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Clark Named to the 2023-24 Wade Trophy Watch List

Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

ATLANTA — University of Iowa senior guard, Caitlin Clark, was named to the 2023-24 Wade Trophy Watch List at Midseason Point. Clark won the award last season and was a finalist in her sophomore year.

The “Wade Watch” list comprises of 20 student-athletes based on their performances during the 2023-24 season thus far. The Wade Trophy is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball.

In her senior season, she has broken the Big Ten and Iowa all-time records for scoring and assists. She currently leads the country in points per game (32.0), three-point field goals per game (5.33), and is second nationally in assists (160).

This week, Clark, notched 38 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists against Nebraska for her 53rd career double-double. Clark has netted at least six three-point field goals in five consecutive games which is the longest active streak nationally.

Additionally, she is the first player in college women’s basketball history to be named AP National Player of the Week twice in the same season. Clark has also garnered honors from the WBCA on six occasions.

She is the first Division-I player to record 3,000+ points, 900+ assists, and 800+ rebounds in a career. Is also the all-time leader in 30+ point performances in men’s and women’s college basketball over the last 25 seasons. (49)

This prestigious award is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen. The winner of the 2024 Wade Trophy will be announced April 4 in Cleveland — site of the 2024 WBCA Convention and NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State women host Oklahoma State tonight

Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa State women finally have a home game this evening when they host Oklahoma State. The cancellation of the January 20th home game against TCU forced the Cyclones to play three straight on the road and they lost them all. They are 6-3 in the Big 12.

That’s ISU coach Bill Fennelly who says the Cyclones are happy to be back at home.

Posted in Sports |

Tim Lester Hired as Offensive Coordinator

Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Tim Lester has been hired as the University of Iowa football’s offensive coordinator. The announcement was made Wednesday by Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz.

Lester comes to Iowa City with 22 years of coaching experience, including 12 years as a head coach at the Division I, II and III levels, and 12 years as an offensive coordinator. A native of Wheaton, Illinois, Lester spent last season as a senior analyst for the Green Bay Packers.

“I am excited to welcome Tim to our coaching staff as our offensive coordinator,” said Ferentz. “His experience as both a head coach and a coordinator at several different levels of football gives him an excellent perspective. I believe his expertise and personality make him a perfect fit for this position.”

During Lester’s time as a senior analyst, Green Bay won nine regular season games, earned a playoff berth, and defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the 2024 NFC Wild Card round. The Packers were defeated by eventual NFC Champion San Francisco in the Divisional Round.

“When you have coached at every level of football like I have, you have a true appreciation for an opportunity like this at the University of Iowa,” Lester said. “I know the tradition and history of the Hawkeye program and I am excited to get to work with the outstanding players and coaches.”

Lester served as head coach at Western Michigan University (WMU) for six seasons (2017-22), during which time the Broncos won 37 games and appeared in three bowl games. WMU’s offense was ranked in the top 35 nationally in total offense four consecutive seasons (2018-21), with Lester serving as the primary offensive play caller for three years (2018-20).

In 2020, WMU ranked 16th nationally in total offense and QB Kaleb Eleby finished third in the nation in passer rating, trailing only Heisman finalist Mac Jones (Alabama) and Zach Wilson (BYU).

Prior to taking the head coaching position at WMU, Lester was the quarterbacks coach at Purdue in 2016, mentoring David Blough to 3,352 passing yards and accounting for 30 touchdowns. Lester served as Syracuse’s quarterbacks coach from 2013-15 and doubled as offensive coordinator in 2014 and 2015.

Lester was a four-year starting quarterback at WMU from 1996-99, leading the Broncos to a Mid-American Conference championship appearance his senior season. He earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors and was a second-team all-conference selection his junior and senior seasons. Lester graduated fourth in FBS history in passing yards (11,299) and sixth in touchdown passes (89). He set 17 school passing records and eight Mid-American Conference records. Lester was inducted into the Western Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Lester and his wife Dawn have three sons, ages 14, 12, and 10. He is also the father of Quinn Isaacson, a 2022 NVCA/AVCA All-American volleyball setter at Ball State University, who has represented Team USA in the Volleyball Nation’s League and currently plays professionally in France.

