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DOROTHY IRENE RANDERIS, 100, of Audubon (Svcs. 3/28/24)

Obituaries

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DOROTHY IRENE RANDERIS, 100, of Audubon, died Monday, March 25, 2024, at the Friendship Home in Audubon. Funeral services for DOROTHY RANDERIS will be held 10:30-a.m. Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family will meet with friends on Thursday, from 9:30-a.m. until the time of service.

Burial is in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

DOROTHY IRENE RANDERIS is survived by:

Her daughter – Janice (Don) Hoover, of Webb (IA).

Her sons – Steve (Becky) Randeris, and Roger (Patrice) Randeris, all of Audubon.

Her sister – Ruth Heimmerman, of Boone.

7 grandchildren,  13 great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Proposed 2/3rds super majority rule for future Iowa income tax hikes

News

March 27th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa House Republicans are proposing a constitutional amendment to set a higher threshold for any future state income tax hike. If Iowa voters approve the change, two-thirds of the members of the Iowa legislature would have to vote to raise the state income tax on individuals or corporations. Democrats like Representative Dave Jacoby of Coralville opposes the move.

“Think about what you’re trying to change,” Jacoby said. “If this amendment passes…it will destroy our form of government and implement a super majority.” Democrats say the proposal would give veto power to 17 of 50 senators and 34 of the 100 state representatives and hamstring the ability of Iowa General Assemblies to respond to conditions in the future. Republican Representative Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton says other states led by Democrats have similar policies in place for decades.

“California, a blue state, put this into their constitution in 1979…Delaware 1980…This policy before us has been in the constitution of bright blue states. The sky did not fall,” Kaufmann said. “Every example of a (dystopian) future did not happen.”

A similar proposal has been introduced in the Iowa Senate. Proposed amendments Iowa’s Constitution must be approved by two General Assemblies before going on the ballot for Iowa voters to have the final say.

Riverside Bulldogs Boys Golf Season Preview

Sports

March 26th, 2024 by admin

Riverside Bulldogs Boys golf has taken off with some good swings. The Bulldogs are coached by Mitch Rice this season.

Rice said last year was rough even though they were only three guys out.

Rice commented on how the guys are going to compete and fight this year.

Rice mentioned on who will be the teams stand out athletes are this season.

Rice talked about the playing in the Western Iowa Conference and talked about what his expectations are for the year.

The Bulldogs first golf meet will be a Western Iowa Conference regular season matchup, as they will host the Tri-Center Trojans Friday April 5th. That golf event will get underway at 4:00 p.m.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz on the transfer of Kadyn Proctor

Sports

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says he was not surprised offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor left the team after only two months on campus. Proctor transferred to Iowa after playing his freshman season at Alabama.

Ferentz is not sure if Proctor is still enrolled in classes and if he will need to finish out the semester. The former Southeast Polk star apparently had a change of heart after spring break.

Ferentz says while dealing with the transfer portal can be frustrating the Hawkeyes have benefited by adding several key players of the past few years.

The Hawkeyes are in their second week of spring practice.

Former UNI AD Troy Dannen introduced at Nebraska

Sports

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Former UNI athletic director Troy Dannen was introduced as the new AD at Nebraska. Dannen spent past six months at the University of Washington.

The Iowa native says Nebraska is set up to succeed.

Dannen also served as the head of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Two Men Sentenced in Connection with Workers Compensation Fraud

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Des Moines – Officials with the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, on Tuesday, said 40-year-old Trey Wysocki, of New Virginia, was sentenced on March 11, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony). And, 39-year-old Kristopher Stapes, of St. Charles, was sentenced on March 19, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of Accessory After the Fact (Simple Misdemeanor). Both men were sentenced following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The investigation began in February 2023, after the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau received information indicating that Wysocki and Stapes provided false information to an insurer in support of a workers’ compensation claim and received monetary benefits to which Wysocki would not otherwise have been entitled to.

The investigation determined that Wysocki was employed by Stapes when he cut his hand with a power saw while on the job. Wysocki submitted a workers compensation claim, stating that he was unable to work due to a severe injury to his hand.  The insurance company approved Wysocki to receive workers compensation benefits for the duration of time that he would be off work due to injury. The investigation found that Wysocki continued working for Stapes while also collecting workers compensation benefits. Wysocki received $1,055 in benefit payments he otherwise would have not been entitled to. Wysocki was arrested on September 6, 2023 and Stapes was arrested on September 7, 2023.

Photo L-R: Trey Wysocki, Kristopher Stapes – Photos courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Wysocki received a deferred sentence and was placed on probation for a period of two years. Wysocki was also ordered to pay a civil penalty of $1,025. Stapes was ordered to pay a fine of $105 as well as restitution.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Lane closures on U.S. 59 south of Avoca begin on Monday, April 1

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – March 26, 2024 – If you are driving on U.S. 59 one mile south of Avoca in the coming weeks you need to be aware of a lane closure that may impact your trip.

Crews will begin replacing the other half of the bridge on U.S. 59 beginning on Monday, April 1, weather permitting. The roadway will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot lane width restriction. Trucks with wide loads traveling north of the work zone will be directed to use Iowa 83 and trucks with wide loads traveling south of the work zone will be directed to use U.S. 6.

You will be directed across the bridge with temporary signal lights.

Iowa’s Prairie Chicken Festival is April 6th in Ringgold County

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Kellerton, Iowa – The unique courtship of Iowa’s prairie chickens will be on full display at the Kellerton Grasslands Bird Conservation Area on April 6, during the annual Prairie Chicken Festival, in Ringgold County. The festival will be held at the Kellerton viewing platform, two miles west and one mile south of Kellerton. There is ample parking and the viewing platform is accessible for those with limited mobility.

Viewing will begin before dawn and last until the birds diminish their courtship dancing and booming, around 8 a.m.

Iowa began reintroducing prairie chickens in the 1980s, then released additional wild birds captured in western Nebraska from 2012-17, to supplement the population and add genetic diversity. To date, the population is holding steady, but at fairly low numbers, said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Diversity Program.

“Although stable, our population is around 65-70 birds at the Grand River Grasslands, which is low, and we’re not sure what their future is, so if you want to see them, now is the time,” she said.

During the festival the DNR will be onsite to help put spotting scopes on birds and to answer questions.

“The birds will be a good distance from the viewing platform so we are encouraging attendees to bring either a spotting scope or pair of binoculars,” she said. A limited number of scopes will be on hand for those who need them.

Can’t make it on April 6? The chickens will be displaying likely through the end of the month. Dusk is also a good time to view the birds because the sun is in the west, though the birds may be a little less active.

Kellerton is one of the premier grasslands in the state, for more than prairie chickens, but for other grassland birds as well. “It’s a really neat area for people to get a feel for what an expansive grassland looks like,” she said.

City of Atlantic’s Personnel & Finance Committee to discuss City Clerk applicants

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Personnel and Finance Committee is slated to meet 3:30-p.m. Wednesday, at City Hall, to discuss a couple of matters. The first is with regard to applicants for the position of City Clerk. Former City Clerk Barb Barrick has resigned and accepted a position in Huxley. The City Council last week, appointed Rich Tupper as Interim City Clerk until a permanent replacement is found.

The Committee will also discuss and make a recommendation to the full City Council during their next meeting, with regard to contract services with the City of Marne.

The meeting takes place in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall, in Atlantic.

Creston woman cited following a collision this (Tuesday) afternoon

News

March 26th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston say no injuries were reported following a collision at around 12:35-p.m. today (Tuesday), at the intersection of Elm and Summit Streets. According to the report, a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van driven by 20-year-old Destani Rose Richardson, of Creston, was traveling east on Summit Street, and was approaching Elm Street.

North-and south-bound traffic on Elm does not have a stop sign. Police say Richardson failed to yield the right-of-way to a northbound 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV, driven by 29-year-old Jenna Leigh Crago, of Creston. Richardson told police she didn’t see the SUV. Crago told authorities she saw the van approach the stop sign and thought it was going to stop, but the van entered the intersection and struck the SUV on the left rear side tire.

The van sustained minor damage ($2,500), and the SUV sustained disabling damage (estimated at $5,000). Creston Police cited Richardson for Failure To Yield.