(Red Oak, Iowa) – A man and a woman from Red Oak were arrested Wednesday on active Red Oak Police Department warrants for Reckless Dependent Adult Abuse with serious injury. 55-year-old Rickey Allen Jones and 55-year-old Lori Jean Jones were arrested in the 2400 block of N. 8th Street, in Red Oak. They were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond, each.
(West Bend, Iowa) – One person died, and another was injured during a collision Wednesday evening, in northern Iowa. The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash happened in Humboldt County in West Bend, at around 5-p.m. The report says a 2007 Mack concrete truck driven by 29-year old Taylor Lee Chance, of Burt (IA), was eastbound on 110th Street, when it was struck by a 2022 Freightliner semi traveling south on Birch Avenue, and driven by 27-year-old Shane Edward Stanton, of Philadelphia, MS.
The Patrol said Stanton failed to yield the right-of-way before the semi crashed into the concrete mixer truck. Taylor Chance died at the scene. Stanton was injured and flown by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
The accident remains under investigation. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by Bode Fire & EMS, Gilmore Fire & EMS, Humboldt County EMS, Medical Examiner & Sheriff’s Office, the Kossuth, Palo Alto and Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Departments, West Bend Fire & EMS and Ottosen Fire.
Today: Sunny & breezy with a high near 57. W @ 5-15 mph w/gusts to near 25 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Tomorrow: Sunny, with a high near 49. W/NW @ 5-10 becoming northerly in the afternoon.
Veterans Day (Saturday): Partly sunny & breezy, with a high near 54.
Sunday: Sunny & breezy, with a high near 61.
Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 67. Our Low this morning was 25. This day last year the high was 76 and the low 62. The record high for Nov. 9th in Atlantic was 76 in 2022, and the record low was 8 in 1973. Sunrise is at 7:01 am and sunset is at 5:06 pm.
(Radio Iowa) – Court documents filed for the trial of a Woodbury County official’s wife show Supervisor Jeremy Taylor will be named as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the alleged election fraud. Kim Taylor pleaded not guilty to 52 counts of voter fraud after prosecutors say she filled out and cast absentee ballots in her husband Jeremy Taylor’s unsuccessful run for Congress and in his supervisor’s race in 2020.
Federal prosecutors are expected to call around 20 witnesses when the trial starts Monday. The witnesses include the current sheriff and a former supervisor who would testify that Jeremy Taylor told them he had a “lock” on a substantial number of votes from the Vietnamese community. His wife Kim is Vietnamese.
Jeremy Taylor says the allegations are not true and the truth will come out next week in court.
(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says she’s skeptical of polls which suggest former President Donald Trump has a significant lead among likely Iowa Caucus goers — and she says Ron DeSantis has the best shot at winning the presidency in 2024. Reynolds spoke with Radio Iowa Wednesday, expanding on the reasons she endorsed DeSantis this week and shrugging off Trump’s criticism of the move.
Reynolds revealed her family was “a little bit apprehensive” about the announcement. “It was nothing about the issues. I think they knew I was going to get some arrows, you know, and…some verbal assaults,” Reynolds said, before lowering her voice to whisper into Radio Iowa’s microphone: “It’s o.k. and I don’t care.” Reynolds said Trump was the right person for Republicans eight years ago, but not today.
Reynolds and DeSantis have pursued very similar policy agendas as governors, like reopening schools in the fall during the first year of the pandemic and signing so-called “fetal heartbeat” bills that ban most abortions. Reynolds says savvy Iowans who plan to attend the Caucuses will begin to examine the Florida governor’s record and contrast that with Trump, who she says will be never be able to win over some voters.
Reynolds says she was “looking very closely” at former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and called Haley to let her know she’d be endorsing DeSantis. Reynolds and Trump have not spoken since she introduced him at a Trump rally in Davenport in mid-March. Trump has said a lot about Reynolds on his Truth Social platform. though. Trump suggested her appearance Monday with DeSantis was the beginning of her retirement tour.
If Trump prevails and is the Republican Party’s 2024 nominee for president, he’ll have Reynolds’ backing.
The Iowa Caucuses will be held in 67 days. The 2024 General Election will be on November 5th.
(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs are asking for your help in locating a suspect involved in an assault. Authorities say that at around 10:53-a.m., Wednesday, November 8th, Council Bluffs police officers were dispatched to the Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park for a report of an assault. The investigation revealed that a male assaulted the victim, identified as Martha McSally**, as she was jogging on the River’s Edge Service Road South of I-480 bridge underpass.
McSally fought off the attacker and chased him into a dense area of brush near the I-480 bridge. She lost sight of the suspect prior to officers arriving. After a check of the area the suspect was not located.
Anyone who was in the area of this incident who may have witnessed it is encouraged to call the Council Bluffs Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 712-328-4765. A preliminary description of the suspect is a white or Hispanic male, 25 to 40 years old with a stocky build.
Investigators are actively investigating this incident and will provide further information as it becomes available.
**Her name was released with her permission.
IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder announced on Wednesday that Aaliyah Guyton, Ava Heiden, Callie Levin, Teagan Mallegni, and Taylor Stremlow signed a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa.
For the first time in program history, Bluder signed four ESPN.com top-100 prospects.
AALIYAH GUYTON | Twitter: @aguyton11 | IG: @aguyton.11
Guard, 5-foot-7, Peoria, Ill. (Peoria HS)
– No. 57 overall prospect (ESPN.com)
– Four-star prospect, averaging 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists during her junior season.
– 2x First Team IBCA, 2x First Team All-Big 12 Conference, 2x All-Big 12 POY, 2x First Team All-Area.
– No. 1 player in Illinois in 2024 (PrepGirlsHoop.com)
– Mother played basketball for 25 years with the Brazilian National Team and was a Phoenix Mercury.
– Father played basketball at Indiana, professionally overseas, and the Chicago Bulls.
LISA BLUDER on AALIYAH GUYTON
“Aaliyah is one of the best point guards in the nation. She has a tremendous skill set. She controls pace and tempo and can score at every level. She simply makes everybody on the floor around her better. We are so proud she chose to be a Hawkeye and can’t wait for our fans to see her play.”
AVA HEIDEN | Twitter: @ava_heiden | IG: @a_heiden_
Center, 6-foot-4, Sherwood, Ore. (Sherwood HS)
– No. 36 overall prospect (ESPN.com)
– Four-star prospect, averaging 17.2 points, 11.3 rebounds, 4.0 steals, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 blocks.
– 2x Academic All-State, 2x 6A Pacific Conference First Team, 6A Pacific Conference Player of the Year, 2x All-State Second Team, 6A Pacific Conference DPOY.
– No. 5 post prospect (ESPN.com)
– Program’s first Oregonian.
LISA BLUDER on AVA HEIDEN
“Ava is one of the premier post players in the country. She has great versatility and mobility. She also is very explosive and has a perimeter skill set. The combination of her skills and amazing work ethic is why she is among the nation’s best. We’re thrilled she chose to be a Hawkeye.”
CALLIE LEVIN | Twitter: @CallieLevin23| IG: @callieelevinn
Guard, 5-foot-9, Solon, Iowa (Solon HS)
– 19.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 4.0 SPG, 0.6 BPG; 1391 points through three seasons.
– All Iowa Attack (2020-2022) – won 2021 16U Nike National Championship
– Ranked No. 1 Point Guard (2024) in Iowa by Prep Girls Hoops
– 3x IBCA 1st Team All-State (3A); 2x IPSWA 1st Team All-State (3A); 3x Unanimous 1st Team All-Conference (WaMaC); 3x WaMaC Conference Player of the Year; 3x IBCA All-Region; 3x IGCA SE Iowa All-District (3A); 3x Des Moines Register All-Iowa Class 3A 1st Team; Cedar Rapids 3x Gazette All-Area Team; 3x Team MVP; 2x WaMaC Conference Champion.
