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Man accused of snatching teen from Iowa yard

News

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — An El Salvador national has been arrested and charged with kidnapping after police say he snatched a teenage girl from an eastern Iowa yard, dragged her into a house and tried to sexually assault her.

The Courier reports the incident happened Tuesday afternoon in Cedar Falls. Police have charged 43-year-old Saul Santos Vasquez-Martinez with second-degree kidnapping and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse. His bond has been set at $500,000. Court records say Vasquez told immigration officials he is in the country illegally.

Police say the girl was outside with a child she was babysitting, when Vasquez grabbed her and pulled her into a home. She told police that, once inside, he forced her against a wall and began to fondle her. She fought back, escaped and called police. Investigators say she and Vasquez did not know each other.

Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 40 years in child porn case

News

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Federal prosecutors for Iowa say a 35-year-old Cedar Rapids man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for sexually exploiting a child and for having child pornography.

John Hunt was sentenced Tuesday in Cedar Rapids’ federal courthouse. Prosecutors say Hunt pleaded guilty in October to the two counts.

As part of his plea agreement, Hunt admitted that, between 2015 and 2017, he persuaded a minor send him sexually explicit images, then threatened to distribute the images in an effort to get more such images. Investigators say Hunt also had child pornography that included images of prepubescent children.

Ex-official says he objected to paying governor’s staffer

News

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A former state executive unexpectedly asked to resign by the governor last month says he had objected to the governor’s request that he continue paying the salary of a woman moving from his department to the governor’s office.

Jerry Foxhoven, who gained national attention last week after The Associated Press reported on his admiration for the late rapper Tupac Shakur, says Wednesday he declined to approve paying the salary of Elizabeth Matney. She left DHS on May 17 to accept a job as Gov. Kim Reynolds’ adviser on health policy.

Documents obtained by the AP from the governor’s office show a memorandum of understanding was signed on June 19, two days after Jerry Foxhoven was asked to resign. His name appears on the document but is crossed out and replaced by interim director Gerd Clabaugh, who signed it.

A Reynolds’ spokesman says Foxhoven never raised such objections to her office.

Foxhoven was asked to resign on June 17. He declined to specify that it was the reason for his departure but confirmed he objected to paying Matney out of DHS funds.

Atlantic School Board receives updates on District Athletic Facilities

News

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education held about two-hours of sometimes passionate discussion with regard to the District’s Athletic Facilities, the costs for which, as it currently stands, is running over budget. The Board met with Tom Wollan from FRK Architects, who discussed issues regarding the topography of the Trojan Bowl, and other facilities’ matters. Following the discussion, Board members Ali Bruckner said “I think we asked them to look at cost savings if the removed some retaining walls and slopes….” Board President Josh McLaren chimed in with “The potential for cost savings,” and Vice President Kristy Pellet said “The cost is…the overall project (cost) is high, and we’re making our way to ‘value engineer'” the project. She said they’re not looking to make major changes to the Trojan Bowl itself.

As it stands now the timeline is for a pre-bid meeting to take place Aug. 31st, with a bid date of Sept. 19th, a Public Hearing and awarding of Project on Sept. 23rd. Demolition with regard to certain aspects of the Trojan Bowl would begin in October or November, following the football season, and occupancy by Sept. 2020. The High School Track project would begin in May or June 2020, along with the field and all other elements, with occupancy by April, 2021. That timeline is subject to change, depending on the final decisions made with regard to the Atlantic Athletic Facilities, as it relates to cost.

The Board, Wednesday, approved of a bid for Middle School Chromebooks and peripheral tools in the amount of $137, 742.50 from 2ndGear. The price includes 350 Dell 3100-series laptop computers, carts, cases and licenses. The cost will come out of the District’s SAVE fund.

The Board will approved Contract Recommendations for: Henry Hallgren, HS Government Teacher; Mandi Bauer and Emma Bireline, TLC Mentors; and Alex Bales, Drama/Fall Play Co-Sponsor along with the late addition of Brian Guy as custodian. They also approved two resignations: Andrea Halterman, WA Para, and Nick Sandbothe, Mechanic.

BETTY JEAN BOECK, 93, of Harlan (Svcs. 7/27/19)

Obituaries

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BETTY JEAN BOECK, 93, of Harlan, died Wednesday, July 24th, in Fremont, Nebraska. Funeral services for BETTY JEAN BOECK will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, July 27th, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan, from 5-until 8-p.m. on Friday, July 26th.

Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery.

BETTY JEAN BOECK is survived by:

Her sons – Jim (Barbara) Boeck, of Monticello, MN; Steven (Jayne) Boeck, of Kansas City, MO; and Brian (Carol) Boeck, of Denison.

Her daughter – Julie Ann (Bob) Robinson, of Fremont, NE.

11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and her brothers- and daughter- in law.

Corning woman arrested on an assault charge Wed. evening

News

July 24th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s deputies in Adams County arrested a woman on an assault charge at around 4:50-p.m., Wednesday. Authorities say 30-year old Katherine Coleman, of Corning, entered the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and said that her mother was dying at their residence.

