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Ranches Homer, Charles Shutout Help ISU Best UCF

Sports

May 3rd, 2024 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Senior Weekend got off to a great start on Friday afternoon, as Iowa State (20-28, 6-16 Big 12) blanked league newcomer UCF (28-22, 10-15) at the Cyclone Sports Complex, 9-0, in five innings in the regular season series finale.

Karlie Charles tossed a gem on day, as the fifth-year senior pitched all five innings, allowing just one hit and shutting out the UCF offense. Sharing the spotlight was fellow fifth-year senior Alesia Ranches, who blasted a game-winning three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to run rule the Knights.

Angelina Allen had a monster day at the plate, notching three hits and running her season total up to 71 as she went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Ranches and Tiana Poole also both had multi-hit afternoons with a pair apiece. Following Ranches’s team-high of three RBI were Maddie Knowles and Angelita Fuentes who each had two.

As mentioned, Charles (5-7) needed no help, as she threw only 51 pitches on the day with 41 registering as strikes. Charles also picked up three strikeouts and walked no one. It’s the second straight win for Charles who earned the midweek victory over Drake on Wednesday.

For UCF, Jada Cody was the only Knight to get on board as she blooped a single early in the game.

 

Sarah Willis (8-9) got the start in the circle for UCF, going 1.1 innings and allowing a pair of runs on two hits. Both Angelina DeVoe and Grace Jewell would make relief appearances with Jewell notching a team-high two strikeouts.

 

How it Happened

The Cyclones struck first, plating one in the first inning. A leadoff walk from Milaysia Ochoa was followed by a single from Allen as two were quickly aboard. A double steal then moved both over into scoring position. With one out, Ashley Minor was hit by her 12th pitch of the season to load the bases. Then, Tatum Johnson flew out to right to score Ochoa and put the Cyclones up 1-0.

ISU added another in the second, again loading the bases with one out. This time, an Allen flyout to left would plate Poole and give ISU a 2-0 lead.

After two quick outs in the third, ISU strung together momentum before scoring another two. An infield single from Poole was followed by a Camille Marin full-count walk. Both runners would then advance into scoring position on a wild pitch. Then, in her first at-bat of the season, Fuentes delivered a rope into center that would score both and give ISU a 4-0 lead.

Both sides were kept at bay in the fourth, as the game turned to the fifth.

The fifth inning started with another Poole infield single. Then, coming up to the plate was Knowles, who promptly cranked a two-run homer over the left field wall. For Knowles, it was her first career blast and gave ISU a 6-0 lead. Following Maddie’s shot, a McKenna Andrews walk and Allen double put two more on for the Cyclones. Finally, Ranches stepped into the box and belted her sixth homer of the season to force a run rule victory for the Cyclones as they took the series-opening win in shutout fashion.

On Deck

The Cyclones will be back at the Cyclones Sports Complex tomorrow, May 4, to host the UCF Knights in the second game of the weekend series. Tomorrow’s game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Waukee Man Sentenced to 25 years in Prison for Production and Possession of Child Pornography

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Waukee man was sentenced today to 25 years in federal prison for production and possession of child pornography.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing,  Michael Alan Jagim, 52, created and produced child pornography, using secreted video recording devices. On December 14, 2021, after receiving a cyber-tip, law enforcement officers conducted a search of Jagim’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. A forensic analysis of these devices found multiple videos of child sex abuse material, including videos created by Jagim, for a total of 3,620 images. Jagim was also ordered to pay $28,123 in victim restitution.

After completion of his prison term, Jagim will be required to serve ten years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Jagim was also ordered to pay $10,200 in special assessments.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Waukee Police Department, the Urbandale Police Department, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa as part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Childhood” initiative, which was started in 2006 as a nationwide effort to combine law enforcement investigations and prosecutions, community action, and public awareness in order to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of children. Any persons having knowledge of a child being sexually abused are encouraged to call the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821.

Ottumwa man charged after dog attacks girl

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The owner of a dog has been charged with two simple misdemeanors for violating dangerous animal ordinances after a child was attacked by the dog in southeast Iowa Wednesday. The Ottumwa Police Department says it received a call of a nine-year-old girl who was attacked by a dog that was later determined to be a pit bull. The girl was transported to the hospital with injuries to her face, head, arm, shoulder, and hand. Her current condition is unknown.

The pit bull was euthanized and its remains will be tested to determine if it had rabies since it was not vaccinated. Police say 48-year-old Bradford Henry admitted to being the owner of the animal, telling law enforcement that he had the dog since it was a puppy.

Henry was released from the Wapello County Jail after posting bond.

Enhanced pensions for long-time Iowa sheriffs and deputies

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The retirement system for more than 47-hundred current or retired Iowa sheriffs and deputies is being enhanced. A bill signed into law this week increases the maximum benefit payment that’s allowed for sheriffs and deputies who retire after at least 23 years of service. Sheriffs or deputies who retire after 30 years on the job in Iowa would be able to receive 80 percent of their annual salary as a pension.

