United Group Insurance

Wetjen Named To Jet Award Midseason List

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Kaden Wetjen has been named the midseason watchlist for the Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The announcement was made on Monday by the Jet Award Foundation.

Wetjen leads the nation with 371 combined kick return yards. He is in the top 25 in FBS in kick and punt returns, ranking 19th in kick returns (24.7) and 22nd in punt returns (9.9). The Williamsburg, Iowa, native had a career-long 37-yard kickoff return against Washington and he finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards — 11 rushing, 74 kickoff return and 37 punt return.

The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers. The winner of the 2024 Jet Award will be selected by a panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former recipients of the Jet Award, and two of our founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

Iowa (4-2, 2-1) returns to action Saturday at Michigan State (3-3, 1-2). Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) in East Lansing, Michigan, and will be televised on NBC.

Posted in Sports |

Graves Named B1G Co-Defensive Player of the Week

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior defensive lineman Aaron Graves has been named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week following his outstanding effort in the Hawkeyes’ 40-16 rout over Washington, it was announced Monday by the league office. Graves shares the honor with Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich.

The weekly conference accolade is the first for Graves and the second for a Hawkeye this season; Kaleb Johnson was recognized as co-offensive player of the week following his dominant performance in Iowa’s road win at Minnesota last month.

Graves was a force on the defensive line on Saturday, totaling five tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass deflection. The pair of forced fumbles were a career best for Graves, The Dayton, Iowa, native has recorded multiple sacks twice in 2024 (Illinois State, 3; Washington, 2).

Iowa (4-2, 2-1) returns to action Saturday at Michigan State (3-3, 1-2). Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) in East Lansing, Michigan, and will be televised on NBC.

Posted in Sports |

Pottawattamie County enters Burn Ban status

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Emergency Management Agency say a ban on open burning is in effect immediately for all areas and jurisdictions in Pottawatamie County. The ban prohibits all open and controlled burning in Pottawatamie County, including all incorporated city limits within the County.

The current dry conditions throughout the region have increased the potential for wildland fire incidents. As dry conditions persist, dead and dying vegetation is the perfect fuel to spread fires rapidly. This type of fire behavior is difficult to control and is extremely dangerous to responders and the public.

During these dry conditions, citizens are reminded to not throw out cigarettes from moving vehicles, and discontinue burning yard waste, piled tree debris or other items during the ban. Violations of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties as well as civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from the fire.

Iowa counties with Burn Bans in effect (as of 10-14-24)

Visit the Emergency Management website at www.pottcounty-ia.gov/emergency_management for more information on burn bans and the law. All residents are also encouraged to sign up for AlertIowa at the website to receive alerts for fire danger, evacuation notices, severe weather threats, and community emergency notifications.

There are now 58 out of Iowa’s 99 counties that are in a ban on open burning. With the addition of Pott. County, other area counties include: Cass, Adair, Audubon, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, and Shelby.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Former Hawkeye Bill Ashton Passes Away

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – William (Bill) Ashton, a former University of Iowa track and cross-country student-athlete, passed away earlier this month at the age of 84.

Ashton was a letterwinner on the Hawkeyes’ cross-country team in 1960, as well as the former University of Iowa Varsity Club president. He continued volunteering countless hours as a track and field official for high school and college athletics. In 2004, Bill and his brother, Jim, helped create the Ashton Cross Country Course in honor of their former Hawkeye coach, Francis X. Cretzmeyer.

A native of Davenport, Iowa, Ashton earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1962, followed by a master’s degree in 1963 from the University of Iowa. He became a highly respected ambassador for the field of engineering, founding the Ashton Engineering Inc. in 1982.

