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4 Hawkeyes Finish in Top 20 at Big Ten Championships

Sports

February 23rd, 2024 by admin

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – University of Iowa Swimming and Diving secured four top-20 finishes on day three of the Big Ten Championships inside the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center on Friday.

Freshman Jenna Kerr was a ‘B’ finalist in the 200-freestyle event, qualifying with a personal best of 1:47.30 in the preliminaries. Kerr, a native of Barrington, Illinois, would finish 16th overall following her 1:49.07 in the finals.

Freshman Olivia Swalley reached her second final of the week, earning a spot in the ‘C’ final of the 400 individual medley. Swalley, a four-time conference freshman of the week honoree, improved Iowa’s second all-time mark with a 4:14.42 and 19th-place finish in the finals.

Sophomore Scarlet Martin was a ‘C’ finalist qualifier in the 100 butterfly, clocking a 54.25 in the first round. Martin would improve her time in the finals, placing 20th overall with a 54.11.

The Hawkeyes earned their fourth top-20 finish with Kennedy Gilbertson’s performance in the 100 backstroke finals. Gilbertson entered the ‘C’ final after a 54.24 qualifying time. The fifth year from Plover, Wisconsin, bettered her time in the evening session, placing 20th with a 54.16.

In the three-meter diving competition, junior Makayla Hughbanks scored points for the Hawkeyes. Hughbanks, also named Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship award honoree, amassed 249.30 points to add to Iowa’s team total.

“We had great performances throughout the day,” head coach Nathan Mundt said. “Having finalists in the 100 Fly, 100 Back, 200 Free, 400 IM and 3M Diving all in the same session is tremendous progress for our program. We’re excited for a new day tomorrow and look to capitalize on the opportunity to finish strong.”

After day three of competition, the Hawkeyes are in 11th place with 217 points.

The Hawkeyes conclude competition at the Big Ten Championships on Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. (CT).

HAWKEYE RESULTS
100 Backstroke prelims
21. Kennedy Gilbertson – 54.24, C Finalist qualifier
26. Annie Galvin – 54.87, SB
29. Hope Schimming – 55.40, SB
35. Addie Crain – 57.11
Exh. Anna Pfeiffer – 58.84

100 Backstroke finals
20. Kennedy Gilbertson – 54.16

100 Butterfly prelims
19. Scarlet Martin – 54.25, C Finalist qualifier
34. Annie Galvin – 55.42, PR
45. Leslie Wendel – 58.20, SB
46. Olivia Asay – 58.42, SB
47. Megan Hartlieb – 58.70

100 Butterfly finals
20. Scarlet Martin – 54.11

200 Freestyle prelims
14. Jenna Kerr – 1:47.30, B Finalist qualifier, PR
30. Sabina Kupcova – 1:49.31
34. Josie Hood – 1:51.11
35. Molly Pedersen – 1:51.33
Exh. Madison Stone – 1:53.33, PR

200 Freestyle finals
16. Jenna Kerr – 1:49.07

400 Individual Medley prelims
18. Olivia Swalley – 4:16.09, C Finalist qualifier
34. Mallory Kell – 4:26.82, PR
38. Olivia Frantum – 4:30.30, PR
39. Alix O’Brien – 4:32.57

400 Individual Medley finals
19. Olivia Swalley 4:14.42, PR + 2nd at Iowa

200 Freestyle Relay finals
10. Gilbertson, Kupcova, Pedersen, Galvin – 1:32.84

Three-Meter Dive prelims
21. Makayla Hughbanks – 249.30 points
26. Geneva Pauly – 241.35 points
30. Sarah Ballard – 233.95 points

No. 53 Oregon Outlasts No. 60 Iowa, 4-

Sports

February 23rd, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The nationally-ranked University of Iowa women’s tennis team fell to No. 53 Oregon on Friday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreational Complex. The loss snapped UI’s four match winning streak. In doubles, the Hawkeyes were swept by the Ducks, 6-1 on courts one and two. The match on court three, went unfinished where Oregon’s Aparisi and Young was leading, 5-1.

