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1 person injured after a train strikes an SUV in Onawa

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Onawa, Iowa) – An SUV that failed to yield was struck by a train this (Friday) afternoon, in Monona County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2001 Ford Expedition driven by 40-year-old James M. Ball, of Onawa, was traveling east on Emerald Street in Onawa at around 1:15-p.m.  Ball stopped, but then proceeded without yielding to the oncoming train before his vehicle was struck on the passenger side near the intersection with 9th Street. The impact sent the SUV into the northeast ditch.

Ball was transported by Burgess Ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Sioux City. No one on the Union Pacific train was injured. The Monona County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the crash scene.

Mouser Named Offensive Coordinator at ISU

Sports

March 1st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell has announced the promotion of Taylor Mouser to offensive coordinator. Mouser will continue to coach tight ends, a position he’s held since the 2021 season.

In addition to Mouser’s promotion, Campbell also announced that Noah Pauley has added passing game coordinator to his responsibilities as wide receiver coach, while offensive line coach Ryan Clanton will assume run game coordinator duties.

Earlier on Friday, Iowa State announced the hiring of Tyler Roehl as assistant head coach and running backs coach, while Jake Waters will shift from running backs to coaching the Cyclone quarterbacks.

Iowa State Offensive Coaching Staff

Taylor Mouser – Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends

Tyler Roehl – Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs

Ryan Clanton – Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line

Noah Pauley – Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers

Jake Waters – Quarterbacks

Mouser is entering his ninth season with the program and his 10th working on Campbell’s coaching staff, both at ISU and Toledo. He has risen through the ranks, starting as a graduate assistant for the Cyclones in Campbell’s first season in 2016.

“Taylor has been an integral part in the success of our program through the years, working his way up from graduate assistant to this position as offensive coordinator,” Campbell said. “He is well-respected by both our staff and our players and has earned this opportunity. I have great confidence in him and look forward to seeing him in this role.”

Mouser has coached some of the best players in school history, playing a part in the success of Cyclone stars like Charlie Kolar, Breece Hall and Brock Purdy while helping the team qualify for bowl games in six of the last seven seasons.

The tight end position has been stacked throughout his tenure, including All-Big 12 performers Kolar and Chase Allen. Since 2021, Iowa State tight ends have recorded the most receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among Big 12 teams.

Iowa State Tight End Production Since 2021

191 receptions, 2,202 receiving yards, 21 receiving touchdowns

Kolar broke ISU tight end records in receptions (168), receiving yards (2,1818) and touchdown catches (23) while earning All-America honors three times and winning the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy.

Allen was an All-Big 12 second team recipient four times in his career.

Kolar was a fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2022, while Allen signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. Both players made their NFL debuts during their rookie season.

In 2023, another of Mouser’s pupils, Benjamin Brahmer, was a Freshman All-American (247Sports and The Athletic). Brahmer broke the ISU freshman tight end record with 28 receptions. Steveo Klotz also earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors.

Last season’s tight end group combined for seven touchdown receptions by four different players, making Iowa State one of seven teams nationally to have four at the position score.

A native of Chandler, Arizona, Mouser earned his bachelor’s degree at Adams State in 2013. He was a graduate assistant for Campbell at Toledo during the 2015 campaign.

Mouser Coaching Experience

2024 – Iowa State – Offensive Coordinators/Tight Ends

2023 – Iowa State – Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends

2021-22 – Iowa State – Tight Ends

2019-20 – Iowa State – Senior Quality Control/Offense

2017-18 – Iowa State – Assistant Director of Scouting

2016 – Iowa State – Graduate Assistant

2015 – Toledo – Graduate Assistant

Regents hear about proposed room and board increases at state schools

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) The Board of Regents heard the first presentation this week of proposed room and board rate increases at the three state schools. University of Iowa vice president for student life, Von Stange (Stang-EE), says increasing staff is part of the reason they are requesting a four-point-nine-percent increase.

Stange says labor costs, material costs and supply chain issues have increased their construction costs for keeping housing and dining facilities up to date.

He says seven of the 11 residence halls are between 55 and 70 years old, and two more are more than 85 years old, and the dining operations were renovated 20 to 25 years ago. Stange says increased demand for housing has led to the decision to operate they Mayflower dorm for another year. Michael Harwood from the Iowa State University Department of Residence says they are seeking a room and board increase of five-point-eight percent as they face increased costs for labor and supplies.

Harwood says student leaders approved a resolution saying they would support the increase.

Harwood says they began this year at 98 percent of capacity for the year with more than 94 percent of the first year class living on campus, and an increasing number of students wanting to return to live in the halls. The University of Northern Iowa’s Nick Raffaello says they are seeking a three-point-five percent increase as they face an increase is students wanting to live in the dorms.

He says it doesn’t look like the demand will let up.

The Board of Regents will not take any action on the proposed rates until their April meeting.

1 dead and another charged, after two stolen vehicles collide in Urbandale Fri. morning

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Urbandale, Iowa) – A crash between two stolen vehicles this (Friday) morning in Polk County, resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The accident happened as the vehicles were being pursued by an Urbandale Police Officer.

