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East Mills committing to the ground game against Exira-EHK

Sports

October 4th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The (2-4) East Mills Wolverines are coming off a 58-20 win against Griswold last Friday. It has not been an easy season for Head Coach Kevin Schafer’s squad. He has seen both of his top quarterbacks Caleb Urban and Zach Thornburg go down with injury. All eyes were then on the third string junior QB Jackson Embree as he led a battered 1-4 East Mills into Griswold for his first start of the year. The 58-20 victory was one that Coach Schafer was pleased with.

The shift to a run heavy team worked well for East Mills. They carried the ball over 30 times and had 398 rushing yards. They averaged almost 14 yards a carry and had six rushing scores on the evening. The few times Jackson Embree needed to pass he made smart decisions. The junior quarterback went 2-4, 79 yards, and one touchdown. Coach Schafer complemented Embree’s play.

That win against Griswold broke a four-game losing skid for the Wolverines and gave them confidence. However, they have one of their toughest opponents up next on the road at (3-3) Exira-EHK. The Spartans are second in the district behind CAM. The run game has been critical to Exira-EHK’s success this season, as they have already rushed for over 1300 yards. The rushing attack for the Spartans has been led by senior quarterback Jameson Kilworth with 651 yards on the ground and junior running back Alex Hansen with 290 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Coach Schafer is aware of the threat that Exira-EHK’s ground game brings and the size they carry on both sides of the ball.

Kickoff is set for 7:00pm in Exira. KJAN will bring you the coverage as the pregame show begins at 6:30pm.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark on her future and the upcoming season

Sports

October 4th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Reigning National Player of the Year Caitlin Clark has not set a timetable for a decision on her future. Clark is entering her senior season for an Iowa team that is coming off an appearance in the NCAA championship game and she could return for a fifth season.

The Hawkeyes return three starters but Clark says it is a much different team.

Clark says she is embracing the popularity that her and the team are enjoying and the opportunities that come with it.

Clark says the Hawkeyes are embracing the expectations.

Clark says one area she hopes to improve in this season is in the half-court offense.

Posted in Sports |

Central Iowa man charged with murder in death of four-month-old

News

October 4th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Authorities in central Iowa are charging a man with murder in a case involving the abuse of two children. Des Moines police arrested 26-year-old Devin Luckett on Tuesday on first-degree murder along with a series of other charges. Investigators say Luckett called 911 in February to report a child in his care fell off a couch and was unresponsive. The four-month-old died two days later at University Hospitals in Iowa City.

An autopsy released by the state Medical Examiner’s Office in September determined the child had died of multiple blunt force injuries to the head. In August, police were called to a Des Moines hospital as a three-month-old was being treated for several broken bones — a child who was also being cared for by Luckett.

Police say the suspect is related to the child who was injured, but not the child who died.

Posted in News |

Iowa’s Lisa Bluder previews the new season

Sports

October 4th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder calls it a new season and a new challenge. The Hawkeyes are coming off an historic run to the NCAA championship game last season and with three starters returning are a consensus top ten team in the preseason polls.

Three starters return from a year ago including national player of the year Caitlin Clark. While the expectations are high Bluder says the Hawkeyes are not approaching it as national title or bust.

Clark has become one of the most recognizable athletes in the country but Bluder says there is never an issue with chemistry because she is such a good teammate.

Because of the popularity of the team the Hawkeyes will make several appearances on national television. A challenging schedule awaits against 11 teams ranked in the preseason top 25.

They open the regular season at home on November eighth against Fairleigh Dickinson.

Posted in Sports |

Hawkeyes Headline Big Ten Preseason Polls

Sports

October 4th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s basketball team was selected No. 1 in the Preseason Big Ten Coaches and Media polls. Junior guard Caitlin Clark was voted Preseason Player of the Year in both polls. Clark was unanimously selected by the coaches and media on the All-Big Ten Team, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

The Hawkeyes return a plethora of talent from a year ago including all three starters and the B1G Sixth Player of the Year that led the team to the Big Ten Tournament title and a National Championship appearance. Iowa earned the No. 2 seed the NCAA Tournament in 2023, after another successful campaign under head coach Lisa Bluder.

