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(Updated 12:05-p.m.) 2 die in separate Iowa accidents Wednesday

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(State News) – Two separate crashes in Iowa Wednesday, resulted in two deaths and one person injured. The Iowa State Patrol reports a crash late Wednesday morning in central Iowa’s Jasper County, claimed the life of a man from Polk County. 41-year-old Michael Croy, of Des Moines, died when the car he was driving collided head-on with a pickup truck. The accident happened south of Newton. Croy was traveling north on County Highway S 74 at around 11:50-a.m., when for reasons unknown, his vehicle crossed the center line of the road and collided with a southbound pickup driven by 62-year-old Karl Peters, of Monroe (IA). Croy died at the scene. Peters was transported to a hospital in Newton. Both men were wearing their seat belts. The crash remained under investigation.

And, at around 6:12-p.m. Wednesday, a pedestrian died in northern Iowa’s Cerro Gordo County, when they were struck by an SUV. The accident happened in Mason City, as the SUV, driven by a 17-year-old female from Mason City, was traveling southbound on Plymouth Road. The pedestrian who was struck, was identified as 42-year-old Jennifer Dawn Buls-VRBA, of Mason City. She was transported to the hospital in Mason City, where she died from their injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

Thursday State Softball Tournament Schedule

Sports

July 25th, 2024 by Jim Field

at Fort Dodge

Class 5-A Championship:

  • 5:00 PM – WDM Valley vs. Pleasant Valley

Class 5-A Consolation:

  • 3:30 PM – Ankeny vs. Urbandale

Class 4-A Championship:

  • 7:30 PM – Carlisle vs. ADM

Class 4-A Consolation:

  • 6:00 PM – North Scott vs. North Polk

Thursday State Baseball Tournament Schedule

Sports

July 25th, 2024 by Jim Field

Class 2-A Semifinals: (at Carroll)

  • 4:30 PM – Underwood vs. Chariton
  • 7:00 PM – New Hampton vs. Sumner-Fredericksburg

Class 4-A Semifinals: (at Cedar Rapids)

  • 5:00 PM – Cedar Rapids Kennedy vs. Johnston
  • 7:30 PM – Dowling Catholic vs. Iowa City High

It’s time to pick a peck of Iowa sweet corn, ideally from that kid on the corner

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Teenagers with hand-lettered signs and pickup trucks packed with stacks of sweet corn are being seen on street corners in many Iowa cities as we’re smack dab in the middle of prime time for that delicious veggie. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at Iowa State University, says if you haven’t spotted a local grower yet and decide to head to the supermarket for sweet corn instead, you -may- be still getting local ears. “Some grocery stores will get regular, daily batches from local farmers, and some of it is shipped up usually from Florida,” Steil says. “It really depends on the type of corn that’s being grown, too. Some varieties just store better, especially under refrigeration.”

Sweet corn is best when you get it right from the field, so if it’s been on a semi and sitting on a store shelf for a while, it may get squishy and starchy. Steil says the best bet is buying from that kid in the pickup, but if you head for the store instead, it may not be quite as fresh. “If you’re really concerned about it, you can ask the produce folks if this was corn that they got in that day, or if they know where it came from,” he says. “If it’s local and it came in in the last day or two, it’s probably quite fresh and good to eat. But just because it came in from Florida, it doesn’t mean it’s bad either.

There are certain varieties that can store really well for seven to 10 days.” Some Iowans will want to freeze a batch of that sweet corn to pull out in the wintertime for a pleasing taste of summer.  “If you want to keep it long-term, you’re going to blanch the cobs and usually cut the kernels off and then freeze it,” Steil says. “You want to do all that process as quickly as possible. This isn’t something that you would buy at the store, then let it sit on your counter for a while, and then do it a few days later. It would be something you want to do as soon as you get the corn for the best flavor.”

If you just plan to eat the sweet corn, be sure to keep the ears in the fridge. If it gets warm, the sugars will degrade faster and the taste won’t be as fresh.

2 arrested on separate charges in Montgomery County, Wednesday

News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – Red Oak Police report 35-year-old Kristin Kay Harrold, of Red Oak, was arrested Wednesday evening, on charges of Public Intoxication and Simple Assault/1st offense. Harrold was taken into custody at around 7:20-p.m. and transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where her bond was set at $300.  And, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports 24-year-old Phillip William Currin, of Villisca, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, for Driving While Barred. Bond for Currin was set at $2,000.

University of Iowa Athletics expects to break revenue records in upcoming year

News, Sports

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa City, Iowa) – The University of Iowa is expecting another record-breaking year for its athletics department while Iowa State University Athletics is working to handle changes to expected revenues as a result of collegiate athletic conferences shifting, university budget documents show. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that with revenues slated to increase in football, women’s basketball, wrestling and volleyball, among other areas, the UI is projecting a total income of more than $150 million for fiscal year 2025, just over a 7% increase from last year.

According to budgets submitted to the Iowa Board of Regents, which are set to be discussed at the board’s meeting next week, Hawkeye Football ticket revenue should increase this fall due to “a favorable home schedule and price adjustments,” and budgeted income for women’s basketball went from $1.3 million to $1.65 million in fiscal year 2025 because of “additional guarantees received for away contests.”

The university athletics department saw record-breaking revenue last fiscal year as well, prompted by soaring popularity in the women’s basketball team. Iowa women’s wrestling is projected to make $80,000 in fiscal year 2025. Renegotiated television contracts from the Big Ten Conference will give athletic conference revenue at the UI a $13.4 million bump from the $61.8 million the university saw last year.

