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Trojan Softball wins a close one against Glenwood

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Atlantic Trojan softball had a close 2-1 win against the Glenwood Rams on Wednesday night in Atlantic. From the start of the ball game both teams pitchers came to play. Riley Wood for Atlantic looked sharp only giving up 2 hits and clipping 2 strikeouts through the first 3 innings. Atlantic also had a slow start to the evening as the Trojans could only muster 2 hits in the first 2 innings. The Trojans finally found their momentum in the bottom of the 3rd with two outs as Lila Wiederstein hit a strong triple to get her to third. Zoey Kirchhoff had then a 1-2 count when she swung and hit the ball deep into left field over the fence for a 2-run homer making the game 2-0 for Atlantic. Glenwood had no response in the 4th or 5th innings as six straight batters were retired.

In the top of the 6th the Rams finally caught a break with a 3-error inning from Atlantic and a sac fly by Malynn Johnson to make the score 2-1. Atlantic’s next 3 batters were retired, and it all came down to the top of the 7th. The final three batters for Glenwood all grounded out and Atlantic claimed the 2-1 victory from a sharp throw to first from Zoey Kirchoff.

Atlantic’s 2-1 win came in part from an impressive night for Riley Wood who pitched 7 innings, had 1 earned run, 2 hits, 5 strikeouts, and 1 walk. Kirchoff also stood out for the Trojans going 2-2 at the plate with 2 RBI’s.

Atlantic head coach Terry Hinzmann liked the effort he saw from his ram throughout the night.

Coach Hinzmann noted that gritty wins are also good for a team when they know the post season is looming around the corner.

Atlantic improves to 24-12 with the win and play at home on Monday against Red Oak in a double-header. It’s an opportunity for the Trojans to develop more patience at the plate.

Glenwood drops to 19-8 with their loss and head to Missouri Valley on Monday.

CDC: Human bird flu case is tied to dairy cow outbreak

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – For 4th time in the United States, the CDC has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a human being. Officials say that as with previous cases, the person is a worker on a dairy farm where cows tested positive for the virus.

The person reportedly only showed symptoms of the virus in their eyes, and after receiving treatment, has recovered.

Based on the information available, the CDC says the infection does change the health risk assessment for the U.S. general public in relation to HPAI. However, officials do say that the development underscores the importance of taking precautions when exposed to infected animals.

The CDC recommends:

  • People should avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows).
  • People should also avoid unprotected exposures to animal poop, bedding (litter), unpasteurized (“raw”) milk, or materials that have been touched by, or close to, birds or other animals with suspected or confirmed A(H5N1) virus.
  • Using personal protective equipment (PEE) to reduce a person’s and the overall public’s health risk.

More information on the virus and health recommendations can be found here.

Help stop aquatic hitchhikers this Fourth of July

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all boaters and anglers to check for unwanted hitchhikers on their boats and equipment this Fourth of July to help protect Iowa lakes and streams. Aquatic invasive species move from one water body to another by hitchhiking on boats, in bait buckets and on other equipment used in the water. They can create serious problems for Iowa waters and negatively impact the quality of outdoor recreation experiences. Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says “Aquatic invasive species can reduce native species and make lakes and rivers unusable for boaters, anglers and swimmers.”

These invasive species often grow quickly and spread fast when brought to another lake or stream due to a lack of natural predators or competitors. Boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to new water bodies by cleaning, draining and drying their boats and equipment after each time on the water.

  • CLEAN any plants, animals, or mud from your boat and equipment before you leave a waterbody.
  • DRAIN water from all equipment (motor, live well, bilge, transom well, bait bucket) before you leave a waterbody.
  • DRY anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, boots, clothing, dogs). Before you move to another waterbody either: Spray your boat and trailer with hot or high-pressure water; or Dry your boat and equipment for at least five days.
  • Never release plants, fish or animals into a water body unless they came out of that waterbody and always empty unwanted bait in the trash.

It is illegal to possess or transport aquatic invasive species or to transport any aquatic plants on water-related equipment in Iowa.  Signs posted at public accesses identify infested waters and remind boaters to stop aquatic hitchhikers. Iowa law also requires boaters to drain all water from boats and equipment before they leave a water access and to keep drain plugs removed or opened during transport. It is also illegal to introduce any live fish or plants, except for hooked bait, into public waters.

Learn more about aquatic invasive species, including a list of infested waters in the current Iowa Fishing Regulations or at www.iowadnr.gov/ais.

Interpreting ruling on testimony from children in Iowa courts

News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled it was unconstitutional to let two children testify remotely against an alleged abuser. The children were in the judge’s office and their testimony was shown in the courtroom, but four Iowa Supreme Court justices ruled that violated the defendant’s right to confront his accusers. Professor Emily Hughes teaches criminal law at the University of Iowa Law School. She says if the video connection had given the children a view of the defendant in the courtroom, the opinion MAY have been different.

