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Girls Wrestling Moves to Two Classes For 2024-2025 Season

Sports

May 23rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

At its May meeting, the Board of Directors of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union approved the move to two classes for the 2024-25 girls’ wrestling season.

The move will place the 64 largest wrestling schools into Class 2A, with the remaining schools competing in Class 1A.

Wrestlers will compete to qualify for the state tournament at regional meets across the state on Friday January 31, 2025. There will be eight regional state qualifying sites hosted by schools for both Class 1A and 2A.

The top 16 qualifiers from each weight class will qualify for the 2025 Girls State Wrestling Tournament, which will be held February 6-7 in Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Girls State Wrestling Tournament will remain a two-day tournament, with separate sessions for each class on February 6 and combined sessions for the championship sessions on Friday, February 7.

“The rapid rise of participants in girls wrestling has exceeded even our expectations,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich. “Adding a second class is the next building block in our efforts to continue to help the sport grow. The hope is that the addition of a second class will encourage more schools to add girls’ wrestling programs.”

The IGHSAU sanctioned girls’ wrestling in 2022 and has been a one-class tournament since beginning competition in 2023. In 2024, 204 schools sponsored a girls’ wrestling program, while 61 other schools were listed in cooperative sharing agreements.

Storm damage and flooding impact some Iowa state parks for Memorial Day weekend

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports several Iowa state parks have been impacted by recent heavy rains and storms, causing closures in some areas. Visitors are urged to plan in advance heading into the holiday weekend in case a park activity or location is affected.

Impacted parks include:

Backbone State Park (Delaware County) – The north gate entrance is currently closed. Mud and sand are on the road in the flats area. Debris and logs are along the trout stream road. Staff will reopen the north entrance once roadway cleanup is complete.

Big Creek State Park (Polk County) – Flash flooding has caused high water at Big Creek Lake, which should recede by the weekend. Damage from flooding will be assessed once water levels go down, but is expected to be minor. Access to docks at the marina may be impacted.

Dolliver Memorial State Park (Webster County) – The road in the central part of the park is currently closed due to flooding. The campground, cabins, and center lodge will be closed through the Memorial Day weekend. The north shelter and south lodge will be accessible.

George Wyth State Park (Black Hawk County) – The park is closed through Memorial Day weekend and possibly longer due to flooding and the potential for more rain. The park is closed to all traffic including driving, walking and biking.

Ledges State Park (Boone County) – The canyon drive is currently closed to vehicle traffic due to flash flooding. Visitors can hike into the canyon from the Oak Woods picnic area (near the Canyon entrance gates) but are advised not to enter the rapid, rising streams. As the Des Moines River crests Friday, the county road (Oriole Road) on the west side of the park is expected to be flooded.

Rock Creek State Park (Jasper County) – the west road to the beach, in addition to the beach, beach boat ramp, west shelter and trail access are all closed due to flash flooding. Some campsites will be closed due to debris and flooding. Visitors should avoid any dock that is in a bind or not in its normal location. The south end boat ramp and shelter also are closed due to excessive debris and damage. The lake contains a significant amount of new debris and trees from recent rains.

Walnut Woods State Park (Polk County) – The Purple Martin Water Resource Area has experienced flooding. The area will remain open, but part of the loop trail is inaccessible.

Wapsipinicon State Park (Jones County) – The Wapsipinicon River is expected to flood parts of the park. Staff plan to close some roads starting Friday, May 24, which will make the lodge and playground shelter inaccessible.

Additionally, several trails are closed to equestrian and bike use at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, Elk Rock State Park, Stephens State Forest and Volga River State Recreation Area due to wet conditions.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid driving through high water and to use extra safety precautions for water recreation activities due to swift currents and debris in many lakes and rivers. Additionally, be aware of potential tree debris within parks in mowed areas and on trails; staff are cleaning as they are able. A full listing of alerts and closures can be found at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures

Audubon School Board approves budget amendment and Bus Garage bid/plans & specs

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Audubon, Iowa) – The Audubon School Board met earlier this week, and acted on several matters. Superintendent Eric Trager tells KJAN News, following a Public Hearing, the Board approved the Bus Garage low bids and will get started on the project this Summer.

The Board also approved a Budget Amendment, following a Public Hearing.

