United Group Insurance

Video taken of tornado near Massena

News, Weather

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Massena, Iowa) – Volunteer Firefighter Levi Lank captured video of a tornado located three-miles southwest of Massena off of Victoria Road, this (Sunday) evening. The twister touched down at around 7:58-p.m.  There were no reports of damage or injuries. (Still frame images from the video, Photo credit: Levi Lank). While the National Weather Service had issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for southeastern Cass and southwestern Adair Counties just before 8-p.m., there was NO TORNADO WARNING issued. The Cass County Communications Center set-off the sirens in Cumberland and Massena when spotters observed the twister.

The Weather Service one quarter-size hail (1″ diameter) was observed by emergency management at around 8:46-p.m., south of Stuart, and five-miles southeast of Greenfield, at around 8:36-p.m. The NWS in Omaha reports thunderstorm winds of 53-mph were recorded at 10:15-p.m. two-miles S/SE of Clarinda. Thunderstorm wind damage was reported five-miles East of Hepburn, in Page County, at around 8:05-p.m., along with golf ball-size hail (1.75″).

Shelf cloud near Elliott (3 photos) – Submitted to KJAN by Megan Glasgo.

58-mph winds were recorded in Villisca at 7:41-p.m., Sunday. Ping-pong ball size hail fell one-mile SE of Clarinda at 7:55-p.m.  Half-dollar size hail (1.25″) fell in Clarinda at 7:49-p.m.

Tornado dissipating

Tornado on the ground

Posted in News, Weather |

State Track and Field Photos/Interviews Day 3 (05/18/24)

Sports

May 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Posted in Sports |

State Track and Field Photos/Interviews Day 2 (05/17/24)

Sports

May 19th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Posted in Sports |

Hawkeyes Close Regular Season with a Win

Sports

May 19th, 2024 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa – The University of Iowa baseball team ​defeated Florida International, 16-4, in seven innings on Saturday afternoon at Principal Park.
The Hawkeye offense took off in the fourth inning plating nine runs. They scored one run in the second, three in the third, nine in the fourth, and three in the sixth.
FIU put up its first inning of multiple runs in the top of the sixth, plating two, cutting the deficit to nine runs. Iowa answered the call and scored again in the bottom of the sixth to keep the double-digit lead and end the game early.
“We did exactly what we needed to do this weekend. It helped build some confidence. It was a good break with some nice weather and friendly wind,” said head coach Rick Heller.
“More than anything, losing the game on Thursday and how we lost that game, I was interested to see how we responded- and how we responded was like you would expect from a bunch of guys that care a whole lot with champion character.”
Gable Mitchell notched the first home run of the afternoon in the bottom of the second, tying things up between the Hawkeyes and Panthers at one. In the bottom of the third, Andy Nelson and Raider Tello hit back-to-back home runs, tallying three Hawkeye home runs on the day.
Mitchell led the RBI race, putting up four for Iowa. Cade Moss had three, Nelson and Tello each had two, and Davis Cop registered one.
Anthony Watts got the start. He threw ​2 1/3 innings and allowed ​two runs. The Clive, Iowa, native struck out ​two and walked ​two.
Ganon Archer came in to relieve Watts, throwing ​2 2/3 innings and allowing ​​no runs. The Adel, Iowa, native struck out ​three and walked ​one, and was credited with the win.
Benjamin DeTaeye and Jack Whitlock each threw an inning to close out the shortened game.
“I just want to thank all the fans that came out and supported us. The atmosphere was awesome, it was electric the whole time. It was loud at the right times. Thanks to the Iowa Cubs and Sam Bernabe for allowing us to do this and working with us to help set it up. They were just outstanding,” said Heller.
The Hawkeyes head to Omaha next week for the Big Ten Tournament. Seeding, game time, and more details will be available on hawkeyesports.com following the complete of Big Ten regular season play this afternoon.

Posted in Sports |

Work release escape of Shawn Turner

News

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Waterloo, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports Shawn Turner, who was convicted of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon in Dubuque County, failed to report back to the Waterloo Residential Correctional Facility as required Saturday.

Turner is a 27 year-old 5’10’, 150 pound Black Male. He was admitted to the work release facility on 11/09/2023. Persons with information on Turner’s whereabouts should contact local police.

Shawn Turner

For more information on the state’s work release program, please see Iowa Code 904.901-904.910

Posted in News |

JAMES RALPH MARSH, 72, of rural Elliott (Svcs. 5/28/24)

Obituaries

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JAMES RALPH MARSH, 72, of rural Elliott, died at home on May 13, 2024. Funeral services for JAMES MARSH will be held 10-a.m. Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at the United Church of Hope in Elliott. Rieken-Dune Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.

Visitation with the family will take place one hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday.

Interment will be in St. John’s Cemetery, south of Lyman.

JAMES MARSH is survived by:

His wife –  Norma.

His daughters – Amy (Jared) Muse, of Glenwood, and Ann (Matthew) Ross, of Red Oak.

and 4 grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa Hawkeyes conclude baseball series in Des Moines

Sports

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller says the Hawkeyes would consider a return for another appearance at Principal Park in Des Moines next season. The Hawkeyes took two of three games over the weekend against Florida International in a series that drew more than 14 thousand fans to the home of the Iowa Cubs.

Heller says Iowa’s bye week in Big Ten play next season is the second to the last week of the season so there is the possibility of setting up another non-conference series.

The Hawkeyes finished the regular season with a 31-21 record. They are the fifth seed in the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha and will open Wednesday afternoon against fourth seeded Michigan.

Posted in Sports |

Drake football team leaves for Panama Monday

Sports

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The Drake football team leaves Monday  for a week long trip to Panama that will conclude with a game on Friday night. Drake head coach Todd Stepsis was an assistant back in 2018 when the Bulldogs took a trip to China.