Senator Charlie McClintock, of Alburnett, has been a police officer in Cedar Rapids since 1994 and is currently the department’s 9-1-1 manager. “I started out as a deputy sheriff and I can tell you this is a big deal to them and everything that they do,” McClintock says. “…They’re not only doing patrol and investigations and traffic, they do our jails, our transports and our overall law enforcement.”

Representative Monica Kurth of Davenport says a beefed up pension may spur some to stay on the job. “We are losing well trained employees in law enforcement because wages and benefits are better in other places,” Kurth says. The legislation also provides a state income tax credit of up to two-thousand dollars to officers who move to Iowa to take a job in law enforcement. It would be for moving expenses. A third section of the law sets new bail restrictions for people accused of murdering or assaulting a peace officer or a prison employee.

One lawmaker called the bill the 2024 legislature’s “back the blue” package. It passed the House and Senate unanimously.

DALTON “Chris’ CHRISTOFFERSEN, 90, of Atlantic (Svcs. 5/20/24)

Obituaries

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DALTON “Chris’ CHRISTOFFERSEN, 90, of Atlantic, died April 30, 2024. Funeral services for DALTON CHRISTOFFERSEN will be 11-a.m. Monday, May 20, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Ohde Funeral Home has the arrangements.

Visitation with family will be held at the church on May 20th, from 10-until 11-a.m.

Inurnment with Military Honors will be held in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Kimballton, Iowa.

DALTON “CHRIS” CHRISTOFFERSEN is survived by:

His wife – Sylvia Christoffersen, of Atlantic.

His daughters – Calla (Todd) Johnson, of Elk Horn; Terri (Bruce) Turner, of Hortonville, WI., and Lori Robertson, of Amana.

His sons – Randy (Jodi) Christoffersen, and Ricky (Susan) Christoffersen, all of Atlantic.

His sister – Ardyce Lee of Westminster, CO.

11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his sister-in-law Ruby Christoffersen of Kimballton.

Last call for former Lewis, IA Firefighter

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The last call for Rod Cook, a member of the Lewis Fire Department was sent out today (Friday) by a dispatcher with the Cass County Communications Center.

Rodney “Rod” Cook died Monday, April 29, 2024, at his home in rural Atlantic. He was 73 years old.

Rodney Cook (photo from Roland Funeral Home. com)

He was a lifetime member and past Commander of the VFW Post #3415, and was a member of the Lewis Fire Department since 1976. In honor of his dedication to service, the Lewis Fire Department escorted Cook to his final resting place in the Atlantic Cemetery, where his burial is with military honors.

 

Dept of Ed recalculates graduation rates

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The State Department of Education is updating some of its previously reported high school graduation rates. The Education Department announced the data used to calculate the graduation rates for the last ten years left out students who had transferred to another school and then dropped out. Most recently, the correction increased the 2023 graduation rate by a tenth of a point to 87-point-five percent.

The rates for 2021 and 2022 fell by more than two percentage points to 87-point-eight percent for 2021 and 87-point-four percent for 2022. The Department says in a statement that Iowa’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 is consistent with the national standard and it’s above the 2023 rates reported by Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Iowa West Foundation to Match Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund Donations up to $50,000

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with the Community Foundation for Western Iowa, today (Friday) announced that the Iowa West Foundation has generously committed a 1-to-1 match of $50,000 for donations made to the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund. The fund at the Community Foundation for Western Iowa is a philanthropic response to the increasing needs throughout Pottawattamie County due to the catastrophic tornadoes that tore through the region on April 26. Iowa West matching funds will provide relief to individuals impacted in Pottawattamie County.

In Pottawattamie County, officials estimate approximately 300 residential homes and businesses were either partially damaged or fully destroyed. In Minden specifically, officials currently assess 48 homes as destroyed, displacing resident occupancy. The outpouring of support in response to the devastation that occurred in our communities is incredible, and the Community Foundation is proud to be a funding source to help provide assistance for our friends, family and neighbors who have been affected.

Community Foundation for Western Iowa President and CEO Donna Dostal says “Our community is focused on helping assist recovery, and at the Community Foundation, our work right in this moment is dedicated to helping families and communities now and into the future. We are truly grateful to the Iowa West Foundation for this significant investment to the recovery of several communities, and value our continued partnership.”

Donations to the Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund will be distributed to nonprofit organizations, city and county governmental organizations, and church groups working with the communities affected by the heartbreaking loss and destruction. To donate to the Relief Fund, visit:
https://bit.ly/southwest-iowa-relief-fund or www.givewesterniowa.org.

Brenda Mainwaring, President and CEO of the Iowa West Foundation, says “All of us are asking how we can help our neighbors begin to rebuild their lives. The Foundation’s goal in partnering with the Community Foundation is to encourage everyone to give just a little more, knowing that their contribution will be doubled. We are committed to helping our communities through these immediate efforts, and in their long-term recovery as well.”

The Southwest Iowa Emergency Relief Fund will provide funding to organizations and services in Pottawattamie County that are filling basic human needs, rebuilding communities, and providing direct support to individuals and families. Organizations and groups that are on the frontline of relief efforts are encouraged to apply through the Community Foundation for Western Iowa’s website at: www.givewesterniowa.org.