Posted in Sports |

Radio Iowa High School Football Poll 10/14/24

Sports

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Class 5A
1. Dowling Catholic (6-1), LW #1 vs #10 Southeast Polk
2. WDM Valley (6-1), LW #2 @ Ankeny
3. Bettendorf (7-0), LW #3 vs Cedar Rapids Prairie
4. Pleasant Valley (6-1), LW #4 @ Iowa City West
5. Johnston (5-2), LW #5 @ Urbandale
6. Linn-Mar (6-1), LW #6 vs #9 Iowa City High
7. Ankeny Centennial (5-2), LW #7 @ Waukee Northwest
8. Iowa City Liberty (6-1), LW #8 @ Waterloo West
9. Iowa City High (5-2), LW #10 @ #6 Linn-Mar
10.Southeast Polk (4-3), LW (X) @ #1 Dowling

Class 4A
1. Lewis Central (7-0), LW #1 vs Norwalk
2. Pella (7-0), LW #3 @ Bondurant-Farrar
3. North Polk (7-0), LW #4 vs Boone
4. Decorah (7-0), LW #5 vs #9 Western Dubuque
5. Cedar Rapids Xavier (5-2), LW #6 vs Clear Creek-Amana
6. ADM (Adel) (6-1), LW #7 vs Indianola
7. Gilbert (6-1), LW #2 vs #10 Newton
8. North Scott (5-2), LW #8 vs Clinton
9. Western Dubuque (5-2), LW #9 @ #4 Decorah
10.Newton (5-2), LW (X) @ #7 Gilbert

Class 3A
1. Williamsburg (6-1), LW #2 @ Grinnell
2. Dubuque Wahlert (7-0), LW #3 vs Central DeWitt
3. Humboldt (6-1), LW #5 @ #10 Clear Lake
4. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (7-0), LW #4 @ #8 Sioux City Heelan
5. Algona (6-1), LW #1 vs Webster City
6. Mount Vernon (6-1), LW #7 @ Washington
7. Independence (5-2), LW #8 vs West Delaware
8. Sioux City Heelan (5-2), LW #9 vs #4 Sergeant Bluff-Luton
9. Benton (5-2), LW #10 @ South Tama
10.Clear Lake (5-2), LW (X) vs #3 Humboldt

Class 2A
1. Spirit Lake (6-1), LW #1 @ Garner Hayfield Ventura
2. West Lyon (7-0), LW #2 vs #9 Central Lyon/GLR
3. PCM (Monroe) (7-0), LW #3 @ Iowa Falls-Alden
4. Van Meter (6-1), LW #4 @ Interstate-35
5. Carroll Kuemper (6-1), LW #5 @ Southeast Valley
6. Northeast (Goose Lake) (7-0), LW #6 @ Anamosa
7. North Fayette Valley (6-1), LW #7 vs Crestwood
8. Roland-Story (5-2), LW #8 @ Saydel
9. Central Lyon/GLR (5-2), LW (X) @ #2 West Lyon
10.West Burlington/Notre Dame (6-1), LW (X) @ Davis County

Class 1A
1. Grundy Center (7-0), LW #1 vs Hudson
2. Wilton (7-0), LW #2 @ #10 Iowa City Regina
3. Emmetsburg (7-0), LW #2 @ Manson-NW Webster
4. Dike-New Hartford (6-1), LW #5 vs Denver
5. Sigourney-Keota (6-1), LW #7 vs Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
6. Treynor (6-1), LW #8 @ Missouri Valley
7. Hinton (6-1), LW #9 @ West Sioux
8. South Hardin (6-1), LW #10 @ Waterloo Columbus
9. OABCIG (5-2), LW #4 @ Lawton-Bronson
10.Iowa City Regina (6-1), LW #6 VS #2 Wilton

Class A
1. AC/GC (7-0), LW #1 vs Southwest Valley
2. West Hancock (7-0), LW #2 @ Mason City Newman
3. Lisbon (7-0), LW #3 @ Van Buren County
4. Saint Ansgar (6-1), LW #4 vs Lake Mills
5. Tri-Center (6-1), LW #8 @ Kingsley-Pierson
6. LeMars Gehlen (6-1), LW #9 vs Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn
7. Maquoketa Valley (6-1), LW (X) vs Starmont
8. Riverside (Oakland) (5-2), LW (X) @ Panorama
9. Pekin (6-1), LW (X) @ Louisa-Muscatine
10.North Linn (6-1), LW #7 @ Bellevue

