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Wilson Island to remain closed through 2020

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say the Wilson Island State Recreation Area near Missouri Valley, will remain closed through 2020 while the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to outline the cleanup and repair plan for the popular public area, north of Council Bluffs. Wilson Island was closed in March 2019, when Missouri River flood waters covered the area, then stayed for more than nine months. Once the waters receded, state park officials found the area covered under a blanket of silt ranging from inches deep in some locations to more than eight feet in others and the equivalent of hundreds of dump truck loads of debris that had washed in to the park.

Chris Anunson, state park ranger with the Iowa DNR, said while there was some damage to the electrical system, most of the infrastructure survived the flood. “Following the high waters in 2011, we redesigned much of our park infrastructure based on minimizing flood damage and that paid off,” he said. “Our biggest issue right now is dealing with silt deposits. We hope to get the majority of the work done this fall and winter, then get the area reseeded this spring. This is a tentative timeline, but I believe it is obtainable.  We know people want us to reopen – we do too – but we have to do that responsibly, for the resource and for our visitors.”

While Wilson Island is closed, the DNR has been reviewing the layout of the 550-acre area that sits on the inside curve of the Missouri River, for opportunities to further reduce the impacts of flooding from Big Muddy.  State park officials are considering different clean up and redevelopment plans based on what FEMA provides as its costs estimates and guidance. “We are taking a hard look at our campground footprint to determine what should be where, to minimize damage from future flooding. Hopefully what comes out of this is a plan where the campground and the park as a whole, can live with the river,” he said.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Audubon School Board plans for on-site learning & options

News

July 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Students in the Audubon Community School District can expect to return to the classroom when school resumes August 17th, but that won’t be their only option. During their meeting Monday evening, the Audubon School Board discussed the District’s Return-To-Learn plan, and came up with three scenarios, depending on what happens between now and the middle of August, with regard the Coronavirus, and any changes that are required after school begins.

The District will start with on-site, face-to-face learning, yet still allow families the option to keep their students home, as part of remote learning. Classes will be Monday-Tuesday-Thursday and Friday, with Wednesday’s being used to deep clean the building, and as a time for teachers to work with those students who opt for remote learning, as well as any other students in need of extra attention so they don’t fall behind in their studies. Wednesday’s will also be used for small group learning as needed, for those at risk of falling behind.

Another scenario the Board envisions, is if the District needs to go the 50% class week. In that case, there would be an A-Day/B-Day set-up, where some students attend on Monday-Tuesday (A-Day), while B-Day students would attend Tuesday & Friday. Wednesday’s would alternate for those groups.

Superintendent Eric Trager says the third option is remote learning only, and then only if local public health makes the request or if there is Proclamation by the Governor or IDPH order to that effect. And, as with other districts, the Audubon School District will use mitigation efforts to limit the spread of the virus, clean surfaces and other plans to keep students and staff as safe as possible during the school year.

Posted in News |

Clarinda man arrested on an Assault charge

News

July 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

Clarinda Police Chief Keith Brothers says his officers late last Friday morning arrested 24-year old Brook Levi Stephens, of Clarinda. Stephens was arrested at his residence for aggravated domestic abuse assault. He was taken into custody under a warrant stemming from an incident that occurred in Clarinda on July 6th.

Stephens was arrested without incident and booked into the Page County Jail, where his bond was set at $5,000. Clarinda Police were assisted by the Page County Sheriff’s Department in conducting the arrest.

Posted in News |

Iowa men’s hoops pauses workouts due to COVID-19 positives

Sports

July 28th, 2020 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Athletics Department announced today that the men’s basketball team has paused workouts for 14 days after two student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday, July 27.

Following the positive test result, protocol established by UI Athletics and medical staff, including contact tracing procedures, is being followed to ensure the safety of all UI Athletics student-athletes and staff. This mandatory protocol also includes isolation for the individuals who test positive, and quarantine for those individuals who might have been exposed to someone with the virus.

Posted in Sports |

Cass County Fair Beef Show Results, Morgan Will shows Grand Champion Market Animal

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 28th, 2020 by admin

The 2020 Cass County Fair Beef Show was held on Monday in the Outdoor Show Ring at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Atlantic. Morgan Will showed the Grand Champion Market Animal with her 4-H Purchased Market Steer that weighed in at 1,330 pounds. Jace Thomsen showed the Reserve Champion Market Animal with his 4-H Purchased Market Heifer that weighed in at 1,203 pounds.  Here is the list of full results from the Cow/Calf, Feeder Calf, and Beef Shows.

Cow/Calf Show

4-H Cow-Calf: Champion: Craig Alan Becker. Reserve: Brookelyn Steffen.
FFA Cow-Calf: Champion: Taylor McCreedy.

