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Clark Named as Nancy Lieberman Award Finalist

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — University of Iowa senior guard, Caitlin Clark, was named a Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Award Finalist on Monday. Clark won the award last season and was a finalist in her sophomore and freshman year.

Chosen by a poll of national college basketball experts, five student-athletes are finalists for the award that recognizes the top point guard in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball based on their performances during the 2023-24 season.

In Clark’s senior campaign, she has become the all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s basketball. The West Des Moines, Iowa native has broke the Iowa all-time records for scoring, assists, and three pointers made. She currently leads the country in points (968), points per game (32.3), assists (260), and assists per game (8.7).

She is the first Division-I player to record 3,600+ points, 1,000+ assists, and 900+ rebounds in a career. Clark is also the all-time leader in 30+ point performances in men’s and women’s college basketball over the last 25 seasons. (55)

In its 25th year, the award recognizes the top point guard in NCAA Division I women’s college basketball. To be considered for this prestigious award, candidates must exhibit the floor leadership, playmaking, and ball-handling skills of Class of 1996 Hall-of-Famer Nancy Lieberman.

Heartbeat Today 3-5-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 5th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with De Heaton about events in March at the Corning Opera House.

Play

Somers officially announces her bid for re-election as Cass County (IA) Auditor

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Cass County (IA) Auditor Kathy Somers has officially announced her intentions to run for re-election in the June 4, 2024 Republican primary. Somers was elected to fill a vacancy following Dale Sunderman’s retirement in the November, 2022 General Election, and is now running for a full four-year term.

Somers served 12 years on the Atlantic City Council from 2010 through 2021. She was chairperson of the city’s personnel and finance committee for 10 years, and credits that experience, along with her committee work as chairman of the landfill board and member of the Cass County Public Safety Commission, with preparing her for the role of county auditor. Somers learned how local governmental finances and budgets work, and became familiar with many issues involving the county as a result of those experiences.

Before becoming the county auditor, Somers worked at A.M. Cohron & Son, Inc., a bridge construction company, as the HR & EEO Officer and Safety Coordinator. The experience allowed her to bring a background in human resources, employee benefits, equal employment opportunity, workman’s compensation and liability insurance claims to the county. She also previously worked at CADCO as the executive secretary where she was involved in various projects that benefited the county and has brought that history to the office as well.

Kathy Somers (official photo)

The auditor’s duties include serving as the county’s financial officer, budget director, clerk to the board of supervisors, commissioner of elections, and registrar of voters. The auditor processes taxable valuation rates and prepares the property tax book. Real estate transfers, payroll, accounts payable, and passport applications are also handled in the auditor’s office.

Somers is the daughter of Dean and Verna Esbeck and is a 1988 graduate of Atlantic High School. She is married to Guy Somers. They have four grown children: Mikayla Stockhaus, Justin Somers, Nadia Coop and Lex Somers. Kathy Somers looks forward to serving the citizens of Cass County for another four years.

Molly Davis Hopeful to Return

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Jim Field

University of Iowa women’s basketball redshirt senior Molly Davis suffered an injury to her right knee against Ohio State on Sunday. The announcement came Monday by Head Coach Lisa Bluder.

The 5-foot-7 guard is expected to undergo physical therapy next week to improve mobility for postseason play.

Bluder said, “While we feel for Molly that she got injured during Senior Day, we are so thankful that the injury she sustained is not season ending, Our program has appreciated everyone’s support and prayers as we look forward to her return at some point during the postseason.”

Davis has started 26 games this season, and is averaging 6.1 points, 3.1 assists and is leading the team in assist-to-turnover ratio at +2.51. The native of Midland, Michigan, has played pivotal minutes in every game this season for the Hawkeyes.

Greene County man who allegedly kidnapped his son to undergo psychiatric evaluation

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JEFFERSON, Iowa [KCCI] — A Jefferson man accused of kidnapping his son will undergo a psychiatric evaluation. On Monday, a judge ruled that there was probable cause to suggest that 34-year-old Brandon Duong is not competent to stand trial.

Duong is charged with second-degree kidnapping and violating a custodial order after he removed his 7-year-old son from Greene County Elementary in January, prompting an Amber Alert. After a chase and hours-long stand-off, Duong surrendered and was taken into custody in northwest Iowa. His son was unharmed.

The case will remain on hold until the psychiatric evaluation comes back.

Retired Drake mascot dies

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa  – Officials with Drake University, Monday, announced on social media, that their retired mascot “Griff I” had passed away. Griff I joined Drake University as the official mascot in 2015, bringing joy to the students and alumni he met on campus. He retired in 2020, after 5 years as both a mascot and certified therapy dog.

Griff helped initiate the “Griff Gives Back” pet food collection campaign that resulted in over 100,000 pounds of food being donated to the Pet Project Midwest.

Adams County BOS approves new “Green Energy” plan

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa [WHO-TV])— The Adams County Board of Supervisors, Monday, approved a new green energy comprehensive plan. Their action followed a public hearing. The document was put together by the zoning board, along with consultant Chris Shires of Confluence Planning and Design Firm of Des Moines. The hearing opened with testimony from citizens mostly opposed to the expansion of wind turbines in the county.

Jeanne Jackson, of the Adams County Priceless Land Coalition, a citizens group opposing more wind turbines shared economic statistics of some four families who have moved out of the county due to being near the wind turbines. She said if you multiply each families impact over an average of 18 years, that adds up. She also presented what her group felt would be fair noise measurements for a neighbors wind turbine when the sound gets next door.

The supervisors voted 3-1 in favor of the green comprehensive plan, with one supervisor abstaining. Adams County leaders are hoping for additional tax revenue from more wind farms.

The wind turbine ordinances will be proposed by the county zoning board.

SE Iowa Juvenile faces arson charge in a Walmart incident

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Police believe a juvenile intentionally set a fire Sunday in the Oskaloosa Walmart. The fire started around 6:30 p.m. in the women’s clothing section and quickly spread before a customer put it out with a fire extinguisher, authorities said. The building was evacuated shortly after the fire and was closed on Monday.

The Oskaloosa Police Department posted on Facebook that no one was injured in the fire. They’ve charged one juvenile, who has not been identified, with first-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief. The minor was fingerprinted and referred to juvenile court before being sent home, police said.

Tuesday High School Boy’s State Basketball Schedule

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 2A

#2 Hudson (23-2) vs. #7 Grundy Center (20-3) @ 10:30 a.m.
#3 Underwood (24-0) vs. #6 Unity Christian (20-4) @ 12:15 p.m.

Class 3A

#1 Decorah (22-2) vs. #8 Williamsburg (16-8) @ 2:00 p.m.
#4 Assumption (16-8) vs. #5 Ballard (16-8) @ 3:45 p.m.

#3 MOC-Floyd Valley (21-3) vs. Bondurant-Farrar (16-9) @ 5:30 p.m.
#2 Waverly-Shell Rock (20-3) vs. #7 Pella (15-9) @ 7:15 p.m.

High School State Basketball Tournament Scores from Monday

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 1A

#1 North Linn 75, #8 Woodbine 59
#4 Winfield-Mt. Union 54 #5 Lynnville-Sully 37

#2 Marquette Catholic 45, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 36
#3 Lake Mills 58, #6 North Union 50

Class 2A

#1 Western Christian 56, #8 Regina Catholic 34
#5 Treynor 73,#4 West Burlington 63