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Iowa State guard Keshon Gilbert to miss NCAA Tournament

Sports

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger says guard Keshon Gilbert will miss the NCAA Tournament due to a muscle strain. Gilbert did not play in Thursday’s loss to 17th ranked BYU at the Big 12 Tournament. Junior guard Tamin Lipsey also missed that game due to a groin injury.

Otzelberger expects Lipsey will play Friday when the Cyclones open the NCAA Tournament against Lipscomb in Milwaukee.

Otzelberger believes the Cyclones will be focused even without Gilbert in the lineup.

Iowa State is the third seed in the East Region. Lipscomb is the 14th seed after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

Tip time has been set for 12:30 on Friday.

Posted in Sports |

Drake to play Missouri in the NCAA Tournament

Sports

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Drake will play Missouri in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament Thursday in Wichita. The Bulldogs are the 11th seed in the West Region and will play a sixth seeded Tiger squad that is one of 14 S-E-C teams in the field. Drake is 30-3 under first year coach Ben McCollum and won the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles.

The Bulldogs and the fans in attendance at the watch party had to wait deep into the NCAA selection show to see where they are headed.

McCollum was asked how long it will take to put a scouting report together on Missouri.

Drake is already considered a trendy upset pick but McCollum has told his team all season not to “drink the poison.”

McCollum on the match-up against Mizzou.

McCollum says he remains focused on this team even though his name has been connected to openings at Iowa, Indiana and Virginia.

Junior guard Bennett Stirtz is the Missouri Valley Conference Player-of-the-Year and was one of four players to follow McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake.

Stirtz says he will have a lot of family and friends in Wichita.

Stirtz on seeing Drake’s name on the selection show and hearing his name being talked about.

Forward Daniel Abreau also started his career at Northwest Missouri State but unlike Stirtz did not grow up watching the selection show.

Abreau says he is not a junkie when it comes to basketball on television.

Abreau says at this point any opponent will be a challenge.

Tip time is 6:35 on Thursday.

Posted in Sports |

Three die in weekend house fire in Lawton

News

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Three adults died in a house fire early Saturday morning in the small town of Lawton, which is seven miles east of Sioux City. Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan says the victims called 9-1-1 at about 1:15 a.m. Saturday to say they were trapped on an upper floor of their burning home.

“When deputies arrived at 1:22 a.m., they reported flames visible and heavy smoke. Two minutes later, Lawton Fire arrived on scene and began fighting the fire,” he said. “A call for mutual aid was put out and multiple area community fire and EMS units assisted.” Sheehan says the victims were a man and his wife and their adult grandson.

Woodbury County Sheriff Chad Sheehan speaks during news conference. (KSCJ photo)

“I’ve spoke to the family. The family certainly wants to express their appreciation for the outpouring of support from the community,” the sheriff said, “but as you might imagine they ask everyone to respect their privacy as they grieve this terrible loss.”

The State Fire Marshall has been called in to help investigate the cause of the fire.

Posted in News |

Democrats blast GOP for delayed decision on school funding

News

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner says it’s long past time for statehouse Republicans to decide how much per pupil funding Iowa schools will get from the state for the next academic year.  “Do your job and stop punishing our schools with wasted time and delays,” Weiner says. This past Saturday was the deadline for Iowa school boards to release a budget plan for the 2025-26 school year, so the public may comment on it.

Weiner says Republicans have blown past the February deadline in state law for letting schools know what per pupil funding levels will be. “Governance means being responsible to the people,” Weiner said, “being responsible to Iowans.” In January, Governor Kim Reynolds proposed a two percent increase in the state’s per pupil spending and Senate Republicans have voted for that level of funding.

Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) (official photo)

House Republicans have voted for a slightly higher level of per pupil spending, plus extra money for transportation budgets and an additional 22-point-six MILLION to help schools deal with general expenses that are higher due to inflation. House Speaker Pat Grassley says there’s no deal to bring up for a vote on the House floor.

“If we can get in a position where we can negotiate some of those other things, we’d love to be able to get this settled and give some certainty,” Grassley says. Grassley says House Republicans intend to stand firm on their position after hearing from Iowans who favor the House G-O-P package. Iowa’s public school districts must submit a final budget for the nexts school year to the state by April 15th.