In singles competition, Oregon came out to capture the first match on court four. Iowa responded topping Oregon on courts one, two, and six. Dianne Hayashida and Marisa Schmidt captured straight set victories while, Vipasha Mehra battled all the way back in a tiebreaker to put the Hawkeyes in contention to win the match.

On court five, Pia Kranholdt dropped her match in heartbreaking fashion. Oregon’s Karin Young held serve to clinch the dual for the Ducks, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID
“It was a really hard-fought match today, and it’s always difficult on a clincher. I feel for our team because they battled hard, but we’ve definitely gotten better. We will be in these positions in the future, and hopefully we can just continue to learn from these difficult losses like this and that it will propel us to have some great ones.”

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will travel to Bloomington, Indiana, to take on the Hoosiers on March 2 at 10 a.m. (CT). Next Saturday’s match will take place at the Indiana University Tennis Center.

RESULTS

#53 Oregon 4, #60 Iowa 3

SINGLES
No. 1 – #110 Daianne Hayashida (UI) def. Sophie Luescher (ORE) 6-2, 7-6 (8)
No. 2 – Marisa Schmidt (UI) def. Nine Geissler (ORE) 6-3, 6-3
No. 3 – Jo-Yee Chan (ORE) def. Barbora Pokorna (UI) 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-0
No. 4 – Uxia Martinez (ORE) def. Chelsea Bluestien (UI) 6-1, 6-4
No. 5 – Karin Young (ORE) def. Pia Kranholdt (ORE) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5

No. 6 – Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. Candela Aparisi (ORE) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4)

DOUBLES
No. 1 – Jagare/Martinez (ORE) def. Mehra/Matthews (UI) 6-1
No. 2 – Chan/Luescher (ORE) def. Pokorna/Kranholdt (UI) 6-1

No. 3 – Aparisi/Young (ORE) vs. Schmidt/Hayashida (UI) 5-1, UF

Order of Finish: Singles (4, 2,1,3,6,5), Doubles (1,2)

15 Hawkeyes Qualify for Nationals; Take Team Region 5 Title

Sports

February 23rd, 2024 by admin

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The second-ranked University of Iowa women’s wrestling team had all 15 regional participants qualify for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships on Friday at Simpson College. Iowa also claimed the Region V title accumulating 220 team points in the tournament. The Hawkeyes had 11 student-athletes reach the finals, finishing with champions at six weight classes.

At 101, Emilie Gonzalez took the victory over teammate Sterling Dias. Gonzalez took the match with a 7-0 decision, fighting the whole six minutes. At 109, Ava Bayless captured the title over McKendree’s Pauline Granados, via a 4-2 decision.

There was another all-Iowa matchup at 11 where Brianna Gonzalez defeated teammate Felicity Taylor by decision, 9-3. Reese Larramendy brought home the 143 title with her victory over former national champion, Emma Bruntil of McKendree, in a 4-2 decision.

At 155, Marlynne Deede won the title defeating teammate Bella Mir, 6-2. Kylie Welker made quick work of her finals match at 170, earning the tech. fall over Tristan Kelly of McKendree, 10-0.

NOTABLES

  • The Hawkeyes brought 15 student athletes to the tournament and left with 15 National qualifiers.
  • Six Iowa student-athletes faced off in the finals; showcasing pure Hawkeye action at 101, 116, and 155.
  • The Hawkeyes secured 220 points, finishing in first-place as a team, followed by Mckendree (193) and Lindenwood (106).
  • Sophomore Kylie Welker wrestled a total of 2:01 minutes; 2 technical falls (1:35) and 1 pin (0:26).
  • The Hawkeyes led with the most tech. falls in the least amount of time; picking up 21 in total.
  • Ava Rose held the second-fastest tech. fall of the night in 28 seconds.

