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Produce in the Park now accepting Summer Vendor Applications, Sponsorships

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IA (March 24, 2024) – Produce in the Park is now accepting vendor applications for summer markets and seeking sponsorships for the 2024-2025 market season. Vendor applications and sponsorship information can be found online at www.ProduceintheParkAtlanticiowa.com. Printed copies are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St. Atlantic, IA 50022).

Produce in the Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote local food and build a community that supports the health and well being of its residents. Produce in the Park’s summer farmers markets are held weekly on Thursday evenings (4:30-6:30 PM) in the Atlantic City Park from June through mid-October. Produce in the Park also holds holiday farmers markets just before Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.

Produce in the Park seeks vendors who sell handmade or homegrown foods and crafts. The 2024 summer market full-season vendor fee is $100. Vendors who register by May 1 will receive a $20 discount, and food vendors who participate in the Farmers Market Nutrition Program receive an additional $10 discount. Vendors can also join four summer markets for $50 or a single summer market for $25.

Produce in the Park seeks sponsors who support community and well being. Sponsorships offer various levels of recognition, including mention in radio ads, booth space at markets, and the organization’s logo on tote bags. 2024-2025 season sponsorships range from $250 to $2,000.

In addition to vendors and sponsors, Produce in the Park is always looking for volunteers interested in providing entertainment, serving as Guest Chef, or leading activities for kids.

Produce in the Park’s next farmers market is being held this Saturday, March 30 from noon – 3 PM at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. Spring Celebration Market will offer produce, meats, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, desserts, crafts, and more. Customers can expect to find goodies for Easter baskets and food for Easter dinner. There is no cost to enter the market, and the YMCA will offer free bounce houses for kids. Food truck Amos Fabulous Foods will be parked outside the YMCA for the duration of the market.

Spring Celebration Market is sponsored by Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic

Reviving capital gains tax break for livestock sales

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has voted to extend a state tax break for SOME Iowans who own livestock and get at least half of their annual income from farming. It’s a capital gains tax break for the sale of dairy cattle, work horses and racing horses as well as livestock — like cows and bulls and sows and b boars — used for breeding.

The tax break expired at the end of 2022. If it isn’t revived, officials estimate the state will collect two-and-half MILLION dollars in capital gains this year from cattle and horse sales. Representative Derek Wulf and his wife have a cow-calf operation on a third generation family farm near Hudson. Wulf says the capital gains tax break for livestock was established in the late 1990s.

“Our tax code should promote livestock production, which we know is often how beginning farmers get their start in agriculture. We know that livestock production supports rural communities and drives our rural economic activity,” Wulf said. “…We want to make sure that we don’t increase taxes on our livestock producers and farmers here in the state.”

The repeal of this capital gains cut for some livestock sales was part of a wide ranging tax bill that became law in 2018. The House bill that would restore the tax break is now under consideration in the Senate.

Property tax break for commercial child care centers

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has approved the governor’s idea of reducing property taxes for some child care businesses. Commercial child care centers are currently taxed as commercial property and the governor has proposed they be taxed at a far lower rate – just like residential property. Representative Brook Boden, a Republican from Indianola, spoke briefly before the bill passed the House on a 94 to one vote.

“This bill will provide an opportunity for more much needed child care in our communities,” Boden said. A Legislative Services Agency analysis indicates the bill could cut property taxes by a total of 19 million dollars for the 15-hundred commercial child care centers in the state. Republican Senator Dan Dawson of Council Bluffs is chairman of the Senate’s tax policy committee. He says Iowa cities already are adjusting budgets based on significan property tax changes lawmakers approved last year, but Senate Republicans are contemplating the governor’s proposed property tax cut for child care centers.

“It’s kind of a unique idea,” Dawson says .”But we’ve got to make sure as we’re hearing a lot of local government input right now that anything is thoughtful on that front of property taxes because we said last year it would be multiple bills over multiple years and we need to give (cities) some predictability there, too.”

Dawson made his comments this weekend on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

Iowa State scientists target disease in RNA

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – Researchers at Iowa State University are taking the next step in genetic medicine by targeting diseases in a person’s R-N-A. Most drugs target proteins to interrupt the disease process. Iowa State University researcher Walter Moss says they’ve moved beyond targeting proteins and are taking aim at disease on a smaller level – focusing on ribonucleaic acid, or R-N-A. This will allow scientists to create ‘personalized disease attackers’ that Moss says fit perfectly into ‘pockets’ in a patient’s cells.

“So, there’s the different pockets on a protein drug target. You’d be able to get that drug into that pocket, either to interfere with the protein function or the protein interaction in some way. And the same idea would be with RNA.”

Moss says the R-N-A approach could be used to target cancer and genetic diseases, but adds years of testing remain before the technology will be ready for the commercial market. Moss says 90-percent of the body’s genome is turned into R-N-A as opposed to just 10-percent that becomes protein. He explains that dramatic ratio presents scientists with new opportunities.

“It opens up whole new avenues of targeting diseases that aren’t currently possible at the protein level. Because now you can start to treat RNA-related diseases, or diseases where there is no good protein drug target. ” Moss says COVID vaccines harnessed the power of what’s known as “messenger R-N-A,” which caused a spike in interest in using R-N-A science more broadly to treat other diseases.

CAM Cougars Girls Golf Preview

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

CAM Cougars girls golf is off and running. The Cougars will be coached by Joe Wollum this season.

Coach Wollum recapped how last year went.

Coach Wollum commented well the girls will be get better as the season goes along.

Coach Wollum talked about what his squad has been working on in practice.

Coach Wollum elaborated what it’s going to be like playing in the Rolling Valley Conference this season.

Coach Wollum mentioned on what his team’s goals are for the year.

The Cougars Girls first varsity golf meet will be Tuesday March 26th for the AHSTW Triangular at Avoca Country Club. That golf meet will start at 4:00 p.m.

IOWA STATE LOSES HEARTBREAKER TO NO. 4 STANFORD IN SECOND ROUND

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

STANFORD, California – Iowa State (21-12, 12-6 Big 12) lost a heartbreaker to No. 4 Stanford (30-5, 15-3 Pac-12) on Sunday night 87-81 in overtime in the second round of the NCAA Championship. The Cyclones were led by an elite 36-point performance by Emily Ryan, making for the second straight game a Cyclone has scored 30-plus.

Iowa State came out hot shooting at 6-of-8 from deep to lead 23-16 after the opening quarter, while Ryan put up a 15-point first half giving Iowa State a 33-31 edge. In a game of 18 lead changes and 12 ties, the Cyclones gave the Cardinal all they could take forcing overtime but came up short to end a memorable season.

Ryan was magnificent throughout the night, going out to a career-high 36 for her first 30 point game. That total now ties the second-highest single-game mark in ISU NCAA Tournament history, matching Ashley Joens’ mark set in the first round in 2022. The guard made 12 field goals to set the second-highest single-game program total. Ryan, who officially broke the NCAA Championships career assist program assist record in the first round, upped the record to 57. Ryan brings her tournament assist total to 18, tying the No. 5 single-tournament total in school history.

Ryan came one rebound shy of a double-double while adding four assists, two blocks and a steal to her final stat line. Ryan had six 3-pointers to match her career high.

Addy Brown had a stellar night totaling 18 points (7-of-11 shooting) and four 3-pointers to match her career high. ISU totaled 12 3-pointers, its 11th game with 10 or more 3-pointers. Audi Crooks had her 32nd-straight double-figure scoring outing with 10 points, also pulling down eight rebounds.

Iowa State women edged in OT by No. 5 Stanford in NCAA Tournament

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

Heartbreak for the Iowa State women in the NCAA Tournament. Brooke Demetre’s three pointer with 18 seconds remaining in overtime gave Stanford the lead for good as the fifth ranked Cardinal edged the Cyclones 87-81 in Palo Alto. ISU finishes with a record of 21-12.

That is Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly. The Cyclones had a late three point lead in regulation and nearly pulled off a stunning upset.

Emily Ryan led the Cyclones with 36 points.

Ryan felt it was a special season for the Cyclones.

