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Cass County FFA State Fair News, 8/10/23

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa)  – Atlantic FFA Advisor/Ag Instructor Eric Miller reports even before the Iowa State Fair officially began, members of the Atlantic FFA Chapter were hard at work. On Wednesday (Aug. 9th), the Draft Horse Show kicked off with Colton Becker and his Percheron “Spring” began the day by winning Champion FFA Halter class. Next was FFA Showmanship where Becker also came out on top. Finally in the FFA Cart Class, Becker finished 1st and swept the FFA Draft Horse competition. (All photos are courtesy Eric Miller & Melissa Johnson)

When asked about his outstanding day Becker responded, “My experience at the Iowa State Fair was one to remember. Last time I competed in the FFA horse show it was during covid. During covid the state fair was completely different, this year it was nice to experience the normal. This year I competed in 3 different classes and did well in both. I am thankful for my advisor, family, and friends that all come together and help.”

In the FFA English Equitation Division, Taylor McCreedy had an outstanding day. McCreedy won Champion FFA Horse English Equitation. Taylor also placed first in English Walk/Trot and 3rd in English Pleasure. McCreedy will also compete in Western Classes and the CowGirl Queen contest as the Iowa State Fair continues this week. Becker and McCreedy will also represent Atlantic FFA in the Parade Of Champions on Saturday afternoon.

Colton Becker and “Spring”

Colton Becker and “Spring”

Poultry Group; Left to Right: Rio Johnson, Bethany Anderson, Lily Johnson, Conner Johnson, Walker Gary.

Poultry Group; Left to Right: Rio Johnson, Conner Johnson, Walker Gary, Bethany Anderson.

Taylor McCreedy

In the FFA Poultry Show, Atlantic FFA had an outstanding day winning Supreme Champion Large Chapter Herdsmanship and won the Supreme Champion FFA Poultry Award. FFA members Bethany Anderson, Rio Johnson, Conner Johnson, Lily Johnson and Walker Gary brought a total of 44 birds for the show today. Bethany received 3 Blues & 2 Purples, & was named Champion Modern Game Bantam & Champion Old English Game Bantam. She also received 3rd place Showmanship. After the show Anderson said “The other exhibitors and staff were very nice and helpful. The show was lots of fun and was a great experience, seeing many breeds and varieties of poultry was very educational.”

Rio received 10 Blues on her Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 of her birds placing first in its class. Johnson also said, “Not only did I get to help and teach others about my poultry, but I also got to learn from other exhibitors too. It was really cool seeing how much hard work everyone puts in for the poultry project.” Conner received 7 Blues & 2 Reds on his Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 2 of his birds placing 1st in their class. Lily received 8 Blues & 2 Reds on her Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 of her birds placing 1st in its class. Walker received 6 Blues & 2 Reds on his Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 one of his birds placing 1st in their class.

Atlantic FFA would like to give a special shout out to Melissa Johnson for all of her help! Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “it was an outstanding way to start the Iowa State Fair.” Later this week Atlantic FFA members will have 3 individuals with Breeding Cattle, 2 FFA Pigs, 1 individual showing Rabbits, 4 members showing photography and FFA Farm Crops. To finish out the fair 2 individuals will also show FFA Dairy Goats.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Atlantic man arrested on a Montgomery County warrant

News

August 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Police in Red Oak said a Cass County man was arrested Wednesday on a Montgomery County warrant. 37-year-old Brandon Ray Larson, of Atlantic, was arrested at the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a warrant for Violation of Probation. Larson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.

Posted in News |

Taylor County S/O asks for help in identifying felony fraud & forgery suspects

News

August 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Bedford, Iowa) – The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a felony fraud and forgery case. Authorities say a white male entered the State Savings Bank in Bedford claiming to be an employee for a construction company with a business check written to himself. The subject used a fake identification through another state to verify his identity and was given the money.
The suspect along with two unknown male accomplices traveled to Clearfield where they perpetrated the same crime at their State Savings Bank. The banks were able to determine the fraud and alerted Creston where they were stopped from cashing a third check.
If you are able to provide identifications to any of the three suspects and/or have any information about this case, please contact the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 523-2153 or email dispatch@taylorcounty.iowa.gov

Posted in News |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Thu., 8/10/23

Weather

August 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of fog before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south southwest 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 10pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 7 to 9 mph. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 88. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 86.
Sunday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 80. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 81 and our low this morning, was 57. This day last year the high in Atlantic was 92 and the low was 56. The all-time record High on Aug. 10th was 105 in 1894 and the record low was 42 in 1967. Sunrise is at 6:23 and sunset is 8:27.

