United Group Insurance

Child injured in Red Oak crash Tue. morning

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

A child passenger in a car was injured Tuesday morning in Red Oak, during a collision at the intersection of N. 4th and E. Maple Streets. Red Oak Police report the nine-year old girl suffered suspected minor injuries during the crash that happened just before 7-a.m.  She was transported by Red Oak Rescue to the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital. During their investigation, Officers determined 20-year old Ashlee Young, of Red Oak, was driving a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on N 4th Street and 30-year old Cassandra McVay, of Red Oak, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu eastbound on E Maple Street, when she failed to yield at the yield sign, and to the right-of-way to Young’s vehicle.

Young’s Jeep struck McVay’s Malibu in the right rear quarter panel. Police issued McVay a warning for Failure to Obey a Yield Sign. Damage from the collision amounted to $11,000. Both vehicles were declared a total loss.

Exira-EHK School Board agrees to continue sharing agreements & RTL/Mask mandate

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

The Exira-Elk Horn Kimballton School Board, Monday evening, agreed in-principal, to continue Sharing Agreements they have with various area districts, including the position of School Business Officer, Human Resources, Transportation Director and Superintendent. Exira-EHK Superintendent Trevor Miller…

Among the adjustments or “tweaks” to those contracts they are proposing, is to Miller’s 80/20 contract, with regard to time spent in the district and cost sharing. He’ll meet Thursday evening with the IKM-Manning Board to continue the discussions. In other business, the Exira-EHK Board set their February 15th meeting as the date for a Public Hearing on the proposed 2021-22 School Calendar.

The Board also agree to extend the Return-to-Learn and mask mandate until their meeting March 15th.

And, they agreed to extend FFCRA leave (COVID-19 related), which had expired Dec.31st. It will remain in-place now until the end of the school year. And, they approved the hiring of Emily McDermott as a Long-Term substitute 2nd Semester English Teacher, along with the resignation of Librarian Linda Petersen, who is retiring, as well as Bus Driver David Anderson, who will still act as a substitute, when needed.

Spencer Lee named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week

Sports

January 19th, 2021 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Spencer Lee has been named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced Tuesday. Lee shares the award with Minnesota’s Patrick McKee.

Lee, ranked No. 1 at 125 pounds, opened the 2021 season with a first-period fall against Indiana’s 11th-ranked Liam Cronin. Lee led 6-0 before securing the fall in one minute, 21 seconds.

The pin was the 22nd of Lee’s career, his 17th in the first period. He improved to 19-0 all-time at Carver-Hawkeye Arena and extended his winning streak to 24 matches.

The weekly conference honor is the second of Lee’s career. He was previously recognized Jan. 23, 2018.

Lee and McKee, who is ranked 17th at 125 pounds, meet Friday at 8 p.m. (CT) when top-ranked Iowa visits No. 14 Minnesota. The dual is televised on BTN.

KC mayor to Chiefs fans: Celebrate with COVID-19 in mind

Sports

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas is a big fan of the Chiefs, but he can’t help but worry after watching news coverage of fans celebrating close together following the team’s 22-17 NFL playoff game win over Cleveland. Now, with the Chiefs hosting Buffalo in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Lucas is urging fans to keep COVID-19 preventative measures in mind as they gather to watch.

Fireworks are seen over Arrowhead Stadium after an NFL divisional round football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Kansas City. The Chiefs won 22-17. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

The Kansas City Star reports that the city will touch base with entertainment districts to make sure crowds next weekend don’t leave “a lot of people sick around the Super Bowl.”

 

Mega Millions jackpot now $850M; Powerball up to $730M

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery players are getting another shot at the third-largest jackpot in U.S. history. The Mega Millions top prize has hit an estimated $850 million, making Tuesday night’s drawing the biggest in more than two years. Powerball, the other lottery game offered in most of the U.S., isn’t far behind at $730 million for a drawing Wednesday night. It’s the first time both lottery jackpots have topped $700 million.

No one has won the Mega Millions jackpot since Sept. 15. The last Powerball jackpot winner was a day later, on Sept. 16. Mega Millions and Powerball are both played in 45 states as well as Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Powerball also is offered in Puerto Rico.

 

Adair woman escapes injury during a rollover accident

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

Road conditions played a role in a rollover accident last Thursday evening, just north of Adair. The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office reports 51-year-old Kristina Sherman, of Adair, was driving a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee east on White Pole Road at around 7:15-p.m., when the vehicle went out of control, entered the south ditch and rolled onto its top. Sherman was wearing her seat belt, and was not injured. She was cited for two counts of Driving While license suspended. The SUV was totaled in the crash.

Backyard & Beyond 1-19-2021

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 19th, 2021 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Cass County Wellness Director and Produce in the Park Manager Brigham Hoegh about the Sweetheart Market.

Play

Audubon School Board rejects building project bids: Back to the drawing board

News

January 19th, 2021 by Ric Hanson

It’s “Back to the drawing board” for the Audubon School Board, when it comes to the district’s building project, which came in $4-million over budget. Superintendent Eric Trager says they started the project with a feasibility study in the fall of 2019. The price tag came in at $7.5-million dollars, but the bids came in at $11.5-million, or 53% higher than the original estimate.

That, he says, will unfortunately result in a delay of the work, and that some construction will need to take place during the school year. The idea he said it still to get the project done, and get it done right. Trager said the board was shocked and disappointed in the way things have turned out, to-date.

He says it’s too late to play the blame game, “We just need to figure out how do we move forward.”

In other business, the Audubon School Board approved trading-in three old Dodge Minivans for three new, locally purchased Chevy Traverse’s with the same passenger capacity. And, they approved a renewed Sharing Agreement with the Coon Rapids-Bayard School District. Those positions include Superintendent, H-R and Transportation Directors, Elementary Counselor, and Social Worker.

The Audubon School Board also approved the resignation – effective at the end of the school year – of Special Education Teacher Tyler Tassel. The Board thanks him for his service to the district.

Pair of recent arrests in Adams County

News

January 19th, 2021 by admin

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports a pair of recent arrests.

On Friday, January 15th at about 8:35 p.m. Adams County Deputies arrested 32-year-old Shawn Crouch of Corning was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief 4th Degree. The arrests stems from an investigation on January 13th when his neighbor’s car window and bedroom window were shot out with a BB gun. Crouch was taken to the Adams County Jail and booked in.

On Saturday, January 16th at about 2:14 a.m. Deputies arrested 36-year-old Kimberly Bloom of Corning on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bloom was taken to the Adams County Jail and booked in.

DONALD “KEITH” LAUER, 76, of Atlantic (Svcs. 1/22/21)

Obituaries

January 19th, 2021 by Jim Field

DONALD “KEITH” LAUER, 76, of Atlantic died Monday, January 18th at the Heritage House in Atlantic.  Funeral services for DONALD “KEITH” LAUER will be held 10:30-a.m. Friday, Jan. 22nd, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements. Masks and social distancing will be required at the services and visitation.

An open visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11-a.m. until 6-p.m., Thursday, with the family present from 3-until 5-p.m.; Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Burial is in the Brighton Township Cemetery in Marne.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

“KEITH” LAUER is survived by:

His wife – Diane, of Atlantic.

His brother – Robert, of Lehigh (IA).