United Group Insurance

2024 Corner Conference All Conference Baseball Team

Sports

July 11th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

First Team

Pitcher (Brody Holmes*) Stanton-Senior
Catcher (Jacob Martin*) Stanton-Junior
Utility (Bode Wyman*) Griswold-Junior
Utility (Gabe Johnson) Sidney-Senior
IF (Gavin Ford*) Stanton-Junior
IF (Dylan Reynolds) Stanton-Sophomore
IF (Zane Johnson) Griswold-Junior
IF (Lincoln Palmer) East Mills-Senior
OF (Zach Thornburg*) East Mills-Senor
OF (Michael Hensley) Sidney-Junior
OF (Nolan Grebin) Stanton-Senior
*Elite Team

Second Team

Pitcher (Ryan Sayers) East Mills-Junior
Catcher (Dylan Linkenhoker) Fremont-Mills-Senior
Utility (Tony Racine) Essex-Senior
Utility (Brayden Lockwood) Griswold-Sophomore
IF (Rowen Howe) Fremont-Mills Sophomore
IF (Seth Ettleman) Sidney-Senior
IF (Sheldon Vandenberg) East Mills-Junior
IF (Kaden Buick) Essex-Junior
OF (Qwintyn Vanatta) Essex-Senior
OF (Fletcher Proctor) East Mills-Junior
OF (Devon Taylor) Stanton-Junior

Honorable Mention

(Landon Baker) Fremont-Mills-Junior
(Nollan Smith) Griswold-Sophomore
(Bradley Franks) Essex-Senior
(Max Yeager) Stanton-Junior
(Broden Zimmerman) Fremont-Mills-8th Grade
(Kolby Klindt) Griswold-Sophomore
(Gavin Crom) Fremont-Mills-8th Grade

State launches programs for victims of Iowa’s flood, tornado disasters

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Residents in two-thirds of Iowa counties have experienced destruction from late spring and early summer tornadoes, flooding or both. At least 5000 homes are damaged or destroyed. State officials are launching new grant programs to address the housing shortage and appealing to FEMA for temporary housing. Governor Kim Reynolds hosted a more than hour-long news conference at the statehouse today to discuss details.

“You know, we’ve all seen photos of the neighborhoods that have been leveled, of towns completely underwater and they’re heartbreaking,” Reynolds said. “To see it first hand is unforgettable.”

Reynolds is using $10 million in federal pandemic relief to provide grants for developers to build homes for sale or for rent in counties that have been declared federal disaster areas. “Our goal is to really keep the residents in their communities,” the governor said. Another $6.5 million in state grants will be awarded to cover home repairs. “It will allow the state to move quickly to address unmet housing rehabilitation needs that are outside of the scope of insurance coverage,” Reynolds said. “We also have a lot of underinsured.”

Governor Kim Reynolds held a news conference in her statehouse office on July 11, 2024. (RI photo)

To be eligible, Iowans need to have qualified for FEMA’s individual assistance program. That confirms a household is dealing with storm-related damage. Reynolds is asking FEMA to authorize a temporary housing program that’s been used after hurricanes hit other states. Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management director John Benson said hotels, RVs and manufactured housing could be used under the program. “If we’re looking at travel trailers, we will be looking at campgrounds. There may be a situation where we may even be able to place it on the personal property, private property,” Benson said. “If we’re looking at mobile home units, are we looking at going into mobile home parks that we will be able to utilize right away?”

The governor indicated that may be an option in Minden, the western Iowa town hit by a powerful tornado this spring. As of last night at least 100 Iowans are still staying in a Red Cross shelter. Benson is encouraging Iowans to apply for assistance. “One of the things you will notice and in particular we’ve seen this in northwest Iowa is that ‘can do, I don’t need help attitude,’” Benson said. “If you are of that thought process, I would like to discourage you from that thought process and please apply because then you become a known quantity to us and that’s how we can help you not only…if you have a housing challenge, but other things that may arise through the disaster as you go through the recovery.”

Reynolds said government officials are able to help storm victims “wade through the minutia” of the state and federal programs that are now available. “Please just take advantage of these progams. You’re going through a lot. They’re there for a reason,” Reynolds said. “…We’re in this for the long haul. It’s not going to be over tomorrow, so take advantage of these programs.” Next week, farmers who’ve applied for USDA disaster loans can apply for a state grant of up to 50-thousand dollars. Reynolds said that will make the higher interest rates on those loans more manageable.

The governor’s staff plans to release more information about application and timeline details later this afternoon.

Iowa safety Xavier Nwanpka on summer drills

Sports

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa junior Xavier Nwanpka is using summer drills to try and elevate his game. The former Southeast Polk star started 12 games at strong safety and is part of a standout defense that will return eight starters from a 10 win team.

Nwankpa had 42 tackles and an interception last season and as he enters his third season is looking to become more of a leader.

He is part of an experienced safety corps that saw Quinn Schulte and Sebastian Castro return for their final season.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home on August 31st against Illinois State.

Jan Jensen on a new era for Iowa women’s basketball

Sports

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Summer workouts are underway for a new-look Iowa women’s basketball team. Caitlin Clark is one of several key players gone from a team that made it to back-to-back national title games and long-time assistant Jan Jensen took over after the retirement of Lisa Bluder. Jensen says even without the coaching change this would be a new era.

Jensen says the Hawkeyes are focused on the future.

Jensen says an incoming recruiting class of six players that stuck with the program despite the coaching change has made an immediate impact.

Jensen says it is a vocal group of newcomers.

Guilty verdict in Algona Police Officer killing

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Dickinson County Jury has found Kyle Lou Ricke guilty in the shooting death of Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram in September of 2023. Judge Nancy Whittenburg read the verdict just before noon.

The jury received the case around 10:30 A-M and deliberated for roughly an hour before returning the verdict. The trial began Monday with jury selection, there was testimony on Tuesday and closing arguments Wednesday. The defense did dispute that Ricke shot Officer Cram, but claimed the act was not premeditated, and did not call any witnesses. The prosecution said Ricke executed Cram, who came to arrest Ricke for a misdemeanor charge of harassment from Palo Alto County. The trial was moved from Kossuth county due to concerns about finding an impartial jury due to pre-trial publicity. A sentencing date will be set later. The mandatory sentence for first-degree murder in Iowa is life in prison without parole.

Iowa West Foundation grant workshop to be held July 31st, in Harlan

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Representatives with the Iowa West Foundation are once again hitting the road and taking their Grants Workshop to another rural community – this time to Harlan on July 31st. The hope is that the workshop makes it easier for the non-profits and government entities in the IWF greater funding region, to access information on how to apply in person and hear directly from IWF program officers about budget inquiries and the grants management system, among other topics, in advance of the third and final funding cycle of 2024. Here is the link to register. https://bit.ly/iwfHarlan.

The grants workshop will be held on July 31st from 9-until 10:30-a.m., In-Person ONLY. It will not be offered on Zoom.Venue details will be shared upon registration. Registrations will be accepted until noon on Friday, July 26 or until registrations meet our workshop’s maximum capacity.

Ideally, attendees will come to the grants workshop with a specific grant idea in mind. They will have an opportunity to:

  • hear from program officers,
  • ask questions about the grant application process,
  • work through budget inquiries, and
  • learn about the IWF new grants management system.

Audubon City Council changes fireworks rules & removes the use of fireworks during New Year’s

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon City Council met in a regular session Monday evening, and discussed the use of personal fireworks within the City. It was noted in the minutes of the meeting, that there have been many complaints regarding the discharging of fireworks. Councilman Richardson motioned and Councilman Grabill seconded, an amendment to Ordinance No. 739, entitled “Fireworks,” to read that a person shall be at least 100-feet away from a neighboring property to discharge a fireworks device, unless consent has been given. The motion passed. The Council acted also, to permit the use of fireworks on July 3rd and 4th from 6-until 10-p.m.  Fireworks will no longer be allowed on New Year’s Eve.

In other business, the Audubon City Council approved the installation of Stop and Yield sign(s) at the intersection of 3rd Ave. & Chicago St. to match the intersection of 3rd Ave. & South. Audubon Police Chief Coby Gust discussed with the Council the topic of speed signs on Highway 71 (Market St.). Chief Gust said the Iowa D.O.T. will need to remove the 30-mph signs, and then do a speed survey to determine if the 30-mph signs are necessary.

Audubon Parks and Rec Board member Ashley Hartl told the Council that there will be a zip line installed at Bluegrass Park (Dinosaur Park). Hartl was going to check also, to see if it is possible to get AED certification for the lifeguards.

Hinson discusses Voter Eligibility Act

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – All of members of Iowa’s U-S House delegation voted for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act that prevents non-citizens from registering to vote in U-S federal elections. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says the bill strengthens the election process. “This bill will prevent illegal immigrants and non-citizens from voting in U-S elections by requiring our state election officials to ask about citizenship before providing voter registration forms. It would require an individual to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections,” Hinson says. The Republicans from Marion says voting is a sacred right.

“Only American citizens should be able to vote in American elections,” she says. “I will continue working on common sense election integrity measures that make it easy for American citizens to vote and hard to cheat.” Hinson says the Biden Administration has allowed millions of illegal immigrants into our country and wants to maintain loopholes that them to vote. Only five Democrats voted for the measure, as Democrats who voted against it say the number of voters who illegally vote is very small. Hinson says if Democrats believe illegals should not vote, they should support this measure.

“It’s a vital election integrity issue. It still protects states’ rights to run their own elections, but it makes sure that people understand that their vote counts and that the integrity of their vote counts,” she says. Hinson made her comments in her weekly conference call with reporters.

Dairy cow attractions cut from Iowa State Fair due to Avian Influenza concerns

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [WHO-TV] — The Iowa State Fair is cancelling two attractions amid concerns over Avian Influenza infections in dairy cows. The Milking Parlor and the I Milked a Cow Experience will not be a part of the fair this year to prevent the spread of avian flu. So far this year there have been at least ten confirmed cases of bird flu in Iowa dairy herds.

Jeremy Parsons, CEO of the Iowa State Fair, said safety is the fair’s first concern. “I think for the average fairgoer you’re still going to see dairy cattle at the Iowa State Fair,” Parsons said. “The dairy industry is important in Iowa agriculture so we’re still showcasing that, just showcasing it a little different in terms of no milking parlor and no hands-on experience of I Milked a Cow that many fairgoers have done over the years, so just a chance to still walk through the barns, see the cattle, honestly just trying to keep the livestock safe quite frankly as we showcase Iowa agriculture.”

To learn more about the Iowa State Fair visit the fair website.

Fremont County woman arrested in Red Oak

News

July 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a Fremont County woman was arrested this (Thursday) morning. 45-year-old Christie Marie Alley, of Randolph, was taken into custody a little after 9-a.m. in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street. She was charged with Public Intoxication and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Alley’s bond was set at $300.