In other business, the Audubon School Board, Monday, approved a 2024-25 Cross Country Sharing Agreement with Exira-EHK, where E-EHK is the host. The took no action, however, on a 2024-25 Junior High Football Sharing Agreement with Exira-EHK.

Eric Trager is retiring on June 18th. He says he’s not given a whole lot of thought to what he’ll do following that last day.

The next meeting of the Audubon School Board takes place in their High School Board Room on June 17th, beginning at 7-p.m.


				

STEPHEN WILLIAMS, 71, of Creston [formerly of Grant] (Svcs. Pending)

Obituaries

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

STEPHEN WILLIAMS, 71, of Creston [& formerly of Grant], died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston. Services for STEPHEN WILLIAMS are pending with Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Red Cross recovery efforts extend well beyond Greenfield

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – There’s still no official tally on how many houses were damaged or destroyed in Greenfield by Tuesday’s massive tornado — easily dozens — and the community shelter set up in the town’s Nodaway Valley High School remains a very busy place. Emily Holley, spokeswoman for the Iowa chapter of the American Red Cross, says the agency is planning to keep that shelter open at least for several more days.  “A lot of times when things like this happen, folks will stay in their homes for maybe a little bit longer, thinking, ‘Okay, I can make this work,’ and then, after a few days, they realize that maybe that’s not great,” Holley says. “That’s why we’re leaving the shelter open. That’s why we are available for folks who need a place to stay, or even just a place to kind of regroup.”

While Greenfield saw the worst damage, that was one of at least six tornadoes in Iowa on Tuesday, while there are reports of hail, high winds or flash flooding in at least another 40 counties. Holley says the Red Cross is working with storm survivors all over the state. “We also have teams going out in the emergency response vehicles, delivering relief supplies, gloves and tarps,” Holley says, “and it’s also a good opportunity for us to speak with folks who have been impacted, to get a handle on what they need and the services that we can provide.” Another important element in the disaster recovery process is being handled by what Holley calls spiritual care and mental health support.

A tornado-ravaged home in Greenfield. (Photo by Melissa Ehrman Johnson of Atlantic)

“Our hearts are with the folks of Greenfield and everyone who has been impacted. There has been loss of life and we want to make sure that people are taking care of their minds and their spirits through this time as well,” Holley says. “That is another service that we are offering and we have available for folks who need it.”

Those who need help can contact the agency at 1-800-RED CROSS, while Iowans who’d like to donate to the relief effort should visit: redcross.org/donate.

Gov. Reynolds requests expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for severe storms and widespread flooding

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds has requested an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration for Iowa counties where significant damage was sustained from severe storms and widespread flooding that occurred on May 21, 2024.

The letter requests activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans for the following four (4) counties: Adair, Polk, Story, and Montgomery. In addition, the letter requests the activation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance Program for Adair County. Additional counties may be added once the request is approved.

Funding under the FEMA Individual Assistance Program provides disaster-affected homeowners, renters, and businesses access to programs and services to maximize recovery, including assistance with housing, personal property replacement, medical expenses, and legal services.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program provides homeowners, renters, businesses, and most nonprofit organizations in the affected counties whose property was damaged or destroyed by this disaster, the ability to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the SBA.

The FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides funds that can be used to rebuild damaged infrastructure that may include roads, bridges, culverts and other public facilities, or to cover costs of emergency work during, and debris removal after, severe weather.

In addition, the governor requested funding to conduct hazard mitigation activities for the entire state.

The letter can be read in its entirety here.

Williams Presented with Spirit of Volunteerism Award at Cass Health

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) — Officials with Cass Health in Atlantic have announced Registered Nurse Michele Williams, is the newest recipient of the Cass Health Spirit of Volunteerism Award. Williams began working at Cass Health in July 1997, and many patients know her for her work in obstetrics and the emergency department.

Williams was nominated specifically for her volunteer work for the Massena ambulance. Her nominator wrote: “Michele Williams volunteers for her hometown emergency ambulance services in Massena and even though she is a registered nurse, she is also a registered advanced emergency medical technician. She has been doing this for about 7 years. She took over managing the ambulance, making sure the ambulance service adheres to regulations for the emergency services which includes having the medications they need when responding to emergencies and complying with those rules. EMS volunteers have to be ready to go at any time and are often called on at nights, weekends, during family get-togethers, and holidays. We don’t appreciate them enough and only think about them if and when we need them. I feel privileged to know that if I need to call 911 for help, that Michele may be in that ambulance that comes to help me or my family.”

