Iowa linebacker Nick Jackson says having a full off season has him even more confident heading into the 2024 campaign. Jackson joined the Hawkeye program last summer after transferring from Virginia and finished fourth in the Big Ten in tackles in being named third team All Conference.
Jackson says spring drills and summer workouts will also help an experience linebacker group build depth.
The Hawkeyes open next season at home of August 31st against Illinois State.
(Radio Iowa) – A very rainy May set Iowa farmers back on planting, and all that moisture also put crops at risk. Pools of standing water can still be found in low areas of fields throughout the state, leaving nearly a quarter of Iowa’s farmland topsoil holding surplus moisture. Besides keeping farmers from finishing their planting, U-S-D-A Midwest Climate Hub director Dennis Todey says the standing water could hurt already-planted crops down the line, if it dries out.
Todey asks, “Will root development be appropriate so that if we turn drier in the summer that can we still get at moisture that’s in the soil?” Todey says he has several concerns for planted crops in areas where there’s still standing water.
“The concern always at this point is, one: yield, can we get it along enough in the season to get a yield,” he asks, “and then two: will it get to mature in time before the fall freeze?” June is typically Iowa’s wettest month, and current climate projections show more rain is likely, with drier conditions possible by the middle of the month.
(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood say a man from Omaha was arrested today (Wednesday), on an OWI charge. 44-year-old Joseph Dueling, III, was arrested for OWI/1st offense, with bond set at $1,000.
(Radio Iowa) – Congressman Randy Feenstra says he’s hopeful a new Farm Bill will get through the House and Senate yet this year. “I think it might,” Feenstra says. “We’re going to get it marked up in the House in June and then it’s just a matter of working through the Senate.” Feenstra is a member of the House Ag Committee and the so-called “mark up” is the prelude to presenting the bill to the full House for a vote. Last fall, congress had to extend the Farm Bill that passed in 2018 because work on a new five-year plan was stalled. “There’s a lot of ongoing discussion right now of how we can get it done before September 30. I think there’s incentives on both sides and for both parties. We both see how important crop insurance is, our export markets, China buying our farmland,” Feenstra said. “I think there’s key components here that both parties want to get completed and I’m optimistic as to what I’ve heard over the past week.”
Earlier this week Feenstra emerged as the winner of the G-O-P Primary in Iowa’s fourth congressional district. “Fourth district voters sent a clear message that they want a conservative leader who delivers real results for our families and our farmers, businesses and rural communities,” Feenstra says.
Kevin Virgil, a software company owner who served in the Army and was a C-I-A officer, moved back to the O’Brien County farm where he grew up to run against Feenstra. Virgil made opposition to carbon capture pipelines the cornerstone of his campaign. Feenstra won just over 60 percent of the vote in the primary, compared to just under 40 percent for Virgil. “I was endorsed by the National Rifle Association. I was endorsed by the (National) Right to Life. I was endorsed by the Republican Jewish Coalition. I was endorsed by the Iowa Farm Bureau. These are all conservative organizations,” Feenstra says. “I think they know what’s best, along with our voters.”
Feenstra, who had surgery on May 2nd to treat a blood clot in his leg, says he’s doing well and is following his doctor’s recommendations during the recovery period. Feenstra, who is 55, is seeking a third term in the U-S House.
(Radio Iowa) – A southwest Iowan who graduated from high school last month has won a competitive primary for a seat on the Mills County Board of Supervisors. Eighteen year old Jack Sayers is one of three Republicans seeking two at-large positions on the board. Unofficial results in Mills County show he got nearly 37 percent of the vote, finishing ahead of two incumbents.
Sayers grew up on a farm near Malvern, a town of a thousand residents that’s about 20 miles west of Red Oak. Sayers graduated from East Mills High School on May 19th. He worked as a page in the Iowa House during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions and did a one month stint as a U-S Senate intern last summer.
Jack Sayers of Malvern won 884 votes in the GOP Primary for two at-large seats on the Mills County Board of Supervisors. (KMA photo)
Sayers says his county’s board of supervisors needs to live-stream its meetings so Mills County residents can find out how their tax dollars are being spent.
