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Insurer offers tips to thwart porch pirates, after sharp rise in home thefts

News

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – This is Cyber Monday, as online holiday shopping hits a peak, and Iowans are being warned to plan ahead to keep porch pirates from stealing their packages. Iowa’s largest home insurer is reporting a 26-percent increase in residential theft claims nationwide compared to last year, and State Farm spokeswoman Michal Brower is offering tips to avoid being ripped off. If you just want to be sure you know when something is delivered, Brower says requiring a signature is a simple and effective option.  “With quite a few people either having odd working hours or even working from home,” Brower says, “that might work great to be able to sign for a package directly at your house, but you can also request that it be delivered to say your work office.”

Requiring a signature for package delivery also ensures you’ll receive the package directly and it won’t be sitting in front of your house for any length of time. As an alternative, Brower touts using a community package delivery box for another layer of safety. “Those are locked and secure and that just gives a great option for having a secure delivery of your package,” Brower says. “How that usually works is that when your package is delivered, you receive a code so that you get notification and then you can go and safely retrieve your purchase.” Doorbell security cameras are relatively easy to install, they’re not expensive, and can enable you to talk with someone who’s at your front door from your couch or across the country. Brower says home security systems are becoming very popular, and may even get you a discount on your insurance premiums, while thwarting those porch pirates.

“Visible security cameras, logos or markings that there is a home monitoring system in place, this all can help deter those thieves to keep them from even entering your front porch or your steps to start with,” Brower says, “and another thing, too, actually is outdoor lighting.”

If you don’t want to spring for a security system, fake cameras, complete with blinking red lights, are another available option to deter would-be thieves.

RICHARD “RICH” GRANT PLUMB, 76, of Kirkman (Memorial Svc. 11/30/23)

Obituaries

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

RICHARD “RICH” GRANT PLUMB, 76, of Kirkman, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. A Memorial service for RICH PLUMB will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30th, at the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Thursday, from 9-until 11-a.m.

Burial is in the Manning Cemetery.

RICHARD “RICH” PLUMB is survived by:

His son – Jeremy Plumb, of Des Moines.

His daughter – Joy (John) Blom, of Manilla.

His brothers – Phillip Plumb, of Shawnee, OK; Alfred (Diane) Plumb, and Paul (Michelle) Plumb, all of Irwin; Benton (Betsy) Plumb, and Steve (Kathy) Plumb, all of Harlan.

His sisters – Julie Scheck, of Wichita, KS; Susan (Don) Hawkins, of Audubon; Lori (Jim) Baughman, of Kirkman.

and 2 grandchildren.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Monday, Nov. 27, 2023

Weather

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Increasing clouds w/a chance of flurries. High near 34. W/NW winds 10-20 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 11. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. S/SW @ 10-20. Wind chill values as low as 5.

Tom. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 20. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 37. Our Low this morning was 6. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 48, and the Low was 13. The Record High on Nov. 27th in Atlantic, was 69 in 1998. The Record Low was 1 in 1898. Sunrise is at 7:22. Sunset is 4:52.

National Vote At Home Institute to handle Iowa Democrats’ presidential preference voting

News

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) –  The Iowa Democratic Party has hired a national consulting firm to handle the party’s first-ever mail-in system to determine which presidential candidate Democrats in Iowa prefer. The traditional Iowa Democratic Party Caucuses are no longer first in the nation after a software meltdown significalty delayed reporting results from the party’s caucuses in 2020. The Iowa Democratic Party is now letting Iowa residents who are registered Democratic voters request a presidential preference cards. The cards will be mailed in and the results will be announced in March.

Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart uses the word impressive to describe the firm hired to handle the party’s new mail-in system.”I am confident in this vendor,” Hart says. “Amber McReynolds has a very strong reputation. She and her firm have had 50 years of experience doing this kind of work.” McReynolds was Denver’s director of elections for nearly a decade before founding the non-profit National Vote at Home Institute in 2018. Hart says McReynolds, who has started her own consulting firm, advised three states that launched mail-in voting in 2020.  “Amber McReynolds and her team were able to get them through that process without a hitch,” Hart says.

Iowa Democratic Party leaders say compared to the previous Caucus night system, more voters will be able to participate by mail.  “We’re confident in it,” Hart says. We know it’s going to be accessible. We know it’s going to be transparent and we know it’s going to be accurate.” The Iowa Democratic Party’s State Central Committee will meet Saturday to determine what names will be listed on the presidential preference cards. Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips is challenging President Biden, but Hart dismisses the idea Phillips has a shot at beating Biden. “I don’t think he does,” Hart says. “I think President Biden is definitely going to be our candidate. There’s no question about that.”