“The opinion itself doesn’t say that a two-way video is sufficient,” Hughes says, “so the dissent points out it’s not exactly decided by the court whether a two-way video would suffice or whether the person has to be in the room with the defendant.”

In FEDERAL courts, judges have authority to let children testify in child abuse cases by one-way, closed circuit video. Hughes says the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling makes clear their decision rests on the IOWA Constitution, not the U-S Constitution.”The Iowa Supreme Court has said that under Article I, Section 10 of the Iowa Constitution, which is what people kind of talk about as the ‘confrontation clause,’ that confrontation means face-to-face and face-to-face means that the defendant can see the witness and the witness is able to see the defendant,” Hughes says.

Iowa Judicial Branch Bldg.

“…They are the people who get to decide what the state constitution means and how to apply it, so that is a pretty powerful part of that opinion because the whole case rested on the Iowa Constitution.” State Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the ruling is outrageous and she may sponsor a bill to make it clear children could testify against an abuser via a two-way video connection. “I’ve been talking with civil rights attorneys and experts in child protection just to get their take on the ruling,” Petersen says, “just wanting to make sure that if we pursue legislation that would actually work with the current Supreme Court that Iowa has.”

Petersen says her concern is prosecutors may not be able to pursue some cases when the child is the only witness to the abuse. “Kids that feel unsafe testifying in front of their abuser who may not decide not to move forward with the (criminal) case, they’ll also be barred from the civil court room by their 19th birthday,” Petersen says. “Iowa has to address our horrible laws that protect predators and not children.”

Under current Iowa law, a lawsuit against an alleged abuser must be filed in civil court before the victim turns 19. An Illinois law passed in 2023 gives Illinois judges the discretion to let children under 13 testify outside the courtroom when warranted. Last year Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled prosecutors may use outside-the-courtroom testimony from older children, even if the defendant is accused of abuse or assault.

JUSTIN ALLEN KNUTSEN, 37, of Cumberland (Celebration of Life 7/9/24)

Obituaries

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

JUSTIN ALLEN KNUTSEN, 37, of Cumberland, died Tuesday, July 2, 2024. A Celebration of Life Gathering for JUSTIN KNUTSEN will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 09, 2024, at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

A private inurnment  will be held at a later date in the Brighton Township Cemetery, near Marne.

Memorials may be directed to the Knutsen Family in his honor. They will be designated at a later date and may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

JUSTIN KNUTSEN is survived by:

His mother – Bonnie, of Cumberland.

And a large circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Their love and support have been a source of strength during this difficult time.

 

2024 SEVENTH Iowa Girls High School Softball Rankings

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

1A/2A FINAL RANKINGS WILL BE POSTED MONDAY, JULY 8
3A/4A/5A FINAL RANKINGS WILL BE POSTED THURSDAY, JULY 11

 

Class 5A
School
 Record
LW
1
West Des Moines Valley
28-4
1
2
Pleasant Valley
33-3
3
3
Johnston
26-9
5
4
Muscatine
24-10
7
5
Waukee Northwest
25-6
2
6
Ankeny Centennial
24-8
4
7
Cedar Rapids Kennedy
22-12
8
8
Ankeny
19-16
6
9
Iowa City Liberty
20-11
11
10
Southeast Polk
17-18
10
11
Urbandale
20-16
12
12
Des Moines Roosevelt
24-12
9
13
Dubuque Senior
20-12
15
14
Waukee
16-17
13
15
Des Moines Lincoln
24-11
14
 
Dropped Out:  None
 
Class 4A
School
Record
LW
1
North Polk
31-3
1
2
Dallas Center-Grimes
29-5
2
3
Norwalk
26-5
3
4
Fort Dodge
28-9
4
5
ADM
25-8
6
6
North Scott
28-5
5
7
Cedar Rapids Xavier
27-10
7
8
Western Dubuque
25-6
8
9
Carlisle
26-8
9
10
Winterset
20-14
11
11
Bondurant-Farrar
23-9
11
12
Clear Creek-Amana
22-11
12
13
Burlington
17-5
13
14
Sergeant Bluff-Luton
24-6
14
15
Storm Lake
19-3
NR
 
Dropped Out: Gilbert (15)
 
 
Class 3A
School
Record
LW
1
Benton
27-6
2
2
Williamsburg
25-11
1
3
Dubuque Wahlert
22-8
3
4
Mount Vernon
29-9
4
5
Davenport Assumption
20-12
5
6
Estherville Lincoln Central
26-5
6
7
Sumner-Fredericksburg
29-3
7
8
PCM
20-3
8
9
Clarinda
30-6
9
10
West Lyon
19-2
10
11
West Liberty
19-9
11
12
Albia
15-9
NR
13
Washington
22-10
13
14
West Marshall
21-8
12
15
Central Lee
23-6
14

