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Secretary Pate launches voter education videos as part of Civic Learning Week

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – As part of National Civic Learning Week (March 11-15), Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has launched a new series of videos designed to give Iowa voters an in-depth look at Iowa’s voting process. The video series will cover a variety of topics about Iowa’s elections process, including voter registration, registration management, absentee voting, and more.

The launch of the video series is part of an ongoing effort to ensure Iowans turn to the Iowa Secretary of State as the trusted source of all things elections. Over the past few years, Pate’s office says there has been a rise of mis-, dis- and mal- information spread among social media and news sources. It is vitally important that Iowans understand Iowa’s elections process and to stay alert for cases of false claims.

At the time of its launch, the video series includes 18 separate videos about Iowa’s voting process. Additional videos covering topics like Election Day and the Tabulation Process will be released in the coming months. The videos can be accessed at VotingProcess.Iowa.Gov.

Civic Learning Week is a nationwide celebration of civic learning that unites students, educators, policymakers, and private sector leaders. Learn more about Civic Learning Week at CivicLearningWeek.Org.

Creston woman arrested Sunday evening

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a woman was arrested Sunday evening, for Driving while Suspended. 40-year-old Alicia Ellen Lovell, of Creston, was arrested at the Iowa State Savings Bank at around 5:35-p.m., Sunday. Lovell was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $300 cash or surety bond.

Cass County Democrats to Hold County Convention March 23

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Democrats are hosting their County Convention at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce meeting room on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10-a.m. until Noon. Registered Democrats residing in Cass County are invited to attend. Individuals eligible to vote may register as Democrats at the event. Youth age 13+ who will not be 18 by Election Day 2024 may participate as Youth Delegates and also have the opportunity to participate in the Youth District and State Conventions. Press and observers are welcome, as long as they do not
interrupt or interfere with the Convention.

At the county convention, Cass County Democrats will finalize their county platform, and elect delegates to represent the county at the Democrats’ district and state conventions, on
May 4 and June 15, respectively. Cass County’s delegates to the state and district conventions will represent Cass County in two areas: developing Iowa’s state democratic platform, and representing the county’s presidential candidate preferences.

A political platform is a set of goals, strategies, and principles designed to address current political issues. The Cass County Democrats began developing this year’s county platform during the caucuses held on January 15. Platform resolutions developed at the caucus covered topics including affordable childcare, food access, senior housing, gun control, reproductive freedom, environmental sustainability, and more. Delegates elected at the county convention will represent Cass County’s values and platform while assisting with the development of the Iowa Democrats’ state platform.

In addition to platform development, delegates to the state and district conventions also represent Cass County’s presidential candidate preferences. Starting this year, instead of selecting presidential candidates at the caucus, Iowa Democrats indicated their preferred presidential candidate via presidential preference cards sent through the mail. Presidential preference cards were mailed to those who requested them (via mail or internet form) by February 19, 2024. The cards were required to be returned by March 5, 2024. All 50 votes cast in Cass County were for President Biden.

For more information about the county convention or the Cass County Democrats, contact County Chair Denise O’Brien at 712-249-3197 or casscountyiadems@gmail.com or follow
the Cass County Democrats on Facebook @CassCountyIADems.

Law officers plan crackdown on drunk drivers on and around St. Patrick’s Day

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A week-long, statewide traffic enforcement program will be launched this Wednesday as Iowans plan to celebrate the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. Brett Tjepkes, chief of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, is reminding Iowans to take it easy on the green beer, lest they make a potentially-deadly mistake by getting behind the wheel. “St. Patrick’s Day is one of our nation’s most popular holidays. There’s a lot of festivals, parades, parties, and drinking alcohol comes with that,” Tjepkes says. “The amount of alcohol that’s consumed is higher than average around Patrick’s Day, so we’re just encouraging people to make good decisions and that includes to refrain from driving while intoxicated.”

Tjepkes says law enforcement officers across the state will be on the lookout for lawbreakers. “The Iowa State Patrol, sheriff’s departments, and police departments across Iowa are going to be looking for intoxicated drivers,” Tjepkes says. “We want people to make good decisions and we want them to have fun, but we don’t want that day of fun to turn into a tragic or devastating time by driving while intoxicated and injuring themselves or others.” If you find yourself drunk and stranded with your vehicle, Tjepkes says to give the keys to a sober driver who can safely drive you home. And if you have a friend who is about to drive drunk, he says to take away their keys and help them get home safely.

“Last March, there were 26 traffic fatalities on Iowa’s roads and almost 40% of those happened the week of St. Patrick’s Day. We know that there’s an increased amount of drinking, and drinking and driving,” Tjepkes says, “and so planning ahead, designating a sober driver or calling a taxi or an Uber or Lyft service would really be a good decision if somebody’s had too much to drink.”

Tjepkes says to be on watch for pedestrians, as an increase in alcohol consumption and pedestrian traffic can be a dangerous combination. If you’re on foot, he says, cross streets in well-lit areas and use the crosswalks.

