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Teen Thrown From Back Of Pickup Dies

News

October 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One teenager from New London died and another was injured after being thrown from the back of a pickup there Friday. A report from the Iowa State Patrol says the driver of the pickup, 17-year-old Owen Neff of New London, for an unknown reason made a sudden turn down a street and 16-year-old Gavin Browning and 16-year-old Graden Weber, both of New London where thrown from the bed of the truck. Browning died, and Weber was taken to the hospital. His condition was not listed in the report.

At least three Iowa cities are now painting their bike lanes green

News

October 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

The City of Waterloo is rethinking bicycle transportation by painting its first quarter-mile stretch of bike lanes green, while moving them away from the curb to help cyclist visibility and traffic flow. Kyle Durant, a transportation planner with the Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments, helped implement the changes. Durant says the previous lanes were dangerous for the city’s cyclists.

Durant says shifting the lanes clears up confusion and safety concerns for the city’s cyclists.

Cedar Rapids and Des Moines have similar green-painted bike lanes for better cyclist visibility and safety.

Nitrate levels in water back up after the drought

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Rainfall in the spring and early summer briefly relieved drought in the Corn Belt but it also contributed to elevated nitrate concentrations in many of the region’s waterways. During dry years, nitrates from soil microbes and farm fertilizers can accumulate in fields until it rains and a lot of it flushes into rivers, lakes and sources of drinking water. America’s Watershed Initiative executive director Kim Lutz works across 31 states.

Steve Kalkhoff is a hydrologist with the U-S Geological Survey, which collects a lot of this data.

Lutz says this pollution is a problem for habitats in and around affected waterways… and it’s hurting industries like fishing and tourism. It’s also costing communities a lot of money to treat drinking water. But Lutz says new federal funding and conservation practices like cover crops can help.

Farm Bill lapses, congress won’t return ’til Nov. 12

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Congress has failed for a second year to pass a new Farm Bill. The one-year extension of the legislation expired yesterday (Monday) and the temporary spending package congress approved last week to keep the government operating through December 20th did not include even a temporary continuation of Farm Bill policies. Congressman Zach Nunn, a Republican who represents Iowa’s third district, had hoped the U.S. House would vote on a version of the Farm Bill that won bipartisan approval in the House Ag Committee four months ago.

Congress is now on recess through November 12th. Nunn says even if the House had taken action, the Senate Ag Committee hasn’t developed its version of the five-year Farm Bill.

Nunn acknowledges congress won’t revisit Farm Bill negotiations until after the election.

Lanon Baccam is the Democrat who’s running against Nunn in this year’s election. Congressman Randy Feenstra, the Republican who represents Iowa’s fourth district, is also a member of the House Ag Committee. Feenstra says it’s been nearly 130 days since that committee passed its version of the Farm Bill. Feenstra says given low commodity prices and declining farm income, congress needs to approve a new Farm Bill to deliver certainty and relief for Iowa agriculture. Ryan Melton, the Democrat who’s running against Feenstra, says Feenstra is serving in the least productive U.S. House in modern history and the Farm Bill is long overdue.

Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin: Meet the Finalists

News

October 1st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, IOWA – The Iowa Pork Producer’s Association reports the annual competition for the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin has been whittled down from 40 restaurants to just five finalists across the state, showcasing the best of Iowa’s beloved, hand-breaded delicacy!

The top five restaurants still in the running for the coveted title this year, listed alphabetically, are:

IPPA marketing and programs director Kelsey Sutter says “There were 532 restaurants nominated for our 22nd annual contest, which goes to show that Iowans love their breaded pork tenderloins. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that Iowa has no shortage of these hand-breaded favorites.”

To win the “Iowa’s Best Breaded Tenderloin” title, a restaurant must offer the sandwich on their menu year-round. Seasonal eateries, caterers, concession stands, and food trucks are not eligible. While the style of tenderloin can vary, the pork must be hand-breaded or battered to qualify! This summer, judging commenced for the top 40 restaurants, selected from public nominations. The list featured the five restaurants with the most nominations in each of IPPA’s eight districts, ensuring statewide representation.

IPPA members and industry affiliates visited these locations anonymously, evaluating the tenderloins on pork taste, quality, physical characteristics, and presentation. After reviewing all 40 evaluations, IPPA’s Restaurant and Foodservice Committee chose five finalists to move on to the next round. A panel of three judges was then appointed to visit each finalist and determine the first and second place winners.

The winning restaurant and runner-up will be announced later in October, during a month-long celebration of pork called Porktober, or national pork month. The runner-up will receive $250 and a plaque from IPPA, while the winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque, a banner, and statewide publicity—which has been known to send pork tenderloin sales hog wild!

