What We’re Talking About

Willie Nelson has had to miss the first three dates of his Outlaw Music Festival because he is ill. The 91-year-old country music legend was unable to perform during the three Outlaw Music Festival dates over the past weekend. Willie’s son Lukas Nelson stepped in and performed with the Family Band in his father’s absence, along with the other scheduled performers Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, and Celisse.

According to Willie’s Instagram announcement, he should be better soon: “We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctor’s orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days. He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week. In the meantime, Lukas Nelson and the Family Band, along with a few guests, will perform a special set to include Willie’s classics and other songs.” Willie should rejoin the Outlaw Music Festival tour beginning on Wednesday, June 26 in Virginia Beach. (Consequence of Sound)

 

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Last year’s runner up Wild Thang finally took this year’s crown in California’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest! The 8-year-old Pekingese survived distemper but was left with some permanent damage, like a paddling front leg and a tongue that always sticks out. Apart from these issues, he’s a happy boy! Wild Thang and his owner Ann Lewis won $5,000 in prize money. Last year’s winner was a Chinese Crested dog named Scooter who was born with deformed legs and saved from a shelter. According to the contest’s website, the event “event celebrates the imperfections that make all dogs special and unique.”

 

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Photo Credit: wildthangofficial via Instagram

Road work set to to begin on County Road W4B in Winneshiek County on Monday, June 24th.

Beginning Monday, June 24th, the Frankville Road, Co. Rd. W4B, will be closed to through traffic from Iowa Highway #9 to the Winneshiek / Allamakee County line, east of the town of Frankville. The entire width of the roadway will be unpassable due to roadway excavation as crews remove and reconstruct the crossroad culverts. The road is expected to be closed the duration of the summer months.

Photo Credit:  Google Maps

LANSING, Iowa – June 19, 2024 – Due to high water levels on the Mississippi River, the Iowa Department of Transportation is postponing the intermittent short-term closures on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing until water levels are safe to resume work.

Currently, we do not have an estimation of when work will resume. We will keep you updated when the water level returns to a level that will allow the construction of a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

Country music legend Mark Chesnutt announced via Instagram that he experienced a heart issue over the weekend, and needed quadruple bypass surgery.

“I send my love and gratitude to my family and friends, the band and fans for your understanding, prayers and support, and look forward to seeing you all again soon at a honky tonk near you.”  Chesnutt said in his Instagram post.   He has cancelled his upcoming shows indefinitely.

 

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A fast and strong piglet in California led police on a foot chase when they tried to grab it because the piglet was running all over a highway. Here is the video from a police bodycam when the officer was in pursuit of the piglet.

“Officers arrived and located the described piglet, who proved to be very fast and strong for an animal of its size,” police said in a Facebook post. The piglet turned out to be a pet named Pickles and was returned to its rightful owner.

Photo Credit: Sebastopol Police Department via Facebook

George Strait has reached another historic milestone in his prestigious music career. At Strait’s show on Saturday night at Kyle Field at Texas A&M in College Station, the country legend set a new U.S. attendance record for a ticketed show. 110,905 fans came out to see Strait’s performance, breaking the previous record set in 1977 by the Grateful Dead, who drew 107,019 fans to their show at Raceway Park in New Jersey. Strait billed his historic show as “The King At Kyle Field,” with support coming from opening acts Parker McCollum and Catie Offerman. It was Strait’s only scheduled live performance in the state of Texas in 2024. Strait also just shared his new single, “The Little Things,” on Friday, which is drawn from his forthcoming album, Cowboys And Dreamers, due out on September 6. It will be Strait’s 31st studio album of his illustrious career.

The King of Broken Records 🤠
Last night George Strait broke the record for largest US ticketed show with 110,905 fans at Kyle Field!
Gig ‘Em George 👍🏻

📸 @alivecoverage for Messina Touring Group pic.twitter.com/TAYlUqqQjE

— Texas A&M Athletics (@12thMan) June 16, 2024

Photo Credit:  Texas A&M Athletics via X

Longtime rivals Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will compete in a hot dog eating contest on Netflix on September 2nd. The event, titled Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, will feature the 16-time champion Chestnut against the six-time champion Kobayashi. This follows the news that Chestnut was banned from the Nathan’s July 4th contest due to a deal with Impossible Foods. Both competitors expressed excitement for the showdown, with Chestnut acknowledging Kobayashi as his fiercest rival and Kobayashi is determined to defeat Chestnut before retiring. This event marks their first face-off since 2009 when Chestnut won in a sudden death eat-off. (COS)

Billy Ray Cyrus has filed for divorce from his wife, Firerose. Cyrus has cited irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct as reasons for him filing for divorce. The couple had only been married for less than nine months, and don’t share any children together. Firerose was Cyrus’ third wife, after Cindy Smith, whom he divorced in 1991, and Tish Cyrus, whom he divorced in 2022. Cyrus and Tish got married in 1993, and the couple had three kids together: Miley, Braison and Noah. Cyrus also adopted Tish’s two kids from a previous marriage, Brandi and Trace. Cyrus has been more focused on kickstarting his music career as of late, with a new album apparently called Gone coming out in the fall of 20204, and the album’s emotional lead single, “You Came Along,” released last month. (Taste of Country)

A California man was in his kitchen washing dishes when he was visited by an intruder who probably would have been happy to help him lick the dishes clean.