Sayers finished more than 100 votes ahead of a Mills County Supervisor who’s been on the board for over 11 years. Another incumbent who was first elected in 2016 was in third place. It’s likely Sayers’ victory in Tuesday’s Primary means he’s secured a seat on the Mills County Board of Supervisors. Nearly 61 percent of registered voters in the county are Republicans and no Democrat ran in the primary for a seat on the board.
(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports two people were arrested on separate warrants Tuesday. 25-year-old Morgan Christine Hamling (No known address), was arrested at the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear (in court). Her bond was set at $300. And, 36-year-old Clayton Shane Geick, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond was set at $1,000.
Sheriff’s officials report also, 44-year-old Joseph Arthur Dueling, III, of Omaha, was arrested at around 1:25-a.m. Wednesday (June 5th), following a traffic stop on I-29 in Mills County. Dueling was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of a Prescription Drug. His bond was set at $2,000.
JULIE HANSEN, 77, of Audubon, died Tuesday, June 04, 2024, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital. No services are planned for JULIE HANSEN. A private family burial will be held at Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. Schmidt-Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon is assisting the family.
JULIE HANSEN is survived by:
Her husband – Dennis Hansen, of Audubon.
Her daughter – Cynthia Jensen, of Corning.
(Radio Iowa) – Just eight percent of registered Iowa voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s Primary Elections. Secretary of State Paul Pate is Iowa’s top election official. “It’s a quiet election and we’ll be analyzing that for some time to figure out: ‘What was that about?’ Is it voter fatigue? Is it because there wasn’t some big statewide primary?” 2012 was the last time there was no statewide race in Iowa’s Primary Elections and about nine percent of eligible voters participated. For this week’s primaries, nearly 184-thousand Iowans cast ballots — out of more than two-point-two MILLION registered voters. “I’m going to be looking at those numbers personally just to see if the base vote is out there for Republicans and Democrats,” Pate says, “because it’ll translate into what happens this November.”
Pate says primary results give the winning candidates insight into what worked and what didn’t. “How did our yard signs go going out? How did our phone calls go getting the vote out? Did we get the number we thought we were going to get in turnout? That is your rehearsal,” Pate says. “Even if you don’t have anybody running against you in a primary, it is a rehearsal.” There were three competitive congressional primaries on Tuesday’s ballot.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate speaking to a West Des Moines Valley High School class about registering to vote. (RI file photo)
In the first congressional district, incumbent Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by 12 points. Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra finished 20 percent ahead of his primary challenger in the fourth congressional district. In the third district, Democrat Lanon Baccam won 84 percent of that primary’s vote and will challenge Republican Congressman Zach Nunn in the General Election — which is 153 days away.
(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, today (Wednesday), passed a resolution updating the Sheriff’s Schedule of Inmate Fees at the Jail. The new schedule is as follows:
Sheriff Jon Spunaugle – who is on the Montgomery County RAGBRAI Committee, discussed RAGBRAI® camping on the Law Enforcement Center property. He said he expects about 30-to 40 tents to be located on the lawn, and there will be some restrictions in-place
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting (6-5-24) via Zoom
The Board gave its blessing to allowing the use of the lawn for camping during the night of July 21st. In other business, the Montgomery County Supervisors received a regular report from County Engineer Karen Albert.
She also reminded the citizens of Montgomery County about current road closures.
And, Karen Albert was thrilled to report the 250th Street bridge road is open after flooding in 2019 caused heavy damage.
The Board also heard from Marielle Anne Alipio, with the U-S Small Business Administration, with regard to Disaster Recovery/Assistance for the May 20-21, 2024 severe storms that hit Montgomery County.
The Board’s next meeting is on Tuesday, June 11th, at 8:30-a.m.
(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the non-profit Vision Atlantic organization, says through extensive research and surveying of the community and surrounding region, they have identified three areas that will help increase Atlantic’s population: expanded childcare, quality housing and quality of life amenities. With substantial monetary support from the Charles E. Lakin Foundation and local donors, $16.3 million has been raised in the past six months, over 50% of a $30 million goal.
Christina Bateman, Vision Atlantic President, says “Atlantic has always been blessed with generous, giving residents that prioritize reinvestment in the community. This helps sustain Atlantic as a great place to live, and we are grateful to see that altruistic support in this transformational project we have developed. Never has Atlantic seen such an influx of financial support coming in from outside our community like we have with the Lakin Foundation. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Atlantic and we’re proud to bring this project to our community.”
