School enrollment drops slightly

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Education reports school enrollment dropped slightly this year. The Department says the number of K-12 students dropped by around five-thousand or one percent from last year. The state says the drop reflects the declining birth rate nationwide. The report shows around nine percent of public school students open enrolled in another public school outside of their home district.

Enrollment at Iowa accredited nonpublic schools was up more than eight percent. The certified enrollment represents students enrolled in school on October 1st.

Atlantic student among 31 Iowa students nominated by Sen. Grassley to U.S. Military Academies

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S.Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), today (Monday), announced his support for 31 Iowa students seeking acceptance to U.S. military academies, including a student from Atlantic. Grassley’s nominees for entrance during the 2026-2027 academic year include Camilla McArthur, of Atlantic, to the U-S Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and the United States Military Academy at West Point. Also from western Iowa, Grassley nominatedJorge Camarena, of Council Bluffs to the U-S Air Force Academy.

In a news release, Grassley said “I am proud to nominate these 31 young Iowans to our nation’s prestigious military academiesThese young men and women have bright futures, and I’m inspired by their leadership, achievements and motivation to serve our country. It’s my honor to nominate them.”  Each year, Senator Grassley nominates Iowa high school seniors for placements at the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. All service academies select at least one of Grassley’s nominees.

Learn more about service academy nominations HERE.

Grassley’s nominees for entrance during the 2026-2027 academic year follow:

United States Air Force Academy

Jorge Camarena, Council Bluffs

Gabriel Conrad, Iowa City

Odin Hankins, Ainsworth

Mackenzie McClelland, Grinnell

Charlee DeJong, West Des Moines

Calan Peters, Milford

Lydia Weininger, Palo

Luke Miller, Polk City

Lydia Meunsaveng, Indianola

Alexis Bogardus, Granger

Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha

Camilla McArthur, Atlantic  

Carter Mitchell, Des Moines

Shae Magley, Cedar Falls

Jack Franzen, Urbandale

United States Military Academy at West Point

Berit Kallemeier, Urbandale

Avery Schnack, Decorah

Naomi Templeman, Dallas Center

Gabrielle Wilker, Saint Olaf

Kamryn Wolkenhauer, Danville

Alexis Bogardus, Granger

Patrick Bowser, Urbandale

Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha

Jackson Lampe, Dubuque

Camilla McArthur, Atlantic

Quentin Moore, Des Moines

Mackenzie McClelland, Grinnell

Allie Sackett, Cedar Rapids

Daniel Spooner, Mason City

Jack Franzen, Urbandale 

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Jackson Lampe, Dubuque

Jack Franzen, Urbandale

United States Naval Academy 

Dane Thomas, Cedar Rapids

Joseph Winland, Cedar Falls

Luke Miller, Polk City

Alexis Bogardus, Granger

Patrick Bowser, Urbandale

Charles Crane, West Des Moines

Ellie Hance, Palo

Jackson Lampe, Dubuque

Camilla McArthur, Atlantic

Quentin Moore, Des Moines

Owen Powell, Blue Grass

Connor Rash, Ames

Allie Sackett, Cedar Rapids

Daniel Spooner, Mason City

Jackson Goslin, Hiawatha

Mistletoe and holly might -not- make Iowans jolly

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – While poinsettias have an undeserved reputation for being poisonous, as you’d have to eat a few hundred poinsettia leaves to get sick, an expert says two -other- traditional holiday plants -are- potentially toxic. Janna Day, a nurse and the education and outreach manager at the Iowa Poison Control Center, says mistletoe can be dangerous if consumed by people or pets, and also the red berries in holly should never be eaten. “They can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and upset,” Day says. “We might see things like nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea if somebody ingests those or if a child ingests those.”

Day says those symptoms can show up quite rapidly and may last for 24 hours or more. “If that does happen, we do recommend that you just go ahead and call us at the poison center,” Day says, “because then we can evaluate how many berries were potentially swallowed, and help give you some recommendations on what we want you to do next.” On the subject of berries, mistletoe’s white berries can also be toxic, and while sprigs of the plant are often placed above doorways to promote kissing, Day says the entire plant should be avoided. Keep them out of kids’ reach and away from pets.

