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Riverside Volleyball Continues to Dominate

Sports

September 18th, 2024 by Christian Adams

The Riverside Bulldogs volleyball team is dominating the schedule with hopes at making a run at states. Through 18 games the Bulldogs are ranked number two in class 1A 17-1 with their only loss coming from a tough ACGC team. Riverside is also dominating in the statistics. Riverside players are ranked in the top five in eleven statistical categories. Head coach Brooke Flathers says their dedication and teamwork make this group special.

Defensively, Riverside ranks fifth in the Western Iowa Conference in digs and leads the conference with 101 total blocks. Individually Madison Kelley is tied for first in the conference with 24 while Lilli Reed and Bently Rone are right behind, ranking third and fourth.  Flathers says that being a solid blocking squad is a whole team effort.

As far as the offense is concerned, Riverside knows how to put points on the board. The WIC kill leaderboard features three Bulldogs led by Elly Henderson, who ranks second in Kills and first in kill efficiency. In the service department, it is no different. Ayla Richardson, Rone, and Sophia Fenner all rank in the top eight in aces, with Richarson leading the conference with 32. They have also been extremely efficient, with Fenner, Henderson, and Ashley Kelley ranked in the top 3 in service efficiency. Flathers credits not only her team’s depth but their volleyball IQ for their offensive success.

The Bulldogs have put themselves in a phenomenal spot with just over a month to go in the regular season. Flathers knows that in order to get where they want to be, they will need to continue to have that next game-up mentality.

The Bulldogs will travel to Audubon to take on the 5-7 Wheelers on Thursday with the match set for 7:30 pm.

Iowa banker says SBA red tape, liens unfair to disaster victims

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa banker says there’s too much red tape in federal disaster recovery programs. Gus Barker is president and C-E-O of First Community Bank in Newell. “Disaster victims are in no position to complete that excessive paperwork,” Barker says. Barker testified this (Wednesday) afternoon at a hearing of the U-S Senate Small Business Committee. He told senators about helping a customer, who was a victim of the historic floods of 1993, complete a Small Business Administration loan application.

“We could not have completed that application without the support of the local SBA office,” Barker said. “Regretably since that time, SBA scaled back its presence in Iowa and applications are now approved in San Francisco, a distance which makes coordination much more challenging.” Barker says direct lending from the Small Business Administration and other federal programs have played a key role in the survival of disaster stricken businesses and he’s urging the agency to make changes.

Gus Barker, president and CEO of First Community Bank in Newell, testifies at Washington, D.C. hearing.

“SBA is known to file liens far in excess of the loan amount to secure their mortgages. These liens tie up their collateral and prevent a community bank from helping the borrower in any way in the future,” Barker says. “SBA should be willing to subordinate their loans in the way that USDA has, for example.” Barker says disaster victims should also be able to package federal benefits offered by different agencies — like a S-B-A loan and a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Neither of which is adequate in itself in the rebuilding,” Barker says. “Today, a victim must choose one or the other. It’s too much to ask for disaster victims to learn the details of those programs and make an informed judgment of what to do.”

Barker, who has worked in his family-owned bank for 47 years, is on the Independent Community Bankers of America board of directors.

No state fines for alleged abuse and ‘unsafe’ staffing levels at nursing home

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The state of Iowa has suspended $47,500 in fines against a southwest Iowa nursing home cited for inadequate staffing and the physical and verbal abuse of residents. The Iowa Capital Dispatch says according to state inspectors, although the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah has insufficient staff on hand, the home’s director of nursing recently informed them she was being pressured by management to make further cuts in staffing due to budget constraints — adding that she felt doing so was “unrealistic and unsafe.”

Garden View is owned by an out-of-state real estate investment trust that is designed to provide investors with returns tied to the profits generated by dozens of nursing homes in Iowa and other states. State inspectors recently investigated four separate complaints pertaining to Garden View and substantiated each of them. The home was cited for 10 violations of federal regulations and four violations of state regulations. Just three weeks before that investigation was completed, state inspectors cited the home for nine federal violations and one state violation as part of a routine inspection at Garden View.

As a result of the two inspections, the Iowa Department of Inspections Appeals and Licensing has proposed, but held in suspension, a total of $47,500 in state fines. As it has in the past, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may yet impose fines for the violations of federal regulations cited by the state inspectors.

The Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa. (Photo via Google Earth)

According to the inspectors’ reports, employees of Garden View reported that a colleague of theirs had cursed at, threatened, and physically abused at least two residents of the home. Although the report identifies the job titles of most of the workers who allegedly witnessed or investigated the incidents, the job titles of the accused worker and a colleague who fielded internal reports of the alleged abuse – both of whom were reportedly fired — are not disclosed.

In the past three years, CMS has imposed $145,906 in federal fines against Garden View. The home has the lowest possible ratings from CMS — one star on a five-star scale — on all three criteria used by the federal agency: staffing levels, inspection results and overall quality.

Game design major at ISU gets initial approval

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A proposal from Iowa State University to create bachelors degree in Game Design received approval from a Board of Regents committee today (Wednesday) I-S-U Associate Provost Ann Marie VanDerZanden says demand for the program has been growing. “Interest for the degree on campus is strong. Currently, Iowa State courses focus on games and game design frequently reach their enrollment capacities, and the university’s game development club engages over 650 students,” she says.

VanDerZanden says there are a couple of businesses where graduates could work in Iowa, and the degree could bring more. “Becasue we know many businesses prefer to locate where there is available talent, having this degree could actually bring some of these companies to our state. The proposed degree in game design would be the first among the regents institutions,” VanDerZanden says. VanDerZanden says there is an opportunity to attract transfer students from some community colleges.

“For example, western Iowa Technical Community College and Iowa Lakes Community College offer associate’s degree in game design. Marshalltown Community College offers an E- Sports Program Management degree,” she says. “And we feel that both of these would be opportunities if students choose to pursue a four-year degree, that our degree would be attractive to them.” The projections show the major would grow rapidly.

“We expect an initial enrollment of 30 students majoring in game design, growing quickly to 240 students in four years,” VanDerZanden says. VanDerZanden says there would be no additional cost I-S-U as the instructors in the current courses would handle the courses in the major.

The full Board of Regents is expected to approve the major Thursday in the second day of their meeting.

Waffles sold in Iowa and other states recalled due to plastic contamination

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Federal health officials say a Utah company is recalling thousands of boxes of waffles as they may contain foreign objects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall as “Class II” on Sept. 13 of a voluntary recall from Kodiak Cakes LLC, based out of Park City UT, for 7,300 boxes of its 40-count “Kodiak Protein-Packed Power Waffles, Buttermilk & Vanilla.”

The recall, which was initially issued in August, was initiated “due to the potential presence of soft plastic film,” Kodiak said in a letter sent to consumers who may have been impacted. The recall is designated at a “Class II” status, meaning the waffles may cause adverse health reactions if consumed.

According to the letter, impacted packages have UPC code ‘7 05599 01920 3’ on their boxes, expire on Jan. 1, 2026, and a time stamp of 12:00-23:00. The recalled waffles were sold at Costco warehouses in the Midwest between July 15 and August 25, Kodiak said in its letter.

The FDA notice shows the waffles were distributed to Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. No other Kodiak products are impacted, and only boxes with this UPC code and expiration date are included in the recall.

If you still have any unused boxes of the recalled waffles in your freezer, Kodiak said to take them to your local Costco for a full refund. You can also contact Kodiak via email at flapjacks@kodiakcakes.com or phone at 801-328-4067.

Centerville police arrest teen for threat of violence toward high school

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A teen was taken into custody Wednesday morning in connection to a violent threat toward a southern Iowa school. KCC-TV reports police in Centerville were called to investigate a tip about a threat of violence toward Centerville High School that was found written on a table Tuesday. Officers found evidence and received tips from the public that led to a suspect. A 17-year-old was taken into custody Wednesday and charged with threat of terrorism, a Class D felony.

Centerville police thanked the public for providing aid and noted the use of Safe + Sound Iowa, a website that collects anonymous tips about school threats and relays them to local law enforcement.

Police have not publicly identified the teen who was arrested.

Here is the letter Centerville Schools posted on social media with regard to the incident:

Parents and Community Members,
Today the school was made aware of graffiti written on a classroom table at CHS that threatened school violence. It is our belief that you can’t be too safe when it comes to school safety issues and that any issue, no matter how small it may seem to some, should be investigated as though it were credible until you learn otherwise. Upon learning of this graffiti and the threat it contained, our administrative team immediately began to investigate the graffiti, the statements contained therein, and the individuals involved.
After our investigation today, we believe there to be no credible threat to the safety and security of our campus and our students at this time. We have asked Centerville PD to review our investigation and to provide additional support to CHS in the next couple of days to help ensure safety and security for all. We appreciate so much that Chief Demry and his team are always so ready and willing to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Through the investigation conducted today, we have determined that an important additional piece of re-training that we will do again this fall with our students and staff is to continue to call for a “see something, say something” approach to any concerns related to school safety. We ask that anyone who hears of or sees a safety concern report the concern to any member of administration or through the “Iowa Safe + Sound” tip line at 1-800-224-6018.
We greatly appreciate those who communicated with the administration about this threat both in person and via the Iowa Safe + Sound tip line so that we could properly investigate to ensure the safety of all. As always, school safety is the most important work that we do and we appreciate the vigilance of members of our community, especially our law enforcement partners, in helping to ensure that our school remains safe for all members of the learning community. Thank you for your efforts to help us and please never hesitate to contact us if you have information that could be helpful to us in ensuring school safety.
Sincerely,
Mark Taylor
Superintendent

Celebrate SepticSmart Week by doing routine maintenance and identifying harmful products before they go down the drain

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Fall is a great time for one in four Iowans to take a few simple steps to protect their pocket books, their septic systems and Iowa’s waters.  The Iowa DNR is encouraging Iowans with septic systems to celebrate SepticSmart Week, Sept.16 to 24, a nationwide campaign sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Septic failures are most likely to occur when they’re neglected, and failures are costly. Routine inspections and maintenance may reduce those future costs. In addition to routine maintenance, Iowans can help by examining their own septic habits. Identifying harmful products before they go down the drain will lead to improved water quality, better health, and save homeowners money and a lot of heartache.