Lester’s Coaching Career

Team………………………………………………Position, Years

Green Bay Packers……………………………… Senior Analyst, 2023

Western Michigan……………………………… Head Coach, 2017-22

Purdue……………………………………………… Quarterbacks, 2016

Syracuse…………………………………………… Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks, 2014-15

Syracuse…………………………………………… Quarterbacks/Recruiting Coordinator, 2013-14

Elmhurst…………………………………………… Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, 2008-12

North Central…………………………………….. Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator, 2007

Western Michigan……………………………… Quarterbacks, 2005-06

Saint Joseph’s (IN)………………………………. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, 2004

Elmhurst…………………………………………… Offensive Coordinator, 2002-03

Saint Benedict at Auburndale HS…………… Offensive Coordinator, 2001

Wheaton Warrenville South HS…………….. Offensive Coordinator, 2000

Posted in Sports |

2024 Iowa Girls High School Basketball Rankings January 31st

Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Class 1A
No.
School
Record
LW
1
North Linn
18-1
1
2
Newell-Fonda
15-1
2
3
Remsen St. Mary’s
16-0
4
4
Martensdale-St. Marys
13-4
3
5
Council Bluffs St. Albert
16-1
5
6
Algona Bishop Garrigan
18-2
6
7
Calamus-Wheatland
19-1
7
8
Montezuma
17-2
10
9
CAM
17-2
9
10
Riceville
19-1
11
11
Lynnville-Sully
16-3
12
12
Fremont-Mills
18-0
14
13
Coon Rapids-Bayard
14-3
13
14
Woodbine
12-5
8
15
George-Little Rock
12-4
15
 
Dropped Out:  None
 
Class 2A
No.
School
Record
LW
1
Dike-New Hartford
16-2
1
2
Panorama
19-0
2
3
Westwood
16-0
3
4
Sioux Central
16-1
4
5
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
16-1
5
6
Nodaway Valley
16-2
8
7
Iowa City Regina
14-4
6
8
Central Lyon
15-3
7
9
Grundy Center
17-1
9
10
Hinton
16-2
11
11
Cascade
11-4
10
12
Treynor
12-4
15
13
North Mahaska
14-3
12
14
North Union
14-5
14
15
Denver
13-5
NR
 
Dropped Out: Aplington-Parkersburg (13)
 
Class 3A
 
No.
School
Record
LW
1
Estherville-Lincoln Central
16-2
3
2
Mount Vernon
17-2
1
3
Des Moines Christian
16-1
2
4
Solon
15-3
5
5
Roland-Story
17-1
4
6
Harlan
14-2
7
7
Dubuque Wahlert
16-3
6
8
Benton Community
12-6
8
9
Monticello
14-3
9
10
Spirit Lake
12-4
10
11
Algona
14-4
11
12
Forest City
15-3
13
13
Chariton
15-2
15
14
Cherokee
12-6
12
15
West Delaware
9-9
13
 
Dropped Out: None
 
Class 4A
No.
School
Record
LW
1
Clear Creek-Amana
16-0
1
2
Waverly-Shell Rock
18-0
2
3
Sioux City Bishop Heelan
15-1
3
4
Dallas Center-Grimes
14-3
4
5
North Polk
17-2
5
6
Mason City
16-2
6
7
Le Mars
14-3
7
8
Lewis Central
12-4
9
9
Norwalk
13-4
8
10
Central DeWitt
14-3
12
11
Marion
13-5
11
12
Maquoketa
13-3
10
13
Pella
13-3
13
14
Western Dubuque
12-6
NR
15
Keokuk
15-2
15
 
Dropped Out: Carlisle (14)
 
Class 5A
 
No.
School
Record
LW
1
Johnston
18-0
1
2
Davenport North
16-2
2
3
Dowling Catholic
14-4
3
4
Waukee
14-3
4
5
Ankeny Centennial
9-8
5
6
Pleasant Valley
13-4
6
7
Cedar Falls
16-1
7
8
Ankeny
10-7
9
9
West Des Moines Valley
10-8
13
10
Cedar Rapids Prairie
12-2
8
11
Sioux City East
14-4
12
12
Waukee Northwest
8-9
10
13
Southeast Polk
9-8
12
14
Cedar Rapids Washington
9-9
NR
15
Ottumwa
12-2
NR
 
Dropped Out: Sioux City West (14), Iowa City West (15)

Posted in Sports |

Feb. 15th Healthy U session topic at CCHS: Physical Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic, IA – Cass Health’s next session of Healthy U will feature Kasey Meneely, DPT discussing LSVT BIG (Lee Silverman Voice Treatment, a program aimed at an increase of movement amplitudes in persons with Parkinson’s Disease). The session will be held Thursday, February 15th at noon in Conference Room 2.

