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Ukraine’s ambassador to US visits Iowa

News

August 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States is on a tour of Midwest states, to discuss the stakes in Ukraine’s battle with Russia. Ambassador Oksana Markarova says she was encouraged by conversations she had during her visit to the Iowa State Fair yesterday (Tuesday). “So many people just said that they keep us in their prayers and there is nothing more I want to hear because this is what we need in this moment, you know, more prayers and more weapons,” Markarova said.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February of 2022 and this past week thousands of Ukrainian troops have crossed into Russian territory.  “We are the army that actually is holding the ground against Russia, which was supposed to be the second most powerful army on the globe,” she says. Last week, the Pentagon announced the U-S has provided over 55 BILLION dollars in military assistance to Ukraine in the past two and a half years.

Markarova says the U-S is Ukraine’s number one strategic partner, but Ukraine’s war time experience is of value to the U-S as well as Europeans. “We have now the largest battle tested army among all our of friends and allies,” Markarov said. “…The reason why we want to be members of the NATO is not for NATO to defend us, but for NATO to become stronger because we will have a lot to contribute to it.”

Markarova also met with Governor Reynolds, Des Moines city leaders and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst yesterday (Tuesday). Her trip was arranged by the German Marshall Fund, an organization that promotes alliances among the U-S and European nations.

Posted in News |

Corkery says Iowa’s ESA program is ‘Christianizing the next generation’

News

August 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Democratic candidate in Iowa’s second congressional district is calling for repeal of the IOWA law that bans most abortions and an end to the taxpayer funded accounts for private K-through-12 students in Iowa. Sarah Corkery of Cedar Falls, says those issues can motivate potential supporters of her bid to unseat Republican Congresswoman Ashley Hinson.

“I say: ‘If you’re mad about women’s rights and you’re mad about education, you’ve got to turn up in Iowa to get anything done,'” Corkery says. Corkery, whose father is a retired Lutheran minister, says Iowa’s private schools are lovely places, but the vast majority are Christian schools.

“We are Christianizing the next generation and it’s not right,” Corkery says. “We should all be able to have our own beliefs and our own thoughts.” Corkery would support a bill in the U-S House to make abortion legal in all 50 states, by putting the language from the overturned Roe v Wade decision in federal law.

Sarah Corkery, Democratic candidate in Iowa’s second congressional district, speaks at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13, 2014 (RI photo)

“I truly believe all medical decisions should be between a person and a doctor and there should be no government involvement in this conversation at all,” Corkery says, “so we’ve got a long ways to go from a six week ban to where it’s just a protected health care decision.”

Corkery made her comments late Tuesday afternoon at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair.

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Wed., Aug. 14, 2024

Weather

August 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11am. High near 81. E/SE winds 15-25 mph. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 68. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Tomorrow: A slight chance of afternoon showers & thunderstorms, otherwise mostly sunny. High near 84. W @ 5-10 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 84.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 81. The Low was 65. We received .54″ rain this morning (up until 7-a.m.), here at KJAN. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 72 and the Low was 53. The Record High here on Aug. 14th, was 107 in 1936. The Record Low was 45 in 1929. Sunrise today: 6:27-a.m.; Sunset: 8:21-p.m.

Posted in Weather |

Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand names the 2024 Butter Cow

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines, IA – Butter sculptor extraordinaire, Sarah Pratt, on Monday bestowed State Auditor Rob Sand with the honor of naming the 2024 Iowa State Fair Butter Cow. Without hesitation, Sand paid homage to his cow-naming predecessor, Brogan Malcolm who grew up in Truro, Iowa. “Brogan named the butter cow for 10 years and her story can inspire all of us,” said Sand. “So, it makes perfect sense that this year’s butter cow be named after her.”

Malcolm, born without sight, made a tradition of attending the Iowa State Fair with her grandfather, who at the time, called Pratt with a special request. “He called and asked if there was a way that Brogan could have a hands-on experience with the butter cow,” said Pratt, who immediately agreed to allow her into the refrigerated unit housing the butter cow and her companions. “Being a special education teacher, I wanted her to feel the sculpture, to smell the butter, and it became a tradition that was just so lovely.”

Sand and Pratt with Butter Cow

Brogan with Butter Cow

Malcolm, now 20 years old, says she distinctly remembers the smell of the butter, which is recycled year after year. “It smelled old,” said Malcolm jokingly. The decade-long, Iowa State Fair pastime solidified the bond between Malcolm, Pratt, and Pratt’s two daughters who have helped sculpt the 600-pound butter bovine on and off since their mother took over the job in 2006.

Malcolm currently interns at a daycare center where she reads to children from books written in Braille, and will soon graduate from Des Moines Public Schools’ Secondary Transition Employment Program (STEP).  “Brogan teaches us an important lesson,” said Sand. “What some might view as a disability, is really just a different way of experiencing the world.”

