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Come Join the Frog and Toad Call Survey

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Calling all wildlife watchers! The Iowa DNR will host two frog and toad call survey training workshops in 2024 There are still several spots available for in-person training in Mitchell and Montgomery Counties. The workshops are for anyone interested in getting involved in Iowa’s Frog and Toad Call Survey, which has been collecting data on our state’s amphibians for over 30 years. Prospective surveyors must attend a training workshop. (See details below)

The Frog and Toad Call Survey has a long tradition, starting in 1991. That was the first year a group of dedicated community scientists learned the frog and toad calls and trooped out into the night to visit wetlands across the state. Over the years, volunteers have collected data on over 2,200 wetlands and provided an incredible record of  frog and toad activity.  Program coordinator Stephanie Shepherd said “It’s rare to have such a broad set of data collected over so many years on ONE species, much less a whole group of vulnerable species.” To get involved with the frog and toad call survey you will need an adventurous spirit and the interest to learn up to 16 frog and toad breeding calls. You can check out a few of those calls in the DNR wildlife sound library.

Interested volunteers should first visit https://www.iowadnr.gov/vwmp and read through the survey requirements to see if it is something you’d have the time for and an interest in You can then see whether there are any survey routes nearby that need a monitor by browsing  the maps of available routes. Surveyors are especially need in Montgomery and Mitchell counties and surrounding counties. If you don’t see an available route near you, creating your own survey route is also an option!

The time commitment for conducting the survey and submitting data is roughly 10 hours total between April and July each year and will require being out after dark for roughly 2 hours during each survey period. Workshops are most appropriate for adults or older children (12+).

Each workshop has limited seats available and a $10.00 fee is required. Registration will close a week prior to the workshops or whenever the workshops have been filled. Direct questions to Stephanie at vwmp@dnr.iowa.gov.

Interested volunteers must attend a training workshop. Register to grab a spot in the workshop today!

IN PERSON:

April 3, 2024 (Wednesday) | 6:30pm to 9:30pm | Montgomery County | Wolfe Nature Center
April 10, 2024 (Wednesday)| 6:30pm – 9:30 pm | Mitchell County | Milton R. Owen Nature Center

There is a $10 fee to cover workshop materials. To learn more about the survey visit the DNR Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring Program webpage.

JULIA JUDY KNOTT, 99, of Harlan (Mass of Christian Burial 3/26/24)

Obituaries

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JULIA JUDY KNOTT, 99, of Harlan, died Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community. A Mass of Christian Burial for JULIA KNOTT will be held 11-a.m. Tuesday, March 26th, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Monday, March 25th, from 4-until 7-p.m., followed by a Catholic Daughters Rosary, beginning at 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Manilla.

JULIA JUDY KNOTT is survived by:

Her sons – Paul (Andrea) Knott, of Colorado Springs, CO., and Robert (Jayne) Knott, of Bettendorf.

Her daughter – Ann Knott Craighead (& Edmund Greene), of Wilkesboro, NC.

6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

JESSE JUNIOR HESS, 78, of Greenfield (Svcs. 3/27/24)

Obituaries

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JESSE JUNIOR HESS, 78, of Greenfield, died Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.  Funeral services for JESSE HESS will be held 10-a.m. Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Greenfield United Methodist Church.  Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Open Visitation:  Will be held at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; The family will greet friends on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Burial is in the Greenfield Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Greenfield Head-Endres American Legion Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357 and the Marines Funeral Honors.  A luncheon will follow the burial at the church.

Memorials: To the family to be established at a later date.

JESSE JUNIOR HESS is survived by:

His wife –  Elaine Hess.

His son – Miles Jay (Eva) Hess.

His daughter – Laura Ann.

Stepsons: David Harris, and Lynn (Shelly) Harris.

His sister – Betty Schultz.

His brother – John (Pat) Hess.

4 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Atlantic Police report: Arrests from March 11th through the 18th

News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Police Department reports 10 arrests took place from March 11th through the 18th.

Officers with the Atlantic P-D arrested two people on separate charges, March 18th: 25-year-old Agnes Koki, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct; and 42-year-old Melanie Stoural, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

On the 16th, 38-year-old Brandon Hammer, of Atlantic, was arrested in Atlantic for Public Intoxication. Hammer was also arrested March 13th, for Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication.

On the 12th of March, officers with the A-PD arrested 28-year-old G Love Kovac, of Atlantic, for Violation of a No Contact Order. And, there were five arrests in Atlantic on March 11th:

  • 38-year-old Winser Ekiek, of Atlantic,was arrested for Accessory After the Fact.
  • 58-year-old Michael Turnbaugh, of Altoona, was arrested for Driving While License Denied or Revoked.
  • 30-year-old MJ William, of Atlantic, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct.
  • 21-year-old Easter Sakate, of Atlantic, was arrested for being an Accessory After the Fact.
  • and, 39-year-old Rosita Rikar, of Atlantic, was arrested March 11th on a Active Fugitive Warrant out of Oregon.

All above subjects were taken into custody and transported to Cass County Jail and Booked in.

Love the outdoors? Be a volunteer campground host or seasonal employee; Seasonal Park Aides also wanted

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR; Des Moines, Iowa) – Several Iowa state parks are still looking for campground hosts for the 2024 season. If you enjoy the outdoors, camping and meeting new people, consider becoming a volunteer campground host and spend your summer in a park! Campground hosts volunteer 20 – 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays, while living in a free campsite in the park or forest.

Campground host positions available at:

  • Backbone
  • Clear Lake (May 1 – July 8 and August 1 – October 31, due to renovations that will close the campground in July)
  • George Wyth
  • Maquoketa Caves
  • McIntosh Woods
  • Springbrook

Learn more about how to apply on the DNR’s volunteer page.

Or for more information, email or call Elizabeth Thacker: Elizabeth.Thacker@dnr.iowa.gov; phone number (515) 444-9164.

The DNR is also hiring seasonal park aides to work in Iowa state parks and forests this summer. If you have a passion for the outdoors, are looking for an active job and enjoy helping people, consider spending your summer in one of Iowa’s most beautiful natural spaces. Learn more on the DNR’s employment web page or contact a specific state park office to inquire about summer jobs at that location. Come join our team!

Parks needing seasonal employees:

  • Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Lehigh
  • Clear Lake State Park, Clear Lake
  • Dolliver State Park, Lehigh
  • Elk Rock State Park, Knoxville
  • Geode State Park, Danville
  • Honey Creek State Park, Moravia
  • Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, Keosaqua
  • Lake Ahquabi State Park, Indianola
  • Lake Anita State Park, Anita
  • Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluffs
  • Lake of Three Fires State Park, Bedford
  • Lake Wapello State Park, Drakesville
  • Maquoketa Caves State Park, Maquoketa
  • McIntosh State Park, Ventura
  • Nine Eagles State Park, Leon
  • Springbrook State Park, Guthrie Center
  • Walnut Woods State Park, West Des Moines
  • Wilson Island State Recreation Area, Missouri Valley

Application deadline is March 31, 2024, or when positions are filled.

Narcan is available on the U-of-I campus & Iowa Memorial Union

News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – Narcan is now available in every residence hall on the University of Iowa’s campus, as well as the Iowa Memorial Union. Narcan, also known as Naloxone, is a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses. That includes prescription drugs like hydrocodone, as well as heroin and fentanyl.

Student Wellness Associate Director Trisha Welter says they’re implementing it to keep up with Iowa’s growing opioid crisis. Though she says overdoses, especially opioid overdoses, are not common on campus. But even though overdoses aren’t common on campus, Dr. Heidi Wood with the UI’s Addiction and Recovery Collaborative says the problem of opioids is happening close to home.

According to a survey by research institute RAND Corporation, about 42% of Americans know someone who’s died of a drug overdose. Because of this, the Wood hopes to be able to expand this program even further in the future. Wood says that there’s no risk of endangering someone with the medication, as it won’t have any adverse effects on someone not experiencing an opioid overdose.

Iowa Public Service workers are eligible for student debt loan relief

News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa — Thousands of Iowans will be part of another round of public service loan forgiveness. Thursday morning, the Biden-Harris administration announced an additional $5.8 billion in student debt/loan debt relief for 78,000 public service workers. Next week, Biden will send emails to 78,000 people, letting them know if they continue public service work they will be eligible for loan forgiveness.

Atlantic Trojans Girls Golf Preview

Sports

March 22nd, 2024 by admin

The Atlantic Trojans girl’s golf team season has gotten underway. The Trojans have nine high schoolers out and are coached by Kathy Hobson.

Coach Hobson gave her highlights of last season.

Coach Hobson mentioned on what the Trojans girls have been working in practice.

Coach Hobson talked about what it’s going to be like to play in the Hawkeye Ten Conference this season.

Coach Hobson elaborated on what her squad’s goals are for this year.

The Trojans girls first golf meet will be Thursday April 4th at Creston. That meet will start at 4:30 p.m.

Iowa City Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison related to Overdose Death

News

March 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa – An Iowa City man was sentenced Wednesday (March 20th) to 25 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin Resulting in Death and Distribution of a Mixture and Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Heroin Resulting in Death.

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa says according to public court documents and evidence presented at trial, on January 23, 2021, Iowa City Police Officers were dispatched to a residence related to a suspected overdose. After investigation, Lugene Shipp, 43, and Dione Dante Mobley, 43, were arrested related to the conspiracy to distribute and distribution of heroin.

Shipp and Mobley were both convicted after a trial last fall. This week, Shipp was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. After completing his term of imprisonment, Shipp will be required to serve 5 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Mobley is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23, 2024.

The case was investigated by the Iowa City Police Department, the University of Iowa Police Department, and the Johnson County Drug Taskforce.

Heartbeat Today 3-22-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 22nd, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Betsy Shelton of Volunteer Iowa about the Give Back Iowa Challenge.

Play