“The flower and the leaves, when we’re talking about mistletoe, they tend to be a little bit more toxic than the berry itself, but we do get more calls about the berry,” Day says. “It seems like those are what we have more ingestions of, the berry. Regardless, we still want you to call us if there is any type of ingestion.” If you have questions or concerns about these and other poisons, call the Sioux City-based Iowa Poison Control Center any day, anytime at 1-800-222-1222.

No. 3 Cyclones Split at Collegiate Wrestling Duals

Sports

December 22nd, 2025 by Jack McGonigal

NASHVILLE – No. 3 Iowa State closed the fall semester with a split Sunday at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals, falling to No. 2 Ohio State, 21-13, before topping No. 20 Lehigh, 26-11.

Iowa State is now 3-1 on the season while Ohio State improved to 10-0 and Lehigh to 4-5.

Heavyweight Yonger Bastida, now 12-0 on the season, highlighted the day with two wins over top-six opponents. Both matches against OSU’s No. 3 Nick Feldman and Lehigh’s No. 6 Nathan Taylor ended with the same score, a 4-2 decision in the Cuban’s favor.

Jacob Frost (149) and Rocky Elam (197) also went 2-0 on the day. Against the Buckeyes, Frost earned his highest ranked win of the season with a 4-1 victory over No. 6 Ethan Stiles. Elam tallied two bonus-point victories on the day, including a 9-0 result against OSU’s No. 14 Luke Geog.

Individual dual recaps and results can be found below.

Up next, the Cyclones are back in action after the New Year with a west coast road trip beginning Jan. 4 at Stanford.

No. 3 Iowa State 13, No. 2 Ohio State 21
Ohio State started fast with three-straight decisions at 125, 133 and 141 pounds before No. 10 Jacob Frost got the Cyclones on the scoreboard at 149 pounds. Frost topped No. 6 Ethan Stiles, 4-1, in sudden victory in an entertaining match which saw both wrestlers firing attacks at a high rate. In the end, it was Frost who came out on the right side of a scramble in overtime to record his highest ranked win of the season.

The Buckeyes would win by fall at 157 pounds prior to the 165-pound bout which saw No. 19 Connor Euton make his return to the lineup after suffering an ankle sprain in the Cy-Hawk dual (Nov. 30). Euton won a tight match, 4-2, against No. 16 Paddy Gallagher with Euton getting the deciding takedown with roughly 0:40 remaining in the match.

Iowa State closed the dual with back-to-back wins at 197 and 285 pounds. At 197 pounds, No. 1 Rocky Elam secured a commanding 9-0 major decision against No. 14 Luke Geog. Elam amassed over two minutes of riding time and two takedowns in the win.

No. 1 Yonger Bastida was a 4-2 winner over No. 3 Nick Feldman at 285 pounds. Bastida dictated much of the action throughout the match and earned the winning takedown in the final period.

 

No. 2 Iowa State 26, No. 20 Lehigh 11
Lehigh won the dual’s opening match at 133 pounds before Evan Frost put the Cyclones back in front at 133 pounds. Frost used four takedowns and over two minutes of riding time to tally a 14-3 major decision over Mason Ziegler.

After a Lehigh tech fall at 141 pounds, No. 10 Jacob Frost completed his 2-0 day with a decision over Owen Reinsel at 149 pounds. Frost used a third period takedown and a ride out to push riding time over the minute mark in the 5-0 win.

Kane Naaktgeboren picked up his first dual win of the season, and the second of his career, with a dominant 20-5 tech fall over Griffin Gonzalez. Naaktgeboren turned on the jets for five takedowns in the third period to separate himself.

Following a loss at 165 pounds, Iowa State would close the dual with four-consecutive wins.

At 174 pounds, Aiden Riggins moved up a weight class for a 17-9 major decision against Richie Grungo. It was a back-and-forth match but a late takedown and a turk for four near fall points gave Riggins the bonus point.

No. 13 Isaac Dean needed triple overtime to beat No. 22 Rylan Rogers, 5-2, at 184 pounds. Neither wrestler could separate themselves until Dean mustered up the energy for a takedown in the second sudden victory period.

