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Great Lakes seeing blue-green algae issues

News

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The executive director of the Iowa Regents’ Lakeside Lab says they’re seeing an increase in toxic blue-green algae in the Great Lakes. Mary Skopec says after years of drought, the lakes are filled with high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and contaminated sediment. It’s a combination that causes the algae to grow, especially when things warm up.

“It’s very concerning. The lakes are our drinking water source, and we want to make sure that we don’t pull those toxins into our drinking water. But when people are recreating being exposed to that can be quite, quite damaging to health,” Skopec says. There are more than 70 places, where the shorelines have also collapsed, compounding the problem. Skopec says people can still swim in the Iowa Great Lakes but need to watch out for debris and stay away from water that looks green and murky and occasionally bright blue.

Blue Green Algae on West Lake Okoboji. (photo by Sheila Brummer)

“Obviously don’t want people or pets in that water. We know that dogs can succumb to the toxins within hours.” Skopec says the good news is E. coli testing in almost a dozen spots around the Great Lakes showed levels meeting recreation standards.

(reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)

Adair County Sheriff issues a statement w/regard to RAGBRAI® traffic

News

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater today (Monday), issued a statement with regard to bicycle traffic that will be passing through the County next week. On July 23rd riders on RAGBRAI will be passing through Adair County and Vandewater says that “will most certainly impact traffic during a big portion of the day.”
Bicyclists will be leaving from Atlantic early on the morning of the 23rd and ending the day in Winterset. The official route will take them on State Highway 92 from south of Cumberland all the way to Greenfield. When they leave Greenfield, they will travel south on State Highway 25 to Orient and then east of Orient on 310th Street until they exit Adair County west of Macksburg.
The Sheriff notes there are specific routes through Greenfield and Orient, where the riders will detour off of the highways and make a pass through more of the center of each town. (See the maps posted in this story). “I would encourage anyone who can, to avoid driving on or intersecting with the RAGBRAI route, if possible,” Vandewater say. “If you do find yourself on the route or intersecting with the route, expect delays.
If your choice of roadways that day intersects with the RAGBRAI route, the delays shouldn’t be terrible. Should you find yourself attempting to travel east on State Highway 92 or southbound from Greenfield on State Highway 25, be very, very patient and expect potentially mind-numbing delays during the busiest of times. Your ability to safely pass large groups of bikers traveling approximately ten miles per hour will be limited.
If you are traveling westbound on State Highway 92 or 310th Street or northbound on State Highway 25, please consider reducing your speed, strictly avoid any distractions and remain vigilant when operating around bikers. There is almost no margin of error when it comes to bike traffic versus a motor vehicle. Any type of collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle could prove fatal, with mere inches possibly making the difference.”
Sheriff Vanedewater said also, “I believe local citizens who know the roads will easily find an alternate route. I am concerned about commercial traffic who may be from out of the area and may be unaware that RAGBRAI is even passing through on their “regular” route. Because of that, I would ask everyone to share this post in hopes of making as many motorists as possible aware of the potential issues on Tuesday July 23rd.”

American, Delta Offer Flights To Select UI Football Road Games

Sports

July 15th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Eastern Iowa Airport has worked with two carriers to add special direct flights for Hawkeye fans wanting to travel to select University of Iowa football road games this fall.

Below is a list of flight options for fans looking for air travel from Eastern Iowa to Ohio, Michigan and California.

American Airlines: Nonstop to Columbus (CMH) for Ohio State game departing Cedar Rapids (CID) at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4. The return flight on Oct. 6 departs at 9:29 a.m. ET.
Delta: Nonstop to Detroit (DTW) for Michigan State game departing Cedar Rapids (CID) at 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 18. The return flight on Oct. 20 departs at 10 a.m. ET.
Delta: Nonstop to Los Angeles (LAX) for UCLA game departing Cedar Rapids (CID) at 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 7. The return flight on Nov. 10 departs at 11:15 a.m. PT.
There will also be a nonstop flight on Delta from Seattle (SEA) to Cedar Rapids (CID) for the Washington home football game. The flight will depart Seattle at 9:35 a.m. PT on Oct. 11. The return flight on Oct. 13 will depart at 11 a.m. This will be the first-ever nonstop flight CID has had to/from Seattle and provides fans of the Huskies, as well as Hawkeye fans living in the Seattle area an easy four-hour flight.

Sandfort, Mulvey Named to NABC Honors Court

Sports

July 15th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two University of Iowa men’s basketball student-athletes – juniors Payton Sandfort and Riley Mulvey – have been named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court, it was announced Monday by the NABC.

