712 Digital Group - top

Cass County Supervisors set public hearings on EMS resolution & FY25 tax levy

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Board of Supervisors, during their meeting today (Tuesday), set May 21st as the date for a Public Hearing on a Resolution to declare Emergency Medical Services to be an essential service. And, they set March 26th at the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed FY2025 Tax Levy. Auditor Kathy Somers explained the budget isn’t finished yet, but so far it seems the County is “in a good spot.”

A letter to property owners won’t be mailed-out until March 20th.

In other business, the Board authorize Chairman Steve Baier to sign a 28-E agreement with Juvenile Detention.

The agreement says the County will have to contribute about $6,700 less this year, which Baier says is a good deal, because there’s no way the County could handle those services with stand-alone funding. They also authorized a letter of response with regard to a jail and ICE Detainment Policy. Cass County Chief Deputy Sheriff John Westering said it’s essentially the same policy they’ve had for years. Their action was in response to an inquiry into the question of whether or not Cass County was a “Sanctuary City” for illegal immigrants.

Board Chair Steve Baier added…

And, the Board passed an amended Resolution allocating $10,000 in ARPA funds for the Atlantic Splash Pad Project. Supervisor Wendy Richter…

SplashPad Fundraising Committe Chair Jeremy Butler said the project is currently out for bids. Those bids are due by March 15th. The bids will be opened later this month and either accepted or rejected.

The Cass County Supervisors, today (Tuesday), heard from Craig Meyer, from Lewis, who attended the meeting to thank the Supervisors for approving during their last regular meeting, the powdercoating of benches at the Freedom Rock site, in Lewis. The benches are finished and returned to their places in the park.

In other business, Board approved the County’s contribution to Connections Area Agency on Aging, for FY 2025.

Cass County Master Gardeners Scholarship Application Due April 1

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Master Gardeners (CCMG) are again offering a $1,000 scholarship to local students, with applications due April 1, 2024.  The purpose of this scholarship is to provide post-secondary funds to individuals who are studying and intend to pursue a career in a horticulture-related field. This scholarship is available to students who are graduating seniors in any of the following Iowa school districts, in which currently reside members of CCMG: Atlantic, AHSTW, CAM, Griswold, or Red Oak. This scholarship is also available to previous graduates, of any age, of any of these school districts.  Scholarship committee members want to emphasize that students of any age studying in a horticulture-related field are encouraged to apply, regardless of the type of program they are studying, as long as they intend to obtain some degree or certificate in a horticultural-related field.

The goal of the Master Gardener program is to support horticulture education and community service.  CCMG members provide many hours of volunteer service and gardening education within their local communities. This scholarship is designed to further that focus on education and community service. Enrollment in a horticulture-related program of study is required for consideration. Examples of horticultural-related fields are included on the application to give applicants an idea of degree fields that may be eligible to apply. The scholarship winner will be selected based upon horticulture-related career goals, history of community service, academic success, and quality and completeness of application. (Financial need is NOT a criterion.)

The scholarship is for any student pursuing post-secondary education during the 2024-2025 school year. A scholarship check will be issued in January 2025, in the student’s name directly to the academic institution, upon receipt of an official grade transcript for the completed Fall 2024 semester, demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. A previous scholarship recipient may re-apply, but an individual may only receive a total of two scholarships from this program.

The application form is available through the high school guidance departments of any eligible school district, or on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/.  Applications should be submitted to the Cass County Extension Office, 805 W 10th St, Atlantic, Iowa 50022, or emailed to keolson@iastate.edu on or before the April 1 deadline for consideration. Questions can be directed to the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

Fatal grain bin accident in Fremont County

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports a man has died in a grain bin accident. Authorities received a call about the incident in rural Tabor, Monday (March 4, 2024). The caller said the accident happened at the site located 2922 120th Street. Officials say it appears 94-year-old Robert Wayne Smith was helping in a bin unloading soybeans while running a grain vacuum. Smith’s son was out moving the semi that they we loading. When the son came back to the bin Robert was found under the beans.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was being sent to the State Medical Examiners Office in Ankeny to determine the cause of death.

Tabor Fire and Rescue was assisted at the scene by Randolph Fire and Sidney Fire and Rescue.

National ag survey shows Iowa gained farms, younger farmers

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he noticed two surprises in the latest Census of Agriculture, as he says it’s always interesting to see where Iowa bucks the national trends. Naig says Iowa was among few states that saw an increase in the number of farms, and Iowa also saw an upturn in the number of farmers, including farmers under 35. He gives part of the credit to the launch of Choose Iowa, a branded program for Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, Iowa-raised products. Naig says some younger farmers are also getting into diversified agriculture, selling things direct to consumers.

Grassley bill would more closely regulate ‘zombie’ drug

News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s seeing momentum grow for passage of his bill that would put new restrictions on a drug called xylazine. It’s also known as the “zombie drug,” as it’s used by veterinarians and farmers as a tranquilizer for large animals. “The drug is not intended for human use, but you know what happens with drugs today. Some people are now mixing that substance with fentanyl,” Grassley says. “This is a deadly combo that’s taken a lot of American lives.” The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act is bipartisan, as Grassley teamed up to introduce it with Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat from Nevada.

“Our bill classifies the tranquilizer as a Schedule 3 substance and secondly, enables the Drug Enforcement Agency to monitor its manufacturing,” Grassley says. “Importantly, veterinarians and farmers would still be able to use the tranquilizer for their animals.” Since the bill was introduced almost a year ago, Grassley says 23 co-sponsors have signed on in the Senate, along with 88 co-sponsors in the House.

“The prospects of our legislation becoming law are stronger than ever,” Grassley says. “Too many communities have felt the devastating effect of the nation’s drug epidemic. Inaction is not an option.” A 2022 report from the DEA found 23% of fentanyl powder contained xylazine. It causes depressed breathing and heart rate, unconsciousness, necrosis, and death, while naloxone does -not- reverse its effects because it is not an opioid.

Wallace Foundation to hold annual Program and Meeting at Armstrong Farm; Topics will include nitrogen management strategies and digital agriculture tools, such as drones.

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

LEWIS, Iowa – The Wallace Foundation will hold an educational event for the public, followed by its annual business meeting, March 13 at the Armstrong Memorial Research and
Demonstration Farm, just west of Lewis. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a welcome address from Mark Bentley, president of the Wallace Foundation.

From 10 a.m. to noon, attendees will hear updates from two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists: Richard Roth, nitrogen science education specialist; and Doug Houser,
digital ag extension specialist. Roth will discuss nitrogen impacts with the use of cover crops, and address other nitrogen concerns heading into the 2024 growing season. Houser will discuss the many uses of drones for agricultural applications and will touch on other trends within digital agriculture.

Aaron Saeugling, Field Agronomist in southwest Iowa, says “As we head into the spring season, new technology and the efficient use of nitrogen is going to be critical for success this year. Both speakers are new to extension and outreach and bring many years of experience in their respective fields.”

The annual business meeting of the Wallace Foundation will be held at 1 p.m. The event is free to attend and includes lunch by Downtowner Cafe and Catering. Attendees are asked to pre-register in order to help with facility and meal planning. To register, email Farm Superintendent Matt Groves at mjgroves@iastate.edu or call him at 712-769-2402. The meeting will be held inside the Wallace Foundation Learning and Outreach Center, 53020 Hitchcock Ave. Lewis, Iowa 51544.

Dabagia Shoots Program Record

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Sophomore Madison Dabagia wrapped up a record-breaking first round at the Momentum Transportation UNF Collegiate on Monday at the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club. The Indiana native tied the 18-hole program record, shooting a six-under par 66.

Second round play was suspended with 1-2 holes remaining due to darkness. Iowa is tied for fourth place on the team leaderboard.

Dabagia carded seven birdies in her first round, tying Lea Zeitler’s school record that was set in 2021.

Iowa finished round one with a two-over par 290 — eight strokes shy of first place. The Hawkeyes are one over par as a team in the second round with two holes to play.