No. 1 Rocky Elam was decisive in his 10-1 major decision over Remy Brancato-Roed at 197 pounds. Elam logged three takedowns in the win and improved to 10-0 on the season.

No. 1 Yonger Bastida added another top-10 win to his resume with a 4-2 decision over No. 6 Nathan Taylor. Bastida overcame a noticeable size advantage to get a takedown with 0:50 remaining. Bastida now has seven wins over ranked opponents this season, including four wins over top-10 foes.

 

MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS
No. 3 Iowa State 13, No. 2 Ohio State 21
125:
 No. 3 Nic Bouzakis (OSU) dec. No. 13 Stevo Poulin (ISU), 9-2
133: No. 2 Ben Davino (OSU) dec. No. 3 Evan Frost (ISU), 4-2
141: No. 1 Jesse Mendez (OSU) dec. No. 4 Anthony Echemendia (ISU), 5-1
149: No. 10 Jacob Frost (ISU) dec. No. 6 Ethan Stiles (OSU), 4-1 SV-1
157: No. 4 Brandon Cannon (OSU) WBF Kane Naaktgeboren (ISU), 6:53
165: No. 19 Connor Euton (ISU) dec. No. 16 Paddy Gallagher (OSU), 4-2
174: No. 4 Carson Kharchla (OSU) dec. Aiden Riggins (ISU), 7-3
184: No. 6 Dylan Fishback (OSU) dec. No. 13 Isaac Dean (ISU), 4-1 SV-1
197: No. 1 Rocky Elam (ISU) maj. dec. No. 14 Luke Geog (OSU), 9-0
285: No. 1 Yonger Bastida (ISU) dec. No. 3 Nick Feldman (OSU), 4-2

 

No. 3 Iowa State 26, No. 20 Lehigh 11
125:
 No. 5 Sheldon Seymour (LEH) dec. No. 13 Stevo Poulin (ISU), 9-6
133: No. 3 Evan Frost (ISU) maj. dec. Mason Ziegler (LEH), 14-3
141: Carter Bailey (LEH) TF Osmany Diversent (ISU), 15-0 (3:00)
149: No. 10 Jacob Frost (ISU) dec. Owen Reinsel (LEH), 5-0
157: Kane Naaktgeboren (ISU) TF Griffin Gonzalez (LEH), 20-5 (6:34)
165: No. 7 Max Brignola (LEH) dec. No. 19 Connor Euton (ISU), 6-1
174: Aiden Riggins (ISU) maj. dec. Richie Grungo (LEH), 17-9
184: No. 13 Isaac Dean (ISU) dec. No. 22 Rylan Rogers (LEH), 5-2 SV-2
197: No. 1 Rocky Elam (ISU) maj. dec. Remy Brancato-Roed (LEH), 10-1
285: No. 1 Yonger Bastida (ISU) dec. No. 6 Nathan Taylor (LEH), 4-2

197: No. 1 Rocky Elam (ISU) maj. dec. Remy Brancato-Roed (LEH), 10-1
285: No. 1 Yonger Bastida (ISU) dec. No. 6 Nathan Taylor (LEH), 4-2

Girls Wrestling Results from Saturday Dec. 20

Sports

December 22nd, 2025 by Christian Adams

RACCOON RIVER INVITATIONAL AT ADM

1. Raccoon River-Northwest – 291 points

2. Carlisle – 210.5 points

3. Pleasantville – 83 points

5. Atlantic – 71.5 points

10. Interstate-35 – 54 points

11. Earlham – 25 points

Atlantic Champions: Leiah Thomas (155), Haley Armstrong (235)

PRIDE OF IOWA CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AT CENTRAL DECATUR

1. SWAT – 157 points

2. Central Decatur – 120 points

3. Mount Ayr – 93 points

4. Southwest Valley – 91.5 points

5. Martensdale-St. Marys – 76 points

6. East Union – 74 points

7. Wayne – 44 points

8. Southeast Warren – 20.5 points

SWAT Champions: Nadia South (110), Erin South (130), Bailey Lillard (145), Lilly Barbour (155), Megan Gerlock (235)

Southwest Valley Champion: Destiny Easley (100), Josslynn Benge (125), Kenzie Maeder (140)

WIC Conference Tournament

1. Logan-Magnolia/Woodbine – 181 points

2. Riverside – 159.5 points

3. Missouri Valley – 122.5 points

4. ATU – 107.5 points

5. Audubon – 86 points

6. Treynor – 58.5 points

Riverside Champions: Hailey Harvey (115), Rylei Price (155), Kaylin Garrison (190)

Audubon Champion: Macy Rasmussen (110)

SHENANDOAH TOURNAMENT 

1. Lincoln North Star – 176 points

2. Western Iowa – 146.5 points

3. Omaha Buena Vista – 122 points

5. Glenwood – 76.5 points

6. Shenandoah – 56 points

7. Lewis Central – 46 points

8. Harlan – 25 points

9. East Mills – 21 points

10. Griswold – 11 points

11. Clarinda – 9 points

Griswold Top Finisher: 3rd Place – Addalynn Phelps (235)

Harlan Top Finisher: 4th Place – Hallie Lopez (145)

Glenwood Champions: Ahna Grassau (105), Audrina Johansen (120)

Clarinda Top Finisher: 6th Place – Charlie Mertes (130), Bella Johnston (145)

 

 

3 arrested in Creston between Dec. 12th & 21st

News

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, IA) – Three people were arrested on separate charges over the past week or so, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, just before 6-a.m. Sunday, 41-year-old Angela Lee Stone, of Oskaloosa, was arrested at the Creston/Union County Law Enforcement Center, on an Outside Agency Warrant for two counts of Harassment in the 2nd Degree. Stone was taken to the Union County Jail and later transported to the Adams County Jail, where she was being held without bond until making her initial court appearance.

At Around 10:50-p.m. on December 17th, Creston Police arrested 23-year-old Jackson S. Elias, of Omaha. Elias was arrested at the intersection of Highway 25 and Townline, and charged with Possess Drug Paraphernalia. Elias was transported to the Union County Jail, cited, and then released on promise to appear in court.

And, at around 2:10-p.m. on Dec. 12th, Police in Creston arrested 27-year-old Beau Ethan Boswell, of Creston, on an Outside Agency Warrant for Parole Violation on original charges of OWI/1st offense, and Interference with Official Acts. Boswell was being held without bond in the Union County Jail.

Boys Wrestling Results from Saturday Dec. 20

Sports

December 22nd, 2025 by Christian Adams

JIM KINYON NORSEMEN INVITATIONAL AT ROLAND-STORY

1. Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 203.5 points

2. Williamsburg – 193.5 points

3. Atlantic – 190.5 points

4. Anamosa – 146 points

5. Woodward-Granger – 122.5 points

14. Earlham – 71.5 points

Atlantic Champion: Braxton Hass (132)

Atlantic Top finishers: 2nd: Travin Thomas (215), 3rd: Dayton Van Horn (106), Jayden Harter (157) Dreven Smith (165), Donovan Hedrington (190)

WIC Tournament

1. Riverside – 242.5 points

2. Logan-Magnolia – 228 points

3. Underwood – 161 points

4. Missouri Valley – 143 points

5. Audubon – 106.5 points

6. Treynor – 80 points

7. Tri-Center – 78.5 points

8. AHSTW – 50.5 points

Riverside Champions: Drew Anderson (138), Jaxon Gordon (165), Max Shanno (175), Gaven Hackett (190)

Audubon Champion: Leyton Elmquist (120)

AHSTW Champion: Roman Scheffler (285)

GLENWOOD INVITATIONAL 

1. Glenwood – 252 points

9. St. Albert – 56 points

12. Harlan – 43 points

12. Southwest Iowa – 43 points

15. Clarinda – 22 points

Harlan Champion: Chayton Snethen (157)

Clarinda Top Finisher: 2nd Place – Fisher Graves (106)

Southwest Iowa Top Finisher: 5th Place – Evan Lang (113)

Glenwood Champions: Ace Cochrane (106), Brody Black (126), Joseph Leick (132), Mason Koehler (215)

St. Albert Top Finisher: 2nd Place – Sam Raymond (157)

CARROLL INVITATIONAL 

1. Carroll – 176 points

2. Westwood – 163 points

3. ACGC – 160 points

7. Denison-Schleswig – 93.5 points

10. Kuemper Catholic – 54 points

ACGC Champion: Ty Ganzer (138), Charlie Christensen (144), Ryder Cline (150), Jack Sheeder (285)

Denison-Schleswig Top Finisher: 2nd Place – Jackson Graeve (144)

Kuemper Catholic Top Finisher: 3rd Place – Maguire Hoyt (138), Jarin Hoffman (190)

 

WEEK OF DECEMBER 22, 2025

Trading Post

December 22nd, 2025 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: 5 Avon Christmas plates w/ hangers. Dated 1973-2004. Call 712-249-5063

FOR SALE: 1999 Yamaha Road Star, 98 cubic inches.  Polar blue and pearl white with 6,700 miles. Asking $6,000.00 Also, a matching pearl white  pull-behind camp trailer.  11 cubic feet with all the equipment.  Asking $1,000. Cub Cadet 46″ cut lawn tractor, with 23 horse power Kohler engine.  Zero hours (never used) so all tires and other parts are new.  $2,600 OBO.  Call 712-254-1111 between 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.

FOR SALE: 2012 Honda Fury. Bright blue with only 66 miles on it. Asking $8000. Also a 15,000 BTU window air conditioner for $125.00. Call between 7:00 am-7:00 pm 712-254-1111

FREE:  pallets.  Call 712-249-3041.

FOR SALE:  Approximately 100 pieces of red Avon glass. Asking $250 OBO. Call 712-249-9132

FREE:  Tackle Box, Seated Bait Cooler Box, Size XXL Blue Jean Jacket, Size XL Black Jean Jacket.  Call 712-733-7050.

 

FOR SALE:  $5.00 Coleman Wheeled 50 qt. Cooler.  Harlan, call 712-733-7050.

FOR SALE:  Step stool.  Asking $20.  Call 249-7173.

FOR SALE:  Candle stick holder and candles.  Asking $20. Call 249-7171.

FOR SALE:  Insta pot with extras.  $12 takes them all.  Call 249-7171.

VERA BONITA “Bonnie” HAYNES, 97, of Presctt (formerly of Creston) – Celebration of Life 12/26/25

Obituaries

December 22nd, 2025 by Ric Hanson

VERA BONITA “Bonnie” HAYNES, 97, of Prescott (formerly of Creston), died Thursday, Dec. 19, 2025, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. A Celebration of Life service for “Bonnie” HAYNES will be held 11-a.m. Friday, December 26, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Creston. Powers Funeral Home in Creston has the arrangements. The services will be live streamed.

An open visitation, with the family receiving friends,will be held on Friday, from 9:30-until 11-a.m., at the 1st Baptist Church in Creston.

Burial will be at the Atlantic Cemetery (Atlantic, IA).

Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church in Creston.

BONNIE HAYNES is survived by:

Her husband – Daryl Haynes, of Osceola.

Her daughters – Sandra Peterson, of Prescott (IA), and Judy (Rodney) McCrary, of Newton.

Her son – Dan (Lori) Haynes, of Boone.

8 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Boys Basketball Scoreboard from Saturday Dec. 20

Sports

December 22nd, 2025 by Christian Adams

Western Iowa Conference 

IKM-Manning – 52 vs Missouri Valley – 43

Non-Conference 

Spencer – 52 vs Denison-Schleswig – 26

North Polk – 72 vs Creston – 36

Kuemper Catholic – 78 vs Dakota Valley – 66

Plattmouth – 64 vs Glenwood – 61

Lewis Central – 75 vs Bellevue East – 57

East Mills – 55 vs Lourdes Central Catholic – 50

Ar-We-Va – 70 vs Westwood – 63

Glidden-Ralston – 54 vs Greene County – 44

Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 80 vs OABCIG – 41

Bishop Heelan Catholic – 60 vs Lincoln Pius X – 57

Abraham Lincoln – 60 vs Omaha Central – 52

St. Edmond – 47 vs Madrid – 38

Waukee Northwest – 66 vs Sioux City East – 35