Dropped Out: Chariton
 
Class 2A
School
Record
LW
1
Van Meter
34-1
1
2
Alburnett
29-5
2
3
Northeast
21-6
3
4
Cardinal
23-7
5
5
Audubon
23-4
4
6
Iowa City Regina
19-11
6
7
Lisbon
24-9
8
8
East Marshall
27-4
9
9
West Monona
28-7
7
10
Interstate 35
18-14
10
11
Louisa-Muscatine
29-4
11
12
Durant
19-15
13
13
Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
18-13
NR
14
Pocahontas Area
17-7
NR
15
Treynor
14-10
14

Dropped Out: Wapsie Valley (12), Missouri Valley (15)
 
Class 1A
School
Record
LW
1
Martensdale-St Marys
25-4
1
2
Wayne
20-4
2
3
Remsen St. Mary’s
19-0
3
4
Fort Dodge St. Edmond
21-5
4
5
Collins-Maxwell
23-3
5
6
Sigourney
19-6
6
7
Southeast Warren
19-2
7
8
North Linn
26-11
8
9
Newell-Fonda
24-6
9
10
Mason City Neman Catholic
27-3
10
11
Earlham
24-12
11
12
Griswold
24-3
13
13
Edgewood-Colesburg
24-10
14
14
Clarksville
17-8
13
15
Woodbine
17-3
NR
 
Dropped Out: Akron-Westfield

Gov. Reynolds issues proclamation for additional provisions for counties impacted by recent widespread flooding

News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Fremont, Harrison, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright Counties in response to the widespread flooding in Iowa.
The governor’s proclamation allows for the additional targeted suspension of specific regulatory requirements in affected counties to effectively respond to and recover from the effects of this event and protect public peace, health, and safety.

Update: I-29 and I-680 near Council Bluffs to partially reopen this afternoon at 6 p.m. following flooding

News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC, IOWA – July 3, 2024 – Interstate 29 and I-680 north of Council Bluffs, which was originally scheduled to partially reopen at 3 p.m. today will now partially reopen at approximately 6 p.m. today, following severe flooding in the area.

You should expect intermittent lane closures on I-680 between the Mormon Bridge and Exit 61, Old Mormon Bridge, and on I-29 between I-680 and Exit 71, I-880 near Loveland. All lanes will be open on I-29 south of I-680.

If you are traveling west out of Crescent on Old Mormon Bridge Road, please note that the northbound I-29 on-ramp will remain closed.

Floodwaters remain in the area. The Iowa DOT reminds travelers to never enter a water-covered roadway. Do not move or travel around barricades or fencing as they are placed there for your safety. Turn around and don’t drown.

Updates from the John Deere Classic

Sports

July 3rd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Nine former champs are in the field for Thursday’s start of the John Deere Classic in the Quad Cities. George McNeilly reports.

The John Deere Classic tees off in the Quad Cities on Thursday and there are plenty of big names in the field. The tournament has also been known for giving young golfers a chance and George McNeilly reports this week is no different.

Cannon fire will accent the conclusion of tonight’s patriotic state capitol concert

News

July 3rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – As many as 100,000 people are expected to attend tonight’s Yankee Doodle Pops concert on the West Terrace of the Iowa State Capitol grounds. The 30th annual event highlights the Des Moines Symphony, where spokeswoman Calla Whipp says it’s Iowa’s largest single-day concert event.

“We have live concert starting at 6:30 p.m. with two jazz groups, and then the orchestra takes the stage around 8:30 p.m.,” Whipp says. “It’s patriotic favorites for about an hour and a half and it ends with fireworks. They play the ‘1812 Overture’ and we have cannons, which is kind of fun and unique.”

The winner of the symphony’s annual “Oh Say, Can You Sing?” contest will open tonight’s show with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and Whipp says one of the evening’s featured vocalists is Hugh Panaro. “He is a Broadway star. He’s been in 2,000-plus showings of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ as the Phantom and then also as Raul, so he toured with the Phantom,” Whipp says, “and then Carrie Ellen Giunta will be joining him for a couple of duets. She’s actually local, too, which is kind of fun.”

The Des Moines weather forecast calls for a 30-percent chance of showers tonight, so she’s hoping the clouds cooperate — or at least wait until after the show, as the concert always draws an enormous audience.

Des Moines Symphony photo

“There is a very large crowd that comes,” Whipp says. “We have people that start staking their claim on the grounds as early as eight o’clock in the morning, which is kind of crazy, but there’s always plenty of space on the lawn. It’s big. You can hear the music as there are speakers everywhere.”

Tonight’s concert is free to attend and will be broadcast live both on Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio.