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Elderly Newton bus driver fired after arthritis meds made her fail drug test

News

February 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A long-time bus driver for the Newton Community School District was recently fired after failing a drug test. Seventy-six-year-old Peg Esperanza says she was shocked and devastated to learn that CBD oil used for her arthritis had triggered a positive drug test. Esperanza said she started using the product a couple of months ago. She said the treatment has helped her on the job, driving children with special needs to and from school. Esperanza said she was drug tested after a minor accident in a school vehicle and failed the drug test, which came as a complete surprise. Esperanza was told the drug test contained small amounts of THC.

In Iowa, however, it is legal for CBD oil to contain THC. Esperanza said she plans to move from the Newton area because she can no longer afford her apartment. The Newton Community School District has declined comment on the matter.

Posted in News |

Boil Advisory issued for areas between Minden and Neola

News

February 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Pottawattamie County) – Authorities in Pottawattamie County late Wednesday evening ordered a Boil Water Advisory until further notice for Regional Water/Rural Water Association customers south of I-80, along and west of 335th St, east of 300th St (between Minden & Neola), and north of Rosewood Road, who did not have water Wednesday night. The Pott. County Emergency Management Agency reports a construction crew hit one of the water mains just north of the I-80 Minden exit. Crews will be repairing the leak in this morning.When the water comes back on after repairs, all of the aforementioned customers will be under a Boil Advisory.
If you are in the town of Minden, you are not affected. Minden is currently using their own wells.

Posted in News |

Iowa baseball picked third in preseason Big Ten poll

Sports

February 17th, 2022 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa baseball team was picked to finish third in the Big Ten Conference Preseason Poll in a vote of the league’s 13 head coaches, it was announced Thursday by the league office.

Nebraska was selected as the preseason favorite followed by Michigan, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio State and Indiana.  Only the top six teams were released.

Three Hawkeyes — senior Dylan Nedved and redshirt sophomores Peyton Williams and Adam Mazur — were named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List.

Nedved, a reliever from Shawnee, Kansas, went 4-1 with a 4.19 ERA and nine saves during the 2021 season.  The nine saves were tied for second in the Big Ten and were the fourth-most in a single season in school history. Nedved will serve as a team captain in 2022.

During an injury plagued 2021 season, Williams posted a .295 average with 15 doubles, six home runs and 27 RBIs.  The Johnston, Iowa, native led the Big Ten in walks (34), while ranking third in OBP (.470), tied for third in doubles (15) and seventh in slugging percentage (.582). The first baseman is tabbed as the ninth-best draft prospect in the Big Ten by Perfect Game.

Mazur, who will take the ball for Iowa’s season opener, joins the program following a two-year stay at South Dakota State.  The Minnesota native went 3-9 with a 5.50 ERA in 16 starts with the Jackrabbits before shining last summer in the Cape Cod League.  He earned all-league honors after going 3-0 with a 1.55 ERA in six starts for the Wareham Gateman.  Mazur is ranked as the No. 2 draft prospect in the Big Ten by Perfect Game and a top-100 prospect by MLB.com.

The Hawkeyes open the 2022 season at the Swig & Swine Classic from Feb. 18-20 in Charleston, South Carolina. Iowa will face Air Force in the regular-season opener on Friday at 11 a.m. (CT).

Posted in Sports |

Heartbeat Today 02-17-2022

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

February 17th, 2022 by admin

Jim Field speaks with CAM FFA members Mallory Behnken and Paige Jensen to share about their chapter and celebrating National FFA Week.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (7.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Posted in Heartbeat Today, Podcasts |

Atlantic City Administrator discusses budget

News

February 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Information with regard to the City of Atlantic’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, 10-year Budget Projections and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan were presented to the Atlantic City Council Wednesday night, by City Administrator John Lund. Lund first addressed the financial situation…

The breakdown of income expected, of course includes property taxes.

The bottom-line, he said, is that the Tax Levy of $16.56/$1,000 assessed valuation is unchanged from last year. Other income includes refunds for the ambulance service agreement from the County and the hospital, campground fees. Lund said with regard to Labor Costs, the baseline increases are 2.4%. The Personnel and Finance Committee he said reviewed comparable compensation from cities of similar size.

Lund says as a result of the increases and wage equalizations, the City will need to focus more on revenue in the coming fiscal year. In conclusion, John Lund had some bad and good news….

He said also, the Sanitary Sewer rates in Atlantic need to be reviewed, and increases will likely be needed to be implemented by July 1, 2023. The last rate increase/adjustment, was in 2013. He said the City will need to utilize some the ARPA (Covid relief) funds to offset ambulance service cost overruns, and a health insurance spike. The ambulance contract will be addressed within the next year, and the health insurance will need to be addressed in the next Union contract, the negotiations for which in the fall of 2023. That includes a possible option to buy down the City’s deductible. Lund said “This is absolutely not the time for any type of deficits showing up, anywhere.”

