(Clive, Iowa) March Madness is almost here for college basketball fans, and that means it’s time for Pulled Pork Madness for Iowans who love delicious pulled pork sandwiches. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is accepting nominations for the restaurant that serves up Iowa’s best pulled pork sandwich. The annual contest started Friday morning. Nominations can be made at the Iowa Pork Producers Association website, IowaPork.org. Hannah Spurr, consumer outreach director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association says “This contest is a lot of fun and is great at highlighting delicious pork on menus across the state. It’s also a great way to attract new pork fans and encourages everyone to road trip around Iowa to try different restaurants that are serving up some delicious pork!”

Now in its seventh year, Pulled Pork Madness highlights the best of the best when it comes to serving up delicious Iowa-made pulled pork. Whether your favorite pulled pork is sandwiched between two buns, open-faced, or smothered in cheesy goodness, we want you to tell us where to find it. The winning restaurant receives $250, a plaque, and statewide bragging rights!

We all enjoy a good March Madness basketball bracket, but let’s be real – a pulled pork bracket is a slam dunk. The Iowa Pork Producers Association competition follows a bracket-style narrowing process like the NCAA Tournament. Based on fan nominations through March 8, the field will then be narrowed to a “Sweet 16”, which represents the top two picks in each of the Iowa Pork Producers Association’s eight districts.

Here is the Pulled Pork Madness timeline:

Nomination period open: 8 a.m. March 1 — 11:59 p.m. March 8.

Vote for Elite 8 (from “Sweet 16” nominations): 5 p.m. March 11 — 10 a.m. March 15.

Vote for Final Four: 5 p.m. March 15 — 10 a.m. March 20.

Vote for Final Two: 5 p.m. March 20 — 10 a.m. March 25.

Vote for champion: 5 p.m. March 25 — 10 a.m. March 29.

CHAMPION ANNOUNCED MARCH 29!

Previous winners include The Flying Elbow in Marshalltown (2023); Starbeck’s Smokehouse in Cedar Falls (2022); Smokin’ Butt Barbeque in Davenport (2021); Whatcha Smokin? BBQ + Brew in Luther (2020); Warehouse Barbecue Co. + Brewhouse in Ottumwa (2019); and Moo’s BBQ in Newton (2018). Past winners cannot be nominated. Pulled pork must be from a restaurant that is typically open year-round with regular hours. Food trucks, concession stands, seasonal establishments, and catering businesses are not eligible. No email or social media nominations will be counted.

Make your nomination today at this link.

(Ames, Iowa) – Reading a quick text or checking email for a few seconds is typically harmless – unless you’re behind the wheel. Recent research shows that 97 percent of Americans now own a cell phone of some kind and 90 percent of those phones are smartphones. The Iowa Department of Transportation says in nearly every state including Iowa, texting while driving is illegal, yet we see people doing it all the time.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 32,657 people died in distraction-affected crashes from 2012 to 2021 in the United States. In 2020 alone, data shows that 342,652 people were injured in crashes where distraction was a factor.

So far in 2024 in Iowa, 28 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of six since last Friday. In Iowa in 2023, there were 376 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf

The DOT says “We can all do our part to make the road safer. If you’re the driver, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. If you are in the vehicle with someone who is texting while driving, speak up. You could be saving the life of yourself, your vehicle mates, or others who are sharing the road with you.”

Safety Tips for Driving

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your car in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
• Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Struggling to put the phone down while you’re driving? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put your cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Get involved!

Project Yellow Light is a scholarship competition designed to bring about change related to distracted driving. Video and radio entries are due April 1st.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Nishna Valley Family YMCA on Thursday, February 29th, 2024, to celebrate 20 years in their current building, staff milestones, and new staff. Dan Haynes, Executive Director, shared about the rich history of the YMCA and pointed out how unique the Nishna Valley Family YMCA is because of the people and the community involvement and partnerships. He went on to recognize and thank the visionaries, community leaders, board members, donors and volunteers that were dedicated to making the dream of a new facility a reality. Haynes shared that the YMCA isn’t the building, the YMCA is the people.

Pictured Left to Right: Kelsey Beschorner, Paul Gude, David Kalny, Elaine Otte, Christina Bateman, Jessica Oswalt, Dolly Bergmann, Jim Kickland, Danielle Lyons, DeeDee Kalny, Jon Jordan, Leslie Haynes, Alisha Wagner, Dan Hynes, Donnie Drennan, Megan Sramek, Ruth Sears, Jeremy Butler, Dee Sothman, Steve Andersen, Nathan Robinson, Sue Liston, Allison Knox-Westmeyer, Dr. Keith Leonard, John Bricker, Julie Waters, Tyler McAfee, Mike Cullen, Kathie Hockenberry, Lana Westphalen, Rachelle Bechtol, Kennedy Freund, Anne Quist, Peter Gray, Jennifer McEntaffer, Beth Spieker, Jackie Hoover, Rebecca Mahoney, Deb Schuler, Alex McAfee.

The Ambassadors were also introduced to the Leadership Team along with the newest members of the YMCA staff. Jessie Oswalt is serving as the Aquatics Director and Allison Knox-Westmeyer has been hired as the new Fitness Director. Leslie Haynes is celebrating 25 years as the Preschool Director at Jack & Jill preschool. Leslie shared that smiles of the children and her wonderful staff and helpers have been the reason she comes into work every day with a smile.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA is currently offering a membership special for the month of March & April. Become a member now for a ½ price joining fee of $20 and only pay $20 for first and second month of membership. The YMCA offers numerous fitness classes, personal training, adult and youth programs as well as an aquatics center great for all ages.

Nishna Valley Family YMCA is located at 1100 Maple Street, Atlantic. For more information about membership or programming, contact 712-243-3934 or visit www.nishnavalleyymca.com.

(Knieram, Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol has released information about a fatal car and ATV collision that occurred Thursday afternoon in northwest Iowa’s Calhoun County. Authorities say a 2020 John Deere ATV operated by 84-year-old Michael Donald Leith, of Manson, was traveling north on Zearing Avenue, and failed to yield the right-of-way to a 2007 Ford Taurus that was traveling east on Highway 20. After the car struck the ATV, both vehicles came to rest in the median, east of the intersection.

Donald Leith died at the scene. The driver of the car, 88-year-old William Oscar Peterson, of Moorland, was injured and transported to his home by family members. The crash occurred at around 3:30-p.m., east of Knieram. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Calhoun County Medical Examiner, and the Iowa DOT.

March 1, 2024 – TAMA, Iowa – Seven-year-old Milla Keahna has been safely located. Law enforcement thanks the public for their assistance. This was a joint investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Major Crime Unit, Meskwaki Police Department, Tama Police Department, Tama County Sheriff’s Office, Marshalltown Police Department, and the FBI.

Previous report follows:

February 29, 2024 – TAMA, Iowa – This is an endangered person advisory on behalf of the Tama Police Department and the Meskwaki Nation Police Department. An endangered person advisory is being issued for seven-year-old Milla Keahna. Milla was reported missing to the Meskwaki Nation Police Department. Milla was reportedly last seen with her mother, Starla Mae Marie Lincoln, or possibly her father, Redmond Keahna.

Milla Keahna