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Tri-Center Trojan Girls track season preview

Sports

March 21st, 2024 by admin

The Tri-Center Trojans girl’s season is off to a fresh start. The Trojans have 25 plus participants out for track and are coached by Lexi Cochran.

Coach Cochran recapped on how last season went for the Trojan’s

Coach Cochran said she is going to have a good group of returning athletes.

Coach Cochran says practice has been going great this season.

Coach Cochran talked about what her big goals for the year.

The Trojans next track meet will be the Audubon Invitational on Tuesday March 26th. That Invitation will be begin at 4:30 p.m.

AHSTW Vikings Boys Track Season preview

Sports

March 20th, 2024 by admin

The AHSTW Vikings Boys track season has started. The Vikings have 15 high schoolers out and coached by Jackson Renberg.

Coach Renberg gave a brief recap of last season.

Coach Renberg talked about how practice is going so far.

Coach Renberg mentioned his squad’s goals for this season.

The Vikings next meet will be at the Audubon Invitational on Tuesday March 26th. That invitational will start at 4:30 p.m

Cyclones Drop Road Contest in KC

Sports

March 20th, 2024 by admin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Iowa State (11-16) dropped Wednesday afternoon’s contest to Kansas City (11-18) in the City of Fountains, 3-7.

Iowa State claimed an early two-run lead, but four Cyclone errors proved too much to overcome, as ISU dropped its second midweek game of the season.

Ashley Minor was a bright spot for the Cyclones, as the sophomore recorded a game-high three hits and all three Cyclone RBI. Milaysia Ochoa and Angelina Allen were the lone other Cyclones to tally a hit.

Karlie Charles started in the circle for ISU, allowing two runs in three innings of work. Aziza Rodriguez (3-5) relieved Charles and tallied 2.1 innings of action before Lauren Schurman finished the game.

Kansas City’s starting pitcher went the distance, as three different Roos recorded multiple hits on the day.

On Deck

The Cyclones will be back in action this weekend, when they return to the Cyclone Sports Complex for a Big 12 weekend series against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. ISU and TTU are set to kick things off on Friday, March 22, at 4 p.m. pending any weather-related changes.

 

Atlantic City Council approves SplashPad construction bid & award of contract

News

March 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday (March 20), reviewed bids for construction of the Atlantic Splashpad, and awarded a contract for the project to the Henley Group, LLC, in Muscatine. Their bid was $552,084, which was below the engineer’s estimated cost of $611,328, or $59,244 less than expected.

Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm said the Henley Group has completed four similar projects, with other such projects under contract. The company came highly recommended when their references were checked-out. Sturm said they plan on getting construction underway beginning this Summer, with complete by the end of the Summer.

Mayor Garrett hugs City Clerk Barb Barrick

In other business, Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett presented City Clerk Barb Barrick with a plaque for her service to the City. Barrick’s last day is Friday. She has accepted a position with the City of Huxley. The Council tabled a Resolution approving a professional services agreement with Barrick, that would temporarily provide City Clerk Consulting Services to the City.

The Council, upon recommendation by the City’s Personnel & Finance Committee, approved the appointment of Rich Tupper as Acting City Clerk.

Rich Tupper sworn-in as Acting City Clerk

The Council also passed an Order to Adopt a Memorandum or Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Nishna Valley YMCA, for 2024 management of the Sunnyside Pool, and a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the AFSME Council 61, with regard to City Employees represented by the Union. They tabled, however, a contract extension with Retail Coach, until a City-proposed renewal fee can be presented to the retail recruiter for their approval. Retail Coach had proposed a $15,000 contracted for their services, with $10,000 up-front.

The City proposes the $15,000 be broken into three payments: $5,000 up-front, $5,000 after a three-month review, and the last payment after a six-month review.

Atlantic resident says junk properties are running “amok”

News

March 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic City Council, this (Wednesday) evening, heard from an Atlantic resident with regard to junk – illegally parked vehicles, campers and utility trailers and tires – which says she said has “run amok in the City.” The woman acknowledged there is a process in-place to deal with issues such as those she described, and that it’s most likely a “Very tedious process to cite people for the ordinance violations,” junk related.

She asked the City to become more aggressive in dealing with personal vehicles, ATV trailers and so on, parked on the grass, in some cases for months at a time. She said she “Doesn’t want the City to run around and clean up just because 20,000 RAGBRAI ® riders are coming.” She said her concern is with the people who come to the City on a daily basis to shop, eat and visit persons in the hospital or nursing homes. She asked what type of impression the City is leaving with those people. “I want to make the best impression that we possibly can, so I would plead with you to be more aggressive because I feel our City is run amok with the amount of ordinance violations.”

Cole Loward (foreground) and Kris Erickson talk to the Atlantic City Council (3-2024) Ric Hanson photo

She said the City should get the word out that is not “going to be complacent with all these ordinance violations. It hurts our property values, it’s hurting out community.” Code Enforcement/Animal Control Officer Kris Erickson she has conducted several property inspections and Code Enforcement Office Cole Lowary, said they recently abated a property to the tune of $700, which was billed to the property owner. Erickson said she and Lowary, along with two Street Department employees, cleaned-up the property of person who refused to do so. “Most of what we’ve written-up lately, they’ve complied. So, we are seeing compliance with people,” even with the swings in the weather and temperatures.

Erickson said if they are notified of a potential ordinance violation, she and Lowary have five-days to investigate it. Each case is documented with photographs. If the complaint is deemed valid, then they must wait seven-days to see if the property owner takes care of the eyesore, under most circumstances. If the issue continues, the owner receives a notice of violation.  In that case, the problem area must be cleaned-up within two-weeks. The timeline is different for properties with a dangerous structure. Anything extreme that causes “Danger, stress [or] discomfort to the public, it is a nuisance. Those we deal with as quickly as we possibly can.”