North Florida’s Christin Eisenbesiss in first with an 11-under par. UTSA is first on the team leaderboard, shooting a 282 in round one, six under par. UTSA is -8 with round two coming to a close.

 

IOWA LEADERBOARD
T2. Madison Dabagia 66
T20. Kaitlyn Hanna 74
T30. Riley Lewis 73
T63. Paula Miranda 77
T74. Ximena Benites 77
T4. IOWA 290

 

ROUND TWO SCORE… WITH HOLES TO PLAY
T2. Madison Dabagia -2
T20. Kaitlyn Hanna -1
T30. Riley Lewis +1
T63. Paula Miranda +1
T74. Ximena Benites +2

 

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action tomorrow at 8 a.m. (CT), to finish round two and complete the tournament.

Big Ten Releases Pre-Seeds For 2024 Conference Tournament

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Seven University of Iowa wrestlers are seeded fifth or better in the pre-seeds for the 2024 Big Ten Championships, it was announced Monday by the league office. The tournament is set to take place Saturday and Sunday in College Park, Maryland.
The Hawkeyes have one No. 2 seed and five No. 3 seeds. Drake Ayala is the No. 2 seed at 125. Real Woods (141), Caleb Rathjen (149), Michael Caliendo (165), Patrick Kennedy (174) and Zach Glazier (197) all enter the postseason seeded third.
Jared Franek is the No. 4 seed at 157 pounds, Bradley Hill is the No. 7 seed at 285, Aiden Riggins is No. 13 seed at 184 and Brody Teske is the No. 14 seed at 133.
Rathjen, Riggins, Glazier and Hill are all making their postseason debuts, while Franek and Caliendo are making their Big Ten postseason debuts.
The Hawkeyes have won 37 team conference titles, more than twice as many as the next school (Illinois, 17). Woods is the defending Big Ten Champion at 141 pounds.
The complete tournament brackets and official seeds will be released Friday afternoon following the Big Ten Conference coaches meeting. For more information on the 2024 Big Ten Wrestling Championships visit bigten.org.
Iowa Pre-Seeds | 2024 Big Ten Championships
125 #2 Drake Ayala
133 #14 Brody Teske
141 #3 Real Woods
149 #3 Caleb Rathjen
157 #4 Jared Franek
165 #3 Michael Caliendo
174 #3 Patrick Kennedy
184 #13 Aiden Riggins
197 #3 Zach Glazier
285 #7 Bradley Hill

Molly Davis Hopeful to Return

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s basketball redshirt senior Molly Davis suffered an injury to her right knee against Ohio State on Sunday. The announcement came Monday by P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Coach Lisa Bluder.
The 5-foot-7 guard is expected to undergo physical therapy next week to improve mobility for postseason play.
“While we feel for Molly that she got injured during Senior Day, we are so thankful that the injury she sustained is not season ending,” said Bluder. “Our program has appreciated everyone’s support and prayers as we look forward to her return at some point during the postseason.”
Davis has started 26 games this season, and is averaging 6.1 points, 3.1 assists and is leading the team in assist-to-turnover ratio at +2.51. The native of Midland, Michigan, has played pivotal minutes in every game this season for the Hawkeyes.

Clark Named Big Ten Player of the Week

Sports

March 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa National Player of the Year candidate, Caitlin Clark, earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors the conference office announced on Monday. She has earned weekly honors a conference-best, 11 times this season.

This marks Clark’s 29th weekly award from the conference, which is the most in Big Ten conference history. Former Hawkeye, Megan Gustafson, held the previous record at 23 weekly honors.

All-American Caitlin Clark recorded her 17th career triple-double against Minnesota finishing with 33 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native tallied her sixth of the season which is the best in the country. She also eclipsed Lynette Woodard’s AIAW all-time scoring title.

In Iowa’s win over, No. 2 Ohio State on Sunday, Clark surpassed LSU’s Pete Maravich to become the NCAA’s men’s and women’s scoring champion. Clark recorded her 19th game with 35+ points, 5+ assists, 5+ rebounds which is the best in NCAA women’s basketball since 2009-10.