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No. 3 Wartburg hosts No. 5 Wisconsin-Whitewater in NCAA D-III quarterfinals

Sports

November 30th, 2023 by admin

Third ranked Wartburg hosts fifth rated and perennial power Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Knights will earn a return trip to the semifinals with a win.

That’s Wartburg coach Chris Winter who says the styles of the teams are similar.

Winter says the challenge gets bigger with each round of the playoffs.

Whitewater has won the three previous meetings but this will be the first time they will play in Waverly.

Former Bellevue high school standout and senior running back Hunter Clasen hopes the home field is an advantage.

Clasen looks forward to playing Whitewater at home.

ISU DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY JEREMY SUDBURY

Sports

November 30th, 2023 by admin

AMES, Iowa – After leading the Iowa State men’s cross country team to Top 5 finishes at two of the last three NCAA Championships, the Cyclones’ Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Jeremy Sudbury has been rewarded with a new contract, Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.

“Jeremy Sudbury has done a tremendous job leading our program and instilling a championship culture since taking over in the summer of 2021,” Pollard said. “I look forward to watching our programs continue to excel academically and athletically under Jeremy’s leadership. The future of Iowa State Track & Field is very bright.”

Sudbury, who is in his 11th year on the ISU staff and third leading the program in 2023-24, has guided a talented group of student-athletes to historic accomplishments and record-breaking performances. His new contract will run thru June 30, 2030.

The 2023 Iowa State men’s cross country team placed fourth at the Big 12 Championships, second at the NCAA Midwest Regional and fifth at the NCAA Championships; marking the third time in the last five seasons the program produced a Top 5 NCAA finish. Only Northern Arizona and Oklahoma State have enjoyed more Top 5 NCAA finishes than Iowa State in that span. The Cyclone women, meanwhile, were 20th at the 2023 NCAA Championships and have advanced to the final site in eight of the last 10 seasons.

“I am extremely humbled to lead the Iowa State track and cross country programs, and grateful for the belief that Jamie (Pollard) and Calli (Sanders) have shown me with this new contract to continue leading our tradition-rich programs,” Sudbury said. “It shows great commitment to myself and my family, as well as our staff and student-athletes. As the Big 12 continues to evolve, I believe this will provide the stability necessary for us to continue building upon our past successes and fulfill Jamie’s vision for Iowa State’s championship-level track and cross country programs.

“My family is grateful to call Ames our home, and we look forward to the continued support of Cyclone Nation in future years,” he added.

His tenure leading the Iowa State program got off to a flying start during the 2021 cross country season, as both the men’s and women’s programs finished in the Top 10 in the same year for the first time since 1985. Sudbury’s men’s squad, which he oversees, finished second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, its fifth Top 2 NCAA placement in program history. Sudbury’s star pupil, Wesley Kiptoo, took second at the 2021 NCAA Championships, his second Top 3 placement as a Cyclone, and Thomas Pollard took 21st to earn his first career All-America honor. The men’s cross country squad had seven All-Big 12 honorees in 2021, the third-straight season it produced seven honorees.

In Kiptoo, Sudbury helped continue to develop one of the nation’s strongest and most versatile runners. Sudbury coached Kiptoo to a program-record six Big 12 titles in 2020-21, as he became the first male in Big 12 history to win three individual titles at a single conference outdoor championship meet with meet records in all three of the 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m. Kiptoo also earned four All-America honors and took down five school records in his debut season in Ames.

Edwin Kurgat claimed the 2019 NCAA Cross Country crown under Sudbury’s tutelage, along with picking up a pair of Big 12 and NCAA Midwest Regional titles during his Cyclone cross country career. Kurgat’s kick, developed under Sudbury’s watch, allowed the Kenyan to pull away from the field at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships and claim ISU’s first individual title since 1990.

On the track, Ezekiel Rop earned first-team All-America honors in the 1,500m, racing to a time of 3:43.59 to place seventh at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Championships. All-told, the Cyclones produced nine All-Americans, eight new school records, 38 outdoor and 25 indoor All-Big 12 honors in 2023. The Cyclone women finished third at the 2023 Big 12 Outdoor Championships, their highest finish ever, and tallied a program-record 107.5 points, while the ISU men’s 800m squad was ranked #1 for much of the 2023 indoor season.

The 2022 track and field season saw many great stories throughout Sudbury’s pupils. Four earned All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, peaking with Jason Gomez taking fourth in the 800m run in a then-personal best 1:46.34. Nehemia Too took down ISU’s 28-year-old school record in the 1,500m run (3:39.15), which came after his anchor carry on the distance medley relay at the NCAA Indoor Championships took ISU from 10th to sixth and to first-team All-America distinction.

State Auditor: Independent Auditor’s report – Periodic Examination of the City of Wiota management/finances

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand, today (Thursday), released an independent auditor’s report pertaining to a periodic examination of the City of Wiota’s management and financial practices. The audit – performed by Gronewold, Bell, Kyhnn & Co. P.C., in Atlantic – covered the period of April 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. The City agreed to have the audit performed.

The report states, that among other things:

  • The City should review its control procedures to obtain the maximum internal control possible under the circumstances utilizing currently available staff, including elected officials. Independent reviews of reconciliations should be documented by the signature or initials of the reviewer and the date of the review.
  • The City has not implemented the recommended Uniform Chart of Accounts (COA) for Iowa City Governments approved by the City Finance Committee. The auditor’s recommendation: “To provide better financial information and control, the recommended COA, or its equivalent, should be followed.”
  • City Council proceedings should be published with a list of claims allowed, including the reason for the claim. The City Council minutes tested published a list of claims allowed, but the list did not include the reason for the claim; Recommendation – The City should comply with the Code of Iowa and publish a list of claims allowed, including the reason for the claim.
  • The City has not adopted a written investment policy as required by Chapter 12B.10B of the Code of Iowa; Recommendation – The City should adopt a written investment policy that complies with the provisions of Chapter 12B.10B of the Code of Iowa.
  • Disbursements during the year ended June 30, 2022 exceeded the amounts budgeted in the public safety, culture and recreation, community and economic development, general government and business type activities functions. Chapter 384.20 of the Code of Iowa states, in part, “Public monies may not be expended or encumbered except under an annual or continuing appropriation.”; Recommendation – The budget should have been amended in accordance with Chapter 384.18 of the Code of Iowa before disbursements were allowed to exceed the budget.
  • Chapter 384.20 of the Code of Iowa states, in part, “A city shall keep accounts which show an accurate and detailed statement of all public funds collected, received, or expended for any city purpose, by any city officer, employee, or other person, and which show the receipt, use, and disposition of all city property.”
    • The City Fire Department maintains a bank account for activity separate from the City Clerk’s accounting records. While the Department is part of the City, the transactions and the resulting balance were not included in the City’s accounting records and were not included in the City’s annual budget, monthly financial reports or Annual Financial Reports.
    • In addition, the transactions and resulting balance of this account were not reported to the City Council and disbursements from the account were not reviewed and approved by the City Council. Also, a summary of the account’s receipts, total disbursements and the listings of claims allowed each month were not published in accordance with Chapter 372.13(6) of the Code of Iowa;
    • Recommendation – In accordance with Chapter 384.20 of the Code of Iowa, and to  strengthen internal control and increase operating efficiencies, the financial transactions of the Fire Department separate account should be integrated with the City’s accounting records in the City Clerk’s office. The financial activity should be included in the City Clerk’s accounting records, monthly financial reports and the Annual Financial Reports. The activity in the account should be subject to City Council review and approval and should be included in the City’s budget process. Also, a summary of the account’s receipts, total disbursements and listings of claims allowed each month should be published, as required.
  • The City’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) ballot requires LOST receipts be used 90% for community betterment and 10% for property tax relief. The City has not been tracking the
    use of LOST receipts; Recommendation – The City should implement procedures to track LOST disbursements.

Read the full report HERE.

Mills County Sheriff tenders his resignation

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Glenwood, Iowa (KETV) — The Mills County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, accepted the resignation of Sheriff Travis Oetter. Their action came during a special meeting Wednesday morning. The Sheriff’s last day is Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Oetter was elected in November, 2020. Chief Deputy Josh England will serve as interim sheriff.

The board of supervisors has the option of appointing England or another individual to complete the remainder of the sheriff’s term, which runs through December 2024. A special election could also take place if there is opposition to a board appointment and/or another person seeks to serve as interim sheriff for the remainder of the term.

Travis Oetter

The sheriff’s position will be on the November 2024 general election ballot. According to reports, England, who was in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting, said he doesn’t intend to run for sheriff in 2024.

Rural Glenwood resident and veteran law enforcement officer Greg Schultz, currently a captain with the Council Bluffs Police Department, has already announced his intentions to run for the sheriff’s post in 2024.

Dallas County Man Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines – The Iowa Insurance Division reports a Dallas County man entered a plea of guilty, November 17th, to one-count of Identity Theft. 48-year-old Christopher Robin Cundiff, of Adel, also pled guilty to one count of Forgery. The charges were the results of an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. The investigation began in January 2023 after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating Cundiff had presented to an insurer a written document in support of payment knowing such document contained false information.