Clark nabbed both Preseason Player of the Year recognition for the second time in her career. During her junior campaign, Clark led her team to its first-ever NCAA Championship game and helped post the Hawkeye’s most wins in a single season. During the NCAA Tournament, she posted the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history (men’s or women’s) and broke the NCAA single-tournament records for most 3-point FG made (24) and most points scored (191). This season, she is the only player in the nation with 1,000 points, 240 rebounds, 310 assists and 45 steals.

Clark also won the 2023 Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year Award, Honda Cup and was named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year as by THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA). She also won the 2023 Naismith, Wooden and Wade Trophies along with the Associated Press, USBWA Ann Drysdale Player of the Year and the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award.

2023-24 Preseason All-Big Ten Women’s Basketball Teams and Polls

Coaches Big Ten Preseason Rankings

  1. Iowa
  2. Ohio State
  3. Indiana
  4. Maryland
  5. Illinois

Coaches Preseason All-Big Ten Team*

Makira Cook, ILL

Mackenzie Holmes, IND (Unanimous)

Caitlin Clark, IOWA (Unanimous)

Shyanne Sellers, MD (Unanimous)

Laila Phelia, MICH (Unanimous)

Mara Braun, MINN

Alexis Markowski, NEB

Jaz Shelley, NEB

Cotie McMahon, OSU (Unanimous)

Jacy Sheldon, OSU

Makenna Marisa, PSU

*Additional player due to tie in voting

Coaches Preseason Player of the Year

Caitlin Clark, Iowa

Media Big Ten Preseason Rankings

  1. Iowa
  2. Indiana
  3. Ohio State
  4. Maryland
  5. Michigan

Media Big Ten Preseason All-Big Ten Team

Makira Cook, ILL

Mackenzie Holmes, IND

Caitlin Clark, IOWA (Unanimous)

Shyanne Sellers, MD

Laila Phelia, MICH

Alexis Markowski, NEB

Jaz Shelley, NEB

Cotie McMahon, OSU

Jacy Sheldon, OSU

Makenna Marisa, PSU

Media Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year

Caitlin Clark, Iowa

Posted in Sports |

2 City Parks to get makeovers in Council Bluffs

News

October 4th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the City of Council Bluffs say two parks, Peterson Park and Manawa City Park, are getting makeovers. The City says old park equipment is being removed this week, and the new playgrounds should be ready before the snow flies.

Manawa City Park (Navajo and Mohawk St) is approximately one acre in size. The neighborhood park is undergoing a renovation that is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024, but the new playground should be ready this fall. New additions include an alpha tower play structure, an accessible merry-go-round, and a swing set with an ADA molded seat swing, all with a rubberized play surface. There will be a new 20′ picnic shelter, a hard surface play area with basketball hoops, and skate elements, including a kinked grind rail and a quarter pipe. Manawa City Park will also have a sensory garden with an internal trail system, play panels, and unique landscaping.

Manawa City Park conceptual plan.

Peterson Park (2500 S 8th St) is approximately 2.5 acres in size.  The neighborhood park is undergoing a renovation that is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024, but the new playground should be ready this fall. New additions include “the summit” play structure, a global motion merry-go-round, and a swing set with an ADA molded seat swing, all with a rubberized play surface.  Peterson Park will also get a new 20′ octagonal picnic shelter and updated landscaping.

Peterson Park conceptual plan.

Posted in News |

2023-24 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Schedule Announced

Sports

October 4th, 2023 by admin

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference office announced the dates and opponents for the 2023-24 women’s gymnastics season on Wednesday. The schedule features nine conference opponents over six weekends for each of the 10 Big Ten programs and concludes with the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships, to be held over the fourth weekend in March at Michigan State.

The final weekend of the women’s gymnastics’ regular season will feature the annual Big Five Meets, which will be hosted by Penn State. Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State and Rutgers will compete on Friday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. ET while Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan and Penn State will compete on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 4:30 p.m. Both Big Five meets will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.

The 42nd Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships will be held March 23 at Michigan State’s Jenison Field House in East Lansing, Mich. The meet will be conducted in two sessions, with six schools competing in the afternoon session and four schools competing in the evening session. Team seeding is determined by the final Big Ten regular season standings. In the event of a tie, head-to-head results shall be used. If there is still a tie, team NQS following the Big Five meets shall be used.

