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Iowa HHS is selling portions of its land at five state-owned facilities

News

November 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services plans to sell some of its land at all five of its state-owned facilities. H-H-S owns and operates mental health institutions in Cherokee and Independence, the Boys State Training School in Eldora, and the Woodward and Glenwood Resource Centers. Glenwood is slated to close next year. H-H-S Director Kelly Garcia says one reason they’re selling some of the land at the Cherokee facility is to help address that area’s housing crisis. “We’ve had a few team members where we’ve tried to recruit moving from out of state and they cannot move because there is zero housing,” Garcia says.

Like many Iowa communities, affordable housing is at a premium and these parcels of land should both bring a good price and create new places to build. “We had already been thinking about really making sure we’re not holding on to land and parcels that we don’t need to anymore,” she says, “but also being good stewards of the sale of that property.”

Garcia says the department plans to host a town hall meeting in Cherokee on Wednesday about the sale. Land surveys are already complete and the properties should be on the market soon.

Preferred design for new I-80 bridge over Mississippi River to be revealed

News

November 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The preferred design for a new Interstate-80 bridge in the Quad Cities will be unveiled at an online hearing on Wednesday and the public will be given a chance to comment. The current I-80 bridge over the Mississippi opened for traffic in 1966. The bridge replacement project would cover six miles on I-80 — from LeClaire, Iowa, to Quincy, Illinois. Steve Robery of the Illinois D-O-T says the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and maintenance projects have been more costly and more frequent in the past several years.

“That impacts traffic in a negative way,” Robery says. “…There’s very narrow shoulders there on the existing bridge so we often have to close down a lane of traffic and that causes back-ups.” The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation launched an engineering study in 2020. In October of last year, the agencies announced bridge design alternatives had been reduced from seven to four and it’ll be narrowed to one this week.

“What we plan to do at the meeting on the 15th is to present the information that we’ve worked on in the past year,” Robery says, “…(and) explain our justification for it.” Robery says construction could start in mid-2028 or 2029. Phase One of the project is likely to be done by the middle of next year.

“Phase I is the environmental and engineering study. Phase II is the development of the plans and specifications used to actually build the bridge. That process is two to three years in itself on a major bridge,” Robery says. The bridge and the lanes leading to and from it will have a larger footprint. That means some land has to be acquired for the project and Robery says that could take up to two years.

Bird flu confirmed at sites in Kossuth, Cerro Gordo, Taylor & Jones Counties

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – State and federal officials have announced confirmed cases of bird flu at four sites in the past three days. On Saturday, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced a hatchery in Kossuth County for game birds like pheasants and quail had been hit by the highly contagious virus.

A backyard flock of mixed species in Cerro Gordo was also identified. On Friday afternoon, officials revealed bird flu had been confirmed in a commercial operation in Taylor County. One-point-two million chickens were laying eggs in the facility. There was also confirmation Friday the virus had been confirmed in a small flock of birds in Jones County. So far this fall, officials have identified bird flu — or highly pathogenic avian influenza — at 13 sites around the state.

The governor has issued proclamations that authorize state agencies to assist in the proper disposal of birds that are being euthanized to try to contain the spread of the virus.

Tim Scott drops out of presidential race

News

November 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – South Carolina Senator Tim Scott has suspended his presidential campaign. Scott made the announcement on the Fox News Channel program Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy. Scott said the message is clear that voters are telling him not now. Scott had cancelled events in Iowa this weekend. His campaign said he had the flu. In late October, Scott’s campaign announced he was going all-in on Iowa.

A few days later a Des Moines Register/N-B-C News Iowa Poll found former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s support growing, while just four percent of likely Iowa Caucus goers said they intended to vote for Senator Scott.

Scott said on Fox News last (Sunday) that he does not intend to endorse a presidential candidate and is not interested in being the party’s vice presidential nominee.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the Nishna Valley: Monday, Nov. 13, 2023

Weather

November 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming south southeast 5 to 10 mph this afternoon.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 38. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts to around 20 mph.

Tomorrow: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 66. S/SW winds 10-30 mph.

Tom. Night: Mostly clear & breezy. Low 41. S/SW @ 10-30 mph.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Wed. Night: Partly cloudy & breezy, with a low around 45.

Thursday: Partly sunny & windy, with a high near 66.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 66. Our Low this morning was 24. This day last year the high was 38 and the low 11. The record high for Nov. 13th in Atlantic was 83 in 1999. The record low was -5 in 1940. Sunrise is at 7:06 am and sunset is at 5:02 pm.

No. 10 Cyclones Thump Wildcats in Home Opener

Sports

November 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – No. 10 Iowa State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) beat Davidson (0-1, 0-0 SoCon) 50-0 Sunday afternoon in the home opener for the Cyclones. It was the largest margin of victory against an NCAA Division I school for the Cyclones since beating Utah Valley 53-0 in 2019.

All 10 of ISU’s individual victories came with bonus points (2 WBF, 6 TF, 2 MD) and the Cyclones held a 43-0 takedown advantage in the dual.

It was a homecoming for the Wildcat coaching staff, as Davidson Head Coach Nate Carr Jr. wrestled for the Cyclones from 2008-11 and assistant coach Marcus Coleman graduated last year from Iowa State. Carr is the older brother of David Carr and the son three-time NCAA Champion Nate Carr. Coleman was a five-time NCAA qualifier and two-time All-American for the Cyclones, winning 99 matches in his career.

The dual opened at 125 pounds, where No. 19 Kysen Terukina earned a 12-3 lead in the first period on four takedowns, as he won by 19-4 technical fall (4:46) over Enis Ljikovic. At 133 pounds, No. 21 Evan Frost posted another technical fall for the Cyclones, as he downed Jackson Sichelstiel 16-1 in 4:56.

