712 Digital Group - top

Atlantic basketball stumbles against Kuemper Catholic

Sports

January 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic basketball team started off the game with a 5-2 lead against Kuemper Catholic but couldn’t get the key basket needed to contain the Knights. Kuemper Catholic came away with a 74-52 win and improved to 9-1 on the season.

It was a very close game throughout the first quarter with both offenses struggling mightily against zone defenses from both squads. The Knights hit a couple shots in the last minute of the first quarter and started to find a rhythm leading into the second to lead 42-25 at the break. The Trojans then opened the second half on a 8-2 run but Kuemper Catholic quickly responded with multiple fast break baskets to cushion the lead back to double digits.  The Knights led by 14 at the end of the third and hung on with a lead near that mark the rest of the way.

Atlantic Head Coach Dalton Franken was pride of the fight his team showed starting the second half on a run but said that rebounds are still an issue for Atlantic.

Michale Kasperbauer led the Knights with 14 points, Carter Putney had 13, and Carson Kanne added 12. Kuemper Catholic will travel to East Sac County on Saturday.

Atlantic got 26 points from Colton Rasmussen and 13 from Nolan Waters. One highlight from Friday’s loss was Colton Rasmussen scoring his 1000th point as an Atlantic Trojan, Coach Franken said it was a moment well deserved.

The Trojans fall to 3-10 on the season and will head to Clarinda on Tuesday.

Posted in Sports |

Trojan Girls basketball earns win in Carroll

Sports

January 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic girls basketball team clamped down defensively against Kuemper Catholic in the second quarter and turned a 5-point lead after the first into a 9-point lead by half. The Trojans then battled away to a 55-44 victory on Friday night at Kuemper Catholic High School. The win brought relief and a boost of confidence for Head Coach Dan Vargason and his squad.

Paytn Harter had a solid night with 18 points and was a big part of the defensive pressure that flustered the Knights. Maddie Richter was also great defensively and finished with 13 points and 4 triples in the second half. A focus for the Trojans was holding onto the lead and keeping composure in high pressure situations. Atlantic had lost three previous games including against Kuemper Catholic while leading to start the fourth quarter. Coach Vargason said a major takeaway from the game is that the girls learned what they’re capable of when they stay in the moment and play together.

Atlantic improved to 4-9 on the season with the win and will now prep for a trip to Clarinda on Tuesday night.

Kuemper Catholic was led by 15 points from Elsa Tiefenthaler and the Knights fell to 3-7 on the season.

Posted in Sports |

Teen Arrested For Allegedly Making Threats Against WDM School

News

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – West Des Moines police have arrested a teen for a social media comment about potential school violence. Police say the comments made a threat against a West Des Moines school, and in light of the fatal school shooting in Perry they started an investigation with the F-B-I. The investigation led them to 18-year-old Lakeeve Arlley Fort, of West Des Moines.

He was arrested and charged with a felony county of threat of terrorism, a Class-D Felony.

West Des Moines police say they “will have no tolerance for anyone who engages in or considers making threatening comments of violence towards others in any fashion, and they will be held legally accountable for such actions.”

Read the full statement below:

Posted in News |

MARY CYNTHIA DAVIS, 94, of Atlantic (Memorial Svcs. 1/15/24)

Obituaries

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

MARY C. DAVIS, 94, of Atlantic, died Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, at Atlantic Specialty Care. Memorial services for MARY DAVIS will be held 11-a.m. January 15th, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family present is from 9-a.m. until the time of service on Jan. 15th, at the funeral home.

Entombment of both Mary and her late husband Bernard’s ashes will be in the Atlantic Cemetery, following the Memorial service. A Military service will be performed for Bernard Davis.

MARY C. DAVIS is survived by:

Her son – Bobbie (Roxanna) Davis, of Atlantic.

3 grandchildren, 1 great-granddaughter, and other relatives.

Condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfh.com

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa DPS releases the name of Perry H.S. shooting victims

News

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Public Safety says the Iowa State Medical Examiner performed the autopsies on the two decedents from the Perry High School active shooter event. The deceased Perry Middle School student has been identified as 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff.   Ahmir’s cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, 3 in total, and his manner of death has been ruled a homicide.

The deceased shooter was confirmed to be 17-old Dylan Butler.  Butler’s cause of death was determined to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and his manner of death has been ruled a suicide.

A total of seven other individuals received wounds or injuries of varying degree during the shooting event, an increase of two from prior reports. Three of the victims are school staff members and four are students.  Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger has been identified as having suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition.  Authorities say “The investigation thus far confirms Principal Marburger acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students. ” At this time, Principal Marburger and two students remain hospitalized.  The remaining have been treated and released.

