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Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Tue., 12/26/23

Weather

December 26th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Early this morning: Scattered flurries after 5am. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 28. South southeast wind around 9 mph.
Today: Scattered flurries before 9am, then scattered snow showers, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a steady temperature around 30. North northeast wind 7 to 10 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Wednesday: Cloudy, with a high near 34. North wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 35.
Monday’s High in Atlantic was 36. Our Low was 28. We received .29″ of rain over the 24-hours ending today at 7-a.m. and .1″ of snow. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 17 and the Low was -5. The Record High on Dec. 26th was 59 in 1936, and the Record Low was -18 in 1892. Sunrise is 7:45. Sunset is 4:56.

Posted in Weather |

Smile, be patient & keep calm when trying to return gifts

News

December 26th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – If you got an ugly Christmas sweater, something in the wrong size or a duplicate item as a gift, ’tis now the season for returns — and the lines at customer service counters are likely long. Margo Riekes, spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau, offers Iowans a few tips to keep the line moving smoothly. “Be patient because all of the sales employees, especially the first few days after Christmas, are overwhelmed with all the returns,” Riekes says. “If you’re patient, you’re more likely to get some action.”

Standing in line for 45 minutes may try your patience, but she says to consider what it must be like to be the person hearing peoples’ complaints all day long.  “The customer who’s trying to return the gift should always be calm and polite when trying to do so,” Riekes says. “People will be much more willing to help them.” When returning an item, make sure to keep it in the original packaging and in like-new condition.

“Do not take the tags off the things because once the tags are off, it’s probably impossible to return them,” she says. If the gift giver was thinking far enough ahead to enclose a gift receipt in your wrapped box, it will make the process infinitely easier.

Posted in News |

Tax debate looms in 2024 Iowa legislature

News

December 26th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – For over a year, Governor Kim Reynolds has been saying her goal is to eliminate the state income tax by the end of 2026 and two weeks from today (Tuesday) Governor Kim Reynolds has indicated she’ll present a tax plan to the legislature. Iowans for Tax Relief president Chris Hagenow says his group supports lower and flatter taxes for everyone.

“We believe that Iowans are overtaxed and that money can be better spent by Iowans than the government, first and foremost,” Hagenow says. “and we think that other forms of taxation are more fair than the income tax.” Critics say nearly half of state revenue comes from the income tax and Mike Owen of Common Good Iowa says eliminating the state income tax would be a disaster. “The income tax is the only part of our system that really reflects ability to pay,” Owen says. “…Sales taxes and property taxes, these things really do hit lower income people harder than they do higher income people.”

Owen says already approved income tax reductions will reduce revenue to the state of Iowa by 20 percent. “They’re not phased in yet. People don’t even see the impacts yet because the legislature hasn’t put together the budget for Fiscal Year ’28, for example, when you lose $2 billion from revenues,” Owen says. Hagenow expects G-O-P lawmakers to set up a system to gradually eliminate the income tax as there’s growth in other tax revenue. He cites things like eliminating some sales tax exemptions or deductions and getting rid of income tax credits.

Chris Hagenow of Iowans for Tax Relief (on left) and Mike Owen of Common Good Iowa discussed tax policy on recent Iowa Press episode (Photo from Iowa PBS, used with permission)

“I can’t stress enough the point that this is not hoping things work out in the future,” Hagenow says. “…Whatever comes out I know that it’s going to line up.” Hagenow and Owen made their comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

The 2024 Iowa legislature convenes Monday, January 8th and Governor Reynolds delivers her annual address to lawmakers on the 9th of January.

Posted in News |

1 from Creston dead, 1 from Missouri injured in a Madison County crash Monday evening

News

December 26th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Winterset, Iowa) – A collision Monday evening in Madison County left one person dead and another injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened east of Winterset, at around 6:30-p.m. The Patrol says a pickup driven by 66-year-old Marjorie B. Gregory, of Nevada, MO., was traveling east on Highway 92, east of Nature Trail. A Honda Accord driven by 46-year-old Corey M. Brown, of Creston, and a Honda Civic driven by 32-year-old Peter J. McNeal, of Des Moines, were traveling west on Highway 92, when Gregory attempted to pass an eastbound vehicle.

Her pickup struck the Accord head-on in the westbound lane, and overturned and rolled before hitting the Civic. Corey Brown died at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt. Marjorie Gregory was injured and transported by Madison County Ambulance to Methodist Hospital, in Des Moines.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene,

Posted in News |

Cheerleader nominations open for Okoboji Winter Games

News, Sports

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The University of Okoboji Winter Games start a month from today (Monday) in the Iowa Great Lakes region. Outdoor events include flag football and a keg toss. There are indoor events, like bowling and a cribbage tournament. Blain Andera with the Iowa Great Lakes Chamber of Commerce says there’s a chance to be a cheerleader, too.

