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Packers first round pick Lucas Van Ness hoping to return to action against the Saints

Sports

September 21st, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Green Bay Packers rookie outside linebacker Lucas Van Ness is off to a good start in his first season in Green Bay. In 1+ game(s), Van Ness has registered 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL’s and 1 QBH. He left game two last week in the first half after suffering an elbow injury and didn’t return. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and hopes to return to action in the Packers home opener against the Saints on Sunday.

Van Ness on his first two NFL games.

The bullets are flying for real now.

Packers are excited for the home opener on Sunday.

They’re past last week – ready for the Saints.

The defense is ready to get back on track.

On learning from veteran Preston Smith & Rashon Gary.

Heartbeat Today 9-21-2023

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

September 21st, 2023 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Nishna Valley Trails President Dave Chase about the Tour de Parks bike ride event in Atlantic on October 1st.

Play

Harvest is underway and motorists will need to share the road

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 21st, 2023 by Jim Field

Autumn arrives Saturday but many Iowa farmers are already starting the fall harvest, and motorists in rural areas will need to share the roads with large, slow-moving farm equipment for the next several weeks. Franklin County Sheriff Aaron Dodd says he’s already spotted drivers taking big chances when they shouldn’t, like trying to pass tractors on a hill.

Such risky behavior might result in a collision, or at least a ticket.

Distractions are also causing crashes, and Dodd says people need to put down the number-one distraction — their smartphones — while driving.

From 2017 through June 30th, 2022, the Iowa Department of Transportation reports 30 people died in crashes involving farm equipment in the state. This is National Farm Safety and Health Week.

Trump touts his role in Roe v Wade’s demise

News

September 21st, 2023 by Jim Field

Former President Donald Trump is warning that Republican candidates may get clobbered in 2024 if they don’t learn how to properly talk about the abortion issue. Trump also reminded a crowd in Dubuque on Wednesday that he appointed three U-S Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v Wade.

Trump recently said on N-B-C’s Meet the Press that Florida’s six week abortion ban had been a terrible mistake. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who’s running against Trump, told Radio Iowa Trump can’t claim to be pro-life after making that statement. Trump talked about the abortion issue in general yesterday (Wednesday).

Trump was endorsed yesterday (Wednesday) by an eastern Iowa lawmaker who’s pushing for a ban on all abortions, but Trump cautioned against that.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Trump told a crowd in Maquoketa that he’s been enduring what he called “made up allegations” since he first ran for president and that’s why his supporters are dismissing the criminal indictments he now faces.

Trump made his comments after a man in the crowd on the Jackson County Fairgrounds asked this question.

Trump says he’s gratified by his standing in national polls that show he has the backing of about 60 percent of Republican voters.

Trump finished about three points behind 2016 Iowa Caucus winner Ted Cruz. A couple of days later, Trump accused Cruz of cheating and asked for a re-vote or that Cruz’s Iowa Caucus results be thrown out. Trump reminded audiences in Dubuque and Maquoketa that the 2024 Iowa Caucuses are on January 15th.

Trump said he expects to campaign in Iowa five or six more times before the Caucuses.

Skyscan Forecast for Thursday, September 21, 2023

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

September 21st, 2023 by Jim Field

Today:  Sunny with a high near 79.  East southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Tonight:  A slight chance of showers.  Increasing clouds with a low around 59.  East wind around 10 mph.
Friday:  Cloudy, with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm, then gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 77.  East wind 5 to 15 mph with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday:  Showers and possibly a thunderstorm.  High near 79. Breezy with a south southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday:  A 40 percent chance of showers.  Mostly sunny with a high near 75.

JUDITH ANN BUCKLEY, 76, formerly of Earling (9-23-2023)

Obituaries

September 21st, 2023 by Jim Field

JUDITH ANN BUCKLEY, 76, formerly of Earling died Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Ponchatoula, LA.  Mass of Christian Burial for JUDITH ANN BUCKLEY will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan is assisting the family.

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Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the funeral home.

Burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.

JUDITH ANN BUCKLEY is survived by:

Daughters:  Michelle Buckley of Ponchatoula, LA; Julie (Michael) Bratcher of Gretna, NE.

Son:  Michael (Leah) Buckley of Earling.

Sisters:  Shirley Leonard of West Des Moines; Kay (Dave) Kurcz of Papillion, NE; Diane (James) Dumham of Conway, SC; Ruth (Larry) Asbury of Pearcy, AR; Debbie (Richard) Hudkins of Cibolo, TX; Audrey (Steve) Henscheid of Newton.

Brother:  Keith (Judy) Finken of Defiance.

