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Omaha Biliew Finalist for USA Basketball U19 Roster

Sports

June 12th, 2023 by admin

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Iowa State freshman Omaha Biliew has been named one of 18 finalists for the 2023 USA U19 Men’s National Team.

Selected from 30 training camp invitees, the finalists will compete for 12 spots on the team that will compete at the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary. Biliew was one of three Cyclones of the 30 training camp invitees, as Milan Momcilovic and Jackson Paveletzke also joined Biliew in Colorado Springs for the four camp sessions.

Finalists were selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee. Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens, born on or after January 1, 2004.

The finalists are Mark Armstrong (Villanova), Tobe Awaka (Tennessee), Omaha Biliew (Iowa State), Kylan Boswell (Arizona), Kanon Catchings (Purdue), Myles Colvin (Purdue), Eric Dailey Jr. (Oklahoma State), Freddie Dilione (Tennessee), Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State), Trentyn Flowers (Louisville), Dylan Harper (Don Bosco Prep), Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Tre Johnson (Lake Highland Prep), Ven-Allen Lubin (Vanderbilt), Asa Newell (Montverde Academy), Cameron Scott (Lexington High School), Ernest Udeh (TCU) and Cody Williams (Colorado).

The United States will square off with Lebanon, Madagascar and Slovenia in pool play. The U.S. will face off against Lebanon and Madagascar for the first time at a FIBA Men’s U19 World Cup. The U.S. own a 2-0 record against Slovenia at this event.

Leading the 2023 USA Men’s U19 National Team is head coach Tad Boyle (University of Colorado). He is assisted by Mike Boynton Jr. (Oklahoma State University) and Leon Rice (Boise State University).

The United States has won the competition eight times, including three of the last four competitions—in 2015, 2019 and 2021. During the 2019 World Cup, former Cyclone Tyrese Haliburton led the United States to the gold medal.

10 Hawkeyes Earn Preseason Honors from Phil Steele

Sports

June 12th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Ten University of Iowa football student-athletes garnered preseason honors from Phil Steele, it was announced Monday.

Senior punter Tory Taylor was named as a Phil Steele first-team All-American, while junior Cooper DeJean was tabbed as a second-team All-America defensive back.

Sophomore kicker Drew Stevens joined Taylor and DeJean as a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection.  Junior tight end Luke Lachey, junior defensive end Deontae Craig and senior defensive tackle Logan Lee were second-team honorees, senior defensive end Joe Evans and sophomore kick returner Kaleb Johnson were third team selections and junior offensive tackle Mason Richman and senior safety Quinn Schulte were selected to the fourth team.

Taylor (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) was also named a preseason first-team All-American by Athlon Sports in May.  The Australia native garnered first-team All-America honors by FWW, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus and was a second-team selection by the Associated Press in 2022.  He averaged 45.4 yards on 82 punts a season ago.

DeJean (6-1, 209) garnered his second preseason All-America honor, as he was named a second-team All-American by Athlon Sports.   The Odebolt, Iowa, native was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and second team by the coaches in 2022 after finishing with 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight pass breakups.  He returned three of his interceptions for touchdowns.

Stevens (6-0, 180) received his second preseason first-team All-Big Ten honor as he was also recognized by Athlon Sports.  The Augusta, South Carolina, native set a freshman program record with 16 field goals in 2022 en route to freshman All-America honors.  He made 16-of-18 field goal attempts, including 6-for-8 from 40+.

Lachey (6-6, 252) garnered preseason second team All-Big Ten honors after ranking third on the team in receptions (28) and receiving yards (398) in 2022.  The Columbus, Ohio, native caught a team-best four touchdowns during his sophomore season.

Craig (6-3, 266) received his first preseason honor following a sophomore season where he had 31 tackles and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks.  The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native had 10.5 tackles for loss during the season, including a career-high 3.5 against Kentucky in the Music City Bowl win.

Lee (6-5, 275) was tabbed as a second team selection after earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both the media and coaches in 2022 to go along with second-team All-Big Ten recognition from Athlon Sports.  The Orion, Illinois, native finished fifth on the team with 54 tackles, including eight tackles for loss.