 HEAR FROM HEAD COACH CLARISSA CHUN

“These 15 qualifiers are a combination of the support from administration, the community, staff, family, and the work day in and day out from our wrestlers. I think of each and every one of these girls’ individual journey throughout the season, and just to see their growth and knowing where they want to be and how they want to execute is awesome. It’s a great day to be a Hawkeye.”

 UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will head to NCWWC Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 8-9. Action inside of the Alliant Energy Powerhouse will begin at 11 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. More information on the tournament can be found at ncwwc.com

 RESULTS

 101lbs – Sterling Dias, 2nd Place

WIN Megan Valdez (Lindenwood), TF 10-0

WIN Lizette Rodriguez (McKendree), Dec. 3-0

LOSS Emilie Gonzalez (Iowa), Dec. 7-0

101lbs – Emilie Gonzalez, 1st Place

WIN Vianey Hernandez (Quincy), TF 10-0

WIN Kiona Conner (McKendree), TF 12-0

WIN Sterling Dias (Iowa), Dec. 7-0

 109lbs – Ava Bayless, 1ST Place

WIN Hope Chiattello (Wartburg), TF 10-0

WIN Sarah Zimmerman (Simpson), TF 12-0

WIN Pauline Granados (McKendree), Dec. 4-2

 116lbs – Brianna Gonzalez, 1st Place

WIN Rose Le (William Jewell), TF 10-0

WIN Trinity Pendergrass (Quincy), TF 10-0

WIN Felicity Taylor (Iowa), Dec. 9-3

 116lbs – Felicity Taylor, 2nd Place

WIN Liannette Ortiz (Wartburg), Fall 2:33

WIN Julia Vidallon (McKendree), Fall 2:11

LOSS Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa), Dec. 9-3

 123lbs – Ava Rose, 4th Place

WIN Autumn Van Bremen (Quincy), TF 10-0

WIN Alexandra Waitsman (William Jewell), Dec. 11-8

LOSS Shelby Moore (McKendree), TF 10-0

WIN Emarie Bolosan (William Jewell), Dec. 7-1

LOSS Alexandra Waitsman (William Jewell), Dec. 8-5

 130lbs – Emily Frost, 3rd Place

WIN Hayley Gilson (Lindenwood), TF 10-0

LOSS Kylie Rule (Wartburg), Dec. 8-4

WIN Cayden Condit (Lindenwood), Fall 1:27

WIN Jennifer Soto (McKendree), Dec. 8-5

 136lbs – Lilly Luft, 2nd Place

WIN Vaness Elexpuru (Simpson), TF 11-0

WIN Estella Gutches (McKendree), Dec. 5-0

LOSS Viktorya Torres (McKendree), Fall 5:25

143lbs – Reese Larramendy, 1st Place

WIN Rebecca Strong (Lindenwood), TF 14-3

WIN Athena Willden (William Jewell), TF 10-0

WIN Emma Bruntil (McKendree), Dec. 4-2

 143lbs – Ella Schmit, 4th Place

WIN Aniyah Kelly (Wartburg), TF 11-0

LOSS Emma Bruntil (McKendree), Dec. 7-4

WIN Rebecca Strong (Lindenwood), Fall 4:55

LOSS Athena Willden (William Jewell), 3:53

 155lbs – Bella Mir, 2nd Place

WIN Paige Barber (William Jewell), TF 10-0

WIN Keeley Kehrli (Simpson), TF 10-0

LOSS Marlynne Deede (Iowa), Dec. 8-4

 155lbs – Marlynne Deede, 1st Place

WIN Randi Nicholson (Wartburg), Fall 0:57

WIN Ryan Garthoeffner (Lindenwood), TF 10-0

WIN Ruby Rios (McKendree), TF 10-0

WIN Bella Mir (Iowa), Dec. 8-4

 170lbs – Kylie Welker, 1st Place

WIN Katt Mossinghoff (Lindenwood), Fall 0:26

WIN Kami Senlycki (Wartburg), TF 10-0

WIN Tristan Kelly (McKendree), TF 10-0

 170lbs – Haley Ward, 3rd Place

WIN Emma Thomas (Lindenwood), TF 14-4

LOSS Tristan Kelly (McKendree), Fall 4:04

WIN Kassidee Savaria (Simpson), Dec. 8-2

WIN Kami Senlycki (Wartburg), Dec. 9-0

 191lbs – Jaycee Foeller, 2nd Place

WIN Emersen Smith (Wartburg), TF 10-0

WIN Ivana Elliot (Quincy), Fall 1:38

LOSS Sara Lake (Lindenwood), Dec. 2-1

Hawkeyes Set 3 Program Bests at B1G Indoors

Sports

February 23rd, 2024 by admin

GENEVA, Ohio – University of Iowa Track and Field set several new high marks during the first day of competition at the Big Ten Indoor Championships on Friday at Spire Academy.

