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Iowa, national conservative leaders talk abortion, school choice at Family Leader event

News

July 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – State and national conservative leaders discussed wins and future goals for issues like abortion and education policy Friday at the Family Leadership Summit, with one of the group’s officials calling for further abortion restrictions in Iowa.

According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, The Family Leader, an influential conservative Christian organization, brought speakers to the gathering of an estimated 1,000 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in Des Moines. Family Leader Vice President Chuck Hurley, who works as an advocate and lobbyist at the Iowa Legislature, told the crowd that that conservative Christians have seen major successes in Iowa in recent years. One important, recent conservative win in Iowa, Hurley said, was the recent state Supreme Court abortion decision.

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Iowa’s six-week abortion ban at the 2023 Family Leadership Summit. A year later, speakers at the event celebrated the June Iowa Supreme Court decision to uphold the law — a significant win after the court struck down a similar so-called “fetal heartbeat” law that had been signed in 2018 last year. Under the latest court decision, most abortions will be illegal in Iowa after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, something that occurs as early as six weeks of pregnancy. There are exceptions to the ban in cases of rape and incest, if reported within specified time frames to law enforcement, a public health agency or a doctor, as well as when the medical procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother.

Advocates for reproductive health care say the law will functionally ban a majority of abortions in Iowa, as many people are not aware they are pregnant at six weeks of gestation.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke on a panel about education hosted by Family Leader President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats at the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines July 12, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Another victory highlighted at the event was the state’s education savings account (ESA) program, signed by Reynolds in January 2023. Much of the conversation centered on Iowa’s ESA program, providing public funding for private school tuition and associated fees. The program provides scholarships that match per-pupil funding at Iowa’s K-12 public schools — for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, and fund $7,826 per participating student.

The speakers also touched on the presidential race between presumptive nominees President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Trump has indicated he may announce his vice president pick at the Republican National Convention next week, with expected contenders including U.S. Sens. J.D. Vance and Tim Scott, as well as former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders have been floated as potential Trump running mates.

Posted in News |

ARL rescues over 100 dogs from a Boone County puppy mill

News

July 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Animal Rescue League report that just months after they helped rescue more than 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Boone County, the ARL team was back on the same property Friday, working with authorities to free 46 MORE dogs and puppies from the cycle of commercial breeding. The ARL says the breeder surrendered their license and has officially shut down. Most of the dogs rescued will need medical, dental and behavioral care. Emergency overflow housing to care for the animals temporarily has been established.
Most of the animals are “undersocialized,” according to the organization, and will need behavioral help to learn to trust humans. Some are still nursing and will need weeks of care as they grow. All will need spay and neuter surgeries to ensure their breeding days are behind them.

Photo from the ARL’s Facebook page

If you would like to help with the cost of bringing the dogs back to health and their needs, you can donate through the following website:  https://ow.ly/RHmx50SA2Tz or Venmo @ ARL-Iowa.

Posted in News |

CRAIG ALLEN WEDEMEYER, 67, of Adair (Celebration of Life 7/16/24)

Obituaries

July 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CRAIG ALLEN WEDEMEYER, 67, of Adair, died Friday, July 12, 2024, at Glen Oaks Alzheimer’s Specialty Care Center in Urbandale, IA. A Celebration of Life service for CRAIG WEDEMEYER will be held 11-a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Adair Community Building. Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair has the arrangements.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, and a luncheon will follow the service.

Interment will be held at Sunnyhill Cemetery following the luncheon.

Memorials may be directed to the Craig Wedemeyer Family, to be designated later to many of his favorite local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

CRAIG WEDEMEYER is survived by:

His wife – Brenda Wedemeyer.

His son Timothy “Tim” (Amanda) Wedemeyer.

His brother – A.J (Annette) Wedemeyer.

3 grandchildren, other relatives, his mother-in-law, and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Griswold School regular monthly meeting set for Monday evening

News

July 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular monthly meeting of the Griswold School District’s Board of Education will be held Monday, beginning at 5:30-p.m, in the Conference Room at the school. Some New Business items on the agenda include: Discussion w/regard to the relocation of the concession stand (Informational only – no action expected); The appointment of – District Business Manager/Treasurer, Board Secretary, District Attorney, and Affirmative Action Coordinator; and Approval of – Bakery, Dairy, Snow Removal, Warewash, Facility and Safety Grant bids.

View the full agenda below:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

  1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
  2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
  3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Select July Recipient(s)

– IASB Convention

– Board Self-Evaluation

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 900, 901, 902.1, 902.2, 902.3, 902.4, 902.5

New Business

7. Discussion On Concession Stand Relocation (I)

8. Approval Of Official Depositories For The District (D.R.)

9. Discussion On Exit Interview Results (I)

10. Appointment Of Business Manager / Treasurer (D.R.)

11. Appointment Of Board Secretary (D.R.)

12. Appointment Of District Attorney (D.R.)

13. Appointment Of Affirmative Action Coordinator (D.R.)

14. Approval Of Bakery Bids (D.R.)

15. Approval Of Trash Bids (D.R.)

16. Approval Of Dairy Bids (D.R.)

17. Approval Of Snow Removal Bids (D.R.)

18. Approval Of Warewash Bids (D.R.)

19. Approval Of Facility Bids (D.R.)

20. Approval Of Safety Grant Bids (D.R.)

21. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 106.1, 106.1E1, 106.1R1, 106.1R2, 106.1R3, 106.1R4, 106.1R5, 200.4, 206.3, 206.4, 401.6, 402.3, 501.3, 501.9, 501.9R1, 501.14, 501.15, 502.6, 505.2, 603.1, 603.12, 607.2, 710.1, 801.3, 803.2, 903.1, 903.2, 903.3, 903.4, 903.5, 903.5R1, 905.3, Rescind 501.9E1, 501.10, 510.10R1

22. Annual Review Of Policies 505.5, 505.8, 711.3 and 711.5 (I)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

Final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Posted in News |

KAREN SUE CHADWICK DORSEY, 84, of Bedford, TX, formerly of Anita (Svcs.7/18/24)

Obituaries

July 13th, 2024 by Jim Field

KAREN SUE CHADWICK DORSEY, 84, of Bedford, TX, formerly of Anita  died July 8, 2024.  A visitation for KAREN SUE CHADWICK DORSEY will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Lucas Funeral Home in Hurst, TX. (1321 Precinct Line Rd, Hurst, TX 76053)

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Burial in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita at a later date.

