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Exira man arrested on drug charges in Atlantic

News

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports five arrests, include the arrest on Monday, of 26-year old Robert Joens, from Exira. He was taken into custody for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Poss. Controlled Substances/Meth & marijuana, Open Container, Interference with Official Acts, and a Controlled substance violation. Last Sunday, Atlantic Police arrested 29-year old Alicia Dellaca, of Avoca, for Driving While License Revoked. And, 18-year old Allison Campbell, of Walnut, was arrested for OWI/1st offense.

On Feb. 21st, 48-year old Daniel Laws, of Elk Horn, was arrested by Atlantic Police, on a Cass County warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. On Feb. 20th, A-PD arrested 30-year old Alen Sisira, of Atlantic, for OWI/2nd offense.

All subjects were transported to the Cass County Jail and booked-in. As of Wednesday, only Joens remained held in the jail.

Posted in News |

Part of city park might soon hold thousands of solar panels

News

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (The Gazette) — A plan developed by MidAmerican Energy and Iowa City calls for using a portion of a city park for MidAmerican’s first solar energy project. The Iowa City Council has scheduled a public hearing March 24 on leasing nearly 19 acres at Waterworks Prairie Park to MidAmerican, which would install about 10,000 solar panels. The system is expected to generate three megawatts of energy that would be tied into the electric grid.

The lease would run for 30 years and could be extended. The city would receive an annual payment starting at $13,440, and it would increase by 3% annually.

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Hudgins named MIAA Player of the Year, Hawkins Defensive Player of the Year for 2nd straight season

Sports

March 5th, 2020 by admin

The Northwest Missouri State University men’s basketball team captured three of the four specialty awards from the All-Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association and had four players earn all-league honors as announced by the MIAA office today.

Trevor Hudgins (Player of the Year, First Team All-MIAA), Ryan Hawkins (Defensive Player of the Year, All-Defensive Team, First Team All-MIAA) and Ben McCollum (Coach of the Year) claimed the MIAA’s specialty awards, while Diego Bernard (Third Team All-MIAA, All-Defensive Team) and Ryan Welty (Honorable Mention) also garnered accolades.

For the fifth straight season the MIAA Player of the Year resides in Maryville. Sophomore guard Trevor Hudgins (Manhattan, Kansas) took home the league’s top honor after averaging 19.6 points per game and shooting 51.8 percent from the field. Hudgins is a four-time MIAA men’s basketball athlete of the week honoree in 2019-20. Hudgins leads the nation in three-point field goal percentage (52.7%). He ranks No. 3 among NCAA Division II players in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.72). Hudgins is tops in the MIAA in assists (175 – 6.0 per game). Hudgins has three 30-plus point scoring contests and 17 20-plus point scoring games in 2019-20. He posted a career-high 36 points in a 96-49 win over Lincoln on Feb. 8.

Hawkins (Atlantic, Iowa) repeats as MIAA Defensive Player of Year and earned first team all-MIAA honors for the first time. Hawkins leads the Bearcats in scoring (22.8 ppg), rebounds (7.6 rpg), steals (2.1 spg) and blocked shots (0.7 bpg). Hawkins leads the MIAA in steals (65), ranks fifth in rebounding and fifth in minutes played per game. Hawkins is one of three MIAA players (Lincoln’s Jonell Burton, Missouri Western’s Will Eames) with at least 20 steals, 20 blocks, 20 assists and 20 three-pointers made. Hawkins is shooting 55.5% from the field and 45.0% from three-point range. Hawkins leads the Hawkins has collected eight double-doubles this season. Hawkins has reached 30 or more points on four occasions and he has posted 18 20-plus point scoring contests in 2019-20. Hawkins set the Northwest single-game scoring record with 44 points vs. Southern Nazarene on Nov. 2, 2019. Hawkins is a four-time MIAA athlete of the week award recipient.

