712 Digital Group - top

Former Cyclone Ben Nikkel Signs With Washington Commanders

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

Defensive back Ben Nikkel, a former walk-on, has signed with the Washington Commanders. He wowed teams with an impressive performance at Big 12 Pro Day in Frisco, Texas at the end of March. The McPherson, Kansas, native, started his playing career as a wide receiver at McPherson College before coming to Iowa State as a walk-on in 2021.

After redshirting his initial season, Nikkel switched over from the offensive side of the ball to the defensive backfield and saw action in all 12 games as a special teams standout in 2022.

Prior to the 2023 season, ISU head coach Matt Campbell awarded Nikkel with a scholarship and his value to the program was recognized by his teammates, who voted him a co-captain. He finished the 2024 season with 40 tackles and was second on the team with eight special teams stops. He also scooped up a blocked punt against TCU.

 Nikkel played in 24 career games and making 43 tackles.

Lee Picked by Pittsburgh in Sixth Round of NFL Draft

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

DETROIT — University of Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee stays in the black and gold after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft. Lee was the 178th player picked overall.

Lee is the fourth Hawkeye to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft: DB/RS Cooper DeJean (Philadelphia, second round); TE Erick All (Cincinnati, fourth round); P Tory Taylor (Chicago, fourth round). Iowa has had four or more NFL Draft selections five of the last six years, including 2023 and 2024.

Lee was a two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2022 & 2023). The native of Orion, Illinois, also served on the Player Council three times.

Lee started 41 of 43 games as a Hawkeye, totaling 158 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and seven pass break-ups. Lee led all Hawkeye defensive linemen with 55 tackles last season. Starting all 14 games at defensive tackle in 2023, he totaled 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three pass break-ups and blocked a field goal.

Pittsburgh won 10 games last season and competed in the first round of the NFL Playoffs last January. The Steelers’ most recently drafted an Iowa player in 2008 when they chose linebacker Mike Humpal in the second round.

Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978. Lee is the 89th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.

To see the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, visit Iowa’s Draft Central.

Hawkeyes Drop Game 1 Against Minnesota

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa softball team fell to Minnesota, 7-5, in game one of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Bob Pearl Field.

 Sophomore Jalen Adams (9-13) got the start for the Hawkeyes and stranded five gophers in her first two innings of work.

Minnesota got on the board in the top of the third on a solo home run. The Hawkeyes were unable to capitalize in the bottom of the third despite loading the bases with one out. The Gophers capitalized on free passes in the fourth plating four runs on four hits and three walks to extend their lead, 5-0.  

Junior Haley Downe took over in the circle to start the fifth inning. Minnesota pushed the lead to seven in the top of the fifth on a two-run home run. Iowa load up the bases in the bottom of the fifth on singles from Skylinn Pogue and Jena Young and a walk to Tory Bennett. Senior Sammy Diaz brought in the first Hawkeye run on an RBI single up the middle.

Iowa capitalized on Gopher errors in the bottom of the sixth. After Adams led off the inning with a walk, sophomore Avery Jackson laid down a bunt and came all the way around to score on two Minnesota throwing errors to make it, 7-3.  

The Hawkeye fight was alive in the bottom of the seventh as the first two batters reached base to open the inning. Freshman Jena Young dodged a tag at home to score on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Diaz. With runners on the corners the game entered a weather delay. After the delay, senior Brylee Klosterman brought home Bennett on a sacrifice fly to make it, 7-5. The Gophers retired the next two Iowa hitters to close out the game.

Iowa finished with five runs on nine hits and no errors.

Taylor Selected by Chicago in Fourth Round of NFL Draft

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

DETROIT — University of Iowa All-America punter Tory Taylor was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft. Taylor was the 122nd player picked overall and first punter selected in this year’s draft. He becomes the second highest drafted punter since 2012 and is the first Hawkeye punter ever to be drafted.