LSVT BIG is an intense one-on-one training program for people with Parkinson’s disease or other neurological conditions, with an emphasis on the quality and largeness of movement. LSVT BIG helps improve a patient’s physical abilities, and therapy sessions focus on a specific routine of daily BIG exercises, walking with BIG movements, and incorporating these techniques into patient identified, difficult daily tasks to promote more confidence with balance and movement. As an LSVT BIG certified clinician, Meneely works with many patients who live with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions that impact how confident they feel with movement during everyday tasks.

Kasey Meneely, DPT

Meneely graduated from Creighton University in 2016 with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She offers a full spectrum of care within physical therapy, but has special interest in neurological disorders, pelvic floor and pre/post-natal health, and acute inpatients. Kasey is licensed and board certified by the Iowa Board of Physical & Occupational Therapy and is a member of the Iowa Physical Therapy Association and the America Physical Therapy Association.

Space is limited! A free boxed lunch is provided for all attendees, so reservations are required. Call 712-243-7479 to reserve your seat. For more information about Healthy U, visit casshealth.org/healthyu.

Posted in News |

Bill could set up a vote in Iowa legislature on Summit’s carbon pipeline

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – If a bill in the Iowa House becomes law, a group of legislators could force lawmakers to vote on whether the proposed carbon capture pipelines can get state government permission to seize property for the project. Twenty-one members of the Iowa House or 11 members of the Iowa Senate would have to sign a petition seeking an up or down vote on the use of eminent domain for the project. Victoria Sinclair, a lobbyist for a group called Land of the Free Action, says the Iowa Utilities Board review of the Summit Carbon Solutions project has been grossly unfair. “A mechanism for the legislature to tap the brakes in situations like this is appropriate and necessary,” Sinclair said.

Landowners like Kathy Carter of Rockford in Floyd County say it’s been an exhausting to fight against having her farm property seized through eminent domain. “The use of eminent domain for a private company to be allowed to take my land is one word: wrong,” she said. “This has got to stop and this bill will help do exactly that.” Pete McRoberts, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa says the A-C-L-U is not taking a position on the pipeline, but support the bill strongly.  “We take a strong position against the abuse of power as evidenced by the Iowa Utilities Board and the Office of the Consumer Advocate through this long and corrupt process that has caused so much pain to these landowners,” McRoberts said. “…We believe in legislative oversight of the constitutional provisions of eminent domain in a way that is proper and fair.”

Republican Representative Charley Thomson of Charles City says existing Iowa Utilities Board rules for pipeline developers have been manipulated to deprive Iowans of their due process rights. “This bill, if it becomes law, will restore some of the checks and balances by returning to the elected officials of Iowa — the membership of the General Assembly– a final decision about the propriety of the pipeline and public use,” Thomson said. “…I think it’s important that elected people, not appointed people, make this decision.”

Republican Representative Steven Holt of Denison says it’s frustrating that landowners who don’t want the pipeline on their property aren’t protected under current law. “My party is supposed to stand up for the Constitution, is supposed to stand up for the Bill of Rights,” Holt said, “and it’s extremely disappointing to me that the legislation we passed last year did not move forward in the Senate.”

The Iowa House passed a bill last year setting up some new guidelines for carbon capture pipelines, but Senate Republicans did not bring it up for a vote. No one representing Summit Carbon Solutions spoke at this (Wednesday) morning’s House subcommittee hearing on the bill.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Glenwood man arrested on a Probation Violation warrant

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Glenwood was arrested Tuesday night. 28-year-old Jericho Cash Clements was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $10,000.

Posted in News |

Iowa DPS statement on a Sports Wagering Investigation

News, Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, today (Wednesday) issued a statement with regard to a Sports Wagering Investigation. The statement says “Iowa Code section 80.25A directs the Commissioner of public safety to establish a subdivision with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) “to be the primary criminal investigative and enforcement agency for the purpose of” enforcing Iowa’s gambling laws. Historically, these agents have worked in Iowa’s 19 casinos. With the legalization of sports betting in 2019 and its rapid growth since betting became legal on digital devices, DCI now has six agents dedicated to sports gambling. In 2023 alone, $2.4 billion in sports bets were placed in Iowa.

The evolution of gaming has given rise to emerging technologies that help regulate the industry and enforce the law. Iowa Administrative Rule 491-13.5 requires “the sportsbooks to implement location detection procedures to reasonably detect and dynamically monitor the location of a player attempting to place any wager” and to notify accountholders about information being gathered and shared.

Additionally, Iowa Code section 99F.7A requires sports wagering licensees to “employ reasonable steps to prohibit coaches, athletic trainers, officials, players, or other individuals who participate in an authorized sporting event that is the subject of sports wagering, from sports wagering.”

Analytical software programs developed by the licensees that provide mapping and anonymized data points were made available to the DCI to help identify anomalies suggesting suspicious or criminal activity that could undermine sports gambling in Iowa and ensure regulatory compliance.

Prior to using the tools provided, the Department of Public Safety conferred with legal counsel to ensure lawful access to and use of the technology. Two county attorney offices also reviewed all relevant investigative information before making the ultimate decision to file charges.

The Department traditionally does not comment on active investigations or litigation in an effort to ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by our justice system rather than the media. We believe the evidence was obtained in a constitutionally permissible manner. Ultimately it is up to the courts to decide. We want to reassure Iowans that the Department always strives to scrupulously uphold the laws and constitutions of the United States and the State of Iowa.”

Posted in News, Sports |

Adair County Supervisors receive Mental Health Region update & OSHA report

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors, this (Wednesday) morning, received a report with regard to the Mental Health Region. The Board heard from Sarah Guillatt, Rachel Cecil and Darcy Alt, with the MHDS Board, and Brittany Palmer, from Crossroads Behavioral Health. Rachel Cecil, Director of Operations for the Heart of Iowa Mental Health Region, said they met in December with the Southern Hills Region, to discuss the possible merger of Southern Hills and the Cross Mental Health Region, that would make up 13 counties as shown in a map of the merger. Darci Alt, Mental Health Director & CEO, Heart of Iowa Region, talked about their services and how they’ve been able to help those affected by the high school shooting in Perry.

She said they’ve had therapists in the schools and the community. The Adair County Supervisors agreed to fund their portion of the services, contingent upon a 28-E agreement with the Southern Hills Region. She said Rachel Cecil has been working on the preliminary 28-E agreement for the Board to review, and establish their budget service plan by April 1st, so it can be in-place by July 1st.

In other business, the Board approved a 12-month wage increase for Sheriff’s Office employee Gwendy Rice in the amount of $20.43/hour effective Jan. 30th. The acknowledged the receipt of a Prestage Farms Manure Management Plan update, and the 5th Judicial 2023 Annual Report. Supervisor Jodie Hoadley is on the Board.

The Supervisors received an OSHA report from Adair County Engineer Nick Kauffman, who said there were three injuries on file and nine claims for hearing loss. The Board acknowledged receipt of the report and signed-onto plans for the N-26 (Lincoln Township) Reinforced Box Culvert (RCB) Project and a Right-of-Way contract for the N-26 project, and the plans for the N-19 (Lincoln) Bridge Project.

Kauffman said they received five bids for the Adair County Road P-33 Hot Melt Asphalt resurfacing project, a local Farm-To-market road The low bid of $4,972,55.27 from Heningsen Construction was accepted by the Board. The highest bid was $5.7-million. The Engineer’s original project estimate was about $5.3-million.

Kauffman also updated the Supervisors on Secondary Roads Department maintenance, projects and activities. Due to the record snowfall the County received, the costs submitted to FEMA for reimbursement included $98,000 for Overtime only, $384,000 in machine time, $50,000+ in equipment repairs, and $10,000+ for salt and sand. The grand total for the three-weeks crews dealt with the storms and the aftermath, amounted to $562,000. It’s unclear how much the County might actually receive.

The Board concluded their meeting with a Budget Work Session.

Posted in News |

1 injured in Union County collision, late Tue. morning

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A collision late Tuesday morning in Union County resulted in a person transported to the hospital in Creston. The Union County Sheriff’s Office reports a 2003 Ford Ranger pickup driven by 75-year-old Charles Rayburn Davenport, of Arispe, was traveling west on Highway 34 at around 11:25-a.m. A 2020 International box truck driven by 22-year-old Gage William McCoy, of Ames, was stopped at the stop sign on Osage Street near the southeast City limits of Creston, and was attempting to turn left to head east on Highway 34. Because some semi’s were turning north from the westbound turn lane, McCoy failed to see the oncoming pickup truck.

When he pulled out into the intersection into the path of the pickup, the box truck was struck by the pickup. Charles Davenport was injured during the collision, and transported to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston.

Authorities say Davenport had the right-of-way, and McCoy should have waited until he could determine if the road was clear, before proceeding into the intersection. No citations were issued. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,500.

Posted in News |