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Lisa Bluder Named Naismith Coach of the Year Finalist

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – P. Sue Beckwith Head Iowa Women’s Basketball Coach, Lisa Bluder, was named a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year award on Monday the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced. Bluder was a semifinalist a season ago and was the recipient of the award in 2019.
“As we approach the thrilling culmination of this extraordinary college basketball season, we express our profound gratitude for the unwavering commitment and diligence demonstrated by these coaches in steering their teams towards the pinnacle of a national championship,” said Eric Oberman, President of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “The competition for the prestigious Werner Ladder Naismith Award for Women’s and Men’s College Coach of the Year has been nothing short of exhilarating, underscoring the remarkable achievements of these coaches and their respective programs.”
“Werner Ladder congratulates these remarkable coaches and their teams,” remarked Stacy Gardella, Head of Global Marketing Technology & Operations at WernerCo. “We wish them continued success in their respective tournaments and commend them for their exceptional leadership, which inspires us all.”
The 2024 Werner Ladder Naismith Trophy for Women’s Coach of the Year will be awarded on Wednesday, April 3, at a press conference at the Key Bank Club in the Cleveland Browns Stadium during the Women’s Final Four.
LISA BLUDER’S LEGACY
– Her team is a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and she guided the Hawkeyes to a 30-4 record – their eighth consecutive season with 20 or more victories which is the most since C. Vivian Stringer.
– Iowa has won 30+ games for only the second time in school history. (2022-23)
– Bluder has the 10th most wins in Division-I women’s basketball history and is third among active DI head coaches. (880)
– She has guided Iowa to three straight Big Ten Tournament titles and coached six of the last seven Big Ten Players of the Year.
– This year marks the 14th time in the last 16 seasons her team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
– She has the most Big Ten coaching wins in conference history.
– Coached two consensus National Player of the Years.
– Has coached the Hawkeyes to 22 postseason appearances in 24 seasons, including NCAA Tournament berths in 14 of the last 16 seasons.
– She has led UI to the Sweet 16 (2021), Elite Eight (2019), National Championship (2023) in three out of the last four championship seasons. (Covid)
Fans will once again be able to support their favorite finalist through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote presented by Jersey Mike’s, which runs Tuesday, March 26, through Tuesday, April 2, at naismithfanvote.com. The fan vote will account for five percent of the overall final vote. Fans may also vote by visiting @naismithtrophy, @MarchMadness and @MarchMadnessWBB Twitter pages to vote for their favorite men’s and women’s coaches.
The four finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom base their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2023-24 college basketball season. The vote was tabulated and verified by the Atlanta team of J.S. Held, a global consulting firm.

Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Keg Creek Brewing

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Keg Creek Brewing of Mills County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“I am proud to recognize the team at Keg Creek Brewing for creating a place where folks can ‘hop off the mainstream’ and enjoy award-winning craft beer in rural Iowa,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “The Keg Creek Brewing team’s hard work and dedication stands out and has helped them rise from a hobbyists’ home brewers club to a community hub with nationally recognized beers.”

Founded by friends Randy Romens, John Bueltel, Art Renz, and Grant Hebel in 2011 after homebrewing beers in their garages and basements, Keg Creek Brewing has grown into a thriving regional craft brewery with an avid following. Matt Kirsch joined the team in 2015 and became the primary owner while increasing distribution to new markets. Over the years, Keg Creek Brewing has maintained its Glenwood roots. The patio at their 15-barrel facility is a summer favorite, hosting live music, sports, and trivia.

Keg Creek Brewery is actively involved in the Glenwood community, hosting fundraising events for Relay for Life, the Mills County K9 Unit, and local libraries. Their taproom offers 20 taps with a rotating selection of award-winning beers. This year, the City of Glenwood will serve as the starting point of the RAGBRAI route, where riders and guests will have the opportunity to visit Keg Creek Brewery and enjoy a glass of their favorite beer.

Guthrie County Burn Ban lifted

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A Burn Ban that had been in-place for Guthrie County since February 24th, was lifted, effective 10-a.m. today (Monday, March 25).  Rescinding the Burn Ban came at the request of Jeremy Cooper, representing each fire department having all or part of their fire districts within Guthrie County, and was approved by Dan Wood with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The only burn ban in effect for an area county, was in Harrison County, where the ban (which was implemented Sept. 29, 2023) remains in effect until further notice.

State officials consider rules changes for home schooling

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State officials may get rid of a limit for how long a student who’s being home schooled, but monitored by a licensed teacher, may also attend classes in a public school district. It’s called “dual enrollment” under “competent private instruction.” Current state rules say those students may attend their local public district for 75 percent of the school day. Iowa Department of Education legal counsel Thomas Mayes says comments made at a public hearing have persuaded the agency to at least think about changes.

“It was an individual family talking about their individual situation,” Mayes said. “…Because they are doing competent private instruction, they are subject to the 75% cap. A family that does independent private instruction is subject to no cap at all and the comment was made: ‘Why does a family that is going through and has some ties to the school district have less access than a family that is, air quotes, ‘off the grid?'”

Home schooling parents in Iowa have the option of being independent, with no oversight by licensed educators. Home school parents who do meet with a licensed teacher regularly and dual enroll their child in a public school are also asking for access to teacher’s guides. Under current rules, they are entitled to the same textbooks being used in public school classes. Mayes says there are concerns about test security and licensing agreements with publishers.

“We would like to accommodate as much as possible, but still understand that school districts when they adopt textbooks they have responsibilities to the publisher they must follow,” Mayes says. “They own the physical copy of the book, but they do not own the intellectual property.”

According to Mayes, agency staff considering these issues have the power to make changes through the state’s administrative rules process.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 3/25/24

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports two arrests took place last week. On March 17th, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 32-year-old Carlie Rae Wright, of Clive, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana – 1st offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Wright was taken into custody following a traffic stop for speeding on Interstate 80 near mile marker 91, at around 4-p.m., March 17th.

While speaking with Wright, the Trooper noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the 2005 Ford Taurus Wright was driving. The woman admitted during questioning, that marijuana was in a red pouch on the passenger side floor board. Inside, was a jar about half full of a substance that looked and smelled like marijuana. A lighter and metal pipe used for smoking marijuana was inside the pouch, along with a grinder. Wright was transported to the Adair County Jail and released a couple of hours later on a $1,300 cash or surety bond.

And, at around 12:50-a.m. on March 20th, Stuart Police arrested 41-year-old Antonio Cartez Evans, of Ames, following a traffic stop on a 2005 Ford Taurus that was reported to have been “all over the road on Interstate 80, and unable to maintain highway speeds. The Stuart Police Officer located the car, and after seeing the vehicle cross the fog and center line’s of the road multiple times, initiated a traffic stop. Upon further investigation, Evans was arrested for PCS/Marijuana – 1st offense, and OWI/1st offense.

Evans was released from the Adair County Jail the following day on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

Audubon County woman scammed out of $32k

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Iowa are warning residents about a scam that cost an Audubon County resident $32,000. According to the Webster County Sheriff’s Office, on March 21st (2024), an Audubon County resident was contacted by phone (202-703-7876) asking if she had ordered a laptop computer on her Amazon account. The caller advised that the computer was sent to an address in New York. When she said no, she was transferred to “Dominic Valdez” with the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Protection, badge # IR7963. The woman was asked to get $32,000 cash to help catch the fraud suspect.
She went to the bank and withdrew the cash. She took a picture of the cash and sent it to the person who had phoned her. They later met in a parking lot of a local business where she gave him the money. The suspect was driving a black 2-door Hyundai car with black tape holding the front passenger side bumper on. The interior of the car was also black. The victim did not see a license plate.
The suspect was described as being a man of middle eastern descent, with short black hair, around 35 years old. This past Friday and Saturday, a male caller claiming to be from the US Marshalls Office called the victim advising that he has the cash. He also wants her to buy some gold. The victim declined.
The caller claims that there will be a warrant for her arrest for not cooperating. The Sheriff’s Office warns Iowans to NEVER give out your personal information, and please consult with law enforcement, family members or bank personnel prior to sending any cash or purchasing pre-paid cards. The Audubon County Sheriff’s Department is working with DCI-Division of Criminal Investigation, Fusion Center and the Attorney General-Consumer Protection Division.

Cass County Master Gardener Grant Money Available for Local Garden Projects

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Spring is in the air, and plans are underway for gardening projects in Cass County. Local groups planning community gardening, beautification or education programs will again be eligible for assistance from the Cass County Master Gardeners. The group is offering grant money to be used in the 2024 growing season, to encourage gardening to grow food for donation, for gardening education, and/or for gardening projects to improve local communities. The Cass County Master Gardener Memorial Grants are offered in remembrance of the many years of service to the community provided by long-time Master Gardener volunteers who have passed. Funds are raised by Master Gardeners at events like their spring plant sale, set for May 11, and summer events such as a bus trip and garden walk.

Any Cass County not-for-profit group may apply. Schools, churches, libraries, 4-H clubs, Scouts, or other organizations/individuals working to improving their communities can apply for money to begin or improve gardens or landscaping for community benefit, or to provide education for their members or the public. To ensure the money is helping a wide variety of community organizations, those who were funded by 2023 grants will not be eligible to apply in 2024. Each grant has a maximum value of $300. Applications must include plans for teamwork and sustainability. All grant recipients will be expected to submit a report at the end of the growing season, detailing how the money was spent. Recipients will also be given a sign to place in their garden area for the 2024 growing season.

Applications must be received by 4:30 PM on Monday April 22 for guaranteed consideration. They may be submitted by mail or email. Grant recipients will be informed of their application status no later than Monday, May 8 so they can make plans for the growing season. For more information, or with questions, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email  keolson@iastate.edu. Application forms can be printed from the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. You can also call or email the office to request a form be mailed or emailed to you, or stop by 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic to pick one up.

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills in horticulture. These volunteers then give back to their communities through gardening service and education. The program is available in all 50 states and Canada through land grant university Extension programs such as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more information on the program, contact Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson, at 712-243-1132 or keolson@iastate.edu. You can also follow the Cass County Master Gardeners on Facebook (@CassCoMG) for gardening tips and information on upcoming events!

Gas prices rise across Iowa and the nation

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gas prices are up in Iowa. The latest survey from AAA, shows the price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 15 cents this past week, to an average of $3.33 in Iowa (as of March 25th). That’s up 15 cents from a year ago. The national average on Monday (March 25th) was $3.52, up 11 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this past week, with a statewide average of $3.79. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.87 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.04.

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide. Home heating oil prices averaged $3.20 per gallon statewide. Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at $1.70.

*NHL* Wild Sign Prospect

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Minnesota Wild signed Wild prospect Riley Heidt to a three-year, entry-level contract which will start next season. The 2023 second round pick (64th overall) has 34 goals and 114 points in 65 games for Prince George of the Western Hockey League. He’s the third player in the history of Prince George to score 100 points and is the all-time assist leader. The 18-year-old forward will either have to play with the N-H-L club next season or go back to Prince George. Matt Hendicks, a former NHL’er now working as the assistant director of player development, joined KFAN’s Beyond the Pond on Saturday morning:

On what he likes about Riley Heidt as a player:

On SCSU defenseman Jake Peart, a Wild second round pick in 2021:

On what Peart’s strengths are:

On defenseman Daemon Hunt, a Wild third round pick in 2020, who spent most of the season in Iowa but also got 12 games with the big club:

On the American Hockey League and making the jump from Iowa to Minnesota:

On Wild rookie Marat Khusnutdinov now five games into his NHL career:

Glenwood man arrested on drug charges

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood, Saturday, arrested a man for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 20-year-old Seth Houser, of Glenwood, pled guilty to the charges, and was released.

And, 21-year-old Austin Jepsen, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, for OWI/1st offense. He posted bond, and was released.