Feeder Calf Show

4-H Feeder Heifer: Champion: Morgan Will. Reserve: Craig Alan Becker.
4-H Feeder Steer: Champion: Ashton Hagen. Reserve: Craig Alan Becker.
FFA Feeder Heifer: Champion: Eric Plagman. Reserve: Craig Alan Becker.
FFA Feeder Steer: Champion: Carson Cary. Reserve: Colton Becker.

Beef Show

4-H British Breeding Heifer: Champion: McKenna Sonntag. Reserve: Colton Becker.
4-H Continental Breeding Heifer: Champion: Brock Henderson. Reserve: Carli Henderson.
4-H Commercial Breeding Heifer: Champion: Brant Will. Reserve: Craig Alan Becker.
4-H Supreme Breeding Heifer: Champion: Brock Henderson. Reserve: Brant Will.
FFA British Breeding Heifer: Champion: Ethan Steffensen.
FFA Continental Breeding Heifer: Champion: Walker McDermott. Reserve: Makenna Potter.
FFA Commercial Breeding Heifer: Champion: Eyon Steffensen. Reserve: Mallory Behnken.
FFA Champion Breeding Heifer: Champion: Walker McDermott. Reserve: Mckenna Potter.
4-H and FFA Supreme Overall Breeding Heifer: Champion: Brock Henderson.
4-H Market Heifer: Champion: Jace Thomsen. Reserve: Jake Oathoudt.
4-H Market Steer: Champion: Morgan Will. Reserve: Carli Henderson.
FFA Market Steer: Champion: Callee Pellett.
4-H Carcass Animal: Champion: Caroline Pellett. Reserve: Rachel Becker.
FFA Carcasss Animal: Champion: Caroline Pellett. Reserve: Tristen Becker.
Overall Market Animal: Champion: Morgan Will. Reserve: Jace Thomsen.
4-H Senior Showmanship: Champion: Carli Henderson. Reserve: Craig Alan Becker.
4-H Intermediate Showmanship: Champion: Brock Henderson. Reserve: Brant Will.
4-H Junior Showmanship: Champion: Morgan Will. Reserve: Jake Wailes.
FFA Showmanship: Champion: Walker McDermott. Reserve: Mckenna Potter.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Pioneer Football League announces conference only schedule to start September 26th

Sports

July 28th, 2020 by admin

ST. LOUIS – The Pioneer Football League’s Presidents Council has determined PFL fall schedules will not include any non-conference competition and, if conducted, a conference-only schedule will not begin before September 26.

The Council will vigilantly monitor national developments, ensuring the league’s plans continue to be supported by current medical evidence and guidance. It is the Council’s intent to ensure the health and welfare of student-athletes and the communities in which they live.

Posted in Sports |

Mills County Sheriff’s report

News

July 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were recently arrested on warrants: 45-year old Michelle Diane Weston, of Corning, was arrested Sunday evening on a warrant out of Pottawattamie County, with regard to Child Endangerment. She was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail. And, 25-year old Jacob Michael Roebuck, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Jail Monday afternoon, on a warrant for Driving Under Suspension. His bond was set at $300.

Monday night, 35-year old Laffeatte Jason Thomas, of Council Bluffs, was arrested following a traffic stop on 230th Street. Thomas was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Domestic Abuse, and Child Endangerment. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

Posted in News |

2020 Hawkeye Ten All-Conference Softball Teams

Sports

July 28th, 2020 by admin

2020 Hawkeye Ten All-Confernce Softball Teams

First Team

Olivia Engler, Atlantic, Pitcher, JR*
Madison Botos, Atlantic, Center Field, JR*
Alyssa Derby, Atlantic, Catcher, JR*
Emily Brouse, Harlan, Pitcher, JR*
Madison Schumacher, Harlan, Catcher, JR
Julia Schechinger, Harlan, Outfield, JR
Sara Keeler, Creston, First Base, SR*
Gracie Hagle, Creston, Shortstop, SO*
Kelly Embray, Glenwood, Center Field, JR
Braden Liddick, Glenwood, First Base, SR
Haley Bach, Lewis Central, Shortstop, JR*
Nichole Gilbert, Shenandoah, Shortstop, SR*
Kenzie Schon, Kuemper Catholic, First Base, SO
Kennedy Marten, Denison-Schleswig, Right Field, JR
Chloe Johnson, Red Oak, Catcher, SR*
Hallee Fine, Clarinda, Catcher, SR

*Unanimous

Second Team

Tianna Kasperbauer, Harlan, Pitcher/Second Base, SO
Kate Heithoff, Harlan, Shortstop, SO
Coryl Matheny, Glenwood, Shortstop, SO
Taylor Elam, Lewis Central, Catcher, JR
Shelby Hatcher, St. Albert, Shortstop, SR
Bella Dingus, St. Albert, Catcher, SR
Hannah Slater, Denison-Schleswig, Catcher, SO
Kyndal Kells, Red Oak, Third Base, SR
Peyton Rice, Creston, Catcher, JR
Morgan Driskell, Creston, Outfield, SO
Delanie Voshell, Shenandoah, Pitcher, JR
Kennedy Goergen, Atlantic, First Base, JR
McKenzie Waters, Atlantic, Left Field, SR
Reagan Pellett, Atlantic, Third Base, SR
Allana Arkfeld, Denison-Schleswig, First Base, SR
Taryn Bertini, Glenwood, Pitcher, SR

