712 Digital Group - top

Kirk Ferentz reacts to suspension for NCAA violation

Sports

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz took responsibility for an NCAA violation that has led to a University imposed suspension for the season opener against Illinois State. Receiver coach Jon Budmayr is also suspended. The violation involves improper contact with a player before he entered the transfer portal.

Ferentz says the NCAA investigation is ongoing but at this point they felt a suspension was the right move.

Ferentz did not name the player involved but did call it a unique situation.

Ferentz will not be with the team on game day.

Iowa AD Beth Goetz says they were notified about a potential violation by the NCAA.

Goetz says Ferentz took ownership of the violation.

Various reports say the violation involved Hawkeye quarterback Cade McNamara and his transfer from Michigan in late 2022.

Iowa’s Aaron Graves on his expanded role

Sports

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa defensive lineman Aaron Graves says it is about upholding a standard and not living up to expectations for the Iowa defense. The former Southeast Valley star moves into a starting role this season for a Hawkeye defense that finished fourth in the nation in points allowed in 2023.

Graves on what that standard is.

Graves says having played in 26 games the past two seasons will help him transition into an expanded role.

Iowa opens August 31st at home against Illinois State.

Ultra-processed foods may be ultra-bad for your health

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Many of us woof down an occasional hot dog, but a health care professional is urging Iowans not to make a steady diet of what are known as ultra-processed foods. Cindy Lueck, a registered dietician at Gundersen Health System, says there are whole aisles of ultra-processed foods in many supermarkets. Besides hot dogs, the list includes soft drinks, deli meats, packaged cookies, other packaged desserts and more.

Lueck wouldn’t go so far as to say these foods are dangerous, but she says they’re miles from being close to beneficial.

Cindy Leuck (Gundersen photo)

Having a packaged cookie or a soft drink now and then won’t likely do much harm, but Lueck says if you make a routine of eating this type of food, the bad habit will eventually catch up to you.

For most of us, it’s tough to completely avoid ultra-processed foods, but she says it can become a problem is someone makes a practice of eating that type of food all the time.

New state website tracks child care openings

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has unveiled a state website that lists child care openings.

A couple of years ago, the state created an online platform that licensed child care providers could use to track enrollment and manage payroll. The governor says the 35-hundred child care providers using that system are now part of this new website that shows child care openings and the range of services provided.

State officials believe Iowa is the first state to offer this kind of real-time data in one place online. The website is called Iowa Child Care Connect.

The price for child care is not included, but the site’s designed for smart phone use, so parents can click on a phone numbers and call a provider.

Gov. Reynolds talks about Iowa Child Care Connect (8/22/24 Radio Iowa photo)

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says the site gives parents a way to drill down into the types of child care available nearby.

 

Governor Reynolds says she and other policymakers will be able to use the website to pinpoint communities that are child care deserts.

For example, Reynolds says they may discover unmet demand for infant care.

Flood recovery group forms in Western Iowa

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A long-term recovery group has been formed to help with building materials, food, financial support, and mental health services for part of western Iowa. Jean Logan of the Community Action Agency of Siouxland says the assistance is mainly focused on Woodbury County but is also available for other areas just outside the Sioux City metro area.

Logan says recovering from a natural disaster takes time and money.

Logan says one of the biggest challenges is finding contractors to fix homes.

She says people can also get help with food, financial assistance, and mental health services. Logan hopes the group will continue expanding into other communities as more organizations offer assistance.

Cass County Sheriff’s report, 8/22/24

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa)  – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports two recent arrests:

On Monday, August 19th, 31-year-old Ianangi Kosuo, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI/1st Offense.  Kosuo was transported to the Cass County Jail and later released on his own recognizance.

And, on August 15th, 18-year-old Javen Jespersen, of Atlantic, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/1st Offense.  Jespersen was also later released on his own recognizance.

 

“All criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in the court of law.”

Iowa Football Program Addresses NCAA Recruiting Violations

Sports

August 22nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa (August 22, 2024) — University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz announced on Thursday that he and wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr will not coach the Iowa vs. Illinois State game on Aug. 31 to address NCAA recruiting violations that occurred in late 2022. The issue involved communications with a player and his family prior to him entering the transfer portal.