NABC Honors Court honorees include juniors, seniors and graduate students who finished the 2023-24 year with a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

The NABC recognizes teams and athletes from all levels of college basketball. More than 2,100 players earned the Honors Court distinction.

It is the first career NABC Honors Court accolade for both players.

2024 Hawkeye 10 All Academic Award Winners

Sports

July 15th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

2024 Hawkeye 10 Summer Sports: All Academic Award Winners
Criteria: Senior letterwinners who have attained a cumulative 3.5 GPA during their high school career.
Girls Softball Boys Baseball
Name School Name School
Avery Knuth Atlantic Creighton Tuzzio Clarinda
Avery Nicholas Atlantic Quinten Fuller Creston
Callee Pellett Atlantic Samuel Henry Creston
Claire Pellett Atlantic Dylan Hoepker Creston
Riley Wood Atlantic Gavin Millslagle Creston
Presley Jobe Clarinda Milo Staver Creston
Lylly Merrill Clarinda Cael Turner Creston
Maddie Smith Clarinda Jake Fink Denison-Schleswig
Sophie Hagle Creston Ty Fink Denison-Schleswig
Claire Leinen Denison-Schleswig Nolan Allmon Glenwood
McKenna Koehler Glenwood Kayden Anderson Glenwood
Sara Kolle Glenwood Nolan Clark Glenwood
Liz Thiesen Glenwood Bryant Keller Glenwood
Faith Weber Glenwood Briten Maxwell Glenwood
Lilyana Albertsten Harlan Community Kellan Scott Glenwood
Sarah Batz Kuemper Catholic Gavin Bruck Harlan Community
Kaylie Diercksen Kuemper Catholic Braydon Ernst Harlan Community
Allison Ostrander Kuemper Catholic Quinn Koesters Harlan Community
Kaci Peter Kuemper Catholic Franz Reisz Harlan Community
Melinda Schaefer Kuemper Catholic Matthew Sorfonden Harlan Community
Martha Sibbel Kuemper Catholic Evan Loew Kuemper Catholic
Carolynne Fell Lewis Central Benicio Lujano Kuemper Catholic
Kyleigh Moore Lewis Central Brody Goeser Lewis Central
Kaysie Kells Red Oak Luke Woltmann Lewis Central
Jaydin Lindsay Red Oak Seth Zwickel Shenandoah
Joselyn McCunn Red Oak Camden Lorimor Shenandoah
Merced Ramirez Red Oak Brandon McCall Saint Albert
Jenna Burdorf Shenandoah Cole Pekny Saint Albert
Kassidy Stephens Shenandoah
Caroline Rogers Shenandoah
Lily Barnes Saint Albert
Tessa Clifton Saint Albert
Olivia Gardner Saint Albert
Alexis Narmi Saint Albert
Katelynn Hendricks Saint Albert

IOWA STATE CROSS COUNTRY UNVEILS 2024 SCHEDULE

Sports

July 15th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State cross country teams prepare for their return to the course after enjoying an abundance of success in 2023. Both the Cyclone men and women posted team finishes in the top 20 at the NCAA Championships.

“I am looking forward to the Fall 2024 Cross Country Season as our returning athletes are coming off a historic spring,” said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jeremy Sudbury. Women’s Cross Country Head Coach Amy Rudolph shared similar sentiments, stating “I am really excited for the 2024 Cross Country season and opening things up with our home meet at the end of August. Our schedule this year really sets us up to do well in championship season with the goal being the national meet.”

Last season, the men earned their eighth ever top-5 finish at the NCAA Championships in Virginia, finishing fifth as Sanele Masondo and Rodgers Rotich earned individual All-America status. The women were 20th, led by fifth-year seniors Madelynn Hill, Dana Feyen and Janette Schraft.

“After losing three of our top five from last year, I am looking forward to seeing our upperclassmen lead this team with a very deep sophomore and freshman class,” said Rudolph. “We will again see many changes within our top seven throughout the season which gives us an advantage having that kind of depth.”

This season, ISU once again opens the year hosting the Cyclone Preview in Ames. The meet takes place on Friday, August 30 at the Cyclone Cross Country Course. Last season, the Iowa State men’s and women’s squads dominated the rest of the fields to take both team titles in front of a sea of Cardinal & Gold. It is the second time in as many seasons that Ames will host a regular season cross country meet. ISU had not hosted a regular season meet since the 2012 Iowa Intercollegiate prior to last year.

“The Cyclone Preview at home this year will be a great chance to engage with our fans and run on our beautiful course, we hope to have a nice crowd come out and support our athletes,” said Sudbury.

