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No injuries reported following a collision in Red Oak, Monday evening

News

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Red Oak Police say the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision at around 5:45-p.m. Monday was checked by medics but was not seriously injured. The accident happened at the intersection of 8th and Joy Streets, when a 2016 Chevy Silverado pickup driven by 56-year old Jeanne Franson, of Villisca, struck a 2009 Nissan Murano driven by 43-year old Shirley Urich, of Red Oak. Authorities say the crash happened when Franson failed to yield at the intersection. Her pickup struck the Murano on the passenger side front door. The impact caused the Nissan to spin 180 degrees on the roadway. Airbags deployed on both vehicles. Urich was checked out by medics but did not require transport to the hospital. Franson was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign.

Damage from the crash amounted to $9,000.

Elliott man arrested early this (Tue.) morning

News

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop just south of Elliott at around 12:10-a.m. today (Tuesday), resulted in the arrest of 33-year old Cory Ross Smith, of Elliott. Smith was arrested for Driving While Revoked for OWI Test Refusal. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Snowfall possible later this week along with much colder temps

News, Weather

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Winter may be making a very timely arrival later this week. The winter solstice will occur at 10:28 A-M Central Time on Thursday and forecasters say Iowa may see snow fly about that same time as much colder weather arrives, as if on cue. Meteorologist Cory Martin, at the National Weather Service, says they’re tracking a storm system that will be moving across the Northern Plains in the Thursday-Friday timeframe.

“It looks likely that parts of Iowa are going to see their first accumulating snowfall of the winter season,” Martin says. “That looks most likely across northern Iowa at this point. Further south, into central and southern Iowa, it’s a little bit more uncertain. We’re going to have some relatively warm air lingering around that might keep us with rain or a rain-snow mix.”

Since it’s still a few days away, forecasters are shying away from predicting just how much snow will fall and where, though Martin says it’s likely most of central and southern Iowa will see little-to-no accumulation. “Further north, how much snow we’re expecting right now, it doesn’t look like anything too heavy,” Martin says. “It looks like the best bet for heavier snow will probably stay up in South Dakota to Minnesota but we’ll continue to monitor that.”

With the Christmas holiday coming up, there will be plenty of motorists on the roads later this week. Martin says the state’s main east-west corridor may be wet but it shouldn’t be white. “Oh, for Interstate 80, I wouldn’t alter any travel plans at this point,” Martin says. “Just stay vigilant for forecast updates to see if anything changes through the week. One thing to keep in mind for the weekend, we are looking at a rather cold air mass surging south out of Canada. It’s going to be below- to well-below-normal temperatures here. If you’re traveling, make sure you have safety kits with you, just in case something were to happen.”

The latest forecast calls for rain likely most of Thursday before changing to freezing rain near sunset. A mix of freezing rain and snow is likely to continue Thursday night into early Friday morning.  Another travel hazard on Thursday and Friday could be strong, gusty winds. Temperatures will be plummeting over the weekend as well.

(Radio Iowa)

Area basketball scores from Monday, 12/18/17

Sports

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hawkeye Ten Conference

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 62, Atlantic 60
Creston-Orient-Macksburg 51, Chariton 39
Denison-Schleswig 50, MVAO-CO-U 49, OT

Rolling Valley Conference

Ar-We-Va 69, Woodbine 48
CAM, Anita 69, East Mills 27
Paton-Churdan 48, West Bend-Mallard 42

Western Iowa Conference

Griswold 63, Stanton 56

Corner Conference

Fremont Mills, Tabor 82, Heartland Christian 35

Other Scores

Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 64, Ralston, Neb. 62
Kingsley-Pierson 82, Whiting 15
Lamoni 57, East Union, Afton 35
Mount Ayr 64, Worth County, Mo. 38

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hawkeye Ten Confernce

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 59, Atlantic 45
Chariton 67, Creston 54
Denison-Schleswig 65, MVAO-CO-U 35

Rolling Valley Conference

Ar-We-Va, Westside 77, Woodbine 44
CAM, Anita 57, East Mills 17
Paton-Churdan 45, West Bend-Mallard 32

Western Iowa Conference

Griswold 29, Stanton 15

Corner Conference

Fremont Mills, Tabor 57, Heartland Christian 42

Other Scores

Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 54, Ralston, Neb. 31
East Union, Afton 40, Lamoni 31
Kingsley-Pierson 82, Whiting 15
Newell-Fonda 87, OA-BCIG 58
Worth County, Mo. 63, Mount Ayr 55

(Update) Rollover accident near the Cass/Pott. County line, Monday

News

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A woman from Nebraska was injured during a single-vehicle, rollover accident Monday evening near the Cass-Pottawattamie County line. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2003 Toyota Camry driven by 22-year old Agnes Santo Lako, of Lincoln, NE., was traveling east on Interstate 80 at around 4:50-p.m., and near mile marker 50, when for reasons unknown, the car went out of control.

The vehicle entered the median and rolled once, coming to rest on the driver’s side on the inside lane of I-80 westbound. The lane was blocked during the initial investigation. Authorities say alcohol is a likely factor in the crash, which remained under investigation.

The Patrol says Santo Lako, who was wearing her seat belt, was flown by Midwest MedAir to the UNMC in Omaha.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, 12/19/17

News

December 19th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:20 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district and his wife are opening their home to a 17-year-old Guatemalan immigrant whose parents were forced to leave the U.S. because they weren’t in the country legally. Jennifer Galdames applied for legal residency before her stepfather and mother were detained in October. The high school junior didn’t want to move to New Jersey to live with a relative she hadn’t met, so Des Moines Schools Superintendent Tom Ahart and Jami Bassman Ahart took her in.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Fire has destroyed a popular Des Moines bowling alley that dates to the 1950s. A fire department spokesman says firefighters were called to Plaza Lanes just after 5 a.m. Monday after a passerby reported smoke and small flames. Firefighters opened up the roof in an effort to douse the flames but the fire moved quickly through the structure, with the roof collapsing about a half hour later. In a message on the business website, the owners promised to rebuild the bowling alley.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A judge has sentenced a Chicago man to life in prison for the 2015 shooting death of a man during an argument in Burlington, Iowa. The Hawk Eye newspaper reports 24-year-old Earl Booth-Harris was sentenced Monday following his November conviction of first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Deonte Carter. Police say Booth-Harris shot Carter three times on Feb. 16, 2015, after arguing over stolen shoes. Later, Booth-Harris was charged with attempted murder in an attack on a jail officer.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The funeral service for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s brother has been held in northern Iowa. Monroe “Monte” Branstad, who was 67, died last Wednesday at a Mason City hospital after a recent illness. Terry Branstad, now ambassador to China, returned to Iowa for the Monday funeral.

Kuemper Catholic edges out Atlantic boys hoops on Monday

Sports

December 18th, 2017 by admin

The Atlantic Boys Basketball team showed improvement but couldn’t get the win on Monday night at Kuemper Catholic. The Knights broke a 57-all tie with a three from Nate Mertz and held on for a 62-60 victory over the Trojans.  It was a back and forth game with 8 lead changes in the second half. After the Mertz make Atlantic turned the ball over on a traveling violation. The Trojans would then put Kuemper at the line 21 seconds left for a 1-1 but the Knights would lose the chance to shoot after a player tried to leave his rebounding spot to fall back as the shooter was receiving the ball. The lane violation gave Atlantic the ball back down three. Jaxson Eden would get to the line and make 1 of 2 free throws with nine seconds left. Parker Badding would then knock down two free throws to push the lead to 4 points. Logan Reilly got a tip in at the buzzer to provide the final 2 point margin.

The game was tied at 14 at the end of the first quarter, Kuemper gained a 6 point halftime lead 32-26, and it was 48-all at the end of the third.

The Trojans’ strong free throw shooting in the first half was a factor that turned sour in the second half. They were 10-12 before the break, but just 4-11 after half to finish just 61% for the game at the charity stripe.  The Knights also outscored the Trojans from long range with a 30-12 advantage from three.

Kuemper was led by 25 points from Parker Badding who led all scorers in the game and had 17 in the first half. Sam Auen added 12 points for the Knights with 4 threes in the second half. Kuemper improves to 5-1 with the win and will next host Newell-Fonda on Friday night.

Atlantic was led by Scott Leonard’s 21 points, while Austin Alexander added 12 and Jaxson Eden had 11. The Trojans fall to 3-4 with the loss and will host St. Albert on Thursday night for their second meeting of the young season with the Falcons.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board News

News

December 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones, Monday evening, administered the Oath of Office to one new and one returning Parks Board members. John Krogman and Jolene Smith were elected on during the City Elections on Nov. 7th. Both ran unopposed. Smith was re-elected. For Krogman, who once served as Mayor, it was his first time on the Board.

Afterward, the Board nominated and elected Erin McFadden as Vice-Chair. In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm said plans for the playground at the Schildberg Rec Area are going well. He said the playground plans are in-place and he’s working with the Rotary still to with the financing for the shelter and plans, the bids for which will let in January or February 2018. He’s hoping a local company will place bids for the shelter, the budget for which is $45,000, but they’re hoping for closer to $42,000 to $43,000.

Staashelm said also, many of the Schildberg projects will be kicking off in the Spring, and some projects will be wrapped-up. John Krogman said however, that the roof on top of the fishing pier may be installed this winter, much to the surprise of Staashelm and the Board. An Eagle Scout will also work on picnic tables in the Spring. Staashelm said there are currently 15 campers on the pads at Schildberg, and five empty spots, but the numbers seem to stay current. As soon as person leaves another takes their place. Work on the Lake #3 Trail will be conducted in the Spring, but it’s perfectly solid enough right now in its natural form to walk on.

