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Racing and Gaming Administrator leaving job

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The Administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission is leaving the job in January. Commission Chair Daryl Olsen of Audubon spoke about it during a special meeting today (Tuesday). “On November 19th regrettably the Commission received and accepted Brian Ohorilko letter of resignation effective at the end of the working day on January 2nd 2024,” he says.

Ohorilko has been the administrator for 12 years overseeing the state’s gambling industry. He served 20 years total with Racing and Gaming.”Brian has served our commission and the industry well and with great integrity we appreciate his 20 years of public service to the state and wish him well as returns to the private sector,” he says.

Ohorilko has not yet revealed what his next position will be. The Commission appointed Deputy Director Tina Eick (eye-k) to serve as interim administrator. Chair Olsen indicated they would expect to appoint a new administrator in January.

Watch for signs of trouble in older loved ones during holiday visits

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

“The main one is memory loss that disrupts their daily life,” Livingston says. “Forgetting things they have known their whole life, like how to use the microwave or how to get home from the grocery store, things like that that would be very unusual for someone to forget.”

Alzheimer’s Association photo

The association estimates 66,000 Iowans are living with Alzheimer’s and Livingston says many will show similar symptoms of a failing memory. “Challenges in solving problems like simple math, figuring out the tip on a bill, things like that,” Livingston says, “or difficulty just completing daily tasks like they would do normally, like getting dressed or taking a shower, having confusion with things they are normally familiar with.” They also many not recognize people with whom they’re ordinarily familiar.

So how do you tell if a loved one’s memory loss is just typical forgetfulness or if it’s the harbinger of a real problem? “One thing that’s kind of a key indicator would be seeing these signs over and over and over or every time you talk to a loved one on the phone and they’re forgetting the same thing that you shared multiple times,” Livingston says. “Seeing that pattern of forgetting things and things that they have done their whole lives or they’ve known their whole lives and they’re forgetting.”

The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline is a vital resource for concerns about cognitive changes affecting a loved one. The number, 800-272-3900, is staffed around the clock every day, even holidays.

State still evaluating adding summer federal food assistance for kids

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia says the state is still evaluating offering additional federal food assistance to low-income kids during the summer.

“We believe in feeding kids, period, full stop. But there are a lot of operational details we’re needing to plan for because Congress didn’t lay out a full package of how to operationalize this program,” Garcia says. The deadline to apply is January first. Garcia says the fact that the state hasn’t decided yet shouldn’t be taken as a sign that it won’t participate.

Democratic State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott Sarah Trone Garriott says she wants the state to join the program. “We want to make sure that our state has that opportunity, and if there’s anything we can do to assist in making sure that can happen. If that means talking with federal folks, whatever assistance we can provide-because it’s going to help a lot of kids,” she says.

The Summer EBT program would give families about $40 each month in the summer for kids who are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch. It’s meant to help ensure kids get enough to eat when they’re not in school.

Nunn Announces Nominees for U.S. Service Academy Appointments: Atlantic man among them

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES — U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (IA-03) today (Tuesday) announced that he has nominated four remarkable young Iowans to the U.S. service academies. After completing a rigorous nomination process, four young people have been selected to receive nominations to continue their education at U.S. service academies.

“As a 20-year member of our country’s military, one of the highest honors I have is the opportunity to nominate young Iowans to attend one of the U.S. Service Academies,” said Rep. Nunn. “My experience in the military has been transformative, and I’m grateful to be able to help other young people have the same experience. Each of these young men have shown commitment to our country and service over self through a challenging, competitive nomination process. I am proud to nominate them to represent Iowa at a Service Academy.”

The following individuals from Iowa’s Third District will receive a nomination to a U.S. Service Academy:

  • Colton Manock, Polk City
  • Tobin McArthur, Atlantic 
  • Aidan Murphy, Chariton
  • Mitchell Swarthout, Mount Ayr

Nominees completed a rigorous application process conducted by a selection panel including Iowa veterans and community leaders. The U.S. service academies will inform the final nominees regarding their admission decision over the coming months.

Cyclones Announce Trio of Transfers

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State coach Matt Fannon officially announced the addition of three transfers on Tuesday afternoon. All three will be joining the Cyclones for the spring semester.

