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UPDATE: Investigation into Montgomery County fertilizer spill continues

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK  5:01-p.m., 3/13/24 – DNR staff continue to investigate the New Cooperative fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County. The release has been stopped and clean-up efforts are still underway.

The product flowed several miles downstream of Red Oak in the East Nishnabotna River, reaching Missouri. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been notified.

The DNR encourages private well owners in Montgomery, Page, and Fremont counties with wells in near proximity to the East Nishnabotna River to contact their county health department to test their wells for nitrate. This service is free using Iowa’s Grants-to-Counties (GTC) program. The DNR will be providing county health officials with lists of registered private wells that may be vulnerable.

Due to low water levels in the East Nishnabotna, the concentration of the liquid nitrogen fertilizer is higher than during normal stream flows, causing concern for all animals due to high nitrate and urea levels.

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Toxicologist Scott Radke recommends keeping all animals away from the East Nishnabotna River until the plume of contaminant moves out of the area.

The Iowa DNR is working with local, state and federal officials, and will continue to investigate impacts of the spill.

Original press release information from March 12, 2024:

Fertilizer spill in Montgomery County reaches East Nishnabotna River

RED OAK — On March 11, New Cooperative in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release on-site early Monday morning.

Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (32% solution) discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to a valve left open on an aboveground storage tank overnight. Areas of pooled fertilizer have been pumped into a vac truck and will be land applied later. Dead fish were observed in the East Nishnabotna. The extent of the fish kill is still being determined.

DNR field staff are on-site. Samples have been collected and will be analyzed. The investigation is on-going.

MARY RUBIO, 66, of Orient (Svcs. 3/18/24)

Obituaries

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MARY RUBIO, 66, of Orient, died Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Funeral services for MARY RUBIO will be held 10-a.m. Monday, March 18, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

The family will greet friends on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m

Burial is in the Orient Cemetery.

Memorials:  May be made to the Mary Rubio Memorial Fund to be established at a later date.

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

Exira-EHK Boys Basketball 2023-2024 Season Recap

Sports

March 13th, 2024 by admin

The Exira-EHK Spartans Boys Basketball team ended their season with a 56-49 loss to the Woodbine Tigers in the Regional Championship game in the Class 1A-Region 8 bracket. The Spartans were led in scoring that night by Cash Emgarten who had 15 points.

Exira-EHK boys were leading scorer this season was senior Cash Emgarten who scored 428 points and averaged 18 points per game.

The Spartans will be losing seven seniors to graduation this year: Aiden Flathers, Cole Brabham, Cash Emgarten, Jameson Kilworth, Jonas LaCanne, Jaiden Pettepier and Jackson Radcliff.

Spartans coach Tony Santistaben talked about playing Woodbine Tigers for the third time this season.

Coach Santistaben had this to say about what he told his team in the locker room after the Woodbine game.

Coach Santistaben commented how on how special it was to coach this years seniors.

Coach Santistaben talked about the big year Senior Cash Emgarten had.

Coach Santistaben said that he has goals in mind but needs to find out what kind of team he will have next year.

The Spartans ended the season with a 19-5 overall record and went 14-2 in the Rolling Valley Conference, and the coaches and players are looking forward to seeing what they can do next season.

Iowa men play Ohio State in B1G Tournament Thursday night

Sports

March 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa Hawkeye men open the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday night by taking on one of the league’s hottest teams in Ohio State. The Hawkeyes are 18-13 after closing the regular season by getting thumped at home by 13th ranked Illinois. The Buckeyes are 19-12 and have won five of their last six since the firing of coach Chris Holtman a month ago.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says the Buckeyes have played well under interim coach Jake Diebler.

McCaffery says the Buckeyes responded after the firing of Holtman.

McCaffery expects both teams to push the tempo.

McCaffery on the changes Diebler has made since becoming the interim coach.

Northern Iowa women prepare for MVC Tournament

Sports

March 13th, 2024 by admin

The Northern Iowa women take the number four seed into this week’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in the Quad Cities. After a 1-9 start to an injury plagued season the Panthers posted a 14-6 Valley record.

That’s UNI coach Tanta Warren. The Panthers open Friday afternoon against the winner of Thursday’s game between Illinois State and Evansville.

Warren says the Panthers have battled adversity to get to this point.

The Panthers were the preseason Valley favorites and enter the tournament having won six of their last seven games.

Wartburg women set for Thursday’s start of NCAA D-III Final Four

Sports

March 13th, 2024 by admin

The Wartburg College women’s basketball team is two wins away from a national championship. The Knights play Smith College on Thursday night in the NCAA Division III Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. It is the third Final Four in program history.

That’s Wartburg coach Bob Amsberry who says the moment won’t be too big for his team.

Amsberry says one of their biggest strengths is the ability to succeed with different styles of play.

New York University and Transylvania meet in the other national semifinal.

No. 7 Iowa State men prepare for Thursday night’s opener in Big 12 Tournament

Sports

March 13th, 2024 by admin

Iowa State guard Curtis Jones says the seventh ranked Cyclones have focused on offense as they get ready for Thursday night’s quarterfinal round game at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. In the last four games ISU has averaged 61 points and only managed 58 in Saturday’s loss at Kansas State. They will open against the winner of tonight’s game between Texas and K-State.