Jason Wightman was in his Sierra Madre home when a 300-pound bear walked through his backdoor and entered his kitchen. Wightman grabbed his phone and started capturing the encounter on video, which he later shared on Facebook. In in, he can be heard talking the bear asking, “Hello, are you nice?” He then informed the intruder, “You’re in my house. Get out of my house.”

The bear spent a few minutes in the doorway thinking about what to do, and eventually returned to the backyard where he met up with a second bear. Wightman continued talking to them and telling them to leave, which they eventually did after a few minutes when they climbed a fence and entered a neighbor’s yard. Luckily there was no damage and no one was hurt.

Photo Credit:  Jason Wightman via Facebook

A Tennessee man is under arrest after he got drunk, assaulted deputies, and then told them he’s Garth Brooks.

Knox County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about an intoxicated man screaming for help outside a Hobby Lobby store, but when they arrived he was already gone. But employees at a nearby Lowe’s said he was inside their store’s restroom yelling. Deputies found him there and noticed he was unsteady on his feet and smelled of alcohol.

As they led him out of the store, he continued to yell and scream profanities and tried to get away from them. He told them his name was Garth Brooks, but deputies used facial recognition software to confirm that he was not in fact Garth Brooks and was actually 47-year-old Truman Wayne Chapman and he has several outstanding warrants. He was arrested and ordered to stay away from Hobby Lobby. (WVLT-TV)

The winners of June Dairy Month Giveaway are:

-Sue Hanson, registered at the 1^st Southeast Bank in Harmony

-Josie Hageman, registered at Decorah Kawasaki

IT’S JUNE DAIRY MONTH AND WE ARE CELEBRATING OUR AREA DAIRY PRODUCERS BY AWARDING TWO NEW GRIZZLY 45 COOLERS FILLED UP WITH $150.00 OF DELICIOUS WW HOMESTEAD DAIRY PRODUCTS! YEP, TWO BIG WINNERS! STOP IN TO THESES PARTICIPATING SPONSORS AND GET SIGNED UP TODAY:

· Caledonia Lumber

· The Country Store in Caledonia

· Hanson Tire in Cresco

· First Southeast Bank – Canton & Harmony

· Carquest Waukon

· Elliot Jewelers, Waukon

· Drilling All Season Sports, Calmar

· Napa West Union

· Baumler Implements, West Union

· Jets Meat and Café, Waukon

· Decorah Auto Center

· Decorah Chevrolet/ Chrysler

· Ridgeway Lumber

· Randy’s Carquest Decorah

· Headington Repair, Decorah

· Windridge Implement Decorah

· Decorah Kawasaki

· Allamakee County Farm Bureau, Waukon

· Double D Liquor, Waukon

· Blake Electric, Waukon and Postville

· Bodensteiner Body Werks, Waukon

· Floors Plus, Waukon

· New Albin Savings Bank

· Becker Hardware in Ossian

· Meyer auto of Monona

· Community Insurance of Iowa of Ossian

· Citizens Savings banks of Fort Atkinson, Spillville, and Protivin

· Superior Building Center in Calmar

· Farmers Union Coop—in Fort Atkinson and Ossian

· Kelly Concrete, Waukon

· WW Homestead Dairy, Waukon

MUST BE 18-OR-OLDER TO REGISTER AND CLAIM PRIZES. WINNERS WILL BE DRAWN BY RANDOM DRAWING OF ALL ENTRIES ON JUNE 28TH, 2024. LA COMMUNICATIONS AND ALL PROMOTION PARTNERS ASSUME NO LOSSES OF ANY KIND. CONTEST RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. 

UPDATE: Flooding at the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing construction site is delaying the scheduled short term bridge closures. The contractor has pulled off the project and the closures will not start next week as planned.

LANSING, Iowa – June 5, 2024 –  If you drive on the Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing you need to be aware of upcoming construction work that may affect your trip.

Starting the week of June 17, weather permitting, crews will continue work on constructing a new pier and driving the pier foundation for the new bridge that will replace the current bridge.

Intermittent closures of up to two hours will happen on the existing bridge between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to reduce vibration from construction activity and traffic, limiting the chance of damage occurring.

Work on the new bridge is moving forward as expected. For more information on the construction of the new Mississippi River Bridge at Lansing, go to iowadot.gov/lansingbridge where you can sign up to receive updates directly to your inbox or check out our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LansingBridge/.

What happens on the floor of the House of Representatives is usually a clown show, but when a congressman brings his six-year-old son to work, it can get downright silly. Representative John Rose of Tennessee was trying to deliver a speech on the House floor, but his son Guy stole the show — making faces, waving at the camera and playing with a green squeeze toy.

