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Atlantic City Council to act on: street closings for AtlanticFest; ROW resolution; 3rd reading of Rezoning Ordinance

News

August 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City Council in Atlantic is set to meet at 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, August 7th, at City Hall. On their agenda is action on approving an Order to close certain streets in Atlantic on Saturday, Aug. 10th, for AtlanticFest. If approved, the following streets would be closed from 5-a.m. until 6-p.m.:

  • Chestnut Street (both lanes), from 6th to 7th St.
  • Chestnut (both lanes), from 2nd to 6th.
  • 6th Street (Both lanes) from Walnut to Chestnut.
  • 6th Street (Both lanes) from Chestnut to Poplar.
  • 5th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east of the alley before the Post Office.
  • 5th Street from Chestnut to Poplar.
  • 4th Street from Chestnut to 1/2 block east, right before the alley.
  • 4th Street from Chestnut to Poplar.
  • 3rd Street from Walnut to Poplar.
  • Walnut Street will remain open.

The Council will act on passing a Resolution “Setting the date for a Public Hearing on a proposed Ordinance vacating the 66-foot wide street Right-Of-Way (ROW),” beginning west of the ROW line of Laurel Street extended, then west to the east property line of the Iowa Interstate Railroad (a parcel approx. .7″ of an acre). The request (Which was previously heard during the Council’s meeting on May 1st), comes from property owner Rob Stamp, who wishes to have an additional access to his property to the north, by means of cutting the curb on the vacated area, and pouring a driveway, and maintain it as another entrance.

Atlantic City Hall building

The City’s Engineer recommends the Council approves the request, CADCO’s Executive Director reports there is no economic development purpose for the City to maintain ownership of the ROW. AMU’s Exective Director says there is no water or electric infrastructure below the parcel in question, and Atlantic’s Public Works Director said the ROW has no current or future value to the City. The Planning and Zoning Commission will issue their recommendation to the Council during the meeting Wednesday evening.

The Atlantic City Council will also hold the 3rd and final reading of an Ordinance that rezones the Camblin Hills Subdivision from R-2 (Low Density/Single Family) residential to R-4 (Multifamily) residential. The first reading was passed during the Council’s meeting on July 10th.

In other business, the Council will act on an Order to approve a bid from Tim Beadle, for 411 Birch Street, in the amount of $5,350. The City’s Personnel and Finance Committee has endorsed his bid. The final order of business is action on a proposal to move the Sept. 18th City Council meeting to Sept. 16th, due to the Annual Iowa League of Cities Conference.

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Enneking is a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa graduate student Macy Enneking was named a United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch on Tuesday, the organization announced on Monday. Enneking is the first Hawkeye player to earn this preseason distinction.

“For a goalkeeper, there is no place to hide,” said Assistant Coach J.P Valadares. “Macy has proven to be a winner. With hard work, she has consistently developed every area of her game. The recognition of being included in this list is a great acknowledgement of all she has done, is doing and will do, both at Iowa and at the next level.”

The list is compiled by the Division I All-America Committee and released by position. The list includes returning All-Americans and first or second-team all-region players from the previous season. Enneking became one of four players in Iowa history to be recognized first-team All-North Region in 2023.

Enneking set a program individual record for goalkeeper shutouts last season (12.5) and helped lead the Hawkeyes to one of the top statistical defenses in program history. Iowa combined for 13 shutouts and a 0.76 goals-against average, which were both school records.

Last season, Enneking was named a Big Ten Player to Watch in the preseason before ending the season with all-region honors and an All-Big Ten Tournament Team nod. As a freshman in 2020, Enneking was Big Ten Tournament Defensive MVP and a unanimous All-Big Ten Freshman selection. The Hilliard, Ohio, native has started in goal for each of Iowa’s two Big Ten Tournament Championships in program history, as well as both of the program’s NCAA Tournament victories.

Enneking and the Hawkeyes open the regular season against Oregon State on Aug. 15 at the Rumble in the Rockies in Missoula, Montana. Iowa opens the home slate on Aug. 29 against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. (CT).

Posted in Sports |

Fannon Adds Seulgi Lee to 2024 Roster

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – ISU head soccer coach Matt Fannon has announced one final addition to the 2024 soccer team in Seulgi Lee.

Lee, a 5-8 senior midfielder, arrives in Ames after a pair of stops across her four-year college career. She began collegiate play at Barton Community College before spending a pair of years with Michigan Tech.

At Barton CC, Lee became the school’s first two-time NJCAA All-America recipient and was named as her region’s MVP in 2021. At Michigan Tech, Lee played in just one game her junior year due to injury before coming back strong as a senior. Following a medical redshirt, Lee was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Second Team in 2023 and also earned First Team All-Conference honors as she helped Michigan Tech make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014.