Jones says everybody has a role on the offensive end.

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger says there are a lot of factors that have affected the production on offense, including the grind of a tough Big-12 race.

Otzelberger two areas of emphasis this week have been ball movement and screening.

Iowa State is 24-7 and Otzelberger likes the identity of his team heading into the post season.

Atlantic FFA Competes at Districts

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa/by Atlantic FFA reporter Lily Johnson) – On Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, 20 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the District Career Development Events at Clarinda High School.

Lauren Comes

During the District Business session Sophomore Lauren Comes was elected as the 2024-25 Southwest District Secretary. Lauren will have several new responsibilities in her new office. Lauren gave a speech and answered two questions earlier during the business session.

Lauren said, “Being selected as a district officer was truly an amazing experience. I am extremely grateful and excited for what the year will bring. I can’t wait to be able to represent the Atlantic FFA at a district level. Having the experience to advocate for this outstanding organization is an incredible opportunity.” Hayden Kleen and Keston Schmidt were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at the convention.

Earning a Gold rating, placing 3rd earning the Alternate to the Iowa FFA State Convention was Lola Comes Extemporaneous Speaking.

Keegan Kemp

Also earning Gold was Charli Goff in Ag Welding and Keegan Kemp in Torch Welding.

Lola Comes

Claire Pellett competed in Public Speaking and earned a Silver rating, Makenna Schroeder completed in Chapter Website and the Conduct of Meetings Team earned a Silver.

Team members include Addie Freund, Addalyn Sonntag, Rylee Harlan, Jacquie Freund, Lily Johnson, Collin Harris and Maddy Anderson.

In the FFA Chapter Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 2 members participate. Earning a gold were Lauren Comes placing 11th and Lily Johnson placing 14th.

In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 6 members participate. Earning a Gold was Jacquelyn Freund. Receiving silvers were, Rylee Harlan, Addalyn Sonntag, Bailey Gresihaber, Maggie Cohrs. Receiving Bronze include Lily Willrich, and Kayedance Sturm.

Charli Goff

Competing in the Farm Business Management Test was Mia Kloewer placing 40th earning a Bronze medal.

State FFA Officers visit Atlantic FFA Chapter

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter welcomed Iowa FFA State Officer Collin Bauer and District Officer Presley Buttler to a chapter visit on February 26th, 2024. Atlantic Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Eric Miller says while at the AHS, the officers discussed opportunities in FFA and the students participated in leadership-building activities.

During a year of service to the organization, Iowa FFA officers serve as ambassadors for agriculture and the FFA. They travel to FFA chapters throughout the state to connect with members and talk about the many opportunities available to students enrolled in agricultural education.

Each Ag Class has a lesson tailored to meet the needs of the individuals in the class. Some workshops are based on Leadership Skills, others on Team Building and finally FFA Chapter Recruitment. Each class begins with an introduction of an ice breaker activity used to get the State Officers and the students in the class introduced to each other. This is followed by a game or activity designed to highlight a specific leadership skill or team building activity.

Agricultural education incorporates three aspects of learning. The classroom provides basic knowledge. FFA develops leadership and personal skills. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) provides hands-on learning while working or in an agricultural business.

The Iowa FFA Association comprises 285 local chapters preparing over 19,200 students for future career opportunities. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in applying agricultural skills and knowledge gained in classes.

Through agricultural education, FFA makes a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

A second run for Iowa film incentives gets committee approval

News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A House committee has approved a bill with guidelines for a limited revival of state incentives for movies and TV shows filmed in Iowa, but the original version has been altered. The plan no longer requires that actors be Iowa residents in order for the project to be eligible for the program.

Representative Chuck Isenhart of Dubuque, a Democrat, backs the bill, but he said that part seems contrary to the goal. “It could be used to inadvertantly prevent us from doing what I think we’re intending to do with this bill and that is employ Iowa actors and actresses and use Iowa vendors on the project,” Isenhart saod. “This throws that into question in my view.”

Under the bill, production companies could be eligible for a rebate worth up to 30% of the project’s expenses, but only $5 million in rebates would be available in each of the next two years. Republican Representative Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs said it doesn’t matter who the stars of the movie are, it’s what the production spends in Iowa that’s important.

“They are going to be here in Iowa, staying in our hotels, eating at restaurants, probably using local craftsmen for their sets and everything else,” Siegrist said, “so whether they’re paying a big Hollywood a bunch of money or a bunch of lesser actors lesser money, it’s about the expenses.”

Fifteen years ago the State of Iowa cancelled its film tax credit program after auditors found the majority of credits were miscued and some Iowa vendors were never paid.

Republican Representative Jane Bloomingdale of Northwood said she’s confident the program’s second run can be successful. “The Iowa Economic Development Authority has worked with this, they’ve worked with so many grant programs that they know how to write the rules,” Bloomingdale said.

All 24 members of the House Ways and Means Committee voted for the bill today and it’s now eligible for debate in the 100-member Iowa House.