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Alexander accepts OA-BCIG Superintendent’s job

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

It’s official: Atlantic Athletic Director and Assistant High School Principal Matt Alexander will become the new Superintendent of the Odebolt-Arthur/Battle Creek/Ida Grove School District, effective July 1st. The OA-BCIG School Board offered him the job last Saturday with a verbal commitment, pending their meeting today (Tuesday), during which the offer was affirmed.

Matt Alexander

Alexander sat down with the media Tuesday afternoon to discuss the offer, which he said he “Was pleased to receive.” He said also that “It’s an opportunity for me to advance my career, something I’ve studied for and hoped for, for a while. It always comes with mixed emotions…leaving somewhere I’ve been for a long time. I’ve been in [Atlantic] for 23-years, and the school District for 17. I’ve met a lot of great people and had some wonderful opportunities….I think it’s a great professional move, and it’s the right time for my family to make that move.”

He said as for his replacement, and where Atlantic Athletics go from this point forward, that will be up to the Administrative team, who will work with the School Board, to determine how they will fill the position (including looking at other options, such as split duties).

He said the opportunities to serve in a variety of roles in the Atlantic School District has prepared him for the leap to Superintendent. Learning about Iowa School Finances has also helped to prepare him for “the next step.” He said also, he’s looking forward to the challenge. As for what he leaves behind, Alexander said the District’s Athletic facilities and school security need to be priorities, especially in light of the recent shootings in Florida, and other threats around the Midwest that have people on edge.

OA-BCIG he says, also are working on improving their athletic facilities. Alexander is originally from Ida Grove. He’s a 1991 graduate of the former Ida Grove High School. He said “It was a little bit odd walking back into the building that I attended as a student, but a lot of things were the same, but there also a lot of things that had changed. I can that over the years, the District has been very proud of their facilities and I want to keep moving that forward.”

He said when he began the search for a superintendents position, his goal was to look in northwest Iowa to be closer to his family. The Atlantic School Board is expected to act on approving Alexander’s resignation during their meeting Wednesday afternoon.

Lewis Central suffers first loss in State Quarterfinals

Sports

February 27th, 2018 by Jim Field

(From the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union)
A second-quarter flurry did the trick for Le Mars in an upset victory.

The ninth-ranked Bulldogs hit four 3-pointers in a 17-0 run that put them in control and they held off a late charge by No. 2 Lewis Central to hand the Titans their first loss, 52-43 in the final game of the Class 4A quarterfinals.

The big run put Le Mars up 25-13 at halftime and the Bulldogs closed it out with free throws after Lewis Central threatened in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Jaelynn Dreckman led Le Mars with 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Her cousin Madison, a junior, added 13 points and Jenn Schneider scored 10.

Maegan Holt led Lewis Central with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Natalie Rigatuso added eight points for the Titans and Dani Petersen scored seven.

Le Mars had Lewis Central out of sorts early and by the time the Titans finally found their footing, it was too late. The Bulldogs held the Titans to 28.3 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers. Even with 13 steals and a 37-21 rebounding advantage, Lewis Central could not completely overcome its slow start, though the Titans did make a game of it near the end.

An 11-0 run cut the lead to 35-30 and Sidney Baumgartner’s only basket of the game, a 3 from the deep right corner, drew the Titans to 43-40 with 2:16 left.

But Jaelynn Dreckman answered with a fastbreak layup and, after Lewis Central missed two shots that could have cut into the lead, the Bulldogs sank seven of eight free throws in the final minute to secure their upset.

Le Mars, in its first trip to state since 2002, will take an 18-6 record against Grinnell in a semifinal at 3:15 p.m. Thursday. Lewis Central set a school record for victories and finishes a fine season at 22-1. It was the first unbeaten regular season in school history.

White House: Talks to continue on renewable fuel standard

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says talks will continue on a dispute over the future of the renewable fuel standard, which has pitted lawmakers from corn-producing states against those representing refineries.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says President Donald Trump had a productive meeting Tuesday with four Republican senators: Ted Cruz of Texas, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa.

The White House says Trump has made clear his commitment to the RFS and support for farmers and energy workers. The standard requires biofuels from corn and soybeans to be blended into gasoline and diesel. Midwest states have sought to maintain the standards while oil companies have pushed to ease the mandates.
Grassley says in a conference call with reporters that no deal was reached Tuesday.