Posted in Sports |

Garza named Naismith Trophy Semifinalist

Sports

March 5th, 2020 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa standout Luka Garza is one of 10 semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player who achieves tremendous on-court success, it was announced Thursday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Garza (6-foot-11, 260 pounds) ranks first nationally with 12 20-point/10-rebound performances and field goals made (275), second in 20-point games (24), third in points per 40 minutes played (29.9), fifth in scoring (23.7), ninth in 30-point games (5), 17th in double-doubles (15) and offensive rebounds per game (3.7), and 33rd in rebounding (9.9). His 15 double-doubles are third most in a single-season by a Hawkeye in three decades and the most since 2002 (Reggie Evans, 18). Garza is one of two players in the country, and only player from a major conference, to average better than 23 points and nine rebounds per game.

Garza, who has led the Big Ten in scoring since November, surpassed 700 points on March 3 to break the Iowa’s 50-year old single-season scoring record. He has scored 20 points or more in a school-record 15 straight Big Ten games, the longest streak by any player in the Big Ten since Purdue’s Glenn Robinson (15 in 1994).

Garza has scored 25 points or more 12 times this season, including the last two contests (Penn State and Purdue). He has controlled 12 or more rebounds 10 times this season, a total that ties for 14th best in the NCAA. The native of Washington, D.C., is the only Big Ten player to register seven 25-point/10-rebound performances in the same season in more than 17 years.

Garza, who is seeking to become Iowa’s first Big Ten MVP since Sam Williams in 1968, has been a force with his back to the basket in the post and facing defenders on the perimeter. He has produced the two highest point totals in a game by a Big Ten player this season (44 at Michigan; 38 at Indiana). Garza is one of two centers in the nation shooting 35 percent or better from 3-point range (min. 100 attempts).

Finalists for the trophy will be revealed on March 17, while the winner will be announced April 5, at the Naismith Awards Brunch in Atlanta.

No. 18 Iowa (20-10, 11-8) will play its regular season finale at No. 23 Illinois (20-9, 12-6) on Sunday in Champaign, Illinois. The game will be televised nationally on BTN.

Naismith Trophy Semifinalists

Udoka Azubuike               Sr.           C             Kansas
Vernon Carey                    Fr.           C             Duke
Devon Dotson                  So.          G             Kansas
Malachi Flynn                    Jr.           G             San Diego State
Luka Garza                        Jr.           C             Iowa
Markus Howard                Sr.           G             Marquette
Myles Powell                     Sr.           G             Seton Hall
Payton Pritchard               Sr.           G             Oregon
Jalen Smith                       So.          F              Maryland
Obi Toppin                        So.          F              Dayton

Posted in Sports |

Boys Class 3A State Basketball Tournament has been set

Sports

March 5th, 2020 by admin

The Class 3A Boys State Basketball Tournament bracket and pairings have been set by the IHSAA. The full tournament schedule is now in place for next week. Check out the 3A pairings below and follow the links for the bracket in each class.

Class 3A Quarterfinals (Tuesday, March 10th)

#1 Norwalk (21-3) vs. #8 Harlan (18-6) 11:15 a.m.
#4 Center Point-Urbana (18-6) vs. #5 Ballard (18-6) 1:00 p.m.
#2 Mount Vernon (22-2) vs. #7 Clear Creek-Amana (19-5) 2:45 p.m.
#3 Pella (19-5) vs. #6 Sergeant Bluff-Luton (14-10) 4:30 p.m.

CLASS 1A BRACKET
CLASS 2A BRACKET
CLASS 3A BRACKET
CLASS 4A BRACKET

Posted in Sports |

Iowa House, Senate give solar power bill unanimous support

News

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa legislature has sent the governor a compromise bill on solar energy. Last year, utilities sought permission to charge new fees to customers with solar panels on their homes or businesses. The bill now calls for studying the value of solar power starting in 2027 and establishes some alternative billing methods. Representative Gary Carlson, a Republican from Muscatine, says the compromise was developed by representatives of the state’s electric utilities, pork producers and the solar industry. “It’s gratifying to see that the groups came together and have come with a solution that’s good not only for the growth of the solar industry and utilities, but for Iowans,” Carlson says.