Posted in Weather |

Pence says US should aim to overtake China and be world’s #1 energy producer

News

August 10th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Former Vice President Mike Pence says he has a plan to unleash America’s resources and make the United States the world’s top energy producer by 2040. China has led the world in energy production since 2006.  “For the long term security and prosperity of the United States of America, we have to have a vision and a long term strategy,” Pence said. “In a little more than 15 years America can be the number one energy producer in the world and in one more way we’ll be the leader of the free world again.”

Pence, who’ll be campaigning in eastern Iowa this (Thursday) morning, describes his plan as an “all of the above” strategy. Corn-based ethanol is part of the mix. “Coming from the state of Indiana, I have been an enthusiastic supporter of ethanol. In my plan we actually call for year round E15,” Pence says. Pence says if elected president, he would remove limitations on natural gas extraction and grant new drilling permits on federal lands.  “The Biden Administration slowed down and in many ways shut down oil and natural gas exploration in the United States,” Pence says.

Pence says it’s not realistic to abandon fossil fuels and the Biden Administration’s extreme focus on a carbon-free future is folly, according to Pence. Pence, though, says a comprehensive energy strategy should include renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro-power — as well as nuclear energy. Pence says the safety of nuclear power is light years ahead of what it was decades ago when incidents like the Three Mile Island accident made headlines. “We also have to remind people that as we all desire to reduce CO2 emissions — in my case not through mandates and not through a climate change agenda, but through American innovation — nuclear power generates zero CO2,” Pence says, “so it’s clean for the environment, it’s safe.”

Iowa’s only nuclear power plant was shut down three years ago and MidAmerican Energy abandoned its proposal for a small scale nuclear power plant in Iowa a decade ago. Pence made his comments during an interview with Radio Iowa. He plans to visit the Iowa State Fair this (Thursday) afternoon.

Posted in News |

Congressman Nunn announces legislation to improve reporting of child porn

News

August 9th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn visited a Boys and Girls Club in Des Moines today (Wednesday) to announce bipartisan legislation he says will help improve the reporting in child pornography cases. Nunn says the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber Tipline received more than 32 million reports of online child pornography last year.”Sadly in Iowa last year, in 2021, we became one of the top five states in the nation. for child sexual abuse associated with this type of exploitation,” Nunn says. He says it’s up to everyone to help change the situation.

“Too often, child sexual assault happens within a known family member or community. Equally, the good news is our communities are the first safeguard to be able to provide awareness and protection for those children when these types of assaults occur,” he says. Nunn, a Republican from Bondurant, says it is long past time for Congress to take a leadership role in making sure the victims of abuse can seek justice for their exploitation trauma, and this legislation will do that.

“It will strengthen the cyber tip line to prevent and respond to online Child Sexual Abuse material,” Nunn says. “It is imperative that we use the full extent of the law to hold accountable those who would exploit and sexually assault a child in violation of the laws and moving it from pornography to what it truly is — a sexual crime against the minor.” Nunn says the Child Online Safety Modernization Act will help law enforcement prosecute the crimes.

Congressman Nunn. (photo from Nunn video)

“It will modernize our cyber tip line and require online platforms to have a role in preventing the exploitation holding and distribution of child sexual assault,” Nunn says. “It will also preserve our cyber tip line reports for a year allowing our law enforcement the ability to not only build a case, but to hold those accountable. Unfortunately, in today’s world, these are only held for days at a time.”

Representatives of the Union County Sheriff’s Department and the Altoona and Des Moines police departments were on hand for Nunn’s announcement. Nunn represents the Third District and hopes the bill will get passed this year.

Posted in News |

Sioux City Bandits announce move to new league

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Sioux City Bandits are joining a new indoor football league. Bandits Owner Don Belsen announced they will play the 2024 season as a member of the National Arena League.

The Bandits had been part of the Champions Indoor Football League, but Belsen says this will be a good move for the franchise.

The Bandits rival, the Omaha Beef is also moving to the N-A-L. The league currently has seven teams with five on the east coast and two in Texas.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State’s Matt Campbell on the competition at quarterback

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says it will take the entire month of August to determine who the starting quarterback will be in the season opener against Northern Iowa. After starting all 12 games last season Hunter Dekkers is not in fall camp after being charged in a gambling investigation. Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht, junior college transfer Tanner Hughes and true freshman J.J. Kohl are competing for the job.

Campbell says the two keys are leadership and protecting the football.

Campbell would not rule out playing multiple quarterbacks in the opener and it is something he has done at Iowa State and his previous stop at Toledo.

Posted in Sports |

ISU to Wrap Exhibition Play at Minnesota

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State soccer program will wrap up preseason play on Thursday, August 10, as it travels to Saint Paul to face off with Minnesota in both schools’ final exhibition before the regular season. Thursday night’s contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

This marks the second straight season that Iowa State and Minnesota will meet up for an exhibition match to end the preseason. Last year, Iowa State and Minnesota tied with a 1-1 final.

This will be Iowa State’s final tune-up before the regular season which begins on August 17. The Cyclones head to Minnesota after defeating UNI in an exhibition, 2-1, on Monday evening in Cedar Falls.

The Matchup: Iowa State at Minnesota

Where: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium // Saint Paul, Minnesota

When: August 10 – 6 p.m.

What To Watch For 

  • With it being an exhibition, expect the Cyclones to throw multiple different players and lineups out.
  • The Cyclones will look to implement 11 newcomers into the fray this season, as five freshmen and six transfers will look to find their place in the rotation.
  • Iowa State is looking to settle the most competitive preseason battle in exhibition play, as four goalkeepers are vying to replace program legend Jordan Silkowitz who went on be drafted into the NWSL this past winter.
  • ISU lost 50% of its scoring production in the offseason, so finding offensive production will be another key in preseason action. The Cyclones received goals from both Sophia Thomas and Hannah Shaw in Monday night’s exhibition.
  • ISU has just one returning player who started all 17 games last season in Mira Emma and only four players (Emma, Lauren Hernandez, Hanna Reid, Sophia Thomas) competed in every outing.
  • Besides the new player faces on the sidelines, ISU fans may also notice a new pair of coaches as Kathleen Duwve (assistant/goalkeepers coach) and Olivia Seddon (soccer development coordinator) joined the team over the summer.

On Deck
Following the final exhibition match, Iowa State will turn its attention to the regular season and prepare for Arizona. The Cyclones and Wildcats are set to square off on August 17 at 6 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. 

Posted in Sports |

Inaugural “B1G Day” Celebrates Beginning of 2023 Big Ten Season; NBC Sports, Peacock Kick Off on Sept. 2

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

STAMFORD, Conn. – NBCUniversal celebrates the inaugural “B1G Day” Thursday, Aug. 10, with integrations across NBC Sports, NBC News, NBC Entertainment and Universal Parks, engaging with fans through interactive social posts, and giveaways. NBC Sports, which kicks off its Big Ten football coverage on NBC and Peacock on Sept. 2, joins the Big Ten Conference and its media partners in looking ahead to the kickoff of the 2023 college football season.

NBCUniversal “B1G Day” activations and engagements include:

  • Big Ten promotion across NBC Sports’ properties such as the NFL, MLB Sunday Leadoff, and GOLF Channel.

 

  • Big Ten integrations across the NBCUniversal portfolio including:
    • A B1G Day themed TODAY Show segment featuring school mascots
    • Set takeovers across ACCESS Hollywood shows
    • An NBC Sports Grill & Brew takeover at Universal Parks Orlando and Hollywood

 

  • NBCUniversal campuses across the U.S. and globally will celebrate “Big Ten Day” with themed tailgate and experiences

 

  • Big Ten schools will generate excitement with their students, alumni, and fans nationwide across their social and digital platforms.

 

  • Fans can celebrate the upcoming college football season on “Big Ten Day” by breaking out Big Ten school colors and using #BigTenDay across social media platforms.

 

  • Fans will also have the chance to win B1G with NBC Sports’ “Big Ten Day” giveaway:

 

    • To enter for a chance to win, fans can wear their favorite jersey and share photos of their school pride with the hashtags, ‘#BigTenDay #BigTenDayGiveaway’
    • Prizes include a trip to a 2024 B1G Saturday Night game, coffee deliveries to kickstart B1G Day, branded bucket hats, custom tailgate coolers, and flat screen TVs, so fans will be well-equipped for the start of the Big Ten college football season on NBC and Peacock on Saturday, Sept. 2

 

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network. – and nine exclusive games on Peacock.

Posted in Sports |