United Group Insurance

Special School District meetings set for Wednesday in Griswold

News

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Griswold and Lenox Boards of Education will hold a Special Joint Meeting 7-p.m. Wednesday, in the Griswold Middle School/High School Library. On their agenda is discussion, with regard to Superintendent Sharing and an Individual Contract. The combined Boards will then consider entering into a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an employee “Whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered…”

The closed session will be followed by the resumption of an open session, whereby the Boards will consider approval of a Sharing Agreement and approval of a Superintendent Contract. Immediately after the Joint Meeting adjourns, the Griswold School Board will hold a Special meeting to consider approving an Open Enrollment request.

WAYNE DONALD FASTLE, 79, of Earlham (Memorial Svc. 3/2/19)

Obituaries

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

WAYNE DONALD FASTLE, 79, of Earlham, died Feb. 23rd, at Methodist West Hospital, in West Des Moines. Visitation for WAYNE FASTLE will be held from 10-until 11-a.m. Saturday, March 2nd, at the Earlham Presbyterian Church, followed by a Memorial Service at the church. Johnson Family Funeral Home in Earlham has the arrangements.

Burial will be in the Earlham City Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Earlham Fire Department, in care of the funeral home.

 

Atlantic School Board Work Session set for Wed. evening

News

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will meet during a Work Session 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27th, in the Middle School Media Center. During their session, the Board will discuss a “High School Academic Opportunity,” and discuss upcoming notable dates, including:

  • Special Election (Bond-related) voting begins March 4th
  • A Public Hearing for the 2019-2020 School Calendar (during the Board’s regular meeting on March 13th)
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences (March 13-14)
  • and a presentation by Aaron Thomas 10-a.m. March 22nd.

Following their session, the Atlantic School Board will hold a closed session (as allowed under the Iowa Code) for the Superintendent’s Annual Evaluation.

(Update) — Authorities say 3 people killed in Muscatine house fire

News

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Three people died in a fire that heavily damaged a two-story house in the eastern Iowa city of Muscatine, fire officials said. Firefighters dispatched around 6:40 p.m. Monday found flames coming from several doors and windows, the Muscatine Fire Department said. One injured person found outside the home was taken to Trinity Muscatine hospital in critical condition. The person’s name hasn’t been released. Firefighters found three bodies inside the home. Fire Chief Jerry Ewers declined to say Tuesday whether the three lived there. Their names were being withheld until relatives could be notified about the deaths. Autopsies were ordered. Ewers said one of his firefighters suffered a minor burn. A pet cat was rescued.

Two other departments sent units and off-duty Muscatine firefighters also were called in to help, he said. There was heavy damage throughout the first and second floors, and smoke and water damage throughout the basement. The house will likely be considered a total loss, the fire department said. Investigators have determined where the fire started but not what caused it. The house was equipped with smoke alarms, but it’s not certain whether they were working when the fire began, the department said.

Man acquitted of vehicular homicide gets prison for OWI

News

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A southeast Iowa man acquitted of vehicular homicide but found guilty of operating while intoxicated has been imprisoned. The Hawk Eye reports that 58-year-old Bradley Wischmeier was sentenced Monday to two years. A jury delivered the verdicts on Dec. 17. The charges followed the April 17 death of 50-year-old Lisa Wischmeier. Deputies found the couple in a harvested cornfield not far from the Wischmeiers’ home near Burlington. Bradley Wischmeier was lying around 20 yards from a blazing vehicle and his wife was dead, near the car.

Court records say Bradley Wischmeier acknowledged driving around the field until the vehicle overheated and caught fire.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26th

Trading Post

February 26th, 2019 by Jim Field

WANTED:  a stationary bike.  Call 712-249-2133.

Backyard & Beyond 2-26-2019

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 26th, 2019 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Pastor Ray McCalla about the summer presentation of the Cass County Choral Society.  Singers are welcome to join!

Play

Training Magazine Names Workiva to its Training Top 125 Organizations List

News

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Workiva, the leading cloud provider of connected data, reporting and compliance solutions, was named one of the 2019 Training Top 125 Organizations by Training magazine. It’s the third consecutive year the Ames-based Workiva has been on the list that recognizes companies for innovative employee learning and development programs. Workiva was also recently named to FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® and Best Workplaces in Technology lists.

The Training Top 125 ranking is determined by assessing many factors, including the scope of employee learning and development programs and the impact of those training programs on achieving business goals and objectives. The complete list of Training Top 125 Organizations can be found online at trainingmag.com.

Training is a 55-year-old professional development magazine written for training, Human Resources, and business management professionals in all industries that advocate training and workforce development as a business tool. Training also produces world-class conferences, expositions, and digital products that focus on job-related, employer-sponsored training and education in the working world.

Northern Iowa looks to extend streak vs Loyola-Chicago

Sports

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Northern Iowa looks for its fifth straight conference win against Loyola of Chicago Wednesday night at the McLeod Center, in Cedar Falls. Tip-time is 8-p.m. Northern Iowa’s last MVC loss came against the Drake Bulldogs 83-77 on Feb. 9. Loyola of Chicago fell 63-53 at Southern Illinois on Sunday. AJ Green is putting up 15.3 points to lead the way for the Panthers. Wyatt Lohaus is also a key contributor, maintaining an average of 9.8 points per game. The Ramblers are led by Cameron Krutwig, who is averaging 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.

Green has connected on 34.6 percent of the 179 3-pointers he’s attempted and has gone 10 for 25 over his last five games. He’s also converted 85.7 percent of his foul shots this season. The Panthers are 11-0 when holding opponents to 43.8 percent or worse from the field, and 3-15 when opponents shoot better than that. The Ramblers are 14-0 when they score at least 70 points and 3-12 on the year when falling short of 70.

The Ramblers have recently converted buckets via assists more often than the Panthers. Northern Iowa has an assist on 26 of 68 field goals (38.2 percent) over its past three matchups while Loyola of Chicago has assists on 33 of 74 field goals (44.6 percent) during its past three games. The Loyola of Chicago defense has allowed only 60.9 points per game to opponents, which is the sixth-best mark in the country. The Northern Iowa offense has averaged just 66.6 points through 29 games (ranked 280th among Division I teams).

Drake looks to sweep Indiana St. Wed. night

Sports

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Indiana State seeks revenge on Drake Wednesday night at the Knapp Center, in Des Moines, after dropping the first matchup in Terre Haute. The teams last played on Feb. 2, when the Bulldogs shot 48.1 percent from the field while limiting Indiana State to just 40 percent on their way to a six-point victory. Nick McGlynn has averaged 15.4 points and 8.3 rebounds to lead the way for the Bulldogs. D.J. Wilkins is also a top contributor, accounting for 11.3 points per game. The Sycamores are led by Tyreke Key, who is averaging 17.1 points.

Key has connected on 44.3 percent of the 79 3-pointers he’s attempted and has made 4 of 12 over the last three games. He’s also converted 78.9 percent of his free throws this season. Indiana State is 0-6 when scoring fewer than 62 points and 14-8 when scoring at least 62. Indiana State is a perfect 6-0 when the team makes eight or more 3-pointers. The Sycamores are 8-14 when the team hits fewer than eight threes.

Drake is ranked first among MVC teams with an average of 75.9 points per game. Tip-off for the game is set for 8-p.m.