The Hawkeyes posted three school records, improved on eight program top-10 marks and combined for 21 personal bests.

10 men’s team and nine women’s team members qualified for finals on Saturday.

Seniors Paige Magee and Kalen Walker each recorded Iowa program bests for the women’s and men’s squads, respectively. Both Hawkeyes take the fastest prelim times for their events into tomorrow’s finals.  

In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, Magee shaved one-hundredth of a second off her program-record time to become the first Hawkeye to run sub-8.00. At 7.99, Magee’s race ranks fifth in the country this season.

Walker matched a program-best 6.51 in the 60 meters that he set at the Jarvis Scott Open on Feb. 10. Walker’s time ranks second nationally.

Saturday closed out with fireworks. Sophomore Sean Smith heaved a 22.28-meter (73’ 1.25”) weight throw for second place and a new school record. It was Smith’s final toss of the night and the final event for day one.

Smith’s throw ranks 13th in the nation.

Moments before, the women’s distance medley team raced to a fourth-place finish in 11:17.78, good for second in program history. The team was comprised of seniors Alli Bookin-NosbischAli DornGrace Bookin-Nosbisch and Amber Aesoph.

In the women’s 800 meters, Iowa record-holder Alli Bookin-Nosbisch qualified with a 2:05.07 time that ranked fourth in the prelims. Bookin-Nosbisch will chase her first conference title on Saturday.

In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, senior Grant Conway posted a personal-best 7.66, improving his fourth all-time standing at Iowa. Conway will be joined by senior Gratt Reed (7.82) and junior Kalil Johnson (7.94) in tomorrow’s final.

Three Hawkeyes also qualified in the women’s 600 meters, including redshirt sophomore Chloe Larsen (1:28.88), sophomore Gabby Cortez (1:29.89) and junior Jaiden Itson (1:30.76).

Senior Austin West will chase his second Big Ten gold tomorrow. The Iowa City, Iowa, native is second in the men’s heptathlon after four events, currently 63 points back from the lead with 3,340 points. He was an outdoor conference champion in the 400-meter hurdles last season.

West finished second in the heptathlon 60 meters, long jump and high jump. He was fourth in the pentathlon shot put. West’s 1.99 meter (6’ 6.25”) high jump is a personal best.

Sophomore Sal Capaldo is also competing in the heptathlon, where he currently stands in sixth place (3,340 points).

In the women’s pentathlon, freshman Annie Wirth led Iowa with a personal-best 3,870 points, placing fifth.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH JOEY WOODY

“I always say to the athletes, championship meets have lots of ups and downs. You can’t expect everything to always come out perfectly like you have on paper. I thought that the athletes competed well and kept their nose in there. We had a lot of near-miss finals, the first or second one out. That is how championship meets are. It’s going to come down to a hundredth of a second or quarter of an inch.

We are on the verge of some big things, just missing a couple of events. We finished the day extremely well. I’m proud of the women’s DMR. Obviously, exciting for Sean to come out and get a big medal. He is probably going to punch his ticket to the national meet with that throw.

We have a lot of momentum coming into tomorrow. We have a lot of finalists. We just need to go out and focus on competing. We have a lot of big field events and finish the day with the 4×4, as well. We have great opportunities tomorrow. We have a chance to compete for championships. We just need to come out on fire in the morning.”

