With KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.
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Multiple news outlets reported Friday, the Clarinda Academy – a youth facility – that has been the focus of multiple investigations into alleged abuse and rape of troubled teens, is shutting down.
NBC News was among the first to announce the closing, saying a spokesperson for Sequel Youth & Family Services, which runs nearly 40 programs for vulnerable youth — including foster children and children with disabilities — did not explain why it was closing Clarinda Academy, its flagship program, and did not attribute the decision to the problems that have been documented there. The spokesperson said in a statement only that the decision was voluntary and that its license remained in good standing.
The company issued a statement that says “At Sequel, we continuously evaluate our programs to ensure we are meeting the needs of our clients. Based on a recent review, we made the voluntary decision to terminate our contract with Clarinda Academy in Iowa.” A Sequel spokesperson added, “We are now working closely with case managers, families and workers to ensure clients from these locations are placed in alternative programs that match their unique behavioral health needs.”
Sequel told the Iowa Department of Human Services this week of its plans to close the academy due to fewer children being placed at the facility. Clarinda Academy clients will be placed in alternative programs and connect employees with internal and external job opportunities, according to the statement.
The facility enrolled at-risk children ages 12 to 18 from multiple states, charging around $275 a day, per child, to provide therapeutic and residential services. Sequel has come under increasing scrutiny in the wake of a child’s death at one of its facilities last year. Allegations of negligence and physical abuse, including the improper use of restraints, have also plagued the company.
Sectional wrestling tournaments for Class 2A and Class 1A are set to be contested on Saturday. The first and second place winners in each weight class advance to district tournaments on the 13th.
Admission to all sectional and district tournaments are $6 per spectator. Follow the links to check out all of the sectional sites. Atlantic-CAM will be in Winterset and only four spectators per wrestler will be allowed to attend at that location. Livestream link is HERE.
Action at each location is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. Fans are being limited in certain locations so check with your location ahead of time. Venues that are allowing spectators will have to purchase digital tickets through Hometown Ticketing. The IHSAA has partnered with Hometown Ticketing for all postseason lead-up events and state events this year. Find tickets and info HERE.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Hawkeye Ten Conference
Denison-Schleswig 60, Atlantic 48
Creston 64, Red Oak 32
Harlan 48, Lewis Central 39
Kuemper Catholic 65, Shenandoah 58
Western Iowa Conference
AHSTW 45, Underwood 35 (A: Kailey Jones becomes Lady Vikes all-time leading rebounder, surpasses previous record of 710.)
Audubon 57, Riverside 32
IKM-Manning 57, Missouri Valley 18
Treynor 60, Tri-Center 25
Rolling Valley Conference
Exira-EHK 74, CAM 53 (Spartans secure RVC title)
Glidden-Ralston 55, Coon Rapids-Bayard 43
Paton-Churdan 54, West Harrison 34
Woodbine 57, Ar-We-Va 42
Corner Conference
East Mills 58, Essex 51
Fremont-Mills 54, Griswold 24
Pride of Iowa Conference
Central Decatur 50, Martensdale-St. Marys 42
Mount Ayr 57, Bedford 32
Nodaway Valley 54, Lenox 52
Southeast Warren 43, East Union 36
Other Scores
CB Thomas Jefferson 54, Sioux City North 46
Earlham 39, West Central Valley 36
BOYS BASKETBALL
Hawkeye Ten Conference
Atlantic 64, Denison-Schleswig 58 (A: Grant Sturm 21pts)
Harlan 58, Lewis Central 55
Kuemper Catholic 76, Shenandoah 56
Red Oak 49, Creston 43
Western Iowa Conference
AHSTW 67, Underwood 64 (A: Buzzer beater from Brayden Lund)
IKM-Manning 59, Missouri Valley 42
Riverside 54, Audubon 35
Tri-Center 56, Treynor 55 OT (TC: Leyton Nelson with game winning 3)
Rolling Valley Conference
CAM 61, Exira-EHK 54
West Harrison 82, Paton-Churdan 28
Woodbine 58, Ar-We-Va 55
Corner Conference
East Mills 79, Essex 25
Fremont-Mills 55, Griswold 33
Sidney 66, Clarinda Academy 26
Pride of Iowa Conference
Martensdale-St. Marys 78, Central Decatur 45
Mount Ayr 45, Bedford 27
Nodaway Valley 53, Lenox 38
Other Scores
CB Abraham Lincoln 64, Sioux City East 51
CB Thomas Jefferson 51, Sioux City North 48
Panorama 63, I-35 53
The CAM Cougars boys basketball team avenged a previous overtime loss to Exira-EHK on Frida night with a 61-54 win over the Spartans in Elk Horn. It was another close battle for much of the night but the Cougars were able to lead the entire second half and hold off the Spartans. The Spartans were able to get within 1 point on two different occasions in the second half but each time the Cougars answered with a three to push the lead back to 4.
Colby Rich had 10 of his game high 17 points in the third quarter. Connor McKee also got into double figures for CAM with 10. The Cougars improved to 10-7 on the season and are set to travel to Audubon on Saturday afternoon.
Exira-EHK had four players in double figures led by Cash Emgarten with 13 and Tyler Petersen with 12. The Spartans fall to 9-9 on the season and will host Coon Rapids-Bayard on Saturday.
