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Kenlin and Muñoz Named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch

Sports

December 13th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team senior Adeline Kenlin and sophomore Karina Muñoz were named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch. The GymHawks have been picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten Preseason Poll, it was announced Wednesday by the conference office.

Kenlin captured five event titles and 16 top-three finishes in the 2023 season. The Iowa City native, was the runner-up at the Big Ten Championships on beam. She earned second team all-Big Ten honors and was named to the Big Ten All-Championship team. Kenlin finished second on the team with 14 scores of 9.900 or higher.

Muñoz is coming off an amazing season where she was the only Hawkeye freshmen to compete in the all-around. The New Jersey native captured seven event titles and 13 top-three finishes. She scored a 9.800 or higher on every vault. Muñoz was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week on March 12.

Defending Big Ten champion Michigan was voted the preseason favorite, followed by Michigan State, Ohio State, and Iowa.

The GymHawks open the regular season on January 12 at home in Xtream Arena. They welcome Pac-12 opponent Washington at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Posted in Sports |

Jewell swimming pool project gets surprise million-dollar donation

News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Some might call it a Christmas miracle. A north-central Iowa community is in the midst of raising money for a new municipal swimming pool, and Hamilton County Supervisor Rick Young says they’ve gotten a tremendous, surprise gift. “In the last week, we received an anonymous donation of $1 million,” Young says, “and this person does not wish to be recognized and they don’t want to name the area for them.” The entire project is expected to cost four-million dollars, so Young says this donation is a huge step forward.

The pool is to be built in Jewell, to replace a pool that’s around 60 years old. “Initially, it was just going to be the Jewell area, but it serves Gilbert, Hubbard, Radcliffe, Blairsburg, Kamrar, Williams, a lot of the towns around the surrounding area,” Young says, “so that entails about 12,000 people.”

Donations are still being taken for the project. There’s no date set on when construction is to begin.

Posted in News |

DeSantis says Trump’s moving left on some issues

News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis says former President Donald Trump is moving to the left on some issues. DeSantis points to Trump touting an endorsement from a Rhode Island man who was part of the Black Lives Matter movement. “He was bragging about that on his social media, saying, you know I’m so glad to have the support of this particular gentleman as well as BLM,” DeSantis says. “BLM was responsible for riots in the summer of 2020. That cost billions of dollars and led to a number of deaths and it was something that actually happened under his watch as president of the United States.”

DeSantis says Trump is flip flopping on abortion, by criticizing state laws that ban nearly all abortions. And DeSantis says he and Trump have a different frame of mind about the 2024 campaign and presidential conduct. “I consider myself a servant leader. It’s not about me,” DeSantis says. “…I want people to know that supporting me as president that when I get up there, obviously I’m going to take care of business, but I’m going to be able to conduct myself in a way they’re going to be proud of. They’re not going to have to make excuses for me…We’ll execute, get the job done and we’ll do it in a way that really aims higher.”

C-N-N recently announced plans for a candidate debate on January 10th, with polling thresholds that only DeSantis, former U-N Ambassador Nikki Haley and Trump would meet. DeSantis is the only one of the three who’s said he’ll participate. “I think if you’re not willing to debate in Iowa on the eve of the Caucus, that shows a lot about you and your willingness to engage,” DeSantis says. DeSantis made his comments to Iowa reporters during an online news conference.

Trump is scheduled to campaign in Coralville early this (Wednesday) evening and return to the state for a rally in Waterloo next Tuesday. A recent Des Moines Register/N-B-C News/Mediacom “Iowa Poll” found Trump’s lead has grown since October, with over half of likely Caucus goers backing Trump.

Posted in News |

State panel sees organic growth in Iowa economy

News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Members of the panel that predicts state tax revenue say recession fears are receding and, while total receipts are down slightly, that’s due to previously approved tax cuts. The December report from the Revenue Estimating Conference sets the stage as Republican Governor Kim Reynolds and G-O-P lawmakers signal they hope to eventually eliminate the state income tax. Iowa Department of Management director Kraig Paulsen, the governor’s top budget advisor, is chairman of the Revenue Estimating Conference.

“We continue to see modest growth in Iowa’s economy,” Paulsen says “and the revenue numbers coming in support this.” The panel predicts the state of Iowa will collect over nine-point-seven BILLION dollars in taxes during the current budgeting year. By January, there will be more than three-point-six BILLION dollars in the Taxpayer Relief Fund where unspent taxes are being deposited. Paulsen says consumer spending in Iowa appears strong and, while, corporate income tax reductions have been made, total corporate tax receipts are up 15 percent over the past five months.

