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(Update) Fire destroys a building north of Marne, Sunday

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Marne, Iowa) – Several area fire departments were dispatched to a large structure fire this (Sunday) afternoon, near westbound Interstate 80 at mile marker 51 (Marne Exit). The call about the blaze on the Steve Skow property north of the Interstate, at 50391 560th Street, went out at 12:30-p.m. Responding crews included those from Marne, Atlantic, Avoca, Walnut, Harlan, Elk Horn and Kimballton.

According to Marne Fire Chief Josh Krause, the building housed farm equipment, chemicals, seed, and vehicles, along with an office. The structure and its contents were a total loss. The cause of the fire was deemed accidental, as trash that was being burned near building started a few pallets on fire. The flames then spread into the building.

Photo courtesy Cass County Emergency Management Director Mike Kennon.

No injuries were reported. A second, separate fire which began as a controlled burn in Audubon County, spread to a field/grassy area at 3328 Pheasant Avenue, at around 2:40 p.m., Sunday. Crews from Exira, Anita and Wiota responded to the scene.

Audubon Wheelers Boys Track Season Update

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

The Audubon Wheelers have been having a great track and field season with a lot of young men that have been working hard all season.

Wheeler’s Coach Tony Konkler said the track team has been doing good so far from the indoor and now to the outdoor track events.

Coach Konkler commented on how some of the individuals have been doing so far this season.

Coach Konkler elaborated on field events have done well this year.

Coach Konkler says the wheeler’s team is making good progression on their goals and expectations for this year.

The next Wheelers track meet will be the CAM Classic Track Meet on Tuesday April 16th in Atlantic. That meet will get underway at 4:30 p.m.

No. 5 Oklahoma State Powers Past Iowa State, 10-2

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Fifth-ranked Oklahoma State (35-8, 13-5 Big 12) flexed its muscles on Sunday, staving off a sweep and handling Iowa State (16-22, 5-10) as it won 10-2 in six innings.

The Cowgirl offense, which had been held in check by Iowa State’s stellar pitching through two games, finally broke through on Sunday as OSU cranked four home runs to power its way to an eight-run victory.

Iowa State, who was aiming for its first-ever ranked series sweep, ran out of arms essentially, as the trio of Lauren Schurman, Karlie Charles and Jaiden Ralston had already made appearances on the weekend. OSU’s nationally-ranked offense took advantage of the fact that it had already faced those three and teed off.

The Cyclones were limited on offense today, as they were held to just two hits on the afternoon. Carli Spelhaug smacked a double in the second, while Tatum Johnson launched her second homer of the season in the sixth. ISU’s Milaysia Ochoa, Angelina Allen and Alesia Ranches all drew walks on the day as OSU’s Lexi Kilfoyl walked three batters for the second time this weekend – she’d never walked more than two in a game this season prior to the weekend. Allen, who’d had a hit in her last 11 games, saw her streak snapped.

Schurman (3-4) got the start in the circle for ISU, giving up three runs on three hits. Charles and Ralston would enter in relief and combine to give up seven runs on eight hits.

Three Cowgirls – Claire Timm, Caroline Wang and Rosie Davis – had multi-hit games, with all three and Karli Godwin launching homers. Kilfoyl (16-3) had a dominant outing, pitching all six innings and allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out four.

How it Happened

OSU was the first team on the board, as the Cowgirls plated three in the second inning. A single and a pair of walks would load the bases for the Cowgirls, as Megan Bloodworth connected on her third triple of the season, clearing the bases and giving Oklahoma State a 3-0 lead.

Iowa State cut into the deficit in the bottom of the frame. Spelhaug led off the frame with a double to left center and Ashley Minor followed and was subsequently hit by a pitch to put two on. Through a pair of fielder’s choices, Spelhaug was able to come around and score to make it 3-1.

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, Oklahoma State started to ignite the bats in the fifth. A pair of homers, a solo and two-run blast, from Timm and Godwin put the Cowgirls up 6-1.

In the top of the sixth, OSU plated four more. Wang smashed her 16th home run of the year, a three-run blast, while Davis followed her by hitting her own homer as the Cowgirls took a 10-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

Iowa State attempted to trim the lead to under eight to extend the game, but a Johnson solo shot wasn’t enough as the Cyclones were unable to complete the sweep against OSU, falling 10-2 in six innings.

On Deck

Iowa State is set to finish its nine-game homestand this Tuesday, April 16, as it is set to welcome the Iowa Hawkeyes to the Cyclone Sports Complex for the annual Cy-Hawk showdown. Iowa and Iowa State are set to face off at 4 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

 

Hawkeyes Claim Two U20 National Titles

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

SPOKANE. Wash. – Four University of Iowa women’s wrestlers had top-two finishes in Spokane, Washington, at the 2024 Women’s National Championship over the weekend. Brianna Gonzalez (53kg) and Reese Larramendy (65kg) both clinched a U20 national title.

The two finalists at each weight class in the U20 division and the champions of the U23 division will secure their spots at the World Championships. The U20 World Championship will be held in Pontevedra, Spain, this September, and the U23 World Championships will take place in Rio Negro, Colombia, this June.

At 50 kilograms, Sterling Dias took to the finals in the U23 division after four dominate wins. In the best of three matchup, Dias fell in two to Heather Crull of Indiana, the first match via a 10-3 decision and second a 10-0 technical fall.

Nyla Valencia made her way to the finals at 50kg for the U20 division, where she fell in the first two rounds to Anaya Falcon of California. Valencia kept the first match to a decision, 14-6, then fell via tech. fall in the second match, 10-0.

Iowa had it’s first champion at 53kg, with Gonzalez making her way through the tournament courtesy tech. falls or pins, including a 35-second pin over Akeelah Moore of Texas. Gonzalez took her best of three final to the third match, after defeating Clare Booe of Florida in the second match via 10-0 tech. fall. In the last match, the U20 finalist secured a 12-2 tech. fall  claiming her title.

At 65kg in the U20 division, redshirt freshman’s Ella Schmit and Reese Larramendy met in the finals. After two matches, Larramendy took the first place finish over Schmit, both matches via tech. fall.

Along with the four finalists, the Hawkeyes had three additional place winners in the U20 division, and one in U23. Emily Frost took 4th place at 59kg, Emmily Patneaud (62kg) and Rose Cassioppi (76kg) both took fifth place, and Emilie Gonzalez brought home a 7th place finish at 50kg.

Hawkeyes Fall in Series Finale at Michigan

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

ANN ARBOR, MICH. – The University of Iowa softball team dropped game three of the series against Michigan, 6-5, on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium.

Junior Devyn Greer got the start for the Hawkeyes. She ended up going 5 1/3 innings allowing five runs on six hits and struck out four.

The Wolverines got on the board first with an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. Michigan did not record another hit until the sixth inning.

The Hawkeye evened the score at one in the top of the fourth as junior Rylie Moss came around to score on a fielder’s choice from Greer. Iowa took the lead in the sixth as Moss scored on another fielder’s choice to make it, 2-1. Senior Brylee Klosterman added to the Hawkeye lead with an infield RBI single to push the lead to 3-1.

Michigan answered back in the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot and a three-run home run to take the, 5-3, lead. The Hawkeyes were not done yet as freshman Jena Young sent a no-doubter over the centerfield wall to tie the game at five.

The Wolverines were able to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh. They walked it off with a single to left field to secure the series sweep.

Sophomore Jalen Adams (9-9) was charged with the loss in relief. Iowa finished the game with five runs on seven hits.

UP NEXT

The University of Iowa softball team travel to Ames, Iowa to take on Iowa State in the 2024 Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series on Tuesday April 16. First pitch at the Cyclone Sports Complex is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network with John Leo on the call.

Hawkeyes Drop Series Finale to Buckeyes

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The University of Iowa baseball team was defeated by Ohio State, 11-1, in eight innings on Sunday afternoon at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium.

Brody Brecht started for the Hawkeyes on the mound. The Ankeny, Iowa, native threw 3 1/3 innings allowing three runs on three hits. He struck out three and walked four.

The Hawkeyes used five different arms out of the bullpen following Brecht’s departure, but none could styme Ohio State’s offense. The Buckeyes hit four home runs in the run rule victory.

“We came out and scored a run in the first inning and had some good at bats,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Then we had some opportunities in the second and thought we might break it open. Then we had a couple bad at bats and ended up not scoring. Which was big in this game. We had another chance in the fifth offensively, a chance to maybe break the game open, and again we followed it up again with two bad at bats. Went to the bullpen in the fifth and it didn’t go well, they jumped on us for five and four with two outs and we didn’t pitch well after that.”

Davis Cop was 2-for-4 as the lone Hawkeye with a multi-hit performance. Reese Moore plated the only run for Iowa on an RBI single in the first inning.

Iowa hit .179 (5-28) on the day to Ohio State’s .323 (10-31) and the Buckeyes had seven two-out RBIs.

“It was a just a disappointing day for us,” said Heller. “We hit almost 20 groundballs on a day when the wind was blowing out 25 miles per hour. Pitch selection and poor execution when we had opportunities early to jump on them. Kind of the story, we didn’t play well. We didn’t hit well, and we didn’t pitch well, and that is what happens when you do those two things together. Ohio State made us pay.”

The Hawkeyes return to action in Iowa City on Wednesday against Bradley at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Hawkeyes Close Out Play at Buckeye Invitational

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The University of Iowa women’s golf team fired a final round 305 to finish with a 54-hole total of 917 (317-295-305) at the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational on the Scarlet Course at the Ohio State University Golf Club.

The Hawkeyes placed 12th overall.

Sophomore Riley Lewis led the Hawkeyes, shooting a 13-over par 229 (79-73-77). Sophomore Madison Dabagia followed close behind with a 14-over par 230 (78-77-75).

Ohio State placed first place, firing a seven-under par 857. The Buckeyes’ Caley McGinty was the medalist, shooting a six-under par 210.

IOWA LEADERBOARD

T36. Riley Lewis 79-73-77=229

T40. Madison Dabagia 78-77-75=230

T44. Paula Miranda 81-73-77=231

T50. Ximena Benites 82-74-77=233

T55. Shannyn Vogler 82-76-76=234

61. Kaitlyn Hanna 79-75-81=235

12. Iowa 317-295-305=917

UP NEXT

Iowa begins its championship season on April 19-21, traveling to Havre de Grace, Maryland, for the 2024 Big Ten Championships.

No. 61 Hawkeyes Sweep Penn State on Senior Day, 4-0

Sports

April 14th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The 61st-ranked University of Iowa women’s tennis team swept Penn State, 4-0, in its home finale on Sunday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex.

The victory brings the Hawkeyes’ record to 10-10 overall and 5-4 in Big Ten action.

The Hawkeyes started strong in doubles competition, coming back to capture the point after trailing in a tiebreaker match.

On court two, junior Barbora Pokorna and sophomore Pia Kranholdt captured the first win over Olivia Dorner and Yvonne Zuffova, 6-3, to bring their season record to 11-5.

In the No. 3 position, junior Marisa Schmidt and sophomore Nikita Vishwase fell to Jordina Cegarra Ramirez and Alina Lebedeva, 6-3, evening up the doubles competition.

It came down to sophomore Daianne Hayashida and senior Vipasha Mehra on court one where it was deadlocked at six all against Sofiya Chekhlystova and Karly Friedland. The Hawkeye duo claimed the tiebreaker, 7-5, to give Iowa the 1-0 lead.

The action didn’t stop there, as the Hawkeyes captured three wins in singles at No. 2, 1, and 5 to clinch the win.

At No. 2, Schmidt picked up her 12th victory of the season, downing Olivia Dorner, 6-2, 6-0. Hayashida followed with a straight set win over Sofiya Chekylstova, 6-3, 6-3.

On court five, Mehra went out with a bang in her final home match, downing Karly Friedland, 6-0, 2-6, 6-0 to clinch the team win. The senior now holds an 8-5 record this season, including going 4-1 at home.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID

“We are so proud of our senior, Vippy. It was a great day to honor her, and it was so fitting that she clinched the doubles and singles points today on such a gorgeous day in Iowa City. It was a great team effort and a wonderful way to end our home season at the HTRC. I’m proud of the team and their fight, and it could not have been a better script. We will have a good week of practice and get ready to get on the road and finish with Michigan and Michigan State.”

HEAR FROM SENIOR VIPASHA MEHRA

“First off, I want to mention the night I had with my team at the Senior Night banquet, it was absolutely perfect. I was very emotional about playing today, especially against Penn State since I clinched the point last year against them. I felt I had something to prove. I am really happy I could capture the clinch, and I could not have had a better Senior Day. I am so thankful for everyone.”

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will finish their regular season competition next weekend in Michigan, with a pair of Big Ten duals. Iowa will face Michigan on Saturday and Michigan State on Sunday.

Large structure fire reported near the Marne Exit

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Marne, Iowa) – Several area fire departments were dispatched to a large structure fire this (Sunday) afternoon, near westbound Interstate 80 at mile marker 51 (Marne Exit). The call went out at 12:30-p.m.  Responding crews included those from Marne, Atlantic, Walnut, Elk Horn and Kimballton.

An outbuilding-type structure was said to be engulfed in flames. Reports from the scene warned firefighters there was ammunition being stored in an office on the north side of the building.

Additional information is currently not available.

Audubon School Board Public Hearing/Regular Meeting Agenda, 4-15-24

News

April 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Both the Public Hearings & Regular Board meeting will take place in the Boardroom at the Audubon High School, 800 Third Ave.

7:00-p.m.:

  • Public Hearing: FY25 School Budget
  • Public Hearing: FY25 Calendar

Board of Education – Regular Meeting

1.0 Call to Order

2.0 Approve Consent Agenda

2.01 Approve Agenda

2.02 Minutes

2.02.1 March 18, 2024 – Regular Meeting

2.02.2 March 25, 2024 – Budget Hearing #1

2.03 Warrants and Financial Reports

3.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213)

4.0 ACTION ITEMS

4.01 Approve FY25 School Budget for Certification

4.02 Set Time and Date for Hearing on Amending the FY24 Budget

4.03 Approve FY25 School Calendar

4.04 Approve Last Day of School

4.05 Approve List of Graduates

4.06 Approve IASB Membership

4.07 Approve Teacher Salary Package

4.08 Approve Salaries for Employees Not Covered by Collective Bargaining

4.09 Approve Gifting Used AED to Audubon Methodist Church

4.10 Personnel

5.0 Communication & Updates

5.01 Superintendent Report

5.01.1 Board Appreciation

5.01.2 Legislative Update

5.01.3 Building Project Updates

5.02 Principals Reports

6.0 Adjournment