The mail-in system replaces the way Iowa Democrats determined who won the most delegates assigned to each precinct. It involved counting people, calculating percentages and forcing people to go with a second choice if their preferred candidate didn’t have enough support in the room. “It’s going to be so much easier and no math,” Hart says. “When I announce this sometimes when I’m on the road talking to groups of Democrats, they cheer when I say: ‘There’s no math.” Iowa Democrats — like Iowa Republicans — will hold in-person Caucuses on January 15th. While Republicans will conduct a straw poll that evening, Democrats will only conduct party business — identifying party volunteers, developing policy statements that may wind up in the party’s platform and selecting delegates for the county conventions.

Hart expects Caucus-night turnout to be similar to when President Obama was seeking a second term and about 25-thousand Iowa Democrats participated in the party’s 2012 Caucuses. “This is a new animal,” Hart says. “We’ll be just working to see that we get as many people to participate as possible.”

The Iowa Democratic Party will start mailing out its 2024 presidential preference cards on January 15th. Registered Iowa Democrats have until February 19th to request a card. The results will be announced on March 5th. More than a half dozen other states are holding primaries that Tuesday.

Vehicles collide in Union County Sunday afternoon; No injuries

News

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Sheriff’s officials in Union County report two-vehicles collided Sunday afternoon on Nuthatch Avenue, but no one was injured. The collision occurred at around 1:15-p.m., as a pickup driven by 17-year-old Austin J. Lack, of Afton, was traveling south and making a left turn around a curve in the road. A pickup driven by 16-year-old Austin D. Jackson, of Afton, was traveling westbound and making a right-hand turn around a curve to go north.

Both pickups struck each other entering the curve. The collision caused both vehicles to be pushed-off to the west side of the road. Both drivers were wearing their seat belts.

Damage from the collision amounted to $4,000. No citations were issued.

 

2 from Des Moines arrested in Adair County last week

News

November 27th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Two men from Polk County were arrested last week on separate charges in Adair County. Sheriff Jeff Vandewater reports 21-year-old Kevin Yamil Gonzalez-Acevedo, of Des Moines, was arrested November 21st by Adair Police on the I-80 Exit 76 off-ramp, following a traffic stop at around 10:22-p.m.  Gonzalez-Acevedo was pulled-over for having no license plates on the car he was driving eastbound on the Interstate, and for speeding.

As the Adair Police Officer was speaking with Gonzalez, the Officer detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle, and a cup in the center console that looked to contain burned marijuana “joints.” During a subsequent search of the car, a large paper sack containing multiple different packages and containers of marijuana from a dispensary, and receipts in Gonzalez’ name, were found. A marijuana pipe was also found in the center dash area, and a digital scale with marijuana residue, was located.

Gonzalez was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/2nd Offense, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, and Poss. of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released the next day on a $6,000 cash or surety bond.

And, on November 23rd at around 3:45-a.m., Stuart Police arrested 30-year-old Juan Jose Colin Urbina, of Des Moines, following a traffic stop on I-80 at mile-marker 88. He was pulled -over after authorities had received a call about vehicle with Wisconsin license plates, and a tired or intoxicated driver, traveling westbound near mile marker 110.

During the traffic stop, the Officer noticed an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Urbina, who admitted he had consumed 4 or 5 drinks. The man failed a field sobriety test and his Breath Alcohol Content registered .186%. Urbina was arrested for OWI/1st offense, Having no valid driver’s license, and speeding. He was released later that morning on a $2,500 cash or surety bond, with 10% acceptable.

Iowa State men fall to Texas A@M 73-69

Sports

November 26th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa State men squandered a 21 point first half lead and lost to Texas A@M 73-69 at the ESPN Events Invitational.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who says 16 turnovers hurt their cause.

The Cyclones are 5-2 and visit DePaul Friday night.

Iowa edges Iowa State in wrestling

Sports

November 26th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

For the 19th straight time the Cy-Hawk wrestling dual goes to Iowa. The Hawkeyes won six of 10 matches to edge Iowa State 18-14.

That’s Iowa coach Tom Brands who says the Hawkeyes have a lot of work to do.

A big turning point came at 174 pounds where Iowa State’s M.J. Gaitan had a late rally for short in a 14-13 loss to Iowa’s Patrick Kennedy. The ISU coaches were confused about the score in the waning seconds.

