712 Digital Group - top

CONNIE JENSEN, 85, & DALE JENSEN, 90, both of Anita (Celebration of Life 4/20/24)

Obituaries

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CONNIE JENSEN, 85, of Anita, died Friday, February 23, 2024 at Cass Health in Atlantic. DALE JENSEN, 90, also of Anita, died Nov. 28, 2023. A Celebration of life open house for both CONNIE and DALE JENSEN will be held April 20, 2024 from 3-until 6-p.m., at the Crestwood Hills Golf Club in Anita.  Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

CONNIE JENSEN is survived by:

Her sons – Ron (Cheryl) Jensen, of Anita, and Jerry Jensen (Mark Reynolds), of Omaha.

Her daughter – Penny Brahms, of Anita.

Her sister – Sherrill Karns.

Her brothers – Tom (Shara) Cooper, and Keith (Deanna) Cooper.

1 grandson, 2 great-granddaughters, and 2 step-grandsons.

Condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com.

CAROLYN JOHNSON, 81, of Atlantic (Celebration of Life 3/9/24)

Obituaries

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CAROLYN JOHNSON, 81, of Atlantic, died February 25, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic.  A Celebration of Life for CAROLYN JOHNSON will be held Saturday, March 9th at 11-a.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements. The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by March 11th, will be available for viewing through the end of March.

At the conclusion of the service, Saturday, a special tribute will be given to Carolyn by the B.P.O. Does, Drove #23.

Visitation with the family present will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Burial will be held in the Brighton Township Cemetery, near Marne.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1011 East 13th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.

CAROLYN JOHNSON is survived by:

Her sons – Craig (Hope) Johnson, of Clive, and Brad (Stephanie) Johnson, of Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Her sisters – Annabelle Lange, of Atlantic, and Emy (Jack) Barringer, of Ames.

and 2 granddaughters.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

JULIA ELIZABETH NELSON, 84, of Atlantic (Svcs. 2/29/24)

Obituaries

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JULIA ELIZABETH NELSON, 84, of Atlantic, died Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic. Funeral services for JULIA NELSON will be held 10-a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Open visitation with family will be held at the funeral on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A luncheon will be held following the service in the reception hall of the United Methodist Church.

The interment will take place at Atlantic Cemetery.

JULIA NELSON is survived by:

Her six children- Jeff, Tim, Sue, Cindy, Curt, and Pam.

and a bonus daughter.

18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, other relatives and countless friends.

No injuries reported following a collision in Montgomery County Saturday morning

News

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 10:14-a.m., Saturday.  The accident happened at 270th Street and Highway 48. The report says when deputies arrived, they found a 2011 Ford Fusion owned by Todd Owens, of Clarinda, that had sustained significant damage. The vehicle was located in the northwest ditch.

Deputies learned 18-year-old Connor A. Owens, of Clarinda, was driving the Ford northbound on Highway 48 behind a 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup.  When the pickup, driven by 18-year-old Bennett Johnson, of Red Oak, began to slow to turn west onto 270th Street, it was hit from behind by the Ford. Following the collision, the Ford entered the northwest ditch and struck and sheared-off an Iowa Department of Transportation signpost, before coming to rest.

Owens told authorities his brakes failed and that he attempted to engage the parking brake just before his vehicle collided with the right rear of the pickup. Damage from the accident amounted to $6,000 altogether, including to the sign post.

Creston Police report numerous arrests from 2/22-2/25/2024

News

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports numerous arrests occurred from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning (Feb. 22nd through the 25th):

At around 3-a.m. today (Sunday), 21-year-old Cael Raymond Carl, of Creston, was arrested at the intersection of Adams and Cottonwood. He was charged with OWI 1st Offense and Carry Weapon while Intoxicated. Carl was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $2000 cash or surety bond.

On Saturday: 34-year-old Donald James Simmerman, of Murray, was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC.  He was taken into custody at around 1:18-a.m. and charged with Interference with Official Acts and OWI 2nd Offense. Simmerman was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $2300 cash or surety bond; At around 1:45-p.m., Saturday, 24-year-old Noah Alexander Young, of Creston, was arrested at 807 W Summit. Young was charged with Providing False Identification Information and a Union County Warrant for FTA Disorderly Conduct-Loud Raucous Noise. Young was taken to the Union County Jail where he was later released on $300 cash or surety bond; and, 24-year-old Jeffery Allen Arnold, of Creston, was arrested Saturday at the intersection of Wyoming and 34. Arnold was charged with Driving while under Suspension. Arnold was cited and released from the scene on Promise to Appear.

Friday afternoon, 19-year-old Lucas Lynn Smith, of Creston was arrested at the Creston Union County LEC. Smith was charged with Union County Warrant for Criminal Mischief 1st Degree. Smith was taken to the Union County Jail where he is being held on $10,000 cash or surety bond; And, 45-year-old Carrie Nawacy Pendegraft, of Creston, was arrested Friday night at the intersection of Highway 25 and Townline. She was charged with OWI 2nd Offense. Pendegraft was taken to the Union County Jail where she was later released on $2000 cash or surety bond.

Thursday afternoon, 31-year-old  Ryan Palmer, of Creston was arrested in the 600 Block W Mills. He was charged with Animal at Large. Palmer was cited and released from the scene.

Hawkeyes Drop Back and Forth Affair with #14 Virginia

Sports

February 25th, 2024 by admin

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – The 18th ranked University of Iowa baseball team fell to No. 14 Virginia, 12-9, on Saturday night at 121 Financial Park.

The Hawkeyes raced out to a 6-0 lead before the Cavaliers cut into the deficit with a two run third. The Hawkeyes got a run back in the bottom half, but a five run fourth for Virginia erased the deficit.

Iowa responded with a run in the bottom half and held the lead till Virginia tied it in the seventh. The teams traded runs in the eighth and entered the ninth tied before the Cavaliers scored three to put the game out of reach.

Marcus Morgan got the start on the hill for Iowa, throwing three innings allowing four earned runs while walking five and striking out four.

Anthony Watts struck out nine in 4 1/3 innings of relief. He allowed five runs (four earned) and walked three. Zach Voelker threw 2/3 of an inning allowing one run. Brant Hogue finished out the game allowing two runs, striking out one and walking one in an inning of work.

Five Hawkeyes had multi-hit performances in the contest. Ben Wilmes led the way with a 3-for-5 night. Wilmes tallied an RBI and had a single, a double and a triple in the contest.

Michael Seegers, Sam Petersen, Raider Tello, and Davis Cop each recorded two hits for Iowa. Tello plated two RBIs and Kyle Huckstorf had a three-run home run.

UP NEXT:

Iowa (3-3) concludes action at the JAX College Baseball Classic tomorrow against Wichita State at 11 a.m. (CT).

Blue Hens Walk-Off Cyclones in Charlottesville

Sports

February 25th, 2024 by admin

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Iowa State (7-5) was in control for the majority of Saturday morning’s game, before a rampant seventh inning powered Delaware (7-4) to an 8-7 walk-off win.

The Cyclones led 6-1 heading into the seventh inning, as freshman Lauren Schurman was spinning a gem in the circle. The first year from Delaware had allowed just one run on two hits through six full innings. She went into the sixth and got the first two batters to ground out and fly out before the Blue Hens went on a two-out hitting streak.

Angelina Allen had another monster game for the Cyclones, as the junior went 3-for-3 at the plate, also drawing a walk. Allen drove in a run and also scored a pair. Milaysia Ochoa matched Allen with three hits of her own, also scoring a pair of runs.

Ashley Minor had three RBI, with all three coming off a homer that just cleared the left field wall. Alesia Ranches also had multiple RBI on the morning, driving in two with a first-inning double that went all the way to the right center field wall. Ranches played in her 200th game as a Cyclone on the day.

Schurman went the distance for the Cyclones, pitching 6.2 innings.

Delaware saw seven different players record a hit, with Gianna Costrato leading the way with three RBI. Delaware scored five of its runs on a pair of homers in the bottom of the seventh. 

Saturday Notes
Home Runs
Iowa State: Ashley Minor (2)
Delaware: Gianna Costraro (5), Julia Boyet

 WP – Emily Winburn (5-1): 3.2 IP, 2 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts
SV 
– N/A
LP 
– Lauren Schurman (1-1): 6.2 IP, 7 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks, 0 strikeouts

 On Deck

The Cyclones are back in action at Palmer Park later this afternoon when they face off with host-school Virginia. Today’s second game is scheduled for 2:30 CT and will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra on ESPN+.

Bulldogs Drop Road Challenge against UNI

Sports

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (Via godrakebulldogs.com) The Drake men’s basketball team did not stop UNI in transition for most of the game as the Bulldogs were bested by the Panthers, 91-77 inside the McLeod Center on Saturday evening.

UNI (16-13, 10-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play) outscored Drake (23-6, 14-4) on fast breaks by a 25-10 margin and answered every Drake rebuttal throughout the night. 17 of those fast break points occurred in the first half.

“I thought UNI was more aggressive in all areas,” head coach Darian DeVries said. “The offensive rebounds allowed were killers for us in the second half. We didn’t respond the way we needed to for a portion of the night.”

The action in the first half picked up in the final five minutes before halftime after Trey Campbell hit a quick layup for a 35-27 UNI advantage and a Drake timeout. The Bulldogs responded out of the timeout with an 8-0 run to tie the game 35-35, following the sequence of an Overton steal and Garland layup with 3:49 left.

Tucker DeVries had 12 first half points including a nice move in the lane to tie the game, 39-39 with 1:17 remaining in the opening half. DeVries finished with a game-high 28 points on 10-21 shooting from the field.

Nate Heise closed out the first half with a pair of layups as UNI took a 43-39 edge into the locker room at halftime.

Drake came out energized to start the second half with a 6-0 spurt for a 45-43 lead that did not last long. The Panthers answered with an efficient 12-0 run to move ahead 55-45 with 16:54 still to play.

DeVries ducked inside and scooped in a bucket while drawing a foul as the Bulldogs clawed back, trailing 57-53 at the 14:12 mark of the second half.

Once again, the visitors from Des Moines trimmed the deficit to two possessions halfway through the second stanza, but the Panthers always had an answer. Jacob Hutson drilled a wing triple for a 73-65 advantage.

With 7:09, a Heise turnaround jumper pushed the margin back to 10 points and UNI led by double figures for the rest of the game before claiming a 91-77 decision.

UNI shot 55.4 percent (31-56) for the game led by Tytan Anderson’s 18 point and 18 rebound double-double. Heise just missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Hutson was 4-5 from the field, but three of those makes were from long distance.

“The biggest thing is that you can’t let this one cost another one,” Darian DeVries said. “It’s time to refocus and play better.”

Drake will play its final regular season road game at UIC on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Credit Union 1 Arena.

Team Notes

  • Drake’s five-game win streak was snapped.
  • The Bulldogs fell to second place in the MVC standings with a 14-4 conference record, a half game back of Indiana State entering Indiana State’s game later on Saturday.
  • Drake is now 5-5 on the road this season.
  • The Bulldogs committed nine turnovers, two less than UNI (11).
  • Trailing 43-39 at halftime, the Bulldogs fell to 3-4 this season when losing at the half.
  • Drake was outrebounded 42-28, slipping to 9-5 this season when getting outrebounded by its opponent.
  • The Bulldogs are 4-3 this season when wearing its alternate gray uniforms and 8-3 during the Darian DeVries era.

Individual Notes

  • Tucker DeVries collected a game-high 28 points (16th 20-plus scoring output this season and 37th of his career).
  • DeVries grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
  • DeVries has made 233 career 3-points baskets, just two shy of passing Ben Simons (2009-12) for fifth all-time in program history.
  • Colby Garland scored a career-high 13 points.
  • Four points and four rebounds are both season lows for Darnell Brodie.
  • Atin Wright, who has scored in double figures in seven of the last eight games, added 10 points.

The Series

  • UNI leads the all-time series, 52-34.
  • Drake’s three-game winning streak against UNI was snapped.
  • Tonight marked Drake’s first loss at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls since Feb. 8, 2020.
  • Drake has still won eight of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
  • UNI is 30-9 in the series in games played in Cedar Falls.

Defense Leads No. 6 Cyclones Past Mountaineers, 71-64

Sports

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (Via IowaCyclones.com) – In a game where No. 6 Iowa State struggled to score its defense saved the day. Iowa State (21-6, 10-4 Big 12) forced 23 turnovers, including seven in a five-minute stretch late in the second half, in a 71-64 victory over West Virginia (9-18, 4-10 Big 12) Saturday afternoon in Hilton Coliseum.

The Cyclones went 0-of-6 from 3-point range in the second half but ramped up their defense when needed to remain unbeaten at home at 16-0.

ISU trailed in the second half of a home game for the first time in six games when WVU’s Kobe Johnson hit a 3-pointer to give the Mountaineers the lead at 51-50 with 9:05 remaining.

ISU then suffocated the Mountaineers, who committed seven turnovers, during a critical 14-0 run to put the game out of reach. Tamin Lipsey led the Cyclones with 14 points and six assists and Curtis Jones added 12 points and had two of ISU’s 14 steals, the 15th time this season ISU has recorded double-digit thefts in a game.

It marked the 10th time this season an ISU opponent has registered 20 or more miscues.

How It Happened
West Virginia made 4-of-6 shots, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, to race out to an early 11-2 lead. Iowa State began chipping away, however. Curtis Jones came off the bench and knocked down a pair of triples in a 11-1 run to give the Cyclones their first lead.

Keshon Gilbert then scored three baskets and Milan Momcilovic drained a 3-pointer to give ISU a 24-19 advantage with 8:30 remaining in the first half.

After a Mountaineer basket, ISU went on a 7-0 run behind a pair of buckets from Jackson Paveletzke and the Cyclone lead increased to 31-21. Lipsey made a pair of 3-pointers in the final three minutes to help the Cyclones go into the break with a 40-30 advantage.

WVU scored on its first four possessions of the second half to trim the Cyclone lead to 44-40 before first media timeout. Jesse Edwards had five points for the Mountaineers.

When Josiah Harris converted a 3-point play on a baseline drive and Johnson hit a 3-pointer, the Mountaineers retook the lead at 51-50 with 9:05 remaining in the game. It was the first time ISU trailed in the second half at home since in six games (Houston).

But the Cyclones bounced back with stingy defense the next five minutes during their pivotal 14-0 run to move ahead 64-51 with 3:27 remaining.

Key Performer
Tamin Lipsey was 4-of-9 from the field and 2-of-2 from 3-point range en route to his team-high 14 points. Lipsey also recorded two steals to increase his season total to 73, tying for the third-best single-season total in school history. His 73 thefts on the year are also an ISU sophomore record.

Up Next
Iowa State remains at home, playing host to Oklahoma on Wednesday (Feb. 28). Tipoff is at 7 p.m. CT on Big 12 Network/ESPN+.

Hawkeyes Fall at No. 12 Illinois, 95-85

Sports

February 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The University of Iowa men’s basketball team fell to 12th-ranked Illinois, 95-85, on Saturday afternoon at the State Farm Center. The Hawkeyes fall to 16-12 overall and 8-9 in Big Ten play.

Sophomore Josh Dix led Iowa in the scoring column with 20 points — one point off his career high.  He made 9-of-15 field goals, including two 3-pointers.  Dix was the only Hawkeye to make multiple 3-pointers as he led Iowa in scoring in the second half with 11 points.

Senior Tony Perkins scored 18 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists. The guard also led Iowa on the defensive end with two steals.

Graduate Ben Krikke scored 15 points on an efficient 7-of-9 (77.8%) from the field to go along with five rebounds. Junior Payton Sandfort was the final Hawkeye in double figures, finishing with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The first 20-minutes of play featured 11 lead changes and six ties. The Hawkeyes used a 12-4 run starting at the eight-minute mark to take a four-point lead. Perkins had 11 points and five rebounds in the first half.

Iowa was hot from the field, shooting 18-of-29 (62.1 percent). Illinois grabbed eight offensive rebounds but just had four second chance points. At the end of the break, Iowa trailed, 44-43.

The Hawkeyes took the lead at the start of the second half with a layup from Dix. The Hawkeyes held onto that lead until the 10-minute mark.

Illinois took control with just under six-minutes remaining. Iowa shot 12-of-34 (35.3%) from the field and just 1-of-6 (16.7%) from 3 in the second 20 minutes.

Iowa shot 47.6 percent from the field and went 4-of-12 from deep in the game. Iowa stayed hot at the free throw line shooting, 21-of-25 (84 percent). Illinois’ Coleman Hawkins led all scorers with 30 points on 9-of-11 shooting. No other Illinois player scored over 12 points.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH FRAN MCCAFFERY
“We had a couple opportunities to score, and we didn’t. It would have been nice if we did in that situation because we got a couple stops.”

“[Josh] was great. He’s been great. An impressive thing about him is he does play both ends. He fights you on defense. He scores the ball. He makes really good decisions. I’m really impressed with him.”

“All I’m thinking about is one game. Obviously, Penn State at home. They had a really good win today. They are playing at a very high level. A lot of guys playing well. We’ve got to be ready for that one.”

“I mean the league is the best it’s been top to bottom. Everybody’s good. You can’t look at the next game and say okay we can get that one. You can’t do that ever in this league. So, you just got to try to put a game plan together. Try to keep your guys healthy if you can because the minutes are piling up.”

GAME NOTABLES

  • With the game tied at 75 with 5:53 to play, the Illini went on an 11-2 run to take control.
    • Illinois outscored the Hawkeyes, 20-10, over the final 5:53.
  • Senior Tony Perkins finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.  He went 5-of-14 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw stripe.
    • It was Perkins’ team-high 24th game in double figures and his 15th game with 15+ points.
  • Sophomore Josh Dix scored a team-high 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting with two 3-point field goals. 
    • It was Dix’s second career 20-point game.
    • He has scored 17+ in two of his last three games and has been in double figures seven times this season.
    • The nine field goals and 15 field goal attempts were both career highs.
  • Graduate Ben Krikke finished with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. 
    • He has been in double figures in 20 games this season.
    • It was his 12th game this season shooting 60 percent or better from the field.
    • Krikke is five points from 2,000 for his career.
  • Junior Payton Sandfort added 12 points on 3-of-11 shooting (6-of-6 FT) to go along with seven rebounds.
    • He has been in double figures in 22 games.
  • The Hawkeyes shot 47.6 percent for the game, making 30-of-63 field goals. 
    • Iowa shot 62.1 percent (18-of-29) in the first half and trailed 44-43 at the break.
    • Iowa was 12-of-34 from the floor (35.3 percent) over the final 20 minutes.

UP NEXT
Iowa returns home to host Penn State on Tuesday on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  The game will tipoff at 8 p.m. (CT).