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GERALD LEE “Jerry” CASEY, 80, of Griswold (Memorial Svcs. 11/4/24)

Obituaries

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

GERALD LEE “Jerry” CASEY, 80, of Griswold, died Oct. 24, 2024 at his home near Griswold. A Memorial Service for GERALD CASEY will be held 11-a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the Rieken-Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

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

Interment will be in the Pleasant Township Cemetery.

GERALD “Jerry” CASEY is survived by:

His daughters – Janell (Terry) Harold, of Omaha, NE; Tonya (Ed) Burk, of Milan, TN; Jerinda (Ronald) McKamy, of La Vista, NE, and Jill Cartwright, of Ellensburg, WA.

His sister – Karen Rudd, of Drakesville, IA.

His brother – David Casey, of Drakesville.

20 grandchildren; and 27 great grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Momcilovic Named to Julius Erving Award Watch List

Sports

October 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Iowa State sophomore forward Milan Momcilovic has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Watch List, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Wednesday.

The annual Julius Erving Award, named after the Class of 1993 Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player, celebrates its 11th year by recognizing the top small forwards in Division I men’s college basketball.

Momcilovic is one of five Big 12 players on the 20-member watch list.

In his rookie campaign, Momcilovic tied a school record for most starts and appearances in a season by starting all 37 games. He averaged 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from downtown. Momcilovic was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman Team, while also picking up Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team honors after helping the Cyclones to their fifth tournament championship in the last 10 seasons. Momcilovic hit four 3-pointers and scored 18 points in ISU’s 69-41 victory over No. 1 Houston in the Big 12 Championship game and followed that with 19 points on three 3-pointers against South Dakota State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Fans can support their favorite player by participating in Fan Voting starting Friday, November 1. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2025 Julius Erving Award will be narrowed to 10, and then in late February, to just five. In March, the five finalists will be presented to Erving and the Hall of Fame’s selection committees, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committees for the Julius Erving Award is composed of top men’s college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.

The winner of the 2025 Erving Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the other four members of the Men’s Starting Five. Additional awards being presented include the Bob Cousy Award (Point Guard), Jerry West Award (Shooting Guard), Karl Malone Award (Power Forward) and the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award (Center). Iowa State’s Tamin Lipsey is also on the Bob Cousy Award Watch List.

Previous winners of the Julius Erving Award are Dalton Knecht, Tennessee (2024), Jalen Wilson, Kansas (2023), Wendell Moore Jr., Duke (2022), Corey Kispert, Gonzaga (2021), Saddiq Bey, Villanova (2020), Rui Hachimura, Gonzaga (2019), Mikal Bridges, Villanova (2018), Josh Hart, Villanova (2017), Denzel Valentine, Michigan State (2016), and Stanley Johnson, Arizona (2015).

Posted in Sports |

Payton Sandfort Named to Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Watch List

Sports

October 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior forward Payton Sandfort has been named to the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List, the announcement was made Wednesday by the Basketball Hall of Fame.

It is the second straight year Sandfort has been named to the preseason watch list for an award that recognizes the best small forwards in men’s college basketball.

He is one of four Big Ten players on the watch list along with Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako, Michigan State’s Frankie Fidler and Rutgers’ Ace Bailey. The list will be fluid throughout the season as players will have the ability to play themselves on and off the list.

Fans are encouraged to participate in fan voting, presented by Dell Technologies, in each of the three rounds. In early February, the list will be narrowed down to 10 players, and it will be trimmed to five in March. The award recipient will be announced at the Final Four in San Antonio.

Leading into the 2024-25 season, Sandfort has also been named to the preseason All-Big Ten team by the league office and Blue Ribbon. He has been tabbed as one of the best seniors and sharp shooters in college basketball by Andy Katz on NCAA.com and is rated as the 47th-best player in the nation by ESPN.com.

The 6-foot-8, 215 pound forward put up career-best numbers across the board during the 2023-24 season, averaging 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists, while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 37.9 percent from distance and 91.1 percent from the free throw stripe. He ranked second in the Big Ten in free throw percentage, third in 3-point percentage, eighth in scoring, 12th in field goal percentage and 13th in rebounding en route to third-team All-Big Ten honors.

The Waukee, Iowa, native scored in double figures in 27 games and posted a team-best 11 20-point contests, including a career-best 30-point, 12-rebound outing in Iowa’s NIT First Round win over Kansas State. He made a career-high seven 3-pointers in the victory.

During the season, Sandfort was one of the best shooters in the Big Ten, leading the league with 94 3-point field goals. He made two or more 3s in 27 games, three or more in 17 games and four or more 12 times. The 94 makes ranked in the top 40 nationally.