The investigation is ongoing.  Investigators have seized large volumes of digital and social media evidence that will take time to review.  Background investigations, as well as eyewitness accounts and victim interviews, are continuing.  Once the investigation is complete, the DCI’s investigative report will be turned over to the Dallas County Attorney’s Office to determine what additional course of action, if any, should be undertaken.

No further information will be released at this time.

Posted in News |

Water Emergency declared in Villisca

News

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Villisca, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency, today (Friday), said the City Council in Villisca has declared a Water Emergency, effective immediately and until further notice. The City is asking its water customers “To conserve water [by] whatever methods are possible.

Some suggestions include fixing any leaks in your home or business plumbing, run full loads of laundry, and take shorter showers/baths. “During an emergency, the following [practices] are discouraged: Watering yards; washing mobile equipment/vehicles (unless at a commercial car wash/establishment); cleaning outdoor surfaces; cleaning equipment and machinery; or, sale of bulk water.”

If you have any questions, call the Villisca City Hall at 712-826-2282.

Posted in News |

Massena City Council meeting agenda for 1/8/24

News

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COUNCIL MEETING AND AGENDA
Type of Meeting Regular Monthly Meeting
Date of Meeting Monday, January 8, 2024
Start Time of Meeting 5:45 P.M. C.S.T.
Meeting Location Massena City Hall*
100 Main Street
Massena, Iowa 50853
*In the event a large community gallery attends the meeting and exceeds the capacity of the regular council chambers, the Council reserves the right to move the meeting to the former Legion Hall located at 118 Main Street, Massena, IA 50853.
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Roll Call
2. Public Input
Public input is welcome at our meetings. The council imposes a limit of three minutes per speaker.
3. Review and approve Consent Agenda Items:
a. Approve Agenda
b. Approve Minutes of Meeting held Monday, December 11, 2023
c. Approve Bills for Payment
(These items can be approved w/one motion, a second, and a roll call vote. Questions should be addressed or requested before approval of the consent agenda. The Council may vote to move items to the end of the agenda for further discussion.)
4. 2023 Street Improvements update
5. Water Main project update
6. Main Street Bar and Grill – Liquor License
7. Putting Houses on empty lots
8. Community Center bids
9. Annexation
10. Remove the farm to market designation on Main Street.
11. Main St Embargo
12. New Park Shelter
13. Approval of Change order #4 for the 2023 Street Improvements project $33,125.94
14. Approval of Partial Payment #5 for the 2023 Street Improvements project $70,740.83
15. Set Date for Budget Worksession
16. Set Date for Recodification Workshop
17. Approval of Annual Financial Planning Agreement with Northland Securities
18. Nuisances/Follow-ups
19. Water, Wastewater, & Street Report
20. City Clerk’s Report
21. Council’s Report
22. Mayor’s Report
23. Attorneys Report
24. Next regular council meeting will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 5:45 pm
25. Adjournment

Posted in News |

Top 15 Mr. & Ms. Dan Gable Wrestler of the Year Announced

Sports

January 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Fareway Stores, Inc., IAwrestle, Iowa Corn present the Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year Awards in coordination with the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA).

The IWCOA accepted nominations from high school coaches for student athletes in each of the three state wrestling classes for the men and combined all classes for the women’s award, regardless of their year in school and weight class. A committee selected by the IWCOA recently provided IAwrestle with a list of 15 finalist candidates for public input.

Fans have the ability to vote once per day at IAwrestle.com for their top wrestler in each category until January 19th at 12PM (CT), when it will be narrowed down to the top 7. Please note, the fan vote winners will count as ONE vote towards the IWCOA’s committee votes in EACH round. (For example: Wrestler A received enough fan votes to place second in the poll but that does not guarantee them to move on to the next round. IWCOA has selected 12 coaches and officials to serve on the committee. The fan vote is the 13th vote.)

Another round of committee and fan voting will take place from January 22nd to February 5th determine the three finalists. Then we will repeat with another round of voting for the winner to be announced at the luncheon awards banquet which will take place at the Fareway Conference Center in Boone, Iowa on February 28th at noon.

Dan Gable and Mark Ironside will be our special guests handing out awards. Media is encouraged to attend.

The two runner-up student athletes in each class will each receive finalist award plaques. A duplicate Wrestler of the Year trophy and duplicate Wrestler of the Year runner-up plaques will be provided to each high school where finalists attend, for permanent placement in the high school trophy case.

VOTE ONCE EVERY 24 HOURS. PLEASE WAIT A FULL 24 HOURS. (FOR EXAMPLE: YOU CAN’T VOTE MONDAY AT 8PM AND THEN TUESDAY AT 8AM BECAUSE IT IS A NEW DAY. 24 HOURS MEANS 24 HOURS LIMIT APPLIES.)