As far as the Public Gardens at Mollett Park off East 3rd Street Place and Cedar Park, Staashelm says they received feedback on their website, social media, and Harvest Markets, as to what should be featured at those sites. Rentable spots at Mollett Park are possible for gardening there. The area could also feature edible landscaping, such as fruit and nutbearing trees and shrubs. There are hopes, too, of running a trail from Mollett Park to 7th Street, along with improved parking.

The feedback was also positive for public gardens and edible landscaping at Cedar Park, along with a splash pad. A basketball court was also deemed a priority. Restrooms were also requested. Staashelm said he will present the preliminary plans to the City Council on January 17th.

In other business, the Board approved offering members of the Nishna Valley YMCA a combo pass to Sunnyside Pool. And, Staashelm said they will be setting up the ice rink Tuesday and Wednesday for use later this week, weather permitting.

Rollover accident on I-80 in Cass County

News

December 18th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Marne Fire and Rescue, Atlantic Rescue and Medivac have all been paged to a rollover accident on Interstate 80 this evening. The accident occurred at around 4:50-p.m. at the 49.85-mile marker westbound. Injuries have been reported. No further details are available at this time.

High school boys basketball poll 12/18/2017

Sports

December 18th, 2017 by admin

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school basketball poll with first-place votes in parentheses, win-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Class 4A
Record Pts Prv
1. Iowa City, West (12) 5-0 120 1
2. Des Moines, North 5-1 98 4
3. Dubuque, Senior 4-0 93 6
4. Waukee 5-1 84 5
5. Johnston 5-1 79 T2
6. Linn-Mar, Marion 4-1 50 10
7. Sioux City, East 4-1 48 T2
8. Des Moines, Hoover 5-1 39 8
9. North Scott, Eldridge 5-1 29 NR
10. Dubuque, Hempstead 4-1 18 NR

Others receiving votes: Pleasant Valley 15. Davenport, North 11. Cedar Falls 10. Newton (1) 10. Epworth, Western Dubuque 6. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines 2. Valley, West Des Moines 2. Muscatine 1.

Class 3A
Record Pts Prv
1. Norwalk (6) 7-0 118 2
2. Xavier, Cedar Rapids (5) 4-1 109 1
3. Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City (1) 4-0 104 4
4. Glenwood (1) 6-0 99 3
5. Oskaloosa 8-0 87 5
6. Harlan 5-0 58 7
7. Mount Pleasant 4-2 35 9
8. Spirit Lake 4-1 34 8
9. Le Mars 5-1 24 NR
10. Pella 5-1 23 6

Others receiving votes: Webster City 8. Dallas Center-Grimes 6. Wahlert, Dubuque 4. Charles City 4. Washington 2.

Class 2A
Record Pts Prv
1. Sioux Center (7) 6-0 123 1
2. Western Christian, Hull (5) 4-0 118 3
3. Van Meter (1) 6-0 95 2
4. Aplington-Parkersburg 6-0 72 5
5. Sheldon 6-1 71 4
6. South Hamilton, Jewell 8-0 65 6
7. Cascade,Western Dubuque 7-0 41 8
8. Unity Christian, Orange City 6-1 37 7
9. Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 4-1 18 T9
10. Regina, Iowa City 5-0 14 NR

Others receiving votes: Dike-New Hartford 13. Forest City 12. Treynor 9. Des Moines Christian 7. East Marshall, Le Grand 6. Northeast, Goose Lake 4. West Lyon, Inwood 4. Wapello 3. PCM, Monroe 2. Central Lee, Donnellson 1.

Class 1A
Record Pts Prv
1. North Linn, Troy Mills (8) 7-0 124 1
2. Grand View Christian (5) 7-0 118 2
3. St. Mary’s, Remsen 7-0 104 3
4. Wapsie Valley, Fairbank 6-0 66 6
5. St. Albert, Council Bluffs 4-2 63 4
6. Gladbrook-Reinbeck 4-0 50 T7
7. George-Little Rock 5-2 45 5
8. Don Bosco, Gilbertville 5-0 41 NR
9. Lynnville-Sully 6-1 17 NR
10. New London 6-1 13 T10

Others receiving votes: Bishop Garrigan, Algona 11. Ankeny Christian Academy 11. Iowa Mennonite, Kalona 9. Bedford 8. Edgewood-Colesburg 7. South O’Brien, Paullina 7. Graettinger-Terril-Ruthven-Ayrshire 5. Gehlen Catholic, Le Mars 4. Madrid 4. Alburnett 4. Dunkerton 3. St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 1.