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Fatalities reported in boat accident on Mississippi River in Bellevue

News

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BELLEVUE – The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources says that on Sunday, December 8th, at approximately 11 a.m., a boat with three occupants capsized below Lock and Dam No. 12 in Bellevue on the Mississippi River. The victims were fishing in a restricted area directly beneath the dam when their boat overturned.

According to preliminary reports, the boat was pulled into the hazardous waters below the dam due to a strong back flow current created by the dam’s operation.  The men were pulled from the water and taken to shore. Emergency responders arrived and administered lifesaving measures, but two were confirmed dead at the scene. One victim was transported by ambulance to the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

The names of the victims are currently being withheld pending notification of their families. The incident is under active investigation. Iowa DNR was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff, Bellevue Fire & Rescue, Bellevue EMS, Illinois DNR, Key West Fire/EMS, University of Iowa Air Care 3, University of Iowa Air Care 4, Jackson County Emergency Management, and Springbrook Fire/EMS.

Posted in News |

Gov. Reynolds Extends Disaster Proclamation for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Sioux and Palo Alto Counties

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES— Gov. Reynolds today (Sunday) announced the extension of a disaster proclamation for Sioux and Palo Alto Counties effective immediately through January 7, 2025. The USDA has confirmed positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in both counties.
This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.
The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

DONALD A. AKERS, 74, of Exira (Svcs. 12/13/24)

Obituaries

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DONALD A. AKERS, 74, of Exira, died Saturday, December 07, at his home in Exira. Funeral services for DON AKERS will be held 11-a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Exira.

Visitation with the family will be held one hour before the funeral (10-until 11-a.m.) at the funeral home, on Friday.

Following his funeral service, a luncheon will be held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Parish Center in Exira. Interment will be held at a later date in Exira Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Akers Family, to be designated at a later date. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 201, Audubon, IA 50025.

DON AKERS is survived by:

His wife – Becky Akers.

His daughters – Holly (Eddie) Madsen, and Heidi (Paul) May.

His sons – Brandon (Shelbie) Akers, and Daniel (Amanda) Akers.

His siblings – Alice Jean and Norman Nielsen and their families, Gary Akers and his families, JoAnn and Jim Mellor and their families, Peggy and Bill Grimes and their families, Sherry Frenske and her families, Bruce and Lermes Johnson and their families.

11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Posted in Obituaries |

FRANKLIN “Frank” NELSEN, 76, of Avoca (Celebration of Life 12/10/24)

Obituaries

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

FRANKLIN “Frank” NELSEN, 76, of Avoca, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. A Celebration of Life for FRANK NELSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in the Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall in Avoca. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Monday (12/9/24), from 5-until 8-p.m.

Burial is in the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca.

FRANKLIN “Frank” NELSEN is survived by:

His wife – Marlene Nelsen, of Avoca.

His son – Josh (Janese) Nelsen, of Alabama.

His daughter – Linsey (Evan) McCarthy, of Avoca.

His brothers – Darrell (Sue) Nelsen; Tom Nelsen.

His sister – Vitta Rattenborg.

6 grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

ISP aircraft pilot clocks a driver in eastern Iowa traveling at 126 mph

News

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MANCHESTER, Iowa — The Iowa State Patrol social media team tipped their caps to Trooper Pilot Taylor Grim on Saturday for spotting an alleged super-speeder in eastern Iowa. “Trooper Pilot Grim with a nice catch,” they posted on Facebook with a photo showing an aerial reading of 126 mph.

On top of driving over 50 mph above the speed limit near Manchester, ISP says the Ford Mustang driver had their license revoked for a previous OWI and didn’t have insurance.

Posted in News |

No. 16 Iowa State Falls in Big 12 Title Game

Sports

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ARLINGTON, Texas – No. 16 Iowa State (10-3, 7-2 Big 12) fell to No. 15 Arizona State (11-2, 7-2 Big 12) in the Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship game Saturday afternoon, 45-19.

After both teams scored on their first two drives of the game, the Cyclones eventually found themselves trailing by two touchdowns at halftime, 24-10. Carson Hansen scored on a three-yard reception on ISU’s opening drive of the game and Kyle Konrardy split the uprights on the next drive.

A mistake-riddled third quarter quickly dampened any hope of a Cyclone comeback. Iowa State turned the ball over on its first three drives of the second half and Arizona State cashed in touchdowns following all three to break open a 45-10 lead.

