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Waterloo School Board approves plan to merge East and West High Schools

News

July 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Waterloo School Board voted 5-2 Monday in favor of a $165 million plan that would build a new high school onto the existing Central Middle School to combine East and West High Schools.

Students in tenth through 12th grade would go to the new high school and eighth and ninth graders would go to the current West and East High buildings. KCRG TV reports many people spoke against the plan, citing the timing of the project and the economic impact they believe it will have. One man says recent layoffs at John Deere is one issue.“It’s too much at this time. You’ve got people here in Waterloo losing their jobs every day….a lot of those jobs are high end jobs the engineers at Deere….and this is just another burden on those folks and myself.”

Waterloo Superintendent Jared Smith, tells KCRG TV this new high school will help students better access the district’s career focused classes and draw new students to the district. “There’s a barrier right now let’s be honest, that kids don’t want to leave their home high school.. so having a school where all high school were all students 10 thru 12 have direct access to the career center removes all the barriers,” Smith says.

Waterloo Superintendent Jared Smith. (KCRG TV photo)

When asked if he had any comments on the objections to the plan raised at the meeting Smith said “The community who showed up and shared some concerns those are fair comments, those are fair concerns, those are concerns we have been talking through for the last year, the last several years.” Smith says they know Waterloo has been hit hard recently with the developments at John Deere and some other businesses closing, but he says the timing is never gonna be right.

The proposal would use a one-cent sales tax to allow the district to raise the revenue without having a bond issue vote. Voters living in the Waterloo Community School District who are opposed to the plan have until August 12th to present a petition to the school board with signatures from more than 30 percent of active voters to force a vote on this decision. Construction is expected to be started in the Spring of 2025, and the school is expected to be open in time for the 2028-2029 school year.

11 months remain before mental health, substance use treatment systems merge

News

July 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – By next July, Iowa’s 13 treatment systems for mental health and the 19 networks that provide treatment for substance abuse and gambling addiction are to be unified and streamlined. The map officials have developed divides the state into seven districts and each district would provide mental health and addiction services, but Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia says those district lines will impact providers — not patients.

“For the consumer, for the Iowan the map doesn’t matter because in this redesign you can go anywhere,” Garcia says, “…so I don’t want us to get too caught up in those boundary lines respective to what Iowans need because it won’t matter any more and that is a distinction from today’s system.” Garcia says another key part of the new system will be clearly designated “access points” for care.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia spoke during an interview with Radio Iowa (File photo)

“Where do you go if your child is in crisis? What brightly lit entry point do you go to? I can tell you I get panicked calls all the time from parents, school administrators, sometimes from people who work in this field and can’t figure it out for themselves and that’s unacceptable,” Garcia says. “We can do better here.”

The plan will also create a separate system for Iowans with disabilities. Disability services are currently handled through the state’s mental health regions. State officials say they are unsure how many Iowans will be affected by these changes, as many Iowans getting care for a mental health issue are also getting treatment for a substance use disorder.

‘Tuition Tracker’ helps Iowa’s rural college-bound students

News

July 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – For Iowa students thinking about attending college in the fall, an interactive online “Tuition Tracker” can help them figure out some of the costs ahead of time. The tool can be especially useful to people attending college for the first time. The Tuition Tracker lets a student calculate the “real costs” by seeing not only the published tuition but the cost of other needs, showing them what they might end up actually paying.

Andrew Koricich, executive director of the Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges at Appalachian State University, said a tool like this can be helpful for students in rural areas. “Whenever you have rural students, many of whom are still going to be the first in their families to go to college, maybe coming from communities where there aren’t a lot of folks with college experience, tools like the Tuition Tracker can be really important,” Koricich explained.

The tool also allows students to compare college costs using their household income, seeing what people like them have paid in the past and what to expect if they decide to enroll. It was developed by the online education publication The Hechinger Report. The latest Tuition Tracker update also shows historical data, such as student retention and graduation rates. Koricich acknowledged no matter how accurate the data, many factors can affect the actual price of college and it could sometimes be lower than what the tracker reflects.

Close up of federal financial aid application with calculator and tuition statement

“It is a very complicated thing that includes a lot of variables,” Koricich noted. “You can have state grant programs that may not be reflected in the net price, even though any in-state student attending that institution will receive that grant.” Koricich recommended doing additional research, including visiting the website of each school the student is interested in to get the most up-to-date information.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Wed., July 31, 2024

Weather

July 31st, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 111. South wind 10 to 20 mph. ** HEAT ADVISORY from 1-p.m. until 7-p.m.**

Tonight: Mostly cloudy showers & thunderstorms likely. Low around 66. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Northwest wind 5-to 15 mph, with gusts to around 20 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 92.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 93.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 89. We received .01″ rain. Our Low was 70. Last year on this date, the High in Atlantic was 86 & the Low was 65. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on July 31st, was 104 in 1955. The Record Low was 39, in 1971. Sunrise: 6:14. Sunset: 8:39.

Arrest made after man stabbed to death in Ottumwa

News

July 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – A southeast Iowa man was stabbed to death around 1 a-m today (Tuesday) and a suspect is in custody. When officers arrived at the scene, they made contact with 40-year-old Jeffrey Johns who suffered a stab wound to his torso. Johns was transported to the hospital but died from his injuries.

At 9:12 A-M a search warrant was executed at an Ottumwa residence and 32-year-old Joshua Michael of Ottumwa was found hiding in the attic. Michael was arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

Michael is currently being held without bond in the Wapello County Jail pending a hearing with a magistrate judge.

Nunn Announces August Mobile Office Hours to Serve Iowans in Their Communities

News

July 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today announced mobile office hours across the Iowa Third Congressional District to assist constituents who may not be able to travel to one of the congressional offices located in Creston, Des Moines, and Ottumwa. At these mobile office hours, Iowans will be able to get help from their Congressional office with Social Security, Medicare, passports, visas, veterans’ benefits, military records, tax returns, and other issues with federal government agencies.

“My top priority is providing exceptional service and support to Iowans,” said Rep. Nunn. “My hope is that these mobile office hours will ensure ease of access for all Iowans to receive assistance from my office regardless of where they live in the Third District.”

The (area) schedule for August mobile office hours is below:

Adair County 
Fontanelle Public Library 
303 Washington Street, Fontanelle, Iowa
Thursday, August 1, 2024
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Madison County 
Earlham Public Library 
120 Chestnut Avenue, Earlham, Iowa
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Cass County 
Atlantic Public Library 
507 Poplar Street, Atlantic, Iowa
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Adams County 
Prescott Public Library 
607 Second Street, Prescott, Iowa
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Ringgold County 
Matura 
306 South Garfield Street, Mount Ayr, Iowa
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Page County 
Essex Lied Library 
508 Iowa Avenue, Essex, Iowa
Thursday, August 29, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Montgomery County 
Villisca Public Library 
204 South Third Avenue, Villisca, Iowa
Thursday, August 29, 2024
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Additional dates and locations will be announced in the future.

Cooper, Freyler on Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Sports

July 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State safeties Jeremiah Cooper and Beau Freyler have been named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, presented annually to the nation’s defensive player of the year.

Cooper and Freyler are two of 16 safeties on the list and the only safety teammates featured. In total, 75 defensive players from 56 schools are represented on the list.

Cooper, a junior from El Paso, Texas, is a preseason All-Big 12 selection after earning first-team honors in 2023. He played and started 11 games last season and finished second in the Big 12 Conference and sixth nationally with five interceptions. Cooper tallied 45 tackles and ranked fourth nationally in passes defended per game (1.4).

Freyler, a Colorado Springs, Colorado native, enters his senior season following an All-Big 12 performance as a junior in 2023. He compiled 107 tackles, becoming the first Cyclone to reach 100 tackles in a season since 2017. Freyler tied for fourth among Big 12 players for tackles and also had three interceptions and five pass breakups.

Tickets for the 2024 football season are on sale now with a slate that features Kansas State and a Homecoming showdown with Texas Tech as well as others. Fans can purchase season tickets for as low as $299, while mini-packs, single-game tickets and parking are also on sale.

The Cyclones open the season August 31 against 2023 FCS Playoff qualifier North Dakota.

4 Hawkeyes Named To Watch Lists

Sports

July 30th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Four University of Iowa football players were named to preseason watch lists, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.

Seniors Sebastian Castro, Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson were named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the national defensive player of the year. Higgins was previously tabbed as the 2024 preseason national defensive player of the year by Phil Steele.

Senior offensive lineman Logan Jones was recognized on the 2024 Outland Trophy Watch List, presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on offense or defense.

Iowa and Georgia have the second-most Nagurski preseason honorees. Former Hawkeye cornerback Cooper DeJean (2023) and linebackers Josey Jewell (2017) and Pat Angerer (2009) were finalists for the prestigious award.

