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Congressman Feenstra calls for response to deadly drone attack on U.S. troops

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull says the time for the U.S. to respond to the drone attack that left three American soldiers dead in Jordan is now.

“Well, first of all, it’s a tragedy when we lose three military personnel. That should never happen. And we have to hold Iran accountable. We know Iran, Iran is behind this,” Feenstra says. “Obviously, we have to make sure Iran’s oil is cut off. You know, we also have to make sure that we stop Iran from using drones and coming after us. I mean, we have to make this punitive and they have to know that they don’t mess with America.”

Randy Feenstra

The House is set to vote on the impeachment resolution for Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Feenstra says thousands of illegals are crossing the U-S boarder every day because the Secretary is not doing his job. “I will be voting yes to impeach Mayorkas. I think this is one time where a cabinet member has not done their job and is creating just a terrible situation in the United States it’s a complete dereliction of duty,” Feenstra says.

Mayorkas would be the first cabinet secretary to be impeached in nearly 150 years.

Deer gets antlers tangled in backyard hammock in Sioux City

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A deer in Sioux City somehow got its antlers stuck in hammock tied between two trees behind a house. Police and animal control were called to try and untangle the creature’s antlers from the mesh as it was hopelessly stuck.

Officer Mike Koehler says when he arrived, he saw the deer had minor injuries. “The buck was about an eight-point buck, it was a mature deer and it was a pretty strong animal,” Koehler says. “The big thing was, when I approached with my trainee, I told him to be careful because the deer has antlers that can be used as weapons and also the hooves are very dangerous and he’s full of adrenaline and he’s going to be scared.”

Koehler came up with a plan to set it free by cutting the ropes with his knife. With the deer thrashing around, they couldn’t get too close, but managed to eventually trim off most of the mesh and set it loose.

Sioux City Police had to cut a deer free from a backyard hammock. (SCPD photo)

“The buck was free,” Koehler says. “It was able to run off. I’m sure it was tired. I’m sure it was scared. It did have a big tangle of netting from the hammock in its antlers, but we’re thinking those are gonna fall off here when the bucks shed their antlers here in late January and early February, so hopefully he made it.”

Officer Cade Gill also responded to the call to help the struggling animal. “It’s definitely one of the most unusual ones for me that I’ve ever responded to, particularly when it concerns an animal like a deer,” Gill says. “It was pretty exciting. It felt good after the fact, knowing that we had gotten there and were able to rescue that deer.”

Auditor’s investigation finds improper activity by former Steamboat Rock city clerk

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A special investigation by the State Auditor finds problems with the handling of funds by the former city clerk of Steamboat Rock.

The investigation found more than $30,000 of undeposited, uncollected, or unbilled utility fees, $5,000 in improper disbursements, and nearly $8,000 in unsupported disbursements. The auditor found a majority of the improper disbursements by former clerk Renee Oltrogge. were personal charges on the city credit card.

It says a number of documents Oltrogge submitted as support for purchases she made with the city’s credit card were altered. The audit report also says records were not sufficiently maintained and it is not possible to determine if there were other improperly disbursed funds.

The investigation report has been turned over to Hardin County Sheriff and County Attorney along with the D-C-I and state Attorney General.

Fender-bender in Creston Wed. morning

News

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a minor accident this (Wednesday) morning, in Creston. According to Creston Police, a pickup driven by 78-year-old Douglas W. Minnick, of Creston, was traveling east on Lucas Street at around 8-a.m.  Due to sun glare, Minnick failed to notice a legally parked 2014 Jeep Cherokee.

His pickup hit the SUV on the left rear side, causing $2,000 damage to the Jeep, and $1,500 damage to the pickup. No citations were issued.

SHIRLEY JEAN GILLESPIE, 96, of Atlantic (formerly of Missouri Valley) – [Celebration of Life 2/24/24]

Obituaries

January 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SHIRLEY JEAN GILLESPIE, 96, of Atlantic (formerly of Missouri Valley), died January 13, 2024, at her home. The family will host a Celebration of Life Memorial service for SHIRLEY GILLESPIE at 11-a.m. on February 24th, at the First Church of Christ in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Service has the arrangements.