Rocco Becht was 21-of-35 and finished with 214 yards and two touchdowns. Jayden Higgins had 115 yards on seven receptions while Jaylin Noel turned in five catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 38 yards and another score. Quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 12-of-17 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns.

Iowa State awaits its bowl destination after its first 10-win season in program history. Stay tuned to cyclones.com for the latest updates.

Posted in Sports |

No. 17 Hawkeyes Fall to Tennessee, 78-68

Sports

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BROOKLYN, New York – The nationally ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team fell to Tennessee, 78-68, at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes are now 8-1 on the season.

In the first quarter, Tennessee jumped out to an 8-0 lead within the first few minutes, but the Hawkeyes answered after committing five turnovers. Iowa had the game tied at 10 at the first media timeout. Lucy Olsen recorded a game-high 11 points to give the Hawkeyes a 22-18 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.

In the second quarter, it was a balanced effort for the Hawkeyes. With Addi O’Grady and Olsen sidelined with foul trouble, Iowa held serve with efficiency from junior forward, Hannah Stuelke. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native, contributed seven points, a game-high six rebounds, and three assists in the first 20 minutes. Iowa and Tennessee were tied at 35 at halftime despite the Hawkeyes offense turning it over 18 times. 23 of the Lady Vols’ 35 points were provided by Iowa turnovers.

In the third quarter, Iowa did a better job protecting the ball only committing five turnovers. The game was back and forth in the period, but Tennessee regained the edge, 55-52. Olsen led all scorers with 19 points and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe through three.

In the final frame, Tennessee’s defense continued to give Iowa fits. The Lady Vols closed the game on an 11-1 run over the last three minutes. Olsen and O’Grady combined for 40 of Iowa’s total points.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return home to host #20/19 Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. (CT) inside a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game is set to broadcast on FS1 and the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Posted in Sports |

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024

Weather

December 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny & breezy. High near 61. S/SW winds @ 5-10 this morning, increasing to 15-25 mph this afternoon.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 29. W/NW winds @ 10-20.
Monday: Sunny & windy. High near 47. West winds 10-20 w/gusts to near 30 in the afternoon.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 21.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. High near 33. NW winds 10-25.
Tue. Night: A 20% chance of snow after midnight. Low around 14.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 26.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.

Saturday’s High in Atlantic was 59. The Low was 27. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 56 & the Low was 33. The Record High here on Dec. 8th, was 67 in 1946, and the Record Low was -18 in 1917 & 1976. Sunrise: 7:33. Sunset: 4:50.

Posted in Weather |

ESTELLA McCLELLAND, 90, of Orient (Svcs. 12/12/24)

Obituaries

December 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ESTELLA McCLELLAND, 90, of Orient, died Saturday, December 7, 2024, at her home in Orient.  Funeral services for ESTELLA McCLELLAND will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

The family will greet friends on Thursday, December 12 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Burial is in the Greenfield  Cemetery.  A luncheon will follow the burial at the Greenfield Gospel Chapel. 

 Memorials may be made to the Estella McClelland Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

ESTELLA McCLELLAND is survived by:

Her daughters – Sherry Dunn, of Grimes, and Terry Hutchinson, of Orient.

Her brother – Leland (Marlene) Thompson, of Phoenix, AZ

Her sister – Carolyn Benton, of Stuart.

6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Lois Thompson of Shenandoah,  other relatives and friends.

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

Posted in Obituaries |

Choral Society to Present Holiday Concert December 15th

News

December 7th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Choral Society will present their annual Holiday Concert Sunday, December 15th.  The program will be in the Atlantic High School Auditorium at 4:00 pm.  There is no charge for admission, but free-will donations will be accepted.  Donations are used to fund the group’s music and support the Atlantic Ministerial Association’s Helping Hand Fund.

In 2018, Ray McCalla and Jan Highfill came up with the idea of forming a Choral Society.  Their first concert was that Christmas and was followed by a summer show and Christmas concert in 2019.  “I had wanted to field a community choir for years, and it seemed like the right time to do it,” McCalla said.  “Making music together with others is a joy. It brings people together.” Covid forced the group to pause performances in 2020, but they resumed with Christmas concerts in 2021 and 2022.  The group is directed by McCalla and Michelle Andersen.

Ray McCalla directs the Cass County Choral Society as they prepare for the upcoming Holiday Concert. (photo submitted)

Any community member is welcome to join the Choral Society; rehearsals for Christmas concerts usually begin in October and are held on Sunday afternoons.  For more information, contact Ray McCalla at 712-250-1607

Posted in News |