Darian DeVries leaves Drake to take over at West Virginia

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

After leading Drake to six seasons of 20 wins or more Darian DeVries has left to become the new coach at West Virginia. The Bulldogs won two straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles and played in the NCAA Tournament three times in the last four years. Drake AD Brian Hardin.

Hardin says he was first contacted by West Virginia AD Wren Baker the day after the Bulldogs lost to Washington State in the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulldogs have a talented, young roster and Hardin says his first priority is to find the right coach.

Hardin would not say if two-time Missouri Valley Player of the Year Tucker Deries will follow his father to West Virginia despite numerous reports that he will. Hardin says the Bulldog program is in a great place because of the success Darian DeVries enjoyed.

Iowa men lose at Utah in the NIT

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

Iowa’s defense was non existent Sunday night in an NIT loss at Utah. The Utes had seven three pointers in the opening half and used a late 13-0 run prior to halftime in a 91-82 victory.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes finish the season with a record of 19-15.

Patrick McCaffery led the Hawkeyes with 19 points.

Hawkeyes Down Purdue to Win Opening B1G Series

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana – The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Purdue, 9-6, in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Alexander Field.

Iowa outhit the Boilermakers, 15-4, and used a big fifth and sixth inning to secure the win.

“Really happy with how we came out,” said head coach Rick Heller. “The bats came out strong and jumped on them right away.”

The Hawkeyes got four and two third innings out of their starter Marcus Morgan. The Iowa City, Iowa native allowed two hits and three earned runs while striking out three and walking four.

Jack Whitlock entered in relief with the bases loaded and recorded a strikeout to get out of the jam. He threw 1 and 1/3 innings without allowing a baserunner to earn the win. Anthony Watts struck out two in an inning and 2/3rds of work, while allowing three runs (two earned).

Jack Young earned his first career save throwing the final 1 1/3 innings, he struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to close the door.

“Decent start out of Marcus Morgan,” said Heller. “At times it was really good, but some free bases led to a few runs. They didn’t have to work very hard for their six. You look up at the board and see six runs on four hits, and you don’t like to see that, but we had some guys step up. Jack Whitlock was great on the mound and Jack Young finishing it out with the final four outs, he was outstanding again.”

On the offensive side of things, the Iowa bats remained hot totaling 29 hits in the final two games of the series.

Purdue took a 2-0 lead early in the game using a walk, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI double to get to the Hawkeyes in the third. A wild pitch and a mishandled sacrifice bunt allowed a second run to cross in the frame.

Iowa responded cutting the Purdue lead in half in the fourth inning as Raider Tello hit a leadoff double down the right field line and Davis Cop singled scoring him.

The Hawkeyes broke things open in the top half of the fourth. Ben Wilmes singled, Michael Seegers doubled to give the Hawkeyes runners in scoring position. Andy Nelson came to the plate and sent a ball over the Purdue bullpen in left field to give Iowa the lead.

A Sam Petersen bunt single and Raider Tello reaching on an infield error allowed Cop to bring home another run as he punched a ball through the left side. Cop finished the day 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

Purdue got a run back in the fifth after a bases loaded walk from Morgan, but the Hawkeyes tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull away.

Wilmes and Seegers both singled to set up Nelson who continued his stellar week with a two RBI double through the left side of the infield. Nelson was 2-for-4 with five RBIs on the day and hit .667 (10-for-15) with three home runs and nine RBIs in Iowa’s four games this week.

Petersen would single and score Nelson from second and Tello would single and put Petersen on third after an error. Cop grounded out but score Petersen from third to give the Hawkeyes a 9-3 lead.

Purdue would plate three runs in the seventh and eighth to narrow the gap, but Young would close the door earning the save and preventing any further damage.

“We just kept after them until the very end,” said Heller. “We didn’t execute as well as we would have liked, but 15 hits and nine runs, you will take that. Really good to get a road series win, never easy to win on the road. Good step for us.”

Iowa hit .364 with runners on compared to Purdue’s .231 and .333 with runners in scoring position compared to .222 for the Boilermakers.

UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes (13-10, 2-1 B1G) travel to Normal, Illinois for a midweek matchup on Tuesday with Illinois State.