United Group Insurance

Cass County Master Gardener Grant Money Available for Local Garden Projects

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Spring is in the air, and plans are underway for gardening projects in Cass County. Local groups planning community gardening, beautification or education programs will again be eligible for assistance from the Cass County Master Gardeners. The group is offering grant money to be used in the 2024 growing season, to encourage gardening to grow food for donation, for gardening education, and/or for gardening projects to improve local communities. The Cass County Master Gardener Memorial Grants are offered in remembrance of the many years of service to the community provided by long-time Master Gardener volunteers who have passed. Funds are raised by Master Gardeners at events like their spring plant sale, set for May 11, and summer events such as a bus trip and garden walk.

Any Cass County not-for-profit group may apply. Schools, churches, libraries, 4-H clubs, Scouts, or other organizations/individuals working to improving their communities can apply for money to begin or improve gardens or landscaping for community benefit, or to provide education for their members or the public. To ensure the money is helping a wide variety of community organizations, those who were funded by 2023 grants will not be eligible to apply in 2024. Each grant has a maximum value of $300. Applications must include plans for teamwork and sustainability. All grant recipients will be expected to submit a report at the end of the growing season, detailing how the money was spent. Recipients will also be given a sign to place in their garden area for the 2024 growing season.

Applications must be received by 4:30 PM on Monday April 22 for guaranteed consideration. They may be submitted by mail or email. Grant recipients will be informed of their application status no later than Monday, May 8 so they can make plans for the growing season. For more information, or with questions, call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email  keolson@iastate.edu. Application forms can be printed from the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. You can also call or email the office to request a form be mailed or emailed to you, or stop by 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic to pick one up.

The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to develop their knowledge and skills in horticulture. These volunteers then give back to their communities through gardening service and education. The program is available in all 50 states and Canada through land grant university Extension programs such as Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more information on the program, contact Cass County Extension Director Kate Olson, at 712-243-1132 or keolson@iastate.edu. You can also follow the Cass County Master Gardeners on Facebook (@CassCoMG) for gardening tips and information on upcoming events!

Gas prices rise across Iowa and the nation

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Gas prices are up in Iowa. The latest survey from AAA, shows the price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 15 cents this past week, to an average of $3.33 in Iowa (as of March 25th). That’s up 15 cents from a year ago. The national average on Monday (March 25th) was $3.52, up 11 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this past week, with a statewide average of $3.79. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.87 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.04.

Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide. Home heating oil prices averaged $3.20 per gallon statewide. Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at $1.70.

*NHL* Wild Sign Prospect

Sports

March 25th, 2024 by Asa Lucas

The Minnesota Wild signed Wild prospect Riley Heidt to a three-year, entry-level contract which will start next season. The 2023 second round pick (64th overall) has 34 goals and 114 points in 65 games for Prince George of the Western Hockey League. He’s the third player in the history of Prince George to score 100 points and is the all-time assist leader. The 18-year-old forward will either have to play with the N-H-L club next season or go back to Prince George. Matt Hendicks, a former NHL’er now working as the assistant director of player development, joined KFAN’s Beyond the Pond on Saturday morning:

On what he likes about Riley Heidt as a player:

On SCSU defenseman Jake Peart, a Wild second round pick in 2021:

On what Peart’s strengths are:

On defenseman Daemon Hunt, a Wild third round pick in 2020, who spent most of the season in Iowa but also got 12 games with the big club:

On the American Hockey League and making the jump from Iowa to Minnesota:

On Wild rookie Marat Khusnutdinov now five games into his NHL career:

Glenwood man arrested on drug charges

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood, Saturday, arrested a man for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. 20-year-old Seth Houser, of Glenwood, pled guilty to the charges, and was released.

And, 21-year-old Austin Jepsen, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, for OWI/1st offense. He posted bond, and was released.

Study: People’s leftovers could be recycled into animal feed

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Studies find 30 to 40-percent of food that’s produced is never eaten, and researchers are looking for possible solutions that could be implemented in Iowa livestock lots to help prevent so much food waste. University of Minnesota Professor Jerry Shurson favors turning leftovers into animal feed. Another option Shurson suggests would be feeding livestock byproducts from bakeries that are safe to eat but don’t meet certain quality standards to get them on our grocery shelves.

“Chips and cookies and cereal could easily go into animal feeds,” Shurson says, “and many of them are, but we need to move more of that type of material into animal feeds, and at a greater rate than what we’re doing.” Shurson is in the university’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. He’s hosting a virtual international conference this week to educate people in feed and feeding industries about the value of food waste for livestock in the backdrop of food, climate, and sustainability challenges.