This is what I get for telling my son Guy to smile at the camera for his little brother 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/L8sLBDJt35

— Congressman John Rose (@RepJohnRose) June 3, 2024

Photo Credit: CSPAN via X

The annual WinnMed Hospice Memorial Ride is set for Sunday, June 23. The event will begin on the WinnMed campus in Decorah with a free-will donation breakfast, and will be held rain or shine.  Nancy Haberichter from WinnMed shared all the event details with us.

The 2024 event will support specialty therapies for hospice patients: Pet Therapy, Music Therapy and Massage Therapy. Additionally this year’s donations will support WinnMed Hospice’s “We Honor Veterans” program.

“There are many benefits to the complimentary therapies provided through WinnMed Hospice,” says Nancy Haberichter, director of WinnMed Hospice. “For hospice patients dealing with both physical and emotional pain and anxiety, the therapies can provide positive changes in mood, relaxation, peace and comfort. They reduce anxiety and stress and bring on more social interaction with caregivers and families. These therapies inevitably bring a smile to the faces of patients, which in turn, is a gift to both hospice staff as well as to families.” She adds, “This year we are hoping to add more services to our hospice patients who are veterans by providing them with specialized care geared toward their service to country.”

Breakfast is open to the public from 9 -10:30 am in the WinnMed Cafeteria. Convenient parking is available in Lot E. Anyone is welcome to come and have breakfast, whether riding or not.

All vehicles are welcome to participate in the poker run. The ride entry fee is $20 per person and sign-in is available at WinnMed from 9-10:30 am (during the breakfast). Bikes and cars will take off at 11:00 am from WinnMed to begin the poker run. The ride will take a tour of the beautiful roads of Northeast Iowa and Southeast Minnesota and end at Pivo Brewery in Calmar at 4:30 pm with a silent auction, door prizes and refreshments.

WinnMed Hospice provides end-of-life care that ensures quality of life, compassion and comfort for patients and their loved ones. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to patients and families in Allamakee, Clayton, Chickasaw, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties. Haberichter says, “We have received such wonderful support from the communities we serve. We are extremely happy to provide all these therapies to our patients and excited to offer Veteran services as well. The Hospice Memorial Ride donations will help to keep these therapies available for a long time to come.” For more information on the Hospice Memorial Ride, contact WinnMed Hospice at 563-387-3024.

Severe weather has been dominating the headlines the past week, with 20 confirmed tornados in the state of Iowa last week.  How about some real crazy weather for late May…SNOW!  The National Weather Service from La Crosse remembers the forgotten snow storm of May 27-29, 1947.

“On the morning of May 27, 1947, a developing low pressure system was located over central Nevada. It was this low which would be responsible for the snow storm over the Central Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, and Upper Michigan from May 27th through May 29th. A strong arctic high pressure system was located over the Mackenzie Basin in northwest Canada. This high would provide the cold air needed for a winter storm to develop. A mixture of rain and snow developed over Colorado and Wyoming during the day on May 27th and changed to all snow during the night as the low deepened and moved slowly east through southern Colorado.

On the morning of the 28th, the high pressure center had moved rapidly south to southern Saskatchewan. This high pressure area brought unprecedented cold for late May to North Dakota. Temperatures fell to as low as 15 degrees at Eckman, which is located near the Canadian border. In addition, the mercury fell to 23 degrees at Bismarck which is the lowest ever recorded there after May 20th. Meanwhile, below freezing temperatures were found across Montana, Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska, northern Minnesota, and western South Dakota. The sub freezing temperatures caused a partial to total loss of fruits and tender plants. During the day, this cold air surged southward across eastern Nebraska, eastern South Dakota, Iowa, southern Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Many cold maximum temperatures were established across the region for the day.

At the same time this was occurring, the area of low pressure was continuing to strengthen as it moved east through southern Kansas. From the evening of the 27th through the 28th, this low produced a 6-12″ snow band from southeast Wyoming east across northern Nebraska into northwest Iowa. The heaviest snow in this band was found in Alliance and Harrison, Nebraska where 12″ had fallen. The weight from the heavy wet snow caused considerable damage to power lines, telephone lines, telegraph lines, trees, and shrubs.

During the late afternoon and evening of May 28th, the surface low began to move northeast across northern Missouri, northwest Illinois, and southeast Wisconsin. The reason for this change in direction was due to a strong upper level disturbance that had dropped into the base of the upper level trough over Nebraska during the day. This upper level disturbance caused an amplification of the upper level ridge over the Ohio Valley and much of New England. As a result, temperatures in this region climbed into the 80s instead of the 50s and 60s which were seen the day before. However on the cold side of the system, temperatures remained in the 30s and 40s in the Upper Mississippi Valley. In addition to the cold temperatures, rain changed to snow across southern Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and across much of Wisconsin. This was the latest snow ever reported in a season in this area, with some places experiencing their biggest May snow storm on record.

From the late afternoon of the 28th into the early morning hours of the 29th, 7-10″ of snow fell across Allamakee County in northeast Iowa, and Vernon, Crawford, southern Monroe, and Richland Counties in southwest Wisconsin. The heaviest snowfall amount was 10″ in Gays Mills, WI. Meanwhile, a 7-9″ band of snow fell across northern Adams, Waushara, Winnebago, Outagamie, and Waupaca Counties in central and east central Wisconsin. The weight of the heavy snow caused severe damage to power lines, telephone lines, bushes, and trees.”

Memorial Day is the traditional start of summer, with barbecues and trips to the pool, lake or beach. But it’s also a solemn holiday meant to commemorate those who gave all to protect our great nation. Here’s a quick primer on the history of Memorial Day.

Shortly after the Civil War, many communities organized their own commemorations for fallen soldiers. Notably, formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina put together a remembrance just a month after the end of the war in 1865.

Waterloo, New York is considered to the official birthplace of Memorial Day, first having held an event in 1866.

In 1868, General John A. Logan, a leader of a group of veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance called Decoration Day. On May 30th, 1868, President James A. Garfield gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and more than 5000 people decorated the graves there.

For nearly a century, the holiday was held unofficially on May 30th — the anniversary of the first Decoration Day. But legislation in 1968 moved the holiday to the last Monday in May, and that change went into effect in 1971, making Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Today, parades are held around the nation — including major ones in Washington, New York and Chicago. Many people will wear a red poppy to remember those who’ve fallen — a tradition that began with a poem written in World War 1. A National Moment of Remembrance happens at 3:00 p.m. on Monday.

About 656,000 U.S. military members have died in combat, and there are now more than 260,000 graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

Over the weekend in Toronto, a Blue Jays fan named Liz McGuire was in the stands for a game against the Tampa Bay Rays. A 110-mile-per-hour foul ball landed in the stands and plunked McGuire on the forehead, leaving a nasty bump and a black eye. She didn’t get the ball that bounced off her face – but she did stick around for the rest of the game. To celebrate Liz, the Topps trading card company created her very own card. It’s a limited-edition card. Only 110 were produced. And Liz gets all 110 copies.

PROPS TO @Topps THIS RULES🏆🏆🏆 https://t.co/g57zWOb0Cq

— Liz McGuire (@lizzzzzzzzzzy) May 20, 2024

The storms yesterday brought wind, hail, and significant rainfall to our area.  Check out some the totals reported to the National Weather Service in La Crosse.

La Farge- 3.18
Prairie Du Chien Airport- 1.83
Rochester- 2.55
Lanesboro- 1.21
Hokah- 1.37
Ionia 2W- 2.65
Monona- 1.74
Mcgregor- 2.73
Saratoga- 1.96
Decorah- 2.07
1 ENE Jackson Junction- 1.17
3 S Dorchester- 1.86
La Crosse Regional Airport- 1.29
Readstown- 2.08
New Hampton- 2.42

For a full list and storm reports click here.

The National Weather Service in La Crosse WI has issued a Flood Warning for the following rivers in Iowa…

Turkey River at Spillville affecting Winneshiek County.

Turkey River at Elkader affecting Clayton County.

.A strong low pressure system will lift through Minnesota this afternoon bringing additional precipitation amounts of 1 to 2 inches. This river basin has already seen 1.5 to 3 inches of precipitation and the river has begun to rise rapidly at Spillville. With additional precipitation expected and the river already responding, will issue a flood warning for Spillville and Elkader at this time.

* WHAT…Minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE…Turkey River at Spillville.

* WHEN…From this evening to tomorrow evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 10:30 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 4.9 feet.
– Bankfull stage is 8.0 feet.
– Forecast…The river is expected to rise above flood stage this evening to a crest of 10.9 feet tomorrow morning. It will then fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon.
– Flood stage is 9.0 feet.
– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 10.9 feet on 04/29/1991.

FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT TO FRIDAY MORNING…

* WHAT…Minor flooding is forecast.

* WHERE…Turkey River at Elkader.

* WHEN…From late tonight to Friday morning.

* IMPACTS…At 12.0 feet, Minor flooding occurs in areas near the
river.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 10:45 AM CDT Tuesday the stage was 7.1 feet.
– Bankfull stage is 12.0 feet.
– Forecast…The river is expected to rise above flood stage late tonight to a crest of 13.8 feet Thursday morning. It will then fall below flood stage early Friday morning.
– Flood stage is 12.0 feet.
– Flood History…This crest compares to a previous crest of 13.8 feet on 02/27/2023.

While cicada-geddon may be drawing all of the attention of entomologists in the eastern part of the country, there is another insect-ageddon going on in parts of the West.

Swarms of crickets are taking over towns in Nevada and Idaho. In some areas, roadways have been completely covered and briefly shut down so that Department of Transportation crews could plow the noisy buggers off the road. The crickets, specifically Mormon crickets, are drawn to areas that are stricken by drought because they feed on dead crops and vegetation. They also travel in very large groups, which is why they often cover road. Residents say they leave a slick, bloody mess on the road when they’re run over by cars and also emit a horrible smell.

Our maintenance crews see a little of everything in Southwest Idaho…🦗🦗

This video is from State Highway 51 last week. Mormon crickets are taking over the road this season! Watch out for slick spots. (If you get queasy easily, don’t watch this with the volume on🤢) pic.twitter.com/DzeItd0oYr

— Idaho Transportation Department (@IdahoITD) July 21, 2022

Photo Credit: Idaho Transportation Department via X

The Winneshiek County Sherriff’s Office has shared an update regarding missing kayaker Justin Limkemann.

On Monday, May 27, around 2:25pm the Iowa DNR reported seeing what they believed was a body in the Upper Iowa River near Lundy Bridge in Winneshiek County. A short time later, the Decorah Fire Department was able to confirm the sighting and recover the body of missing kayaker Justin Gerald Limkemann (39). Justin Gerald Limkemann has been missing since Saturday, May 18, 2024, after he went kayaking. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office and all agencies involved in the search and recovery efforts extend their heartfelt condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Here is the latest regarding the missing kayaker from the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Update 5/22/2024 – 10 am: Justin Gerald Limkemann (39) of Frederika, Iowa, has still not been located after he went kayaking on the Upper Iowa River on Saturday, May 18, 2024. Due to mother nature and high-water levels, search and recovery efforts have been altered. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office along with search and recovery crews have been working closely with Justin’s family throughout this operation. Search and recovery efforts will continue throughout the next several days as conditions allow.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office released some updated information this morning(5-21-24) regarding the missing kayaker on Upper Iowa River…..

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office, Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa DNR continued search and recovery efforts throughout the day and evening hours Monday 5/20/24. In addition, Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue, Illinois Team, was deployed to the Upper Dam area. Advanced equipment, technologies and experts did an extensive search of the area. These latest efforts were unsuccessful.

Today (5/21/24) search and recovery efforts will continue.

On Sunday, May 19, 2024, at around 12:16 pm, the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a missing 39-year-old male kayaker. The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office immediately began investigating. The kayaker was alone and had launched onto the Upper Iowa River around 2 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024 (the day prior). The last known location of the kayaker was on the river near the Freeport area at around 6 pm, Saturday, May 18, 2024. A short time after the investigation was initiated, the capsized kayak was located in the middle of the Upper Iowa River just below the Upper Dam. Several other items belonging to the kayaker were also located in the river below the Upper Dam.

The Decorah Fire Department and the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive search of the river from Freeport to the Lower Dam. This search included a jet boat, sonar, and drone technology. The kayaker has not been located and search and recovery efforts are continuing.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office is being assisted by the Decorah Fire Department, Winneshiek County Emergency Management, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources. If anyone has any information regarding this situation, please call the Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office.

Pipe down! Seniors of Richwoods High School in Illinois hired a professional bagpipe player to follow their principal around blaring music for a whole hour. The seniors initially wanted to hire a mariachi band for the prank, but it was out of their price range due to higher demand for Cinco de Mayo. “We get a fair amount of gig requests,” bagpiper Scott Whitman said. “But this was my first senior prank request.” Principal Robison appreciated the spirit of the stunt. “I thought it was awesome and very creative, and all credit to the students for coming up with something that is not destructive to the school and the custodians don’t have to clean up after,” he commented.

Two Richwoods High School seniors decided to prank their principal but it had to be interesting and different. They succeeded:
Read more here: https://t.co/uIHcKCmoy9 pic.twitter.com/Jm8QQdl4M7

— WMBD News (@WMBDNews) May 10, 2024

Photo Credit:  WMBD News via X

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Lisa Bluder announced on Monday her retirement from coaching after 40 years as a collegiate head coach, including 24 at the University of Iowa.

Jan Jensen, who has served the last 20 years as the associate head coach under Coach Bluder, has been named the program’s sixth head coach by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. Jensen has more than 30 years of collegiate coaching experience, working alongside Bluder the past 24 years at Iowa and eight at Drake University.

“It is bittersweet news for all of us who love the University of Iowa and who have incredible admiration and respect for what Coach Bluder has accomplished and for how she did it. Lisa has left an indelible mark on this program, touched countless lives, and brought joy to all who know and love the Hawkeyes. Words can’t appropriately express the gratitude I share with so many for the impact she has made on the game of women’s basketball and the University of Iowa.” said Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz. “While we are saddened that she will no longer lead our young women on the court, we are thankful for what she has given to all of us and are comforted knowing she will continue to be our biggest champion and fan.”

Among her many accolades, Bluder was named the Naismith Coach of the Year (2019), was a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2001, 2008, 2010), four-time regional coach of the year (2001, 2008, 2018, 2019), and the Carol Eckman Award winner (2015) in addition to being an inductee into the Des Moines Register Hall of Fame (2016), the Quad City Times Hall of Fame (2012), the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame (2008) and the Northern Iowa Hall of Fame (2000). Bluder amassed 884 career wins, 10th most in NCAA women’s basketball history.

“I am thrilled to share with you that current Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen has agreed to become the next P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women’s Basketball Coach. This program has always been about family, and the contributions to its incredible culture are shared by alums, current, student-athletes and the entire staff. One of those contributors has been in the team circle for 24 years as a tireless recruiter, skilled teacher of the game, and charismatic personality that has endeared her to the Hawkeye community. Coach Jensen has been an instrumental part of our success, assisting in all aspects of the program. After several conversations with Coach Bluder and President Wilson over the last few days, it is clear that everything that we are seeking in a head coach, we have found right here.”

Bluder was named head coach at the University of Iowa in 2000 and retires as the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history with an overall record of 528-254 and a Big Ten record of 262-145. Under her leadership, the Hawkeyes advanced to the last two National Championship Games and made 22 postseason appearances overall (18 NCAA and 4 WNIT), including 14 of the last 16 NCAA Tournaments. Bluder led the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, and two shared Big Ten regular season championships.

Under her tutelage, Hawkeye players were named the National Player of the Year three times with two others named consensus All-Americans. Three different players were named the Big Ten Player of the Year and also three different players recognized as Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Sixty-five Hawkeyes earned All-Big Ten honors. Seventeen former Hawkeyes went on to play professionally. In the classroom, her student-athletes were named Academic All-Big Ten more than 150 times, while Ally Disterhoft (2016, 2017) and Caitlin Clark (2023, 2024) were both recognized as the Academic All-American of the Year.

Bluder began her coaching career as head coach at St. Ambrose University for six seasons (1985-90) followed by a 10-year head coaching stint at Drake (1991-2000). Bluder and the Bulldogs won four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships (1995, 1997, 1998, 2000) and three regular season titles (1997, 1998, 2000).

“It has been the honor of my career to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye family, and to lead a women’s basketball program filled with so many talented and remarkable young women, who have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives,” said Bluder. “There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established. I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”

Jensen, helped guide Iowa to 22 postseason appearances, including 18 NCAA Tournaments, will enter her 25th year as a Hawkeye coach in 2024-25. Jensen was instrumental in mentoring the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament titles, including three straight, and sharing two regular season conference championships. Jensen and the Hawkeyes advanced to back-to-back National Championships (2023, 2024), and made the Elite Eight three times (2019, 2023, 2024) and the Sweet 16 five times (2015, 2019, 2023, 2024).

She began her coaching career at her alma mater in 1993 as an assistant to Coach Bluder, winning four MVC Tournament and three regular season championships (1997, 1998, 2000) on the Drake coaching staff.

Jensen quickly gained attention for her recruiting prowess and development of post players. Jensen and the Hawkeye recruiting classes consistently rank among the nation’s elite. Since arriving in Iowa City, she has been integral in attracting top recruits to the University of Iowa, including McDonald’s All-Americans (Samantha Logic, Lindsay Richards, Johanna Solverson and Caitlin Clark) and developing and maintaining consensus All-Americans Samantha Logic, Megan Gustafson, Kathleen Doyle and Caitlin Clark. Gustafson (2019) and Clark (2023, 2024) were ultimately voted the Naismith Player of the Year.

Coach Jensen is a native of Kimballton, Iowa, and played her college ball under Coach Bluder at Drake University, earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations in 1991, followed by a master’s degree in higher education in 1996. As a senior, she led the nation in scoring and was the Gateway Conference Most Valuable Player, a Kodak Honorable Mention All-American, a member of the All-Gateway team, and the GTE Academic All-American Player of the Year. She currently ranks fourth on Drake’s all-time scoring list, sixth in field goal percentage and eighth in rebounds, and is one of only two Drake players to have her number retired in the Knapp Center. After college, Coach Jensen played professionally in the European Professional Basketball League for BTV-Wuppertal in Germany, winning the German Cup.

 Off the court, Coach Jensen has been involved in the United Way of Johnson County and was recognized as the United Way of Johnson County Volunteer of the Year. She was also a recipient of the Corridor Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award and was named a recipient of the `Women of Influence’ Award by the Corridor Business Journal.

“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role and want to thank President Wilson and Beth for the opportunity to lead this program. I truly love The University of Iowa and I am profoundly honored and excited to continue building on our success. The support we have in every realm from our administration, donors, alumni and fans is unmatched and I am so proud to be a part of this special university.”

Coach Jensen and her spouse, Julie Fitzpatrick, have a son, Jack, and a daughter, Janie.

A zoo in China is getting worldwide attention over its new panda exhibit, and it’s not all positive. The Taizhou Zoo has two miniature pandas that visitors have fallen in love with, even though they’re not actually pandas — they’re Chow Chow puppies that have been dyed black and white to look just like giant pandas. Officials are defending the zoo against accusations that they are misleading guests into believing they are mini pandas, insisting that signs at the exhibit advertise them as “panda dogs.” But the bigger problem that’s drawing major backlash around the world, is their practice of using potentially harmful dyes on the dogs for the sole purpose of entertainment and making money. A zoo spokesperson fired back saying, “Normal people dye their hair. Dogs can dye their hair, too. It’s the same as hair.”

Outrage at Chinese Zoo as ‘Panda’ Exhibit Revealed to be Dyed Dogs.

The zoo defended its actions by claiming that the dye was harmless and natural and that the transformation was to make up for the absence of pandas. pic.twitter.com/S4u3lLrBbr

— BoreCure (@CureBore) May 6, 2024

Photo Credit:  BoreCure via X

The end of an era … General Motors has announced that it will end production of its gasoline-powered Chevrolet Malibu car later this year. GM has sold more than 10 million Malibus since 1964 – and will end production in November. It looks like the company will be turning off the lights on the Malibu in order to put more resources into manufacturing more Chevy Bolts. The Malibu is the last remaining Chevrolet car offered in the United States besides the Corvette, as GM ended production of the Chevrolet Camaro late last year.