UP NEXT
The Big Ten Indoor Championships conclude on Saturday at Spire Academy in Geneva, Ohio.

HAWKEYE RESULTS

Women’s 60m (prelims)

  1. Holly Duax – 7.41
  2. Lia Love – 7.54

Men’s 60m (prelims)

  1. Kalen Walker – 6.51, = PR + 1st at Iowa, Q
  2. Damoy Allen – 6.66, PR + 3rd at Iowa, q
  3. Joe Stein – 6.77, PR, q
  4. Miles Granjean – 6.95

Women’s 60mH (prelims)

  1. Paige Magee – 7.99, PR + 1st at Iowa, Q
  2. Tionna Tobias – 8.39
  3. Natalie Harris – 8.62
  4. Katie Petersen – 8.71

Men’s 60mH (prelims)

  1. Grant Conway – 7.66, PR + 4th at Iowa, Q
  2. Gratt Reed – 7.82, q
  3. Kalil Johnson – 7.94, q
  4. Kai Graves-Blanks – 7.97

Women’s 200m (prelims)

  1. Paige Magee – 23.71, q
  2. Lia Love – 23.94, q
  3. Holly Duax – 24.02
  4. Julia Pattison – 24.57

Men’s 200m (prelims)

  1. Gratt Reed – 21.14, q
  2. Miles Granjean – 21.74

Women’s 400m (prelims)

  1. Nylah Perry – 53.89, PR + 8th at Iowa, q
  2. Audrey Biermann – 53.92, q
  3. Olicia Lucas – 54.53, PR
  4. Mariel Bruxvoort – 55.25

Men’s 400m (prelims)

  1. Tyrese Miller – 47.07, PR, q
  2. Connor Belken – 47.31
  3. Josh Pugh – 47.77

Women’s 600m (prelims)

  1. Chloe Larsen – 1:28.88, q
  2. Gabby Cortez – 1:29.89, q
  3. Jaiden Itson – 1:30.76, q
  4. Ali Dorn – 1:31.06
  5. Clare Pitcher – 1:32.11

Men’s 600m (prelims)

  1. Ryan Schreiner – 1:17.49, PR, q
  2. Phillip Jefferson – 1:18.57
  3. James Fingalsen – 1:19.00

Women’s 800m (prelims)

  1. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:05.07, Q
  2. Grace Bookin-Nosbisch – 2:07.56

Men’s 800m (prelims)

  1. Rivaldo Marshall – 1:49.29, Q
  2. Nick O’Connor – 1:49.85
  3. Brett Wasick – 1:52.20
  4. Derek Leicht – 1:53.97

Women’s Mile (prelims)

  1. Amber Aesoph – 4:46.95

Women’s 5,000m (finals)

  1. Abby Ryon – 17:50.76

Men’s 5,000m (finals)

  1. Hayden Kuhn – 14:31.30, PR
  2. Will Ryan – 14:52.85

Women’s Distance Medley Relay

  1. Alli Bookin-Nosbisch, Aliyanna Dorn, Grace Bookin-Nosbisch, Amber Aesoph – 11:17.78, 2nd at Iowa

Men’s Distance Medley Relay

  1. Nick O’Connor, Connor Belken, Brett Wasick, Aidan King – 9:57.20

Heptathlon

Austin West

60 Meters 

  1. 6.95

Long Jump

  1. 7.30 meters (23’ 11.5)

Shot Put

  1. 14.51 meters (47’ 5.25”)

High Jump

  1. 1.99 meters (6’ 6.25”), PR

Sal Capaldo

60 Meters 

  1. 7.01

Long Jump

  1. 6.69 meters (21’ 11.5”)

Shot Put

  1. 11.06 meters (36’ 3.5”)

High Jump

  1. 1.93 meters (6’ 4”)