Evans (6-2, 246) received his second preseason honor (second-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports) after starting all 13 games in 2022 en route to second-team All-Big Ten honors by the media and honorable mention honors by the coaches.  The Ames, Iowa, native had 41 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Johnson (6-0, 212) was tabbed as a preseason third-team All-Big Ten honoree as a kick returner after averaging 25 yards on 13 returns during his true freshman season.  The Ohio native earned freshman All-America honors after rushing for a freshman record 779 yards with six touchdowns in 2022.

Richman (6-6, 308) and Schulte (6-1, 208) garnered preseason fourth team honors.  Richman started all 13 games in 2022 at left tackle en route to honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.  Schulte started all 13 games at free safety, finishing fourth on the team with 71 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception.

The Hawkeyes open the season against Utah State in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. (CT).

Fans can purchase football season tickets by visiting hawkeyesports.com/footballtickets. The Fight for Iowa mobile passes are sold out and the mini ticket plans are currently on sale.

Group tickets and Hawkeye Village ticket sales begin July 5, while single game tickets go on sale for donors on July 17 and to the general public on July 20.University of Iowa faculty/staff should contact the University of Iowa Athletics Ticket Office for season tickets. The UI Athletics Ticket Office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office telephone number is 1-800-IA-HAWKS.

PHIL STEELE PRESEASON HONORS

First-Team All-America

P Tory Taylor

Second-Team All-America

DB Cooper DeJean

First-Team All-Big Ten

DB Cooper DeJean

P Tory Taylor

PK Drew Stevens

Second-Team All-Big Ten

TE Luke Lachey

DE Deontae Craig

DT Logan Lee

Third-Team All-Big Ten

DE Joe Evans

KR Kaleb Johnson

Fourth-Team All-Big Ten

OT Mason Richman

S Quinn Schulte

LSU Transfer Signs With Hawkeyes

Sports

June 12th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s tennis head coach Sasha Schmid announced on Monday that Nikita Vishwase has signed with the University of Iowa.

Vishwase, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, won 16 singles matches this past season as a freshman at LSU. Nine of her victories in dual play came primarily on courts five and six. She notched four wins. She was the 2022 ITA Southern Regional Doubles Champion with partner Anastasiya Komar. The doubles duo of Vishwase/Komar were ranked as high as No. 7 (Nov. 16, 2022) in the ITA doubles rankings.

“I am so excited to be a part of the program and team at the University of Iowa,” said Vishwase. “I feel like I already fit in so well and I know I will be able to succeed here.”

Prior to her collegiate career, Vishwase was the No. 1 player in Arizona according to tennisrecruiting.net. She enjoyed a stellar career in ITF junior competitions. Vishwase was ranked as high as No. 4 in her recruiting class and had a registered 16 singles triumphs against five-star recruits. She earned five ITF doubles titles. Vishwase also represented her native country of India at the youth levels.

“Nikita is a wonderful addition to our team and the final piece of our roster for next season,” Schmid said. “Nikita is an experienced player who has competed at the highest levels of junior and college tennis. She will join our team and immediately make an impact in singles and doubles. I am thrilled with our team; they are all smart, generous, talented and dedicated young women. We are very excited for the upcoming season.”

BEVERLY WALKER, 90 (Graveside Svcs. 6/17/23)

Obituaries

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

BEVERLY WALKER, 90, died Monday, June 12, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society, in Villisca.  Graveside services for BEVERLY WALKER will be held 1:30-p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2023, at the Grant Cemetery.  Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, at the Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

BEVERLY WALKER is survived by:

Her daughters – Michele “Shelly” Stevens and husband John, of Villisca, and Diane (Scott) Damon, of Cumberland.

Her son – Jeffrey Weston, of Villisca.

18 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and 2 great great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Anita Rescue responds to dump truck rollover

News

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Rural Anita, Iowa) – Anita Rescue was dispatched to the scene of a dump truck rollover accident this (Monday) afternoon, at around 4:43-p.m.  The incident happened near 76748 Fairview Road. The driver was conscious and awake. He was eventually able to walk to the ambulance to be checked-out.

Additional details are currently not available.

