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Iowans can start 2025 off with a good hike in the hills

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Many Iowans already have big plans for New Year’s Eve, so the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is suggesting anyone who loves the outdoors to take part in an event on New Year’s Day. Sherry Arntzen, chief of the D-N-R’s Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau, says what are known as First Day Hikes are being held on January 1st at dozens of Iowa’s state parks. “It’s just a fantastic way for people to get out and start the year,” Arntzen says. “Everybody makes New Year’s resolutions, and if one of them is to get healthy, why not go out and enjoy getting healthy in our state parks?” The First Day Hikes tradition started in Iowa in 2012 as a way of launching the new year with a new outlook on the outdoors and getting healthy.

Arntzen says participants are surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and they experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.  “A lot of our parks, people don’t realize, are open year-round,” Arntzen says, “weather, obviously dependent for road conditions, but it’s a great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors in the off-season when people don’t typically think of going outside.” First Day Hikes are being offered in 45 of Iowa’s state parks on the first day of 2025, and there are essentially two different types of hikes. “This year, we have 19 parks that are offering hosted guided hikes. They have a meeting area, and you actually tour along with either a park person or a friends group member,” Arntzen says. “A number of them have refreshments available, hot cocoa or snacks, and it starts at a designated time.”

The other 26 hikes are self-guided and while most of them are just one or two miles, some are longer, depending on the location. Find full details here: www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes

Federal contractor reaches settlement on sexual harassment claims in Iowa

News

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S Department of Labor says it has reached an agreement with a Minneapolis-based construction services provider on allegations of sexual harassment by employees in Iowa.

The Labor Department says the conciliation agreement with Ryan Companies will have them pay 350-thousand dollars to resolve allegations employees faced sexual harassment, a hostile work environment or retaliatory actions after cooperating with federal investigators. The incidents happened while the company worked on federally funded projects including the construction of the new federal courthouse in Des Moines. The federal compliance office determined the harassment was severe and pervasive, and officials with Ryan Companies knew of and, in some instances, participated in the harassment.

The federal compliance office is seeking employees in Des Moines who may be due payment or job placement as a result of Ryan’s actions. They are asked to contact the office.

Investigator’s look into a deceased suspect in Iowa TV anchor’s disappearance

News

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MASON CITY, Iowa (KTTC) – Christopher Revak, a deceased suspect in Jodi Huisentruit’s murder case, is once again the focus of the on-going investigation. Huisentruit went missing in 1995 while on her way to work at KIMT-TV in Mason City. She has not been seen or heard from since.

According to findjodi.com, a Mason City Police (MCPD) Sargent assigned to the case is expected to meet with a Wisconsin investigator to compare notes and discuss an old lead that was previously dismissed by the MCPD. Wood County Wisconsin Sheriff’s office say they believe Wisconsin Rapids native Christopher Revak could be responsible for the crime. However, Revak took his own life while in a Missouri jail one day after being charged with second-degree murder for the March 2007 death of Rene Williams.

MCPD Sgt. Terrance Prochaska said the cases of two women who went missing in Missouri may be related to Revak.

The most recent tip led investigators to Winsted, MN, where someone had thought they might have discovered human remains. The recent search only discovered animal remains.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Thursday, 12/12/24

Weather

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Cloudy w/a 30% chance of snow or flurries this morning. Gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 20. E/NE winds 5-10 mph. Wind chill values as low as 5. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 9. E winds 10-20. Wind chill values as low as -5.
Tomorrow: A chance of freezing rain after noon, mixing with rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. E/SE winds 1-25 mph. Wind chill values as low as -5. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tom. Night: Freezing rain before midnight, then rain. Low around 25. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible.
Saturday: A 40% chance of rain, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 19. Our Low this morning, 11. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 39 & the Low was 16. The Record High here on Dec. 12th, was 62 in 1921 & 1968, and the Record Low was -20 in 1932. Sunrise: 7:36. Sunset: 4:50.

No. 21 Iowa women beat No. 18 Iowa State 75-69

Sports

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The 21st ranked Iowa Hawkeye women used a late 15-2 run to take control in a 75-69 win over 18th ranked Iowa State in Iowa City. It was a game the Cyclones led by 10 late in the third quarter.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen. The Hawkeyes limited the Cyclones to 13 fourth quarter points.

Jensen went with a smaller lineup in the fourth quarter to try and counter the strength of Audi Crooks.

Audi Crooks led Iowa State with 31 points. The Cyclones shot 52 percent for the game but 21 turnovers proved costly and the Cyclones also missed 10 free throws.

That’s Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly who says the Iowa guards turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter.

Three Oelwein officers honored for saving man from burning apartment

News

December 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Three policemen have been honored for saving a man from a burning apartment in downtown Oelwein last February. Iowa Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephen Bayens says the officers were first to arrive at the scene of an apartment building fire, went door to door to evacuate residents and rescued a man after they heard his feeble call for help.

“These three officers showed exceptional courage and judgment knowing that immediate action was necessary,” Bayens says. “They disregarded their own safety by plunging into a smoke-billowing apartment without the benefit of safety equipment to preserve life.”

Oelwein officers Gage Voshell, William Ward and Codi Wurzer were treated for smoke inhalation. Their Awards of Valor are named for the five Sullivan brothers of Waterloo who were killed in action during World War II when the U-S-S Juneau was sunk by Japanese torpedoes. Kelly Sullivan, the granddaughter of one of the siblings, attended yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) ceremony at the Capital and handed each officer their honorary medal.

3rd generation owner of an Atlantic company has died

News

December 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Henningsen Construction in Atlantic announced Wednesday night that the company’s third-generation owner, Mike Henningsen, died Tuesday, at the age of 72. In addition to his business leadership and vision, the company said in his obituary, that Henningsen had served as president of the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2015.

He was a long-time board member of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and served for 20 years on the Atlantic Airport Commission. Henningsen owned a P-51D Mustang, “Big Beautiful Doll,” that was frequently heard in the skies over Atlantic until it was sold in 2014. He also owned a North American T-6 Texan.

A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mike Henningsen will be held on Tuesday, December 17, at 1 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, Iowa.

2025 hunting, fishing licenses on sale Dec. 15

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News) – Iowans can buy 2025 resident hunting, fishing and other licenses on Dec. 15.  Licenses purchased for 2024 expire on Jan. 10th. The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

Also available is the Bonus Line option for $14 letting resident and nonresident anglers to fish with one more line in addition to the two lines allowed with the regular fishing license. Upgrade your paper license to a durable hard card with custom art from Iowa artists for only $6.

Download the GoOutdoorsIowa mobile app for iPhone and Android devices to buy and access your license information, no matter where you are. Sync your hunting and fishing licenses on the app to show in the field. You may download multiple customer licenses to offer one secure digital license document location for families, groups, and more.

Licenses are available at 600 locations across the state, and on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/GoOutdoorsIowa.

The Iowa DNR says “Hunting and fishing are often enjoyed with family and friends. A fishing or hunting license makes a great stocking stuffer. “

Woodward police charge four after resident assaulted at state hospital

News

December 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Woodward police have filed charges against four employees at the Woodward State Hospital following an incident involving the assault of a dependent adult.

Woodward police Chief Jim Graham said the charges stem from an event captured on video in August, where a then-staff member, Mercedes Denise Wilson, assaulted a 21-year-old resident diagnosed with a mild intellectual disability. The incident reportedly occurred when the victim was in a chair.

A report filed with the Department of Inspections and Appeals details that the victim was trapped underneath the chair, and the staff member pressed down on it. The assault lasted about 15 minutes, according to criminal complaints, during which the victim was pushed out of different chairs multiple times.

Graham said three other staff members were present in the room but did not intervene. These staff members have been charged with neglect of a dependent adult. At least one of these cases has been dismissed, while another still has a warrant out for their arrest.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services oversees the Woodward Resource Center. In a statement officials said  “Iowa HHS takes the safety of our staff and clients very seriously, including reporting and conducting internal investigations into any reported incidents. The individuals involved in this incident are no longer employed by Iowa HHS.”

Stolen vehicle report leads to foot chase and arrest in southwest Iowa

News

December 11th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Sidney, Iowa) – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office reports an investigation into a stolen vehicle Sunday, resulted in a foot pursuit and arrest in Emerson. The Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle stolen from a residence in Farragut by a subject, known by the victim. Shortly after the report, Mills County deputies located the vehicle near Emerson.
Mills County deputies stopped the vehicle near Highway 59 and Kroon Road. The driver, identified as 44-year-old Tabitha Rose Ann Holste, of Clarinda, then fled on foot.

Tabatha Holste

A search was conducted utilizing the Fremont County K9 Unit and the Mills County Drone Unit and Holste was located hiding in a Creek south of Emerson. Holste was apprehended with the assistance of the Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, and Page Sheriff’s Offices, the Shenandoah and Red Oak Police Departments and the Iowa State Patrol. The vehicle was recovered and turned over to the owner.
Holste was transported to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office and a search of her person uncovered approximately 1/4 pound of suspected Methamphetamine. Holste was being held at the Fremont County Jail on Possession with Intent to Distribute more than 5 grams of Methamphetamine, Failure to Affix a Drug Tax Stamp, Theft 1st Degree, and Possession of Contraband in a Correctional Facility. Her bond was set at $100,000. She was also being held on multiple out of county warrants.