Taylor is the third Hawkeye to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Defensive back and return specialist Cooper DeJean was selected by Philadelphia in the second round, while tight end Erick All was chosen minutes earlier in the fourth round.

Taylor was the recipient of the 2024 Ray Guy Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate punter, and a consensus All-American. The Melbourne, Australia, native, also earned the Eddleman-Fields Big Ten Punter of the Year honors and was a first-team all-conference selection.

The native of Melbourne, Australia, broke an NCAA all-time punting yardage record, that was set in 1938, in the Citrus Bowl. He finished the season with 93 punts for a record 4,479 yards in 2023. He also had the best career punting average (46.3), single-season punting average (48.2) and most career games averaging 40 or more yards (43) in NCAA history.

Taylor, a four-year starter, had 40 punts of 50+ yards (seven punts of 60+) and 32 downed inside the 20, 11 inside the 10 and six inside the 5 last year. He finished his career with 295 punts for 13,657 yards — both Iowa career records.

Chicago won seven games last season, finishing fourth in the NFC North. The Bears most recently drafted an Iowa player in 2018 when they chose offensive lineman James Daniels in the second round.

Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978. Taylor is the 88th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft.

To see the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, visit Iowa’s Draft Central.

All Selected by Cincinnati in Fourth Round of NFL Draf

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

DETROIT — University of Iowa tight end Erick All was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of Saturday’s NFL Draft. All was the 115th player picked overall.

All is the 13th tight end selected in the Kirk Ferentz era and fourth in the last five years. Sam LaPorta was picked in the second round by Detroit in 2022, while T.J. Hockensen and Noah Fant were each chosen in the first round of the 2019 draft.

The native of Fairfield, Ohio, started seven games before suffering a season-ending injury in 2023. All had 21 catches leading the team in receiving yards (299) and touchdown receptions (3) last fall. He averaged 14.2 yards per catch and 42.7 yards per contest. All was an honorable mention all-conference selection by the league coaches.

Cincinnati won nine games a year ago finishing fourth in the AFC North. The Bengals most recently drafted an Iowa player in 2012 when they picked defensive back Shaun Prater in the fifth round. All is the seventh Hawkeye selected by Cincinnati.

Iowa has had at least one player drafted in every NFL Draft since 1978. All is the 87th player coached by Kirk Ferentz at the University of Iowa to be selected in the NFL Draft. All is the second Hawkeye to be drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft;  defensive back and return specialist Cooper DeJean was selected by Philadelphia on Friday in the second round.

To see the University of Iowa’s NFL Draft Central Page, visit Iowa’s Draft Central.

Hawkeyes Finish Weekend at Lake Wheeler Invitational

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by admin

Raleigh, N.C. – The University of Iowa rowing team competed in the Lake Wheeler Invitational on Saturday at Lake Wheeler Park.

 Hawkeyes competed in the 1V8, 2V8, 3V8, 1V4, and 2V4 against five of the nation’s top-20 teams along with three teams receiving votes (No. 8 Syracuse, No. 10 Penn, No. 14 Duke, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 19 Washington State, RV Alabama, RV Miami (FL), RV UCF.

Iowa’s top placement of the day came from the 2V4 finishing in second place. With a stacked playing field, the Hawkeyes put up a fight and placed seventh overall with 32 points.

 The Hawkeyes will return back in action on May 4 in an exhibition against the Drake Bulldogs on the Iowa River.

Drake Relays conclude with 27 records

Sports

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

A total of 27 records were broken at the Drake Relays over the weekend, including one of the oldest. John Reniewicki (ren-ih-wick-ee) won the men’s 15 hundred meter run and broke Steve Scott’s 40-year old record in the process.

Reniewicki was focused on the win and not the record.

Reniewicki also competed in the U-S Road Mile Championship last week and says the two races were good preparation as he bids for a spot on the U-S Olympic team.

Canada’s Aurora Rynda just missed a Drake Relays record in winning the women’s 800. The former Michigan standout has a goal of earning a spot on Canada’s Olympic team.