The University of Iowa and Iowa State University athletic departments are both expecting increases in revenue in fiscal year 2025. (Photo via University of Iowa Facilities Management)

ISU Athletics is expecting to earn around $114.2 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025, $2.7 million more than the fiscal year 2024 budget. Cyclone Football is also expecting increased ticket sales due to an additional home game, and the athletic department is also planning to see increased ticket sales for women’s basketball and wrestling. The biggest bump is expected to come from women’s basketball, with the budget line increasing from $450,000 to $700,000. However, with changes to collegiate athletics conferences and tournaments, ISU Athletics has put certain projects on hold and “is continuing to make operational and personnel changes as necessary,” according to the budget document.

With four universities added to the Big 12 Conference as of July 1, ISU and the other continuing  conference members will receive $40 million less in Big 12 contributions through fiscal year 2031 than what was previously expected, according to the regents document. Also impacting the ISU athletic department’s budget is the College Football Playoff expansion, which makes it so playoff revenues aren’t equally distributed among the different conferences, according to the document.

The University of Northern Iowa, the only state university to provide support to its athletics department, is also the only university to expect a decrease in revenue for its athletics this upcoming fiscal year. According to the budget document, athletics revenue is projected to fall from around $14.8 million to just under $14.7 million. As with previous years, UNI men’s basketball doesn’t have game guaranteed revenue to include in the budget yet.

The university will also see a more than $1 million reduction in revenue from marketing due to its new contract with sports marketing company Learfield. The UI will only see a $150,000 decrease in its income from the contract it holds with Learfield, according to the document. UNI will allocate $3.26 million in operational support, $1.28 million in scholarship funding and $485,000 for “one-time support,” according to the regent document.

The university included an almost $100,000 increase in income from UNI football, but decreases in other men’s and women’s sports.

Young Atlantic woman helps Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa in the Governor’s Charity Steer Show

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and plans for the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show are in full swing. Iowa cattlemen support this great event that benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Claire Pellet of Atlantic, Iowa, has joined the Governor’s Charity Steer Show lineup of exceptional youth to show her steer at the August 10 event. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-four steers will be shown this year, with Gov. Kim Reynolds as one of the celebrities showing in the ring. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

Claire is the daughter of Brad and Kristy Pellett. Claire is a recent graduate of Atlantic High School. This fall she will be attending Oklahoma State University. Claire has been showing cattle for nine years and was involved in many things at her school. As true Cyclone fans, her family named her steer Magic, in honor of Hilton Magic. Claire will be partnering with Dr. Dan Grooms, dean of Iowa State University’s (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine. They are sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.

If you are interested in supporting Claire Pellett, please consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 10 at 4:30 pm. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com

Claire Pellett and her steer, Magic.

Jenna Smith, ICA member services and Governor’s Charity Steer Show co-chair, says “The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show highlights the good nature of the beef cattle industry and brings together a valuable collaboration between producers, industry supporters, youth, and community namesakes for an important cause. It is an honor to serve the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, which provides a crucial service to families in need. The youth participants of the Governor’s Charity Steer Show showcase the giving nature of our industry and offer a local connection to support this meaningful event.”

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised over $5 million since the show’s inception. Last year the show raised more than $500,000, the third year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show.

All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa too.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Thu., July 25, 2024

Weather

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East southeast wind around 10 mph.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 91.

Sun. Night: Partly cloudy w/a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low around 69.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 91.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 88. The Low was 61. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 88 & the Low was 67. The All-time Record High here, on July 25th, was 117 in 1936. The was also the hottest temperature ever recorded in Atlantic. The Record Low was 44, in 1894. Sunrise: 6:07. Sunset: 8:44.

Iowa officials discuss legal challenge of federal rules for wetland restoration

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he’s met with Iowa’s attorney general to discuss legal challenges to some federal regulations relating to wetlands. “In the conservation space, we’re having some real problems in getting with some of our projects through permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers,” Naig says. “You can be sure that we’re going to be looking at how Waters of the U.S. is defined and the Clean Water Act as it related to trying to go out and do conservation work.”

Naig says the lawsuit would follow the U-S Supreme Court’s recent decision that sharply curtails the authority federal agencies have to interpret the laws they administer. “What that sort of says is here congress has been outsourcing a lot of the detail and some of the specifics to agencies and…congress should do their job give specific direction and then perform oversight over agencies,” Naig says.

Naig suggests a prime target for litigation would be federal rules for wetland restoration projects that require work in connected streams. “Nitrate reducing wetlands and whether or not we need to do stream mitigation adds to the costs of these projects,” Naig says. “…We would argue the overall environmental and ecological impact, the positive impact to that stream segment overwhelms the need to go mitigate.”

Naig made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

NW IA officials may join regional group that oversees Little Sioux watershed

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – As part of flood recovery efforts, some officials in northwest Iowa are exploring the idea of joining a Water Management Authority that oversees the Little Sioux River watershed. The Little Sioux Headwaters Coalition currently includes agencies in areas along the Iowa-Minnesota border. Clay County Supervisor Allen Batschelet says rather than reinventing the wheel, joining the coalition — which was set up 15 years ago — makes sense.

To create a new one…we would have to go find every affected entity and get them…educated and informed on what this was all about and then get them to go through their approval process and then we’d have to identify who would lead the new agency, wherever it would be. What are the boundaries going to be for it? It would be a pretty heavy lift, I think, and not expeditious,” he says.

Dickinson County Supervisor Steve Clark says it may be time to have his county, along with Clay, Cherokee and Buena Vista Counties become part of the Water Management Authority for the Little Sioux. “We can have a fairly good impact on the whole watershed as we bring in stuff from the top it will slow the water down that goes on downstream,” Clark says.

Last month’s Little Sioux River flooding devastated swaths of Spencer and Cherokee. In the small community of Linn Grove, the crest was six feet higher than the previous record set in 1993. The Little Sioux Headwaters Coalition is scheduled to meet August 14th to hear from a consultant about flood control measures.