The 2023-24 Big Ten women’s gymnastics schedule can be found in the link above. Times and television designations will be announced at a later date.

Posted in Sports |

Arrest made in Fort Dodge fatal shooting

News

October 4th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Fort Dodge, Iowa) – Officials with the Fort Dodge Police Department said today (Wednesday), an arrest was made in connection with the fatal shooting of a man, Sunday night. Authorities say over the past few days, investigators have continued to gather information, speak to witnesses, and follow up on all leads. As a result of the investigation thus far 20‐year‐old Olnario A. Rodriguez‐Ruffridge, of Fort Dodge, has been arrested for Murder in the First Degree (Class-A Felony).

Officers and emergency personnel responded to the 200 block of 3rd Avenue at around 8:42-p.m., Sunday, and found 44‐year‐old Jason A. Ruffridge, of Fort Dodge, unresponsive and  suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers began life-saving efforts until medics with the Fort Dodge Fire Department arrived, but Jason Ruffidge died at the scene.

Investigators are continuing to follow up on all credible leads and encourage anyone with information to contact the Fort Dodge Police Department. The Fort Dodge Police Department has been aided in this investigation by the Webster County Attorney’s office.

Posted in News |

Adair County Supervisors approve new hires & other matters

News

October 4th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Board of Supervisors have approved the hiring of Scott Roberts as the new Courthouse Custodian/Maintenance employee. Auditor Mandy Berg…

He’ll take over for the retiring custodian. They also approved the Auditor’s request for the hiring of Ruth Smith as a full-time Auditor’s Clerk, who is replacing a long-time, retiring clerk in the department.

In other business, the Supervisors in Adair County approved Township Clerk wages, a Liquor License Renewal for the Greenfield Golf and Country Club, and they acknowledge two Manure Management Plan updates from Prestage Farms sites. They also approved a Child Abuse Prevention Grant draw-down amounting to $629.87, and, authorized the Board Chair to sign an application with the County’s insurance company for a Commercial Crime Policy.

In his report to the Board, County Engineer Nick Kauffman presented the Fiscal Year 2023 annual DOT financial report.

The Board approved the report as presented. Kauffman also spoke about various Secondary Roads Department maintenance projects and other activities. Here’s a bit of what he said during the meeting…

The Board’s meeting lasted just 20-minutes.

Posted in News |

Reminder! Feds will send emergency test to all phones, radios and TVs this afternoon

News

October 4th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Federal agencies will be sending out a message to all radios, T-Vs and cellular phones this (Wednesday) afternoon as a test of the nation’s emergency alert systems. Tracey Bearden, 9-1-1 coordinator for the Polk County Emergency Management Agency, explains what will happen if you’re among the hundreds of thousands of cell phone users in Iowa. “At approximately 1:20, everyone’s going to receive an alert with special tones and vibrations,” Bearden says. “That’s going to be a nationwide test, so it’s going to alert every phone. You can’t opt out of this. It’s going to say, ‘This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.'” The same alert will be broadcast on all radios and T-Vs as FEMA and the F-C-C test what is hoped to be the best option to quickly notify the public of an emergency.

“I think the takeaway should be that it’s a good drill to make sure that this nationwide system that we use, in the county even, are practice for an actual, real incident,” Bearden says. “If we would have had this system during 9-11, this could have been used.” Iowans who have an Apple device with iOS 17 software will be able to click on the alert for an additional instruction field. While some of us may be annoyed by the distraction, Bearden hopes they’ll consider the virtues of this unprecedented test.

“You have to plan and you have to practice, and you train as if it’s a real incident,” Bearden says. “So I would take that time, let your phone be on. It’s going to be a very brief moment of inconvenience. Look at that alert. If you have that iPhone/iOS 17, tap on that so that additional information comes up, because this is what would happen in a real life situation.”

There is concern that Iowans who are victims of domestic violence or other abuse might have their “secret” phones go off during this test. Officials recommend they power off their phones if the test will put them in danger until they can be safely turned back on.

Posted in News |