Listen to CAM Head Coach Nick Hodges’ postgame interview below.
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The Exira-EHK girls basketball team locked up the Rolling Valley Conference basketball title with 74-53 win over the CAM Cougars on Friday night. The Spartans jumped out in front early and took advantage of a mistake prone first half for CAM. The Cougars turned the ball over 15 times in the first half and the Spartans pulled out to a 21 point lead by the break. CAM clawed back within 12 a couple of times in the second half but the Spartans held them off with some good outside shooting.
Macy Emgarten led the Spartans with 24 points. Quinn Grubbs and Mollie Rasmussen each added 17. Rasmussen buried 5 threes on the night. The Spartans improved to 19-0 on the season and have one more regular season game on Monday at Boyer Valley.
CAM was led by 12 points from Zoey Baylor and 10 from Molly Venteicher. The Cougars fell to 14-5 on the year and have a make up game at Audubon on Saturday before finishing the regular season against Paton-Churdan.
The Spartans had a tough moment late in the game when senior Tatum Grubbs went down, aggravating a knee injury she has been trying to recover from. Grubbs was hurt in practice right before they played the Cougars the first time and was trying to get back into the rotation.
Listen to Exira-EHK Head Coach Tom Petersen’s postgame interview below.
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TREVA PITKA, 100, of Atlantic died Friday, February 5th at Heritage House in Atlantic. A private funeral service will be held for TREVA PITKA. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic is assisting the family.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 11th from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.
Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery
Online condolences may be left at www.RolandFuneralService.com
TREVA PITKA is survived by:
Daughter: Melody Winter, of Montevideo, MN.
Her son – William F. Pitka, of Union Hall, VA.
Her sister – Hazel Sig, of Montezuma, IA
6 Grandchildren; 10 Great-Grandchildren and 1 Great-Great Granddaughter
(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) reminds Iowans with low to moderate income, Iowans who are elderly, and Iowans with disabilities that they can get free tax preparation services at sites throughout the state.
Funding for this initiative comes from a two-year grant through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program. VITA is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) initiative designed to promote and support free tax preparation service for the underserved, in both urban and non-urban locations.
DHS contracts with the Iowa Center for Economic Success to promote and deliver the tax preparation services through coalition partners across the state. You can find locations and times for tax preparation assistance at: https://theiowacenter.org/services/tax-services/ or at http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/.
“In a year like the one we just had, filing taxes can seem more stressful than ever. The EITC/VITA program ensures that hardworking Iowans can access accurate, efficient, and free tax preparation in a safe and supportive environment. The way our volunteer tax preparers work with our clients will look different this year – many working virtually – but the history of strong service remains the same,” said Erma Mujic, Manager of Government Funding + Compliance with The Iowa Center.
During the 2019 filing season, over 139,000 Iowa families claimed over $61.6 million in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC eligibility can be complex and varies by income, family size, and filing status.
By visiting a VITA site, Iowans can access IRS-trained and certified volunteers who can help them determine if they qualify for the EITC and other refundable tax credits, such as the Child Tax Credit or education credits. Volunteers at these sites also prepare and e-file (electronically file) tax returns at no cost. More than 500 volunteers prepared over 12,000 returns during last year’s filing season.
“The Earned Income Tax Credit can be extremely helpful for working Iowans, providing them more money to help them pay for groceries, housing costs and other bills. We want to spread the word and encourage Iowans eligible to file a tax return, even if they don’t owe any taxes, to take full advantage of the EITC,” said Adult, Children and Family Services Division Administrator Janee Harvey.
DES MOINES/Radio Iowa – On Friday (Today), Gov. Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that relaxes existing public health measures effective Sunday, February 7th, 2021 while continuing critical regulatory relief to those on the frontlines of COVID19 recovery for an additional 30 days.
The proclamation lifts the mask mandates she established in mid-November — when the number of Covid patients in Iowa hospitals escalated to levels not previously seen in the pandemic. Gathering limits in bars and restaurants have also been lifted.
Since November 10th, Reynolds had required mask wearing in public indoor spaces and by the crowds at high school sporting events. She required masks in state-owned buildings that house executive branch agencies. The governor had required masks to be worn inside certain businesses, like hair salons and barber shops. People attending funerals, weddings and other gatherings were required to socially distance. All of those requirements end Sunday.
The governor’s updated public health proclamation strongly encourages businesses to take steps to ensure the health of workers and employees. It also encourages Iowans who are over the age of 65 or who have preexisting medical conditions to limit the time they spend outside their homes.
The proclamation is also modified to reflect changes due to the passage of Senate File 160 and extends the waiver on transportation restrictions for overweight loads. The proclamation can found online here.
MARENGO, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa group says it rescued dozens of dogs from a rural property during this week’s snow. The Animal Rescue League says it sent teams to a property in Marengo in Iowa County on Thursday. They found more than 40 dogs confined to buildings in two dilapidated buildings and a camper.
Photo via arl-ia.org
The ARL say the dogs were wet, cold and shaking as the blizzard started. The rescue, which was expected to take 1.5 hours, instead took about four hours. One of the group’s vehicles slid off the road and another had to be dug out of the snow. No details about the property or the owner were released.