Higgins (6-foot-2, 232-pounds) recorded 171 tackles (79 solo, 92 assists) last season, which led the Big Ten and ranked third in the nation. Those total ties the program record for tackles in a single season. The Indianapolis native was named to the FWAA All-American First Team in 2023.

Jackson (6-foot-2, 235-pounds) contributed 110 tackles (51 solo, 59 assists) at linebacker, good for second on the team and fourth in the conference. The Atlanta, Georgia, native was a third-team All-Big Ten honoree by league media and honorable mention all-conference by league coaches in 2023.

Castro (5-foot-11, 205-pounds) led the team in 2023 with eight pass break-ups and three interceptions in the defensive backfield. Those totals ranked fourth and ninth in the Big Ten, respectively, last season.

Castro was a Football Focus first-team All-America, an Associated Press third-team All-American and a Phil Steele honorable mention All-American a year ago. The native of Oak Lawn, Illinois, was voted second-team All-Big Ten by conference media and honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches.

The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

Jones (6-foot-3, 293-pounds) is Iowa’s first Outland Trophy preseason honoree since Tyler Linderbaum (2021). Jones started at center in 13 games, missing the Nebraska game due to injury.

The Council Bluffs, Iowa, native was voted third team All-Big Ten by conference media and honorable mention All-Big ten by league coaches.

Established in 1946, the Outland Trophy is named after Dr. John H. Outland, who is one of only a few players in college football history to be named an All-American at two positions.

The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12, 2024. Four Hawkeyes (Brandon Scherff, 2014; Robert Gallery, 2003; Alex Karras, 1957; Cal Jones, 1955) have won the award. Only three programs in the nation (Nebraska, Alabama, Oklahoma) have had more than four Outland Trophy recipients.

The Hawkeyes open their season on Aug. 31 against Illinois State. The sold-out game is set for an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff.

Cumberland Youth Scores BIG Support at Cass County Fair Sale

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 30th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jace Thomsen of Cumberland had an emotional Cass County Fair.  He was named as the Fair Prince during the royalty coronation to begin the fair.  That gave him a chance to hand out awards and interact with many of the young 4-H and FFA members.  He won a lavender award with his heifer in the FFA Beef Show on Monday.  But, what happened at the livestock sale to close the fair on Tuesday left a number of people with misty eyes.

Jace lost his dad, 60 year old Jeff “Swampy” Thomsen, earlier this summer.

Local auctioneer Mark Venteicher said raising and preparing the cattle for the fair was something Jace and his father enjoyed doing together.  So, Mark and some friends decided to make the sale of that heifer a big one.  The packer price from Tyson Foods was set at $1.95 per pound on the 1,234 pound heifer.  Venteicher and Massena Livestock Sales, along with Anita Vet Clinic, Dave Steffen, 21st Century Co-op, Houghton State Bank, Dan’s Welding, Bill Hosfelt, Curt Behrends, Steve Jorgensen, Tanner Farms, Mike Pellett, Darrin Shafer, Mitch Kleen, Glenn Sonntag, Greg Zellmer and Dave Williamson pooled their money together to provide Jace with a purchase price of $9.25 per pound, making the total on the animal $11,414.50.

Venteicher said they wanted to show support for Jace and provide some money for college.

It was, of course, the biggest sale from another successful livestock auction at the Cass County Fair.

Iowa pheasant population survey begins Aug. 1

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 30th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa DNR News) – Pheasant hunters across the northern half of Iowa had an excellent season last year, and many are looking forward to what 2024 has in store. The fall forecast will be based on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual roadside pheasant counts, that begins Aug. 1.

The statewide survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, who drive 225, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes them easier to count.

In June the DNR issued its annual prediction for the roadside counts, which uses a weather model based on the snowfall, rainfall and temperatures from the past winter and spring.  The model provides a best guess at what the counts might look like, and it is predicting numbers to be likely lower than last year.

A pheasant flying over corn. (DNR photo)

But the best indicator for the fall season is the August roadside survey that counts actual pheasants seen along more than 6,000 miles of rural, gravel roads.

The August roadside survey has been conducted over the same routes since 1962. In addition to pheasants and quail, the survey collects data on partridge, cottontails and jackrabbits. Results will be posted online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey in early September. Iowa’s pheasant season begins Oct. 26.