“It’s unusual to bring someone in so late in the process but we’ve been keeping an eye out for last minute midfielders to provide cover in that area specifically,” says coach Fannon. “When Lee became available, I was able to speak with her and very quickly realized she is exactly the person and player that will be able to seamlessly slip into our team with minimal fuss. We expect big things from her, as she is a talented player.”

A native of Seoul, South Korea, Lee owns six career goals from her time at Michigan Tech.

Lee joins a four-member transfer class, and will integrate in with fellow transfers Morgan Furmaniak, Adelaide Wolfe, Yira Yoggerst and Ella Zimmerman for the 2024 season.

The Cyclones are set to kick off the 2024 season this Wednesday, August 7, with an exhibition contest against Minnesota at the Cyclone Sports Complex at 6 p.m. The season officially begins next week on August 15 against Western Illinois at 6 p.m. As a reminder, admission to the Cyclone Sports Complex is free.

Posted in Sports |

Ernst calls on Biden Administration to maintain commitment to Israel

News

August 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the U-S must maintain its ironclad commitment to Israel as it faces a possible attack from Iran.  “Because Israel took out a terrorist leader in Tehran — right in Iran, then the Iranians feel like they need to do something to exact retribution equal to what the Israelis did,” Ernst says. A Hamas leader attending an event in Iran was killed last week. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility. Six days ago, an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon killed a senior commander of Hezbollah, a terrorist group backed by Iran.

Ernst, a Republican from Red Oak, is a member of the U-S Senate Armed Services Committee. She says if Iran or Hezbollah send missiles toward Israel, the U-S must be prepared to support counter measures. “As we saw in April with the United States and a number of our Arab friends in conjunction with Israel, we were able to defend from those rocket attacks,” Ernst says, “but what we don’t want to see is a wider scale war in the Middle East.”

Ernst and nearly all the other Republicans in the U-S Senate, including Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, signed a letter Friday that calls on the Biden Administration to ensure all congressionally-approved ammunition and weapons systems are delivered to Israel. The G-O-P senators accused Biden of imposing a partial arms embargo on Israel.

A State Department spokesman says the U-S has delayed a shipment of 35-hundred bombs out of concern the bombs would be used in densely populated urban areas, but nothing else has been stopped or paused.

Posted in News |

Red Cross issues urgent appeal for blood donors

News

August 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The American Red Cross says we’re now under a blood shortage emergency, as extreme heat, natural disasters and summer vacations are causing a critical drop in donations. Josh Murray, spokesman for the Red Cross’ Nebraska-Iowa Region, says Iowa has seen more than its share of destructive storms and flooding lately, and those elements combined with routine summertime activities are causing a serious problem.

“Since July 1st, we’ve seen a dip in donations of about 25%, a little bit more than 25%, which is obviously concerning,” Murray says. “We usually see a dip in the summer but it’s even more so in the recent month here, so we know people are still busy, back-to-school is coming up, Labor Day is just around the corner, but we really need people to get out and give, and help us provide that blood for patients who need it.”

Murray says the heat impacted almost a hundred blood drives during July in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood, compounding other seasonal obstacles to blood donation, like travel and summer activities. “We’ve had severe weather, whether it’s tornadoes or flooding in parts of the state, that have also impacted either blood drives or people’s ability to get out and give, so a lot of factors play into that,” Murray says. “It’s normal this time of year but we’re seeing an even greater deficit this time around.”

(Red Cross photo)

Hurricane Debby made landfall today in Florida, which forced more blood drives to be cancelled in that state, and he says even a minor hurricane can cause significant, domino-effect troubles nationwide. Murray says -all- blood types are needed in Iowa, especially Type-O.

“Type-O positive is the most-transfused blood type, because it’s most common, and Type-O negative is the universal blood type, so in an emergency situation when they don’t have time to check, that’s what they reach for. So Type-O is definitely in need, but I also want to emphasize that’s not it. So if you think, ‘I’m not Type-O, I don’t need to worry about it,’ don’t think that way. Other blood types are in need as well.”

Anyone in Iowa who gives blood, platelets or plasma during August will get a $20 Amazon gift card. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Help or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Posted in News |

Hawkeyes Host South Dakota for Exhibition

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Soccer is set to host South Dakota on Wednesday for a Noon (CT) exhibition at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Attendance is free for all home matches.

The Hawkeyes return nine starters from a team that made the fourth NCAA Tournament in program history and won the Big Ten Tournament for the second time in the past four seasons. Last time out, Iowa set a new program home attendance record (2,639) for an NCAA Tournament First Round victory over Bucknell.