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Brand new car damaged in an accident in Creston

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department says there were no injuries during a collision this (Tuesday) afternoon, but a brand new car sustained several thousand dollars damage. According to the police report, a pickup truck driven by 55-year old Shawn Bakken, of Creston, was stopped at the posted T-intersection of Devoe and Sumner Streets.

Bakken saw a truck with a trailer making a right hand lane turn in the close lane/right lane, with a vehicle behind it in the same lane. A 2024 Subaru Outback driven by 49-year-old Kerri Stode, of Orient, was traveling north in the left lane. The pickup pulled out to make a left turn south, but Bakken didn’t see the Subaru on the other side of the trailer.

When the pickup pulled out in front of the car, the vehicles collided. The accident happened at around 1:50-p.m. Police say the 2021 Chevy Silverado sustained an estimated $1,000/minor damage, while the Subaru sustained damage estimated at $7,000.

The Police report said Bakken failed to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign, but there were no citations issued.

Posted in News |

Media Day at Northern Iowa

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley says Aidan Dunne is leading the race to become the starting quarterback for the Panther’s new “Air Raid” offense. The native of Dubuque is competing against Wisconsin native Matt Schecklman and former Southeast Polk star Jaxon Dailey to become UNI’s starter. Dailey is a transfer from Arkansas State.

Farley says all three are getting reps.

Farley says all three have done well in adjusting to the new offense.

Farley says at some point who the starter should be will become clear in practice.

The Panthers have missed the FCS playoffs the past two seasons and they are picked to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Farley says that is a result of the strength of the league.

Farley says the key in Missouri Valley play is winning the close games.

The Panthers open at home on August 31st against Valparaiso.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State receiver Daniel Jackson sidelined by injury

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says senior wide receiver Daniel Jackson may be lost for the season. Jackson suffered a lower leg injury in practice that required surgery. The native of Texas had 16 receptions last season, including two touchdowns.

The good news in the wake of the injury is receiver is one of the deepest position groups on the team.

Jackson has already used a redshirt season but there is a possibility he could use a COVID year and return.

Posted in Sports |

SHERRY RUGGLES, 78, of Boone (Svcs. 8/16/24)

Obituaries

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

SHERRY RUGGLES, 78, of Boone, died Monday, August 12, 2024, at Boone County Hospital in Boone. Funeral services for SHERRY RUGGLES will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, August 16, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Public Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the funeral home.

Interment is in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita. A luncheon will be held following the interment at the Anita Community Center.

Memorials may be directed to the Anita Fire & EMS Department in memory of Sherry and mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

SHERRY RUGGLES is survived by:

Her husband of 58-years: Jim Ruggles.

Her sons – Michael (Dawn) Ruggles, of Bondurant, and Daren (Tammy) Ruggles, of Slater.

6 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; Many friends and relatives.

Posted in Obituaries |

Hawkeyes Open with Rumble in the Rockies

Sports

August 13th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

THIS WEEK

University of Iowa women’s soccer travels to Missoula, Montana, for the Rumble in the Rockies. The Hawkeyes take on Oregon State at 4 p.m. (CT) on Thursday before facing Colorado College at Noon (CT) on Sunday in the season-opening event.

WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE

  • Both matches stream live on ESPN+ (subscription required).
  • Links to streaming and live stats can be found at the gameday page on hawkeyesports.com.
  • Fans can follow the Iowa soccer program on Twitter/X (@HawkeyeSoccer) for live in-game updates.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS

  • Interim Head Coach Caroline Kelly was elevated in July after seven seasons as an assistant at the Division I level. Kelly previously headed recruiting and defense for Oregon State, guiding the team to seven shutouts in 2023, a high watermark for the past decade of Beaver women’s soccer.
  • Oregon State finished 4-8-7 last season with a 1-6-4 conference record. Leading scorer McKenna Martinez brings back 15 points from the 2023 campaign, including six goals. Six of the team’s top seven point-scorers return on offense.
  • The Beavers averaged 1.79 goals against last season, compared to a program-record 0.76 goals against average posted by the Hawkeye defense a year ago.
  • The Beavers will compete in the West Coast Conference for the first time this season.

SERIES HISTORY – OREGON STATE 

Iowa and Oregon State meet for the first time in program history.

