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Montgomery County Supervisors reinstate Compensation Board; Leave Public Comment time unchanged

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County, Tuesday, unanimously voted to reinstate the County’s Compensation Board, but decided to leave their policy for public comment during their meetings, unchanged, for now. Their current policy has a two-minute public comment period that follows the reading and approval of the previous Board meeting minutes, near the top of the weekly agenda.

Supervisors Chair Mike Olson proposed limiting the number of people speaking on a particular topic, and prohibiting personal attacks against board members. He said the policy would be similar to what the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors placed into effect, after comments regarding wind energy got out of control.

Supervisor Randy Cooper objected to some who wanted the public comment period moved to the end of the meeting. He said it would inconvenience some residents wanted to briefly attend the meeting and then get back to their jobs. Supervisor Donna Robinson suggested any changes should be made after she and Cooper – who are not running for re-election – leave at the end of the year.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Wed., Sept. 18, 2024

Weather

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny. High near 86. South wind 10-25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy w/a slight chance of showers & thunderstorms after midnight. Low 67.
Tomorrow: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms in the morning, otherwise mostly sunny. High near 89. S winds @ 10-20 mph.
Tom. Night: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms, otherwise mostly clear. Low around 58.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Fri. Night: Mostly cloudy w/a 50% chance of showers & thunderstorms late. Low around 61.
Saturday: A 60% chance of showers & possibly a thunderstorm. High near 79.
Sunday: Showers likely, and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 70.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 87. The Low was 68. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 83, and the Low was 42. The All-time Record High in Atlantic for Sept. 18th, was 99 in 1893. The Record Low was 26 in 1901. Sunrise today: 7:03-a.m.; Sunset: 7:25-p.m.

AG Brenna Bird joins letter urging EPA to deny California electric vehicle trucking rules

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has joined-in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to deny California’s request for a waiver to implement new standards that she said could ban traditional gas-powered trucks in the state. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports California requested a preemption waiver to implement administrative rules under 2023 California regulation called “Advanced Clean Fleets,” imposed by the California Air Resources Board.

The rule would ban the sale of larger diesel vehicles beginning in 2036 and ban internal-combustion engines in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. The letter, headed by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, called for the EPA to deny the state’s request because of its impacts on other states.

image from Phys.org

The letter says “Through Advanced Clean Fleets, California is attempting to export its radical climate agenda to our States, using its large population, market share, and access to international ports on the West Coast to force nationwide compliance with its ban on internal-combustion trucks… An electric-truck mandate in California means more battery electric trucks traveling in our States—a mandate our States did not ask for and do not support.”

Bird also joined a lawsuit headed by Nebraska opposing the regulations, which she and other opponents argue would force trucking companies across the country to have entirely electric vehicle fleets by 2042. In a May news conference, Bird said allowing California to adopt these state regulations would result in supply chain problems and increase costs for consumers, as trucking companies would have to comply with these standards to operate in the state, even if the companies are based outside of California.

Bird reiterated these arguments in a Tuesday statement on joining the letter, saying “California does not get to make the rules for the rest of the country.”

Alongside Iowa and Nebraska, attorneys general in 22 other states signed onto the letter.

Agency director says state auditor’s analysis of nursing home inspections is faulty

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A state administrator says a report from the state auditor on the frequency of nursing home inspections is inaccurate and incomplete. State Auditor Rob Sand released an analysis Monday showing nursing home inspections were occurring, on average, every 17 months — and that’s about four months beyond the federal standard.

Larry Johnson — director of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing — says the federal data the state auditor relied upon did not provide a snapshot of all the inspections that had been conducted before June 1st — because there’s a lag time in completing the paperwork. “Had he contacted us both before, during and after his audit, we would have provided accurate information,” Johnson says.

Johnson says data for the current federal fiscal year shows the statewide average time between Iowa nursing home inspections is now under 13 months. “So we are exceeding what is expected of us,” Johnson says. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pays 86 percent of the salaries for state nursing home inspectors. Johnson decided to use some of that funding to pay overtime to state inspectors, speeding up the annual reviews of Iowa nursing homes.

“We only have 13 nursing homes left to do and we have two weeks left to do it,” Johnson says. That’s because the federal fiscal year ends September 30th.

Judge says it may not be common sense, but one vote put Lyon County Sheriff on November ballot

News

September 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A northwest Iowa judge has affirmed that the Lyon County Sheriff will be able to seek reelection — as a Libertarian Party candidate. Lyon County Sheriff Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep ran as a Republican in the June Primary, but lost the G-O-P nomination to Iowa State Trooper Brian Hilt. One person wrote the sheriff’s name on the Libertarian Party’s Primary ballot, so the sheriff became the Libertarian Party’s nominee instead.

Hilt — the Republican who beat the sheriff in the G-O-P primary — asked a judge to reverse a Lyon County Objection Panel’s decision that the sheriff had qualified for the November ballot.

Lyon County Sheriff Stewart Vander Stoep (Photo provided by KIWA)

The judge, in his decision, said the trooper’s argument that the sheriff shouldn’t win the Libertarian Party’s nomination was arguably supported by common sense — since got it by a single write-in vote, but the judge said that conclusion is not supported by state law.

ACGC Volleyball on a Roll, Winners of Seven of last Nine.

Sports

September 17th, 2024 by Christian Adams

The ACGC Chargers Volleyball team is flying high after picking up five wins last week to push their record to 9-3 as they have won seven of their last nine matches. This included handing #2 Riverside their only loss of the season.  They were able to pull off the win in a 2-1 nail-biter, with all three sets being decided by three points or less. Head Coach Barb South praised and credited her team’s attitude for their special performance.