Sandfort, who became just the second Big Ten Player since 1992-92 to average 16+ points, 6+ rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 3-point field goals, made Iowa history during a Feb. 27 victory over Penn State. He recorded the first triple-double in program history, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks in the game.

The Hawkeyes open the regular season Nov. 4, hosting Texas A&M Commerce as part of the Kenny Arnold Classic at 7 p.m. (CT) on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game will be streamed live on B1G+.

Posted in Sports |

Glenwood man arrested on Robbery and Dangerous Weapon charges

News

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood report a man was arrested today (Wednesday) following a reported armed subject in a bank. Officers were called at around 9:50-a.m. to the Glenwood State Bank, where they arrested 66-year-old Ricky Schnackel, of Glenwood, on a Class-B Felony charge of Robbery in the 1st Degree, and an Aggravated Misdemeanor  Use of a Dangerous Weapon in the Commission of a Crime, charge.

Schnackel was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $27,000 bond. The incident remains under investigation.

Disclaimer: “A criminal charge is merely and accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”

Posted in News |

Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan prepares for first start against Wisconsin

Sports

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Brendan Sullivan gets his first start at quarterback for Iowa Saturday night at home when the Hawkeyes host Wisconsin. Sullivan replaced the injured Cade McNamara in the second quarter against Northwestern and sparked the Hawkeyes to a 40-14 win.

Sullivan’s ability to run is an added weapon for the Hawkeyes, whether it is designed runs or pulling the ball down out of the pocket.

The Badger defense has been a tough one to solve for the Iowa offense in recent years and Sullivan says this will be no different.

Sullivan transferred from Northwestern and made his first appearance for the Wildcats two years ago in a 42-7 loss to Wisconsin. Hawkeye receiver Jacob Gill also transferred from Northwestern and says Sullivan is ready for the challenge.

Sullivan had mainly been used in short yardage and goal line situations and center Logan Jones feels he is ready to take the reigns of the offense.

Jones says Sullivan’s mobility gives the offense an added dimension.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State QB Rocco Becht previews Texas Tech

Sports

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht says the Cyclones are ready for the stretch run. The 11th ranked Cyclones host Texas Tech Saturday afternoon and with a victory will be 8-0 for the first time in program history.

The Cyclones are coming off their second and final bye week after rallying for a last second win over Central Florida.

In back-to-back losses to Baylor and TCU the Texas Tech defense has been shredded for 94 points and 618 yards of passing but Becht says the Red Raiders have talent on defense.

Becht expects the Texas Tech defense to make adjustments.

Posted in Sports |

State and federal officials talk election security

News

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate convened a gathering of state and federal officials at the Iowa National Guard’s headquarters today (Wednesday) to tout security measures surrounding the General Election.  “It is because of numerous checks and balances and many, many layers in place that help us ensure Iowa elections are safe and secure,” Pate said. Iowa Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says his agency will be a hub for collecting information from three-thousand law enforcement and intelligence agency partners.

“Our duty and focus for the upcoming election is to alert Iowans as to any false information that may circulate through email, social media or telephone calls,” Bayens said, “as well as an physical threats on election day or the days that follow.” Bayens says false information about the election typically centers around fake notices that polling sites have moved or are closing, as well as false allegations of election intimidation to spark fear about voting.

“Please also be mindful of scam artists claiming you can register a ballot or voting on online or over the phone. These fraudsters are attempting to obtain your personal information so they can either steal your personal identity or trick you into believing you have already voted,” Bayens said. “We encourage all Iowans to be mindful of such efforts and to only rely on trusted information sources such as state or local election officials.”

Cyber security staff from state government and the Iowa National Guard are monitoring election offices in Iowa 24 hours a day now. Phil Kirk of the U-S Department of Homeland Security is regional director for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency or CISA. He says Iowa has key election safeguards, like testing of all election equipment before it’s used to count paper ballots and, after the election, results in randomly-selected precincts are audited for accuracy.

“The 2024 election cycle is facing arguably the most complex threat environment ever,” Kirk said, “but the nation’s elections infrastructure is more secure and the election community more prepared than ever.” Kirk emphasizes that every voter in Iowa will be casting a paper ballot that enables counts, recounts and audits.

“I want to address Iowa voters directly: thanks mostly to the hard work of your state and local election officials, their partners and CISA security experts across this region I have confidence we are doing everything we can to ensure a safe and secure election,” he said, “and that you should be confident, too.”

The F-B-I is the primary agency in charge of investigating election-related crimes and the special agent in charge of the F-B-I’s Omaha office says an “election command post” has been set up there to coordinate a state and federal response to any threats related to this year’s election.

Posted in News |

Lipsey on Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Watch List

Sports

October 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

ROSWELL, Ga. – Iowa State junior point guard Tamin Lipsey has been named to the 2024-25 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club/Naismith Awards announced on Wednesday.