That’s Iowa State coach Kevin Dresser who called it a big moment in the dual.

Hawkeyes Win 19th Straight Against Cyclones

Sports

November 26th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – The fourth-ranked University of Iowa men’s wrestling team won six matches in an 18-14 victory over No. 8 Iowa State on Sunday afternoon in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series dual at Hilton Coliseum. It was the Hawkeyes 19th straight victory over Iowa State.
The Hawkeyes won all six matches by decision.
“It’s good, credit our guys” said head coach Tom Brands. “Onward. Competitors focus on what they can control. We’ve got guys that have tremendous scoring ability and I’m not sure that showed out there. We got beat up in the stall call department, so we have a lot of work to do. That’s where I am at. We are moving forward.”
Notables 
  • The Hawkeyes now lead the all-time series 69-16-2.  The Hawkeyes have won 19 straight, 34 of the last 35 and 58 of the last 62 meetings.
  • Tom Brands improves to 18-0 against Iowa State.
  • Iowa has won every meeting since the inception of the Dan Gable Traveling Trophy in 2010 (13-0).
Up Next 
The Hawkeyes head to Philadelphia for a matchup with the University of Pennsylvania on December 1.
#4 Iowa 18, #8 Iowa State 14
125 — #17 Drake Ayala dec. #8 Kysen Terukina, 7-2
133 – #19 Evan Frost dec. #8 Brody Teske, 8-1
141 — #1 Real Woods dec. #19 Anthony Echemendia, 4-1 SV1
149 — #14 Casey Swiderski dec. #9 Victor Voinovich III, 6-3
157 — #2 Jared Franek dec. #18 Cody Chittum, 4-2
165 — #2 David Carr major dec. #5 Michael Caliendo, 16-4
174 — #14 Patrick Kennedy dec. #21 MJ Gaitan, 14-13
184 — Gabe Arnold dec. #6 Will Feldkamp, 3-2
197 — #22 Zach Glazier dec. #24 Julian Broderson, 7-3
285 — #7 Yonger Bastida major dec. Bradley Hill, 17-6

Bulldogs Cap Off Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic with Defeat of Black Bears

Sports

November 26th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake women’s basketball capped the inaugural Vibrant Thanksgiving Classic with a wire-to-wire victory, getting production throughout the lineup in beating Maine 72-56 at the Knapp Center on Sunday afternoon.

Courtney Becker drove for a layup off the opening tip, Taylor McAulay followed with a three-point play for a 5-0 lead and the Bulldogs (5-2) stayed on front the rest of the way to finish 2-1 in the holiday weekend event.

Anna Miller topped off a solid homestand with 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting to lead the Bulldogs, who shot 54.7 percent and enjoyed a 44-26 margin in points in the paint by taking the ball aggressively to the basket. Miller averaged 15 points and 7.3 rebounds and shot 60.6 percent in the round-robin tournament, scoring in double figures every game — the third time in her career she has done that for at least three straight games.

Grace Berg added 15 points and moved up three more spots on Drake’s career scoring list to No. 22, running her total to 1,362. Katie Dinnebier posted another strong line with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. She and Miller were named to the all-tournament team.

McAulay finished with eight points and freshman Shannon Fornshell scored six on a couple of three-pointers. Berg led the Bulldogs with eight rebounds and five assists while going 6-for-11 from the field.

The Bulldogs went 2-1 in the tournament, beating Louisiana Tech on Friday and losing to Richmond on Saturday. Richmond went 3-0, Maine 1-2 and Louisiana Tech 0-3.

This was just the fourth meeting between the two programs and the first since Drake beat Maine 94-62 on Nov. 30, 2019 at the Gulf Coast Classic in Estero, Florida.

“It was fun to watch us start like that in the first quarter,” Suzie Glazer Burt head coach Allison Pohlman said. “Everyone was just ready to go. We were a proud group to realize we had won the second quarter especially considering that we’d given up a lot of offensive rebounds. We were able to manage the game well…Katie [Dinnebier] did a nice job, Ava [Hawthorne] had a solid game today. Taylor [McAulay] and Courtney [Becker] combined to go 5-for-7 from the field and played well defensively…just another example of our group being ready to go today.”

The Bulldogs will have a chance to catch their breath this week before heading north to play at Minnesota on Saturday, Dec. 2. The game tips at 1 p.m. Drake then has consecutive home games with North Dakota State on Dec. 8 and Creighton on Dec. 17.