Posted in News |

(UPDATED) Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: Monday, 3/17/25

Weather

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

(UPDATED) Today: **RED FLAG WARNING from 11-a.m. until 8-p.m.**Sunny & windy, with a high near 77. S/SW winds 15-30 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. S/SW winds becoming N/NE @ 5-15 mph w/gusts to around 25.
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. East winds 10 to 15 mph becoming S/SW w/gust to 20 mph.
Tom. Night: A slight chance of showers & thunderstorms. Low around 38. E/SE @ 15-40 mph becoming N/NE. **WINTER STORM WATCH 4-A.M. WED. UNTIL 1-A.M. THURSDAY**
Wednesday: **Winter Storm Watch**Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 1pm. Some thunder is also possible. Very windy w/areas of blowing snow after noon. High near 40.
Wed.: Partly cloudy w/patchy blowing snow. Low around 21.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 50.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 51. The Low was 21. Last year on this date (3/17) the High in Atlantic was 53 & the Low was 24. The Record High was 84 in 2015. The Record Low was -4 in 1900. Sunrise: 7:31; Sunset: 7:27.

Posted in Weather |

(Updated) – Winter Storm Watch late Tuesday night through Wed. evening

Weather

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

Area Counties: Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Cass-Monona-Harrison-Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills
6-AM CDT Mon Mar 17 2025

A WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations two- to eight-inches possible.The higher end of that range over west central and northern Iowa. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.  Winds could frequently gust 50 to 60 mph.

*IMPACTS…The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous and
potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute
northwest and evening commute there and farther south and east.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…With wind gusts of 50 mph or more possible, tree damage and power outages may occur even outside of locations that receive significant snowfall.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.

Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the
motorist ahead of you, and allow extra time to reach your destination. Avoid sudden braking or acceleration, and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is
winterized and in good working order.

Posted in Weather |

Update 3/17/25: RED FLAG WARNING TODAY THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING

Weather

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

250 AM CDT Mon Mar 17 2025

…Critical Fire Weather Conditions Today…

Very warm temperatures combined with dry vegetation, low relative humidity, and increasing winds will create conditions
conducive for any grassland fires that develop to spread rapidly.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT 11 AM TODAY UNTIL 8 PM FOR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS

* WIND…Southwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts 25 to 35 mph.

* HUMIDITY…Minimum relative humidity in the afternoon of 15 to 25 percent.

* IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Posted in Weather |

Fremont County Sheriff’s Office Seeks Information on Burglary at Sidney High School

News

March 17th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

SIDNEY, IA – The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating a burglary that occurred at Sidney High School during the early morning hours of Saturday, March 15, 2025.
Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible (Photos posted below). Specifically, investigators are looking for anyone who may have observed suspicious foot traffic or vehicles in the area between 1:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
A Crime Stoppers reward may be available for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect(s).
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office at 712-374-2424. Anonymous tips are welcome.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the cooperation of the community in ensuring the safety and security of our schools and residents.

Posted in News |

THOMAS LEE FESER, 65, of Denison (Svcs. 3/22/25)

Obituaries

March 16th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

THOMAS LEE FESER, 65, of Denison, died Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Gracewell Nursing Home in Denison. Graveside services for THOMAS FESER will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery in Defiance. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home in Friday, March 21st, from 5-until 8-p.m., with a Wake Service at 7-p.m.

THOMAS FESER is survived by:

His sister – Mary Ann Anastasi, of Defiance.

His brother – Gary (Becky) Feser, of Irwin.

His step-brothers: Gregory Henkelman, Gary (Christine) Henkelman, Ron (Celeste) Henkelman, and Bruce (Cynthia) Henkelman, all of Lakeland, FL.

His sister-in-law, and other relatives.

Posted in Obituaries |

JOANNE HANSEN, 91, of Indianola (formerly of Audubon) – Svcs. Pending

Obituaries

March 16th, 2025 by Ric Hanson

JOANNE HANSEN, 91, of Indianola (formerly of Audubon), died Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Carlisle Care Center in Carlisle, IA. Services for JOANNE HANSEN are pending with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Audubon.

Posted in Obituaries |