Pentathlon

  1. Annie Wirth – 3,870 PR

60m Hurdles

  1. 8.63, PR

High Jump

  1. 1.79 meters (5’ 10.5”), PR + 4th at Iowa

Shot Put

  1. 9.40 (30’ 10.25”)

Long Jump

  1. 5.50 meters (18’ 0.05”), = PR

800m

  1. 2:27.46

  1. Carlee Rochford – 3,578 point, PR

60m Hurdles

  1. 9.02, PR

High Jump

  1. 1.67 meters (5’ 5.75”), = PR

Shot Put

  1. 11.34 (37’ 2.5”)

Long Jump

  1. 5.30 meters (17’ 4.75”)

800 Meters

  1. 2:38.28

  1. Tionna Tobias – 3,339 points

60m Hurdles

  1. 8.20

High Jump

  1. 1.64 meters (5’ 4.5”)

Shot Put

  1. 11.04 (36’ 2.75”), PR

Long Jump

  1. 6.08 meters (10’ 11.5”)

800m

DNF

  1. Isabelle Woody – 3,173 points

60m Hurdles

  1. 9.91

High Jump

  1. 1.61 meters (5’ 3.25”), PR

Shot Put

  1. 10.08 (33’ 1”)

Long Jump

  1. 4.82 meters (15’ 9.75”)

800m

  1. 2:33.31, PR

Women’s Long Jump

  1. Tionna Tobias – 6.02 meters (19’ 9”)
  2. Maud Zeffou-Poaty – 5.94 meters (19’ 6.25”)
  3. Kayla Hutchins – 5.46 meters (17’ 11”)

Men’s Long Jump

  1. DeAndre Stapleton Jr. – 7.29 meters (23’ 11”)
  2. Kaleba Jack –  6.71 meters (22’ 0.25”)

Women’s Weight Throw

  1. Jamie Kofron – 19.65 meters (64’ 5.75”)
  2. Alivia Bauer – 18.80 meters (61’ 8.25”)

Men’s Weight Throw

  1. Sean Smith – 22.28 meters (73’ 1.25”), PR + 1st at Iowa
  2. Austin Busch – 19.46 meters (63’ 10.25”)
  3. Walker Whalen – 19.06 meters (62’ 6.5”)
  4. Jordan Johnson – 18.73 meters (61’ 5.5”)

Atlantic Boys basketball season in review

Sports

February 23rd, 2024 by admin

The Atlantic Trojans basketball team ended their season last Monday night in a 70-49 loss in the first round of the Class 3A-Substate 8. The Trojans did finish the season with a 7-16 overall record and went 4-6 in the Hawkeye 10 Conference.

The Trojans will be losing six seniors to graduation this year: Tyrell Williams, Colton Rassmussen, Thomas Leonard, Gavin McLaren, Nolan Waters and Brock Henderson. The Trojans sure have a good group of freshman and sophomores and juniors that are eager to get varsity minutes next season.

Senior Colton Rasmussen is in third place in Class 3A with 615 points on the season and averaged 27 points per game. Senior Gavin McLAren scored 214 points and averages 12 points per game this season.

Trojan coach Dalton Franken wanted to wish his seniors the best of the right after the season ended.

Coach Franken gave some advice to all of the underclassman for what they can do over the summer.

Coach appreciates all the community of Atlantic and the Trojan fan base for coming out to watch the team play this season.

Coach Franken also said they will be putting basketball camps coming up this summer with dates not yet to be determined.

 

 

Council Bluffs man sentenced for possession of a homemade gun while in a casino

News

February 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Cedar Rapids, Iowa) –  A man from western Iowa who was found in possession of a homemade large-caliber pistol in the Meskwaki Casino in 2022, was sentenced Thursday (February 22, 2024) in Cedar Rapids U-S District Court, to five years in federal prison. The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, said Friday (today), 56-year-old Som Boun Cam, from Council Bluffs, received the prison term after a September 18, 2023 guilty plea to possessing a smooth bore, .410 gauge pistol, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

In addition to the 60-month sentence, Cam must also serve a 3-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system. He is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

