United Group Insurance

Reminder to County Office candidates: the 1st day to file nomination papers is March 1st

News

February 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County (IA) Auditor’s Office reminds persons interested in running for county offices, that the first day for Democratic, Republican and Libertarian candidates to file nomination papers in the office of the county auditor, is Monday, March 4, 2024. Last day to file is Friday, March 22, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated prior to first date for filing as well as during the filing period. Nomination papers and candidate information are available at the office of the county auditor and from the secretary of state:www.sos.iowa.gov

The county positions to appear on the Cass County ballot for the 2024 PRIMARY ELECTION are:
Sheriff
Auditor
District 1 Supervisor
District 4 Supervisor
District 5 Supervisor

List of current position holders – County Offices:
Sheriff………………….Darby McLaren, Republican
Auditor…………………Kathy Somers, Republican
District 1 Supervisor….Stephen Green, Republican
District 4 Supervisor…..Steven Baier, Republican
District 5 Supervisor…..Bernard Pettinger, Republican

The filing periods for the November 5, 2024, General Election are:
• U.S. Senate, U.S. Representative and State Office: July 29 – August 24, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• County Office: August 5 – August 28, 2024 (5:00 p.m.)
• Ag Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District, Hospital Trustee: Anytime up until August 28, 2024
Monday, August 5, 2024 is the first day for candidates nominated by petition to file nomination papers for county-wide or township offices for the General Election with the County Auditor’s office. Last day to file is Friday, August 28, 2024. Nomination papers may be circulated now. Nomination petitions and other election forms (including a Candidate’s Guide to the General Election) are available at the office of the County Auditor, and from the Iowa Secretary of State (sos.iowa.gov) via the internet.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: The Cass County Auditor, Courthouse 5 W 7th St, Atlantic, IA 50022 Phone: 712-243-4570 and Fax: 712-243-4572. Email: skarns@casscoia.us.

Shine like Stars offers a prom-like experience for those with physical/intellectual limitations

News

February 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Two local churches are teaming-up to offer those 14-years of age or older, and who have intellectual or physical limitations, a prom-like night of celebration. The honored guests dress up and are treated to an evening of dinner, dancing, flowers, karaoke, photo booth pictures and goody bags filled with fun swag for them to take home. Billie Hoover is part of the group that’s helping to chair the “Shine like Stars” event, in March.

Hoover says they really look forward to the annual event they’ve had since 2018 (with some modification, of course during the COVID years).

She says opportunities and special recognition such as Shine Like Stars for those with physical or intellectual limitations aren’t very prevalent, and it’s a unique demographic in our community. It also offers a chance for the community to volunteer.

Any lady or gentleman who would like to attend the event can come to the First Church of Christ’s “Yes to the Dress-up” in Atlantic, on Feb. 25th, from 2-until 4-p.m., and see if there is a dress or suit they might like to have for the event – at no charge. The free, Shine Like Stars event takes place March 16th, from 6-until 8:30-p.m., at the First Church of Christ. Doors open at 6-p.m. Any interested guests or volunteers can sign up at https://www.fccatlantic.com/ministries , or see links on the FCC’s Facebook page.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, make your check out to FCC/Shine Like Stars, 1310 SW 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa, 50022. If you need more information, contact one of the following committee members:

Monica Sanny Brandt, 515-971-6270 (monicabrandt17@gmail.com)

Emily Clark, 402-980-0934 (eclark811@gmail.com)

Billie Hoover, 712-250-0286 (bhoover265@gmail.com)

Stephanie Kinzie, 712-249-8087 (stephanie.kinzie@mvtransit.com).

VERNON LOUIS BRUE, 77, of Harlan (Memorial Svc. 2/22/24)

Obituaries

February 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

VERNON LOUIS BRUE, 77, of Harlan, died Friday, Feb 16th, at Myrtue Medical Center, in Harlan. A Memorial service for VERNON BRUE will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22nd, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is on Wednesday, Feb. 21st, from 5-until 7-p.m.

Burial is in the Harlan Cemetery.

VERNON BRUE is survived by:

His wife – Linda Brue, of Harlan.

His son – Bob (Patty) Brue, of Harlan.

His daughters – Kristen (Jeff) Rusch, of New Ulm, MN, and Malisa (Michael) Koesters, of Harlan.