– No. 2 player in Iowa in 2024 (PrepGirlsHoop.com)
LISA BLUDER on CALLIE LEVIN
“We are so proud to have a local kid stay home. Callie is a multipurpose guard that can put it on the floor and shoot the deep ball. She also has a team first mentality and a tremendous spirit. We’re so excited she chose to stay home.”
TEAGAN MALLEGNI | Twitter: @TeaganMallegni| IG: @teagan.mallegni
Guard, 5-foot-10, McFarland, Wis. (McFarland HS)
– No. 64 overall prospect (ESPN.com)
– 2x First Team All-Conference, 2x Rock Valley Player of the Year, 2x First Team All-State, 2x Team MVP, 2x Team Captain.
– School records held at McFarland HS; all-time points, most points in a season, most points in a game (62), tied most three’s in a game (9), second most rebounds in a game (19).
– No. 2 player in Wisconsin in 2024 (PrepGirlsHoop.com)
– Parents played sports at UW-Whitewater.
LISA BLUDER on TEAGAN MALLEGNI
“Teagan is one of the elite guards in the country. She has tremendous size, range, and passing ability. She stretches defenses and has the ability to beat people off the bounce. She’s a tough matchup for any defense and we are so excited about her future.”
TAYLOR STREMLOW | Twitter: @StremlowTaylor| IG: @Taylorstremlow
Guard, 5-foot-10, Verona, Wis. (Verona Area HS)
– No. 88 overall prospect (ESPN.com)
– Junior year: Big 8 Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Area, WBCA All-State First Team, AP Wisconsin All-State Second Team.
– Averaged 16.1 PPG, 10 RPG, 9 AST, 7 STL, 0.9 BLK in her junior season
– WBCA Academic All-State and National Honors Society.
LISA BLUDER on TAYLOR STREMLOW
“Taylor is a versatile guard that can play every perimeter position. She is crafty and can break down defenses at multiple levels. She also a fun spirit combined with a toughness that is contagious on the floor. We’re so excited to have her join our team.”
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head coach Jamie Pinkerton has announced the signings of eight high schoolers to National Letters of Intent.
The Cyclones signed Danika Best, Jessie Clemons, Karlee Ford, Abby Huhn, Hayleigh Oliver, Samantha Potvin, Victoria Prado and Sereniti Trice.
“Overall, this is a very good class that addresses our needs now that we’re finally exiting the years of roster fluctuation due to COVID,” says Coach Pinkerton. “These eight players will fill our pitching, catching, infield, outfield and left-handed hitter holes that will come with graduation. Our whole staff is looking forward to working with this group of student-athletes.”
Danika Best – 5’2 | OF | Bradenton, Fla. | Inspiration Academy
Danika played for the Louisville Sluggers-Huecker club team and was a four-time letterwinner in high school. Best and her team won the 2021 7a Florida State Championship under Coach Brian Commerford and Coache Anne Gerwits. Best recorded a .420 batting average, 14 stolen bases and 21 RBI this past season and was a member of the 2022-23 Honor Roll.
“Danika joins us from a very competitive club,” says Pinkerton. “She’s an outfielder with the type of speed that poses a triple threat. She bats lefty and will help supplement the lefties we lose in the spring.”
Jessica Clemons – 5’9 | INF | Bettendorf, Iowa | Pleasant Valley HS
A multi-sport athlete and Iowa native, Clemons helped lead Pleasant Valley to four straight winning seasons in all four years she lettered with the team. This past summer, Clemons was named to the First Team All-State and the 5A Tournament Team as Pleasant Valley finished runners-up in the state tournament. She tallied a .450 batting average with 13 homers and 60 runs scored.
“Jessie’s an all-around player who was a member of the Southeast Iowa All-Stars and has both good speed and power,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s played all over the field and has proven that she can play multiple positions and help our program wherever she’s needed.”