In a plea agreement, Cam admitted that on April 14, 2022, he was in the Meskwaki Casino hotel when he was involved in a scuffle with another guest and misplaced his backpack. Hotel staff subsequently found the backpack, and when they looked in it on April 18, 2022, they found methamphetamine and a homemade smooth bore .410 gauge pistol. On April 19, 2022, Cam returned to the hotel to claim his property. Cam admitted he had manufactured the firearm. This was a firearm that was required to be registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, but it was not registered to him. Cam has a 1995 felony conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and methamphetamine, a 2017 felony conviction for possessing a firearm as a felon, and multiple assault convictions.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick J. Reinert and was investigated by the Meskwaki Nation Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Report finds a majority of rural Iowa hospitals don’t deliver babies

News

February 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A report by the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform finds 61 percent of Iowa’s rural hospitals no longer deliver babies. The report analyzed federal data and also found that of the 36 rural hospitals still providing the care, 58 percent reported losing money on the service. The C-E-O of the non-profit, Harold Miller, says insurance companies and Medicaid need to reimburse hospitals more for the cost of births.

“We’ve suggested that they also need to pay differently. Rather than simply paying for each birth, they need to be paying the hospital to be able to support the availability of the appropriate staff to do that,” he says. Miller says it’s really hard to reopen the birthing units once they close.

“So it’s really important to try to prevent more of them from closing now. And with the warning signs that this indicates that this problem is growing right now,” Miller says. Miller says policymakers also need to find ways to recruit and train more people to work in rural health care.

PATRICIA “Pat” MAURINE SCHAAF, 89, of Griswold (Memorial Svc. 2/29/24)

Obituaries

February 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PATRICIA “Pat” MAURINE SCHAAF, 89, of Griswold, died Sunday, February 18, 2024, at the Griswold Care Center in Griswold. A Memorial service for PAT SCHAAF will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29th, at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Rieken Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family.

Visitation with the family will be held at the Griswold United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 5-7 PM.

PAT SCHAAF is survived by:

Her husband – Lynn Schaaf, of Griswold.

Her daughters – Diane (Ken) Potter; Bev (Brad) Jensen; Deb (Alan) Arp.

Her son – Robert Schaaf (and Tina Allen).

8 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

Deadline nears to nominate Iowans of character for awards

News

February 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who know someone who lives by the six pillars of character are invited to nominate someone, a business or organization for this year’s Iowa Character Awards. Those pillars are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

Cheri McDaniel, spokeswoman for the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University in Des Moines, says they’re looking for Iowans who go above and beyond. “We collect nominations from across the state,” McDaniel says, “and we just want to recognize Iowans that are doing wonderful things.” There have been more than 200 Iowa Character awards presented since 2005. There are multiple categories for the awards, including for sports teams and student organizations.

“Annually, we give out awards to the Citizen of Character, both at the youth level and at the adult level,” McDaniel says. “We have the Educator of Character Award, which can be given out to teachers, administration, anyone working within the schools. There’s the Business of Character, which is any business organization.”

Character Pillars (Robert D. and Billie Ray Center image)

The nomination deadline is May 1st and she says it’s easy to submit a name. “You can go to Iowa Character Awards and there is going to be a red box on the page that just says 2024 Nomination Form,” she says. “You click that and it’ll take you to a page and you can add all the information and upload whatever supporting documentation you might have.”

The winners will be announced in June and will be recognized this summer with a date to be announced.

ARL of Iowa rescues 24 cats from ‘deplorable’ conditions

News

February 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two dozen cats were removed from a house in Des Moines this week. A news release from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa says the 24 cats were everywhere in the house, and their droppings and garbage covered the floors.

The ARL says all of the animals were dehydrated with upper respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, ear mites, fleas, and eyes matted shut. They’re all now being treated by the ARL’s Miracle Medical Team though CEO Tom Colvin says their recovery will be a long journey.

ARL of Iowa image

There’s no word yet on the owner’s name or whether any charges are being filed. To make a donation to the ARL, click here.