For now, though, the City’s financial position is “Still pretty strong,” according to Lund, and “We should be able to make some investments that over the long-term will shore up some of these weaknesses, and make the long-term outlook look a lot better.” He commended work being accomplished by the Housing Committee will position the City in a positive way, to turn some of the negative issues around.

A copy of the full report is available for review at City Hall.

Posted in News |

Final 2022 State Team Dual Results

Sports

February 17th, 2022 by admin

1A Results

  • 1st Place – 1-Don Bosco
  • 2nd Place – 2-Lisbon
  • 3rd Place – 5-Logan-Magnolia
  • 4th Place – 3-West Sioux, Hawarden
  • 5th Place – 6-Missouri Valley
  • 6th Place – 8-Emmetsburg
  • 7th Place – 4-Nashua-Plainfield
  • 8th Place – 7-Wilton

1st Place Match
1-Don Bosco defeated 2-Lisbon 38-25.
3rd Place Match
5-Logan-Magnolia defeated 3-West Sioux, Hawarden 38-34.
5th Place Match
6-Missouri Valley defeated 8-Emmetsburg 49-21.
7th Place Match
4-Nashua-Plainfield defeated 7-Wilton 47-23.

2A Results

  • 1st Place – 1-West Delaware, Manchester
  • 2nd Place – 2-Independence
  • 3rd Place – 3-Osage
  • 4th Place – 4-Sergeant Bluff-Luton
  • 5th Place – 5-Crestwood, Cresco
  • 6th Place – 6-Atlantic-CAM
  • 7th Place – 8-Notre Dame, Burlington
  • 8th Place – 7-Winterset

1st Place Match
1-West Delaware, Manchester defeated 2-Independence 55-18.
3rd Place Match
3-Osage defeated 4-Sergeant Bluff-Luton 35-34.
5th Place Match
5-Crestwood, Cresco defeated 6-Atlantic-CAM 31-30.
7th Place Match
8-Notre Dame, Burlington defeated 7-Winterset 49-24.

3A Results

  • 1st Place – 1-Waverly-Shell Rock
  • 2nd Place – 2-Southeast Polk
  • 3rd Place – 3-Waukee Northwest
  • 4th Place – 4-Linn-Mar
  • 5th Place – 6-Bettendorf
  • 6th Place – 5-Ankeny
  • 7th Place – 7-Indianola
  • 8th Place – 8-Johnston

1st Place Match
1-Waverly-Shell Rock defeated 2-Southeast Polk 30-26.
3rd Place Match
3-Waukee Northwest defeated 4-Linn-Mar 35-33.
5th Place Match
6-Bettendorf defeated 5-Ankeny 43-30.
7th Place Match
7-Indianola defeated 8-Johnston 51-12.

Posted in Sports |

Drake blows out Evansville

Sports

February 17th, 2022 by admin

The Drake Bulldogs erupted for 47 first half points and blew out Evansville 73-51 on Wednesday night at the Knapp Center.

Four players finished in double-figures for the Bulldogs, led by 16 from Tucker DeVries. ShanQuan Hemphill had a big night with 14 points and 7 rebounds.

The Bulldogs improved to 18-9 on the season overall and 9-5 in the Valley. Next up for Drake is a road trip to Loyola Chicago on Saturday at 5:00 p.m.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State sputters in 2nd half at Texas

Sports

February 17th, 2022 by admin

The Iowa State women’s basketball team hit a lull in the second half at Texas on Wednesday night. The Cyclones were outscored 22-9 in the third quarter and ultimately fell 73-48.

The Longhorns shot 50% from the field and from three-point range to grab the win. Iowa State also committed 19 turnovers and were outrebounded 33-25.

Rori Harmon had 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists for Texas. Audrey Warren added 16 points and 4 boards. The Longhorns improved to 18-6.

Iowa State was led by 18 points and 5 rebounds from Ashley Joens. Joens also passed the all-time career scoring mark for the Cyclones program. Emily Ryan had 11 points and 5 rebounds. The Cyclones fall to 21-4 on the season.

Next up the #6 Cyclones will host 15th-ranked Oklahoma at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum.

Posted in Sports |

Fort Dodge woman dies in Humboldt County crash after crossing center line

News

February 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Patrol says one woman was killed, another hurt, in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 3 in Humboldt County late Wednesday afternoon.  Reportedly an eastbound 2019 Nissan Kicks SUV operated by 56-year-old Brenda Knight, of Fort Dodge, for unknown reasons crossed the roadway striking a westbound 2006 Hummer HU3 driven by 59-year-old Becky Rice, of Pocahontas. Both drivers were transported to the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Knight died of her injuries upon arrival. The accident remains under investigation.

Posted in News |

Red Oak man arrested late Wed. night

News

February 17th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – A Red Oak man was arrested late Wednesday night. According to Red Oak Police, 31-year-old Eric Vannausdle was arrested at around 11-p.m. on a valid Montgomery County warrant for Failure to Appear, on a charge of Domestic Abuse Assault. Vannausdle was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 cash-only bond.

Posted in News |