8-Player
1. Algona Garrigan (7-0), LW #1 @ Harris-Lake Park
2. Lenox (7-0), LW #2 @ Lamoni
3. Remsen St. Mary’s (7-0), LW #3 vs West Harrison/Whiting
4. Don Bosco (7-0), LW #4 vs Waterloo Christian
5. Audubon (7-0), LW #5 @ Baxter
6. Iowa Valley (7-0), LW #6 @ Belle Plaine
7. Bedford (6-1), LW #7 @ Southeast Warren
8. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (6-1), LW #9 vs GMG
9. Montezuma (7-1), LW (X) @ Twin Cedars
10.Woodbine (6-1), LW #8 vs East Mills

Posted in Sports |

BOB LaFRENTZ, 90, of Elk Horn (IA) – Memorials Svc. 10/20/24

Obituaries

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BOB LaFRENTZ, 90, of Elk Horn (IA), died Oct. 10, 2024, at the Salem Lutheran Home. A Memorial service for BOB LaFRENTZ will be held 2-p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, at the Peace United Church of Christ in Walnut. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

The family will greet friend at the Peace United Church of Christ in Walnut, from 1-until 2-p.m., Sunday.

Burial is in the Layton Township Cemetery at Walnut.

BOB LaFRENTZ is survived by:

His daughters – Diane (Brent) Petersen, and Dona Grooms, all of Walnut, and Doreen “Sus” (Henri Day), of Boulder City, NV

9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, his son-in-law Max Petersen, of Walnut, and his sister-in-law Mary Ann Goettsch .

Posted in Obituaries |

Anamosa prison dentist has surrendered his license after public intox arrest

News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Waterloo dentist convicted of public intoxication after an arrest outside the state prison in Anamosa is no longer licensed to practice dentistry in Iowa. Fifty-nine-year-old Paymun Bayati was the prison dentist. The Iowa Capital Dispatch was first to report that in December of last year, Bayati performed a root canal on a inmate at the prison and was arrested by an Anamosa police officer after prison administrators called to report the dentist appeared to be intoxicated and was trying to drive away.

The Iowa Dental Board suspended his license a few weeks later. The dentist told the Iowa Capitol Dispatch he doesn’t drink and believes someone at the prison spiked his coffee. Bayati, who has also practiced dentistry in Sioux City, has voluntarily surrendered his license.

Posted in News |

Adair County Sheriff’s report, 10/14/24

News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports four arrests took place over the past week. Saturday morning, 38-year-old Kyle William Gustin, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested on an Adair County warrant for Harassment in the 3rd Degree. The warrant was with regard to a Sept. 2024 incident in Fontanelle. Gustin turned himself-in to the Adair County Jail, and was released on his Own Recognizance about an hour later.

Friday morning, an Iowa State Patrol Trooper arrested 40-year-old Samoeun An, of Beltsville, MD, following an incident at the I-80 westbound rest area, in Adair County. An was taken into custody for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, with regard to the alleged damage of a cell phone owned by a woman who was a co-driver of the vehicle the pair were in. The phone was damaged occurred during an argument about one of the parties getting paid. An was released from the Adair County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Last Wednesday, 40-year-old Luke Daniel Hommes, of Fontanelle, was arrested by police in Adair, for an alleged violation of a No Contact Order. He was being held in the Adair County Jail on a $5,000 cash-only bond. And, on Oct. 7th, 59-year-old Adam Duane Wright, of Boone, was arrested by Adair County Deputies at the Boone County Jail. He was wanted on an Adair County warrant for Violation of Probation. Wright was being held without bond in the Adair County Jail pending an appearance in District Court.

Posted in News |

Iowa Corn Collegiate Advisory Team Students Selected for 2024 – 2025 Participation

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JOHNSTON, Iowa – October 14, 2024 – Officials with Iowa Corn have announced the names of students selected to participate in the 2024-2025 school year’s Collegiate Advisory Team (CAT) program. The program focuses on increasing college students’ understanding of the corn industry. During the one-year program, students will visit the Capitol, tour industry leaders’ operations, and expand their network and knowledge outside of the classroom.

