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JANE SCHWARTZ, 97, of Atlantic (Svcs. 12/2/23)

Obituaries

November 29th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

JANE SCHWARTZ, 97, of Atlantic, died Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at her home. Funeral services for JANE SCHWARTZ will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 2nd at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic. The service will begin with a special tribute by the B.P.O. Does, Drove #23.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 1st at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

JANE SCHWARTZ is survived by:

Her sons – Dennis (Jean Guard) Schwartz; Gary Schwartz; Wynn Schwartz, and Mark Schwartz.

4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Pellett nominated as Atlantic School Board President; McLean becomes Vice-President

News

November 29th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board held two meetings this (Wednesday) evening. The first was the last regular, Annual meeting of the Retiring Board, headed by President Laura McLean and Vice-President Kristy Pellett. During the meeting the Board acted to approve the resignations of: Kelli Evans, High School Nurse; Tori Brummer, Freshman Volleyball Coach; and Megan Andersen, Kitchen Staff. The also approved recommendations to hire: Kelli Evans, Director of Health Services, and Megan Andersen, Media Center Para.

The Board then spent a considerable amount of time discussing modifications to the Early Retirement Plan for Certified and Non-Certified Staff. With regard to the re-hiring of retiring Certified Staff, the Board concluded those individuals must resign from all positions within the District and then re-apply and not be hired for a full-time position. They will only be re-hired at the Board’s discretion. With regard to the Early Retirement plan for Non-Certified Staff, the policy will state those persons cannot be rehired for any full-time positions. They approved amended wording for those plans as discussed.

Final meeting of the Retiring Atlantic School Board. (YouTube pic by Ric Hanson)

At the end of regular business, the Retiring Board adjourned. Retiring Board Members Nick Hunt and Jenny Williams each received a plaque for their respective four-and eight-years of service. Hunt had served 4-years. Williams was on the Board for 8-years. Nick Hunt ended his term by thanking the Board and saying he’s enjoyed serving and learning. He said realizes that everyone on the Board is “Passionate and want the school to succeed, and I think our time was productive. I think our school is in good shape, and I wish the new Directors all the best of luck.”

Williams echoed his comments. She said “It’s been a crazy eight-years. We’ve been through a lot together…the District has survived. It’s been a fantastic educational learning opportunity that I used daily and will continue to use.” She also thanked all the students and staff, and everyone who reached-out to speak with her.

Soon thereafter Board Secretary Lisa Jones called the Organizational Board to Order, and administered the Oath of Office to newly elected members Gini Jordan and Jodi Stowater-Goodrich, and re-elected Board member Laura McLean.

Board Secretary Lisa Jones swears-in New Board member Jodi Stowater-Goodrich, re-elected Board Member Laura McLean, and new member Gini Jordan.

The new Board nominated and selected Kristy Pellett and President and Laura McLean as Vice-President. They also appointed Lisa Jones as Board Secretary/Treasurer. Gini Jordan was nominated to serve as the Board’s Cass County Conference Board Representative. And, they left the dates and time for their meetings unchanged. The Atlantic School Board will continue to meet on the second and fourth Wednesday’s of the month (with the second meeting generally a Work Session). Their sessions will take place in the High School Media Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m.

In other business, the New Atlantic School Board established the Atlantic News Telegraph and the District’s Official Publication, and Ahlers and Cooney as Legal Counsel.

Multiple Cyclones recognized by Big 12, Becht named Offensive Freshman of the Year

Sports

November 29th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was named Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year to highlight the Big 12 Conference postseason awards for the Cyclones, announced Wednesday by the conference office after a vote by the coaches.

Becht joins Mike Warren (2015) as Iowa State players to be named Offensive Freshman of the Year. He’s the first quarterback winner of the award since 2019 (Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State).

Senior cornerback T.J. Tampa and sophomore safety Jeremiah Cooper earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors, while junior wide receiver Jaylin Noel and junior tight end/fullback Stevo Klotz earned second-team accolades.

In total, 16 Cyclones were recognized by the Big 12 coaches.

Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year

Rocco Becht, QB, RFr., Wesley Chapel, Florida

Becht had an outstanding season for the Cyclones in his first as a starter, breaking ISU’s freshman records for completions (209), passing touchdowns (20) and passing yards (2,674). He completed 63.5 percent of his passes in leading the Cyclones from one conference win in 2022 to six league victories in 2023. He had six completions for 60 yards or more, the most by an ISU QB since Brock Purdy completed seven passes of 60-plus yards in 2019.

All-Big 12 First Team

Jeremiah Cooper, DB, So., El Paso, Texas

After earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors for Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2022, Cooper burst onto the scene as a sophomore, picking off two passes in the season opener against UNI and returning one of them 58 yards for a touchdown. Cooper is fifth nationally and second in the Big 12 Conference with five interceptions despite missing two games due to injury. He’s fourth nationally in passes defended at 1.4 per game. Cooper has 41 tackles this season, including 1.5 for a loss. He’s allowed just one touchdown in 331 coverage snaps.

T.J. Tampa, DB, Sr., St. Petersburg, Florida

One of the nation’s top cornerbacks, Tampa earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and elevated himself to a first-team spot after returning for his senior season. Tampa has locked down opponents this season, allowing just one touchdown in 414 coverage snaps. He has two interceptions, including the game-clincher in Iowa State’s win over Oklahoma State, and seven pass breakups while teams have largely refrained from throwing toward the all-league corner. Tampa is sixth on the team with 44 tackles, including three for a loss.