Rare Michael Jordan rookie card nets $5400 for Great Iowa Treasure Hunt

News, Sports

September 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State Treasurer Roby (ROB-ee, like “Robbie“) Smith says a rare trading card from a pro basketball star’s rookie season has sold for 54-hundred dollars. The 1986 Michael Jordan card was in a batch of unclaimed property Smith’s office put up for auction online this spring. When Smith was made aware of the card’s potential value, though, he ordered an appraisal — which found the card was authentic, in near mint condition and worth at least four-thousand dollars.

Smith has seen photos of the card, which was in an unclaimed lock box turned over to the state years ago. A very limited number of people have handled the card.

Banks turn unclaimed lock boxes over to the State Treasurer’s Office if the owner can’t be tracked down. The 54-hundred dollars made from the sale of this Michael Jordan card will go into an special state-managed account, just in case the owner or an heir steps forward in the future to claim the money. The state maintains the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt website where people can search for any unclaimed property.

Each year, the State Treasurer’s office receives up to 300 hundred safe deposit boxes that have been abandoned and is running out of space, so some of the boxes that have been in the state’s possession for several years are selected for auction. The state still has about three-thousand unclaimed safety deposit boxes in storage.

Slain Algona police officer honored at funeral

News

September 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Slain Algona police officer Keven Cram was remembered today (Wednesday) as hundreds of family, friends, and law officers gathered in the Algona High School gym. Algona Police Chief Bo Miller says Cram was a man who cared about a life of service.

He says the 33-year-old Cram could be described as the perfect officer.

Away from the job, Miller says Cram cared so much for his family.

He says Cram would always talk about his Iowa blue chickens and sent him multiple articles on them. Miller says Cram had a sense of humor and started a running joke that he would eat road kill animals.

Cram Honor Guard (Media pool photo)

Miller recalled finding a dead raccoon on the road and sending Cram a picture to ask him if he wanted it.

Miller also had a message for the officers attending the funeral.

The funeral ended with the final call for Cram from the dispatcher using his badge number.

There was a private graveside service for Cram following the public funeral. The man accused of shooting and killing Cram last Wednesday night as he served an arrest warrant remains in jail awaiting extradition from Minnesota.

Exira-EHK School Board meeting recap

News

September 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Elk Horn, Iowa) – Members of the Exira-EHK Board of Education met Tuesday evening, Sept. 19th.  According to the meeting minutes provided by Business Manager/Board Secretary/Treasurer Mallory Meyer, it was noted that the following board members’ seats are up for election in November: Jodee Dixson; Terri Harris; Matt Jorgensen, and Joel Schlueter. Interested candidates have until 5-p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21st, to turn in the required paperwork to the Board Secretary.

In other business, the Exira-EHK Board unanimously approved a Request for Allowable Growth for Negative Special Education Balance, in the amount of $39,913.04. They approved also, the hiring of Andrea Halterman – Prom Sponsor, and Irene Blazek – Cheer Sponsor.

Followed a closed session, the Exira-EHK Board accepted the resignation of ParaEducator JoBeth LaFoy. A separate closed session was held with regard to the suspension or expulsion of a student, before the Board adjourned for the evening.

Their next regular session is 6-p.m., Oct. 17th, in the Exira-EHK Conference Room.

Updated candidate list for Cass County city elections on Nov. 7th

News

September 20th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Auditor’s Office reports additional filings for city offices in the County, ahead of the Nov. 7th elections. Here are the latest candidates to file, as of Wed., Sept. 20, 2021.

Anita Mayor: Kevin Littleton
Anita City Council: Roger L Huffman

Atlantic Ward 3 City Council: Mike McDermott

Lewis City Council: Larry W Perdue JR

Lewis City Council: Donna Roberts

Marne City Council: Mark Opbroek
Marne City Council: Zachary Schmitt

Previously announced candidates who have filed for offices in Cass County, include:

Mayor of Anita: Ben Daughenbaugh.

Anita City Council (vote for 2): Cheryl Sokol; Mark Harris.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 2: Jim Behrens.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 3: Pat McCurdy.

Atlantic City Council – Ward 4: Linda Hartkopf; Shawn Sarsfield.

Atlantic City Council – At Large: Elaine Otte.

Mayor – City of Cumberland: Nancy Virginia Coughlin.

City Council – Cumberland (Vote for 2): Sandra Eversole and Scott W. Becker

Griswold City Council (vote for 3): Brenda Tietz; Amanda Hansen.

Mayor- City of Lewis: Rick Sanny; Russell Hansen

Lewis City Council (Vote for 3): Ryan Lockwood; Leland M Baxter; Russell L. Miller.

Mayor – City of Marne: Randall I. Baxter

Marne City Council (Vote for 3) – Wayne Preister

Massena City Council – Kevin McCunn.