More details on the Cyclone Preview, including parking and fan information, can be found here.

Iowa State will also prep for the 2024 NCAA Championships, held this year in Madison, Wisconsin twice with the Nuttycombe Invitational and the Wisconsin Pre-National meet. The Cyclones will make the trek to Madison first on September 27 for Nuttycombe before returning October 19 for Pre-Nationals.

“We are going all-in on getting to know the National Course in Madison, Wisconsin by racing there twice in the regular season,” said Sudbury. “I’ve always felt if you can learn how to run that course it’ll pay huge dividends in the post-season.”

Following Pre-Nationals, the Cyclones will travel to Waco to compete at the Big 12 Championships on November 1. Last season the women finished third behind then-top 10 squads BYU and Oklahoma State while the men were fourth overall. Hill, Schraft, Maelle Porcher and Said Mechaal all earned All-Conference honors with top-15 individual finishes.

After a two-week break, Iowa State will return to action on November 15 at the NCAA Midwest Regional held in Peoria, Illinois. Last season, both the men’s and women’s squads finished second in Stillwater to earn automatic bids to the NCAA Championships. The season will conclude with the national championship meet, held on November 23 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Iowa Army National Guard Unit Returns Home After 12 Month Deployment to Middle East

News

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, IA — After a year-long deployment to the Middle East, 150 Soldiers from the Iowa National Guard’s 831st Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC) are returning home.

Those Soldiers were federally activated in September 2023 to support Operation Spartan Shield under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), a region encompassing 27 countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This federal activation was the unit’s first since 2005 when they were deployed in support to war on terrorism. During their deployment, the 831st EVCC completed over 50 construction projects, contributing more than 60,000 hours of troop labor across seven U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait. These projects significantly enhanced the protection and operational capabilities of U.S. Forces in CENTCOM, particularly for Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

In recognition of their exceptional service, the unit received numerous awards: 7 Meritorious Service Medals, 87 Army Commendation Medals, and 65 Army Achievement Medals, alongside many coins for excellence.

A welcome home ceremony is scheduled for July 19, 2024, at the Des Moines Airbase, located at 3100 McKinley Ave, Building 100, Main Hangar, Des Moines, IA. They will arrive at 3:35 PM with the ceremony to commence shortly after arrival. Iowa National Guard senior leadership, distinguished guests, family, and friends will be in attendance to honor the returning soldiers.

NE man killed in a Pottawattamie County crash late Sunday morning

News

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – A single-vehicle accident late Sunday morning in Pottawattamie County, claimed the life of a man from Nebraska. According to the Iowa State Patrol, 21-year-old Andrew Grutel, of  Omaha, was driving a 2000 Chevy truck eastbound on Interstate 80 near mile marker 9, at around 11:22-a.m.

The vehicle abruptly left the road and rolled over. Grutel – who was not wearing a seat belt -was ejected during the crash. He was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Department.

Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke on summer drills

Sports

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa junior forward Hannah Stuelke says the Hawkeye women are motivated to exceed expectations next season. The Hawks lost several key players from a team that made it to back-to-back national title games. Stuelke is coming off a sophomore season in which she averaged 14 points per game and was named second team All-Big Ten.

Stuelke envisions a similar role on a new-look team. Summer workouts are underway in Iowa City.

Stuelke shot better than 62 percent from the field last season.

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 7/15/24: Griswold man arrested on Theft & drug charges; Atlantic man arrested for OWI, and more…

News

July 15th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Department reports four arrests last week, include the arrest of two Cass County men. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater says 64-year-old Joseph Anthony Frontado, of Atlantic, was arrested by the Iowa State Patrol on July 7th, for OWI/2nd offense. His arrest took place at around 8:55-a.m. on Highway 92 near 270th Street. Frontado has a BAC of .139%, which is well above the .08% legal limit to drive. He was released later that same day on a $2,000 cash or surety bond.

29-year-old Kyle Lynn Wilson, of Griswold, was arrested in Adair on July 8th, for Theft in the 2nd Degree, with regard to trailer that was reported stolen out of Guthrie Center, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The drug charge was the result of a search by a K9 Unit alerting to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. A probable cause search resulted in a marijuana grinder being located in the back seat. Wilson was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

On July 12th, 39-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Fontanelle, was arrested in Adair, on an Adair County warrant for Domestic Abuse Assault/2nd or subsequent offense. Hommes was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond. And, on July 13th, Police in Stuart arrested 53-year-old Skeet Weston Miller, of Menlo, for Public Intoxication, and 2nd Degree Harassment. Miller was on parole at the time of his arrest. He was released later in the day on his Own Recognizance.