Lipsey is one of 12 players from the Big 12 named to the 50-member watch list. Earlier this week, Lipsey was named to the 20-person Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Watch List.

A returning AP Honorable Mention All-American, Lipsey was a finalist for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year, the Lefty Driesell Defensive Player of the Year and the Lute Olson National Player of the Year awards last season.

Lipsey also got it done in the classroom, being named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-America Team. He was also selected to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament team after leading the Cyclones to their sixth Big 12 Championship. He was also named an NABC First Team All-District selection, named to the All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team last season.

Lipsey averaged 12.4 points, 4.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals in his sophomore campaign. He was one of 17 players in the country, and the first in Big 12 history, to average those numbers since 1996-97. Lipsey had a school-record steal streak of 34-straight games snapped this season. It was the second longest streak in the country. He has a steal in 66 of the 69 games he has played.

Posted in Sports |

Low stream flows in northern Iowa raise winter concerns for fish

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – River and stream flows have dropped as the wet spring turned to a dry fall, which raises some concerns for fish. D-N-R fisheries biologist Scott Grummer works in north-central Iowa. “We’re starting to get a few calls from citizen reports of some fish getting stranded in isolated pools, especially at the you know, the upper, upper reaches, or headwaters of some of our rivers,” he says. Grummer says the wet spring had rivers full, but it never fully replenished groundwater.

“Even with the flooding, you know, the sub soil moisture wasn’t fully replenished, and once we got those spring rains through, you know, we slid right back into dry events where we seen very little rainfall really since July on, especially parts of Iowa, and kind of slid us right back to where we were a year ago, at this time in drought,” Grummer says. Rivers with less water depth could freeze over. “The thing that keeps river water from from freezing solid is obviously the current, or flow velocity,” Grummer says. “And when we’re in these dry periods, like we are now, you know, the current is is minimal, and that makes it you know, where a harsh, cold winter could have some some dramatic effects on fish.”

Public Health Watch photo

He says the natural instincts of fish kick in. “Fish will move to the deepest water they can find to winter. They can sense winter coming. But when we’re in this, this type of drought and flow conditions, there’s not a lot of deep water for them to find,” he says. Grummer says there could be some fish kills. “On the positive side, you know, obviously, fish have dealt with droughts through history, and they are very resilient. And typically, it’s not like a complete destruction of the fishery, but it could cause some, some minor setbacks in in some areas, if, if we get a harsh winter, and especially in these northern Iowa rivers,” Grummer says.

Grummer says precipitation generally drops in the winter, so there’s not a lot of chance for the waterways to get replenished.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa’s furbearer season begins Nov. 2

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa’s furbearer season opens Saturday and according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the outlook for trappers is positive – most species populations are steady, and there are some early indications wild fur pelt prices could be trending up this winter. The challenge, however, could be that fewer marshes and streams have good water levels. Vince Evelsizer, state furbearer and wetland biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says “Our water levels are similar to last year in some regions, even with a wet spring. These wet/dry-dry/wet swings within a year can have an impact on aquatic furbearers – otters, mink, beavers and muskrats. But the upland species – bobcats, red fox, coyotes – are much less impacted.”

Evelsizer encouraged trappers to do some preseason scouting as marsh water levels vary by location with many either dry or drying by the day. The furbearer season is Nov. 2 to Feb. 28, 2025. Beaver trapping closes on April 15, 2025.

Mentoring young trappers

A regulation change allows youth age 15 and younger to go trapping with a licensed adult trapper without purchasing a license. This change brings trapping in line with hunting. “This allows the youth to experience trapping to see if it is something they would enjoy without having to purchase a license,” Evelsizer said. Each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

Gray fox study

The Iowa DNR will again be looking for live caught gray foxes as part of a pilot population study to learn more about this small, secretive woodland furbearer. “We’re asking for the public and our trappers to contact us if they’ve recently seen a gray fox or catch a gray fox. Better yet, contact us in advance if you’re trying to catch a gray fox in your area. Private trappers are a valuable partner for this pilot project. We have one fox collared so far, and hope to add to that this year,” Evelsizer said. The collar provides researchers with data on the fox’s movement, habitat preference and survivorship. There is a $400 reward, provided by the Iowa Wildlife Federation, for anyone who catches a gray fox that can be used for this study. He said the fox will be released on the site where it was caught.

The DNR is also working with Iowa State University on a pilot project this winter in northeast Iowa, using cameras to track fishers and gray foxes to determine what areas these species occupy and what areas they don’t occupy in this region. “Other regions may be surveyed in the future, depending on how this study goes,” Evelsizer said.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |