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Regents increase tuition, give presidents raises

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Board of Regents approved tuition and mandatory fee increases at the three state universities today (Thursday), while also giving raises to the presidents of the schools. Undergraduate in-state tuition will increase three percent at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, and a two percent increase for the University of Northern Iowa. Student leaders spoke before the board voted, including U-I student body vice president Brenda Ramirez. “While we acknowledge the necessity of tuition increased increases to maintain the quality and education and facilities We also urge the board to consider the significant impacts that increasing tuition every year has on students,” Ramirez says.

She says graduating with debt could impact her future work decision. “Potentially I will have to move to a different state to be able to relieve myself of debt at a faster rate. This could further negatively impact the state with employment shortages, for example one that hits close to the University of Northern Iowa is teacher shortages,” Ramirez says.  University of Northern Iowa student body president Elizabeth Montalvo says work needs to be done to address the situation. “It is worth noting that although around half of Iowa students graduate with zero debt this does not mean that Iowa cannot partake in a bigger solution to keep higher education accessible for all,” Montalvo says.

Iowa State University student body vice president Quinn Margrett says it is tough for students to try and work to pay their tuition and fee costs. “The average on campus job, including undergraduate research positions, pays 12-90 an hour. To pay for tuition, on campus housing, and a meal plan, an in-state undergraduate student would have to work 43 hours at one of these jobs on top of their full time coursework, just to break even,” he says. “When you’re looking at undergraduate out of state or international students, that number increases to almost 80 hours per week.”

Poisonous Hemlock (Iowa State University Extension Service photo)

Margrett says on campus jobs for students are limited to 20 hours per week. The Board of Regents staff says the tuition increase was needed after the Regents requested an increase of 14-point-eight million dollars in general funding from the Legislature and was given 12-point-three million dollars. Margrett says state funding is one of the issue the universities must address to keep college affordable.

“The Iowa legislature’s flat funding of Regent University appropriations speaks to a broader concern. As it’s already been alluded to, as recently as 2001, nearly two thirds of reagent general funding for Regent Universities was appropriated from the state with only one-third coming from student tuition,” he says. Now those proportions have flipped with students carrying two thirds of the burden further education.”

Undergraduate tuition will increase by 270 dollars at the U-I and I-S-U, and 168 dollars at U-N-I. Mandatory fees are going up three percent at U-N-I, two percent at the University of Iowa and one-point-three percent at the University of Northern Iowa. Tuition and fees for undergraduate students are going up at different rates. The Board of Regents approved raises for the three university presidents after approving the tuition and fee increases for students. Regent David Barker read the proposed increases.

“For (U-I) President (Babara) Wilson, authorize a 60-thousand dollar increase to her annual base salary effective July 1st 2024. For President (Wendy) Winterstein authorize a 60-thousand dollar increase to her annual base salary, effective July 1st 2024. For President (Mark) Nook (UNI) authorize a 25-thousand dollar increase to his annual base salary effective July 1st 2024,” he says.

The contract of U-N-I president Nook was extended to 2027 and extended his deferred compensation package that pays 100-thousand dollars annually. The Board also extended the 155-thousand dollar annual deferred compensation contributions for Regents Executive Director Mark Braun for two years, and extended his contract for six years. The increase moves Wilson’s annual salary to 760-thousand dollars, Wintersteen’s moves to 710-thousand dollars, and Nook’s to 397-thousand-110 dollars. Braun’s salary is 154-thousand-300.

FFA Leaders Attend District Conference

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa, via Atlantic FFA Reporter Maddy Anderson) –  Each year the Southwest district and Iowa FFA officers plan and facilitate Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) Conferences for FFA members in the Southwest district. Atlantic High School welcomed almost 200 FFA members and advisors from 28 FFA chapters from all over the Southwest district on Tuesday June 4th, 2024.

