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Audubon Wheeler Girls Golf Preview

Sports

March 27th, 2024 by admin

The Audubon Wheeler Girls golf team has been gearing up for their season. The Wheeler’s have three participants out and coached by Drew Christensen.

Christensen said he is pretty excited to coach a bunch of seniors in his first season as coach of the Wheeler’s.

Christensen says he is going to be working with some young talented kids this year .

Christensen talked about on what junior Mari Gleason brings to the golf team.

Christensen said he hopes to have a different team by the end of the season.

The Wheeler’s next meet will be Western Iowa Conference regular season meet, as they will hosting AHSTW Vikings on Friday April 5th. That meet will start at 4:00 p.m.

Panel urged to investigate alleged open meetings violations by City of Davenport

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two private citizens and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council are asking the legislature to investigate Davenport’s refusal to provide information about settlements with three city employees. Davenport is suing to prevent the State Auditor from getting access to documents related to the nearly two-million dollars worth of settlements agreed to before the Davenport City Council met in public to approve the payouts. Michael Meloy is an attorney for a Davenport man who’s also being sued by the city over his attempt to obtain public records.

“Something doesn’t smell right here, ladies and gentlemen,” he said. “Why is the city fighting so hard to keep these matters from the public eye?” This past fall, the city attorney signed off on settlements with two city employees in September and another settlement in October for the city administrator. All are related to alleged workplace harassment, but the settlements were not announced by the city until late November.

Iowa Freedom of Information Council executive director Randy Evans says these details should trouble every Iowa citizen — and every legislator. “In the city election in November, Davenport voters reelected the incumbent mayor and two incumbent members of the city council,” Evans says. “We will never know if the results of that election would have been different had voters know before they went to the polls that their city council had supposedly consented to these $2 million in lucrative settlements.”

David Sidran, of Davenport, is being sued by the city for asking for a document written by the city administrator that’s related to her settlement. “I just had the audacity to legally request a document and I was sued by the city where I live,” he said.

Members of the House Oversight Committee say these alleged violations of Iowa’s open meetings and open records law are horrific, disgusting and disturbing and the panel will decide later whether to launch an investigation. A spokesperson for the City of Davenport declined to comment.

Fertilizer killed more than 750,000 fish in Nishnabotna

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa Capital Dispatch) – A fertilizer spill this month in southwest Iowa killed nearly all the fish in a 60-mile stretch of river with an estimated death toll of more than 750,000, according to Iowa and Missouri conservation officers.  That is the biggest fish kill in Iowa in at least a decade and the fifth-largest on record, according to state data. And it could have been worse: Fish populations were likely smaller than normal when the spill happened because of cold water temperatures and low river flows.

The spill originated at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak, where a valve that either malfunctioned or was not properly closed leaked about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer, most of which went into the nearby East Nishnabotna River. The leak happened on a weekend from March 9 to 11 in an area where the fertilizer is distributed to customers of the farmers’ co-op. That area is not required by state rules to have barriers that would prevent a leak from reaching the river. The result was a widespread annihilation of aquatic life.

A DNR investigation found dead or dying fish for 50 miles of river — beyond where the East and West Nishnabotnas meet — all the way to the Missouri border. There were also numerous dead frogs, snakes, mussels and earthworms. The DNR will return in late spring to note whether the fertilizer killed turtles that had buried themselves in the river bottom for winter. Their bloated carcasses will float to the river surface.

The carnage continued into Missouri, where the unified Nishnabotna River flows for about 10 miles before it meets the Missouri River. Matt Combes, a science unit supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said there was “a near total fish kill” in that state. The department surveyed one bank of the river for about two miles and counted nearly 4,000 dead fish. It will use that sample to estimate the total number of fish that were killed, which will likely be in the tens of thousands. The department is continuing to monitor the Missouri and Nishnabotna rivers for additional effects from the contamination. It’s possible NEW Cooperative will face sanctions in both states.

NEW Cooperative spill

The size of the fish kill in Iowa was estimated to be about 749,000, said Chris Larson, a fisheries supervisor for the DNR. Small fish such as minnows and chubs account for the vast majority of those fish, but among them were also about 7,700 channel catfish that anglers target.

Those who are responsible for fish kills typically pay restitution to the state based on the number and types of fish that die. Larson said a total restitution amount has not yet been solidified, but that the estimated value of the small fish is about $85,000. The value of the catfish would be about $115,000. Those two figures combined would be the largest valuation for a documented Iowa fish kill, according to DNR data.

Others that have caused recent fish kills have typically paid fish restitutions and a fines of up to $10,000 — the maximum the DNR can order administratively. The department has the option to seek higher penalties in district court.

Governor signs AEA overhaul, teacher pay raises into law

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a bill into law that raises teacher salaries, increases general state spending for schools and overhauls Iowa’s Area Education Agencies.

“Some schools haven’t used some of the AEA services, despite being forced to pay for them,” Reynolds said. “Others have felt that they didn’t receive the quality that they expect.”

The new law puts local districts in control of some funding that currently flows directly to the AEAs and gives state officials more authority to oversee special education. Schools will still be required to use the AEA’s special education consultants, but districts will be able to spend 10 percent of their special education allotment elsewhere, plus districts will have the option of redirecting money that currently pays for other AEA services, like teacher training.

“Since 2018, the U.S. Department of Education has designated Iowa as ‘needs assistance’ to meet the requirements of federal law related to special education,” Reynolds said. “…This legislation intends to resolve these issues.”

Reynolds held a ceremony in her capitol office and was surrounding by Republican legislators and key staff as she signed the bill into law. House Education Committee chairman Skyler Wheeler, a Republican from Hull, helped lead House negotiations with educators, parents and advocates for both large and small schools that resulted in changes to the governor’s original bill.

“We held numerous meetings with everyone and worked with all sides to come to an agreement that is a win for education in our state,” Wheeler said.

Senate Education Committee chairman Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Oskaloosa, said the fee-for-service model in the new law provides accountability and transparency and gives schools a way to judge the value of AEA services.

Governor Reynolds signs HF2612 into law on March 27, 2024. (RI photo)

“The AEAs have done a tremendous amount of good for many, many years in Iowa and all of us are appreciative of that,” Rozenboom said, “but the world has changed since the AEAs were created in 1974 and reform is needed.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst said the new law is universally unpopular and it will be an issue for voters in November. “Think about the fmailies who have so much uncertainty now as they’re wondering about what will happen to the services in their communities,” Konfrst said. “What will happen to their kids who are getting AEA services? There are so many questions.”

Other elements of the new law will raise beginning teacher pay to $50,000 within two years and veteran teachers must be paid at least $62,000 a year if they’ve been teaching for at least 12 years. Paraeducators are to get raises as well.

Iowa State plays Illinois Thursday night in NCAA Sweet Sixteen

Sports

March 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The fourth ranked Iowa State men look to take another step toward the Final Four when they play Illinois in Boston, tomorrow night, in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. The winner advances to Saturday’s championship of the NCAA East Regional. Cyclone coach T.J. Otzelberger says the Illini pose a number of challenges.

Illinois is one of the top scoring teams in the country.

Otzelberger says Illinois star guard Terrance Shannon has raised his level of play since transferring from Texas Tech.

Otzelberger says the Illini are tough to defend even without a true point guard.

Iowa State guard Curtis Jones says the Cyclones will need another big effort on defense.

Jones says ball pressure will be key against an Illini team that will have a size advantage.

Jones says transition defense will be key against an Illini team that like to run.

Illinois averages nearly 85 points per game while the Cyclones give up just over 61.

That’s Illinois coach Brad Underwood who says the Illini need to find ways to score and avoid turnovers that lead to easy Cyclone baskets.

Underwood says it is difficult to prepare for the kind of pressure Iowa State brings.

Illinois is 28-8.

Donations today can help the Red Cross aid disaster victims

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Today marks the tenth annual American Red Cross Giving Day, where the agency recognizes people who make its mission possible — volunteers, blood donors, people trained in lifesaving skills, and supporters.

Emily Holley, spokeswoman for the Red Cross’ Nebraska-Iowa Region, says they’re also asking for donations in order to continue offering help to people who urgently need it.

“The money that we’re raising today is going into the disaster fund which is going to help support those who are affected by disasters,” Holley says. “Every eight minutes, Red Cross volunteers respond to a disaster here in the United States and their support is critical.”

Home fires are the most common disaster in Iowa and nationwide. In 2023, Holley says the Red Cross responded to 662 home fires throughout Iowa and provided assistance to 2,275 people.

(Red Cross photo)

“We give all sorts of assistance to those who are affected by home fires,” Holley says. “We make sure that their immediate needs are being met by ensuring that they have a safe place to stay and food to eat.”

She says any size of gift is welcome and it will help to provide emergency shelter, hot meals, relief items, emotional support and other assistance to people in need.

“$150 provides a full day of food and shelter for three people,” Holley says. “$200 will cover the daily cost to deploy an emergency response vehicle to a disaster scene.”

All gifts are tax deductible and she notes the Red Cross is 90-percent volunteer run.

Appeals Court rules man accused of pork plant murder not competent to stand trial

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Court of Appeals says a man accused of murdering a coworker at a packing plant in Wright County is not yet competent to stand trial. Lukouxs Brown was charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing co-worker, Wayne Smith at the Prestage pork plant near Eagle Grove in 2021. He was treated for schizophrenia at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center, but after several months was declared still not competent for trial.

The state brought in an outside expert for a second opinion, and the expert found Brown was competent. The Iowa Court of Appeals ruling says opinions of the experts at the classification center hold more weight, and the district court erred in determining that Brown’s trial could proceed.

The ruling says Brown is making progress in regaining competency and the criminal proceedings are suspended indefinitely.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz provides update on QB Cade McNamara

Sports

March 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says starting quarterback Cade McNamara will be limited this spring as he recovers from a knee injury. McNamara suffered a season ending ACL injury in a week five win over Michigan State.

Ferentz says McNamara is taking part in practice as new offensive coordinator Tim Lester installs his changes.

Ferentz expects McNamara to be at full strength in a couple of months.

Colorado women prepare for rematch with No. 2 Iowa

Sports

March 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

It will be a Sweet Sixteen rematch in Albany on Saturday when the second ranked Iowa Hawkeye women play Colorado in the NCAA Tournament. These teams met last season in a regional semifinal in Seattle and the Hawkeyes prevailed 87-77.

That’s Colorado coach JR Payne who says a tough Pac-12 slate has them prepared.

Senior forward Quay Miller on getting another crack at the Hawkeyes.

Miller says defending Iowa is more than just slowing down Caitlin Clark.

Drake star Tucker DeVries enters the portal

Sports

March 27th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Drake’s top player has entered the transfer portal. Todd Kimm reports.