Photos courtesy CCHS

With her own family in attendance, Williams was surprised at work with this award. “My husband kept a huge secret! I was very surprised when I won this award! I was also honored. It is nice to be recognized. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes things that people don’t see, and it makes me feel good to know that it matters,” said Williams.

Williams commented that she does it because she likes to help people. “I know the people in Massena and Cumberland and want to make sure if they are sick or hurt someone will be there to help them,” she said. As part of the Spirit of Volunteerism Award, the winner receives a $250 check to donate to the non-profit organization of their choosing. “I chose the Cass County Fair because there are a lot of young people in the surrounding communities that participate. I know things are getting expensive and we need to help keep our fair free so everyone can come out and enjoy it,” Williams said.

Missouri Valley’s Audrie Kohl Strikes Out Nine To Secure Road Win Over Atlantic

Sports

May 23rd, 2024 by admin

The Missouri Valley softball team picked up a 6-3 road win over Atlantic on Wednesday night. Lady Red’s Junior starting pitcher Audrie Kohl kept the Trojans batters off-balanced until the bottom of the fifth inning when freshman Jillian Saathoff got a lead off double. Then senior Riley Wood singled off the left field fence and knocked in a run. Sophomore Lila Wiederstein walked with the bases loaded and knocked in a run, Atlantic had many chances to get on base but Kohl kept the Trojans bats silent all night with only allowing five hits, while striking out nine.

Trojans Coach Terry Hinzman commented on playing a good team like Missouri Valley.

Wood started the game for the Trojans but sophomore Zoey Kirchoff stepped up in relief.

The Trojans now fall to 1-1 overall with the loss and will now play Denison-Schleswig on Thursday May 23rd. Missouri Valley now improves to 1-1 overall and will host Underwood on Thursday May 23rd.

Greenfield Volunteer clean-up info. for Thursday, May 23,2024

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – Officials with the Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Agency said late Wednesday night, that access to Greenfield continues to be limited, to permit access for equipment operators and contractors to conduct cleanup efforts using heavy equipment. Only volunteers connected to residents within the City of Greenfield or authorized contractors will be permitted entry. All other individuals will be refused access to ensure safety and efficient recovery operations.

Volunteers should enter Greenfield from the north on Highway 25 at 9:00am or after. Volunteers will be directed to parking and buses will be utilized to take volunteers to appropriate worksites.
Contractors requiring authorization should enter from the east on Highway 92. Contractors with existing authorization should enter from the north on Highway 25.
Officials say “This process is being utilized to minimize traffic congestion in impacted areas and facilitate safe operating conditions for volunteers in the area. Please avoid parking vehicles and trailers in the immediate disaster area. Where possible, please minimize the number of vehicles brought into the city.”

Winterset hosts two-day birthday celebration of the late actor John Wayne

News

May 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) A celebration of the Duke will be held in southwest Iowa’s Madison County this weekend. The John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in Winterset will honor what would have been the actor’s 117th birthday with a two-day festival. Museum spokesman Brian Downes says they’re expecting fans from far and wide to make the pilgrimage. “These events began in 2007 with John Wayne’s 100th birthday, and the public demand was such as that except for two years off for the Coronavirus, we’ve been doing them ever since,” Downes says. “It’s a salute, it’s movies, it’s music, it’s food, celebrities and the whole town just rolls out the welcome for John Wayne’s world.” The events get underway in Winterset on Friday.

“We’re going to welcome folks at town with a book signing at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, and on hand will be author Scott Eyman who wrote extensively on John Wayne and John Ford, which is our theme,” Downes says. “After that, we move to the Iowa theater, recently restored, and we’re going to have a movie discussion and then we’re going to screen ‘The Searchers’ on the big screen, which is kind of a rare treat.”

Other events through the weekend include a fly-in of vintage aircraft at the Winterset airport, museum tours, cavalry reinactors, a 5-K walk-run, and a big-screen showing of “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” Learn more at https://johnwaynebirthplace.museum/