Dickinson County Woman Charged with Fraudulent Submissions, Forgery and Identity Theft

News

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines – The Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau reports a Spirit Lake woman, 51-year-old Tammy Jo Zemler,  was charged with three counts of Fraudulent Submissions (Class D Felony), three counts of Forgery (Class D Felony), and three counts of Identity Theft (Aggravated Misdemeanor) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Divisions Fraud Bureau.

The charges against Zemler stem from an investigation which began in April of 2022.  According to a criminal complaint filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, while Zemler was working as an insurance producer, she altered documents and submitted them in support of insurance policies knowing that they misrepresented material facts.

Zemler was arrested on June 1, 2023 and booked into the Dickinson County Jail.  Zemler posted a $36,000 bond and was released. No additional information will be provided at this time.

Tammy Jo Zemler (Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office photo)

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Church missionary from Fort Dodge sentenced on child sex abuse charges

News

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A former church missionary from Fort Dodge has been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of several sex crimes involving a child.

Thirty-year-old Jordan Webb was living in Webster County at the time of his arrest. He was found guilty of one count of sex abuse in the second degree, one count of child endangerment and another sex related charge back in April.

Webb’s attorney filed a motion for a new trial which was turned down Friday afternoon prior to Webb’s sentencing in Webster County District Court.

Cass County Sheriff recognizes tenured S/O, Jail & Comm. Center employees

News

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office recently recognized tenured employees of the Sheriff’s Office, the Cass County Jail and the Cass County Communication’s Center. The Sheriff’s Office recognized employees from these departments that hold 10 or more years of continued service.

Sheriff Darby McLaren says these employees have been and continue to be vital assets for our County. The dedication and true value of these employees was exemplified during recent difficult times of Covid-19 and widespread employee shortages.

All agencies within the State are going through hardships in an attempt to recruit and retain employees to provide 24/7/365 coverage. Cass County, Sheriff McLaren says, is fortunate to have this number of quality employees who have given more than 10 years of service to our County.

Pictured (In no particular order), are: Steph Witzman (24 years), Joni Knudsen (22 years), John Westering (20 years), Kyle Quist (18 years), Stacey Misner (18 years), Ben Bartholomew (16 years), Bobbi Jo Steffensmeier (15 years), Sue Meier (15 years), Josh McLaren (14 years) and Dorothy Cable (10 years)

The Sheriff and Deputies extend their sincerest thanks to each and every one! (Click on the images to enlarge)

Not pictured are: Chris Droll (26 years), Jennifer Holaday (25 years)

Bobbi Jo Steffensmeier

Jailers

N. JEAN JONES, 93 of Falls City, NE (formerly of Audubon) Svcs 6/13/2023

Obituaries

June 12th, 2023 by Jim Field

N. JEAN JONES, 93 of Falls City Nebraska and formerly of Audubon died on Wednesday, June 7 at her home in Falls City.

Service for N. JEAN JONES will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 10:30am at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home in Falls City, Nebraska.

 

N. JEAN JONES is survived by:

Her sons: Mark (Susie) Jones of Rulo Ne; RJ (Chelsea) Hamilton

Her daughters: Annie (Thomas) Rucker of Granbury, TX; Nancy (Robert) Bermea of Bremerton, WA

19 Grandchildren and 32 Great-grandchildren

Dorr and Clark Funeral Home in Falls City, NE has the arrangements.

Fifth Annual Cass County Conservation Youth Fishing Derby Results

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 12th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board (CCCB) held a youth fishing derby at Cold Springs Park on Saturday, June 10, 2023. Officials say prizes were awarded for the most overall weight:

  • 1st place, Traven Thomas
  • 2nd place, Dayton Thomas
  • 3rd place, Brooklyn Thomas.

    (Left) Traven Thomas; (Middle) Dayton Thomas; Brooklyn Thomas (2nd from left); Gavin Dougherty (2nd from the right), & Chloe Pendergast (right). Photo submitted by the CCCB

Awards also given for heaviest single fish and longest single fish: Gavin Dougherty, and shortest single fish: Chloe Pendergast. The CCCB thanks all those that donated items for the event: Weirich Welding for the trophies, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, and Scheels for prizes.