Rynda credited Relays Director Blake Boldon for arranging a challenging and competitive early season race.

Fremont County Sheriff’s report, 4/28/24

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, today  (Sunday), released a report detailing multiple arrests from April 21st through the 27th. Most recently:

• On 04/27/2024 – deputies arrested Hunter James Williams, age 21 of Witter, Arkansas for OWI 1st Offense. Williams was released on a $1,000 cash/surety bond; and, Jessica Lee Guthrie, age 45 of Hamburg, was arrested in the 1100 block of Argyle St, in Hamburg. Deputies were called to a report of a reckless driver entering Hamburg on Bluff Road. Deputies located the vehicle parked at a residence in Hamburg and located Guthrie unconscious in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Deputies allege Guthrie woke and then attempted to flee into her home on foot. After a brief struggle, Guthrie was placed under arrest for OWI 2nd Offense, Driving while Suspended and Interference with Official Acts. She was released after posting a $2,000 cash/surety bond.

• On 04/24/2024, deputies with assistance from the Fremont County K9 Unit, arrested Matthew Jeffrey Barnes, age 51 and Serena Ann Scott, age 51 of Omaha, Nebraska in the 2300 block of Hwy 2. Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a non-plated vehicle. During the traffic stop, Fremont County K9 Storm was deployed, and a search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine. Barnes was also found to have a felony warrant for his arrest out of Douglas County, Nebraska.

Bares was arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute over 5 grams, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Offense, Possession of Marijuana 2nd Offense, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Fugitive from Justice. He is being held on a $100,000 cash/surety bond on the Fremont County charges and without bond on the Nebraska warrant. Scott was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Scott is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $1,000 cash/surety bond; Andrew Thomas Cowan, age 31 of Malvern was arrested for Possession of Marijuana 1st Offense, OWI 1st Offense, and Carrying a Weapon While Intoxicated.

At approximately 0348hrs, Deputies were called to a one-vehicle accident at the intersection of Hwy 275 and 110th street near Tabor. Deputies allege that Cowan was southbound on Main Street in Tabor and left the roadway striking the ditch at the intersection with 110th Street. Cowan was found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and a firearm. Tabor Fire and Rescue assisted the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office with the call.
Cowen was released after posting a $1,000 surety bond.
• On 04/20/2024 – Deputies were called to the 600 block of West Street in Tabor for a report of a party where minors were drinking and damaging a neighbor’s property. Prior to the deputies’ arrival, a suspect, Lane Allan Harris, age 19 of Sidney, fled the scene with another person. The investigation was turned over to the Tabor Police Department for further charges.
Deputies later received a call that several males were in a truck stop near Percival, Iowa and told employees that they were running from the police. Deputies contacted the males and Harris was arrested for Possession of Alcohol by a person under the legal age and released with a court date. On 04/23/2024, Harris was arrested for an active Fremont County warrant for Violation of Probation. He was released after posting a $1,000 cash/surety bond. Fremont County Deputies later issued four juvenile citations for Possession of Alcohol by a minor.

• Also arrested April 23rd, was Jason Daniel Matthew, age 35 of Minot, North Dakota in the 2000 block of Hwy 2 for a felony warrant out of North Dakota. He is being held at the Fremont County Jail without bond, pending extradition to North Dakota; Deputies also arrested Trista Lee Bensley, age 20 of Des Moines, on the 23rd, Iowa for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Deputies were called to Cubby’s near Percival for a reported shoplifter. The vehicle was stopped on Interstate 29 near the Pottawattamie County line by the Iowa State Patrol. A search by deputies uncovered drug paraphernalia. The Fremont County Magistrate dismissed the case without prejudice, and she was released pending further charges.