Returning veterans headline an Iowa roster that includes seven graduate-students and six seniors.

Captains Macy Enneking and Maggie Johnston return as graduate seniors. Enneking set a program individual record for goalkeeper shutouts last season (12.5), and Johnston also helped the Hawkeye defense to a school-record 0.76 goals-against average at the defender position.

Fourth and fifth-year players combine for 19 of Iowa’s 26 returning goals and 55 of 75 total points returning on offense. Graduate-student Kelli McGroarty led the Hawkeyes with 18 points and seven goals last season.

Senior Kenzie Roling led Iowa with five assists, part of 11 total points for the Waverly, Iowa, native. Senior Elle Otto contributed five goals and three assists for 13 points.

Iowa also features talented underclassmen, including sophomore defenders Millie Greer and Eva Pattison, who started on a Hawkeye defense last season that produced a program-record 13 shutouts.

Sophomore Sofia Bush contributed eight points through 17 starts as a rookie in 2023. Bush (#87) and Greer (#39) were named top-100 freshman at the end of last season by Top Drawer Soccer.

Ten newcomers will make their Iowa debut, including six freshmen and four transfers with extensive playing experience.

Graduate-student Maya Hansen joins the Hawkeyes from South Dakota State, where she holds program records with 44 goals, 107 points and 18 game-winning goals. Graduate-student Madison Wilson previously played at Dayton. Wilson led the Flyers with 16 points last season.

Another graduate-student, Lauren Geczik, comes to Iowa City from Texas A&M, where she tallied 13 points last season. Geczik made 29 starts and played in 39 games with the Aggies.

Junior Alexia Griffin played at Southern Miss, where she started in all 18 games for 1,439 minutes as a sophomore defender in 2023.

The Hawkeyes open the regular season against Oregon State on Aug. 15 at the Rumble in the Rockies in Missoula, Montana. Iowa opens the home slate on Aug. 29 against Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. (CT).

Posted in Sports |

Big Ten Announces 2024 Television Schedule

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Four University of Iowa volleyball matches will be televised during the 2024 season, it was announced Monday morning by the Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network.

All four matches will be aired on the Big Ten Network.

Iowa’s BTN appearances include the conference opener at Rutgers (5 p.m. (CT)), home match against Washington (8 p.m.) and road contests at Northwestern (8 p.m.) and Ohio State (6:30 p.m.)

Iowa returns seven student-athletes from last season and adds five transfers and six freshmen.

The Hawkeyes open the season on Aug. 30 at the Puerto Rico Classic against Liberty.

2024 Iowa Volleyball Television Schedule
All matches on BTN; Times (CT)
Sept. 26 – at Rutgers – 5 p.m.
Oct. 4 – vs. Washington – 8 p.m.
Oct. 16 – at Northwestern – 8 p.m.
Oct. 31 – at Ohio State – 6:30 p.m.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa to Face Utah State in Kansas City

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team will face Utah State in the 2024 Hall of Fame Classic on Nov. 22 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, it was announced Monday by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

The 2024 Hall of Fame Classic will showcase a college basketball doubleheader as Wichita State and Saint Louis will join the Hawkeyes and Aggies in Kansas City.  Specific game times and broadcast assignments will be announced at a later date.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Sept. 10 via the T-Mobile Center box office and t-mobilecenter.com.

The game will be Iowa’s first contest in Kansas City since the 2009-10 season when the program faced Texas and Wichita State in the Guardians (CBE) Classic.  Iowa competed in the 1955 Final Four in Kansas City and it will be the program’s 12th game in the city all-time.

Iowa is 3-1 all-time against Utah State, including winning 94-75 in a neutral site game in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Dec. 18, 2021.

The 2024 Hall of Fame Classic will mark the event’s 24th year of operation in Kansas City and its first to be structured as a neutral site doubleheader.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State point guard Tamin Lipsey returns from shoulder surgery

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State All Big 12 guard Tamin Lipsey returned for the final week of summer workouts. The Ames native underwent shoulder surgery at the end of last season and was cleared to return in late July.

Lipsey says by the end of summer drills he was back to full contact.

ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger says Lipsey regained his former by the end of summer drills.

Otzelberger says Lipsey stayed engaged throughout the rehab process.

Lipsey averaged nearly 12 and-a-half points as a sophomore for a Cyclone team that made it to the Sweet-16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Posted in Sports |

MVC commissioner Jeff Jackson on the possibility of future expansion

Sports

August 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Jeff Jackson says the league is prepared to move forwards with 11 schools. Missouri State announced in May it is moving to Conference USA following the upcoming school year as it moves its football program to FBS.

Jackson says the Valley has not shut the door on future expansion.

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