Vote for your pick of the 2024 Dan Gable Mr. and Ms. Wrestler of the year

3A
Alexander Pierce (Iowa City West)
Bas Diaz (Waverly-Shell Rock)
Brent Slade (Southeast Polk)
Cale Seaton (Iowa City High)
Carter Freeman (Waukee-Northwest)
Carter Pearson (Southeast Polk)
Dreshaun Ross (Fort Dodge)
Dru Ayala (Fort Dodge)
Jacob Helgeson (Johnston)
Jake Knight (Bettendorf)
Kane Naaktgeboren (Linn-Mar)
Koufax Christensen (Waukee-Northwest)
Koy Davidson (Fort Dodge)
Max Magayna (Waterloo East)
TJ Koester (Bettendorf)

2A
Aiden Smith (Atlantic)
Anders Kittelson (Osage)
Austin Scranton (Anamosa)
Blake Fox (Osage)
Bo Koedam (Sergeant-Bluff Luton)
Braden McShane (New Hampton Turkey Valley)
Brayden Bohnsack (Union, Laporte City)
Brody Sampson (Ballard)
Jace Hedeman (Union, Laporte City)
Jase Jaspers (Mount Vernon)
Kade Blume (Roland Story)
Kaiden Dietzenbach (Notre Dame, Burlington)
Klayten Perreault (Mount Vernon)
Linden Phetxoumphone (Webster City)
Tucker Stangel (Osage)
1A
Eli Becerra (Missouri Valley)
Jace Nelson-Brown (Emmetsburg)
Colin Holm (South Winneshiek)
Jayden Rinken (Nashua-Plainfield)
Corbin Reisz (Logan-Magnolia)
Kyler Knaack (Don Bosco)
Rowdy Neighbor (Alburnett)
Mason Knipp (Columbus Catholic)
Cael Morrow (Akron-Westfield)
Blake Allen (Underwood)
Teague Smith (West Hancock)
Cody Fox (East Buchanan)
Kellen Smith (West Hancock)
Tanner Arjes (North Butler-Clarksville)
Mason Shirk (Wilton)
Girls
Kiara Djoumessi (Waverly-Shell Rock)
Skylar Slade (Southeast Polk)
Maeley Elsbury (South Tama)
Naomi Simon (Decorah)
Bella Porcelli (Southeast Polk)
Katie Biscoglia (Raccoon River)
Jillian Worthen (Union, Laporte City)
Jana Terwee (West Lyon)
Olivia Huckfeldt (Spencer)
Reanah Utterback (Sigourney-Keota)
Jasmine Luedtke (Ottumwa)
Abigail Meyrer (Pleasant Valley)
Molly Allen (Oakland Riverside)

Mahri Manz (Lewis Central)
Mackenzie Childers (Cedar Rapids Prairie)

Posted in Sports |

Riverside Girls basketball pivoting in the right direction

Sports

January 5th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

For most teams a six-point loss and a two-game losing streak just stings. However, for Riverside Head Coach Mitch Rice and the (5-4) Bulldogs they came away with optimism after a 48-42 loss against the top Western Iowa conference team Treynor. The Bulldogs played the Cardinals as close as anyone in the WIC this year and gave Coach Rice an opportunity to show his young team the potential they’ve been playing with.

Coach Rice is candid about the youth of his squad. Out of the 13 players on the roster, 7 of them are freshman. With so many freshmen in a 10-player rotation, it has brought slight growing pains this season and yet Riverside still has wins over Essex, IKM-Manning, Griswold, Missouri Valley, and Red Oak. That level of success had Coach Rice explain to his team that after Christmas break nobody will be viewed as a freshman. The expectations will only increase for this group.

A player that has met expectations for Riverside is junior Elly Henderson who has played selfless basketball. Second on the team in assists with 18 and leading scorer at 58 points. Coach Rice wants to see her attack the basket more and hone her offensive ability.

Sydney Somers is another freshman on this Bulldog’s team that impressed Coach Rice with her work effort throughout the season. Somers is second on the team with rebounds at 33 and tied at second in scoring with 53.

Riverside dropped their first game in 2024 to Logan-Magnolia 42-31.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (16.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Posted in Sports |

Iowans are warned to test their homes for dangerous, invisible radon

News

January 5th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans are being urged to check their homes this month for an invisible threat. Shelby Kroona (KROO-nuh), director of the Hamilton County Public Health Department, says anyone in the state could be living in a hazardous environment and not realize it.

January is Radon Awareness Month and she says that’s because this is typically one of the coldest months of the year and
people are often cooped up indoors.

She encourages everyone to buy a radon test kit though your local health department or at home improvement or hardware stores. They usually cost around 15-dollars.

If your test kit registers a two, you’ll just need to keep watch, but with a four or above, you’ll need to install a radon mitigation system in your home. Learn more at radon.org

Posted in News |