2024 – 2025 Collegiate Advisory Team Students:

  • Amanda Ostrem, Des Moines Area Community College
  • Calla Langel, Des Moines Area Community College
  • Morgan McKay, Des Moines Area Community College
  • Presley Buttler, Des Moines Area Community College
  • Tate Tentinger, Ellsworth Community College
  • Kelly Lloyd, Future Flyers of America
  • Ashlee David, Graceland University
  • Logan Evans, Graceland University
  • Adelyn Sienknecht, Hawkeye Community College
  • Raymond Franzen, Indian Hills Community College
  • Lucas Parcel, Iowa Central Community College
  • Breanna Selsor, Iowa State University
  • Brooklyn Botterman, Iowa State University
  • Chris Baer, Iowa State University
  • Elly Cain, Iowa State University
  • Emily Bray, Iowa State University
  • Lainey DeVries, Iowa State University
  • Maddilyn Klemme, Iowa State University
  • Madison Hoover, Iowa State University
  • Mallory Behnken, Iowa State University
  • Caleb Welsh, Kirkwood Community College
  • RC Hicks, Morningside University
  • Henry Rose, Muscatine Community College
  • Marshall Zeien, North Iowa Area Community College
  • Makinley Edwards, Southwestern Community College
  • Rylan Oglesbee, Southwestern Community College

The Collegiate Advisory Team will meet four times over the course of the 2024 – 2025 school year, providing experience and training by Iowa Corn in areas such as leadership, effective communication, policy, and industry relations. For more information on the program, visit https://www.iowacorn.org/CAT

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

It’s time once again for the “Scrooge” contest to benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry

News

October 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The 2024 “Scrooge” Contest, sponsored by the Atlantic Chamber, benefits the Atlantic Food Pantry and those they serve. Food Pantry leader Brad Osborne says food insecurity in our community is on the rise and the need continues to be great-as the statistics illustrate.  In 2019, Osborne says, the Pantry averaged 24 households per week and 53 individuals per week being served. Today they are averaging 72 households and 216 individuals.” Over a 400% increase in our community and support like the Scrooge campaign has never been more important, according to Osborne, who says “That is the plain and simple truth.”

The contest was started in 2001 and was organized yearly by Eleanor Hoover (“Big E”). Eleanor’s daughter, Jackie Sampson, says “It is a vital part of the yearly work our Food Pantry and their committee members do and helps them fill in some of the gaps they encounter in trying to help meet the rising needs.”Sampson says financial records for the last eight-years, show during that time, over $154,150 and 29,230 food items have been raised for the food pantry. “The need continues to be very great in our community to help combat food insecurity.”

2024-09-30 GRAPH – Households per Week

2024-09-30 GRAPH – Individuals per Week

In honor of their mother, her daughters (Billie, Lori, Jackie and honorary daughter Karen), have pledged $1,000 to kick-off the contest—with each Scrooge candidate getting a jump-start toward their total. 

2024 candidates for the title of “Scrooge” include:

– Randy & Michelle Roy (Randy’s Computer)

– Graydon Schmidt (Schmidt Family Funeral Homes)

– Jeremiah Thompson (Landus/Atlantic Fire Dept)

– Ben Winford (New Life Church)

The campaign begins November 1st. The food barrel drop-off locations will be announced soon. The candidates will turn-in funds collected and non-perishable goods they have obtained, on November 26th at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce office on N. Chestnut Street. The results will be tabulated and the winner announced.  The winner will serve as the Grand Marshall for the Lighted Christmas Parade in Atlantic, in December.

Atlantic Food Pantry Donated Food Suggestions for 2024:
*canned soup (chicken noodle, tomato, cream of chicken, cream of mushroom,
vegetable beef,….)
*canned fruit (peaches, pears, applesauce, cocktail)
*beef ravioli (cans) or SpaghettiOs
*cereal (boxes) or Quick Oats (no milk needed)
*crackers (saltine)
*tuna or chicken (cans)
*macaroni and cheese
*canned corn, green beans, peas (12-15 oz. cans)
*“complete” pancake & waffle mix (no milk)
*Pancake/waffle syrup
*spaghetti and pasta sauce
*Manwich or Sloppy Joe cans

Food Items to be collected will be limited to only what is on the Food Pantry list this year as storage space is limited and food distribution to families is different due to Post-Covid.

  • Food Items: 1 item = 1 point
  • Monetary Donations are preferred – $1 = 5 points—checks made out to Atlantic Food Pantry

Posted in News |