Immediately following the service, a time of food and sharing of memories will be held in the church fellowship hall.

Burial will be held at a later date Oak Grove Cemetery in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to missionaries, Anthony and Elizabeth Smith with Pioneer Bible Translators, a cause that was dear to Shirley’s heart.

SHIRLEY JEAN GILLESPIE is survived by:

Her daughter – Vicki Gillespie Rodgers.

Her son – Jimmy (Vickie) Gilliespie.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Released 1A, 2A, 3A girls basketball pairings from IGHSAU

Sports

January 31st, 2024 by Asa Lucas

CLASS 1A 

Class 1A tournament play begins February 8th with additional dates on February 13th, February 16th and February 21st.

Region 2 

2/8: St. Edmond at Glidden-Ralston, Paton-Churdan at Coon Rapids-Bayard

2/13: Quarterfinals at Newell-Fonda (vs. St. Edmond/Glidden-Ralston), BCLUW, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Meskwaki Settlement

2/16: Semifinals at Newell-Fonda, Coon Rapids-Bayard

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 3 

2/8: Moravia at Seymour, Moulton-Udell vs. Melcher-Dallas (at Southeast Warren), Essex at Bedford, Hamburg at Lamoni, Sidney at Mount Ayr

2/13: Quarterfinals at Martensdale-St. Marys (vs. Seymour/Moravia), Southeast Warren, Fremont-Mills (vs. Bedford/Essex), Lamoni

2/16: Semifinals at Martensdale-St. Marys, Fremont-Mills

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 4

2/8: Ar-We-Va at West Bend-Mallard

2/13: Quarterfinals at Remsen St. Mary’s, West Bend-Mallard, George-Little Rock, Akron-Westfield

2/16: Semifinals at Remsen St. Mary’s, George-Little Rock

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 5 

2/8: East Mills at Lenox, West Harrison at Stanton, Boyer Valley at Riverside, Griswold at Earlham, IKM-Manning at Collins-Maxwell, Diagonal at Ankeny Christian

2/13: Quarterfinals at St. Albert (vs. Lenox/East Mills), Stanton, Woodbine, Collins-Maxwell

2/16: Semifinals at St. Albert, Woodbine

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 8 

2/8: Murray at Orient-Macksburg, East Union at Mormon Trail, Southeast Warren at Wayne

2/13: Quarterfinals at CAM (vs. Murray/Orient-Macksburg), Mormon Trail, Montezuma, Holy Trinity Catholic

2/16: Semifinals at Montezuma, CAM

2/21: Final at TBD

CLASS 2A

Class 2A tournament play begins on February 10th with additional round dates on February 13th, February 16th and February 21st.

Region 3

2/10: Missouri Valley at Logan-Magnolia, Shenandoah at Underwood

2/13: Quarterfinals at Westwood (vs. Missouri Valley/Lo-Ma), Tri-Center at West Monona, Treynor (vs. Underwood/Shenandoah), AHSTW at Exira/EHK

2/16: Semifinals at Westwood, Treynor

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 5

2/10: Kuemper Catholic at East Sac County

2/13: Quarterfinals at Sioux Central (vs. Kuemper/East Sac), HMS, North Union, Pocahontas Area

2/16: Semifinals at Sioux Central, North Union

2/21: Final at TBD

Region 8

2/13: Quarterfinals at Nodaway Valley (vs. I-35/Colfax-Mingo), Southwest Valley at Central Decatur, Grundy Center, South Hamilton

2/16: Semifinals at Nodaway Valley, Grundy Center

2/21: Final at TBD

CLASS 3A

Class 3A tournament play begins on February 10th with additional dates on February 14th and February 17th.

Region 7 

2/10: OABCIG at Harlan, Red Oak at Clarinda, Greene County at Cherokee, Atlantic at Southeast Valley

2/14: Semifinals at Harlan, Cherokee

2/17: Final at Highest Remaining Seed

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.

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.

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

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)