SCOUTING THE PREDATORS

  • Colorado College posted a 3-13-2 record last season, scoring 15 goals on the year and allowing 2.72 goals against.
  • Midfielder Kaelin Enga joined utility players Alexis Wessler and Makenna Kolson as Mountain West Preseason Players to Watch. Enga and Wessler join defender Ava Risser and midfielder Alex Sandoval as the squad’s leading returners on offense, where they each tallied three points apiece, last fall.
  • Sophomore goalkeeper Regan Wallace started in all 18 games last season. The Predators return all three keepers who saw the field in 2023.
  • The Predators were voted 12th in the 2024 Mountain West Preseason Poll.
  • Colorado College advanced to the national semifinals or championship match five times in seven years during the1980s and is considered a pioneering program in collegiate women’s athletics.

SERIES HISTORY – COLORADO COLLEGE 

Iowa is 0-2-0 against the Predators, historically. The last meeting between the two schools was in 2005.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Head Coach Dave DiIanni enters his 11th year at the helm of the Iowa women’s soccer program. Last season was another for the history books, as Iowa won the program’s second Big Ten Tournament Championship. Iowa qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the third time since 2019 and fourth time in school history.
  • Iowa is ranked No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll to start the year. The preseason ranking is a first in program history. The Hawkeyes also earned their first postseason ranking last fall, checking in at No. 24 to finish the year. Iowa peaked at No. 14 in the national polls, another all-time best.
  • The Hawkeyes return three of four starting defenders from a team that posted program records for shutouts (13) and goal against average (0.76). Graduate-student Maggie Johnston, sophomore Eva Pattison and sophomore Millie Greer return alongside veteran goalkeeper Macy Enneking.
  • Greer (#39) and midfielder Sofia Bush (#87) were ranked top-100 freshmen at the end of the season by Top Drawer Soccer.
  • Offensively, Iowa returns five of six leading point scorers, including leading-scorer Kelli McGroarty.  The graduate student brings back a team-best 18 points and seven goals from 2023.
  • The roster features 10 newcomers, including six freshmen and four transfers.
  • Bush, Enneking and Greer were named Big Ten Players to Watch. The Hawkeyes were ranked eighth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll. Enneking is a United Soccer Coaches national preseason honoree.
  • Johnston and Enneking are captains, with graduate-student Rielee Fetty serving as vice captain.

RUMBLE IN THE ROCKIES

The preseason event is hosted by the Montana Grizzlies. To win the event, teams must sweep their two matches, with a scoring differential to be used as a tiebreaker.

FRESH FACES
Iowa welcomes six freshmen and four new transfer additions.

  • Three freshmen hail from the state of Michigan, including Charlotte Bien (M), Keira Biils (M) and Caliegh Collard (F/M). Forward Abby Warner is a native of Pella, Iowa, while Berit Parten is from St. Paul, Minnesota, and Berkely Binggeli (F/M) hails from Heber City, Utah.
  • Parten posted a hat-trick in the preseason exhibition against South Dakota last week.
  • Graduate-student Maya Hansen (F) joins the Hawkeyes from South Dakota State, where she holds program records with 44 goals, 107 points and 18 game-winning goals. The Savage, Minnesota, native is a three-time All-Summit League First Team selection and a two-time all-region honoree.
  • Graduate-student Lauren Geczik (F/D) joins the program from Texas A&M, where she made 29 starts through 39 games. Geczik scored 13 points on four goals and five assists with the Aggies.
  • Graduate-student Madison Wilson (M) led Dayton with 16 points last season, where she started for four seasons.
  • Junior Alexia Griffin (D) started in every game at Southern Miss over the past two seasons. Griffin tacked on one goal a year ago while leading the Golden Eagle defense.

RETURNING FIREPOWER

Five of Iowa’s top-six point scorers return from last season. Of that group, all but one are seniors or fifth-year players.

  • Returning Totals/2023 Totals: 80/105 Points, 26/36 goals, 28/33 assists
  • McGroarty led the Hawkeyes with 18 points and seven goals last season. Senior Kenzie Roling led the team with five assists and totaled 11 points for the year.
  • Senior Elle Otto scored 13 points on five goals and three assists in 2023.
  • Fourth and fifth-year players combine for 19 of Iowa’s 26 returning goals and 55 of 80 total points returning on offense. Iowa is 43-2-3 in its last 48 games when scoring two goals or more, which dates back to October of 2017. The Hawkeyes scored multiple goals in 10 matches last season.
  • Bush secured eight points on three goals and two assists as a true freshman in the midfield.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Iowa allowed just 17 goals in 2023, setting new program bests for goals against average (0.76) and shutouts (13). Both records had stood since the first season under Head Coach Dave DiIanni in 2014.

  • Three starters return from that top statistical defense in program history, including sophomores Greer and Pattison with captain Maggie Johnston. Senior Miah Schueller also has starting experience at defender.
  •  Iowa outscored opponents 36-17, dominating opponents in shots (307-164) and SOG (149-75).

A KEEPER!