AARP Foundation providing free tax help

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The A-A-R-P Foundation is again providing free tax help. Foundation vice president, Mioshi Moses says it’s the largest volunteer-based tax assistance and preparation program in the country. “We focus on helping older adults with low to moderate income, complete their tax returns and also secure tax refunds,” Moses says. She says they have several locations in Iowa.  “We provide service both in person and virtually so you can go to our website at AARP foundation.org/tax aid and find our site locator tool on our website where you can enter your zip code and you’ll be directed to the site nearest you,” she says.

Moses says they know that tax time can be stressful for many people. “Last year in Iowa, we serve more than nine-thousand people and we’re able to help secure more than eight million dollars in refunds for them,” Moses says. She says older Americans may see some changes when they file their returns. “For some taxpayers when they turn 65 they are eligible for an additional standard deduction,” she says. “They may find that they face a reduction in income or no longer qualify for other deductions.”

The A-A-R-P Foundation tax help will be available through April 15th.

BILL “Willis” FAHN, 74, of Panama (Mass of Christian Burial 3/15/24)

Obituaries

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BILL “Willis” FAHN, 74, of Panama, died Saturday, March 9, 2024, at home. A Mass of Christian Burial for WILLIS FAHN will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption, in Panama. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s Parish Center is on Thursday, March 14th, from 4-until 7-p.m.

Burial is in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.

BILL “Willis” FAHN is survived by:

His wife – Joan Fahn, of Panama.

His sons – Chad Fahn, and Jeff (Jill) Fahn, all of Earling.

His daughter – Barbie (Brad) Fink, of Harlan.

His brother – Charles (Linda) Fahn, of Goodyear, AZ.

His sisters – Donna Escher, of Harlan, and Mary R. (Hollis) Bledsoe, of Avoca.

and 6 grandchildren.

MELVIN BRUCK, 79, of Earling (Mass of Christian Burial 3/12/24)

Obituaries

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MELVIN BRUCK, 79, of Earling, died Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Myrtue Medical Center, in Harlan. A Mass of Christian Burial for MELVIN BRUCK will be held 10:30-a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling is on Monday, March 11, 2024, from 5-until 8-p.m., with a Rosary at 7-p.m.

Burial is in the St. Jospeh’s Cemetery in Earling.

MELVIN BRUCK is survived by:

His wife – Marilea Bruck, of Earling.

His daughters – Michele (Alan) Hall, and Ann (Justin) Monahan, all of Harlan.

His sons – Matthew (Michelle) Bruck, and Steven (Tanya) Bruck, all of Harlan; and Bob (Krissa) Bruck, of Earling.

His brothers – Delbert (Yvonne) Bruck, and Ralph (Joan) Bruck, all of Harlan.

His sisters – Marian (Joe) Wellman of Avoca; Sylvia (Dennis) Gaul of Harlan, and Marlene (Ron) Arrick, of Neola.

15 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Monday, March 11, 2024

Weather

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 73. S/SW winds 10-25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear & breezy. Low around 43. S/SW @ 15-25.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny w/a 30% chance of showers after 1pm. High near 71.
Wed. Night: Cloudy & windy w/an 80% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 42.
Thursday: Cloudy & windy w/a 60% chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 54.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 61. Our Low was 17. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 34 and the Low was 22. The Record High for March 11th in Atlantic, was 69 in 1902. The Record Low was -22 in 1948. Sunrise: 7:39. Sunset: 7:22-p.m.

Bill requires radon reduction systems in new home construction

News

March 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has unanimously passed a bill that would require radon mitigation systems in newly constructed homes in Iowa. Representative Hans Wilz of Ottumwa says radon is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the move could help reduce Iowa’s rising cancer rate. “Iowa’s cancer rate now ranks number two in the nation. It is the only state where the cancer rate is actually rising,” Wilz said.

“An estimated 1440 additional Iowans are diagnosed with cancer each year, not to mention radon is responsible for nearly 21,000 deaths in these United States and approximately 400 of those deaths happen in the state of Iowa.” Wilz says it’s far less expensive to install what are called passive radon control systems in a home as it’s built rather than putting one in an existing home.

“Iowa and North Dakota are the only states in the country in which every county is rated radon zone one — the highest risk,” Wilz says. “The EPA recommends that all homes built in zone one should be built with radon resistant features.” According to Wilz, good home builders are already meeting this requirement. “Basically this is a preventative method to help save lives,” Wilz says.

Representative Austin Baeth of Des Moines is a doctor of internal medicine. “Radon is responsible for about 400 cancer deaths in Iowa per year, more than car accidents,” Baeth says. “In fact, 70% of our homes have a radon level above EPA recommended levels, yet only have been checked for radon in the last decade.”

In 2022, lawmakers passed a requirement that schools do frequent and thorough testing of radon gas levels in all Iowa school buildings and develop radon reduction plans.

Iowa men stumble on Senior Night

Sports

March 11th, 2024 by admin

The at-large hopes for the Iowa Hawkeye men are most likely gone after a disastrous start on Senior night, The Hawkeyes fell behind 12th ranked Illinois by 21 points in the opening half in a 73-61 loss. Iowa shot only 35 percent and was outrebounded 50-33.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes got to within 51-47 midway though the second half before the Illini responded with an 8-0 run.

The Hawkeyes will be the seventh seed in this weeks Big Ten Tournament.