According to Urbandale Police, officers spotted a white 2017 Hyundai Elantra that had been reported stolen traveling south in the 4300 block of 86th Street around 3:30-a.m., Friday. The Elantra was traveling alongside a black 2015 Kia Soul. According to police, an officer was preparing to activate his lights and sirens when both vehicles sped away.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the Hyundai was driven by 18-year-old Sheldon Christopher Ballentine, of Des Moines, and the KIA was driven by 22-year-old Jeffrey Lionel Smith, Jr., of Des Moines. Both vehicles were traveling southbound on 86th Street at a high rate of speed, when the Hyundai went out of control and bounced into the KIA.

The Hyundai then went back over the center divider, across the northbound lanes, and up an embankment, before coming to rest in a private parking lot. The KIA left the road and struck a tree. The Patrol says Smith died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. Ballentine was not injured. He was arrested at the scene on charges that include:

  • Homicide by Vehicle – Attempt to Elude
  • Eluding – Speed 25+ Over Limit
  • Theft – 2nd Degree
  • Possession of Controlled Substance – Marijuana
  • Failure to Use Headlamps When Required

(update) Accident near Massena Friday morning

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Massena, Iowa) – In an update to our earlier report, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Friday), said one-person was transported to Cass Health in Atlantic, following a collision that occurred at around 7:50-a.m., Friday.

Authorities say local first responders were called to the area of 750th and Richland Road for a vehicle accident with minor injuries.  Investigating Deputies found that a black 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, being operated by Gerald Wessels, of Anita, was sitting at a stop sign on 750th St. facing South at the intersection with Richland Road.

Wessel failed to yield the right of way and proceeded South through the intersection.  At the same time, a 2010 KW Construct T8 semi tractor / trailer being operated by Bradley Ruth, of Orient, was traveling West on Richland Road approaching this intersection.  As Wessel entered the intersection southbound in his Chevrolet Colorado, Ruth’s vehicle struck Wessel’s vehicle in the rear driver-side quarter panel.  The impact cause Wessel’s vehicle to spin within the intersection before it came to rest in the South West ditch.

Wessel was transported to the hospital for treatment of suspected minor injuries.  His vehicle sustained approximately $15,000 worth of damage, while the semi tractor-trailer sustained approximately $5,500 worth of damage.

Caitlin Clark on her decision to enter the WNBA Draft

Sports

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Caitlin Clark felt the time was right to announce she is headed to the WNBA Draft. The Iowa superstar announced on Thursday she will not use her COVID year and return next season. Senior Day is Sunday when the sixth ranked Hawkeyes host Big Ten regular season champ and second ranked Ohio State.

Clark says her decision was solidified over the past couple of weeks.

Clark says announcing the decision prior to Senior Day was the right move.

With the decision out of the way Clark says she can now focus on her immediate goal of winning a national title.

Clark is expected to be taken by the Indiana Fever with the first pick in next month’s WNBA Draft.

Iowa’s Sharon Goodman will not return for her final season

Sports

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa women’s basketball player Sharon Goodman will not return for her final season with the Hawkeyes. The reserve center has appeared in 26 games this season and is averaging just over five points and three rebounds. She graduates in May and plans on attending nursing school.

Goodman does not plan on entering the transfer portal to play at another school.

House bill calls for 2X a year training for nursing home staff

News

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A bill that’s cleared the Iowa House would require state inspectors to conduct twice-a-year training sessions for Iowa nursing home staff to review the most common citations issued against nursing homes. The bill also changes the timelines for when inspectors from DIAL — the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing — conduct site visits to review operations or investigate complaints. Representative Tom Moore, a Republican from Griswold, says the bill addresses some of the concerns that have been raised about Iowa nursing homes.

Rep. Thomas Jay Moore (R-Griswold) (official photo)

Representative Megan Srinivas (SREE-nih-vahss), a Democrat from Des Moines, says the state needs to hire more nursing home inspectors — and quit paying private companies to investigate complaints. “I think we’re all in agreement here that our nursing homes are in trouble, that we need to do something to fix the disasters that we’ve been seeing happen throughout our state. Unfortunately this bill does not solve the problem sufficiently,” Srinivas said.

The bill passed on an 87-to-eight vote earlier this week. It’s been referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for consideration.

Help is available if you can’t resist betting during March Madnes

News, Sports

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Today (Friday) marks the start of one of the most troublesome months of the year for people with a gambling addiction. Katie Bee is problem gambling services project director at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Bee says March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Bee says problem gambling is a behavioral pattern that damages personal, family or work relationships, and it carries significant societal and economic costs.

There are many types of problem gambling, which may be prompted by lottery and scratch-off games, sweepstakes, betting at tracks, casinos or online.

Studies find about 14-percent of Iowans — or 315-thousand adults — are at-risk for a gambling-related problem. Iowans with gambling concerns can call 1-800-BETS-OFF or visit yourlifeiowa.org.

JUDY L. THURSTON, 80, of Harlan (Memorial Svc. 3/9/24)

Obituaries

March 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JUDY L. THURSTON, 80, of Harlan, died February 11, 2024, in Harlan. A Memorial service for JUDY THURSTON will be held at 11-a.m. on March 9th, 2024, at the Altamont Baptist Church, in Harlan. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

A luncheon will follow the service on March 9th.

JUDY THURSTON is survived by:

Her husband – Dave Thurston, of Kimballton.

Her daughter – Diane (David) Thompson, of Kimballton.

Her son – Doug (Cindy) Thurston, of Elk Horn.

Her sisters – Jeanne (Roy) Sorenson, of Carmichael, CA., and Jan (George) White, of Rio Linda, CA.

4 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and all of her nieces and nephews in California.