Vanderbilt transfer Ella Zimmerman, along with a pair of teammates from Weber State – Morgan Furmaniak and Yira Yoggerst – make up the three-person class.

“It is really exciting to bring such high-caliber mid-year transfers into our program,” says Fannon. “We know we need to build some depth and quality across the squad, and these three women will make an immediate impact on training every day throughout the spring and help us build to new heights this fall.”

Morgan Furmaniak, a 5-10 forward and native of Plainfield, Ill., will spend her senior season with the Cyclones after starting 51 of 53 possible matches with the Wildcats.

Furmaniak had a stellar career with Portland State, beginning with her freshman campaign. As a rookie, she earned the Big Sky Newcomer of the Year award and was also an All-Academic Team member. As a sophomore, Furmaniak was named Co-Offensive MVP of the Big Sky as she also earned the Golden Boot Award and First Team All-Conference honors.

“Morgan has all the tools that make a great center forward,” says Associate Head Coach CC McGrath. “Her presence on the field is quickly apparent and she will add an element to our attack that makes us even more dynamic.”

Furmaniak has 12 career goals to pair with seven assists. She’s logged over 3,700 minutes of experience and has scored 31 points across her three-year collegiate career.

Yira Yoggerst comes to Ames along with Furmaniak from Weber State, after spending four years in her home city of Ogden with the Wildcats.

Yoggerst, a 5-4 midfielder, will spend her fifth collegiate season with the Cyclones, taking advantage of a COVID year. Across her four years with Weber State, Yoggerst started 41 of 60 matches and tallied over 3,700 minutes of action. She earned All-Conference First Team in 2022 after her junior campaign.

“Yira brings with her a ton of college playing experience,” says McGrath. “Her maturity and exposure to high levels of competition will serve her and this team well moving forward.”

Yira has four career goals to pair with six assists. She has one game-winning goal and places 38.6 percent of her shots on net.

Ella Zimmerman rounds out the recruiting class for ISU. Zimmerman, a Vanderbilt transfer, comes to Ames after spending two seasons with the Commodores as a defender.

A native of Cumming, Ga., Zimmerman has appeared in 27 matches across the past two seasons. Owning six career starts, Zimmerman has played in over 800 minutes of action.

“Ella has proven that she can play at an extremely high level coming from the SEC,” says McGrath. “We fully expect her to raise the standard within our team this spring.”

Ella will be a junior with the Cyclones in the upcoming 2024 season. She becomes the second Ella on the team, joining, coincidentally, fellow Georgia native Ella Ciardullo.

5 Hawkeyes Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by admin

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Five University of Iowa football student-athletes were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections, it was announced Tuesday by the CSC.

The Hawkeye honorees include sophomore Gennings Dunker, sophomore Aaron Graves, junior Mason Richman, sophomore Jaxon Rexroth and senior Quinn Schulte.

It is the second straight year Richman and Schulte have earned the CSC Academic All-District honor.

Dunker and Schulte are CSC Academic All-America finalists.  They will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members.  First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced on Jan. 23, 2024.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must have a 3.50 grade point average or higher and have one year completed in college.  On the field, student-athletes must have played in 90 percent or started 66 percent of the total games played.

The No. 17 Hawkeyes will play No. 21 Tennessee on Jan. 1, 2024, in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game will start at 12:06 (CT) and will be televised on ABC.

Iowa men host Maryland-Baltimore County Wednesday night

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by admin

The Iowa Hawkeye men close out the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule at home on Wednesday night by hosting Maryland-Baltimore County. The Retrievers enter the game with a record of 5-8.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says UMBC will challenge the Hawkeyes with their style of play.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on the search for a new OC

Sports

December 19th, 2023 by admin

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes won’t have a new offensive coordinator until after the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee. Brian Ferentz will not be returning and the injury plagued Iowa offense finished last in the country by averaging only 239 yards per game.

Ferentz says he has made three calls regarding the job and plans to make one more call this week.

While the coordinator will change the style will not and Ferentz says the Hawkeyes will remain committed to defense and ball control that has helped them average more than nine wins in the last eight full seasons.

Red Oak man arrested for Violation of Parole

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest at around 11:45-a.m., Monday, of 40-year-old Gordan Leroy Curnin III, of Red Oak. Curnin was taken into custody on a warrant for Violation of Parole. He was being held without bond in the Montgomery County Jail.

Adair-Casey CSD Organizational and Regular meeting set to take place Wed. evening (12/20/23)

News

December 19th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Adair, Iowa) – An organizational meeting of the new Adair-Casey Community School District Board of Education will take place 7-p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20th, at the AC-GC Junior High Media Center, in Adair. That meeting will be followed by the Regular Board meeting. The agenda for both sessions is as follows:

I. Organizational Meeting of New Board
A. Call to Order (Board Secretary presiding)
B. Administer Oath of Office to Newly Elected Board Members
C. Roll Call
D. Approve Meeting Agenda
E. Election of Board President & Vice-President (Oath of Office)
F. Appoint Board Treasurer & Board Secretary (Oath of Office)
G. Appoint Adair County Conference Board Representative
G. Recommendation is needed for one Adair County Conference Board Representative.
H. Appoint Title IX/Equity Coordinator
H. Recommend to approve Mrs. Kara Mahaffey as the Title IX/Equity Coordinator for Adair-Casey CSD. Mrs. Mahaffey currently serves in this role for both the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center School Districts.
I. Adopt Rules & Procedures for Conducting Board Meetings
I. Recommend Roberts Rules of Order  as the rules and procedures for conducting board meetings.
J. Set Regular Meeting Date, Time & Place of Board Meetings
J. Recommend the third Wednesday of the month, 7:00 PM, alternating locations between the Junior High and High School.
K. Resolution – Name Official Publication
K. Recommend the Adair News as the official publication of Adair-Casey CSD.
L. Resolution – Appoint Legal Counsel
L. Recommend Ahlers and Cooney, P.C., as the legal council for Adair-Casey CSD.
M. Adjourn Organizational Meeting

II. Regular Meeting
A. Call to Order/Roll Call
B. Approve Meeting Agenda
C. Welcome Visitors/Public Comment
D. Principal Reports
E. Superintendent Report
F. Board Report
G. Financial Reports
1. Cash Balances & Bank Reconciliation
2. Nutrition Fund Monthly Report
3. Student Activity Fund Monthly Report
4. All Other Funds Monthly Report
5. General Fund: Line Item Budget Monthly Report
6. General Fund: Year-to-Date Revenue/Expenditure Summary
7. General Fund: Salaries & Benefits Comparison Report
H. Consent Items
1. Special Education Contracts
2. Jason Calhoun- JH Basketball Volunteer
3. Amber Gettler- JH Basketball Volunteer
I. Discussion Items
1. Board Member Committees
2. Transportation Update
3. Marketing & Retention
4. Comprehensive Financial Projection Model (CFPM)
J. Upcoming Dates
1. 2-Hour Early Dismissal – December 22nd
2. No School (Winter Break) – December 25th – January 2nd
3. IASB Workshop – New Board Member Onboarding – January (multiple dates)
4. ISFIS Workshop- January 4th, 6:00 PM
5. End of 2nd Quarter – January 10th
6. No School (Teacher PD) – January 15th
7. Regular Board Meeting – January 17th
K. Action Items
1. SBRC Application – Open Enrollment Out
1. Authorize the district’s administration to submit a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $110,345.36 for open enrolled out students who were not included in the district’s previous year certified enrollment count.
2. IASB Fall 2023 Policy Primer Updates- 1st Reading:  Recommend approving the 1st reading of the Fall 2023 IASB Policy Primer updates.

Due to some Simbli copy/paste issues, the PDF documents below are incorrectly titled. Here are the correct titles:

701.05- Fiscal management (new, not required)
701.05 R(1)- Fiscal management-Financial Metrics (new, not required)
701.05 moved to 701.06 to match IASB Policy Reference Manual-Business Operations Disaster Recovery Plan
3. Pay App #2 – JH Bleacher Replacement Project
3. Approve pay app #2 to Larson Construction for the JH bleachers, as presented.
L. Adjourn Regular Meeting.