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The Wheelers Roll On Past Riverside

Sports

December 12th, 2023 by admin

The Audubon Wheelers showed up big time Tuesday night as they defeated the Riverside Bulldogs 64-49 in a Western Iowa Conference matchup. The Wheelers set the tone for the night on the defensive end of the floor. Riversides Grady Jeppesen was averaging 28 points per game going into Tuesday night, but the Wheelers wouldn’t let him get anywhere near that average. Sophomore forward Carson Wessel got the assignment of guarding Jeppesen, but head coach Darran Miller made the decision to run a box and one defensively to make sure the Wheelers wouldn’t allow Jeppesen to get anything going offensively and the Bulldogs paid for it. Wessel held Jeppesen to zero field goals in the first half and just one point coming on a free throw. Coach Darran Miller gave high praise to his sophomore defender but also stated it was a team effort tonight.

The Bulldogs made a run to start the second half and cut the lead down to just two points, but the Wheelers responded with a run of their own to push the lead back to double figures thanks to Aaron Olsen and Edward Miller who both scored 15+ to lead all scorers tonight. But potentially the two biggest shots in the quarter came from Mason Steckler who buried back-to-back threes and pushed the lead all the way up to 16 points late in the third quarter. The Wheelers would go on to take a 15-point win as they beat the Bulldogs 64-49 and held one of the top scorers in the state to just five points and only one made field goal that came with 1:25 left in the game.

This is the first conference win of the season for Audubon and their fourth straight victory over Riverside. Head Coach Darran Miller said this is a huge confidence booster for his team.

The Wheelers improve to 2-4 on the season and will be back in action Thursday night as they travel to Boyer Valley. The Bulldogs drop to 4-2 on the season and will be back in action on next Tuesday night the 19th when they travel to Treynor.

Gov. Reynolds Announces Additional Investment in Iowa’s Child Care Providers

News

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today (Tuesday), Governor Reynolds announced the final round of Covid-era stipends for  licensed and registered child care providers, including Child Care Centers and Child Development Homes. The application period begins today through January 12, 2024.

“Child care is the catalyst that drives economic growth,” said Governor Reynolds. “At a time when most parents work outside the home, access to reliable, safe, and affordable child care allows parents to pursue their careers and contribute to the productivity and growth of our economy.”

Award amounts will range from $10,000 to $50,000 based on program size and number of applications received.  Funds can be used for one-time expenses related to employee recruitment and retention, minor renovations, or upgrading equipment. Stipend application and more information about the funding can be found on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website.

Iowa is committed to multi-faceted solutions to child care challenges to provide quality care for children, keep parents working, and drive economic development.  In addition to issuing more than $218 million in Stabilization Grants directly to child care providers during the pandemic, HHS has launched programs to fund recruitment and retention bonuses, allow child care workforce to qualify for Child Care Assistance, and to promote partnerships between child care centers and local businesses to support wage enhancements for child care providers.

HHS has also partnered with Iowa Workforce Development to improve access to quality child care options. More than $35 million in Child Care Challenge grants have been awarded to regional and community projects to create more than 4,880 new child care slots across the state. In addition, the Child Care Business Incentive grant program encourages employers to offer child care as part of their benefits package. Funds support infrastructure investments to build or expand child care capacity, or support arrangements between employers and child care providers to expand and reserve slots for their employees’ children. To date, the $27 million in grant awards has generated a $58 million total investment and more than 1,860 new child care slots.

For more information about child care programs, visit the HHS website.

Remaining Defendants Sentenced in Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Conspiracy

News

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa reports the remaining defendants in a deadly fentanyl distribution network were sentenced to federal prison today for a variety of crimes including conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, carrying firearms in furtherance of the distribution of fentanyl, and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death or serious bodily injury.

A total of eleven defendants were sentenced in the Southern District of Iowa as follows:

·         Kyrell Deshawn Wells, 21, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 360 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on October 18, 2023;

·         Ja’cara P. Baker, 42, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 300 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on October 18, 2023;

·         Alejandro Diaz, 34, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 216 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury, and Carrying a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime on March 16, 2023;

·         Janelle Lee Cline, 31, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 156 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury on February 16, 2023;

·         Christian Blaize Arman, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on December 12, 2023;

·         Edward James Arman, 32, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on December 12, 2023;

·         Samantha Mae Neemann, 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury on April 13, 2023;

·         Hai D. Nguyen, 30, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to 45 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on April 13, 2023;

·         Megan Kayleen Johnson, 27, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl Resulting in Death or Serious Bodily Injury on March 16, 2023;

·         Richard Andrew Null, 26, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sentenced to 150 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, and Carrying a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime on December 12, 2023; and

·         Jarik Mathew McPherson, 30, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, sentenced to 120 months in prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl on December 12, 2023.

This investigation began in January 2022, after the Council Bluffs Police and Fire Departments responded to a Council Bluffs residence where an adult female had overdosed on fentanyl. After that victim died, law enforcement began a lengthy investigation into individuals who were actively conspiring to distribute fentanyl in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro area. Ultimately, investigators identified Kyrell Wells and Ja’cara Baker as the primary distributors of fentanyl to others, including the members of the conspiracy listed above. The fentanyl pills distributed by this organization in the Omaha, Lincoln, and Council Bluffs areas resulted in at least eleven overdoses and six deaths. Kyrell Wells, Alejandro Diaz, Hai Nguyen, and Richard Null were also found in possession of firearms.

Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel said “The Kyrell Wells fentanyl trafficking organization received and distributed more than 10,000 fentanyl pills every five days. The organization was connected to more than seventeen overdoses. Six people in our community died. The FBI and our local, state, and federal partners are dedicated to disrupting and dismantling the most significant drug trafficking organizations in our community.”

This case was investigated by the Council Bluffs Police Department, Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, Omaha Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill.

UI and ISU marching bands are Metallica competition finalists

News

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa AND Iowa State marching bands are finalists in a first-ever competition sponsored by the heavy metal band Metallica. In April, Metallica announced marching bands could use their music for free and enter the contest to win 75-thousand dollars. The University of Iowa Marching Band staged its Metallica show in Kinnick Stadium on September 30th, during a night game.

Photo courtesy of University of Iowa

The Hawkeye Metal band joined the performance, which ended with fireworks.

The Iowa State University Marching Band performed its Metallica show on September 23rd in Ames.

Master of Puppets — the title track to Metallica’s 1986 album — was the closer.

The two in-state rivals and bands from Auburn, Fresno State and the University of Texas are the five finalists in the competition among Division One football schools. The winner will be announced during the first week of January.

SUZANNE GROSS, 78, of Westphalia (Mass of Christian Burial 12/15/23)

Obituaries

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

SUZANNE GROSS, 78, of Westphalia, died Dec. 6, 2023, in Dallas Center, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial for SUZANNE GROSS will be held 1-p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Boniface Catholic Church is on Thursday, Dec. 14th, from 4-until 6:30-p.m., with a Wake service at 6:30-p.m.

Burial is in the St. Boniface Cemetery at Westphalia.

SUZANNE GROSS is survived by:

Her husband – Jerome “Jerry” Gross, of Westphalia.

Her daughter – Shellie (Dale) Schaben, of Dallas Center.

Her sons -Brian (Dianne) Gross, of Omaha, NE, and Matthew Gross, of Westphalia.

Her brothers – Dennis (Bonny) Gaul, of WA.; Gary (Claudia) Gaul, of OK.; Dale (Darlene) McDonald, and Carl (Susan) Stam, all of CO.; and John (Victoria) McDonald, of CA.

and 5 Grandchildren.

Even with record production, eastern Iowa farm can’t meet pantry demand

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Despite drought conditions, a five-acre operation at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm wrapped up the growing season by reporting record production. Grow Johnson County produces fresh fruits and vegetables, 100-percent of which is donated to 16 local emergency food organizations. Program manager Claire Zabel) says they produced 40-thousand pounds of fresh food this year, the farm’s highest-ever yield.

Zabel says the season’s production increase is due, in part, to increased staffing this year.

Some 83-percent of Iowa is experiencing drought conditions. The U-S Drought Monitor says more than a quarter of the state is in exceptional drought. Historically, that has significantly impacted row crop yields.

Ramaswamy launches 29 county tour

News

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy kicked off a five-day, 29-county swing through Iowa this morning (Tuesday), with stops in Northwood and Osage. The tour comes after a man was charged with sending text messages threatening to kill Ramaswamy yesterday (Monday) at an event in New Hampshire.

The Des Moines Register/N-B-C News/Mediacom “Iowa Poll” released yesterday (Monday) found Ramaswamy has the support of five percent of likely Iowa Caucus-goers. Ramaswamy says many of his supporters are younger voters who aren’t being captured in polls.

Ramaswamy says he’s picking up support on Iowa college campuses and among Libertarians.

Early this (Tuesday) evening, former President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak at a rally in Waterloo and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will be at Grand View University in Des Moines for a town hall forum broadcast on C-N-N at 8 p.m.

DENNIS LYLE BATES, 79, of Omaha (a native of Griswold) – Svcs. 12/15/23

Obituaries

December 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DENNIS LYLE BATES, 79, of Omaha (a native of Griswold), died Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital, in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for DENNY BATES will be held 11-a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

Visitation with the family will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Interment will be in the Whipple Cemetery.

DENNIS “DENNY” BATES is survived by:

His sons –  Brian (Kathy) Bates, and Aaron (Megan) Bates, all of Griswold; and Kevin (Dacia) Bates, of Merrill, IA.

His brother – Kenton (Pam) Bates, of Council Bluffs.

His sister – Beth Slagle, of Crete, NE.

6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Iowa men look for more offense to snap losing skid

Sports

December 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa Hawkeye men are in a familiar spot as they get ready for Saturday’s game in Des Moines against Florida A@M. Sunday’s loss to Michigan was their third straight and they are 0-2 in the Big Ten. Last season the Hawkeyes opened conference play 0-3 before rebounding to finish 11-9 and making it to the NCAA Tournament.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes are connecting on less than 30 percent from three-point range during their three-game skid.

Senior guard Tony Perkins is confident the Hawkeyes will get things turned around.

As one of the veterans Perkins is trying to provide leadership.

The Hawkeyes are 5-5 overall.

Tamin Lipsey a key in Iowa State’s 8-2 start

Sports

December 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa State sophomore guard Tamin Lipsey is excelling in nearly every category during the Cyclones’ 8-2 start. The Ames native is second on the team in scoring and leads the team in rebounding, assists and steals. He had a school record eight steals in Sunday’s win over Prairie View A@M.

Many of his steals are leading to easy baskets.

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger says it is one of several school records Lipsey will set during his career.

Otzelberger says Lipsey’s instincts help him impact the game in so many areas.

The Cyclones return to action Sunday at home against Florida A@M.