Goalkeeper Macy Enneking set a program individual record for goalkeeper shutouts last season (12.5), tying for fifth nationally.

  • The Hilliard, Ohio, native has started all five years at Iowa, anchoring the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and conference tournament championships.
  • Enneking is the first Hawkeye named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List.

BIGGER BIG TEN
The Big Ten Conference welcomes UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington to the conference this season. The Bruins are ranked 11th nationally while the Trojans check in at No. 23.

  • The Bruins were national champions in 2022 and 2013; the Trojans were national champions in 2016 and 2007. Along with Washington, the three programs combine for 62 NCAA Tournament appearances; Oregon has never qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
  • Iowa hosts Washington on Oct. 17 and Oregon on Oct. 20.

SINCE 2019, IOWA…

  • Won both Big Ten Tournament Championships in program history (2021, 2023)
  • Won each of two NCAA Tournament victories in program history
  • Made three of four NCAA Tournament appearances in program history
  • Has earned 10 postseason wins
  • Has posted 42 shutouts
  • Defeated seven ranked opponents, six top-15 opponents and two top-five opponents
  • Saw Coach DiIanni surpass 300 career wins and become the winningest coach in program history
  • Set a new home attendance record (2,629); the overtime win over Bucknell was the first NCAA Tournament game hosted at the Iowa Soccer Complex

NEW HAWKEYE HEIGHTS

Iowa women’s soccer alumni are reaching new heights.

  • Samantha Cary (‘23) became the first Iowa women’s soccer product selected in the NWSL Draft. Iowa’s all-time minutes leader was picked 48th overall by Racing Louisville. Cary later signed with IFK Norrköping, which plays in Sweden’s top-tier league.
  • Cloé Lacasse (‘14) became the first Hawkeye to compete at the Olympic Games this summer. Lacasse made started and scored a goal competing for Canada Soccer in Paris. Lacasse is tied for first in Iowa program history for career points (112) and sits atop the Hawkeye record book in career shots (306).
  • Lacasse plays professionally for Arsenal W.F.C in London, where she tallied three goals through eight starts and 13 substitutions last season. Lacasse was player of the year for 2023 at her previous stop in the top Portuguese league for  S.L. Benifica.

UP NEXT
Iowa travels to Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Aug. 22 to take on Western Michigan. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes face Texas on Aug. 25 at 1 p.m. on the road.

Posted in Sports |

Cass County Sheriff’s Office (IA) – arrest report for 7/26-8/12/2024: 7 arrested on drug charges

News

August 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Tuesday), released a report on arrests that occurred from July 26th to August 12th (today).

On August 12th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andrew Nickum, 35, of Casey, on a warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Nickum was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked; and 33-year-old Jennifer Avey, of Casey, was arrested on a warrant for Theft 5th Degree.  Avey was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release after her initial appearance.

Four arrests took place Sunday (August 11th), in Cass County: 54-year-old Craig Griffin, of Atlantic, was  arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense, Possession of Marijuana – 2nd Offense and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Griffin was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance; 33-year-old Tera Reyes, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Reyes was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.; 57-year-old Danny Devore, of Cumberland, was arrested on a warrant for a Controlled Substance Violation as well as an additional charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Devore was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held; and 49-year-old Stacey Ashton, of Elk Horn, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Ashton was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on her own recognizance.

On August 10th, Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 36-year-old Timothy Chandler, of Atlantic, on the charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Chandler was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance. And, 33-year-old Morgan Leeder, of Lewis, was arrested on three charges of Child Endangerment as well as Interference with Official Acts.  Leeder was transported to the Cass County Jail where she was booked and held pending her later release on bond.

On August 7th, 2024, the Cass County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jeremy Nolan, 43, of Westville, IL, on the charges of Driving while Revoked, Providing False Identification to Law Enforcement and Speed.  Nolan was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On August 6th, 2024, 69-year-old Ricky Roby, of Atlantic, was arrested on two warrants for Possession of Methamphetamine.  Roby was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on bond.

On August 4th, 2024, 65-year-old Timothy Meyer, of Massena, was arrested on the charges of OWI 1st Offense, Driving Under Suspension and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Meyer was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On August 2nd, 2024, Edward Neff, 34, of Council Bluffs, was arrested for Child Endangerment causing Bodily Injury.  Neff was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held.

On July 29th, 2024, 45-year-old Ronnie Chandler, of Avoca, was arrested for OWI 1st Offense and Open Container.  Chandler was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

On July 26th, 2024, 22-year-old Walter Sanchez-Balcazar, of Kennesaw, GA, was arrested for Trespass 1st Offense.  Sanchez-Balcazar was transported to the Cass County Jail where he was booked and held pending his later release on his own recognizance.

All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.

Posted in News |