Additionally, SHARE Iowa – an initiative of the Community Foundation – is a resource to access information on how you can assist our communities through relief efforts, such as volunteer opportunities and in-kind donations. The SHARE Iowa team continues to work directly with Pottawattamie County Emergency Management and Pottawattamie County officials on approved volunteer opportunities and donation needs.

The Relief Resource website will be updated regularly and can be accessed by visiting: www.sharegoodiowa.org/emergencyrelief

For those directly impacted by the April 26 tornadoes, it is vital that property owners report storm-related damage on the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency website, pcema-ia.org, as local and state officials explore opportunities for federal funding.

Two fallen police officers to be added to Iowa Peace Officer Memorial

News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – On Friday, May 10, 2024 at 10-a.m., Governor Kim Reynolds, Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens, State of Iowa leadership, law enforcement partners and families will pay tribute to fallen peace officers who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving. Iowa DPS remains dedicated to remembering the brave men and women of law enforcement who died in the line of duty protecting Iowans and their communities. This year, two officers will be honored and added to the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial:

  • Officer Kevin Cram, Algona Police Department. End of Watch September 13, 2023: Officer Cram was attempting to make an arrest around 8 p.m. that night when a suspect shot and killed him, according to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Cram, a 33-year-old husband and father, was a 10-year law enforcement veteran who had been an officer in Algona since 2015. He was the 219th law enforcement officer to die in the line-of-duty.

    Algona Police Officer Kevin Cram

  • Officer Phoukham Tran, Des Moines Police Department. End of Watch November 2, 2023: Des Moines Senior Police Officer Phoukham Tran had been directing traffic at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 19, 2011, when he was struck by a drunken driver in a 3-ton pickup truck. Tran was thrown nearly 50 feet. He suffered from a punctured lung and severe head trauma. Tran medically retired from the force after the incident. He had served 30 years with the Des Moines Police Department before his retirement. He died November 2nd, 2023.

You are invited to join state and local officials in honoring the fallen peace officers, as well as the many other Iowa officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Dsm Sr. Police Officer Phoukham Tran (Retired)

If you are unable to attend this year’s ceremony, there are many ways you can observe National Police Week May 12-18, 2024. Please take time to thank current peace officers for protecting and serving your community and the great State of Iowa.

Details:
IOWA PEACE OFFICER MEMORIAL CEREMONY
Friday, May 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Iowa Peace Officer Memorial
Grounds East of Oran Pape State Office Building
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa
(Rain Location: State Capitol rotunda)

Facebook Livestream: https://www.facebook.com/IowaDPS/

Find more information about the memorial and previous honorees here: https://dps.iowa.gov/iowa-peace-officer-memorial

Atlantic High School Students Attend World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, Iowa (April 29, 2024) – Atlantic High School students attended the 13th annual World Food Prize Iowa Youth Institute (IYI), where 277 students representing 89 Iowa high schools gathered with 85 educators at Iowa State University to explore pressing global food security challenges and professional opportunities in STEM fields. ISU President Wendy Wintersteen said “Iowa State University is proud of its longtime partnership with the World Food Prize to provide this premier educational program. The Iowa Youth Institute is an opportunity for high school students to connect with Iowa State expertise, resources and scholarships. We are pleased to see how this program ignites students’ passion to help address one of society’s most complex challenges – global food security.

The IYI, a cornerstone of the Foundation’s esteemed youth programs, is dedicated to inspiring the next group of global leaders to pursue influential careers in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It attains this goal by fostering connections among students, faculty from Iowa State University, and industry professionals with a focus on addressing critical issues in global food security.

“We live in a world where some days it’s easy to be hopeless,” said Amy Akers, teacher at Southview Middle School. “But this event is so hopeful. I feel the energy of these young changemakers. I hope they walk away feeling empowered by the experts and peers that truly listened to them.”

Before the event, students conducted research on food insecurity within a chosen country, crafted a research essay, and provided a personal recommendation for solving the identified problem. During the event, students presented their findings to leading experts and faculty members from Iowa State University.

Attending Atlantic High School Students:

Lauren Comes | Animal Agriculture in the Central African Republic (CAR)

Lily Johnson | Malnutrition in Somalia

Each participating student is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship towards Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, with the opportunity to apply for the esteemed Wallace-Carver Fellowship program in collaboration with the USDA. Exceptional participants from Iowa will also secure a spot working with scientists and policy experts from around the world at the three-day World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in October. The Iowa Youth Institute strives to reach every school in Iowa to encourage students to pursue career paths in science, technology, and policy to help fight world hunger.

World Food Prize Foundation logo

World Food Prize Foundation President/Ambassador Terry Branstad said “It’s empowering to see the future champions of food security in action. Through events like the Iowa Youth Institute, they are demonstrating their ability to rise to the challenges of the past, the present, and the future.”

About the World Food Prize: The World Food Prize is an international award that honors individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food worldwide. The Prize was founded by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize, for his work that contributed to increases in agricultural outputs which was termed the Green Revolution. Since then, the Prize has been awarded to 53 distinguished individuals during the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue. The Dialogue, also known as the Borlaug Dialogue, is a week of events dedicated to an issue surrounding food insecurity or hunger each year.