Winners from the past five years:

See the full list of past winners, dating back to 2003.

Skyscan Forecast for Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

October 1st, 2024 by Jim Field

Today:  Sunny with a high near 70. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight:  Mostly clear with a low around 42.

Wednesday:  Sunny with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday:  Sunny with a high near 81

Friday:  Sunny with a high near 76.

Saturday:  Sunny with a high near 85. Breezy.

Cross Country Local Results from Monday

Sports

September 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

ORIENT-MACKSBURG INVITATIONAL (BOYS) 

2. Nodaway Valley (47 points) — 3. Gabe Winkelmann (19:00.90), 7. Luke Kading (19:52.60), 10. Paul Kading (20:13.80)

3. Bedford (80 points) — 12. Kaleb Johnson (20:54.00)

4. Lamoni (85 points) — 2. Tate McDole (18:52.30)

ORIENT-MACKSBURG INVITATIONAL (GIRLS) 

Lamoni (NTS) — 6. Lauren Olson (25:30.60), 11. Josie Hill (34:06.70)

Nodaway Valley (NTS) — 7. Jazz Christensen (25:53.50), 10. Kaylee Van Horn (30:14.50)

CAM (NTS) — 8. Lyndsey Chaney (25:57.70), 12. Ellen Gerlock (34:39.80), 13. Elizabeth Rouse (35:35.20), 15. Megan Gerlock (37:12.30)

Young Audubon Volleyball Continues to Improve

Sports

September 30th, 2024 by Christian Adams

The Audubon Wheelers volleyball team is a young group that continues to strive for improvement as the season progresses. Although the record may not be what they had hoped, they continue to play with intensity. Head coach Brandi Gruhn says she’s proud of the way her team has competed through tough competition.

The Wheelers have a roster loaded with up-and-coming talent. However, Alissa Testroet and Peyton Gust are the team’s only two seniors. Both have been with the program all four years, and Coach Gruhn stated their leadership has been invaluable to her team

With the seniors providing the veteran experience, Audubon’s junior class is big, talented, and leading the way statistically.  First-year setter Anna Larsen is fifth in the Western Iowa Conference in assists with  292.  Teammate Harlow Miller is a conference leader both offensively and defensively. She currently leads the conference with 206 kills and ranks second in the conference in blocks. Gruhn not only appreciates their heart and hustle but also their ability to work together.

As with every team, the Wheelers have some improvements that need to be made. However, Coach Gruhn likes the attitude her squad brings to the table.

The Wheelers will face the Treynor Cardinals at home tonight.

BETTY THOMPSON, 98, of Atlantic & formerly of Lewis (Svcs. 10/7/24)

Obituaries

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

BETTY THOMPSON, 98, of Atlantic (& formerly of Lewis), died Monday, September 30, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic. Funeral services for BETTY THOMPSON will be held 11:30-a.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, at the Lewis Congregational Methodist Church. Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service on Monday (10:30-to 11:30-a.m.)  at the Lewis United Congregational Methodist Church.

Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation in honor of Betty’s late son, Bill.

BETTY THOMPSON is survived by:

Her sons – Marvin (Melinda) Thompson, of Oakland, and Ken (Kathy) Thompson, of Lincoln, NE.

Her daughter – Lanette Crone, of Cedar Rapids.

12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren; and 9 great-great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Charges pending in an Omaha crash that killed a Council Bluffs man and 2 children

News

September 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Omaha, Nebraska) – Police in Council Bluffs have identified one of the victims of Friday’s early morning crash that killed an adult male and two juveniles, and resulted in three others, including a juvenile, being critically injured. Authorities say 70-year-old Michael Sales, of Council Bluffs, died in the crash that happened a little before 1:30-a.m., Friday, near the Gene Leahy Mall at around 10th and Douglas streets.

The crash involved a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 33-year-old Rachel Bickerstaff, and a 2017 Subaru Outback driven by Sales. Investigators said Bickerstaff was driving east on Douglas Street when her vehicle hit the Subaru from behind, pushing both cars to the east. The accident occurred as Sales had just completed a left turn onto Douglas Street from southbound 10th Street. After the impact, the Subaru hit a light pole. Authorities said the Jeep hit a tree and then rolled. The force of the crash caused both SUVs to hit barriers and catch on fire.

Two children were found dead inside the Jeep, Omaha police said. A 38-year-old man who was in the front seat and a child from the Jeep were taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for initial treatment, and then were taken out of state to a specialized burn unit at another hospital, according to authorities.

Omaha police said crash investigators are consulting with the Douglas County attorney’s office on pending charges for Bickerstaff. Speed and alcohol are factors being investigated in the crash, according to Omaha Police.