His sisters – Joleen (Gary) Koch, of Spirit Lake; Becky (Mark) Reinig, of Mound City, MO; and Karen (Dale) Wood, of Norwalk.

His brother – Benji (Patty) Brue, of Jackson, MI.

and 7 grandchildren.

USDA scolds Iowa for processing food assistance apps too slowly

News

February 19th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The federal government says Iowa isn’t processing food assistance applications fast enough. U-S Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack sent Governor Kim Reynolds and 43 other states letters urging them to improve the efficiency of their SNAP benefits programs. Luke Elzinga, with the Des Moines Area Religious Council or DMARC, says delays in getting SNAP benefits can be detrimental to those who need them. “For a lot of people, that’s the difference between having funds to feed their families or not,” Elzinga says. “These are people who are waiting for benefits to pay for groceries.”

The letter from U-S-D-A says Iowa has an application processing timeliness rate of just under 83 percent. That’s far below the feds’ acceptable performance rate of 95 percent. Elzinga says he’s concerned the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services doesn’t have sufficient resources to process applications. Elzinga says, “Our HHS, those workers who are processing those applications, they have a lot of work on their hands, especially during the Medicaid unwinding.”

A spokesperson for Iowa H-H-S says the department continues to review and make improvements to the process for reviewing SNAP applications.

Hawkeyes Bully Badgers, 34-7

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The fourth-ranked University of Iowa men’s wrestling team defeated Wisconsin, 34-7, on Sunday afternoon on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Iowa won eight of 10 bouts, including six via bonus point. The Hawkeyes recorded 30 takedowns to Wisconsin’s six, and Iowa outscored the Badgers 120-49 in match points.

“We have to focus on what is ahead,” said head coach Tom Brands. “That’s what we did after those losses. We are going to Stillwater, Oklahoma, in one week, and the postseason looms.”

The dual started at 125 pounds with Wisconsin getting on the board first. Third-ranked Eric Barnett won an, 8-0, major decision over Joey Cruz.

The Hawkeyes responded with a pair of big wins from a pair of wrestlers making their final appearance in Carver-Hawkeye arena. At 133 Brody Teske put together a 19-4 technical fall win over Nicolar Rivera, and at 141 No. 2 Real Woods needed just 4:37 to pin Felix Lettini.

“Winning just brings good spirits,” said Woods. “So, I guess spiritually it helps. But this team is full of men who know how to fight through adversity and adversity catapults people like us. It doesn’t bring us down. It really helps us more than anything.”

“Sometimes you have to right the wrongs and right the ship,” said Brands. “Real went out there and got back to the roots a little bit. I think it was partly my fault, trying to push him into certain things. Just go out and wrestle your match how you want to wrestle and score a lot of points. It doesn’t matter how you get it done. He righted the wrong. We are on a one-match win streak, and we are going to Stillwater, Oklahoma.”

Iowa won two more matches before the break to push its lead to 18-4. Eighth-ranked Caleb Rathjen picked up a ranked victory over No. 19 Joseph Zargo, winning 8-1. No. 5 Jared Franek tallied a major decision over Luke Mechler, 17-5.

Wisconsin got their only other win of the dual at 165 as No. 5 Dean Hamiti defeated No. 7 Michael Caliendo, 14-11.

Iowa got back on track at 174 with a tech. fall victory from No. 7 Patrick Kennedy over Cale Anderson. Kennedy used six takedowns to outscore Anderson, 19-4.

Gabe Arnold made his third dual appearance and picked up his four ranked win defeating No. 16 Shane Liegel, 8-6. Arnold had two takedowns and fended off a late push from Liegel to earn the win.

No. 11 Zach Glazier improved to 20-1 with a 13-4 major decision over Josh Otto. Glazier now has 14 bonus point wins on the season.

No. 28 Bradley Hill closed out the dual for the Hawkeyes with a major decision. Hill defeated Gannon Rosenfeld, 11-3.

 #4 Iowa 34, Wisconsin 7

  • 125 – #3 Eric Barnett (W) major dec. Joey Cruz (I), 8-0
  • 133 – Brody Teske (I) tech. fall Nicolar Rivera (W), 19-4
  • 141 – #2 Real Woods (I) pinned Felix Lettini (W), 4:37
  • 149 – #8 Caleb Rathjen (I) dec. #19 Joseph Zargo (W), 8-1
  • 157 – #5 Jared Franek (I) major dec. Luke Mechler (W), 17-5
  • 165 – #5 Dean Hamiti (W) dec. #7 Michael Caliendo (I), 14-11
  • 174 – #7 Patrick Kennedy (I) tech. fall Cale Anderson (W), 19-4
  • 184 – Gabe Arnold (I) dec. #16 Shane Liegel (W), 8-6
  • 197 – #11 Zach Glazier (I) major dec. Josh Otto (W), 13-4
  • 285 – #29 Bradley Hill (I) major dec. Gannon Rosenfeld (W), 11-3

Hawkeyes Defeat Drake, 6-1; Complete Weekend Sweep

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s tennis team finished the weekend with a 6-1 victory over Drake on Sunday at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreational Complex, running the team’s winning streak to four straight victories.

Due to lack of players, only two doubles matches were played, making each match worth one point. The Hawkeyes secured both match points, earning a 2-0 lead after doubles. Junior Marisa Schmidt and sophomore Daianne Hayashida picked up the first win on court two, downing Darinka Stepan and Milee Haagensen, 6-4.

Junior Barbora Pokorna and sophomore Pia Kranholdt led the team into singles with a tiebreaker victory in their match against Ines Stephani and Rebecca Ehn, 7-6 (8-6).

In singles competition, Iowa topped Drake on No. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Pokorna, Kranholdt, and Mehra all captured straight set victories, bringing Iowa to a 5-0 lead over the Bulldogs.

Schmidt finished singles competition with her tiebreaker victory over Haagensen, capturing the last set point with a 13-10 tiebreaker.

Drake captured a match point on No. 1 with Stephani topping Hayashida, 7-6, 6-4.

HEAD COACH SASHA SCHMID

“I’m proud of the team for fighting through adversity this weekend. We had two tough in-state teams, so to get out of the weekend 2-0 is a confidence booster. We want to finish our nonconference play on a high note with Oregon next week, and I am really looking forward to transitioning into Big Ten play soon.”

UP NEXT

The Hawkeyes will return to action on Feb. 23, hosting future Big Ten Conference foe Oregon at 5 p.m. (CT) at the HTRC.

RESULTS

Iowa 6, Drake 1

SINGLES

No. 1 – Ines Stehpani (DU) def. #85 Daianne Hayashida (UI): 7-6, 6-4

No. 2 – Marisa Schmidt (UI) def. Mille Haagensen (DU): 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (13-11)

No. 3 – Barbora Pokorna (UI) def. Rebecca Ehn (DU): 6-2, 6-0

No. 4 – Pia Kranholdt (UI) def. Darinka Stepan (DU): 6-1, 6-3

No. 5 –Vipasha Mehra (UI) def. Nicole Lee (DU): 7-6, 6-1

DOUBLES

No. 1 – Barbora Pokorna/Pia Kranholdt (UI) def. Ines Stephani/Rebecca Ehn (DU), 7-6 (8-6)

No. 2 – Marisa Schmidt/Daianne Hayashida (UI) def. Darinka Stepan/Mille Haagensen (DU), 6-4

Cyclones Sweep Saturday Slate at UNLV Desert Classic

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

LAS VEGAS – Iowa State (5-3) swept its competition on the second day of the UNLV Desert Classic, dispatching of both UC Santa Barbara (1-7) and Bradley (0-3).

Iowa State used a sixth-inning rally against UCSB and a seventh-inning rally against Bradley to come from behind in both contests and win.

Angelina Allen had a monster day, notching seven RBI on five hits with three homers.

ISU 11, UCSB 9

Iowa State started the second day of the UNLV Desert Classic in dramatic fashion, overcoming a five-run deficit to defeat the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 11-9 in come-from-behind fashion. Of ISU’s four wins, three have featured late-inning heroics to overcome early deficits – including both games against the Gauchos.

Angelina Allen had three hits and three RBI against UCSB, launching her first homer of the season. Ashley Minor and Olivia Wardlow also had multi-hit games for the Cyclones while Milyasia Ochoa joined Allen with a multi-RBI outing.

Four pitchers saw action for the Cyclones, as the game was bookended by a pair of freshmen. Aziza Rodriguez started the game, going 2.1 innings and Lauren Schurman ended the game, pitching 3.0 innings and striking out three.

 lks, 4 strikeouts

ISU 10, Bradley 7

Iowa State defeated Bradley in its second game of the day, again using a late-inning rally to claim victory. Down 7-6 in the seventh inning, Iowa State used a four-run seventh inning to pull ahead and sweep the day.

Angelina Allen had a monster performance, accruing two homers on the afternoon and tallying four RBI. Camille Marin and Olivia Wardlow also had multiple hits in the game. Tiana Poole matched Allen’s four RBI and also had a three-run shot.

Saya Swain picked up her third win of the early season, striking out five. Lauren Schurman got her first career start and struck out two.

Saturday Notes

Home Runs

Iowa State: Tiana Poole (1), Angelina Allen (2)

Bradley: Tori Meyer (1)

 WP – Saya Swain (3-1): 5.0 IP, 3 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), 3 walks, 5 strikeouts

SV – N/A

LP – Abbott Badley (0-1): 1.0 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 0 strikeouts

 On Deck

The Cyclones will wrap up the UNLV Desert Classic tomorrow, Feb. 18, when it faces off with Bradley for a second time at 11:30 a.m. CT. Tomorrow’s matchup will be streamed live on YouTube.

DRAKE WOMEN’S HOOPS OUTDUELS BELMONT FOR THIRD-STRAIGHT 20-WIN CAMPAIGN

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Drake women’s basketball team earned a stranglehold of the top spot in the The Valley with a hard-fought road win at Belmont on Saturday. The Bulldogs overcame a deficit in the first half to put away the Bruins and win their fifth-consecutive matchup.

It took nearly two full minutes before either team was able to put a tally in the scorebook as Anna Miller banked in the first basket on a strong step-through post move. Grace Berg did the same on Drake’s next possession after a Belmont foul. Miller added to her hot start with another layup plus a penalty shot to give Drake (20-5, 13-1) an early 7-0 advantage.

The Bulldog defense then forced an over-and-back violation on Belmont before Berg crossed up on Belmont’s Kilyn McGuff and sprinted home for another deuce.

McGuff eventually scored the Bruins’ first basket on a three from the top of the key. Katie Dinnebier answered McGuff’s three with one of her own for the star guard’s first score. The Bulldogs led 12-6 at the first media timeout.

The host Bruins (18-7, 11-3) got things turned around after the first break, ripping off a 9-0 run over 2:35. Courtney Becker then traded three-pointers just before the buzzer as the score remained tied at 22-all after the first period.

Midway through the second, a pair of Belmont treys, one from Schoenwald on a deep runner to beat the shot clock and another from Kendal Cheesman in the corner, forced Suzie Glazer Burt Head Coach Allison Pohlman to take a timeout.

Ashley Iiams later hit two three-pointers around a Belmont timeout to cap off a 14-0 Bulldog run. Kendal Cheesman halted the visitors’ spurt with a bunny to keep the difference at four. With just a second to play in the half, another Belmont three, their seventh of the first 20 minutes, trimmed the Drake advantage to just two as the Dogs led 42-40 at the break.

The Bulldogs opened a quick eight-point lead shortly into the third quarter as Ava Hawthorne went coast-to-coast for her first basket of the game. The third stanza continued in back-and-forth fashion as Tessa Miller got free down low for two after Tuti Jones buried a deep three.

The Bulldogs held on to a narrow 60-58 lead with just a quarter to play.

Anna Brown joined the Bulldogs’ party with just under seven minutes to play. The transfer hit a three from the left wing for her first score of the night and Drake’s sixth triple as a team.

Anna Miller added to her team-leading 17 points with an elbow jumper just before the five-minute mark as the Drake attack probed through Belmont’s zone defense. The Bruins then spent a timeout with 3:40 remaining as Drake led by five. Belmont’s Miller, Tessa, also took advantage of the Drake zone defense as the fourth quarter progressed. The Bruins’ leading scorer banked one in as with a foul as part of her 24-point afternoon but missed the extra attempt to make it a four-point contest.

The Bulldogs outlasted numerous replay reviews and hit some big free throws in the final few minutes as their lead grew to the eventual final score of 77-71.

Anna Miller and Katie Dinnebier each posted a double-double as Miller led the team with 17 points and added 11 rebounds. Dinnebier scored 15, along with Grace Berg, while dishing out 10 assists.

Courtney Becker rounded out Drake’s offensive leaders with 11 points and six boards. Ashley Iiams’ totaled eight to equal her career-high for the second-straight contest.

“What a road trip,” Pohlman said after the game. “Today says a lot about our squad…I’m so proud of our bounce and our tenacity and our spirit to play right now. We had a lot of people step up and do some great things. We have some amazing women on our team and our coaching staff. Today we got back to better rebounding…shoring those sorts of things are some of the details that we have to make matter, especially on the road against good teams.”

Drake will return home next weekend to tip off a four-game homestand. The Bulldogs will start the stint in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 22 against Missouri State.

IOWA STATE FALLS AT NO. 5 TEXAS

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

AUSTIN, Texas – Iowa State (14-10, 8-6 Big 12) fell to No. 5 Texas (24-3, 11-3 Big 12) on the road by score of 81-60 Saturday.

Iowa State led with less than five minutes remaining in the second quarter, but Texas followed with a 15-2 run to end the half up by 10. The Cyclones pulled back within five late in the third quarter, but Texas followed to pull away by a margin ISU could not come back from.

Audi Crooks took hold of the most field goals made in a season by a freshman, now totaling 171 to pass the previous best of 163 set by Colleen Peterson in 1975-76. Crooks entered double figures in the early goings of the second quarter, going on to total 24 points for the rookie’s 11th total and second-straight 20-point game.

Emily Ryan hit career assist No. 700 to become the third Cyclone in program history to hit the mark, now totaling 702 after her seven assists today.

Addy Brown also notched double-figure points with 11, also totaling five rebounds and four assists.

  Up Next

Iowa State continues its stint through Texas, next meeting Houston Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+

Hawkeyes Shutout Cardinals, 5-0

Sports

February 19th, 2024 by Seth Tiegs

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The 20th ranked University of Iowa baseball team blanked Ball State, 5-0, Saturday afternoon at Detyens Field at Shipyard Park.

Marcus Morgan got the ball to start the game for the Hawkeyes and delivered throwing 5 1/3 innings of one two hit ball. The Iowa City, Iowa native retired the first 12 batters he faced. Morgan struck out a career high nine hitters and walked just two.

Anthony Watts entered in the bottom of the sixth and threw 3 1/3 innings to earn his first career save. The Clive, Iowa, native did not allow a baserunner.

“The guys answered the bell with the short turnaround,” said head coach Rick Heller. “Marcus Morgan set the tone with a tremendous start. He took a perfect game into the fifth. Marcus was in total control today. Then in his first appearance as a Hawkeye, Anthony Watts was outstanding. He fanned six and didn’t allow a hit or run in his 3 1/3 innings to pick up the save.

Sam Petersen continued his hot start to the season going 2-for-3, stealing three bases, recording an RBI and making a highlight double play.

Raider Tello recorded two hits and an RBI while Reese Moore saw his first career action with a pinch hit double coming around to score on a Petersen single.

Tello put Iowa in front in the third inning as he singled to left center to score Petersen. The Hawkeyes then used a big third fifth inning to pull away from the Cardinals.

With a 1-0 lead Iowa scored three runs. Davis Cop got things started with an RBI groundout to score Petersen, a passed ball scored Blake Guerin from third, and a Kyle Huckstorf single and a Ball State error allowed Ben Wilmes to score.

Iowa added an insurance run in the eighth as Petersen singled scoring Moore from third.

“We beat a good Ball State team today, said Heller. “Their starter Logan Schulfler has great stuff. We were more competitive on offense today, up and down the lineup.  Sam Petersen and Raider Tello followed up last night’s performance with two hits apiece and an RBI each. I was happy for Reese Moore, recorded the pinch hit double in his first at bat as a Hawkeye today. We played great defense for the second day in a row and the energy from everyone was great to see.”

OF NOTE

  • Both Morgan (9) and Watts (6) struck out a career high in their 2024 debuts.
  • Sam Petersen has five stolen bases in two games to start the season.
  • Anthony Watts, Reese Moore, and Connor Hennings made their Hawkeye debuts.

NEXT UP

The Hawkeyes (2-0) return to action Sunday morning, facing Lehigh at 9 a.m. (CT) in Game 3 of the Swig and Swine College Classic.