“Traveling around to all of the events and stuff January 25-28 for the 44th annual University of Okoboji Winter Games,” he says. Three brothers created a crest for the fictional University of Okoboji in the 1970s and it’s now marketed as a mythical, yet fun campus in the Iowa Great Lakes. Cheerleader nominations for the University of Okoboji Winter Games are being accepted through December 31st.

The Iowa Lakes Chamber of Commerce will host voting online and at the chamber office in early January. Andera says eight cheer squad members will be elected. “A ready smile, enthusiasm for all our U of O campus has to offer and just a sincere desire to give their time and talent to enhance the area,” he says. The University of Okoboji Winter Games typically attract 40-thousand visitors and participants.

Registration for most of the competitive events closes January, 22nd, but some events have a limited number of teams or individuals and those will fill up early.

Posted in News, Sports |

Your garden can help others

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – If you are looking for a way to help others in the New Year it can be as simple as adding a little extra to your garden. Iowa State University’s Katie Sorrell oversees a program that helps raise vegetables for food banks, and says you can do your part as well. “Find your local food pantry and ask them what produce items their clients like. So depending on who is coming to the food pantry, they might have specific needs maybe their clients really like hot peppers, or maybe their clients love beets. Or maybe their clients love onions,” Sorrell says.

The “Growing Together Iowa” program she coordinates grows thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables, but . Sorrell says your contribution of a few pounds would help. “You could grow an extra row or plant a row specifically for your local food pantry. And also, if you have a home garden, I would just encourage you when your garden comes in strong right, when your zucchini just keep coming and coming, reach out to your local food pantry and donate it because it will be used there,” she says.

Sorrell says fresh vegetables are one of the most requested items at food pantries. She says donated produce frees up money for food bank clients to use on other things.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

NANCY LEIGH [Wede] TEMPLEMAN, 63, of Atlantic (Memorial Svcs. 12/29/23)

Obituaries

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

NANCY LEIGH TEMPLEMAN, 63, of Atlantic, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. A Memorial service for NANCY TEMPLEMAN will take place 11-a.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic has the arrangements.

A visitation will be held prior to the memorial service starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday. A luncheon will be held following the service in the reception hall of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Templeman family in honor of Nancy. They will be designated to many of her favorite local organizations and charities and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

NANCY TEMPLEMAN is survived by:

Her husband – Tim Templeman.

Her sons – Branden (Christina) Kemp; Trevor (Kari Vrban) Templeman, and Justen (Tara) Templeman.

Her mother – Genevieve Wede.

Her brothers – Rodney Wede, and Scott (Jill) Wede.

and 5 grandchildren and other relatives.

Condolences and memories can be shared at schmidtfamilyfh.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

MARY MARGARET KILCOIN, 104, of Adair (1-5-2024)

Obituaries

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

MARY MARGARET KILCOIN, 104, of Adair, died Monday, December 25, 2023, at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center.  Memorial service for MARY MARGARET KILCOIN will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Adair United Methodist Church.  Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Adair is assisting the family.

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Visitation with family will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Adair.

Interment will follow the service at Sunnyhill Cemetery in Adair.

Refreshments will be provided following the committal service in the reception hall of the Adair United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be directed to the Mary Kilcoin Family, to be designated to many of her favorite organizations and charities, and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

MARY MARGARET KILCOIN is survived by:

Children: David (Linda) Kilcoin of Show Low, AZ; Donald (Jeani) Kilcoin of Buckeye, AZ; Kathy (Lenny) Sargent of Adair and Debra (Terry) Berry of Truro

12 Grandchildren

35 great-grandchildren

6 great-great-grandchildren

and many nieces and nephews

Posted in Obituaries |

NFL Scoreboard (12/24) & Schedule (12/25)

Sports

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Sunday’s Scores:

Detroit Lions 30, Minnesota Vikings 24

Cleveland Browns 36, Houston Texans 22

Green Bay Packers 33, Carolina Panthers 30

Seattle Seahawks 20, Tennessee Titans 17

Atlanta Falcons 29, Indianapolis Colts 10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, Jacksonville Jaguars  12

Miami Dolphins 22, Dallas Cowboys 20

Chicago Bears 27, Arizona Cardinals 16

New England Patriots 26, Denver Broncos 23

TODAY’S GAMES (12/25):

Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (Pre-game on KJAN at 11-a.m., Kick-0ff at Noon)

NY Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 3:30-p.m.

Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers, 7:15-p.m.

Posted in Sports |

College Football Scoreboard & Schedule

Sports

December 25th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Saturday’s college football scoreboard (12/23/23); Schedule for 12/26:

Posted in Sports |