has been the heart and soul of the stout Cyclone defense for the last four years. The 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year has started 46 games in his incredible career, recording 304 tackles, 35.5 TFL and six interceptions.

His 35.5 career TFL ranks second in school history.

A native of Brecksville, Ohio, Rose is one of the top tacklers in the Big 12, ranking sixth in the league in tackles per game (7.0) on a defense that ranks fourth nationally in fewest yards allowed per game (282.1).

Rose was the 2020 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce to Host 5th Annual Discount AtlantiCash Event

News

November 9th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) -The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce encourages you to “Get a kick start to your holiday shopping” by purchasing discounted AtlantiCash. The AtlanticCash event is available from 9-a.m. until Noon this Saturday, only, Nov. 13th. It’s presented by First Whitney Bank & Trust. AtlantiCash will be available in packs of $100 for $80, a 20% discount. Community members can purchase up to three packs. Payment must be made at time of purchase in the form of cash or check only. There is a first-come, first-purchased basis with only a limited amount of AtlantiCash available.

Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said, “This has become one of our favorite events to host every year. AtlantiCash is money that has to be spent at local businesses in our community, so not only does it boost Local Option Sales Tax, but it also supports all of our incredible businesses who have so much to offer this holiday season. Last year, we sold $30,000 in about 20 minutes, so our goal this year is to sell $40,000.”  She credits First Whitney Bank and Trust in making the promotion possible. “Their partnership helps us support local merchants and put money back into Atlantic,” Smith said.

The Holiday Open House will also be taking place Saturday beginning when retailers open. Businesses will be offering a holiday sneak peek as well as treats, giveaways and special promotions. Participating locations include: Akin Building Center, Aunt B’s, Bonnesen’s, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Brymons Interiors, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Hanson’s Fine Jewelry, Something For You and Valley Boutique.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retail businesses, like the Chamber on Facebook or follow on Instagram to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.atlanticiowa.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook page or Instagram (AtlanticIowaFan). Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at chamber@atlanticiowa.com or call 712.243.3017. Christmas in Atlantic is presented by Momentum Exterior Services.

2 arrests in Glenwood

News

November 9th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Glenwood Police Department, today (Tuesday), said a 19-year-old from Council Bluffs was arrested today on drug charges. Deven Hatfield was taken into custody for Possession of Marijuana, Poss. of a Controlled Substance, Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $3,300. And, on Monday, 33-year-old Lorenzo Cobb, of Hastings, NE., was arrested in Glenwood for Driving While Revoked, with bond set at $1,000.

A woman from Council Bluffs was cited for Failure to Maintain Control and Failure to Provide (proof of) Insurance, following a single-vehicle accident just before midnight, Saturday. 30-year-old Ashley Morgan was driving northbound on I-29 at mile marker 36, when another motorist notified authorities Morgan was allegedly driving erratically. Morgan told police she drifted off the road to the left and struck a cable barrier, before her 2006 Chevy came to rest. No injuries were reported.