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Vikes at Home to Faceoff Against Kuemper Catholic

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Christian Adams

On Friday night, the Kuemper Catholic football team will travel to Avoca to face the 2-0 AHSTW Vikings in AHSTW’s second consecutive home game. The Vikings are also coming off their second straight come-from-behind win as they shut out Riverside in the fourth quarter scoring 16 unanswered points. AHSTW put up 564 yards of total offense including 262 passing yards from senior quarterback Camden Soukup and 213 rushing yards from senior back Luke Sternberg. Although he knows his team will need a good start against the Knights, Head Coach Grant Harris likes his team’s ability to battle back.

Sternberg is poised to be one of the Vikings’ biggest offensive weapons on Friday. Through two games Sternberg has compiled 427 all-purpose yards which is second in the Western Iowa Conference while his 224 rushing yards rank sixth. Harris believes that his versatility and football IQ have led to Sternberg’s on-field success.

In addition to Sternberg, AHSTW has a lethal duo with Soukup and senior receiver Zeb Hall. Soukup and Hall connected for four touchdowns last week in the 42-22 win over Riverside. Hall’s 225 receiving yards leads the WIC while ranking third in receptions. On the flip side Soukup ranks second in the conference in touchdowns and passing yards, third in passing touchdowns, completions, and yards per completion.

On Defensive the Vikings are led by senior linebacker Blake Akers. Akers is off to a fast start to the season leading the WIC in both total and solo tackles. Akers will look to replicate last week’s 12 tackle performance and Harris knows that his intensity will be an important factor against the Knights.

Kuemper Catholic will be a tough test for this Vikings team. The offense is led by junior quarterback Brock Badding who has thrown 359 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior receiver Carson Kanne is off to a good start with 163 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore Jarin Hoffman has 163 yards on the ground. It’s an offense that Harris sees as one to come out swinging.

The defense brings senior Tate Bieret to the table compiling 18 tackles and four tackles for loss in the knights’ two games. Harris is expecting a tough and hard-hitting game from the Kuemper Catholic defense.

Coach Harris’ keys: Balance and physicality.

 

 

Neola Man Sentenced to 292 Months in Federal Prison for Transportation of a Minor and a Firearms Offense

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – A Neola man was sentenced today to a total term of 292 months in federal prison for transporting a minor for the purpose of engaging in sex acts and possessing firearms as a felon.

According to public court documents, Steven Earl Adkins, 56, communicated with a minor on Craigslist. He drove to a truck stop in Nebraska, picked up the minor, and brought the minor to his home. Adkins provided necessities to the minor in exchange for sex acts. During a search warrant at Adkins’s residence, law enforcement located 16 firearms and ammunition. In 2011, Adkins was convicted in Nebraska of the felony offense of strangulation, which prohibits Adkins from possessing firearms.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Adkins will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Adkins will be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the FBI, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Omaha Police Department, and Colorado Springs Police Department.

Greene County football plays in Atlantic on Friday

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The 1-1 Greene County Rams have seen improvement heading into a week 3 matchup against the 3-0 Atlantic Trojans. The Rams last game was a 36-7 victory against Perry that showed a Greene County offense which saw more success in their ground game compared to their week one 34-21 loss to Carroll. When recapping last Friday’s win against the Blue Jays Greene County head coach Caden Duncan pointed out that his team vastly improved in one week.

That success and improvement on the ground game was largely contributed by senior running back Nick Stream who has rushed for 285 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season. Coach Duncan had nothing but praise for Stream’s consistent energy and leadership for the Rams.

Coach Duncan had also seen a surge in defensive production by junior linebacker Christopher Daughtery who leads the team in tackles with 25.5. Daughtery is a perfect with the defensive scheme that the Rams like to run.

This Friday’s match for Greene County on the road against the Trojans will be a tough one. When watching film on the run heavy Atlantic team, coach Duncan knows his team has to bring a gritty and physical mindset.

Atlantic has been stellar with their run game eclipsing the 1000-yard rushing mark last week in their win against Glenwood. Part of that sharp run game for Atlantic is the acceleration of senior running back Tyson O’Brien who has collected 534 yards of rushing on the year. Coach Duncan want’s his team to score quickly and minimize penalties and turnovers.

KJANTV is covering Friday’s matchup with the pregame show beginning at 6:30pm and kickoff is set for 7:00pm.

Atlantic Area Chamber to Host Drive-In Movie Experience With “Ghost Busters”

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Meyer & Gross Real Estate, will host a Drive-In Movie experience Saturday, October 5th. Chamber Programs Director Kelsey Beschorner says “Drive-In Movie Night has become an annual tradition that I look forward to every year. We are excited to bring this classic movie to the big screen this fall.”

Beschorner added, “The Drive-In is a fun, nostalgic experience for community members and those in the surrounding area to enjoy. This also gives us the opportunity to show off our town and encourage people to shop and eat before coming to the movie.”  The Drive-In Movie will be at the Cass County Fair Grounds in the grandstand area beginning around 8:30 PM with a showing of “Ghost Busters”.

Cars may begin parking at 7-p.m. The screen is 60 feet long with a high definition projector. Speakers will be available next to the screen for people to utilize. A transmitter will be provided for those enjoying the movie from their car. Attendees will turn their radio to a certain station and the transmitter will play the audio through their car speakers.

Entry is $25 per vehicle and tickets can be purchased at www.atlanticiowa.com or day-of at the gate. People are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Inside parking for the Drive-In is limited, so pack a chair or blanket as precaution. Moviehouse & Event Center will have concessions available for purchase on the fairgrounds.

For more information, visit www.atlanticiowa.com, call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. The Drive-In is sponsored by Meyer & Gross Real Estate.

Audubon Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – An Audubon man was sentenced today to 25 years (300 months) in federal prison for sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to public court documents, William Roland Brubaker, 27, initiated a sexual relationship with a minor and produced videos of child sexual abuse material of the minor. The videos were recorded on a cell phone and shared with Brubaker through a social media application.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Brubaker will be required to serve a 10-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Brubaker will be required to register as a sex offender.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Audubon County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation’s Cyber Crime Bureau, Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and FBI Child Exploitation Task Force.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.

No. 2 Bedford visits No. 3 Lenox Friday night in 8-player

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Two of the top teams in Eight-Player collide in district eight as third ranked Lenox hosts number two Bedford. Both teams are 2-0. Lenox co-head coach Cole Bonde.

Bedford has only attempted three passes in two games but Bonde says the threat is always there.

Bonde says the key will be which team can limit mistakes.

Bonde says the atmosphere will be fun.

Bedford coach Jeremy Nally says the Bulldogs have not needed to pass in the first two games but eventually they will need to.

Nally says it is a big early season test for his team.

Nally says a key for the Bulldogs will be taking away the cut back lanes in the Lenox run game.

Homecoming night for Audubon pits them against Exira-EHK

Sports

September 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The 2-0 Audubon Wheeler football team has been off to a strong start for the year winning matchups against CAM 38-20 and Colo-Nesco 44-8. The most recent win for Audubon against the Royals had a slow start, seeing the Wheelers only score 8 points in the first quarter. Still, Audubon head coach Sean Birks was pleased with the way his team responded throughout the rest of the game.

A large part of the Wheelers early success on the season has been from the effort and growth of junior quarterback Carson Wessel. Wessel has thrown for 252 yards and rushed for 6 touchdowns through two games. That tenacity to run through contact and absorb the playbook has impressed coach Birks.

On the other side of the ball Audubon’s defense has been stout so far in 2024 with 5 interceptions and 76 total tackles. One key factor of that determined Wheeler defense is junior Austin Christensen who leads the team in tackles with 15.5 and is tied for interception leader at two. Christensen’s commitment to the Audubon football program has gained him a lot of respect from his coaches.

The Wheelers next opponent is the 1-1 Exira-EHK Spartans who are coming off a 30-22 win against Stanton that included a 16-point comeback. Exira-EHK’s leading rusher in their win against Stanton was junior quarterback Bryce Brabham who rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Audubon head coach Sean Birks is aware that an emotional comeback win can ignite any team to make them a tough opponent, and coach Birks will make sure that his team knows it.

One of coach Birks’s expectations for Friday’s matchup against the Spartans is to have his team get off to a fast start and score. Audubon is 0 for 2 on opening drive scores and that is a stat he is looking to change.

KJAN will bring you the coverage for Friday’s matchup starting with the pregame show at 6:30 PM.

Ernst says Mexico needs to step up and secure release of kidnapped Iowa woman

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she’s pressing Mexican authorities to secure the safe return of a 51-year-old Des Moines woman who was kidnapped in northern Mexico a month ago.  “Seriously, this is Mexico. This is a partner with the United States, whether it’s trade and other types of economic endeavors. This is our neighbor to the south,” Ernst said. “They need to step up.”

Chris Leguisano went missing over a month ago. She was in Mexico to deliver a truck full of belongings to a brother-in-law and was last seen in Reynosa, Mexico — less than a hour’s drive from the U-S southern border. Ernst says this is the second high-profile assault of American citizens in that part of Mexico in the past two years.

Chris Leguisano of Des Moines was reported missing in early August. (Iowa Clearinghouse of Missing Persons photo)

“This is a woman who was kidnapped,” Ernst said. “We can’t tolerate this.” State Department officials have briefed the staff in Senator Chuck Grassley’s office and Ernst’s staff on outreach to Mexican authorities and how U-S law enforcement are involved in the case. In July, the State Department issued a warning advising Americans not to travel to or through the state in northern Mexico that sits along the Gulf of Mexico. “It just underscores the fact that having an open border, having cartels that are running these dangerous schemes of drug running, weapons trafficking, human trafficking,” Ernst said.

Leguisano’s son told W-O-I T-V he’s gotten text messages demanding a ransom.

Fairfield teen who killed teacher wants sentence reconsidered

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An attorney for a Fairfield teen who pleaded guilty to killing his Spanish teacher in 2021, is asking the Iowa Supreme Court to reconsider his current sentence. Willard Miller was sentenced last year to life with eligibility for parole after 35 years. His attorney Ella Newell claimed that sentencing a juvenile to a mandatory minimum amount of time in prison is cruel and unusual punishment if the judge does not consider testimony from an expert on child psychology.

“There is an inherent presumption both that juveniles are categorically immature but also that juveniles have a -even those that commit heinous crimes – are capable of rehabilitation, ” she says. Timothy Hau with the attorney general’s office represented the state. ““Experts aren’t perfect but they can be helpful and parties can choose to bring them. But certainly they’re not constitutionally required,” Hau says.

Miller was 16 at the time of the murder and 17 at the time of his sentencing. The Iowa Supreme Court will issue a ruling at a later date.

One-million dollar fundraising goal for Iowa’s Walks to End Alzheimer’s

News

September 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Thousands of Iowans in 19 communities statewide are taking part in Walks to End Alzheimer’s over the next few weeks.

Lauren Livingston, spokeswoman for the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says all of the walks are two miles in length and they’re part of an effort to raise awareness and money for families facing the disease, and for vital research to find more treatments and ultimately, a cure.

Promise Garden (Alzheimer’s Association photo)

“We’re expecting probably close to about 5,000 Iowans across the state in all 19 of our areas,” Livingston says. “The first one happened last week in Fort Dodge. Tonight is Ottumwa, so we’re looking forward to seeing all the walkers in that area, and of course, our biggest walk happens in Des Moines, and usually we see around 1,500 to 2,000 walkers just at that one alone.”

Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. In Iowa, more than 62,000 people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and there are nearly 100,000 family members and friends caring for their loved ones with the disease.

Livingston says one of the most meaningful events during the walks is the Promise Garden Ceremony, which signifies everyone’s solidarity in the fight against the disease.

“Purple flowers are if you’ve lost someone to the disease. Yellow flowers are if you are caring for someone right now with the disease. Orange flowers are if you are generally supporting the mission of the organization. And the blue flower is if you yourself are living with the disease,” Livingston says, “and everyone raises up their flowers during the Promise Garden Ceremony and then plants them in the garden.”

This year’s financial goal of the combined 19 walks statewide is $1-million, and Livingston says we’re at a pivotal moment in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

“Treatments that have been approved by the FDA in the last few years, the diagnostic tests that are right on the horizon. All the research happening just shows how much these events are having an impact. They’re making a difference in people’s lives right now who are living with the disease, and we couldn’t have said that even five years ago, definitely not 10 years ago.”

There is no fee to register for the walks, but all participants are encouraged to raise funds. While the Fort Dodge walk was last week, tonight’s walk is in Ottumwa, with 17 more upcoming in: Moline/Quad Cities, Decorah, Mason City, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Panora, Harlan, Muscatine, Council Bluffs, Clinton, Des Moines, Iowa City, Sioux City, Dubuque, Storm Lake, Ames, and Burlington.

Find a Walk near you in Iowa HERE.