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Iowa AG highlights new cold case unit

News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird traveled to Sioux City Tuesday to highlight the importance of the state’s new cold case unit. “We must never lose hope when it comes to cold cases and unsolved cases. And as a prosecutor, I fight for victims and for families and to bring criminals to justice, and nothing weighs on my heart more than a family that’s left in the dark or a murderer out there walking free,” Bird says. Bird was joined by family members of Maureen Brubaker Farley, a Sioux City teen who disappeared in 1971 while working at a Cedar Rapids diner. Her cold case was solved in 2021.

“Maureen, I think, shows us the importance of never giving up, because her case was solved 50 years after her passing, and while Maureen’s murderer had died by that point, at least at that point, those answers had come to light,” she says. Maureen’s body was found on the trunk of an abandoned car in Cedar Rapids in 1971 and D-N-A from the scene eventually matched George Smith to her murder in 2021. Smith had been dead for eight years when investigators told her sister Lisa Schenzel and the rest of family of the match on the 50th anniversary of Maureen’s death.

Lisa Schenzel with AG Brenna Bird talks about the cold case involving her sister. (KSCJ photo)

“It was no surprise to my mom, as she had known that name and discussed that name with the police back when the event happened in 1971 when Detective Denlinger called to tell us the case had been solved, we cried. We cried so much over the years, especially our mom, but we also felt a calmness or peace come over us as we finally had answers,” she says. Maureen was 17 and the oldest of seven kids when she died. Schenzel says the smallest bit of evidence can help solve a case and anyone with information in a cold case should contact law enforcement.

Red Oak man arrested Tues. evening on a warrant

News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department reports 55-year-old Vernon Brinkley Warf, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 6:40-p.m., Tuesday, on an active Montgomery County warrant for Probation Violation. Warf was taken into custody in the 100 block of E. Prospect Street, in Red Oak, and transported to the Montgomery County Jail. His bond was set at $7,500.

Atlantic School Board to act on personnel recommendations and Superintendent Search Firm

News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board will meet this (Wednesday) evening following a tour of the district’s buildings that begins at 4:30-p.m. When the meeting convenes sometime around 6-p.m., the Board will hear from Chad Alley, with the Iowa Construction Advocate Team (I-Cat).

The Board is expected to act on approving a Superintendent search firm vendor, and the following personnel matters:

Resignations –

  • Jordan Zarbano, Evening High School Custodian
  • Lindsey Thomas, Elementary Special Education paraprofessional (Effective Oct. 9th)

Retirements –

  • Jon Peterson, Middle School Teacher (effective the end of the 2024-25 school year).

Recommendations to hire –

  • Harrison Heogh, Volunteer HS Football Coach (Non-paid position)
  • Dan Vargason, Interim HS Girls Soccer Coach
  • Mackenzie Morris, Elementary Special Education paraprofessional.

And:

  • CTSO sponsors requirement for Perkins Grant Funds.
  • 2024 Volunteer Coaches for Winter Sports.
  • 2025 Spring Sports Coaches.

The Board’s final order of business is to approve an FFA Fruit Sales Fundraiser request for Oct. 10th through the 30th.

PUBLIC 10092024 Agenda

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Wed., Oct. 9, 2024

Weather

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. Light south southeast wind.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Light south southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 85.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Sunday: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 61.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 78. The Low was 34. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 64 and the Low was 29. The Record High in Atlantic on Oct. 9th was 87 in 1930, 1938 & 2020. The Record Low was 14 in 2000. Sunrise: 7:25. Sunset: 6:49.

Third district candidates Nunn and Baccam face off in their only debate

News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republican incumbent Zach Nunn and Lanon Baccam, the Democratic nominee in Iowa’s third congressional district, both say they’d support steps to reduce inflation, but they disagree strongly on the topic of abortion. The candidates debated for an hour on K-C-C-I Television last (Tuesday) night and the first question was about lowering costs for Iowans. Nunn says cutting taxes should be a priority.

“Make sure that Iowans get more money in their pocket to invest in their community. That’s how you grow and recover,” Nunn said. “…Pass a balanced budget.” Baccam says addressing the cost of housing and groceries should be priorities. “We have to go after the price gouging,” Baccam said, “big corporations…raising up prices for us and not passing down those savings.” Abortion has been a defining issue in the race and the two returned to the topic often. Baccam accused Nunn of being out-of-step with the majority of Iowans.

“The abortion ban that we have in this state, before most women even know they’re pregnant,” Baccam said. “He laid the groundwork for this when he was in the state legislature and what we have today is exactly what he wanted.” Nunn voted for a six-week abortion ban in 2018, when he was a state legislator. “I am pro-life. I have voted for exceptions for rape, incest and certainly for the health of the mother,” Nunn said. “I believe strongly that we should not have a federal abortion ban.”

Both expressed support for enhanced security at the southern border, but each accused the other of failing to support efforts to accomplish that goal.  “Mr. Baccam today will you stand up to your boss Biden and he can sign right now ‘remain in Mexico,’ he can sign a bill to make sure ‘catch and release’ is ended and he can build the border wall that would help everyone today?” Nunn asked. Baccam responded: “I think Iowans are tired of these political games where folks are trying to drive wedges between us. We actually want to see action and get things done…and Zach Nunn has failed to do that.”

It was the only debate the two are scheduled to have before November’s election.

Iowa Supreme Court hears dispute over Summit Carbon’s land access for surveys

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Attorneys for a Hardin County landowner and for the company seeking to build a carbon pipeline argued the case before the Iowa Supreme Court last (Tuesday) night. A district court judge ruled Kent Kasischke did not have the right to refuse to let surveyors for Summit Carbon Solutions on his property. Brian Jorde — Kasischke’s attorney — says it’s a violation of the constitution to grant a private company access to Kasischke’s land before the project has been approved by state regulators.

“This is an extreme right to give a private company the right to invade someone’s property against their will for the mere convenience of looking around,” Jorde said. Ryan Koopmans, the attorney representing Summit, says surveyors for private companies plotting out projects have had the right to survey Iowa land since 1851. “To go onto the property…to make sure that easement they’re going to seek is where they say it is,” Koopmans said. “That’s about as simple as it can be.” Koopmans says if the justices rule in the landowner’s favor, it would prevent utilities and other private companies, as well as state and local governments, from surveying property.

“Either we all get survey access,” Koopmans said, “or none of us do.” Jorde urged the justices to limit their decision to a section of state law that deals with hazardous liquid pipelines. “The sky will not fall if you go with landowners on this particular case,” Jorde said. A pipeline opponent sued by the company that’s no longer planning to build the Navigator carbon pipeline were among those who spoke at a rally on the statehouse steps just before last (Tuesday) night’s hearing.

Vicki Hulse of Moville was sued by Navigator for access to her land, but a district court dismissed the lawsuit last year. “If we can stop Navigator’s surveys, we can stop Summit’s,” Hulse said. “We have to keep fighting. We have to stand together and today we stand with Kent.” Kim Junker of New Hartford, an opponent of Navigator’s pipeline, noted the Iowa Utilities Commission has fined Summit for buying the voluntary easements Navigator before the required public hearings were held. “Summit knows the law, but they are arrogant enough to break the law anyways. Well this time Summit is going to be held accountable…well, sort of,” Junker said. “$10,000 is chump change for a billion dollar company.”

Summit issued a written statement, saying the company believed it was in compliance with state regulations and cited the commission’s statement, which called the violation minimal.

IA leads nation for wage gap between workers, CEOs

News

October 9th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – A new report from the American Federation of Labor shows the pay gap between C-E-Os and their workers continues to widen. Iowa has among the biggest disparities in the nation. The A-F-L’s report shows companies’ production costs were down 3-percent in 2023, but consumer prices were up 3-percent. Iowa Federation of Labor President Charlie Wishman says company C-E-O profits are up 6-percent, even as more families struggle to keep up with a rising cost of living. Wishman says the gap between the C-E-O and an average worker at a Casey’s General Store in Iowa is among the highest in the nation.

Wishman says the Casey’s C-E-O-to-employee wage gap has grown from about 40 to 1 in the 1980s. Casey’s says it reviews its salary and bonus structure yearly to be sure they are competitive. Nationwide, the report says it would take more than five career lifetimes for a worker to earn what the average C-E-O is paid in one year.

The A-F-L report lists several examples of huge corporate profit increases, including a 66-percent hike in the former Starbucks C-E-O’s pay. Securities and Exchange Commission documents show Laxman Narasimhan’s compensation jumped from 8-point-8 million dollars in 2022 to 14-point-6 million in 2023. Wishman says for the average Iowan, numbers like these are hard to stomach.