If an abate is conducted (Property clean-up) by the City, the property owner has 30 days to pay the bill, or it will be assessed to their property taxes. Erickson said if a reported property violation is not visible from a City right-of-way, “we can’t write it up, because we cannot trespass. If we send a notice stating we are going to be there if they don’t, that is not trespassing,” because they were fully informed Code Enforcement was going to be there. “If a neighbor gives us permission to access their backyard to be able to see an issue they’re reporting, we can use the neighbors property. We cannot walk on their property to write-them-up, so if it cannot be seen by a street, alley or sidewalk, our hands are tied.”

Teen dies in a NW Iowa crash Wednesday morning

News

March 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Hartley, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident Wednesday morning northwest of Hartley, in O’Brien County, claimed the life of a 16-year-old male. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened at around 8:30-a.m. at 300th Street and Van Buren Avenue.

Authorities say 16-year-old Joshua Cruz Salzillo, of Hartley, was driving a 2000 Honda Accord that left the road as it was eastbound on 300th Street. The car struck a creek embankment, causing fatal injuries to Salzillo, who was not wearing a seat belt and died at the scene.

The Patrol was assisted at the crash site by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa DNR.

Setting penalties for ‘organized retail theft’ in Iowa

News

March 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa lawmakers have voted to establish the crime of organized retail theft. Senator Scott Webster of Bettendorf said groups often steal merchandise with the intent to sell it later. “Not that long ago we had one happen just up the road in Ankeny where several firearms were stolen and then sold online,” Webster said. “HyVee, a grocer within our state, that’s constantly dealing with this problem (as well as) Home Depot, Lowes.”

The bill passed the House in February and it cleared the Senate today. Senator Tony Bisignano of Des Moines said the bill’s needed. “We’re seeing more and more of theft. It’s becoming a profession and it’s becoming organized,” Bisignano said.

But Bisignano unsuccessfully argued the bill should be broader than retail theft and apply to groups of people who target construction sites or farms to steal tools and equipment and to groups of “porch pirates” who steal packages. “For four or five people to come into the neighborhood and decide they’re going to go through the garages that night, that’s organized theft,” Bigisnano said. “…Let’s not restrict our mentality to what we see on TV. Let’s not worry about Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive and the Gucci stores. Let’s talk about our neighbors and the things that get stolen.”

Under the bill, the penalties for organized theft from a retail business are linked to the dollar amount of what’s stolen from a store.

Cass County Sheriff’s report, 3/20/24

News

March 20th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released a report on four recent arrests. Authorities say on March 14th, 53-year-old Gary Victor, of Bridgewater, was arrested for OWI/2nd Offense.  Victor was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On March 12th, 22-year-old Erin Mack, of Audubon, was arrested on warrants for:  Controlled Substance Violation, Gathering where Controlled Substances are Used and Keeping Premises or Vehicle for Controlled Substance Violation.  Mack was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.

On March 11th, 2024, Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 61-year-old Paul Hansen, of Atlantic, on warrants for Purchase / Possess Depiction of Minor in Sex Act – 1st Offense.  Hansen was booked in to the Cass County Jail where he was later released on bond.

And, on March 10th, 28-year-old Kris Sorcey, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense.  Sorcey was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

Muñoz and Juk Earn All-Big Ten Honors

Sports

March 20th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa sophomore Karina Muñoz and junior Ilka Juk have earned All-Big Ten honors, announced by the conference office on Wednesday. Muñoz earned first-team honors and Juk was named to the second team.

Muñoz earned the distinction after winning 14 event titles and posting 30 top-three finishes in the regular season. She competed in the all-around for the Hawkeyes in each of the last six meets and took home three titles. The sophomore has posted 11 scores of a 9.900 or higher this season.

The East Brunswick, N.J., native set career-highs on every apparatus this season. She is tied for second in the Iowa record books posting a 9.950 on bars at the Big Five meet this season. At the Kidney Care Women’s Gymnastics Championship in Nashville, she posted a 39.575 in the all-around which is tied for eighth all-time at Iowa.

Muñoz has a national qualifying score (NQS) of 9.905 on beam. She is ranked third in the Big Ten and 35th nationally in the event. She is ranked sixth in the conference and 27th nationally for the all-around with an NQS of 39.470.

Juk earned second-team honors in her first season as a Hawkeye. She posted a season-high, 9.925, at the Big Five and in Nashville. That score put her in the Iowa record books, tied for ninth in school history.

The Vancouver, Canada, native has a NQS of 9.900 on beam and ranks sixth in the Big Ten on the event. Juk had five scores of 9.900 or above on the beam. Juk has also competed on bars at every meet this season with a season average of 9.770, and a season-high of 9.825.

The GymHawks return to action on Saturday at the Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich. for the Big Ten Championships. Iowa will compete in session I with Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, Penn State and Rutgers. The meet begins at 11 a.m. CT and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

 

Drake plays Washington State Thursday night in Omaha in NCAA Tourney

Sports

March 20th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Drake will be looking for an upset when the Bulldogs take on Washington State Thursday night at the NCAA Tournament in Omaha. Drake is making its third appearance in the tournament in four years and take on a Washington State team that finished second in the PAC-12 in defense.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries who says they will need to find ways to generate offense.

DeVries says with 10 new players on the roster it is about handling the moment.

A year ago, the Bulldogs squandered a late lead in a first-round loss to a Miami team that made it all the way to the Final Four.

That’s Drake junior forward Tucker DeVries who hopes there is a partisan Drake crowd in Omaha.

Drake is 28-6. Washington State is 24-9.