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Atlantic basketball falls short at home

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojans opened up the second half of the basketball season with a loss at home against the Glenwood Rams Tuesday night 68-58. The Rams used a 9-1 run to end the first quarter. Glenwood led 21-13 at the end of the first and watched their lead shrink to 5 by half at 35-30. Both teams exchanged leads throughout the second half and Atlantic even managed to tie it at 55 midway through the fourth quarter. But, the lack of rebounding and trips to the charity strip would ultimately harm the Trojans and cause the loss at 68-58.

Head Coach Dalton Franken reiterated the rebound struggles that Atlantic had on the night.

The Rams were led by 22 points from Casey Godbout. Two other players finished in double figures with Kayden Anderson dropping down 20 and Jack Johnson with 10.

Atlantic got 32 points from senior Colton Rasmussen in the loss. Gavin McLaren finished with 14 points. The Trojans fall to 3-7 on the season and head to Kuemper Catholic Friday night for another tough test. The focus for Coach Franken is improving his teams offensive rebounding ability.

Glenwood improves to 5-4 and will host Shenandoah Friday.

Trojans girls basketball show improvement in loss to Glenwood

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Glenwood Rams pressured their way to a competitive girls win over Atlantic 51-46 on Tuesday night. The Trojans used stifling pressure defense to take a 8-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. Limiting perimeter shooting was a big issue for the Trojans through much of the game. The Rams had 8 made three pointers throughout the game compared to Atlantic only having 3.

Glenwood led 26-22 at halftime and saw their lead slip away as the Trojans were up 42-36 by the end of the third. Momentum shifted in the fourth when Glenwood went on a 7-2 run to start the quarter and it seemed like Atlantic could never catch up. Trojans Head Coach Dan Vargason commented that while turnovers cost his team the game, he did notice the improvement his team is making.

The Rams got 20 points from senior Maggie McChesney. Danika Arnold also finished in double digit scoring with 12 points. The Trojans got 21 points from Paytn Harter and Makenna Schroeder had 10 points showing the potential her coaches have seen in her all season long. Coach Vargason explained that a reset was all she needed.

The Rams improve to 5-4 and will move on to host Shenandoah Friday. The Trojans continue their losing streak and fall to 3-9, they will be on the road Friday facing Kuemper Catholic.

Iowa falls at No. 21 Wisconsin

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa has dropped to 0-3 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin took control with an 8-0 run midway through the second half and the 21st ranked Badgers posted an 83-72 victory in Madison. The Badgers shot 58 percent in the second half and made 20-of-26 free throws after halftime.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says 15 turnovers were costly.

Tony Freeman led Iowa with 25 points.

Iowa State women host Kansas Wednesday night

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa State women are at home on Wednesday night in Big-12 play to host Kansas. The Cyclones opened the league race with a 76-68 win at Oklahoma State.

That’s Cyclone coach Bill Fennelly. Kansas is 7-5 overall and opened Big 12 play with a 25-point loss at home to West Virginia.

Fennelly says The Jayhawks are much better than their record.

MELVIN MARTIN, 75, of Harlan (1-5-2024)

Obituaries

January 2nd, 2024 by Jim Field

MELVIN MARTIN, 75, of Harlan died December 31, 2023 at Myrtue Medical Center.  Funeral services for MELVIN MARTIN will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

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Visitation will be held on Friday from 12:00 pm until service time at the funeral home.

Burial in the Harlan Cemetery.

MELVIN MARTIN is survived by:

Wife:  Katherine Martin of Harlan

Daughters:  Julie (Rick) Martin of Harlan; Janet Martin of Harlan; Annette Stolz; Megan Stolz

Son:  Jeremy (Jackie) Stolz

Brothers:  Marvin Martin of Harlan; Merlyn (Ruby) Martin of Harlan

Sister:  Mary Lou (Donald) Andersen of Harlan

7 Grandchildren

Several Great-Grandchildren

Crooks named Big 12 Freshman of the Week

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IRVING, Texas – For the second time in three weeks, Audi Crooks has been named the Big 12 women’s basketball Freshman of the Week. The Algona, Iowa native helped Iowa State to a 1-0 start to league play on Saturday as the Cyclones took down Oklahoma State, 76-68, in Stillwater. The victory marked Iowa State’s seventh-consecutive win in a conference opener and fourth straight on the road in the last seven seasons.

Crooks led ISU with 21 points, her third career 20-point game, on 9-of-14 shooting over the weekend to go along with seven rebounds. She was also perfect at the free throw line for the second time in her career, making all three of her attempts.

This season, Crooks is leading NCAA Division I freshmen in field goal percentage, shooting at an impressive .672 clip from the floor. She has also connected on 3-of-4 attempts from 3-point range. The center leads Iowa State in scoring with 16.5 points per game and is second on the team in rebounds with 6.0 boards per game.

Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum Wednesday night for its first Big 12 home game of the season, playing host to Kansas. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. in Ames.

Clark Earns 23rd B1G Player of the Week Honor

Sports

January 2nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa National Player of the Year candidate, Caitlin Clark, earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors the conference office announced on Monday.

This marks Clark’s 23rd weekly award from the conference, which ties for the most in Big Ten conference history with former Hawkeye, Megan Gustafson.

She garnered weekly honors for the fifth time this season. She did so six times a year ago.

Clark led the Hawkeyes to a pair of blowout wins against Loyola Chicago and Minnesota over winter break. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native, racked up her 13th career triple-double against the Ramblers. Clark and Sabrina Ionescu are the only players in college women’s basketball history to record a triple-double in four consecutive seasons. She recorded 35 points, making 8-of-16 3-pointers, one shy of her career-best, 10 assists, and five rebounds against the Golden Gophers.

PLAYER NOTES

– Clark became the NCAA’s fifth all-time leading scorer.

– Is the first Division-I player in men’s or women’s college basketball to record 3,000+ points, 900+ assists, and 800+ rebounds in a career.

– She also became the Big Ten’s and Iowa’s all-time assist leader, eclipsing 900-career dimes against Minnesota.

– Has 50 career games with 25+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. (NCAA Best)

– Is the all-time leader in 30+ point performances in men’s and women’s college basketball over the last 25 seasons. (44)

– Has scored 20+ points in 99-of-114 career games which is the most in program history.

– Kept her nation’s best streak of eight consecutive games registering 25+ points, 5+ assists, and 5+ rebounds. (NCAA best)

ADRIAN RAY NELSON, 76, of Kirkman (Memorial Svc. 1/6/24)

Obituaries

January 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ADRIAN RAY NELSON, 76, of Kirkman, died Dec. 21, 2023, at Methodist Hospital. A Memorial service for ADRIAN NELSON will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at the Harvest of Hope Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the Harvest of Hope is on Saturday, from 9:30-until 11-a.m.

ADRIAN NELSON is survived by:

His wife – Linda Nelson, of Kirkman.

His sons -Chris (Leah) Nelson, of Audubon; Seth Nelson (& fiancé Cindy Schwery), of Panama, and Adam Nelson, of Kirkman.

His brother – Jim (Dixie) Nelson, of Manilla.

4 grandchildren; other family members and many friends.

Eliminating state income tax ‘non-starter’ for House Democrats

News

January 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the 2024 Iowa legislature should focus on improving access to child care and affordable housing rather than another round of tax cuts. “What does an Iowa family of four who’s a middle class family just trying to make their way in the world, what does their budget look like on July 1 versus June 30 and what have we done in the legislature to address in a way that’s truly meaningful and not just headline grabbing?” Konfrst asks. The state income tax accounts for about 46 percent of current state revenue. Republicans are considering getting rid of the state’s personal income tax and Konfrst says that’s a non-starter with Democrats.

“What really lowers costs for families? The past tax cuts that Republicans have passed have really been great for special interests, for big corporations and for the richest Iowans,” Konfrst says. “500,000 Iowans haven’t seen a dime from the tax cuts, so if there are going to be tax cuts, we need to make sure they’re targeted at middle and lower income families.” Konfrst says the latest data shows Iowa will be short 25-thousand housing units by the end of the decade and it’s time for the state to be more creative in supporting affordable housing.

“What can we do in small communities to ensure that existing housing stock can be rehabilitated in a way that lets families move in and have starter homes in these communities? What can we do to provide incentives for (home) building?” Konfrst asks. She says Democrats also support zoning changes and incentives that would help convert vacant commercial space into housing.

The 2024 Iowa legislature convenes Monday.

SHIRLEY ACKER, 91, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life 1/6/24)

Obituaries

January 2nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SHIRLEY ACKER, 91, of Atlantic, died Monday, January 1, 2024, at Heritage House, in Atlantic. Per her wishes, SHIRLEY ACKER will be cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held 2-p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at , at the Heritage Hall at the Heritage House in Atlantic. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic is handling the arrangements.

Following the service, a time of refreshments and fellowship is welcomed by the family.

Memorials may be directed to the Heritage House, First Presbyterian Church of Atlantic, or the YMCA Atlantic in honor of Shirley. Memorials may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022. Condolences may be left at www.schmidtfamilyfh.com.

SHIRLEY ACKER is survived by:

Her husband – Duane Acker.

Her daughters – Diane (Terry) Nygaard, and LuAnn Acker and husband Bill Tout, of Ft. Myers, FL.

Her sister – Jeannie Jones, of Shell Knob, MO.

1 grandson, her brother-in-law, and other relatives.