Following a thorough review and discussion with NCAA officials, Coach Ferentz and Athletic Director Beth Goetz recommended a self-imposed one-game suspension and loss of one week of off-campus recruiting to begin addressing the matter.

“I frequently tell our players to abide by the rules, and in this instance, I did not.” said Ferentz. “In 26 years as a head coach at Iowa — and more than four decades as a coach — this is my first potential Level II NCAA infraction. I made a mistake and would like to apologize to our players, University leadership, and our Hawkeye football fans. I know Coach Budmayr echoes those sentiments.”

Under the NCAA process a program can self-impose penalties or wait until formal allegations are issued. The University has chosen to self-impose these penalties.

“Coach Ferentz and I made the decision to self-impose the penalties, allowing the program to move forward without distraction,” said Beth Goetz, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair. “I appreciate
the accountability demonstrated and we will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA through this process. I have confidence in Coach Ferentz and his leadership, and we look forward to turning our focus to the opening
game and exciting season that lies ahead.”

Until the University of Iowa receives formal notification from the NCAA that this matter has been closed, University officials will not be able to comment further. Coaches Ferentz and Budmayr will participate in all team activities in the days leading up to the game but will step away from all duties for 24 hours beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 31. Both coaches will return to normal duties on Sept. 1 at 12:01 a.m. Assistant Head Coach Seth Wallace will serve as the acting Head Coach for the game.

Iowans need to check their trees for an invasive pest

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Most Iowans are familiar with the emerald ash borer and the insect’s threat to our foliage, but we’re also being asked to be on guard for another insect that’s equally as lethal to a much wider variety of trees. Rhonda Santos, a spokeswoman for the U-S-D-A, says August is “Tree Check Month” and Iowa homeowners should examine their trees for the Asian longhorned beetle and report any clues they find about the invasive pest.

Unlike the emerald ash borer, the Asian longhorned beetle likes to feed on a host of trees, including: ash, birch, elm, sycamore, maple, buckeye, poplar and willow. The bug has distinct markings and leaves behind a series of holes and other signs in trees that make it quick to identify.

The beetle is not native to the U-S and has few-to-no natural predators. Santos encourages Iowans to take five minutes and give your trees a close inspection for those round holes or sawdust.

The beetle was first spotted in the U.S. in New York in 1996 and spread quickly. It’s one of a group of invasive pests and plant diseases that costs the nation some 40-billion dollars each year in losses to trees, plants, and crops. For more information or to report the insect or tree damage, visit www.asianlonghornedbeetle.com.

State Auditor cites Bagley for budget delays

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The State Auditor’s Office is citing a small town in Guthrie County town for significant delays in developing and approving the city’s budget. Citizens in Bagley, a town of about 230 residents, asked the state auditor’s office to review the city’s finances. The auditor’s report shows city officials held a public hearing about the city’s budget plan more than a month after the 2024 fiscal year had started. Bagley’s budget was not finalized until six months of the 12-month fiscal year had already passed by.

The report also says auditors could not find invoices or receipts to support a few purchases made with the city’s credit card — specifically snacks and candy bought at a Dollar Tree and about 100 dollars worth of laundry-related items purchased at a Menards.

2 arrested in Creston on a Sexual Abuse charges; $11,150 in equipment reported missing from Agriland FS

News

August 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department reports a homeless man and woman were arrested Wednesday evening on charges of Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree/1st offense. Authorities say 38-year-old Timothy Wayne Trusty and Cheyenne Beth Murry were arrested near the intersection of Howard and Spruce Streets, and the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, respectively. Both were being held without bond, with Trusty in the Union County Jail and Murry being held in the Adams County Jail. Additional details concerning their arrests was not available.

Creston Police report also, 50-year-old Regina Deanne Sanchez, of Creston, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Creston Walmart Store, for Theft in the 5th Degree. She was cited and released from the scene on a Promise to Appear in court.

Wednesday evening, 26-year-old Isaac Wayne Hayes, of Creston, was arrested at his residence for Assault – Fear of Immediate Contact. Hayes was taken to Union County Jail and held on a $300 bond.

In other news, the Creston P-D said officials with the Agriland Fast Stop reported Wednesday, that equipment was missing from their lot at 705 W. Ringgold St. The missing equipment was described as a black, single axle 2014 Finish utility trailer with a full fuel tank, and an orange, Ditch Witch RT24. The loss was estimated at $11,150 altogether