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(*UPDATED) 2 fatal crashes in Iowa, Tuesday

News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol reports two people died in separate crashes on opposite sides of the State, Tuesday. The first happened in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County at around 11:25-a.m. The Patrol says traffic on Interstate 380 northbound had slowed and started to back up, while a towing operation was underway at mile marker nine. A 2002 Volvo driven by *37-year-old Eric Taylor, of Cedar Rapids, rear-ended a trailer pulled by a 2018 Peterbilt semi at mile marker seven. Taylor died at the scene. He was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the semi, 46-year-old Mark Fensterman, of Dubuque, was not injured.

The second fatal crash occurred at around 6:04-p.m. in northwest Iowa’s Sioux County. The Patrol reports a 2008 Chevy Impala driven by 18-year-old Emma Nibbelink, of Luverne, MN, was traveling south on Highway 75, went the car drove onto the west shoulder, which was covered in snow and ice. Nibbelink over-corrected, causing the vehicle to cross the center line of the road, before her car was struck broadside in the center lane, by a northbound 2018 Chevy pickup.

Following the impact, both vehicles entered the east ditch and came to rest. Authorities say Emma Nibbelink died at the scene. She was wearing a seat belt. The driver of the pickup, 25-year-old Dylan Taylor, of LeMars, was not injured. Hull Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.

Agreement reached to allow farmers to work on John Deere equipment

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The American Farm Bureau has reached an agreement with John Deere that will allow farmers to repair their own equipment, or take it to independent repair shops. The director of the Drake University Agricultural Law Center, Jennifer Zwagerman, says it is a good solution for both sides. Zwagerman says Deere needs to protect the investment it has made in developing high tech systems to run tractors and other equipment. “If you can limit who can repair your products, you maintain not just the market, but you also ensure more privacy and more secrecy,” She says. “What we’re really I think seeing companies most concerned about are trade secrets.”

She says the computerized systems, programming or technology that’s used in the equipment is more important than the equipment itself. “From a legal standpoint, the more you allow people to have access to information, you’re starting to limit your ability to protect those trade secrets,” Zwagerman says. “And so I think that’s something that is very valid, that they wanted to maintain access and control over, but at the same time, was not fully recognizing or meeting the needs of their customers.” The agreement voluntarily makes available manuals or parts to vehicles or equipment.

“And that’s something that’s important to remember as well that they have voluntarily agreed to do it. And so there’s a big question about what this is actually going to look like, moving forward? Who’s going to enforce it? What sort of limitations will they put on it,?” she says. Farmers had been able to do their own repairs or have them done without concern before tractors and other equipment started to involve much more technology. “And so that’s definitely something that farmers are really pushing for — and have been very, very loudly. I think it says a lot that Deere listened,” Zwagerman says.

Zwagerman says John Deere has a long history in agriculture and working with farmers and the company wants to maintain that relationship into the future. Zwagerman says there are still some outside factors that could impact the agreement. “Either party can withdraw from this agreement at any time, particularly if any state or federal legislation tied to this is either introduced or enacted. And so it really in some ways is an effort to try and keep it voluntary like this,” she says.

Zwagerman says there have been a lot of states and the federal government looking at this type of right to repair legislation — and this agreement would keep it out of the government’s hands and out of that type of regulation. She says the Deere agreement will extend beyond that company’s products — as the memorandum of agreement says the Farm Bureau is looking to enter into these types of agreements with other companies as well.

Creston woman faces a Harassment charge

News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston, Tuesday, arrested 26-year-old Tiffany Jo Scott, of Creston, for Harassment in the 1st Degree. She was taken into custody at a residence in the 300 block of N. Pine Street in Creston, at around 3:25-p.m., and transported to the Union County Jail. Scott later posted bond, and was released.

Semi strikes pickup pulling a grain vac in Montgomery County: No injuries reported

News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Stanton, Iowa) – A collision in Montgomery County, Tuesday morning, between a semi tractor-grain hopper trailer, and a pickup pulling a grain vac, caused $14,500 damage, but no one was injured. The accident happened at around 10-a.m. west of Stanton, on Highway 34 at the intersection with Nature Avenue. Upon arrival, Deputies saw a 1998 Chevy K2500 pickup driven & owned by 78-year-old John L. Poston, of rural Villisca. The vehicle was facing southeast on Nature Avenue. Attached to it, was an AFI Rem grain vac, owned by Keast Enterprises, of Henderson (IA). It was overturned onto its right side.

Also on the scene, and located on the south shoulder of Highway 34 to the east of the pickup/grain vac, was a 2022 Kenworth W900 semi tractor and a hopper-bottom trailer. Both are owned by Kaiser Trucking out of Winning, SD. The semi was driven by 62-year-old William L. Assarsson, of Bassett, NE.

Authorities say as a result of their investigation, it was determined that the pickup pulling the ag equipment was traveling west on Highway 34 and slowing to make a left-hand turn onto Nature Avenue. A non-contact car behind the pickup heading westbound slowed to prepare for Poston’s turn. As the semi approached from the rear, Assarsson saw the vehicles ahead of him were slowing. He tried to avoid hitting the vehicles, by entering the eastbound lanes while still westbound. As the pickup & grain vac were turning, they were struck by the semi on the left side, causing the grain vacuum to overturn and come to rest on its side.

Assarsson drove the semi onto the shoulder of the road and parked it, to minimize the danger to other motorists. The semi sustained $2,500 damage. Damage to the pickup was estimated $5,000, and the grain vac sustained $7,000 damage. There were no citations issued.

Atlantic School Board to hold their 1st regular meeting of the new year

News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold their first regularly scheduled meeting of the New Year, this evening, at in the High School Media Center. Their session begins at 5:30-p.m.  Action items on the agenda include approval of two resignations: Lisa Krogman, K-1st Reading Support (at the end of the 2022-23 school year), and Mark Andersen, Assistant Boys Soccer Coach. The Board will act on several of Superintendent Steve Barber’s Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment, as well, including those for:

  • Aya Hamanaka, English Language Learn (ELL) Teacher
  • Savannah Bell, Title 1 Teacher
  • Cale Roller, Volunteer Wrestling Coach
  • Gaylord Schelling, Interim Head Baseball Coach
  • Sam Kennedy, Preschool Bus Monitor
  • Jenny Madsen, Mentor, and,
  • Hannah Misner, Long-Term Substitute.

Other action items include Resolutions: To consider participation in the ISL (Instructional Support Levy), and the setting of a Public Hearing. By passing the Resolution, the District may receive $748,572 for FY 2023; and a Resolution re: Public Purpose Expenditures in the amount of $3,000 in addition to $5,000 that was approved in Aug., 2022. The Board will act on approving a two-year Driver’s Education Contract with Deluxe Driving Academy, at a proposed rate of $350 per student, and $335 for individuals who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

The Atlantic School Board will also act on Fall 2023 Coaching Contracts for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, they are expected to approve an application to the SBRC (School Budget Review Committee) Allowable Growth in the amount of $519,614, for At-Risk/Dropout Prevention. The funds are used to help fund the District’s CCEOC Alternative program, and to allow support services for students at all levels. Superintendent Barber says the work that is done in the college and career readiness are enhances with these funds. In other business, the Board will act on approving a $15,000 Architect/Engineer Contract with Snyder and Associates, to complete the scope of work outlined in a proposal for a High School Storage Shed.

Girls Wrestling Scoreboard 01/10/2023

Sports

January 11th, 2023 by admin

@ Griswold

Red Oak 12, Denison-Schleswig 0
Red Oak 6, SWAT 0
Southwest Iowa 3, Red Oak 0
Southwest Iowa 18, Denison-Schleswig 0
SWAT 42, Denison-Schleswig 30
(SWAT Winners: Haley Armstrong, Jazz Christensen, Ady Lundquist, Quincy Sorensen, Lilly Johnson, Grace Britten, Ellen Gerlock)

Pella Tournament

Martensdale-St. Marys had three winners at the Pella Tournament. Zoey Donehoo at 130B, Rylie Parker at 190C, and Makenna Fetters at 235B.

Walnut woman wins $30k in a Christmas gift, scratch game ticket

News

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

CLIVE, Iowa — A southwest Iowa woman won $30,000 on a scratch ticket she received from her husband as a Christmas gift. April Miller, from Walnut, said her husband Mitch bought the ticket at the Walnut Kum and Go and put it in her stocking.

She won the big prize in the Iowa Lottery’s “Merry Money” scratch game.

April Miller, of Walnut, IA (Photo & story courtesy of the Iowa Lottery)

Miller said she plans to put her winnings toward home improvements, a new purse and a tropical vacation.

Merry Money was a $3 scratch game with a holiday theme. It began sales in October and ended this month after the conclusion of the holiday season.

No. 12 Iowa women host Northwestern tonight (Wednesday night)

Sports

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Iowa women’s coach Lisa Bluder says Northwestern is much better than its 0-5 Big Ten record. The 12th ranked Hawkeyes host the Wildcats tonight (Wednesday night).

Bluder says Northwestern has played a brutal schedule to start Big Ten play.

Iowa is coming off a win at nationally ranked Michigan that Bluder feels was their most complete performance to date.

The Hawkeyes are 3-1 in the Big Ten. Listen for the game on KJAN beginning at 6:15-p.m.

Northern Iowa women visit Drake tonight (Wednesday night)

Sports

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

The Drake and UNI women collide tonight (Wednesday night) in Des Moines. Both teams are 3-1 in Missouri Valley play and UNI coach Tanya Warren says the Bulldogs like to change defenses.

Warren says the Bulldogs will be difficult to guard.

The Bulldogs are coming off home wins over Belmont and Murray State.

That’s Drake coach Allison Pohlman. The Bulldogs have won three straight in conference play despite losing senior guard Megan Meyer to a season ending knee injury.

That’s senior forward Grace Berg.

Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly on the injury to Stephanie Soares

Sports

January 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State women’s coach Bill Fennelly says replacing Stephanie Soares will be a work in progress. ISU’s senior center suffered a season ending ACL injury in Sunday’s loss at Oklahoma. The 15th ranked Cyclones are at home Wednesday night against Kansas State.

Fennelly says the Cyclones will be a different type of team going forward.

Fennelly says they will try to get Soares another season.