“Taking leftover parts from animal carcasses after slaughter or after harvesting and recycling it to rendered animal byproducts that can be used as high protein feed ingredients for, not only food-producing animals but for many of our pet foods,” he says. Shurson says nutrients from byproducts produced by grain milling, meat packing, and milk processing industries, can easily be turned into pig feed and more, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions from food waste rotting in landfills. Iowa producers raise about 50-million hogs a year, most of which are processed at 14 plants across the state.

Shelby County candidates for County Offices

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Harlan, Iowa) – Shelby County Auditor Mark Maxwell has released the final list of Republican candidates who have filed their nomination papers for County Office, prior to the June 4th Primary Election. There were no local candidacy papers filed for the Democratic or Libertarian races in Shelby County

Sheriff

Neil W. Gross (Incumbent), of Harlan

SupervisorAt Large (elect 2)

Alexis Carter, of Harlan

Mike Kolbe, of Harlan

Charles Parkhurst (Incumbent), of Harlan

Auditor (Elect 1)

Melissa Arkfeld, of Panama

Taryn Knapp, of Portsmouth

WEEK OF MARCH 25, 2024

Trading Post

March 25th, 2024 by Lori Murphy

FOR SALE:  4 yards of purple 100% cotton fabric, originally purchased from Joanns along with a package of King size PolyFil quilt batting and matching purple and white cotton thread. Asking $35 for all. Located in Atlantic, 515-825-8992.

FREE: Queen size bed with Sealy Terrazo Correct Comfort mattress included. Has been used as a guest room bed. Excellent condition. In garage for easy moving. 712-243-4297  GONE!

FOR SALE: Poulan Self-Propelled walk behind push mower. Asking $25. Call 712-304-4550. SOLD!
FOR SALE: Short hair white female Chihuahua puppy. 9 weeks old. Call 712-789-9385

FOR SALE: Hay Elevator w/Electric Motor $300. Westinghouse 50 Gallon Water Heater still in the crate paid $2,400, asking $800. Fireplace never been used. asking $100. 712-355-1566. Located in Council Bluffs

FOR SALE:  Compact Hoover Carpet cleaner.. bought in 2023.  Moved and no longer have Carpet.  2 Bottles of shampooer too.  $60.  Call 531-530-9492.

FOR SALE:  Frigidaire Gallery Electric Stove…..works good…..used lightly….has a few light scratches on 1 burner is all .   Self cleaning and Steam clean.   $275.  Call 531-530-9492.

FOR SALE:  2007 Trailblazer with 123,000 miles, car very clean and runs great.  Call 712-249-3442. SOLD! 

WANTED:  Computer for a ’91 Dodge Dakota V8 Pickup.  Call 712-590-7001.

WANTED: 150th Centennial Exira Cookie Jar that was sold in 2007. Call 712-254-1214.

WANTED: Looking to buy a small pickup or trade for a 2002 Ford Explorer. Looking for a driver’s seat for a 2002 Ford Explorer. Looking for an owner manual for a Deluxe 4-wheel scooter. Call red at 712-243-4016.

FOR SALE: One Full Size Mattress with Box Spring. asking $25. One Full Size Queen Mattress with Box Spring. asking $25. Call 712-249-3282. Located in Atlantic.

FOR SALE: 2 chairs for $5 each. Also, a black swivel office chair in great shape for $5. 26″ blue men’s Roadmaster mountain bike in great condition for $60. Call 712-304-4550. (ALL ITEMS SOLD)

WANTED:  Strong magnify glass over 5x, call 712-549-2272.

FOR SALE:  1 iron roaster, small pan w/lid, 2 radar detectors, and old metal food grinder. Make an offer and call 712-304-9154.

Singer “P!nk” to perform in Oct. at “The Well” in Des Moines

News

March 25th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — One of the big pop star is bringing road tour to downtown Des Moines this Fall. On Monday, P!nk (aka Pink) announced that she will play Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, October 24th. The three-time Grammy-award winner will be joined by ‘The Script’ and ‘KidCutUp’.

P!NK and Wells Fargo Arena are donating a portion of the show’s proceeds to local non-profit Girl’s Rock! Des Moines.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, March 29th at 10:00 a.m. via LiveNation.com. Presale tickets through Citi start Wednesday, March 27th.

Heartbeat Today 3-25-2024

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 25th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Atlantic Public Library Director Michelle Anderson about the Pizza, Puzzles and Pub Night fundraiser for the Cass County Library Association Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.

Play

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals at 7:00 am on Monday, March 25, 2024

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

March 25th, 2024 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  1.22″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  1.2″
  • Massena  1.15″
  • Elk Horn  1.38″
  • Avoca  1.45″
  • Neola  1″
  • Bridgewater  1.2″
  • Red Oak  .8″
  • Missouri Valley  .74″
  • Clarinda  .52″
  • Shenandoah  .85″