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Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Four Counties Impacted by Recent Severe Weather

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for four counties in response to severe weather that occurred on May 6. The governor’s proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program for the following counties: Clarke, Marion, O’Brien, and Pottawattamie. 

The Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/assistance. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.   

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. Disaster case advocates work with clients to create a disaster recovery plan and provide guidance, advice, and referrals to obtain a service or resource. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program; it closes 180 days from the date of the governor’s proclamation. For information on the Disaster Case Advocacy Program, contact your local community action agency or visit iowacommunityaction.org.    

Skeletal remains found in Pott. County

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – The Council Bluffs Police Department reports that at around 10:10-a.m. today (May 8, 2024), Pottawattamie County Communications received a phone call from a subject who had found skeletal remains. The caller had found the remains while walking in the area north of Veterans Memorial Hwy and E. Manawa Dr. Officers responded and found a skeletal torso that is believed to be human in nature.

The remains appeared to have been exposed to the elements for some time due to the state they were found in. At this time, there is no means to identify the remains. The cause of death is unknown, and the gender of the remains is not confirmed at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. The remains will be sent to the State of Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.

Authorities say it may take several weeks to learn an identity associated with the found remains.

Higher tax deduction for Iowa’s tax-free 529 accounts

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Reynolds has signed a bill into law that raises the maximum tax deduction for contributing to a “College Savings Iowa” account to 52-hundred dollars. That’s 22 percent higher than what was allowed this year. State Treasurer Roby Smith says the higher tax deduction also applies to contributions to I-ABLE accounts which cover expenses related to a disability.

“Today is the biggest day in 26 years for Iowa’s 529 plans,” Smith says. “…This exciting update is a great way to save for others while giving yourself a tax benefit as well.” So-called 529 plans allow for tax-free withdrawals. “529 plan funds can be used on K-12 tuition, apprenticeships and trade schools and other qualified expenses,” Smith says. Among the 43 states that collect income taxes, there are only nine other states that have a higher tax deduction than Iowa’s new 52-hundred dollar amount for tax year 2025.

“It is an exciting time for the state’s 529 plans,” Smith said. “Serving Iowans with their savings goals, our programs continue to grow and lower their asset based fees for the account owners.” Smith, in his second year as state treasurer, proposed the higher tax benefit for deposits in 529 plans. “In addition to the new tax deduction amount, Iowa’s 529 account owners will have the ability to transfer up to a lifetime limit of $35,000 to a Roth IRA in their beneficiary’s name,” Smith says. That change took effect at the federal level this year, as the owners of some 529 accounts worry about having unused funds left in the accounts. This spring Iowa legislators have aligned the state’s tax code with that policy.

According to the state treasurer’s office, there’s six BILLION dollars in over 285-thousand College Savings Iowa accounts today. There nearly 67-thousand tax-free 529 accounts for people with disabilities under Iowa’s Achieving a Better Life Experience or I-ABLE program.

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins on his final season

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins is looking for a big final season after deciding not to enter the NFL Draft. The native of Indianapolis led the country with 171 tackles last season but was not named the winner of the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.

Higgins wants to be even more of a leader next season and help bring along some of the younger linebackers.

One of the younger linebackers who shined during spring drills was junior Karson Sharar (shire). The Iowa Falls native appeared in all 14 games last season.

The Hawkeyes open next season at home on August 31st against Illinois State.

UNI softball opens MVC Tournament Thursday afternoon

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

The Northern Iowa softball team opens the Missouri Valley Tournament Thursday afternoon. The Panthers are the two seed and take on the winner of this afternoon’s game between Drake and Evansville. UNI coach Ryan Jacobs says there is no room for error in the single elimination format.

It takes three wins in three days to win the title.

UNI is 31-16.

Update: Minor injuries during an accident in Atlantic

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) [in an update to an earlier post] – Emergency crews responded to a two-vehicle, injury accident in Atlantic this (Wednesday) morning. Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue says Officers responded at around 7:51-a.m. to the collision at Southwest 7th and West 15th street, in Atlantic. An investigation into the accident found that a 2021 Toyota Camry had pulled onto Southwest 7th from the Atlantic Achievement Center driveway, when it was struck by a 2004 GMC Envoy that was traveling Northeast on Southwest 7th.

The driver of the Toyota was checked at the scene by Cass EMS and taken by private vehicle to be seen for minor injuries. Both vehicles were able to be driven away from the scene. The driver of the Toyota Camry was cited for Failure to Yield upon entering a through highway. Because the accident involved a juvenile, their name and other details are not being released at this time.

If you have information regarding the incident please call the Atlantic Police Department at 712-243-3512. (Photo courtesy of Chris Parks)

Allen Earns All-Big 12 Second Team Distinction

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

IRVING, Texas – Junior outfielder Angelina Allen has been named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, the league office announced on Wednesday.

Allen, a Moreno Valley, Calif. native, led Iowa State in most offensive categories and was among the nation’s leaders in doubles, batting average and hits. Angelina slashed .434/.486/.753, leading the team in all three departments.

Allen churned out a team-high 72 hits on the year, with 31 going for extra bases. Her extra-base hits broke down into 20 doubles – the second most in a single season in program history – and 11 homers. Allen’s 72 hits led all Big 12 players, as did her 20 doubles, while her batting average checked in at the third-highest.

Allen’s season has placed her among multiple top ten single-season lists at Iowa State, as she now has the third-highest single-season batting average, fourth-highest single-season slugging percentage, second-highest single-season on-base percentage, eighth-most single-season hits, and fourth-most single-season total bases earned.

A team captain, Angelina has been batting in the two-hole all season behind fellow team captain Milaysia Ochoa. Speaking of Ochoa, Allen joins her fellow outfielder (2023) as well as teammate Carli Spelhaug (2022) and Mikayla Ramos (2021, 2022) as Cyclones who have been named to the All-Big 12 Second Team over the last four years.

This is the fourth on-field recognition that Allen has earned from the Big 12 during her three-year career with the Cyclones. Angelina was named to the All-Big 12 Freshman team in 2022 before being named to the Big 12 All-Tournament Team in 2023. Earlier this year, she was named the Big 12 Player of the Week, making her the first Cyclone since Sami Williams in 2021 to earn the distinction.

Iowa State is back in action today in the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City. The Cyclones are the No. 9 seed and will open tournament play against the No. 8 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders at 7:30 p.m.

2024 All-Big 12 Conference Awards

  • Coach of the Year: Mike White (UT)
  • Player of the Year: Reese Atwood (UT)
  • Pitcher of the Year: Lexi Kilfoyl (OSU)*
  • Defensive Player of the Year: Kinzie Hansen (OU)
  • Freshman of the Year: Teagan Kavan (UT)

All-Big 12 First Team

  • Shaylon Govan (BU)
  • Ailana Agbayani (BYU)
  • Huntyr Ava (BYU)
  • Sarah Willis (UCF)
  • Alyssa Brito (OU)
  • Jayda Coleman (OU)*
  • Kinzie Hansen (OU)*
  • Tiare Jennings (OU)
  • Kelly Maxwell (OU)
  • Karli Godwin (OSU)
  • Lexi Kilfoyl (OSU)*
  • Caroline Wang (OSU)*
  • Reese Atwood (UT)*
  • Citlaly Gutierrez (UT)
  • Teagan Kavan (UT)
  • Ashton Maloney (UT)
  • Mia Scott (UT)*
  • Kailey Wyckoff (TTU)

All-Big 12 Second Team

  • Aliyah Binford (BU)
  • Emily Hott (BU)
  • Shannon Doherty (UCF)
  • Chloe Evans (UCF)
  • Angelina Allen (ISU)
  • Turiya Coleman (UH)
  • Lyric Moore (KU)
  • Rylie Boone (OU)
  • Kierston Deal (OU)
  • Ella Parker (OU)
  • Alynah Torres (OU)
  • Ivy Rosenberry (OSU)
  • Kayden Henry (UT)
  • Viviana Martinez (UT)
  • Katie Stewart (UT)
  • Abbie Orrick (TTU)
  • Riley Love (TTU)
  • Arriana Villa (TTU)

All-Freshman Team

  • Sierra Humphreys (UCF)
  • Samantha Rey (UCF)
  • Bethany Aguilar (UH)
  • Ella Parker (OU)
  • Kasidi Pickering (OU)
  • Rosie Davis (OSU)
  • Karli Godwin (OSU)
  • Kayden Henry (UT)
  • Teagan Kavan (UT)
  • Katie Stewart (UT)
  • Logan Halleman (TTU)
  • Raegan Jennings (TTU)

All 12 student-athletes were unanimous selections

3 Hawkeyes Earn Big Ten Honors

Sports

May 8th, 2024 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three University of Iowa softball student-athletes earned postseason recognition by the Big Ten Conference announced on Wednesday.

Freshman infielder Jena Young earned first team all-Big Ten and all-freshman honors. Junior outfielder Rylie Moss earned second team honors and senior Sammy Diaz was selected to the all-defensive team and earned the team’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

Young, a Winterset, Iowa, native started every game for Iowa and finished second on the team hitting .373. In her freshman campaign she recorded a hit in all but 10 games and did not go longer than two games without recording a hit. Young led all freshman in the Big Ten in batting average. She is the toughest batter to strikeout, statistically in the Big Ten, and struck out the least (5) number of times amongst starters in the conference. Young led the Hawkeyes with four home runs and 15 multi-hit games including a career-high 4-for-4 against Minnesota.

Moss, a Muscatine, Iowa, native led the team hitting .390 in 39 games which was sixth best in the Big Ten. She started every game in right field before suffering a season-ending injury against Nebraska. She recorded a hit in all but seven games in which she played and at one point had a career-high 14 game on base streak. Moss recorded two three-hit games against CSU-Bakersfield and Michigan.

Diaz, a Cypress, California, native started all 46 games for Iowa at first base. She led the team with a .990 fielding percentage throughout the season and was perfect in Big Ten play. Diaz recorded 289 putouts in 308 chances. She had 16 assists and just three errors on the season.

Iowa has had first team honorees in back-to-back seasons for the first time since Megan Blank in 2014-15. Young is the fourth Hawkeye in four years to earn all-freshman accolades (Jalen Adams in 2023, Brylee Klosterman and Denali Loecker in 2021). Diaz is the first Hawkeye since Cheyenne Pratt in 2017 to earn all-defensive honors.

Webster City theater could reopen this fall

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The operators of the historic Webster City movie theater damaged by a fire last November 29th are hoping to get it back open this fall. The Webster Theater and two other buildings in the downtown section of the north-central Iowa town were damaged in the fire. Spokesman Jeff Pingel says they have gutted the theater and started the renovation. “We didn’t get any fire damage from that but we got extensive extensive smoke and water damage and we’re just we just it’s just finished the cleanup the 28th of April so it’s been five months just for cleanup,” he says. Pingel says the work continues, but they discovered something they will have to fix that they didn’t expect.

“The front wall has a six inch lean to it, which we had a structural engineer come in and check it out. It’s not unsafe but we have to pull it back,” Pingel says. “So before we can go begin any reconstruction we have to pull this wall back six inches, which isn’t that’s not an insurance thing, that’s money that we have to come up with on our own.”

The theater was constructed at the turn of the 20th century and had undergone an extensive remodeling more than 10 years ago. It was the subject of a documentary film “Made in Iowa” you can see on YouTube. Monetary donations are welcome to the Webster Theater website.

Boy Scouts to be rebranded as ‘Scouting America’

News

May 8th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Boy Scouts of America will be renamed Scouting America on February 8th of next year. Matt Hill is executive of the Mid-Iowa Council for Boy Scouts of America. “We started allowing young ladies to join our programs about five years ago and so this coincidentally enough coincides with the five year anniversary of that change,” Hill says, “and really reflects our commitment to being inclusive of all young people that want to join scouting.” Hill says he has a unique perspective about the name change. He’s an Eagle Scout who appreciates what scouting meant to him and his buddies growing up AND he’s the father of a girl.

“I don’t know of any parent that would really not want his or her child to have the same opportunities that they did,” Hill says. “…Allowing girls into the program has been phenomenal for us so far.” The Boy Scouts’ Mid-Iowa Council covers 29 counties and Hill says nearly 50 girls in the region have become Eagle Scouts in the past five years. “The integration has really, in many ways, been seamless. The kids are so adaptable,” Hill says. “We’ve just had young ladies that whether their brother was in scouting, their dads were in scouting or another family member, or they just really like our programs, they have really embraces our programs and I think it’s been fantastic for all of us.”

Hill is in Orlando at the national annual meeting of Boy Scouts of America where the name change was announced. Since girls were accepted as Cub Scouts in 2018, six-thousand girls across the country have become Eagle Scouts. About a million U-S kids are in the Boy Scouts today. The Girl Scouts of America still exists and has not commented on the Boy Scouts name change. The Boy Scouts are in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings that have allowed it to keep operating while paying over 80-thousand men who say they were sexually abused when they were Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts.