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EDWIN “Eddie” JENSEN, 87, of Atlantic (Svcs. 6/18/14)

Obituaries

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

EDWIN “Eddie” JENSEN, 87, of Atlantic, died Thursday, June 13, 2024 at University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.  A time to greet the family of EDDIE JENSEN will begin at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 18th, at Zion Lutheran Church in Atlantic followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.  Roland Funeral Service in Atlantic has the arrangements.

The funeral service will be recorded and available for viewing on the Roland Funeral Service website at www.rolandfuneralservice.com by Wednesday afternoon.

Immediately after the service a luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall, with burial taking place in the Atlantic Cemetery after the luncheon.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

EDWIN “Eddie” JENSEN is survived by:

His wife – Sondra [Bissell] Jensen of Atlantic

8 children; 21 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Knepp Clinches Spot at World Junior Championships

Sports

June 14th, 2024 by admin

EUGENE, Ore. – Redshirt freshman Luke Knepp clinched a spot at the World Junior Championships, qualifying for Team USA in the 3,000-meter steeplechase on Wednesday.

Knepp posted an 8:54.42, which is the fourth-best time at Iowa, and placed second overall.

The freshman from Bettendorf, Iowa, and Pleasant Valley High School redshirted during indoor and outdoor track season. Knepp competed in five races for the Hawkeyes during cross country season.

“This season has been about focusing on how to adapt to college life and college training,” Knepp said. “I’m fortunate to be at Iowa where we host plenty of competitive indoor meets. I was able to compete unattached while redshirting. I am grateful to have an outstanding coach and teammates that believe in me.”

Knepp rounds out a trio of Hawkeyes that climbed into the top-10 record books in the steeplechase at Iowa in 2024. Sophomore Hayden Kuhn ranks third in program history (8:50.99), while junior Yohana Yual holds the ninth-best mark at 9:02.33.

The World Junior Championships will be held in Lima, Peru, from August 27-31.

 

NASCAR Cup Champion Martin Truex Jr. announces his retirement at Iowa Speedway

Sports

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Former NASCAR Cup champion Martin Truex Jr. is retiring from full time racing at the end of the season. Truex drives for Joe Gibbs Racing and has won 34 races, including the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series championship. The 43-year-old is the oldest driver in the Cup Series. He made the announcement at the Iowa Speedway.

Truex has been considering retirement for a few years.

Truex says racing in the Cup Series takes a total commitment.

Truex says it is time to slow down.

Cornell professor attacked in China returns to US

News

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – One of the Cornell College professors attacked in China has made it back to the United States. David Zabner  (Dah-VEED Zahb-ner) was greeted by family at Cedar Rapids Airport for an emotional reunion Thursday.

Zabner was one of four educators from Cornell College in Mount Vernon who were attacked while leaving a park in China. The other three victims have not been publicly identified. Their current state of health is unknown. Zabner lives in Boston but has family in Iowa City, including a younger brother, Adam Zabner who is a state representative. Police in China say a 55-year-old man was arrested in the stabbing. The man allegedly bumped into Zabner’s group and responded by stabbing them.

Atlantic FFA Chapter competed in the annual Iowa FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(by Maddy Anderson, Atlantic FFA Reporter) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter competed in the annual Iowa FFA Horse Judging Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College on June 11, 2024.

Atlantic FFA had a team and individual that participated in this year’s Career Development Event. Team members Kayedance Sturm, Clara Kennedy, Rylan Martin and Paislee Klever earned a silver medal. Callie Rudy also competed in the middle school division.

The Horse Judging CDE is designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Equine Science. Each team member evaluated halter and performance classes. They also answered questions over the classes and gave oral reasons to explain their placings. A written examination was included along with a team problem solving competition. In the Performance division, Kayedance scored a nearly perfect score of 149 out of 150 possible points.

A unique part of the Horse Judging CDE is allowing 8th graders to participate. This year Atlantic FFA had 4, 8th grade members compete on the team. Team members Clara Kennedy, Pailsee Klever, Rylan Martin and Callie Rudy. When asked about their experiences Kennedy said, “I was impressed with our placing because ¾ of the team are 8th graders and this was our first FFA contest”. Rudy also said, “I thought it was a lot of fun. This event pushed us outside of our comfort zone and we all tried our hardest with the work paying off.” Klever said, “For doing this for my first time and trying something new I thought it was a great experience. I was a little rusty on something’s but I thought we did good. Overall I thought it was a fun experience.” Martin finished by saying, “For this being my first time competing in a FFA contest and not really knowing what to do or what to expect I was impressed with how we did. Although some parts were a little rough, I was proud of myself and the team for trying our hardest and putting in as much effort as possible.”

The Iowa FFA Horse Career Development Event was made possible with support through the Iowa FFA Foundation Gold Standard Partners. The Horse Career Development Event was coordinated and held at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids. Kirkwood Community College also provided lunch to all participants. The official judge was Mary Pohlmann from Truro.

Atlantic competes in State FFA Floriculture CDE

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(By Atlantic FFA Reports Maddy Anderson) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter competed in the annual Iowa FFA Floriculture Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College on June 11, 2024, placing 34th earning a Silver rating.

Addalyn Sonntag, Lily Wilrich and Maggie Cohrs participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide students an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of floriculture. The event consisted of a general knowledge exam, problem solving and decision making, plant identification, floral design, pesticide use and application, floral production, and a team activity.

This is the first year Atlantic FFA has competed in a contest like this. Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “I was impressed with how hard the team has worked. This year we focused on the hands-on, practical part of the event. Next year, we will have a better idea what to prepare for.” The Atlantic FFA team would like to thank Ann Johnk from Farmhouse Flowers in Atlantic for helping train the team.

Picture Left to Right
Lily Willrich, Addalyn Sonntag, Maggie Cohrs

The Iowa FFA Floriculture Career Development Event was coordinated and conducted by Bob Smith, Hannah Dunlap and the faculty and staff at Kirkwood Community College. Kirkwood Community College also provided lunch to all participants. Official judges of the floral design components of the event include Karen Garrett, Debbie McCallister and Stacie Hoag from Flowers on the Avenue as well as Jill Kinsinger, former graduate of the Floral Careers program at Kirkwood.

Gov. Reynolds Issues Disaster Proclamation for Monona and Woodbury Counties in Response to Severe Weather

News

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has issued a disaster proclamation for Monona and Woodbury Counties in response to severe weather that occurred June 12 through 13. The governor’s proclamation allows state resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of this severe weather and activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program and Disaster Case Advocacy Program. 

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. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website.

The Disaster Case Advocacy Program addresses serious needs related to disaster-related hardship, injury, or adverse conditions. There are no income eligibility requirements for this program.

Johnston native returns home for Xfinity Series race at Iowa Speedway

Sports

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Sammy Smith hopes returning to his home track will help give his season a boost. The native of Johnston is currently 12th in the Xfinity standings and will be looking for his first trip to victory lane in Saturday’s Hy-Vee Perks 250 at the Iowa Speedway.

Smith raced at the Iowa Speedway in the ARCA Menard Series in 2021 and 2022. He says the repave will make it seem like a different track.

Iowa native ready for tonight’s ARCA Menard Series race at Iowa Speedway

Sports

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Mason Mitchell has been waiting for his chance to return to the Iowa Speedway. The West Des Moines native won at the Iowa Speedway in 2015 and is taking part in Friday night’s (TONIGHT’S) Atlas 150. It is his first ARCA Menard Series race since his full time team shot down in 2018.

Mitchell says it is thrilling to be part of the first NASCAR Cup Series race at the Iowa Speedway.

Photos of missing Iowa girl to be featured on race car

News, Sports

June 14th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowaa) – The face of a missing central Iowa girl will be featured on the side of one of the stock cars competing in tonight’s (Friday) ARCA race at the Iowa Speedway in Newton. The driver of the number-31 Chevy is Rita Goulet, who’s also a full-time police officer near Charlotte, North Carolina. Goulet says the goal of placing the large sticker on both sides of her car is to give visibility to this missing girl and awareness to the plight of missing children nationwide.

“It’s actually going to be on every race sponsored by the National Police Association going forward. So after this race, it’ll be three more races,” Goulet says. “We’re going to pick a missing child from every state that we’re going to be racing in, preferably one closest to the track. Hopefully that’ll have the most impact.” The missing girl is 17-year-old Alejandra Tejeda  of Des Moines, who’s been missing since February 4th. She is five-foot-one, weighing 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Goulet hopes someone will spot her.

Alejandra Tejeda Picture

“There is a phone number on the side of our car, 1-800-THE LOST, that they can call for more information or they can call their local police department,” Goulet says. “That actually probably would be the best option is to call their local police department and let them know where they saw her.” Goulet says her dual role as a law enforcement officer and as a race car driver puts her in the unique position of being able to leverage the reach of motorsports to promote public safety.

“We have the opportunity to use our cars as billboards for so many things, advertising companies, advertising nonprofits, helping to raise money, and it’s like, why don’t we put a missing kid on the side of the car?” Goulet says. “Being cops, our first mission is to protect and to serve, and this is a great way to do that.” Tonight’s race starts at 7 o’clock and will be broadcast live on the cable channel F-S-1.