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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.

No. 3 Iowa women rally to win B1G Tournament

Sports

March 11th, 2024 by admin

A late rally and another Big Ten title for the third ranked Iowa Hawkeye women.

Rob Brooks with the call on the Hawkeye Network. Iowa outscored Nebraska 17-12 in overtime and edged ther Huskers 94-89 at the Target Center. It was a game the Hawkeyes trailed by eight with two and half minutes remaining in regulation. Iowa guard Caitlin Clark finished with 34 points and 30 of them came after halftime. She also had 12 assists.

Clark called it a gritty win.

Clark on Iowa having a good shot at a one seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Clark says the Hawkeyes now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa coach Lisa Bluder on the partisan Hawkeye crowd in the Target Center.

Bluder says the Hawkeyes had their hands full.

Bluder on Iowa’s chance to be a one seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska head coach Amy Williams says she is proud of her team’s efforts in Minneapolis.

Williams says Iowa made some good defensive plays late in the game.

Cornhuskers guard Jaz Shelley scored 16 points and says this is an emotional one.

Iowa State Wins First Big 12 Title Since 2009

Sports

March 11th, 2024 by admin

TULSA, Okla. – Iowa State clinched its first Big 12 title since 2009 Sunday night inside the BOK Center. The Cyclones crowned two champions and finished the weekend with 152.5 team points, the fourth-most in a tournament in league history and the most ever by an ISU team in the Big 12 era.

The team title marked ISU’s 17th conference championship in program history and snapped Missouri’s two-year winning streak in the tournament. The Cyclones prevailed in a tight team race throughout the entire weekend and bested Oklahoma State’s 141.5 points.

Anthony Echemendia won his first individual Big 12 title courtesy of a 4-2 decision over UNI’s Cael Happel at 141 pounds. He is the fifth Cyclone to win a conference title at 141 pounds and the first since Ian Parker did so in 2020.

Yonger Bastida was victorious in one of the most anticipate matches of the season against Air Force’s Wyatt Henrickson. Bastida hit a crafty counter while Hendrickson was in on a leg for a six-point move which proved to be the difference in a 10-7 decision.

Bonus points were key for Iowa State throughout the tournament as the Cyclones registered six falls, six tech falls and seven major decisions for 28 extra points. The Cyclones’ bonus-point tally was the difference in the team race as the Cowboys finished with just 13 bonus points.

Head coach Kevin Dresser was named Big 12 Coach of the Year for the second time in his seven-year stint at Iowa State.

Three other Cyclones were unsuccessful in their title bids.

At 133 pounds, Evan Frost was outmatched against Oklahoma State’s No. 1 Daton Fix. Frost secured a late takedown to cut his deficit to 8-5 but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the four-time defending conference champion

Cody Chittum lost a marathon match to UNI’s Ryder Downey, 5-3, in the second tiebreaker. Downey was tough on top and did not allow Chittum to escape on multiple occasions throughout the match.

In a highly anticipated national finals rematch, Missouri’s No. 1 Keegan O’Toole got the best of No. 2 David Carr once again. Carr was in on a leg several times in the match, but O’Toole’s countering ability prevailed, and the Tiger snatched an 8-2 victory.

 

Drake holds off Indiana State to win MVC Tournament

Sports

March 10th, 2024 by admin

Drake survived a furious second half rally by Indiana State in St. Louis. The Bulldogs surrendered an 18 point second half lead then used a late 7-0 run to edge the Sycamores 84-80 and claim a second straight Missouri Valley Conference Tournament crown.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries. With the victory the Bulldogs are 28-6 and will play in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years.

DeVries credits the players for building a consistent program.

Tucker DeVries led the Bulldogs with 27 points, including four of five from three point range.

Sophomore guard Connor Enright hit a three pointer with two minutes remaining to snap a 76-all tie and Drake led the remainder of the way.