Honorable Mention

Courtnee Griffin, Shenandoah, First Base, JR
Lainey Sheffield, St. Albert, Third Base, SO
Hailey Ostrander, Kuemper Catholic, Designated Player, SO
Alexa McCunn, Red Oak, Second Base, JR
Maddie Howard, Lewis Central, Second Base, JR
Bradlie Wilmes, Clarinda, Outfield, SR
Nevaeh Randall, Creston, Third Base, FR
Halle Evans, Creston, Second Base, SO
Macee Blank, Shenandoah, Catcher, JR
Caroline Pellett, Atlantic, Shortstop, JR
Jordan Heese, Harlan, First Base/Second Base, SO
Kyndal Hilgenberg, Kuemper Catholic, Center Field, JR
Lexi Johnson, Red Oak, Shortstop, SO
Kira Langenfeld, Kuemper Catholic, Center Field, JR
Alexis Narmi, St. Albert, Pitcher, 8th
Megan Gittens, Lewis Central, Pitcher, SO
Hayllee Sell, Glenwood, Catcher, SR

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State adds Ball State to 2020 football schedule

Sports

July 28th, 2020 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State added a 12th game to its 2020 football schedule by agreeing to host Ball State Sept. 12 at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium.

The match-up replaces the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series game against Iowa, which was cancelled when the Big Ten decided to play conference games only this fall. Ball State was available to play as Michigan cancelled its game with the Cardinals as part of that Big Ten conference-only slate in 2020.

The Cyclones will now play their first four games at home and eight of 12 overall in Jack Trice Stadium. The first road game will be Oct. 3 at Kansas.

“I am excited for our players and fans to have eight opportunities to play in Jack Trice Stadium this fall,” Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “Playing our first four games and six of the opening eight at home should give our team a significant competitive advantage.”

Pollard noted that Coach Matt Campbell’s teams have won nearly 80% of their home games the last two seasons. ISU has defeated a ranked team in each of the last three seasons in Jack Trice Stadium.

“There’s no question our guys like to play in Jack Trice Stadium as we’ve won 11 of the last 14 games there,” Pollard added. “We remain hopeful that we can host fans this season and the Ball State game will be a bonus for those with season tickets. We are not adjusting ticket prices despite adding another home game.”

Pollard noted the challenges of preparing a team to play in the COVID-19 environment.

“As we make every effort to keep our staff and players healthy in these challenging COVID-19-related times, it should be an advantage to avoid team travel the first month of the season,” Pollard said.

Iowa State and Ball State have played just once previously on the gridiron, a 38-0 Cyclone victory in 1998.

The Cyclone home schedule for this fall includes South Dakota (Sept. 5), Ball State (Sept. 12), UNLV (Sept. 19), Texas Tech (Sept. 26), Oklahoma (Oct. 17), Kansas State (Oct. 29), Baylor (Nov. 14) and West Virginia (Nov. 27).

Posted in Sports |

U.S. Senate passes pandemic relief bill, including new round of $1,200 checks

News

July 28th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Republicans in the U-S Senate are forwarding yet another incarnation of the CARES Act to the House which Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says is designed to address continuing problems with the public health crisis. Grassley, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, says he was directly involved in several key elements of the coronavirus pandemic relief legislation. “That includes updated tax relief to help get folks back to work and help businesses safely open,” Grassley says, “updates in our approach to the unemployment benefits, to provide another round of economic impact payments.”

That part of the plan provides for another round of $1,200 payments for most Americans, with an additional $500 for each dependent. The measure would also lift restrictions on federal assistance that’s already been sent to state and local governments, so it could be used to fill revenue shortfalls. “In other words, originally it was just supposed to be used to fight the virus,” Grassley says, “but if states have money left over, we’ll give them flexibility on spending it.”

He says the package contains a new credit for expenses, like for personal protective equipment and cleaning, which is needed to maintain a safe workplace for employees and customers. Grassley, a Republican, says the proposal sets a “responsible path forward” to address the problems our country is facing due to COVID-19.  “We put forth the bill and we’ve got to negotiate with the House,” Grassley says. “I hope my Democrat colleagues will work with us in good faith. They’d better be open to compromise and keep the best interests of the American people in mind.”

The package would help nursing home patients and workers, Grassley says, in addition to freezing Medicare premiums at 2020 levels to head off a predicted spike next year.

Posted in News |