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Iowa DCI Assisting with Death Investigation in Wright County

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

WRIGHT COUNTY, Iowa – Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Safety, on behalf of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, said that at approximately 9-a.m. Monday, June 17, 2024, the Wright County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible deceased person located at a rural Clarion residence.

Upon arrival, deputies located the bodies of a deceased male and female inside a residence. After further investigation, the incident is believed to be isolated and there is no threat to the public at this time.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was called to assist. An autopsy will be performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.  This is an ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.

Damage from heavy winds overnight in NW IA

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Heavy rains and high winds hit parts of northwest Iowa this (Monday) morning. There was widespread tree damage in Estherville and a 60 mile per hour wind gust was reporting at the Estherville Airport around 3:30 a.m. A downed tree briefly blocked Highway 4 in Estherville, but crews quickly removed the tree and the road was open to traffic by 4:30.
Damage was also reported in Dickinson County. Emergency Management Director Mike Ehret says crop damage was reported around Milford and there are rising concerns about flooding due to the heavy rain.

Ehret says there’s minor flooding along the Little Sioux River, mainly affecting pastures. He says the water levels in the Iowa Great Lakes are very high, but it’s not quite yet at the point where boats are restricted to going no more than 5 miles an hour on the lakes.

Seven Iowa dairy herds impacted by bird flu, five are in Sioux County

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

State and federal officials have detected a case of bird flu in another herd of dairy cattle in Sioux County. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.

While avian influenza is fatal to birds and poultry, nearly all cattle who contract the virus recover.

Master Gardeners to Host Garden Walk this Sunday from 2-6 PM

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Reminder: Tickets available for pre-sale through Friday, at garden locations on day of event.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Master Gardener group is excited to host walking tours of 4 private gardens in Atlantic on Sunday afternoon June 23. The garden walk will feature four unique garden spaces for participants to explore at their leisure and gain inspiration for their own gardens, while enjoying a variety of garden styles and designs. Gardens will be open for touring between 2-6 PM and may be visited in any order. Highlights from featured gardens included sun and shade gardens, custom garden décor, antique themed garden areas, unique seating areas and paths, pollinator gardens, perennial beds and more! Follow the Cass County Master Gardeners on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CassCoMG for sneak peeks of featured garden spaces leading up to the day of the tour.

The walk is coordinated by the Cass County Master Gardeners, but is open to everyone interested in gaining some gardening inspiration. Tickets for the walk are $10 each, with all proceeds going to support local Master Gardener projects and activities. Tickets are available now for purchase at the Cass County Extension office, and a registration form can also be printed at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. Tickets should be presented at each location for admission.  A map of the tour locations and description of each garden is on each ticket purchased. Additional tickets may be purchased at any of the four locations on the day of the event. Tour locations will be shared online as the event date gets closer.

For more information about upcoming Master Gardener activities in Cass County, or to learn about becoming a Master Gardener, visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/master-gardener-program, call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, or email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu.  In addition, you are invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

REGGIE SICKLES, 67, of Greenfield (Celebration of Life 7/13/24)

Obituaries

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

REGGIE SICKLES, 67, of Greenfield, died June 14, 2024, at his home in Greenfield. A Celebration of Life service for REGGIE SICKLES will be held 1-p.m. Saturday, July 13th, 2024, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is on July 12th, from 2-until 7-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Greenfield Cemetery.  Full Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 & V.F.W. Post No. 5357.

Memorials:  May be directed to the Reggie Sickles Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

REGGIE SICKLES is survived by:

His daughter – Amber (Lee) Barkmann, of San Tan Valley, AZ

His step-daughter: Amy (Derek) Perkey, of Greenfield.

His sister – Carlene (Ron) Maeder .

His brothers – Brian and Joel

9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and other relatives.

Online condolences may be left to the family at to be www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Summer hasn’t started and already 12 state park lakes advise ‘no swimming’

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The state says swimming is not advised at Pine Lake State Park in Hardin County due to high E-coli levels, while two public beaches at Storm Lake in Buena Vista County also exceed the state’s advisory threshold for the bacteria. That makes a total of 12 state park beach advisories issued so far this year. Daniel Kendall, the Iowa D-N-R’s lake and beach monitoring coordinator, says people should enjoy Iowa’s lakes and rivers, but he strongly recommends wearing life jackets.

People most at risk of getting sick are children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with underlying medical conditions, like cancer and diabetes. During the summer months, Iowa D-N-R staff collect water samples each week at 40 beaches to monitor for harmful bacteria and blue-green algae toxins. The DNR Beach Monitoring Website and Hotline are updated on Fridays.

Missouri man cited following an accident in Guthrie County

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from Missouri was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, and arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/marijuana along with Possession of drug paraphernalia, following an accident that occurred just before Noon last Thursday (June 13th).

Authorities say 48-year-old Aaron Lee Becker, of Kansas City, MO., was driving a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck southbound on Talon Avenue near the intersection with White Pole Road.

A 2000 Peterbilt semi tractor-trailer driven by 22-year-old Nicholas Wayne Benshoof, of Winterset, was stopped at the intersection facing southbound. Becker failed to notice the stopped semi and rear-ended trailer, causing a total of $22,000 damage. No injuries were reported.

Becker was evaluated for driving under the influence and implied consent was invoked. A urine specimen was obtained and sent to the DCI lab for evaluation. Authorities say Becker admitted using his cell phone prior to the accident, but did not clarify if he was texting or calling someone.