No. 23 Jacob Frost led 9-2 after the first period at 141 pounds, as he cruised to a 19-4 technical fall (5:36) over Josh Viarengo. At 149 pounds, Anthony Echemendia put on a show against Tyler McKnight with a 17-5 lead after the first period. Echemendia got a quick escape, technical violation, escape and takedown in the second period for the 22-5 technical fall (3:47).

Making his Cyclone debut, Cody Chittum’s match at 157 pounds was the first to go the distance on the night. Chittum took a 7-2 lead into the third period and used a late takedown and a point for riding time for a 13-3 major decision against Tanner Peake.

No. 2 David Carr led 13-2 after the first period with three takedowns and a four-point nearfall, before adding an escape and takedown early in the second period for a 17-2 technical fall (3:54) against Marc Koch at 165 pounds. At 174 pounds, No. 33 MJ Gaitan earned fall in 3:37 over Brett Sanderlin. Gaitan held a 13-3 lead at the time of the fall after three first period takedowns.

At 184 pounds, Caleb Helgeson recorded five takedowns, as he beat Wyatt Ferguson 17-5. No. 25 Julien Broderson made quick work of Cameo Blankenship at 197 pounds, tossing Blankenship to his back less than :30 into the match for a fall in :45.

The dual closed at heavyweight, as No. 9 Yonger Bastida dominated Jake Fernicola 19-4. Bastida recorded five takedowns in the first period for a 15-4 lead before picking up an early second period takedown for the technical fall in 3:11.

Iowa State Drops Contest to Drake 85-73

Sports

November 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) fell to Drake (3-0, 0-0 MVC) Sunday by a score of 85-73 after the Cyclones couldn’t pull off the second-half comeback.

Drake did not allow an Iowa State field goal in the second quarter, but ISU went on to outscore the Bulldogs 27-14 while shooting at 64.7 percent in the third to get right back in it. Iowa State took a lead in the final quarter, but Drake closed the game on a 18-6 run to take the win.

Audi Crooks had both her first-career double figure and 20-plus point performance leading the Cyclones with 23 in 18 minutes. Hannah Belanger totaled 11 points with eight coming in the third quarter, including three 3-points on six attempts.

Top Performance

Freshman Audi Crooks led the Cyclones with 23 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and making 9-of-12 free throws. Crooks also had one defensive and two offensive rebounds.

Up Next

Iowa State will return home to Hilton Coliseum Monday, Nov. 20 to host Southern for a 6:30 p.m. tip-off.

Iowa Celebrates Senior Day

Sports

November 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

CORALVILLE, Iowa — University of Iowa volleyball fell to Northwestern, 3-0, Sunday afternoon inside Xtream Arena.

The Hawkeyes recognized seniors Audrey Black, Delaney McSweeney, Caitlan Buettner, Amanda Darling, Bailey Ortega, and Jacqlyn Caspers.

McSweeney led the way for the Hawkeyes, posting nine kills and hitting at a percentage of .563. Buettner and freshman Gabby Deery recorded seven kills a piece. Ortega put up 15 assists for the Hawkeyes, and libero Darling registered 12 digs on the day.

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, Nov. 17 to play the Gophers. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT on B1G+ (subscription required).

Iowa Women’s Wrestling Dominate in Home Debut

Sports

November 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The eighth ranked University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling team put on a show in their Carver-Hawkeye Arena debut against #13 Presbyterian, #11 Lindenwood, and #5 Sacred Heart.

NOTABLES 

  • The Hawkeyes earned a total of 127 team points, leading all four teams (Presbyterian had the second most with 43 points), allowing only 5 team points to be scored against them.
  • The Hawkeyes documented a winning record of 32-1.
  • Iowa led in most pins and tech. falls in the least amount of time, totaling 26 falls.
  • Sophomore Ava Bayless recorded the fastest tech. fall of the night at 34 seconds.
  • A total of 8,207 fans were in attendance of a the historic dual, breaking the record for attendance at a college women’s wrestling event.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH CLARISSA CHUN 

“Our women know how to bring a lot of energy. They know how to have fun, keep it light, but they also know how to flip that switch and get to business. That’s what is so special about our team, how they have found a way to do that, because it allows them to just be them. They focus on what is in front of them, and try not to worry too much about what the outcome is. Because at the end of the day, we’re just here to enjoy the moment and the process along the way, and just soak it all in.”

UP NEXT 

The Hawkeyes will travel to Marshall, Missouri next weekend to compete at the Missouri Valley Open on Friday and Saturday. The tournament can be followed live on FloWrestling.

No. 3 Iowa women roll at UNI as Caitlin Clark becomes Iowa’s all-time leading scorer

Sports

November 12th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The third ranked Iowa Hawkeye women outscored Northern Iowa 35-16 in the third quarter to blow the game open in 94-53 victory in a sold out McLeod Center in Cedar Falls.

That’s Iowa coach Lisa Bluder. The Hawkeyes limited the Panthers to two for 19 shooting from three point range.

Gabbie Marshall snapped out of an early season slump with 17 points, including five of 10 from behind the arc.

Caitlin Clark scored 24 points and in the process became the school’s all-time leading scorer. She broke the mark set by former national player of the year Megan Gustafson.

Clark views it as an an honor she shares with her teammates.

UNI shot a dismal 25 percent for the game and made only 19 of 33 from the foul line.

That’s Panther coach Tanya Warren. UNI point guard Maya McDermott was limited to just under 11 minutes of action and Taryn Wharton drew the assignment of guarding Clark.

It was the first-ever sellout for a UNI women’s game.