• On 04/22/2024 – deputies arrested Anthony Lee Moyer, age 61 of Sidney, for Assault with intent to Commit Sexual Abuse. It is alleged that on 04/08/2023, Moyer was at a Fremont County business and made sexual comments to the victim as well as pulled on her clothing, struck her buttocks, and kissing her without consent. Moyer was released after posting a $2,000 surety bond; Deputies arrested Timothy Mark Gardner, age 63 of Hamburg, for Operating without Owner’s Consent. Deputies were called to the 2800 block of Bluff Road near Hamburg for a report of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was later located at the city park. Deputies were able to identify a suspect through surveillance footage, and Gardner was arrested at his residence. Gardner is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $2,000 cash/surety bond; and, deputies arrested Cassandra Sue Evans, age 31 of Glenwood, Iowa, on April 22nd, near the intersection of 330th Ave and 170th St for OWI 2nd Offense. She was released after posting a $2,000 cash/surety bond.

• On 04/21/2024, deputies arrested Barbara Ann Shryock, age 49 of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Danny Joe Fallin, age 68 of Leon, Iowa for Trespassing and Child Endangerment. Lydia Michelle Wittwer age 21 of Riverton, Iowa was arrested for Child Endangerment.
Deputies were called to an address in Riverton for trespassers attempting to live in a house they did not own that was scheduled for demolition. Deputies allege that a search of the home uncovered a bucket of human waste, soiled diapers, and children’s toys.
Deputies allege that Shyrock and Fallin were living in the home and Wittwer was living nearby but allowing her small child access to the home. The child was found in an unsanitary condition and taken into protective custody by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Shyrock and Fallin are being held at the Fremont County Jail on $2,000 cash/surety bond. Wittwer was released after posting a $2,000 surety bond.

Wittwer

Williams

Shyrock

Scott

Moyer

Matthew

Harris

Guthrie

Gardner

Fallin

Evans

Cowen

Bensley

Barnes

Atlantic Area Chamber Ambassadors Celebrate with Speedforce Internet Cafe

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Chamber Ambassadors were hosted by Justen and Tara Templeman, owners of Speedforce Internet Café, on Friday April 26th, 2024, to celebrate the new business located on Chestnut Street.

Justen has fond memories of growing up in Atlantic and getting together with friends at the “Underground.” Game enthusiasts would get together to play board games and card games in a casual welcoming environment. Justen and his wife Tara wanted to recreate a space like the Underground and opened a place in Walnut. The Templeman’s found that a majority of their customers in Walnut were coming from Atlantic, so they set out to find a space in town.

Pictured from Left to Right: Chris Parks, Megan Sramek, Dolly Bergmann, Tara Templeman, Jim Kickland, Alisha Wagner, Justen Templeman, Sue Liston, Elaine Otte, Jen McEntaffer, Steve Tjepkes, Julie Waters, Jeff Christensen, Anne Quist, Kelsey Beschorner

Speedforce Internet Café is open Wednesday and Thursday 2pm-8pm, Friday 2pm-10pm, and Saturday and Sunday noon to 8pm. During business hours, customers can gather with friends to play boardgames such as Magic the Gathering, Pokémon and Disney’s Locana, and more. Speedforce Internet Cafe also has an online store where gamers can purchase playing cards to better their game. Tara and Justen hope to host gaming events and competitions in the future as their gaming community grows.

Speedforce Internet Café is located at 317 Chestnut Street in Atlantic. For more information visit their Facebook page or call 712-249-6420.

Creston man injured in a single vehicle accident Saturday morning

News

April 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – A man from Creston suffered suspected minor/non-incapacitating injuries Saturday morning, when he veered for a deer on the road and ended-up losing control of the car he was driving. According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, the accident happened at around 7:54-a.m., as 19-year-old Aiden James Evans was driving a 2006 Infiniti G35 eastbound on Rea Road, near 12 mile Lake.

Evans told authorities a deer was in the middle of the road. When he swerved in order to avoid hitting the animal, Evans’ car entered the south ditch and struck a grove of trees.

Evans was wearing his seat belt. He complained of wrist pain, but was not treated at the scene. The car sustained $6,000 damage and was declared a total loss.