The first piece of the project is access to childcare. The Ann W. Wickman Child Development Center (CDC) is currently at capacity with a waiting list of 60+ children. On top of that, home childcare providers are retiring, further adding to the shortage of childcare spots. Vision Atlantic is alleviating this burden by constructing an $11.5 million new childcare facility that will serve up to 300 children. The center will sit near 18th and Olive Street, adjacent to the new Camblin Hills Housing Development.
The center will provide a continuity of quality care from infants to five-year-olds, with the age range of children in rooms being further broken down to allow for even better, quality care. Dedicated rooms will have STEAM activities, dramatic play, and other educational activities. Due to a larger building, a dedicated room will be added for ill children to receive care and be kept separate until they can be picked up by a caregiver. An enhanced playground will be added to the property to allow a space for children of all abilities to play. Jack & Jill Preschool, currently housed at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, will be moved to the facility.
Dianna Williams, Director of the Ann W. Wickman CDC, says “The Wickman Center has provided love and care for 14 years now to over 860 children from Atlantic and nine other surrounding communities. It’s easy to focus on immediate needs, but in order for our community to grow and prosper, we need to be progressive and work towards our future needs. We need to help those families that struggle to find childcare in our community, and we will provide opportunities for family’s needs well into the future. Our Vision and Purpose have always been to provide the best quality childcare that we can for families, and I’m so proud of our community for working together to make these dreams and incredible opportunities come true.” 
The second piece of the project is housing. Atlantic currently has the highest percent of the oldest housing stock amongst sister cities in Iowa. Because of this, buyers cannot access new, move-in ready homes. Vision Atlantic will develop ‘Camblin Hills Housing Development’ to address this need. Named after the late Bob Camblin, co-founder of Vision Atlantic, this development will sit on the open 49-acres along Olive Street, between 17th & 22nd Street, that was purchased from the City of Atlantic. It will be 144 mixed units including town homes, duplexes, single-family homes, and lots for purchase. A park and biking/walking trail will be nestled in, offering a safe, family-friendly environment for any buyer. The Charles E. Lakin Foundation is providing a substantial $23 million in housing capital, and the development will provide a $48 million total financial impact on the Atlantic area.
Bateman says “10 years ago, there were 73 houses on the market in Atlantic. Today, only 16 houses are on the market without offers. We have people in our community, and those looking to move here, who are ready to purchase larger homes and people ready to build their dream home, but they can’t find what they’re looking for. This development will offer a little of everything, while also allowing buyers to “move up”, opening their existing homes for first time buyers, or for those who are ready to downsize.”
The final piece is quality of life amenities. Atlantic’s current, state-of-the-art YMCA, will undergo a $16 million renovation with an addition added to the front of the facility. An outdoor community recreation and event space will allow for fitness and outdoor events in all weather conditions. An indoor soft-play area will give families a safe, dynamic space for group play. 24-hour access to the expanded fitness floor will be available with the use of key fobs for entry after hours. A children’s museum area will bring a big-city feature into the community and be a source of education and fun. A STEAM room and E-Sports room will be added to give youth of all ages a place to gather. Additionally, a dedicated senior social and activity space will promote fitness as individuals age and help fight social isolation amongst seniors. Current plans also include adding a 70-seat movie theater space to the facility.
Nishna Valley Family YMCA Executive Director Dan Haynes says “Extensive surveying has been done the past several years to help us determine what enhancements the YMCA could add to address health, wellness and social connection. Everything listed above is things our membership, community and region have asked for. We’ve been blessed to serve the region for over 30 years. We’re excited to add these amenities to continue serving a broad range of ages and abilities, making our facility a community hub for generations to come.”
Bid letting for land infrastructure will begin late this summer, with construction of all three projects slated to begin late spring of 2025. Vision Atlantic’s Project Committee is actively working to secure the remaining $14 million needed to meet the $30 million fundraising goal. If you are interested in helping transform Atlantic, whether it’s through monetary donations or acts of volunteerism, please contact Vision Atlantic at visionatlanticiowa@gmail.com. Follow Vision Atlantic on Facebook for behind-the-scenes access to project updates.
ABOUT VISION ATLANTIC
Vision Atlantic is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose mission is to empower growth, enhance lives, and build a thriving community together through the economic development of Atlantic, Iowa.
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