Karlee Ford – 5’6 | C | Goddard, Kan. | Eisenhower HS
A four-year varsity starter, Ford joins the Cyclones from the Sunflower State. Her softball team was the 5A State Runner-Up this past season after Eisenhower earned third-place finishes in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. Ford was named First Team 5A All-State and an All-League Catcher this past season, where she hit .437 with 38 hits (24 for extra bases) with 15 steals. Ford holds her high school’s record for most homers in a season with 10.
“Karlee does a really good job behind the plate as a defensive catcher,” says Pinkerton. “She handles pitches well, has great energy and does a very good job at handling the run game. She’ll help the depth of the position as we’re set to lose Camille (Marin) to graduation.”
Abby Huhn – 5’8 | RHP/OF | Carlsbad, Calif. | Mission Hills HS
Huhn recorded a 1.66 ERA this past season, striking out 200 batters with a single-game high of 16 strikeouts. At the plate, Huhn hit .370 and earned All-Conference recognition in her junior season. Abby has an older sister, Madison, who plays basketball at Miami (OH).
“Abby is a well-balanced athlete that can both pitch and play in the field,” says Pinkerton. “We’re looking to use her like Tatum (Johnson). She’ll be able to provide depth to the bullpen that we need, and along with Potvin, will help bring youth to our staff. She has a competitive drive that will help add versatility and depth to our team.”
Hayleigh Oliver – 5’8 | OF | Star, Idaho | Eagle HS
A four-time high school letterwinner, Hayleigh comes to Ames from the aiBandits-Breer club team. In the past three seasons, Oliver has helped her high school to a pair of fourth-place finishes as well as a fifth-place finish in Idaho 5A ball. She clobbered 22 homers, a school record, this past season on her way to being named NFCA Third Team All-American and earning a spot on the 2024 Alliance All-Star Watchlist.
“Hayleigh is a versatile athlete that we can play at multiple positions,” says Pinkerton. “We see her as a centerfielder, but she can play both corners and also provide depth in the middle infield if needed. She’s a right-handed hitter who can hit in any part of the order due to her combination of speed and power.”
Samantha Potvin – 5’9 | RHP | Bradenton, Fla. | Inspiration Academy
Potvin comes from a traditionally strong club program in the Pacific Northwest – the Washington Ladyhawks.
“Sami is a pitcher that will help replace what we’re losing after the season with the graduation of both Karlie (Charles) and Saya (Swain),” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s very effective at changing eye level and speeds and will be a great addition to our pitching staff.”
Victoria Prado – 5’5 | OF | Murrieta, Calif. | Murrieta Mesa HS
A three-time All-Academic honoree in high school, Victoria joins Iowa State after a successful prep career. Prado and her team were three-time Southwestern League champions, and she earned second-team All-League in 2022 after hitting .397 in her sophomore campaign.
“Victoria comes to us from Corona Angels-Tyson – a club that has provided really good players for us over the years,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She’s a corner outfielder with left-handed power that will help the middle of our lineup. She’s part of a young core of outfielders we envision having a big role for us going forward.”
Sereniti Trice – 5’0 | INF | San Diego, Calif. | Cathedral Catholic HS
Trice signs with the Cyclones after a decorated career with Cathedral Catholic. She’s earned First Team All-League in all three of her high school seasons, culminating in earning Player of the Year in the Western League during her junior year. Trice was named California Second Team All-State as well as first-team All-CIF San Diego Section.
“Sereniti is an adaptable player that can play middle infield and can be used in the outfield too,” says Coach Pinkerton. “She hits from the left side and has what I would call elite speed. We see her hitting at the top of the order and potentially leading off. She can be a table setter, and I look forward to her being a constant threat to steal bases for us.”
(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board met in a regular session this (Wednesday) evening. As part of their consent agenda, the Board approved the following resignations: Michelle Blake, HS Volleyball Coach; Joseph Brummer, MS Track Coach; Mallory Robinson, District Communications Specialist; Laurie Parrott, HS Paraeducator, and Matt Best, Asst. Boys Track Coach.
The Board also approved contracts for/the hiring of: Desiree Kent, Paraeducator at Schuler Elementary; William Lawson, Paraeducator for the Therapeutic Classroom; Rob Kirchner, Asst. Archery Coach; Julie Phippen, Wrestling Cheer Coach; Bryan Armstrong & Stephanie Kinzie, Wrestling Girls Chaperone and Drivers; Adam Roberts & Hailee Copeland, Volunteer Archery Coaches; Cale Roller, Dillon Cox, Josh perkins, Mike Greving, Adam Smith and Caleb Smith, as Volunteer Wrestling Coaches; Jacey Hoegh & Zach Christensen, Volunteer Basketball Coaches.
Atlantic School Board meeting (Zoom Image) 11/8/23
In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen mentioned a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held 10-a.m. Thursday (Nov. 9th), for the new Washington Elementary School Playground.
Cookies and coffee will be available for adults. The project consisted of limited pavement demolition, removal and disposal of existing play equipment and tile surfacing, installation of new equipment, installation and repair of the concrete base, installation of new play surfacing, and site restoration. Caliber Concrete of Adair was the contractor for the project, which cost a total of $582,340.
Dr. Johnsen also updated the Board on District enrollment data.
Some of the increase, she said, is attributed to a large Kindergarten group.
Dr. Johnsen said also, the ELL population is also increasing over last year. There are less open-enrollment out’s than in previous years, and a likely increase in open-enrolled in.
The Board then discussed an Early Retirement Incentive Plan. The consensus to select Option 2, which means it would be offered for employees with a minimum of 20-years of service to the District. The Board approved the plan as presented, with the idea being to get a jump on recruitment of new, seasoned employees, and act as a cost savings. The open positions may then be advertised to candidates who have at least 10-years of employment with a school district.
The Board also approved the list of Coaches for Spring Sports, with the exception of the Head Boys Golf Coach (until there is more information), and an Out-of-State Travel request. Other action items included approval of: Snow Removal bids; and a Resolution related to the Washington Elementary School Playground.
The Board’s next meeting is an Organizational session with newly elected Board Members at 5:30-p.m. on November 29th. The next Regular School Board meeting is on December 13th.
(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Education say a newly released national report has Iowa named as one of the top 10 states for computer science education. Code.org, the leading provider of K-12 computer science curriculum in the United States, has ranked Iowa as seventh in the nation for providing high-quality computer science education in public schools. Iowa’s ranking is tied with Connecticut and is the first time the state has jumped in the top 10 for computer science. During the 2022-23 school year, Iowa saw a significant increase from 71 percent to 83 percent of high schools providing foundational computer science opportunities.
Justin Lewis, computer science education consultant at the Iowa Department of Education, says “We are proud to be recognized by a computer science leader like Code.org. The ranking is a reflection of the collaborative work within our state to ensure students receive high-quality computer science education.”
State rankings are identified by the implementation of 10 recommended policies that make computer science education foundational. These policies include the following initiatives:
Iowa scored highly in seven of the 10 categories and received recommendations for improvement in two areas: creating programs for preservice teachers and implementing a computer science requirement for graduation. Lewis noted that these two areas are anticipated to be addressed over the next year.
“In just a few short years, we have significantly moved computer science education forward in Iowa,” he said. “Through several intensive professional development opportunities, grant funding, STEM education priorities and, of course, the implementation of the computer science requirement at all grade levels, we have seen tremendous success. We will continue this important work to fill other gaps to ensure Iowa is at the top for computer science education.”
Initiatives such as the STEM Scale-Up program and Teacher Externships program through the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the Department have brought high-quality resources to computer science classrooms and have contributed to the state’s impact. Additionally, immersive professional development opportunities like Computer Science Professional Development Week have been a priority for Iowa. Funded by the Department, Computer Science Professional Development Week has offered Iowa teachers a week-long opportunity to learn directly from computer science experts and leading teachers in the field.
In 2020, House File 2629 established that all accredited Iowa high schools provide at least one computer science course by the 2022-23 school year. Middle schools also must now offer computer science instruction in either seventh or eighth grade, and elementary schools must offer it in at least one grade.
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