In the Starbucks example, the A-F-L report shows the cost of a medium coffee at the chain has risen by 20-percent in some locations, and the company has doubled the number of points required to qualify for rewards despite its overall production costs going down.

Riverside Volleyball earns win over IKM-Manning

Sports

October 8th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Riverside Bulldogs volleyball looked as sharp as ever in their Western Iowa conference win over the IKM-Manning Wolves in 3 straight sets. With it being senior night, the Bulldogs took the energy from the crowd and phenomenal assists by Bentley Rone to win the first set 25-16.

In the second and third sets Riverside was led by Sophia Taylor with 9 kills and 2 digs and Rone who collected 5 kills, 4 aces, 5 digs, and 5 blocks. Both found success targeting the front row with their swings. It seemed that whoever went up to block for IKM-Manning had little no success stopping the constant attacks of the Bulldogs. The last two sets saw more grit from the Wolves. But that would not be enough as IKM-Manning struggled with multiple errors to give up the last two sets 25-15 and 25-19.

It was also a milestone night for Riverside as Madison Kelley eclipsed her 100 career blocks mark and Bentley Rone achieved 100 career aces.

The win improves Riverside’s record to 25-3 and 6-0 in the WIC. They travel to Treynor on Thursday to take on a 19-7 Cardinals squad. IKM-Manning slips to 10-14 with the loss and head to Audubon on Thursday to face the Wheelers.

Regents approve U-I purchase of cancer clinic network

News

October 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents approved today (Tuesday) U-I Healthcare’s plans to buy Mission Cancer and Blood’s more than 20 community clinics across Iowa. During a special meeting, U-I Vice President of Medical Affairs Denise Jamieson told the board the deal will help improve access to treatment.

“Cancer rates in Iowa are the second highest in the nation, and they’re rising. And in the midst of this cancer crisis, access to cancer care across the state is insufficient to meet the needs of Iowans, and this is particularly true in rural Iowa,” Jamieson says. She says they thoroughly review the operation before moving ahead with the purchase proposal.

“Mission, Cancer and Blood is a thriving, financially sound medical group that provides access to cutting-edge cancer care, and they really excel at patient-centered care by building lifelong relationships with patients and providing personalized care,” she says. U-I Healthcare will pay 280 million dollars to purchase Mission’s assets. Jamieson says there are several positives to the purchase.

“It improves access to clinical care for patients in Iowa. Second, it expands access to community-based clinical research trials. Third, it improves access to innovative clinical therapies,” she says. Jamieson says the acquisition also gives them more opportunities for training medical students and is expected to be a draw for doctors.

“We believe that it will increase the likelihood that cancer physicians stay in Iowa to practice,” she says. Mission is headquartered in Des Moines and have facilities in central and western Iowa, which includes Ankeny, Pella, Oskaloosa, Fort Dodge, and Grinnell.

Grand Lodge Celebrates 180 years – Donnie Drennan elected Senior Grand Warden

News

October 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) – Members and spouses of Pymosa Lodge No 271 in Atlantic recently joined with Masons around Iowa at the 180th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

The annual communication is held at various venues around the state each year to vote on policy and by-law changes, election of officers and award ceremonies. This year Pymosa Lodge was awarded one of the Lodge of the Year awards for their continued support of Masonry in Iowa. Pymosa Lodge received its Charter at the Annual Communication on June 8, 1870 and have had continuous membership for 154 years.

Locally the Lodge holds two major fund raisers during the year; The St Patrick’s Day Stew Feed and the Scholarship Can Collection. The proceeds from these fund-raising activities goes to provide Scholarships for Atlantic and CAM Students. We also support the Atlantic Fire Department, the Atlantic Police department, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Atlantic Rising to name few of the programs that donate time and money to.

Elections were held for the Grand Lodge officers who will represent the Masons across the state of Iowa this year. Elected to hold the office of Senior Grand Warden for the 2024-2025 term is Right Worshipful Brother Donnie Drennan.

Donnie Drennan (Center/right) – photo submitted

Worshipful Brother John Bricker, of Drennan Insurance, is the vice-chairman of the Lodge Service committee for the Grand Lodge. His duties include traveling the state promoting masonry and providing Masonic education to the local lodges and coordinating meetings of the Grand master and the Grand Secretary.

Those attending from Pymosa Lodge were: Mike Blevins, Worshipful Master, Donnie Drennan (Arlene) Secretary and John Bricker (Nikki) Marshal.