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2 from rural Atlantic win Center for Rural Affairs 7th Generation Award

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LYONS, NEBRASKA – Officials with The Center for Rural Affairs, Thursday (Feb. 15, 2024), announced recognition of outstanding people and entities in two states. Among were two from rural Atlantic. Winners of the Seventh Generation Award were Denise O’Brien and Larry Harris, Rolling Acres Farm ( Atlantic, Iowa), for lifetime service in making major contributions in improving rural life and protecting our land and water.

CRA Executive Director Brian Depew says “Each year, we honor the rural champions who help us accomplish so much for rural America. This group of award winners have gone above and beyond to lay the foundation for a better rural future.”

Awards will be presented to each recipient this spring.

The Center for Rural Affairs works to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Northern Iowa men beat Bradley

Sports

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The UNI men have moved into a share of fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference race. The Panthers built a 21 point second half lead then held of a furious Bradley rally for a 74-63 victory in the McLeod Center. Jacob Hutson led the Panthers with 14 points. Bowen Born added 12 and Nate Heise (Hi-Z) returned from an ankle injury to score 11.

The Panthers built an early 19 point advantage by scoring 44 points in the opening half.

The Panthers are 9-7 in the Valley.

Drake grabs a share of MVC lead

Sports

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Drake has moved back into a share of the Missouri Valley Conference lead. The Bulldogs outscored Murray State 14-3 to close the opening half and rolled to a 95-72 win in the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs shot a sizzling 61 percent percent, including 17 three pointers to move to 13-3 in the Valley.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries. Freshman Kevin Overton led the Bulldogs with a season high 23 points as they claimed a 19th straight home win.

The Bulldogs are 22-5 overall.

Iowa’s Lisa Bluder talks off week

Sports

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa women’s coach Lisa Bluder says the off week came at the right time for her team. The fourth ranked Hawkeyes are coming off last Thursday’s win over Michigan and return to action Thursday night at 14th ranked Indiana.

Bluder says with sold out crowds at home and on the road every game has a tournament feel.

The Hawkeyes are 12-2 in the Big 10 and 22-3 overall.

No. 10 Iowa State visits No. 3 Houston Monday night

Sports

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

It’s a Big Monday clash for the Big 12 lead when 10th ranked Iowa State visits third ranked Houston. It matches two of the best defensive teams in the country. Both teams are 9-3 in the league race. The Cyclones edged the Cougars 57-53 in Ames back in early January and with a win will have a one game lead and own the tiebreaker with five to play.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who says both teams pride themselves on defense.

2 non-injury accidents in Creston, Friday

News

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston investigated two, non-injury accidents that took place Friday (Feb. 16th). The first occurred at around 10:40-a.m., near the intersection of Sumner Street and New York Avenue. Officials say a 2002 Chevy Blazer driven by 81-year-old Joseph R. Kessler,of Creston, was stopped at a red light while westbound on New York Avenue. A 2012 Honda Civic driven by 23-year-old Sophia Alexandra Groumoutis, of Creston, was traveling west on New York Avenue.

According to the report, as the car was traveling downhill toward the stop light, it was traveling too fast for conditions, and slid into the rear bumper of the SUV, causing minor damage to both vehicles estimated at $3,000 altogether. Police noted wet/icy road conditions contributed to the collision. No citations were issued.

The second accident happened at around 2:45-p.m. Friday, in Creston. Authorities say a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, driven by 33-year-old Samantha Jo Gile-Smith, of Creston, was traveling south in the 400 block of N. Cherry Street. An unoccupied  2013 Chrysler 200 was legally parked along the west curb facing south. Gile-Smith initially told officers her car struck the other vehicle when her steering locked-up, but she later admitted to having fallen asleep. She said her steering was fine, and that she had awakened after the collision.

Damage from the accident amounted to $7,000. Both vehicles were declared a total loss, and were towed from the scene. No citations were issued.

Two arrested on Theft charges in Creston

News

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Officials with the Creston Police Department today (Sunday), said there were two arrests for Theft, and an OWI arrest. Friday afternoon (Feb. 16), Creston Police arrested 20-year-old Molly Nichole Bagby, of Corning, was arrested at the Creston Hy-Vee. She was charged with Theft in the 2nd Degree/General (over $1,500 under $10,000_. Bagby was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

And, 39-year-old Yarioska Rondoncama, of New York, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC (Law Enforcement Center). Rondoncama was charged under a Union County Warrant for three counts of Theft in the 5th Degree. Rondoncama was also charged with OWI/1st offense, and Driving while revoked. He was taken to the Union County Jail where and held on a $2,900 cash or surety bond.

Early Saturday morning, 34-year-old Cody Reese Craig, of Greenfield, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC for OWI/1st Offense. Craig was taken to the Union County Jail and later released on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.

4 raptors die in bird sanctuary fire

News

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – The North Liberty and Solon Fire Departments responded to a fire at the Iowa Raptor Project around 4:24am on Friday.

Crews arrived to find a fire in four enclosures, which were a total loss. The four raptors in the enclosures were killed. Those include two red-tailed hawks, one Harris’s hawk, and one gyrfalcon. Officials say the remaining birds are being closely observed for any signs of distress.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and a damage estimate is not yet available.

The Iowa Raptor Project and the Macbride Nature Recreation Area will be closed until further notice.

Neglected Dallas County horses are now available for adoption

News

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Three months after the Animal Rescue League of Iowa took in dozens of neglected horses from a property near Madrid, the animals are healed and available for adoption.

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office removed 46 horses from a rural property in November 2023 and charged the owner, 78-year-old Linda Kay Kilbourne of Johnston, with livestock neglect. Once the ARL took the horses into their care, they said the animals were covered in lacerations and bite marks from the other horses and were suffering from undernourishment. Now, the ranch manager at the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch said the herd is healed and ready for new homes. In total, 31 of the 46 horses are in the ARL’s care, with 21 at the ranch facility. See all the horses available for adoption here.

The reason the ranch successfully helped the herd recover is because of recent changes at the facility. Over the past two years, the ARL updated the stalls, outdoor paddock area and hired more staff to help them handle more animals. While the new facilities are able to handle the large herd, it is at capacity. By the end of March, the ARL is expecting more horses to join when five of their mares give birth; emphasizing the importance of getting horses adopted now.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Sunday, Feb 18, 2024

Weather

February 18th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 43. Winds NW @ 5-10 mph. Wind chill values as low as 10.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 24.
Monday (Washington’s Birthday): Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. S/SE winds @ 10-20 becoming westerly in the afternoon.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 55. W/NW @ 5-10 becoming southerly in the afternoon.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Thursday: Partly sunny & breezy, with a high near 53.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 34. The Low was 8. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 46 and the Low was 24. The Record High for Feb. 18th in Atlantic, was 67 in 2017. The Record Low was -25, in 1978. Sunrise today: 7:12. Sunset: 5:56.