Hawkeyes Head To Henley Royal Regatta

Sports

June 17th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa rowing team is set to travel to England for the Henley Royal Regatta this week. The Hawkeyes will be across the pond for three weeks, exploring, training, and racing against world class competitors.

1500-meter racing begins on Friday with time trials to qualify for head-to-head style through Sunday, if Iowa advances. Iowa’s Varsity Eight is racing in the Ron Needs Challenge Championship and the Varsity Four is in the Borne Cup. 

In the second week of the trip, the Hawkeyes will train daily and explore the sightseeing excursion in London, Oxford, and Windsor. In the final week of the trip, Iowa will qualify, if necessary, for the Henley Royal Regatta. Racing will begin July 2-7, in a single elimination format daily. The Varsity Eight will be in the Island Challenge Cup against school or university varsity eights. The Varsity Four will compete in the Princess Grace Challenge Cup in the same format.

First held in 1839, the event has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years affected by the two World Wars and the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally staged by the mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose. The Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. Today, the regatta is staged for six days, ending on the first Sunday in July. 

The Henley Royal Regatta is “the most prestigious regatta in the world,” according to its website. Races are held on the River Thames, one of London’s main attractions. 

QUOTING HEAD COACH JEFF GARBUTT

“Racing at Henley is the equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. It is part of the British Season of events, Wimbledon, The Open and Royal Ascot being the other three big events. Having our team being able to participate is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our athletes. They will get to represent Iowa against teams from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. It is a chance for our current athletes from Great Britain to row in front of family and friends. I am thrilled to be able to bring this group of Hawkeyes to perform on the world stage at the most famous rowing event in the world.”

Food Bank of Iowa receives $25,000 grant from State Farm® for mobile food distribution

News

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (June 17, 2024) – Food Bank of Iowa has received a $25,000 grant from State Farm to support mobile food distribution, helping Iowans to recover from the May tornadoes. The funds will provide the equivalent of 41,667 nutritious meals, supporting families recovering from these tragic storms.

“This generous grant from State Farm will help us to provide additional food assistance as we respond to the needs of residents in some of our hardest hit counties,” said Food Bank of Iowa CEO Michelle Book.

Food Bank of Iowa serves 11 of the 18 counties with disaster declarations: Adair (Greenfield), Adams, Clay, Dallas, Hardin, Jasper, Kossuth, Marshall, Palo Alto, Warren and Webster. The food bank stocks the shelves of more than 700 community and church pantries, school pantries and meal sites across 55 counties, as well as provides food assistance through mobile distribution and the elementary BackPack Program.

“At State Farm part of our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life and recover from the unexpected,” said Apsara Sorensen, State Farm corporate responsibility assistant vice president. “State Farm is proud to team up with Food Bank of Iowa to help Iowans recover faster from these devastating storms.”

Food Bank of Iowa operates 46 mobile pantries across 30 counties. Families who need food assistance, including those recovering from disaster, receive a variety of shelf-stable and fresh foods, including produce, protein and dairy. Food is distributed at a prearranged site farmers market-style or in some cases, in a drive-through format.

In addition to mobile pantries, the food bank has been offering more frequent distribution, extra routes, additional distribution and other assistance to partners in the affected areas. Food Bank of Iowa also delivers and loans generators to partners to ensure food is kept safe and distribution can continue without interruption.

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/17/24

Sports

June 17th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Class 4A
1. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (23-2), LW #1
2. Ankeny Centennial (17-4), LW #2
3. Dallas Center-Grimes (20-1), LW #3
4. Johnston (20-3), LW #4
5. Iowa City High (21-4), LW #6
6. Waukee (16-7), LW #5
7. Iowa City Liberty (17-7), LW #8
8. Waukee Northwest (14-9), LW #9
9. Linn-Mar (16-6), LW (X)
10.Southeast Polk (15-9), LW #7
Class 3A
1. Marion (21-1), LW #3
2. North Polk (14-3), LW #2
3. Western Dubuque (15-6), LW #1
4. Dubuque Wahlert (17-6), LW #4
5. Sioux City Heelan (18-6), LW #8
6. Central DeWitt (16-5), LW #6
7. Davenport Assumption (13-8), LW (X)
8. Grinnell (15-7), LW (X)
9. Harlan (15-5), LW #7
10.Solon (15-7), LW #5
Class 2A
1. West Marshall (23-1), LW #1
2. Van Meter (23-1), LW #4
3. Underwood (14-2), LW #2
4. Dyersville Beckman (13-4), LW #3
5. Des Moines Christian (16-2), LW #5
6. New Hampton (18-3), LW #6
7. Estherville Lincoln Central (13-4), LW #8
8. Sumner-Fredricksburg (14-2), LW #10
9. Anamosa (15-5), LW #7
10.Interstate-35 (Truro) (16-3), LW (X)
Class 1A
1. Akron-Westfield (16-2), LW #3
2. Burlington Notre Dame (17-3), LW #1
3. Remsen St. Mary’s (13-2), LW #4
4. Mason City Newman (18-3), LW #5
5. Lynnville-Sully (18-3), LW #2
6. Saint Ansgar (13-2), LW #6
7. Wapsie Valley (19-6), LW #8
8. Tri-Center (Neola) 13-3), LW #7
9. Woodbury Central (13-2), LW (X)
10.Lansing Kee (17-5), LW #10