 

Posted in Obituaries |

High School Softball Regional Scores from Friday

Sports

July 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 1A

Region 3 

Collins-Maxwell 7, Ankeny Christian 0
Earlham 7, Riverside 2

Region 4 

Martensdale-St Marys 12, Orient-Macksburg 0
Griswold 8, Fremont-Mills 0

Class 2A

Region 2

Audubon 6, Ridge View 0
MVAOCOU 4, Emmetsburg 1

Region 3

Van Meter 13, Logan-Magnolia 3
Treynor 7, Missouri Valley 2

Region 4

Ogden 3, Regina Catholic 2
East Marshall 9, Kuemper Catholic 1

Region 5

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 4, Cardinal 0
Pleasantville 6, Interstate-35  3

Posted in Sports |

High School Baseball Substate Scores from Friday

Sports

July 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 3A

Substate 2 

North Polk 15, Greene County 0
ADM 6, Ballard 2
Algona 10, Webster City 5
Boone 9, Humboldt 0

Substate 6

Marion 11, South Tama 1
Xavier 2, Nevada 0
Saydel 1, Oskaloosa 0
Gilbert 2, Benton 1

Substate 8 

Bondurant-Farrar 10, Atlantic 0
Lewis Central 13, Glenwood 1
Harlan 11, Carroll 3
Creston 10, Denison-Schleswig 4

Posted in Sports |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: Saturday, July 13, 2024

Weather

July 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind 10-20 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph. HEAT ADVISORY in effect from 1-until 8-p.m.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 103. Southwest wind 10-20 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. South wind 10-20 mph.
Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.
Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday’s High in Atlantic was 86. Our Low this morning was 64. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 84 and the Low was 62. The All-Time Record High in Atlantic on July 13th, was 108 in 1936. The Record Low was 44 in 1897. Sunrise: 5:58; Sunset: 8:53.

Posted in Weather |

Atlantic Baseball falls to Bondurant-Farrar in first round of Postseason play

Sports

July 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojans baseball team lost 10-0 against the Bondurant-Farrar Blue Jays in the first round of the Class 3A Substate 8 Friday night. The top of the first inning only saw one hit for Atlantic by Hudson McLaren as the rest of the batters were retied. Things quickly heated up for the Bluejays in the bottom of the first as an RBI single from Parker Ernst and Dawson Ehlers stealing home created a 2-0 lead for Bondurant-Farrar. The next two Bluejay batters were walked and Drew Peltz hit a 2 RBI single creating a larger 4-0 deficit at the end of the first inning.

The second inning saw neither team score as both pitchers seemed to take over. In the bottom of the third inning Bondurant-Farrar applied more pressure on Atlantic as the Bluejays managed to load the bases which brought in Hudson McLaren to a tough situation as a relief pitcher. He would have a 2 RBI double hit off of him, but recovered by throwing 3 strikeouts against the next five batters he faced. In total, the Trojans would give up 5 runs in the bottom of the third giving Bondurant-Farrar a 9-0 lead.

During the fourth and fifth innings Atlantic only had one hit which seemed to highlight their woes at the plate. But, on the mound Gavin McLaren proved to be an asset with his appearance in the bottom of the fourth as he gave up no hits and struck out 2, to keep the score at 9-0. The nail in the coffin for Atlantic was in the bottom of the fifth when the Trojans would intentionally load the bases with the go ahead run on third. McLaren’s second pitch to Parker Ernst turned into a passed ball and Fenton Smith sprinted towards home plate for the walk off at 10-0.

When looking back on the expectations for Atlantic’s postseason performance, Trojan Head Coach Nathan Block commended his players for the way they fought.

The pitching performances by both Hudson McLaren and Gavin McLaren were deemed praiseworthy. Hudson pitched 1 inning, gave up 3 runs, 1 hit, and had 2 strikeouts. Gavin pitched 1 1/3 innings with 1 run scored, no hits, 2 strikeouts, and 2 walks.

This past year was full of growth for the Trojans baseball program and Gavin McLaren is one player who has shown a lot of potential throughout the year.

Coach Block is optimistic about what next year will bring for the Trojans as he returns to a team with plenty of promise.

Atlantic’s loss will have their final record of the year at 1-23. Bondurant-Farrar advances with the win to the district semifinal against Lewis Central on Monday.

Posted in Sports |

Davenport Man Sentenced to 137 Months in Federal Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm

News

July 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa – A Davenport man was sentenced on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 to 137 months in federal prison, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Sylvester George Taylor Staples, 31, was found in possession of a firearm and 9.24 grams of cocaine base. Staples had multiple prior felony convictions, including a prior federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. At sentencing, the Court also found Staples violated the terms of his federal supervised release and ordered to serve an additional 24 months of imprisonment.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Staples will be required to serve 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Davenport Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Posted in News |