Lainey Wilson has shared the name of her new bar on Nashville’s Broadway Street.  Staying true to her famous fashion, it will be called: “Bell Bottoms Up Bar”.  She posted on X that the establishment will open “later this summer in the heart of country music city.”  It’ll be in the former location of “FGL House”, which was partly owned by Florida Georgia Line. 

I’m so excited to announce my Bell Bottoms Up Bar which will open later this summer in the heart of country music city! I can’t wait for all my Wild Horses to get to experience my home away from home. #BellBottomsUp pic.twitter.com/FJW9tvsF7W

— Lainey Wilson (@laineywilson) May 7, 2024

Photo Credit:  Lainey Wilson via Twitter

The Toe Tappers will be celebrating their 50^th anniversary at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon on Friday, May 10, beginning at 6 pm.  They will join Bandmates, Brothers and Friends who are reuniting for their second year to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.

We had a chance to visit with Joe Sweeney, the one constant member in Toe Tappers the last 50 plus years!

Photo Credit:  Allamakee County Economic Development via Facebook

 For the first time in its 114-year history, the Boy Scouts of America is changing its name to Scouting America, in hopes of making more young people feel welcome to join. There are currently 1 million youths in the organization – including more than 176,000 girls and young women. The new name is in place to show that there’s a focus on inclusion. The message is that all young people can get involved and work toward the coveted Eagle Scout rank, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

Photo Credit:  Boy Scouts of America via Facebook

A Boston man recently called 911 for something that wasn’t an emergency, which is a definite no-no. The call prompted a visit from police. But instead of coming to arrest him, they came to celebrate him.

A 25-year-old man named Chris called the emergency line and explained he was calling because he wanted someone to wish him a happy birthday. The dispatcher could tell from the caller’s voice that it wasn’t a prank call and that he genuinely just wanted birthday wishes.

Normally, officers might be dispatched to the caller’s home to explain that 911 is for emergencies only, but in this case, two officers showed up at Chris’ front door holding a muffin with a birthday candle in it.

Officer Israel Bracho and his partner Franklin Ortiz were greeted by Chris. They told him they were there for his 25th birthday and then serenaded him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

Chris was all smiles as he blew out the candles on his muffin and then emphatically thanked the officers with handshakes.

For anyone looking to end their week on a positive note, look no further!

Here is a video of two of our officers responding to a 911 call asking for, “someone to wish him a happy birthday”.

The caller after the fact was quoted saying, “The officers made my day!” pic.twitter.com/TPTV4gP8Y4

— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) May 3, 2024

Photo Credit:  Boston Police Dept. via X

Lainey Wilson has earned her seventh consecutive #1 country song with “Wildflowers and Wild Horses.” It’s the third single from her album, Bell Bottom Country, which has amassed over 125 million global streams.

Lainey co-wrote the song about her life. Through a press release, she said: “This song has such a special place in my heart, as a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter and someone who grew up on wide open land,” Wilson shares. Thank you to my collaborators, Jay Joyce, Trannie Anderson, and Paul Sikes for helping bring this track to life.”

In other Lainey Wilson news… according the Nashville Business Journal, she will soon be the next star to have her own honky-tonk in downtown Music City. Her name will be on the bar at the former FGL House.

Randy Travis confirmed A.I. was used for his new song that came out on Friday.  “Where That Came From” is his first new song since his near-fatal stroke in 2013 that robbed him of his voice.

The story was featured on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday.

Here is the new song from Randy Travis, “Where That Came From”.

IN HONOR OF OUR AREA BEEF PRODUCERS WE ARE GIVING AWAY $200 IN BEEF FROM OAK MEADOW MEATS IN HARMONY AND A NEW TRAEGER PRO 575 GRILL FROM FISK FARM AND HOME STORES!

And the winners are….

The $200 Beef Certificate goes to Joann Bodley, who at registered at Elliott Jewelers.

The Traeger Pro 575 Grill goes to Casey Panos who at registered at Randy’s Carquest Decorah.

REGISTRATION LOCATIONS:

• Caledonia Lumber
• Kraus Oil – Spring Grove
• Allamakee County Farm Bureau – Waukon
• Fisk Farm & Home – Cresco, Decorah, and Monona
• First Southeast Bank – Canton & Harmony
• Carquest – Waukon
• Drilling All Season Sports – Calmar
• NAPA – West Union
• Decorah Auto Center
• Ridgeway Lumber
• Double D Liquor – Waukon
• Headington Repair and Trailers – Decorah
• Becker Hardware – Ossian
• Citizens Savings Banks – Ft. Atkinson, Spillville, & Protivin
• Windridge Implement – Decorah
• Carquest – West Union
• Elliot Jewelers – Waukon
• Hanson Tire – Cresco
• The Country Store – Caledonia
• Randy’s Carquest – Decorah
• Blake Electric – Waukon and Postville
• Superior Building Center – Calmar
• Central Motors – Spillville
• Farmer’s Union Coop – Ft. Atkinson and Ossian
• New Albin Savings Bank
• Floors Plus – Waukon
• Decorah Kawasaki
• Baumler Implements – West Union
• Community Insurance of Iowa – Ossian
• Bodensteiner Body Werks – Waukon
• Meyer Auto – Monona

RULES: REGISTER IN PERSON AT PROMOTION SPONSORS. MUST BE 18-OR-OLDER TO REGISTER AND CLAIM PRIZES. PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MAY 31ST, 2024 AT 9AM, LIVE ON THE RADIO. NO PURCHASE NESSESARY, CONTEST RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, LA COMMUNICATIONS AND PROMO PARTNERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSSES OF ANY KIND.