While at Atlantic, on Tuesday, district and state officers lead four interactive workshops for FFA Chapter leaders, many of which are officers, for the annual COLT Conference. The workshops facilitated were local FFA Chapter programs focused in the areas of advocating for the agriculture industry, connecting with stakeholders, recruiting for the local chapter, and working as a cohesive team. FFA leaders also received training relative to their specific officer duties within the local chapter.

Atlantic FFA President Lola Comes said, “The chapter officer leadership training camp was a great opportunity that gave me new perspectives from other officers all around Southwest Iowa. This experience taught me several critical career skills, including professionalism, teamwork, and provided me with additional insight on the agriculture industry. My team and I plan to use these new skills to strengthen our chapter and increase community service time.” Atlantic FFA Officer team will spend some time together working on providing opportunities for the members, recruiting new members into the chapter and coming up with new activities for the chapter.

Left to right
Lilian Johnson, Joaquin Walies, Frank Freund, Lauren Comes, Hayden Kleen, Maddy Anderson, Lola Comes

Southwest District Secretary and Atlantic FFA member Lauren Comes said, “I had a lot of fun facilitating Colt and meeting new members all across the Southwest District. I loved seeing all the different personalities in one room and learning new things about the members I will be serving this year!”

Iowa FFA President, Colin Bauer, stated, “COLT conference provides a chance for FFA members to learn more about their responsibility as a local leader and is a conference for members to meet and connect with state, district and other chapter officers.”

COLT conference programming is designed as a two-year rotation of local leaders training. The focus areas of next year’s program include agriculture literacy, time management, professionalism, and self-confidence. The goal is to engage FFA members in learning about the tools that would allow them to be successful in anything they are part of through high school and beyond.

COLT conference is made possible with support from Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance of Iowa through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

(UPDATED) 5 injured in SE Iowa accident

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Washington, Iowa) – Four people under the age of 18 and one adult, all of whom are from Wayland, Iowa, and who were traveling in a van, were injured this (Thursday) morning in southeast Iowa, when large equipment being hauled by a semi tractor-trailer, got caught on a railroad bridge and came off of the trailer. The equipment struck a 2005 Honda Odyssey van driven by 15-year-old Josiah Creamer.

Those injured in the van included Josiah Creamer, 12-year-old Hannah Creamer, 61-year-old Kathy Gugel, 17-year-old Abigail Creamer, and 13-year-old Gideon Creamer, all from Wayland. The driver of the semi, 49-year-old David Herr, of Fremont (IA), was not hurt. Two of the injured, Josiah and Hannah Creamer, were transported by ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The other three were transported by private vehicle to the Washington (IA) Hospital.

The accident remains under investigation.

Iowa State Wrestling Adds Christian Carroll

Sports

June 13th, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser announced the addition of the No. 2 pound-for-pound wrestler in the class of 2023 by MatScouts, Christian Carroll, to the program on Thursday.

Carroll, a transfer from Oklahoma State who took a redshirt season in 2023-24, will have four years of eligibility remaining.

“Christian brings a great resume and long list of credentials to Iowa State,” Dresser said. “His high energy style of wrestling will be a lot of fun for our fans to watch and will fit right in with how we like our guys to wrestle. Christian will start training with us this summer and will immediately raise the level and pedigree of our room.”

One of the nation’s brightest young talents, Carroll competed at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April thanks to his win at the Last Chance OTT Qualifier tournament. Carroll has Freestyle wins over multiple-time NCAA All-Americans Jacob Warner and Tony Cassioppi in 2024. Most recently, Carroll placed third in the 92 kg bracket at U23 Nationals in early June.

Wrestling at 97 kg, Carroll was a 2023 U20 Freestyle national champion, U.S. Open champion and was a 2023 U20 United States World Team member in the 2023-24 cycle. Carroll is accomplished in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman disciplines having wrestled each style at recent U20 World Championships (2023, Freestyle; 2022, Greco-Roman).

As a prep, the Elkhart, Indiana native was a two-time Super 32 champ (2020, ’21) and was a 2021 junior freestyle national champion. Carroll was an Indiana Class 2A state champion and Wrestler of the Year with a 22-0 record in 2022.

Carroll projects at 197 pounds for the Cyclones.

NASCAR Cup Series visits the Iowa Speedway for the first time

Sports

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Speedway’s biggest race weekend in its history will conclude Sunday night with the Iowa Corn 350. It will be the first time the track has hosted a Cup Series race. Brad Keselowski won the first NASCAR race at the Iowa Speedway back in 2009 when the junior circuit was known as the Nationwide Series.

Keselowski admits he was almost shocked when he found out Iowa Speedway had been added to the Cup Series schedule.

It is the first Cup Series race at the track but 18 drivers who are expected to be in the field Sunday night have won a race at the Iowa Speedway.

Keselowski says the Iowa Speedway has unique characteristics.

Keselowski says the sold out crowds will make for a terrific atmosphere.

Kyle Larson is second in points in the Cup Series after winning on a road course in Sonoma, California, last week. He says a repaving in both sets of turns has changed the Iowa Speedway.

Larson was one of the drivers who tire tested at the track a couple of weeks ago and says the new paving has made the track smoother but it may make passing more difficult.

Larson is happy the Iowa Speedway is finally hosting a Cup race.

Practice for the NASCAR Cup Series is Friday afternoon and the opening day of action is capped off by an ARCA Menard Series race.

College World Series opens in Omaha Friday

Sports

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Thousands of Iowans will head to Omaha over the next 10 days to watch the College World Series. Eight teams will compete in Charles Schwab Stadium with the goal of winning an NCAA baseball title. Amy Hornocker is executive director of the local organizing group College World Series Omaha and says they are hoping to top last year’s record attendance.

The College World Series has been a fixture in Omaha since 1950.

Hornocker says the College World Series draws fans from across the country but the largest groups are from the Midwest.

The College World Series begins Friday afternoon when North Carolina plays Virginia.

There’s now a taste of Ukraine in the middle of NW Iowa’s Dutch country

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A new grocery store in downtown Orange City is named Schedryck which means “bountiful” in Ukraine. Natali Valyanska — the store’s owner and operator — says it’s also the name of a popular Ukrainian song. “All American people know this song. It’s like ‘Carol of the Bells.’ It’s Ukrainian song,” she says. “It’s like treasure. It’s like Ukrainian treasure.”  She says there are a variety of foods and beverages in stock to give Ukrainians who’re living in the area familiar tastes. “We have candy, chocolate, cakes, cookies. We have juice from Ukraine,” she says. “We have pickled tomatoes, pickled cucumber, some baked beans, but a Ukrainian recipe.”

The store has Ukrainian meats, mainly sausage, for sale — and the kind of ice cream that Valyanska prefers. “I think that it’s more tasty,” Valyanska. “I don’t know how to explain. You need just to try.” Valyanska says opening this store has fulfilled a dream. “In Ukraine, I worked 18 years in a bank, but I worked with big companies,” Valyanska says. “My favorite and best company, my best customer, was a retail company in Ukraine, so I know how it works from inside.”

Natali Valyanska

Valyanska has a small gallery in the store featuring paintings by an artist who still lives in Ukraine.

Central Iowa man injured in a Guthrie County accident

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Guthrie Center, Iowa) – A man from central Iowa injured during a single-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon in Guthrie County, was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office says the accident happened at around 4:55-p.m. on Highway 44, east of Dogwood Avenue. Authorities say 24-year-old Jonathan Robert Hogan Brandon, of Indianola, was traveling east of Highway 44 when, according to Brandon, he attempted to pass a truck and trailer that was “all over the road.” While trying to pass the vehicle and trailer, the 2001 Mercury Grand Marquis he was driving slipped onto the north shoulder of the road, causing him to lose control.

The car entered the north ditch and continued eastbound before striking a tree. Jonathan Brandon – who was wearing his seat belt – complained of extreme shoulder pain, and was found laying on his back in the north ditch, by a Guthrie County Sheriff’ Deputy. He was transported by EMS ambulance to Methodist West Hospital. The car sustained an estimated $10,000 damage.

Local officials tour Glenwood housing project with Iowa Lt. Governor Adam Gregg

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Representatives from Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), the City of Glenwood, and Developer Ryan Sell had a chance to show off the 712 Lofts development to Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg on Tuesday, June 11th. SWIPCO officials say the Lt. Governor was making his way through the region and provided an opportunity to check out this project and discuss other projects in Glenwood. Sell and his family hosted a tour of their conversion project of the former Glen Haven Nursing Home into 3-bedroom and 1-bedroom apartments. The project has been partially funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Housing funds administered by SWIPCO following the 2019 Missouri River Floods.

Sell talked about the challenges of converting the building into the space they envisioned and hopes it brings a great option for the community. “We wanted to put something here that wasn’t really available anywhere else in town. This gives residents a unique space option with some three-bedroom, two-bath units,” Sell said. There will be 27 units total available once the project is done including a small house on the site that is being renovated as well. Sell said it’s been a learning process and has been challenging and frustrating at times with changes made along the way but it’s all working out. “We were all learning through the process but ultimately SWIPCO and Iowa Economic Development have been great partners. We wouldn’t have been able to do this without the help,” Sell said.

Photo (L-R): SWIPCO Communications Coordinator Chris Parks, Brock Sell, DeShawne Bird-Sell, Developer Ryan Sell, SWIPCO Disaster Recovery Coordinator Ashley Hayes, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Glenwood Mayor Angie Winquist, Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan, Mills County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jennie Davis, SWIPCO Community Development Specialist Tammy DeBord. (Photo courtesy Chris Parks at SWIPCO/SWITA)

Lieutenant Governor Gregg said he loves seeing projects like this one happen, “Ultimately you hope that this has a chance to bring a new generation to town. This can attract families to your community.” Glenwood City Administrator Amber Farnan also discussed the downtown façade work that is about to get underway because of a CDBG Downtown Revitalization grant that SWIPCO is working with the city on. 8 buildings around the Glenwood town square will get a facelift starting this summer. That project has approximately $960,000 in funding, $490,000 in CDBG funds and $470,000 in city and building owner funds.

Farnan also touched on a fiber project the city is in the midst of with Western Iowa Networks. They entered a partnership to bring fiber internet service to the entire city. The city is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the project. Lt. Governor Gregg asked about what obstacles arise in these projects and several on hand expressed concern with some of the changing requirements of grant funds and some of the paperwork obligations being a big challenge to fill. Gregg expressed his sympathy to those issues and said sometimes it’s above the state’s control when it comes to federal funding, but he noted the hangups. Also discussed was the vital need for good infrastructure for communities to continue to grow and attract business, such as a proper water system.

Glenwood officials were very thankful for the funding opportunities that have presented themselves and feel like they have done a good job of spending those funds on the right projects.

Ribbon-cutting held for Harl Holt Park project completion in Atlantic

News

June 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors and staff with the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today (Thursday), for the Harl Holt Park Playground renovation project.

Harl Holt Park playground equipment

The Park is located near 16th and Olive Streets. Parks and Rec Coordinator Jeff Christensen spoke before the ribbon-cutting about the playground and history of the project.

Harl Holt Ribbon Cutting

The Pour and play fall/safety material that surrounds the playground, Christensen says, “is like walking on a mattress, it’s nice and soft under you, and there’s not that much maintenance” that’s required. Aaron Sligh with Play-Pro Recreation in Waukee, spoke about the composite makeup of the fall material

Atlantic City Councilperson Elaine Otte said the new playground equipment has been utilized more over the past month than she’s seen in a long time. That sentiment was repeated by others who attended the ceremony, as well.

Christensen said Harl Holt Park will be a destination for people to bring their kids to now, especially with the Pour and Play surface. The Park was named after Atlantic resident Harl Holt, who died in 1975.