“To me, this indicates continued organic growth within Iowa’s economy,” Paulsen says. Clear Lake C-P-A David Underwood is another member of the tax-predicting panel. “The continued discussion of when’s the recession coming — it seems like finally everybody’s decided, well, it hasn’t gotten here yet, so maybe we won’t have one at least in the near term,” Underwood says. “That consensus helps a little bit, that we aren’t just wondering when that bottom is going to fall out.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference predicts the State of Iowa will collect over nine-point-seven BILLION dollars in taxes in the current budgeting year that ends June 30th. The prediction for the following 12 months is slightly less, primarily due to tax cuts approved in 2018 and 2022.

Posted in News |

8 Hawkeyes to Compete at Senior Nationals

Sports

December 13th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Eight University of Iowa women’s wrestlers will travel to Fort Worth, Texas to compete at the 2023 Senior Nationals December 15-17 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The eight wrestlers will be competing at four different weight classes. This tournament will also serve as a qualifying event for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

Full details and schedule of events can be found here. Fans can watch the action live via FloWrestling (subscription required).

Competitors 

Ava Bayless (50kg), Emilie Gonzalez (50kg), Brianna Gonzalez (50kg), Alexandra Baudhuin (57kg), Nanea Estrella (62kg), Esther Han (62kg), Rose Cassiopi (76kg) and Marlynne Deede (76kg).

Posted in Sports |

Creston man arrested for Violation of Probation x3

News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports 26-year-old Adam Edward Lee Austin, of Creston, was arrested at around 8-p.m. Tuesday (12/12/23), on three counts Violation of Probation. Austin was transported to the Union County Jail and held without bond, until seen by a Magistrate Judge.

Posted in News |

JEAN VANDEWATER, 81, of Greenfield (Svcs. 12/19/23)

Obituaries

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

JEAN VANDEWATER, 81, of Greenfield, died Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at the Greenfield Nursing and Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.  Funeral services for JEAN VANDEWATER will be held 11-a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the Fairview Congregational Church in rural Stuart. Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Dec. 18th, from 2-until 6-p.m., with the family greeting friends on Tuesday, from 10-until 11-a.m., at the Church.

Burial is in the Greenfield Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the burial at the Olive Branch in Greenfield. 

Memorials may be directed to the Greenfield Public Library.

JEAN VANDEWATER is survived by:

Her husband – Larry Joe Vandewater.

Her in-laws;  other relatives and friends.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

DNR receives donations to expand wildlife tracking system

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A couple of donations will allow the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to build out a wildlife tracking system across the state. D-N-R Avian Ecologist, Anna Buckardt Thomas, says the system called Motus is a series of antennae stations and tracking tags that emit a radio signal. “And if they go by a station that’s listening on that same frequency, that station can detect those wildlife. And so we can build a really large scale understanding of movements of these wildlife,” she says.

There are currently 18 stations in Iowa and the 120-thousand dollars in donations will allow them to expand that by 20 stations to create a corridor from east to west across the center of the state. “And then stations bordering the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. And so that way, we’ll be able to understand bird movement along those major river corridors and that movement as well,” Thomas says. “And then, because we’ll have that fence through the middle of the state, we’re likely to detect pretty much any tagged wildlife that would come to Iowa.”

The tags are put on smaller migratory birds and insects like butterflies and dragonflies. The tags vary in size based on what’s being tagged, and that also dictates how long its battery will last. “For something like an insect, that tag lasts maybe a handful of weeks or a month. And for something like a small bird, it might last six months in a large bird, you might get a tag that can last over a year,” she says.

Motus tower station at the Iowa DNR’s Black Hawk Unit office, near Early. Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.

Thomas says different groups tag different species based on what they want to research, and she says there is always some sort of tagging going on. She says the stations all over the western hemisphere and Iowa provide a variety of information that the D-N-R can review. “So if we can learn about particular pathways or particular habitats that are really important for these migratory species, we can help inform our conservation and management of those areas,” Thomas says.  The information is also available to the public at the website motus.org.

“And you can explore a map of all the existing stations, you can click on a station and learn about what animals have flown by or moved by and then detected by that station,” she says. “You can look up what species of wildlife are being tagged on the system. You can look up a specific tagging project if you’re aware of it, though. There’s a lot of really cool data to explore.”  Thomas says you can also build maps of individual birds or collections of birds to see where they’re being detected as they move during migration periods.

The D-N-R hopes to add the additional sites in the next five years.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Scott Brickman Joins Iowa Athletics as Altius Sports General Manager for NIL/Strategy and Operations

Sports

December 13th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Athletics Department, in collaboration with Altius Sports Partners (ASP), announces the appointment of Scott Brickman as ASP General Manager for NIL/Strategy and Operations. Brickman, co-founder and former EVP and Chief Operating Officer of the Iowa Swarm Collective, is set to receive training and guidance from ASP while aligning his mission with Iowa Athletics to serve all athletes.

In his new position, Brickman will oversee all aspects of the school’s NIL FLIGHT program, including education for internal and external stakeholders, strategic guidance, and initiatives to maximize NIL opportunities for Hawkeye athletes. He will collaborate with the athletics department to develop diverse programs and resources supporting Hawkeye athletes in building their personal brands both within and outside the athletic arena. Additionally, Brickman will promote NIL opportunities to the wider Iowa City business community.

Beth Goetz, interim Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair, stated, “Having Scott on-site is fantastic as we work collaboratively to help our athletes seize opportunities and connect with Iowa supporters. The partnership with Altius Sports brings numerous benefits to Iowa, and we’re excited about Scott opening opportunities for all student-athletes in their NIL pursuits, making a positive impact both on and off the field.”

Before he co-founded the Iowa Swarm Collective, Brickman spent five years serving as the UI Director of Development for Athletics. In this role, he acted as a campaign director and played a key role in securing transformative gifts that enhanced the overall experience for Hawkeye athletes. Iowa Athletics introduced its comprehensive NIL program, FLIGHT, over two years ago, in collaboration with INFLCR, providing tools for success in the NIL era for all Hawkeye athletes.

“The Hawkeyes are in my blood, and I am thrilled to be part of Altius Sports, continuing to contribute to the incredible success of the Iowa Athletics department. In this dynamic time in college sports, I am focused on helping our athletes to profit from their NIL while providing them with everything they need for success in both sport and life. I look forward to contributing to their personal and professional growth through the NIL program while collaborating with Iowa’s leadership,” said Brickman.

Added Matt Henderson, Deputy Director of Athletics, Revenue and External Relations: “We are excited to have Scott lead our department’s NIL team. His experience working with student-athletes, coaches, fans and sponsors makes him a great fit for this position. Many of our student-athletes are involved in NIL activities and we look forward to providing the additional support necessary to increase those opportunities.”

Born and raised in Iowa, Brickman received a baseball scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, he spent 18 years coaching baseball at the collegiate level, achieving conference championships, top 25 rankings, and NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2017, he played a pivotal role in leading the University of Iowa baseball program to a Big Ten Championship and its second NCAA tournament appearance in three years.

“Following a comprehensive search, bringing Scott on board is the successful outcome we were aiming for. His role at Iowa aligns with our mission to amp up student-athlete empowerment and drive the NIL rights agenda forward. With Scott’s background in college athletics, his strong business acumen, and his current role working alongside Iowa with the Swarm, we have found the perfect fit to elevate Iowa’s NIL program,” said Celine Mangan, Director, ASP College.

Launched in July 2022, the ASP NIL GM Program offers centralized NIL support services for 16 schools, providing customized education to navigate the changing NIL landscape. With trained ASP personnel stationed on campus, the program ensures student-athletes have the tools and resources to make informed decisions about their NIL opportunities, covering national issues such as licensing, sponsorship, agents, employment, labor, collective bargaining, Title IX, and other impending concerns.

Posted in Sports |

Soiree with the Swans Jan. 6th, in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 13th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – You’re invited to join Cass County Conservation Department Staff at Atlantic’s Schildberg Recreation Area- Lake number 4, on Saturday, January 6, 2024 for “Soiree with the Swans.” Conservation Dept. Staff will be giving ten-minute presentations regarding the Trumpeter Swans every half-hour, beginning at 11-a.m., with the last one presented at 2-p.m.

There will also be time to view the swans through spotting scopes and witness random swan feeding sessions. Hot chocolate, cookies, and other snacks will be provided free of charge with donations being accepted (for swan care).

The Schildberg Recreation Area is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, Lake 4 is on the north side of Highway 83. Atlantic is celebrating 24 winters of the Trumpeter Swans wintering here.

This event is not to be missed! IF THE WEATHER IS “BAD” OR THE SWANS ARE NOT AT THE PARK…the program will be at the Atlantic Public Library from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. with hot chocolate, cookies, and other snacks available. The event is being sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, Atlantic Parks and Recreation, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |