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No. 17 Iowa visits Nebraska on Friday

Sports

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Ranked 17th in the College Football Playoff Rankings the Iowa Hawkeyes close the regular season Friday at Nebraska. The Hawkeyes have already clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a win over the Huskers would lock up the 11th 10-win season in program history. Nebraska needs a win to become bowl eligible and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Huskers have made significant progress under first year coach Matt Rhule.

Even though they have already clinched the division title Ferentz says the Hawkeyes have a lot to play for.

Five of Iowa’s Big Ten wins have been by 10 points or less and this has the makings of another close game.

Ferentz says the players deserve credit for excelling in close games.

The Hawkeyes will be in search of their sixth straight victory in Lincoln. Listen for the pre-game show from Memorial Stadium at 9-a.m. on KJAN. The kick-off is at 11-a.m., Friday

Red Oak woman arrested on a Theft charge Thursday morning

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Red Oak Police Department reports a woman was arrested this (Thursday) morning, on a Theft charge. 39-year-old Jodie Michele Vanhouten, of Red Oak, was arrested for Theft in the 4th Degree. She was taken into custody in the 1500 block of N. 8th Street at around 9:30-a.m.  Authorities say her arrest concluded an investigation of theft coming from the self-checkout lane of Hy-Vee.

Vanhouten was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $1,000 bond.

Davenport reaches settlement with city administrator

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Davenport City Administrator Corrin Spiegel will be on paid administrative leave until she resigns her position on January 2nd. The city announced it is paying Spiegel a lump sum of one-point-six million dollars. The city released its separation agreement, which says one million dollars of the payout is for emotional pain and suffering related to the actions of former Alderman Derek Cornette and other “unnamed former elected officials.”

Cornette was removed from office by the city council in September for allegedly harassing female staff members and showing up to council meetings intoxicated.

The city says in a statement that the amount of compensation given to Spiegel is small when compared to what it might cost for a lengthy lawsuit.

Winnebago Tribe sees progress in having NW Iowa land returned after 50+ years

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – U.S. senators from Iowa and Nebraska are backing federal legislation that would return land in northwest Iowa to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. In 1970, the federal government took 16-hundred acres from the tribe using the power of eminent domain.

The plan was to use the ground along the Missouri River in Woodbury and Monona counties for a recreation area, but it was never built. “Land is very important to us. We are stewards of the land. That’s something that we always try to take care of our Mother Earth,” according to Garan Coons, communications director for the Winnebago Tribe. Coons says they won a legal fight in the ’70s to get the land back, but it required an act of Congress to complete the process.

Tribal officials have been making a direct appeal to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to push for passage of the legislation. Coons says, “They’re just knocking on doors out there and trying to kind of tell him how important this is and what it means for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.”

A bill co-sponsored by Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, along with the two senators from Nebraska, would return the land to the tribe. “A long time coming and I’m just glad in my lifetime, we get to see it,” Coons says, “and we’re one step closer to getting that land back for the Winnebago Tribe.” Coons says so far, there are no plans to develop the land, which is currently overseen by the Iowa DNR.

In a Radio Iowa interview, Senator Grassley said last week the bill is “non-controversial” and he expects it to pass.

Northern Iowa women play Syracuse Friday afternoon

Sports

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The UNI women play Syracuse Friday afternoon in the opening round of the South Point Thanksgiving Shootout in Las Vegas. The Panthers are 1-2 after a loss at Ball State.

That’s Panther coach Tany Warren. UNI is shooting only 61 percent from the foul line and Warren says lack of confidence is a major factor.

Syracuse is 3-1 after a two point loss at Maryland.

Tip-off at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, SD, is at 1-p.m., Friday.

Gas prices fall six cents

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Triple-A says Iowa gas prices fell again last week. The price of regular unleaded gas was down six cents a gallon with an average price of two dollars, 97 cents across Iowa. That gas price is down 43 cents from last year. The national average was 33 cents higher than Iowa, after falling five cents.

Diesel prices were also down — dropping seven cents to a statewide average of four-dollars, 17 cents. That’s down 83 cents from last year.

RALPH BECK, 85, of Atlantic (Svcs. 11/27/23)

Obituaries

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

RALPH BECK, 85, of Atlantic, died Thursday, November 23, 2023, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa. Funeral services for RALPH BECK will be held 10:30-a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, 2023, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by noon on Tuesday.

Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 26th at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

RALPH BECK is survived by:

His daughters – Daleen (& husband Mike) Clark, of Atlantic; Dory (& husband Todd) Schrader, of Exira; Susan Favata, of Gresham, OR, and Renea (& husband Scott) Steffens, of Wiota.

His sons – Devin McDermott and Darwin McDermott, both of Atlantic.

His sister – Doris (& husband Lavern) Royer, of Coon Rapids.

19 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; & one great-great-grandson.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

Police chase leads to a fatal crash Thanksgiving morning, in Des Moines

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

A 66-year-old woman was killed in a crash that happened in Des Moines this (Thanksgiving) morning. KCCI reports Des Moines police say it happened just after 1:30 a.m. Thursday at Southeast 8th Street and Emma Avenue. Police say an officer tried to pull over a driver with suspected fraudulent license plates near SE 5th Street and Hughes Avenue. The 46-year-old driver then took off along Southeast 8th street. According to investigators, about 36 seconds after the chase started, the crash happened as the driver was trying to make a turn before crashing into a ditch on Emma Avenue.

The driver and a female passenger were taken to the hospital. The man is in serious condition and the woman died. Police also say the driver has an active felony arrest warrant that’s unrelated to this incident.

This is the city’s 17th traffic-related fatality so far in 2023.

Gov. Reynolds orders flags to half-staff Saturday, in honor of Rosalynn Carter

News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday in honor and remembrance of Rosalynn Carter. The former first lady died while in hospice care in Georgia last week.

“Rosalynn Carter modernized the role of First Lady as a trusted advisor to her husband, a working mom, and humanitarian,” Gov. Reynolds said in a press release. “America remembers her fondly and with gratitude for her incredible life of service. Kevin & I pray for peace and comfort for President Carter and their family.”

The order was issued in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s proclamation to lower U.S. flags to half-staff.

Deere sees net sales and revenue fall for the 4th quarter, rise for the fiscal year

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 23rd, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Quad Cities-based Deere and Company is wrapping up its fiscal year on a high note. Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is releasing its fourth quarter earnings, reporting net income of more than two-point-three billion dollars for the quarter, up from two-point-two billion at this time last year.

A Deere news release says worldwide net sales and revenues fell one-percent for the quarter and rose 16-percent for the year. The statement says Deere’s being driven by solid market conditions, differentiated products, and strong execution.