Christopher Cundiff (Photo courtesy of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office).

Cundiff was arrested by the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office on June 12, 2023. Following his guilty plea, Cundiff was placed on supervised probation for two years and was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,710.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

ROBERT “BOB” E. CAMBLIN, 86, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life Memorial Svcs. 12/5/23)

Obituaries

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

ROBERT “BOB” E. CAMBLIN, 86, of Atlantic, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at his home. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for BOB CAMBLIN will be held 10:30-a.m. Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the United Church of Christ, in Atlantic. To honor Bob’s service in the United States Navy military honors will be given by the Atlantic Color Guard. Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic is in charge of the arrangements. **The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Wednesday.**

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday, December 4th at the United Church of Christ in Atlantic.

Burial will be held following a luncheon in the fellowship hall at the Atlantic Cemetery at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the Atlantic United Church of Christ, Vision Atlantic for the expansion of YMCA childcare and youth programs, or  SHIFT ATL (www.shiftatl.org)

BOB CAMBLIN is survived by:

His wife – Judy Camblin.

His daughters – Cathy (Cary) Pierce; Ann (Michelle) Camblin-Bates, and Jennifer Larson.

His brother – Bruce (Yvonne) Camblin;

6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

Council Bluffs man leads authorities on a 2 state chase Wednesday morning

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa/KETV) A high-speed pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, Wednesday morning, resulted in the eventual arrest of a man from Pottawattamie County. The chase began a little before 7-a.m. near Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, after a Nebraska State Trooper observed a Chevrolet Silverado hauling a vending machine. The vehicle had no rear driver’s side tire and no front passenger-side tire. The Trooper attempted a traffic stop, but the driver – later identified as 26-year-old Matthew Figueroa, of Council Bluffs, took-off and merged onto Interstate 80 eastbound. All the while, authorities said the vehicles was “throwing sparks on the roadway from driving on rims.”

As the pursuit continued and entered Iowa, the Trooper received assistance from Council Bluffs Police. The Nebraska State Patrol said that the pickup slowed “significantly” as it exited I-80 at the I-29 northbound on-ramp, and the pursuit came to an end.

Figueroa was taken into custody by Council Bluffs police. The NSP said he’ll be cited for flight to avoid arrest and willful reckless driving in Nebraska.  He faces additional charges in Iowa.

Heartbeat Today 11-30-2023

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

November 30th, 2023 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Kelsey Beschorner about the Atlantic Rising Christmas Box program.

Play

Woman attacked last week by 3 dogs in Ft. Dodge is recovering from amputations & head trauma

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) –A woman attacked late last Friday (11/24) morning by three dogs in Fort Dodge, is in critical condition and recovering from multiple surgeries that include amputations.

According to Fort Dodge Police, the incident happened at around 11:25-a.m. in the 800 block of S. 16th Street. An officer with the Fort Dodge Police Department arrived in the area and located a woman being attacked by three dogs. The officer attempted to scare the dogs away to stop them from attacking the woman, but the animals would not stop. The officer on scene then drew his duty weapon and shot all three dogs multiple times to stop the attack.

A GoFundMe page set up by a member of the woman’s family, said that as of Monday (11/28), the victim – who was identified only as “Brittany” – has had many surgeries and procedures since the attack. She had both legs amputated to her knees, and parts of her hands. The post said she is going to need facial reconstruction surgery, has serious head trauma and much more.

The post claims Brittany was attacked by three Pit Bulls. No charges have been filed as of the latest available information.

Creston man arrested for OWI following an accident early this morning (11/30/23)

News

November 30th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The driver of an SUV was arrested early this (Thursday) morning, following an investigation into an accident. According to Creston Police, a 2013 Ford Explorer driven by 24-year-old Larry Dean Fernandez, of Creston, struck a pole in the Creston True Value parking lot, next to the building, at around 12:30-a.m.  Fernandez then drove-off and was followed to the area of the 1200 block of N. Spruce Street. The vehicle was parked in front of a driveway, but not before hitting a garbage can at the end of the driveway.

When officers arrived, Fernandez told them he had been drinking, and that he was the only one in the vehicle. He was arrested for OWI.

The Explorer had sustained front-end damage and was leaking red fluid. An investigation showed a pole that held up an over hang on the True Value building was struck, and red fluid matching that which was coming from the SUV, was found on Spruce Street. Damage to the pole was estimated at $2,500.

Paint chips also matched the color of the vehicle on Spruce.  An officer followed the trail of red fluid, starting at the pole and across the parking lot, over a curve and then onto eastbound Townline Road. The red trail ended where the SUV stopped.

The vehicle was parked by a friend of the owner’s daughter.