“Everything we put down the drain has an impact on our septic system’s health,” says Cory Frank, the Iowa DNR On-site Wastewater Coordinator. “Dishwasher pods, liquid drain cleaners, even the type of toilet paper you use can cause significant damage to your system and the environment, and potentially cost you thousands of dollars.”

Performing routine septic system maintenance and identifying harmful products before they go down the drain will lead to improved water quality, better health, and save homeowners money.

The EPA offers six simple tips to keep your system performing optimally:

  • Don’t Strain your Drain—use water efficiently and stagger washing, dishwashing and other high water uses.
  • Think at the Sink—avoid pouring fats, solids and harsh chemicals down the drain.
  • Don’t Overload the Commode—flush only toilet paper, not tissues, wipes, paper towels, pet litter or any other trash.
  • Shield your Field—no parking and no tree planting keeps septic fields functioning.
  • Pump your Tank—follow your professional’s recommendations.
  • Protect it and Inspect it—service the system every one to three years.

You can find additional information on septic system operations, maintenance, and water quality resources at iowadnr.gov/septic, and also on the SepticSmart website.

Iowa players preview Minnesota

Sports

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins says the Hawkeyes don’t need to use last year’s 12-10 loss to Minnesota as motivation heading into Saturday’s game under the lights in the Twin Cities. It is the Big Ten opener for both and Floyd of Rosedale will be on the line.

Iowa center Logan Jones says it will take a complete game to get the win.

Jones says the worst part about trophy games are when the other team carries it off the field.

Jacob Gill leads the Hawkeyes with 12 catches and says the Hawkeyes face a tough challenge.

Gill says it is a big game for both teams.

Fish kill not the first in Cedar Rapids trout stream

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A spokesman for the D-N-R says more than 12-hundred fish died after a water main break Monday that allowed chlorinated water into Iowa’s only urban trout stream in Cedar Rapids. D-N-R fisheries technician Chris Mack talked with K-C-R-G T-V about the fish kill at McLoud Run.

“It is a big deal. I mean, our hatchery spent money and time raising these fish, and we spend time hauling them and stocking them,” Mack says. D-N-R records show there have been seven other kill at McLoud Run since 2012. Mack says the last fish kill happened earlier this year, and the cause was also chlorinated water.

‘It’s fairly frequent occurrence being an urban situation,” Mack says. He says the D-N-R assess the value of the dead fish, then the city of Cedar Rapids has to pay the fine. In spring 2023 that was around 22-thousand dollars, and another fish kill in 2017 cost around 20-thousand dollars.

Mack was asked by K-C-R-G T-V, if mass fish kills have become the norm for this area, when do they get to the point where they don’t restock McCloud Run. He says it provides a unique opportunity for anglers. “It’s just these urban settings are closer to people and the majority of our anglers don’t want to travel that far,” he says.

Iowa’s other trout streams are in Northern Iowa. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports in the wake of these kills, the city of Cedar Rapids has purchased seven sensors that would alert city staff when a water main break occurs so that it can be stopped sooner.

Lifestyle changes can help you live longer, healthier life

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -Heart disease is the #1 killer in Iowa, claiming more than 7,000 lives a year, and without some lifestyle changes, health officials say those numbers will only rise.

McKenna Schmidt, wellness education specialist at Gundersen Health System, says many Iowans face critical risks from heart disease based on factors they -can’t- control, like their age, race, gender or family history.

“There are some risk factors that we can control, and those include living a sedentary lifestyle, so lack of physical activity and exercise can contribute to cardiovascular disease,” Schmidt says. “Poor diet can also be a risk factor, and tobacco use can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease as well.”

McKenna Schmidt (Gundersen photo)

Seek out avenues that will help to reduce stress, and she says if you smoke, quit, that’s in addition to getting moving with exercise and eating right.

“The recommendation is to get about 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly,” Schmidt says. “Getting enough sleep, about seven to nine hours is the recommended amount of sleep that we should be getting each night. Eating a well-balanced diet, that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables, and eliminating or reducing processed foods is important.”

Some Iowans, even those with good health insurance, don’t bother to get annual physicals or they might not even have a doctor they see on a regular basis.

“It’s important to establish care with a primary care provider if you don’t have one, because if something does come up, you have easier access to be able to reach out to them with questions,” she says. “So it’s really important to establish care with a provider, and then, they can always refer you on to specialty areas if needed.”

A recent study predicted more than 60-percent of adults will have heart disease by 2050, and that over the next three decades, Americans are -unlikely- to make any lifestyle changes to prevent it.

Gundersen Health System has clinics in Calmar, Decorah, Fayette, Lansing, Postville and Waukon, and a hospital in West Union.