The start of Tuesday night’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix was delayed nearly two hours when a bee colony swarmed the top of the protective netting directly behind home plate. A beekeeper named Matt Hilton was called in to wrangle up the buzzers, which he did to a cheering crowd. The Diamondbacks then rewarded him with the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

For the last day of April, things are looking good for the most part.  We do have a chance for some strong storms late tonight, below is the latest from the National Weather Service in Des Moines.

Thunderstorm chances increase once again by late afternoon and through the evening hours. Expect storms to initially develop over western Iowa and track east. Some of the storms will likely be strong to severe and capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. A few instances of hail greater than 2 inches in diameter and wind gusts to 80 mph may occur. A few tornadoes are possible as well. Those with outdoor interests should pay close attention for quickly changing weather conditions and have multiple ways to receive warning information!

Photo Credit:  NWS Des Moines

First, they’re sweet and then they’re sour … Oreo has released dozens of different varieties and flavors over the years and has been very creative, usually to the delight of the brand’s hardcore fans, but their latest offering may have gone too far. Oreo just announced it is rolling out a limited-edition Sour Patch Kids cookie. It is a golden cookie with colorful specks of Sour Patch Kids baked in, with a creme filling containing even more Sour Patch pieces. The brand says it has “a sweet yet sour taste.” An Oreo spokesperson says, “The Oreo brand is always looking for playful ways to excite our fans. What better and more unexpected way to do that than letting Sour Patch Kids playfully takeover our cookie.” The response from fans have been mixed, with some looking forward to trying them to others who say the combination is “gross.” The cookie will hit store shelves across the country on May 6th.

 

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Photo Credit:  oreo via Instagram

Reba McEntire will return to host the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards this year, for the 17th time.

She commented about that: “What an honor to have been part of the past, present and now the future of the Academy of Country Music with Amazon Prime Video. I can’t wait to get to Texas and see everybody May 16th!”

The show in Frisco, Texas, will stream live on Prime on May 16th.

Photo Credit:  ACM – Academy of Country Music via Facebook

A BIG congratulations goes out to our Shop Local Giveaway winners!

The $500 Local Bucks winners include:

Steve Matt drawn from Hanson Tire in Cresco

Orabel Ehrie drawn from Decorah Kawasaki

Taylor Burke drawn from Leutholds Clothing in Cresco

Kelsey Weymiller drawn from WW Homestead Dairy in Waukon

The Equipment Prize Winners from Decorah Kawasaki include:

Wayne Sutter drawn from Carquest in West Union: Husqvarna Trimmer

Glen Elsbernd drawn from Ridgeway Lumber: Kawasaki Electric Bike

Janet Kooser drawn from Jet’s Processing and Café in Waukon: Snapper Hedge Trimmer

Pauline Flak drawn from Decorah Auto Center: Snapper Pole Saw

Kyle Kulish drawn from Ace Hardware of Decorah: Toro Push Mower

Steve Dismore drawn from Double D Liquor: DeWalt Electric Chain Saw

The Iowa State Cyclone Football team will open their 2025 season across the pond in Dublin, Ireland on August 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium taking on the Kansas State Wildcats.

According to cyclones.com….“We are extremely grateful for this opportunity presented to us by Aer Lingus to provide the young men in our football program an unrivaled educational, cultural and athletic experience,” said Jamie Pollard, Iowa State’s Director of Athletics. “Iowa State fans enjoy a tremendous reputation for following the Cyclones wherever they play, and we look forward to seeing them travel with us to The Emerald Isle for the 2025 season-opener.”

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic aims to bring American college football to Ireland annually to promote Ireland as a travel destination, and 2025 will be the fourth-consecutive season that college football begins its season with a game in Dublin. Florida State and Georgia Tech will kick off the 2024 campaign in Ireland with an excess of 21,000 U.S. fans traveling overseas for game week. ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot will be on hand for the Aer Lingus Classic, broadcasting live from Dublin on Saturday, August 24.

Iowa State fans can visit Cyclones2Ireland.com to learn more about the game and sign up for ticket updates including official Iowa State travel and hospitality packages which will become available in late May.

Going abroad in 2025🇮🇪@AerLingus | @cfbireland

🌪️🚨🌪️ pic.twitter.com/nFJfCifAIZ

— Iowa State Football (@CycloneFB) April 24, 2024

Photo Credit:  Iowa State Football via X