All-Big 12 Second Team

Stevo Klotz, FB, RJr., Chaska, Minnesota

The redshirt junior tight end spent much of his time in the backfield as a fullback and was rewarded for his efforts by earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors. It marks the third-straight season a Cyclone tight end has earned All-Big 12 honors as a fullback (Jared Rus). In addition to paving the way for the Cyclone running backs, Klotz had seven receptions, including a 13-yard touchdown reception against Cincinnati.

Jaylin Noel, WR, RJr., Kansas City, Mo.

Wide receiver Jaylin Noel led the Cyclones with 60 receptions for 741 yards with a team-high six touchdown catches. Noel finished fifth in the Big 12 Conference for receptions, fourth for receptions per game (5.5) and sixth for receiving yards per game (67.4). Nationally, Noel ranks among the Top 70 for receiving TDs, receiving yards per game and receptions per game. He’s also a standout on special teams as a kick returner and punt returner.

All-Big 12 Honorable Mention

Benjamin Brahmer (TE), Chase Contreraz (PK, STPoY), Beau Freyler (DB), Jayden Higgins (WR, ONoY), Jarrod Hufford (OL, OLoY), Jaylin Noel (KR/PR, OPoY), Tyler Onyedim (DL), Domonique Orange (DL), Tyler Perkins (P), Jack Sadowsky (DFoY), T.J. Tampa (DPoY), Gerry Vaughn (LB), Malik Verdon (DB)

Atlantic’s Quincy Sorensen commits to University of Dubuque Women’s Tennis

Sports

November 29th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Atlantic Senior and multi-sport athlete Quincy Sorensen signed her letter of intent to play tennis at the University of Dubuque on Wednesday afternoon. Sorensen chose University of Dubuque for their competitive tennis and aviation program with hopes of becoming a pilot.

Sorensen has taken away many positive lessons from her time in Trojan Athletics and thanks the various coaches she’s had throughout the years.

Atlantic Head Tennis Coach Mike McDermott noted the athleticism that Sorensen will bring to the tennis program.

Retired Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby named interim AD at Northern Iowa

Sports

November 29th, 2023 by admin

Retired Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby will serve as interim athletic director at Northern Iowa. Bowlsby’s first AD job was at UNI beginning in 1983. He also served stints at Iowa and Stanford. He has no plans to make it a full time job.

Bowlsby says he was approached by UNI president Mark Nook after David Harris left to become the new AD at Tulane.

UNI has served as a launching pad for several coaches and administrators who have had very successful careers.

Teen Charged After Threats To Davenport Schools

News

November 29th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport police say a 16-year-old has been arrested and charged with threats of terrorism after threats of violence Tuesday against students and staff at Davenport Central High School and McKinley Elementary School.

Police say it was determined that there was no immediate threat to students or staff and the the school day continued with students dismissed at their normal time. The teen was taken to the Juvenile Detention Center.

Three accused of violent assault on Waukon man face felonies

News

November 29th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Three northeast Iowa men are accused of attacking a man with golf clubs and a baseball bat. The assault happened at a residence in Waukon, on November 16th. This week, police have arrested three men from Waukon, all in their mid-20s. Each has been charged with first degree burglary, going armed with intent and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

According to the criminal complaints, the three men are accused of breaking into a man’s residence and one of the suspects allegedly hit the man with a baseball bat, while the other two used golf clubs to beat the man. The victim required multiple staples in his head due to the injuries suffered in the assault.

Police say the suspects were identified by the victim and two other witnesses.

Inattentive driver causes minor accident in Creston

News

November 29th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say the driver of a car admitted she wasn’t paying attention when her vehicle rear-ended a pickup truck early this (Wednesday) afternoon. No injuries were reported. The accident happened at the intersection of Sumner  (Hwy 25 N) and Mills Streets, at around 1:20-p.m.

According to the report, a 2022 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 22-year-old Andrew Davis, of Murray, was traveling north on Sumner and slowing for a vehicle that was turning in traffic. A 2016 Hyundai Elantra driven by 30-year-old Brittani Dillon, of Greenfield, was behind the pickup. Dillon was unable to stop in-time. Authorities noted she was following too close. Her car struck the rear hitch of the pickup, causing $300 damage to the truck and $1,500 damage to the car.

There were no citations issued.

Special Olympics athletes attend clinic at NAIA volleyball championships

Sports

November 29th, 2023 by admin

Special Olympians got to meet some of the players from teams in the N-A-I-A National Volleyball Championship Tuesday in Sioux City. Tournament co-director, Corey Westra, says it was good to see the Special Olympians back in full force for the clinic.

Westra says it was hard to tell if the volleyball players or the Special Olympians were having more fun.

Westra says. Around 100 Special Olympians took part in the clinic. The N-A-I-A National Tournament begins with pool play at 10 a-m today (Wednesday) in the Tyson Events Center.

Iowa State men look to bounce back after trip to Florida

Sports

November 29th, 2023 by admin

Iowa State basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger says his team must learn to handle adversity as they get ready for Friday’s visit to DePaul. The Cyclones dropped the final two games at a tournament in Florida to Virginia Tech and Texas A@M and are now 5-2 on the season.

Otzelberger says the Cyclones did not do a good job of handling the elevated level of physical play.

Otzelberger called it a learning experience for his team.