Last year Republican Senator Michael Breitbach, of Strawberry Point, was the lead advocate for charging new fees to customers who tap into the electric power grid when their solar panels aren’t producing power. Breitbach says this year’s deal gives some certainty to solar customers. “It also gives us a pathway forward on how the determination will be on the value of solar,” he says. Senator Eric Giddens, a Democrat from Cedar Falls, says solar power helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels for electricity. “It will strengthen the solar industry in this state, make distributed solar installations more affordable for homeowners, businesses and farmers,” he says.

The bill passed the House unanimously Tuesday and the Senate passed it 48-to-zero, Wednesday afternoon.

Posted in News |

Axne blames Trump administration for ‘gaps’ in fighting coronavirus

News

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne says she’ll support a multi-billion-dollar spending package to respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, is among the members of Congress who signed a letter to House and Senate leaders, urging passage of the bill. She expressed hope the legislation can be finalized before the end of the week. “They’re working on a vaccine for it,” Axne says, “but that’s sometime down the road. We hope to pass a funding package to help fight the greater impact of coronavirus getting deeper into our country.”

Axne says one of her biggest concerns is that any vaccine developed will be affordable to the public. “We’re absolutely looking to ensure that the funding doesn’t get pulled from other accounts, but is strictly used for this, that the vaccines are affordable and available to every single person that needs it,” she says. “We are looking at hopefully giving things like interest-free loans being made available to small businesses impacted by the outbreak.”

Under the plan, Axne says state and local governments would be reimbursed for costs incurred, while also assisting the federal response. She expressed concern over the funding bill’s delay and questioned whether the federal government is as prepared as it should be to handle COVID-19, especially with spending cuts made by the Trump Administration. “We have a lot of positions within the CDC that were left unfilled, unfortunately,” she says. “We certainly have gaps within the system that this administration decided not to fill in positions, and not to support as much with the resources that were needed. I have faith that we have incredibly smart scientists in this country and we’re going to be able to get this figured out.”

To avoid spreading the virus, Axne says to avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible, and wash your hands.

Posted in News |

Official’s appointment to public records board criticized

News

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (The Des Moines Register) — A public information advocate says the appointment of an Iowa Human Services Department spokesman to the state public records board will make it easier for the department to deny access to information. Matt Highland was named Wednesday to the Iowa Public Information Board, which enforces open records laws.

Randy Evans is director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, and he told The Des Moines Register the appointment could mute cases beyond just those involving the human services department. The governor’s office says Highland is “a perfect candidate” for the board. Highland says he would excuse himself from department-related complaints.

Posted in News |

(Podcast) KJAN 8-a.m. News, 3/5/20

News, Podcasts

March 5th, 2020 by Ric Hanson

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (5.5MB)

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Posted in News, Podcasts |

Pride of Iowa Girls Basketball All Conference honors

Sports

March 5th, 2020 by admin

2019 – 2020 Girls Basketball All Pride of Iowa Teams

1st Team
*Jensen Archibald MSTM Sr.
*Sam Stewart Mt. Ayr Sr.
Channler Henle Mt. Ayr Jr.
*Riley Bell CD Sr.
Alyssa Davis NV Sr.
*Maddax DeVault NV So.

2nd Team
Maddy Stott MSTM Sr.
Skylyr Stewart MSTM Sr.
Josie Hartman SE Warren So.
Lexi Shike NV Jr.
Alaina Applegate CD Sr.
Rachel Sobotka Mt. Ayr Jr.

*Unanimous Selection

Honorable Mention

Bedford – Kennedy Weed
Central Decatur – Hallee Hamilton
East Union – Kaylin Lack
Lenox – Cassidy Nelson
MSTM – Anna Parrott
Mt. Ayr – Jaycee Knight
NV – Reagan Weinheimer
SWV – Jentry Schafer
SEW – Alivia Ruble
Wayne – Rayleigh Snyder

Posted in Sports |