Deputies then responded to 406 10th Street in Corning, and upon further investigation, found no one was dying, but that an assault had occurred. Coleman was arrested on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. She was transported to the Adams County Jail and held pending an appearance before the magistrate.

Des Moines hosts USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships starting Thursday

Sports

July 24th, 2019 by admin

All eyes around the world will be focused on Des Moines when it hosts the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships this week July 25-28.

With the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics right around the corner, venerable Drake Stadium will never see a bigger array of the nation’s top track and field superstars in its history than the hundreds of athletes who will converge on the blue oval.

The U.S. Championships is expected to feature 74 Olympians who have won a total of 53 Olympic medals including 28 gold, one world record holder, 11 current American record holders and nine current world leaders in their respective events not to mention 19 recently crowned NCAA champions setting the stage for the GREATEST track and field meet ever held in Iowa.

The top three place winners in each event will represent Team USA at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar Sept. 27-Oct. 6.

It’s the first leg highlighting the year-round quest of Team USA athletes to compete at the Olympic Games.

Individual and all session tickets for the U.S. Outdoor Championships are on sale by contacting the Drake Athletic Ticket Office at 515-271-3647 or online at www.draketix.com/usatf

Class 1A and 2A State Baseball Pairings released by IHSAA

Sports

July 24th, 2019 by admin

The State Baseball Tournament Brackets were released on Wednesday by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Here is a look at the Quarterfinal round match-ups.

Class 1A

Friday, July 26th

11:00 a.m.- Don Bosco vs. Coon Rapids-Bayard
1:30 p.m.- Newman Catholic vs. Pekin

Saturday, July 27th

11:00 a.m.- Alburnett vs. South Winneshiek
1:30 p.m.- Martensdale-St. Marys vs. St. Mary’s (Remsen)

Class 2A

Monday, July 29th

11:00 a.m.- #2 North Linn vs. West Branch
1:30 p.m.- Central Lee vs. DM Christian
4:30 p.m.- New Hampton vs. West Sioux
7:00 p.m.- #5 Van Meter vs. Underwood

Check out all the 2019 State Baseball Tournament information here.

Hawkeye Ten 2019 All-Conference Softball Teams

Sports

July 24th, 2019 by admin

The Hawkeye Ten Conference has released their 2019 All-Conference teams following the conclusion of Denison-Schleswig’s play at the State Tournament. Here is a look at the honorees.

FIRST TEAM
**Sara Keeler, Creston , Jr, 1B
Gracie Hagle, Creston, FR, SS
**Logan Hughes, Shenandoah SR, SS
Baylee Newell, Atlantic SR, SS
Olivia Engler , Atlantic SO, P-1B
McKenzie Waters, Atlantic, JR CF
**Morgan Schaben, Harlan, SR, P
Madison Schumacher, Harlan, SO, C
Kate Heithoff Harlan, FR, SS
**Alex Mohr Denison Schleswig, SR, C
**Sarah Heilesen, Denison Schleswig, SR, P
Haley Bach, Lewis Central, SO,SS
Allison Mertz Kuemper Catholic,SR, SS
Brielle Smith Glenwood, SR CF
Brooklyn Taylor, Glenwood, SR SS
Sydney Biermann, Glenwood SR P

2ND TEAM
Nichole Gilbert, Shenandoah, JR 2B
Karsyn Rush, Atlantic, SR,RF
Paige Armijo, Denison Schleswig, JR1B
Presley Rodenburg, Lewis Central, JR Utility
Bryn Morgenstern, Clarinda, SR, 2nd
Hailee Knight ,Clarinda FR Utility
Saige Rice, Creston SR CF
Alexis McGinnis, Shenandoah SR CF
Alyssa Derby, Atlantic, SO C
Tianna Kasperbauer, Harlan, FR 2B
Julia Schechinger, Harlan, SO CF
Kayla Rauch, Denison Schleswig, SR CF
Kyndal Hilgenberg, Kuemper, SO, Utility
Brianna Gerhardt, Glenwood SR P/1B
Kelly Embray, Glenwood SO C
Kamryn Buntrock, Red Oak SR 1B

HONORABLE MENTION
Peyton Carman , St. Albert, SR C
Taylor Elam, Lewis Central, SO C
Peyton Rice, Creston, SO C
Miranda Goetz, Harlan, SO RF
Kenzie Schon, Kuemper, FR 1B/P
Taryn Bertini, Glenwood, JR 2B
Chloe Johnson, Red Oak, JR C
Aziah Smalley , Clarinda, JR P
Neveah Randall, Creston, 8th 3B
Delanie Voshell, Shenandoah, SO P/2B
Madison Botos, Atlantic, SO LF
Kennedy Goergen, Atlantic, SO P/1B
Kambrie Dau, Denison Schleswig, SR LF
Kailey Pick, Denison Schleswig, SR 3B
Cameron Rounds, Glenwood, Sr 3B

IGCA 2019 All-District Softball Teams

Sports

July 24th, 2019 by admin

The Iowa Girls Coaches Association released their selections for All-District Teams for the 2019 Softball season. Follow the links below to check out the full list of honorees in each class.

1A  I  2A  I  3A  I  4A  I  5A