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Iowans are encouraged to take part in Operation Green Light, supporting veterans

News

October 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – As part of Veterans Day observances next month, Iowans are being asked to take part in what’s being called Operation Green Light as a show of support for those who’ve served our country in uniform. Katie Peterson, with the Hamilton County Veterans Affairs office in Webster City, says the effort is being organized by the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers and the National Association of Counties.  “They are collaborating together to raise awareness for challenges faced by veterans,” Peterson says, “and resources available at the county, state and federal levels that are there to assist veterans and their families.”

This will be the second annual Operation Green Light and it will be held November 5th through the 12th. Peterson says it’s easy to take part. “All you would have to do to show your support is shine a green light somewhere that’s visible from the street,” Peterson says, “that illuminates the area where you’re driving down the street that you’d be able to see that, just to show the veterans that are driving around that we are there to support them.”

For more information, contact your county V-A office. Veterans Day is November 11th.

Posted in News |

AC-GC School Board meeting recap: Fall Sports in the spotlight; Enrollment numbers released

News, Sports

October 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Adair, Iowa) – Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center School District Superintendent Josh Rasmussen says it’s been a busy Fall season so far, with regard to sports. He says they’ve had a lot of success both in the classroom and athletics.

The Elementary School Principal in the Guthrie Center District, Rasmussen says, also recently received an award from the Iowa Talented and Gifted Association.

During Wednesday evenings AC-GC School Board meeting, Rasmussen discussed the District’s enrollment numbers.

Having no staff resignations to act on, the Board proceeded to approve Contract Recommendations for persons coaching Junior High Sports.

The Board also approved a Special Education Contract with the Woodward-Granger School District. The next Annual, Organizational and Regular meetings of the AC-GC School Board takes place November 15th in Guthrie Center, on the heels of the Nov. 7th School Board election.

Posted in News, Sports |

FCA Washington, D-C Board Member Glen Smith discusses YBF program for first-time farmers

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Farm Credit Administration (FCA) Board Member Glen Smith, of Atlantic, visited with KJAN Friday morning (Oct. 20), about the recently passed Young, Beginning and Small (YBF) Farmers and Ranchers program. Smith, who flew-in from his post at Washington, D-C last weekend, said the program is designed to assist young farmers in securing seed money to get into the business. Smith explained the FCA is the Federal financial regulator for the Farm Credit System.

The FCA has offices in every state in the country. There are 62 institutions and thousands of branch banks around the country, as well. Smith says Oct. 12th was National Farmer’s Day, which brought the average age of farmers nationally, is estimated to be 59.5-years. The next Ag Census in 2024 is expected to show that age is now closer to 60 or beyond. That’s become a real national concern for Ag Policy makers.

A Bipartisan effort led to funding for the YBF program, but it didn’t come quickly.

Glen R. Smith

Glen Smith says the final result was a strengthening of controls, and a review of the current programs.

The YBF program, he says, is designed to be customizable to the diverse agricultural industries across the country.

Lending for the program is made through local financial institutions, including branch offices in Harlan, Red Oak, Creston and Perry. The Federal Land Office in Atlantic was eliminated several years ago. The FCS system, he says is best poised to meet with young farmers and ranchers, help them deal with some of the challenges they face and in answering their questions.

The goal Smith says, is to make getting seed money for farm operations less intimidating, and foster better cooperation with the FSA and USDA. For more information contact your local Farm Credit institution.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

No. 8 Central City hosts Lansing Kee in 8-player Friday night

Sports

October 20th, 2023 by admin

Eighth ranked Central City hosts Lansing Kee Friday night in an opening round game in 8-player. Kee High coach Chad Winters says getting to the playoffs is an accomplishment in Iowa’s largest class of teams.

Winters says his team faces a difficult first round test.

Posted in Sports |

No. 1 Winfield-Mount Union hosts Belle Plaine in 8-player playoffs Friday night

Sports

October 20th, 2023 by admin

Top ranked Winfield-Mount Union opens the 8-Player playoffs at home on Friday mnight against Belle Plaine. Winfield-Mount Union senior star Cam Buffington has combined for more than 14 hundred yards of rushing and receiving and says as the top ranked team the Wolves know they have a target on their back.

Buffington says they are focused on tonight and not their long-term goal.

Posted in Sports |

No. 4 MFL-MarMac hosts Hudson in 1A playoffs Friday night

Sports

October 20th, 2023 by admin

In the class 1A playoffs fourth ranked MFL-MarMac is at home against Hudson. The Bulldogs won the title in a loaded district three and coach Dan Anderson says a tough regular season schedule has them ready.

Anderson says Hudson is a tough first round draw.

Hudson has been competitive against some quality foes.

Posted in Sports |

No. 8 Webster City hosts Humboldt in 3A Friday night

Sports

October 20th, 2023 by admin

An automatic playoff bid in at stake in Class 3A, District 2 as #8 Webster City hosts Humboldt at Lynx Field. The Lynx beat Algona 47-0 last week in a game where Webster City coach Bob Howard says the conditions were perfect for his team’s style.

Howard says the strength of this Humboldt team is in its skill position players.

Humboldt is coming off their own marquee with a 34-0 shutout over previously undefeated Clear Lake, a performance Coach Derrick Elman called gritty.

After a 2-2 start, the gelling of a young offensive line and the return of running back Lance Coon has brought success in district play.

Posted in Sports |

No. 1 Northwestern hosts No. 22 Dordt in GPAC clash

Sports

October 20th, 2023 by admin

A Great Plains Athletic Conference showdown in Orange city on Saturday finds top ranked Northwestern hosting 22nd ranked Dordt. Northwestern coach Matt McCarty says it is a big game for both teams.

Dordt leads the league in rushing at more than 240 yards per game and McCarty says the Red Raiders will need to control the line of scrimmage.

McCarty says the turnover battle will be big.

Posted in Sports |

Heartbeat Today 10-20-2023

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

October 20th, 2023 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Farm Credit Administration Board Member Glen Smith of Atlantic about the recently passed Young, Beginning and Small Farmers and Ranchers program designed to assist young farmers in securing seed money to get into the business.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (15.7MB)

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Posted in Heartbeat Today, Podcasts |

Iowa Drought Monitor shows conditions improved in parts of the State over the past week

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

October 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(NWS/Des Moines, Iowa) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor report from the National Weather Service in Des Moines, shows drought conditions improved in portions of northern and eastern Iowa during the past week. The report, issued Thursday, Oct. 19th, showed none of Iowa’s 99 counties are in an Exceptional Drought (D4). Portions of eastern Iowa are in an Extreme Drought (D3). Severe Drought (D2) conditions are found outside those counties in an Extreme Drought, and extends across much of southern and west central Iowa, to include the extreme northern, western and southwestern portions of Cass County, all of Pottawattamie, Harrison and Shelby Counties, and portions of Audubon, Guthrie, Adair, Mills, Montgomery and Adams Counties.

Moderate Drought (D1) or Abnormally Dry (D-O) conditions exist in areas of the State not already covered by the D2, D3 or D4 Drought conditions. Officials say the 30-day precipitation totals are now above normal for much of northwest Iowa and eastern portions of the State. The largest deficits are across southern Iowa. The seven-day precipitation forecast call for dry conditions this weekend, with an increasing threat of rainfall into next week.

The eight-to 14-day outlook indicates a better chance of below normal temperatures across Iowa, with near normal precipitation during that time frame. The bottom line: Drought conditions are expected to persist across Iowa through the end of this month. (Click on the graphics to enlarge)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |