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Iowa’s flirtation with spring-like weather coming to abrupt end

News, Weather

April 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Iowans have enjoyed weather conditions the past couple days that are more typical for mid-April, but a return to winter is right around the corner. Highs will be climbing into the 70s in some areas this afternoon, before rain and snow move in tonight. National Weather Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp says the heaviest snow, 4 to 8 inches, is expected over far northwest and north-central Iowa. A blizzard warning is posted for an area that includes Le Mars, Spencer, and Algona. “No matter how much snow falls across the area this weekend, the other thing we have to keep in minds is the winds,” Heitkamp says. “The winds are going to be gusting at 40 to 50 miles an hour and that’s going to cause all kinds of reduced visibilities, whiteout conditions, and blizzard conditions in many areas.”

Thunderstorms are possible across Iowa late this afternoon and evening. Some could be severe with large hail, damaging winds, and possibly tornadoes. The rain will transition to snow in many locations. Atlantic, Des Moines, Marshalltown, and Waterloo can expect one or two inches of snow. Heavier snowfall totals are forecast to the north with two to three inches in Carroll and Ames, three to four inches in Fort Dodge and Decorah, and four to six inches in Storm Lake and Mason City. Heitkamp say this likely WON’T be the last winter storm of the season. “We have another storm coming in at us again late next week,” Heitkamp says. “This is just a pattern that is not changing right now. You know, a lot of people are wanting the moisture, but it would be nice to have it in the form of rain instead of snow. Right now, Mother Nature is not cooperating…obviously with this storm this weekend and then the next storm that’s probably coming in probably next weekend.”

It’ll begin turning colder this evening. By Sunday, high temperatures will likely remain in the 30s across the entire state.

(Radio Iowa)

Woman resolves case over Trump-related workplace harassment

News

April 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Hispanic woman who says her white Iowa co-workers used images of Donald Trump to racially harass her has dropped a lawsuit against their employer. Alexandra Avila dismissed her lawsuit against Sedgwick Claims Management on Monday, three months ahead of a scheduled trial. Her attorney, Paige Fiedler, says the dispute has been resolved “to the parties’ satisfaction” but declined to elaborate, including on whether there’s a monetary settlement. Sedgwick’s attorney declined comment.

Avila’s lawsuit made headlines when it was filed days before the 2016 presidential election. She alleged her co-workers at a Coralville office harassed her for months after learning she was angered by Trump’s description of Mexican immigrants as rapists. She alleged they called her an “illegal immigrant” even though she’s a U.S. citizen, repeatedly put pictures of an angry Trump as her computer screensaver, sent her racist memes and signed her up to volunteer for Trump’s campaign.

Man arrested on a theft charge Friday morning in Red Oak

News

April 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak today (Friday), arrested 26-year old Devon Keith Hale, (no address given), on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. Hale was taken into custody at around 10:15-a.m. at 710 N. Broadway Street, in Red Oak (a Kum & Go store). He was brought to the Montgomery County Jail, and held on a $300 cash bond.

Pott. County Sheriff’s report (4/13/18)

News

April 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A woman from Council Bluffs already being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail, was served with a warrant Thursday, for Violation of Probation. The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office says 29-year old Heather Nadine Pedersen was read the warrant and had it explained to her, before she was returned to the custody of Corrections staff. Later that same afternoon, a separate warrant for the same offense from the 4th Judicial District Probation/Parole Office, was served on Pedersen.

A woman wanted on a warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance/1st offense, turned herself-in to the sheriff’s office, Thursday afternoon. 24-year old Calista Madalana Caudillo, of Omaha, was transported to the Pott. County Jail and turned over to Corrections staff. A man from Council Bluffs was arrested Thursday night, after deputies responded to a report of a man who would not leave a bar in McClelland. 70-year old Michael Ray Christensen was arrested for Public Intoxication, Theft in the 5th Degree (for the alleged theft of cab fare amounting to $42), Interference with Official Acts, and Disorderly Conduct.

Former Trojan Franken headed to Dordt

Sports

April 13th, 2018 by admin

Former Atlantic All-State hoopster Garrett Franken announced this week that he is transferring to Dordt College in Sioux Center to continue his academic and basketball career. Franken was a freshman at the University of North Dakota this past season.

Franken appeared in 12 games for the Fighting Hawks this season and averaged 1 point and 1 rebound in 5.5 minutes per game. Franken stated playing time was a factor in his decision to transfer. He also stated the decision to go to Dordt was influenced by his strong family connection to the school where his older brother Dalton played. Dalton finished his career #20 on the Dordt all-time scoring list with 1,165 points.

The Dordt Defenders were 12-19 in the 2017-18 season. Brian Van Haaften was recently named the new Head Coach for the program in March, coming over from his longtime stint at Buena Vista University.

 

Backyard & Beyond 4-13-2018

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 13th, 2018 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Betty Auten about the Spring Fling Lunch Sunday at the Lewis Community Center.

Play

Audubon’s Riebhoff chooses baseball at Coe College

Sports

April 13th, 2018 by admin

Tyler Riebhoff

Audubon four-sport standout Tyler Riebhoff has made his college decision to play baseball at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

Riebhoff had some choices on what route he wanted to go but many coaches have said baseball is his first love. Last season Riebhoff had a 3.39 ERA on the mound and hit .356. He led the Wheelers in runs with 31 and stolen bases with 24.

The Coe Kohawks are coached by Steve Cook who is in his 22nd Season with the program. They have a 13-8 record on the current season.

University of Iowa halts construction amid budget cuts

News

April 13th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa plans to halt more than 100 campus construction projects in response to budget cuts approved by state lawmakers. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that the freeze went into effect Thursday and will last for about five months. Most of the halted construction is maintenance related, but it also includes some larger projects such as a wrestling facility, a hospital facility and an art museum facility.

Projects that are already in the construction phrase, critical to the university or related to public safety will continue. The Legislature cut the state Board of Regents’ budget by $11 million last month. The board responded by cutting UI and Iowa State University budgets by 2.4 percent. UI must make up a nearly $5.5 million shortfall before the fiscal year ends in June.

High School Soccer Rankings

Sports

April 13th, 2018 by admin

Here’s a look at the latest high school soccer rankings. The boys rankings were released earlier this week by the Iowa High School Soccer Coaches Association and the girls rankings were released Thursday by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Girls: 4-12-18-soccer-rankings-Girls

Boys: 20180410_Week_2_Rankings_Boys

High School Golf Scoreboard 04/12/2018

Sports

April 13th, 2018 by admin

Girls Golf

Audubon 217, Treynor NTS. Medalist: Jasmine Turner, Audubon, 45.
IKM-Manning 230, Logan-Magnolia 270. Medalist: Bre Muhlbauer, IKM-Manning, 51.
Mount Ayr 207, Martensdale St Marys 233, Central Decatur 249. Medalist: Abbey Schafer, Mount Ayr, 40.
Shenandoah Fillie Invitational: 2018 Fillie Invitational
Underwood 221, Missouri Valley 224. Medalist: Rachel Teten, Underwood, 48.

Boys Golf

Lewis Central Invite: Results
Clarinda 200, Griswold 219. Medalist: Parker Rock, Clarinda, 41. GriswoldvsClarindaBoys04122018
IKM-Manning 182, Logan-Magnolia 187. Medalist: Joel Richardson, Logan-Magnolia, 40.
Missouri Valley 178, Underwood 186. Medalist: Nick Tennis, Missouri Valley, 42.
Mount Ayr 176, Central Decatur 201, Martensdale St Marys 220. Medalist: Myles Greene, Mount Ayr, 39.
Treynor 181, Audubon 194. Medalist: Dylan Obermeier, Audubon, 42.