In the match against Riverside and throughout the first 12 games of the season, sophomore Stella Largent has been one of the Chargers’ most dynamic players. She leads the West Central Athletic Conference with 206 kills. That’s 95 more than 2nd place on the leaderboard. She is also second in service aces and fifth in Kill efficiency. South says her drive and dedication are a big reason for her success.

The Chargers are also led by their senior captain Shay Lemke. Lemke is a third-year starter at the setter position and leads the WCAC with 272 assists. She is also the conference’s top server with 32 aces. Her versatility as a setter and range help set her apart, but one can not underestimate the value of leadership when it comes to team success.

In addition to causing havoc to opposing teams, ACGC’s high-powered offense has another purpose besides improving what is already a strong service team. That is, preparing the Chargers defense. ACGC has three players, including Becca Littler and Camdyn Richter, in the top 20 in digs. South says the quality of her servers helps prepare them for what’s to come.

ACGC will be in action next Tuesday When they host the 11-6 East Sac County Raiders.

 

Girls High School XC Results from Tuesday

Sports

September 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AHSTW MEET

1. Treynor (57 points) — 7. Madalyn Kerkmann (22:25.70), 8. Ryleigh Thomas (22:37.50), 15. Lilly Yochum (23:21.10) 

2. Tri-Center (69 points) — 11. Quincey Schneckloth (22:39.30), 12. Addison Boden (22:55.30), 14. Isah VanArsdol (23:11.50)

3. Logan-Magnolia (70 points) — 1. Allysen Johnsen (21:03.10), 2. Madison Sporrer (21:14.20)

4. Boyer Valley (76 points) — 3. Hailey Cue (21:16.70)

5. St. Albert (109 points) — 6. McKayla Markel (22:38.20) 

6. IKM-Manning (112 points) — 10. Raegan Garrison (22:38.40), 13. Emily Albertsen (23:05.90)

NTS. Woodbine — 4. Adyson Lapel (22:13.30), 6. Reagan Cogdill (22:21.20)

NTS. AHSTW 

NTS. Missouri Valley

NTS. Griswold 

NTS. CAM

NTS. Exira/EHK

NTS. Underwood 

 

STORM LAKE MEET

1. Harlan (52 points) — 1. Lindsey Sonderman (18:34.44), 5. Ashlyn Rau (20:16.58), 13. Brylee Schechinger (21:26.05)

5. Denison-Schleswig (140 points) — 9. Lola Mendlik (20:53.40), 12. Alexa Tremblay (21:22.04)

7. Sioux City North (172 points) — 11. Marcella Palmer (21:06.03)

9. LeMars (198 points) 

Boys High School XC Results from Tuesday

Sports

September 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AHSTW MEET

1. Riverside (37 points) — 2. Dawson Henderson (17:10.00), 4. Brody Henderson (17:39.00), 5. Eli Hudnall (17:57.30), 6. Owen Fenner (17:57.60)

2. Woodbine (64 points) — 1. Gunner Wagner (17:03.80), 11. Aiden Summerfield (18:24.40)

3. Tri-Center (70 points) — 7. Haven Weers (18:06.30), 9. Brennan Boden (18:11.80), 13. Evan Wham (18:33.90)

4. St. Albert (92 points) — 12. Jackson Walter (18:26.50), 14. Joey Mazzella (18:34.90)

5. IKM-Manning (137 points)

6. Missouri Valley (160 points)

7. Boyer Valley (166 points) — 15. Dane Gotham (18:36.90)

8. Exira/EHK (209 points) — 10. Austin Rasmussen (18:20.00)

NTS. Griswold — 8. Holden Jensen (18:11.10)

NTS. Logan-Magnolia

NTS. Missouri Valley

NTS. Underwood

NTS. Treynor

NTS. CAM

 

STORM LAKE MEET

3. Sioux City North (87 points) — 1. Ben Hames (17:28.03), 9. Even Swaggerty (18:01.22)

8. Denison-Schleswig (207 points) — 3. Kevin Sanchez (17:33.38)

9. LeMars (227 points) — 10. Aaron Lee (18:01.76)

10. Harlan (243 points)

 

Water main break impacts trout stream near Cedar Rapids

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa D-N-R says a broken water main will likely to lead to dead fish in the only state trout stream near a major urban area. The D-N-R says the break allowed chlorinated water into McLoud Run in Cedar Rapids Wednesday. D-N-R staff reported seeing stressed fish in the stream after the water flowed in, and it is expected that dead fish may be observed over the next few days.

Chlorinated water from a main break leaked into McLoud Run trout stream in Cedar Rapids. (Photo courtesy of Iowa DNR)

Murky stream conditions hampered efforts to count any dead fish, but the D-N-R says they will be surveying the area when the water clears.

Council Bluffs Man Sentenced to 220 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing a Distribution Quantity of Methamphetamine

News

September 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Council Bluffs man was sentenced today to 220 months in federal prison for possessing a distribution quantity of methamphetamine.

According to public court documents, law enforcement used a confidential informant to purchase methamphetamine from Philip Duane Sales, 54, in fall 2023. On December 20, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sales’ residence and seized approximately 70 grams of methamphetamine and currency, some of which was utilized during a controlled buy in October 2023.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Sales will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement (SWINE) Task Force, Council Bluffs Police Department, Iowa Department of Narcotics Enforcement, and Iowa State Patrol.