Iowa Senate OKs traffic camera ban but bill’s future unclear

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would ban automated traffic enforcement cameras in the state, though the measure’s future is unclear. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 32-18 Tuesday for the legislation, which would prohibit devices tracking vehicles that speed or run a red light.

The measure heads to the GOP-majority House, where leadership hasn’t commented on its chances. A separate bill in the Legislature would instead add regulations for such cameras.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says eight cities operate about 80 related devices. A ban would reduce revenue for local governments by about $12 million annually.

The Legislature has considered a ban for years. The state’s transportation department faced legal challenges recently for ordering cities to remove some cameras. The Iowa Supreme Court sided with the state last year.

Harlan Police report (2/27)

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department reports numerous arrests dating back to Valentine’s Day. Today (Tuesday), 53-year old Curt Thomas Anstey, of Harlan, was arrested following an investigation of a suspicious vehicle.  He also had an active warrant out of Cass County.  Anstey was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Monday, 23-year old Brandon Lee Anderson, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail. 45-year old Stephanie Ann Good, of Harlan, was arrested Monday as well, following a call for a possible domestic situation.  She was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Feb. 16th, 45-year old Richard Eugene Green, of Harlan, was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail. And, on Valentine’s Day, 35-year old Justin Charles Henricksen, of Harlan, was arrested on an active warrant.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail.

Day care operator takes plea deal in death of toddler

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A Waterloo woman has taken a plea deal in the death of a toddler at her in-home day care. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that 43-year-old Amy Hangartner entered Alford pleas Monday to neglect of a dependent person and to child endangerment. A second count of child endangerment was dropped in exchange for her pleas. Under an Alford plea, a person doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence for a conviction.

Prosecutors say 18-month-old Brody Harrelson was found unresponsive and later died in June 2015 after Hangartner put him in an infant car seat and left him unattended in a closet to nap. Brody apparently slid down in the seat and a strap became stretched over his neck. An autopsy determined he died of mechanical or positional asphyxia.

Atlantic Police report (2/27) – 3 arrests

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson reports three arrests occurred over the past few days. Today (Tuesday), 32-year old Christopher Seymour, of Atlantic, was arrested for OWI. And, on Friday, 25-year old Adnan Abdic, of Waterloo, was arrested on a Black Hawk County warrant for Theft in the 4th Degree. 26-year old Nurija Huebner, also of Waterloo, was arrested Friday for Theft in the 2nd Degree (possession of stolen property) and Theft in the 4th Degree (Shoplifting). All three subjects were booked into the Cass County Jail.

AZ man found guilty of deer poaching at Lake Manawa State Park

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports Nicholas Slater of Glendale, Ariz. was found guilty following a trial on Feb. 12th, 2018, for charges related to poaching a whitetail deer. The poaching incident occurred at Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs on Nov. 19, 2016.  Slater was found guilty on seven charges, including hunting on a game refuge, not having a valid nonresident hunting license and habitat fee, not having a valid deer tag (either antlerless or antlered/anysex), and illegal taking, transporting and possession of deer.

The total fines for Slater are $7,061.95, which includes court-imposed civil damages for the reimbursement of the deer. In addition, Slater will have his hunting privileges suspended for three years in Iowa and the Interstate Wildlife Violator’s Compact as a result of the conviction. The Iowa DNR was assisted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department with the investigation.

Boys Class 4A Substate Final Schedule 02/27/2018

Sports

February 27th, 2018 by admin

CLASS 4A:
Des Moines, Hoover vs. Valley, West Des Moines @ Ankeny Centennial
Des Moines, North vs. Johnston @ Ankeny High
Dubuque, Senior vs. North Scott, Eldridge @ Clinton
Waukee vs. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines @ Dallas Center-Grimes
Sioux City, East vs. Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln @ Iowa Western Community College
Cedar Falls vs. Dubuque, Hempstead @ McLeod Center
Linn-Mar, Marion vs. Muscatine @ US Cellular Center
Iowa City, West vs. Cedar Rapids, Kennedy @ US Cellular Center

Glenwood man arrested on warrant for FTA on Serious Assault charge

News

February 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Glenwood Police Department reports 28-year old Thomas Cash, of Glenwood, was arrested Monday, on a Mills County warrant for Failure to Appear in Court, on an original charge of Serious Assault. His cash or surety bond was set at $5,000.