Stepsis was trying to organize a trip a few years ago but it was pushed back due to COVID. He says Panama is a perfect destination.

Stepsis says football is just a small part of a trip that will also allow the players to earn three credits toward graduation.

The Bulldogs will play an All-Star team on Friday night from a Kiwanis league that started on a U-S military base back in the 1970s.

Posted in Sports |

Public Hearings are part of this Monday night’s Audubon School Board

News

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board meeting Monday night begins at 7-p.m. with a Board Work Session, followed immediately by two Public Hearings. The Hearings are with regard to a proposed budget amendment, as well as plans and specs for the Bus Garage.

During the Board’s regular meeting, they are expected to act on approving:

  • Budget Amendments
  • Bus Garage Plans and Specs
  • Bus Garage Low Bidders
  • Student Fees
  • A new branding logo and letter
  • and, the sharing of FY 2025 Sports with the Exira/EHK School District: Cross County (With Exira-EHK serving as host), and Junior High Football (with Audubon serving as the host).

See the full agenda below:

Monday, May 20, 2024 – 7:00 P.M.

7:00 Board Work Session – Policy Review: 405.2, 411.2, 504.5, 504.5R1, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6, 704.6R1, 706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.6

7:05 Public Hearings

  • Proposed Budget Amendment
  • Bus Garage Plans and Specs

Our Mission is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable & respectful environment that encourages & prepares all students to become life-long learners & responsible members of a rapidly changing society.

  1. Call to Order
  1. Approve Agenda
  1. Approve Consent Agenda

3.01 Minutes – April 14, 2024

3.02 Warrants and Financial Reports

4.0 Public Comments – Please contact the Supt. or Board President (Board Policy #213) –

5.0 Action Items

5.01 Approve Budget Amendments

5.02 Approve Bus Garage Plans/Specs

5.03 Approve Bus Garage Low Bidders

5.04 Approve Student Fees

5.05 Approve New Branding Logo and Letter

5.06 Approve P-Card Program and Authorizing Board Secretary to Set Up

5.07 Approve Moving $10,436.50 From PPEL to General Fund – Bus Charger

5.08 Approve Memberships

  • RSAI – Rural School Advocates of Iowa – $750
  • ISFIS – Iowa School Finance Information Service – $917.70
  • IASB Policy Service – $800

5.09 Approve First Reading – 405.2, 411.2, 504.5, 504.5R1, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6, 704.6R1, 706.1, 706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.1, 707.2, 707.3, 707.4, 707.6

5.10 Approve Sharing Cross Country (EEHK Host) and Junior High Football (Audubon Host) with EEHK for FY25

6.0 Personnel

7.0 Communication & Updates

7.01 Superintendent Report

7.01.1 Buildings and Grounds

7.01.2 Transition Update

7.02 Principals’ Reports

8.0 Adjournment

Next Regular Meeting: Monday, June 17, 2024, 7:00 PM

Posted in News |

Griswold School Board meeting set for May 20th

News

May 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Griswold, Iowa) – A regular meeting of the Griswold School Board takes place 5:30-p.m. Monday, May 20th, in the Conference Room at the Griswold School. Among the items on the Board’s agenda under “New Business,” is action on:

  • Approving TLC positions
  • Approval of phone system bids
  • Approving a Content Monitoring contract, and,
  • Establishment of Activity Pass Fees

See the full Griswold School Board agenda, below:

• Call Meeting to Order

• Reading of Mission Statement

• Approval of Agenda (D.R.)

• Public Input

• Superintendent’s Report:

  1. Thank You Card(s) (I)
  2. The Month in Review – Administration (I)
  3. Board Learning Opportunities (I)

– Honor April Recipients

– Select May Recipient(s)

– Board Recognition Month

– End Of The Year Staff Lunch

• Consent Agenda (D.R.)

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Financial Statements

Approval of Bills

4. Personnel

5. Gifts, Memorials, Bequests

Old Business

6. Board Policies – Second Reading (D.R.) – 405.2, 411.2, 507.8R1, 704.1, 704.6,

706.2, 706.3, 706.3R1, 707.4, 707.6, 802.1, 802.2, 802.3, 802.4, 802.4R1,

802.4R2, 802.5, 802.6, 802.7. Rescind – 504.5, 504.5R1, 707.2, 707.3 (I)

New Business

7. Consider Approval Of TLC Positions (D.R.)

8. Consider Approval Of Phone System Bids (D.R.)

9. Consider Approval Of Content Monitoring Contract (D.R.)

10. Consider Approval Of Fundraiser (D.R.)

11. Consider Authorization To Apply For COPS Grant (D.R.)

12. Establish Activity Pass Fees For 2024-2025 (D.R.)

13. Approve Fuel Bid Specifications (D.R.)

14. Approve Technology Support Bid Specifications (D.R.)

15. Consider Approval Of City Agreement (D.R.)

16. Consider Approval Of Social Worker Agreement (D.R.)

17. Consider Approval Of English Language Learner Virtual Supports And

Services Contract (D.R.)

18. Consider Approval Of Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Renewal (D.R.)

19. Consider Approval Of John Baylor Test Prep Program Contract (D.R.)

20. Consider Approval Of Window Replacement Bid (D.R.)

21. Annual Review Of Policies 410.2, 603.2, 711.4 (D.R.)

22. Board Policies – First Reading (I) – 803.1, 803.2, 804.1, 804.2, 804.4,

804.6, 804.6R1, 804.7, 804.7R1

23. Consider Change Of Date / Time For June And July Meetings (I, or D.R.)

• Adjourn

(D.R.) = Decision Required

(I.) = Informational

The final agenda will be posted in the Central Office no less than 24 hours before the meeting.

Posted in News |