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Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raises a record-breaking $560k for Ronald McDonald House Charities of IA

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa – In another record-breaking year, officials with Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Beef Industry Council, said today (Monday), the 42nd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to elevate the bar, raising $568,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. The figure was a significant jump from last year’s record of $501,000. Including this year’s donations, the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer is inching close to $6 million in donations since its inception in 1983.

All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.

The Governor’s Charity Steer Show would not be possible, officials say, without the sponsors, youth exhibitors and their families, celebrities, and buyers. Their impact through volunteering, donations, and dedication created another successful show and fundraising outcome. This year, more donations and support were collected in advance of the event than ever before.

There were also two exhibitors that exceeded the threshold of the most dollars raised throughout the event from donations and the sale of their steer. Baylen Brink raised $71,354 and Jacob Ringkob raised $58,211, which topped the previous record of $48,000.

Not only was Pioneer Pavilion packed for the Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show, but more than 4,000 people watched online. The 42nd Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show was held on August 10 in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair. Winners in four categories were recognized in the show ring – Community Hero, Grand Champion Showman, People’s Choice, and Judge’s Grand Champion. This year’s event hosted 24 sponsored steers, shown by their youth exhibitor and a local celebrity.

The Community Hero Award recognizes the youth exhibitor who goes above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event. This year’s winner of the Community Hero Award was Layne White from Blakesburg. Iowa. Layne collected 175 pounds of pop tabs and a lot of nonperishable items for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Layne was sponsored by the Davis County Beef Promoters and showed with celebrity, Mercedes Northup, who was on The Bachelor.

The showmanship contest was judged by Brad and Drake Hook. Their focus was on the partnership between the celebrity, youth exhibitor, and the steer. While we had some excellent celebrity showmen in the ring, who had done their homework, Drake awarded Cheyenne Houk also from Blakesburg, Iowa, and her celebrity showman, Mark McCully, CEO of American Angus Association, as the Grand Champion Showman. Their steer was The Business and they were sponsored by the Monroe County Cattlemen and Supporters.

A fan favorite, the People’s Choice Award, gives the audience and team supporters a voice in the competition as they help select the winner of this event. This year Brad Hook helped judge this award and as he worked the ring, he had the crowd roaring for their favorites. In the end, it was two-time NCAA champion wrestler, David Carr, and his youth partner, Kate Totemeier from Columbus Junction, Iowa, along with her steer, ZZ, who took the award! David, Kate, and ZZ were sponsored by the District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations.

Finally, the most prestigious award of the show, the Judge’s Grand Champion, was selected. Ross Havens from Nichols Farms in Bridgewater, Iowa, had the hardest task of working through and judging the stellar lineup of steers and showmen. Whopper and his youth exhibitor, Emma Norman of Searsboro, Iowa, and celebrity showman Jeff Angelo, a radio personality, received the honor. The team was sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association.

Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer and additional value-added items donated by industry supporters and celebrities. These funds were added to the donations received by each youth participant, resulting in the $568,000 donation going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Georgia man charged in Death of Winneshiek County teen

News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A Georgia man who was extradited to Iowa on a gun charge is now charged with second-degree murder in the death of a teenager. The Winnesheik County Sheriff’s Office says, following a two-year multi agency investigation spanning several states, 65- year-old James Bachmerski has been charged in the death of 15-year-old Jade Marie Colvin.

Authorities say in 2017 Colvin was brought from Arizona to Iowa by her mother to live at the Bachmerski farm in southern Winnesheik County.

The Sheriff’s Office says they were made aware in 2022 that Colvin had not been seen or heard from since two days after arriving in Iowa.

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN, 84, of Exira (Celebration of Life 8/17/24)

Obituaries

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN, 84, of Exira, died January 8, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic. A Celebration of the Life of BEA PETERSEN will be held from 4-until 7-p.m. on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Exira Event Center (106 N. Jefferson St., Exira, IA). Roland Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The family invites you to join them for a meal and a joyful remembrance with a time for sharing at 5:30 p.m. on the 17th.

A private family burial was held at St. John’s Cemetery, west of Exira.

Memorials may be designated to the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

ISABELLE “BEA” PETERSEN is survived by:

Her daughters – Tami Trewet-Sloop (& husband Kurt), of Atlantic; Teresa (Tom) Christensen, of Audubon, & Jennifer (LD) Rettele, of Omaha.

Her sons -Mark (Amy) Petersen, of Libby, MT; and Pat (Mary) Petersen, of Exira.

Her brother – Roger Maltais.

11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Janis Petersen of Des Moines; other relatives and many friends.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

PHYLLIS LORRAINE [BARNHOLDT] PENTON, 95, formerly of the Anita/Massena areas – Svcs. 8/15/24

Obituaries

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

PHYLLIS LORRAINE [BARNHOLDT] PENTON, 95, formerly of the Anita/Massena areas, died Friday, August 9, 2024, at Cass Health in Atlantic. Funeral services for PHYLLIS PENTON will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, 2o024, at the Anita United Methodist Church. Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home.

Burial is in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Memorials in her name can be made to either the American Legion, Volunteer Fire Department or United Methodist Church all of Anita.

PHYLLIS PENTON is survived by:

Her daughter – Connie Jensen, of Springfield, MO.

Her sons – Robert Penton, of Adair; Ronald Penton, of Atlantic, and Roger Penton, of Waukee.

6 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Condolences can be sent at: Schmidtfamilyfh.com

Iowa State’s Tyler Onyedim on the Cyclone pass rush

Sports

August 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa State defensive end Tyler Onyedim expects the Cyclone pass rush to be even more effective this season. The redshirt junior from Texas started all 13 games last season. He finished with two sacks and as a team ISU finished 11th in the Big 12 in that category.

Onyedim says depth along the defensive line will help with the pass rush.

Onyedim says his flexibility is a key at defensive end.

Onyedim says having more experience on defense will be a plus.

Iowa State opens at home on August 31st against North Dakota.

Drake Football Media Day

Sports

August 12th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Drake coach Todd Stepsis says the Bulldogs are embracing high expectations as they get ready for the new season. After three straight losing campaigns, the Bulldogs won the Pioneer Football League title with a perfect 8-0 record last year and made the FCS playoffs for the first time in program history. They enter this season as the PFL favorite.

Stepsis says there is no carry over and the Bulldogs view this as a new season and a new challenge.

Stepsis says the Bulldogs have shown they can handle adversity and he is confident they will be able to handle success.

Drake always plays a tough nonconference schedule ands this season is no different.

Big things are expected from junior defensive end Finn Claypool. The Des Moines native is the reigning PFL Defensive Player of the Year and was named a second team FCS preseason All American.

The key for Drake last season was winning the close games. Six of their league wins were by a touchdown or less.

Drake has won 11 straight PFL games and Claypool credits a demanding nonconference slate.

Drake opens at home on August 29th against Quincy University.

Even after 130+ visits, Iowa State Fair blogger finds new things to love

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Hundreds of thousands of Iowans hit the Iowa State Fair at least once a year, but very few go as many times as Connie Taylor of West Des Moines. Taylor and her daughter, Stephanie, will make a pilgrimage to the fairgrounds all 11 days this year, and they’ve attended at least seven days of every state fair, every year, for the past 19 years. Taylor writes about their daily exploits online and has amassed a wide audience, especially when it comes to her fair food reviews.

“The best corn dog is from the Coney Corner by the Horse Barn. It’s owned by Campbell’s, and they use Nathan’s hot dogs, and they go through 24,000 pounds of batter and two semi loads of corn dogs every year,” Taylor says. “Another always go-to is a gyro, we always share one of those. The secret to eating at the fair is share everything.” For all of the tasty fried concoctions they may wolf down, the mother and daughter also burn plenty of calories as they stroll the Grand Concourse. When they were a bit younger, Taylor says they used to walk seven to eight miles a day at the fair, but now average five or six.

“We sit more now than we used to,” Taylor says, laughing, “but you know, to do the fair, you’ve got to walk. Part of it is, we always park about six blocks away, so there’s 12 blocks right there, just to and from our car, but it doesn’t seem like walking — you’re just wandering the fair and then it just adds up.” How many times has Taylor been to the fair? Well over 130, over two decades. Some people may have a hard time grasping what makes the Iowa State Fair worthy of so many visits over so many years, but Taylor says she always manages to find new things to see and do, or new ways to enjoy what’s already familiar.

Connie Taylor (left) and her daughter, Stephanie, are sporting state fair earrings — blue ribbons and butter cows.

“The fair changes every minute, every minute,” Taylor says. “We’ll be like, ‘Yeah, we’ve seen the Butter Cow a million times,’ but it’s different. She always has something different with it. And when you go in the Ag Building to see it, they have different exhibits. I have looked at the fruits and veggie displays in there. I think they are beautiful and I love them every time I see them.” Her latest column is titled after something her granddaughter said — “What’s the best smell in the world? Pig poo and donuts.” Taylor says her daughter actually started the online state fair dairy but passed the blogging baton to her mother after having twins. It’s continued to grow in popularity, Taylor says, just like the fair.

“You never know what you’re going to see at the fair,” she says. “Like yesterday, we were sitting and someone won a giant panda and hung it from a branch in a tree, and we just looked at it like it was normal. And then I thought, I’ll take a picture of that, because other people don’t think that’s normal.”

Read about Taylor’s adventures at Substack.com under her column, “The Life and Times of a Midwestern Girl.”

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 8/12/24

News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three recent arrests:

On Thursday (Aug. 8th), 37-year-old Clayton Shane Geick, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Sarpy County, NE, Jail, on a Mills County warrant for Violation of Probation. His bond at the Mills County Jail was set at $20,000.

There were two arrests on Aug. 6th, in Mills County:

Tarus Mae Delores Hayes, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Jail, for Public Intoxication. Her bond was set at $300; and, 48-year-old Lisa Marie Elliott, of Malvern, was arrested for Harassment in the 1st Degree, and Public Intoxication.

Additional candidate filings in Cass County (IA)

News

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Deputy Auditor Sheri Karns, today (Monday), said three additional candidates have filed their nomination papers in advance of the November 5th General Election. As previously mentioned, Linda L. Pelzer filed last month for one of three seats on the Cass County Hospital Board Trustees.  Since then, Leanne Pellett has also filed. Both currently serve on the Board. Candidates running for that Board may file their papers any time.

Delmar South has filed nomination papers to serve as Union Township Trustee (1 seat open), and Marcy J. Dorsey has filed to run for one of four seats on the Cass County Agricultural Extension Council. Dorsey currently serves on the Council on as a Secretary.

As a reminder:   the filing period for candidates for Non-party political organization (NPPO) and Non-Affiliated persons for the upcoming General Election to be held November 5, 2024, are as follows:

  • Non-Party candidates and Township Trustees- August 5th-August 28th
  • Soil & Water Commissioners and Agricultural Extension-August 5th – August 28th
  • Hospital Board of Trustees- Anytime with a deadline of Wednesday August 28th.

County positions open are:

  1. Board Of Supervisors District 1, District 4 & District 5
  2. County Auditor
  3. County Sheriff
  4. Edna Township Trustee
  5. Union Township Trustee
  6. Soil & Water Commissioners (3)
  7. Hospital Board of Trustees (3)
  8. Ag-Extension (4)

For more information and for the number of signatures required for each office, please contact the Auditor’s office at 712-243-4570

DERIK MICHAEL TIBBEN, 53, of Tampa, FL (formerly of s.w. Iowa) – Celebration of Life 8/17/24)

Obituaries

August 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DERIK MICHAEL TIBBEN, 53, of Tampa, FL (formerly of S.W. Iowa), has died. A Celebration of Life for DERIK TIBBEN will be held 11am-4pm on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at the Treynor Community Center (Treynor, IA). His family is handling the arrangements.

A lunch will immediately follow the service. Casual attire is recommended. Derik loved the Kansas City Chiefs, so Chiefs attire is encouraged in his memory.

Memorials may be directed to Derik’s wife, Melissa Tibben.

DERIK TIBBEN is survived by:

His wife of 24 years: Melissa

His father: Roger (Carol)

His sister: Angela (Jason) Lang

Step-sisters: Ana (John) Funkhouser

Sister-in-law: Monica (Matthew) Sanchez

Brothers-in-law: Michael Chambers and Chano Sanchez

Nieces, nephews and many friends