Happy Friday! 🌪️ 🥎 🎸

📢 đŸ˜ Happy Friday!  On average, Iowa experiences about 50 tornadoes annually. This year, we’re already up to 85. 41 of those confirmed just in the month of May— that’s the most we’ve had in May since 2004.

Weekend Weather: Fri ⚡️ Hi 71, Sat ⛈️ Hi 78, Sun ⛈️ Hi 81, Mon ⛈️ Hi 82

B&A Club: Send us your birthday and anniversary dates to win prizes.

Also name this celebrity birthday: He worked as a lifeguard, a caddy, and a grocery clerk while growing up. He became a household name after playing Rowdy Yates on the long-running CBS Western series Rawhide.

LOCAL NEWS

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst Visited HUB 712 Wednesday Afternoon

Pictured (L-R): Jen Wollesen, Jennifer Luengas-Otto, Theresa Hildreth, Senator Joni Ernst, Kimberly Tiefenthaler, Mike Franey, Sue Gehling, Amanda Riesberg, Adam Schweers, and Jeff Dentlinger

 

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst joined Carroll County Growth Partnership (CCGP) and HUB 712 leadership committee members to tour the newly opened facility and understand how the small business resource center became a reality. CCGP Executive Director Kimberly Tiefenthaler showed Ernst around the building, explaining each component that makes this resource center stand out. With Ernst being a ranking member of the Small Business Committee, Tiefenthaler knew that Ernst would support the CCGP’s “why” behind the initiative. AUDIO

Ernst was very excited to hear from Jennifer Luengas-Otto, who is serving as the Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) fellow. CCGP was one of 65 communities and projects selected for this cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, working with communities and businesses to coordinate local efforts and provide resources to small businesses. Luengas-Otto discussed more about what she has been doing in her new role. AUDIO

The ERC Fellowship lasts 2.5 years, and Ernst asked if there was any chance of a renewal process. Luengas-Otto said not at this time but informed that the fellowship Research Capstone Project is measuring the impact on small businesses to continue the program. Throughout the discussions and viewing the space, Ernst continued to be amazed at this new feature for Carroll and surrounding community businesses. AUDIO

Pictures from Ernst’s visit can be found here.

LOCAL SPORTS
Area Softball Results for Thursday

Softball Results Thursday, May 30th 

Carroll At Carlisle 

Carlisle 12 Carroll 0      (3 Innings)

 Carroll struggled on defense, allowing several unearned runs as they fall to 7th ranked Carlisle in 3 innings on Thursday. The Wildcats opened up their lead with 5-runs in the 2nd inning, then ended it with a 6-run 3rd inning. Emma Kuhlman doubled for the Tigers.

Carroll falls to 1-6 overall and 0-3 in the Raccoon River Conference. They head to Atlantic on Saturday for tournament play.

MORE RESULTS FROM AREA SCHOOLS

Also in Local Sports:

PRESENTED BY ‘ABC’S OF CORN’
New Children's Book, "ABC’s of Corn," Educates and Entertains While Celebrating Family Heritage 

Publication Date: June 3, 2024 

Prepare to embark on an educational journey through the world of corn with "ABC’s of Corn," a delightful new children’s book penned by three sisters who share a deep-rooted connection to agriculture. Scheduled for release on June 3, 2024, "ABC’s of Corn" is a vibrant exploration of the multifaceted role corn plays in our lives, blending entertainment with essential learning for children aged 3 to 10. 

Written by Norma Kennebeck, Jean Marie Thelen, and Lois Roets—three sisters hailing from a family farm in western Iowa—"ABC’s of Corn" captures the essence of corn's significance in our society. From its presence in our food to its role in fueling our vehicles, each page of this book celebrates a letter of the alphabet, accompanied by colorful illustrations and engaging sections such as "Corn Fact," "Internet Search," "Field Research," "Your Opinion," and "Fun Fact." 

But "ABC’s of Corn" is more than just an educational tool; it's a testament to family heritage and collaboration. Initiated by Jean's son, Tony Thelen, the project blossomed into a collective effort involving over 25 relatives. From contributing original artwork to unearthing historical artifacts from the authors' father's hybrid seed corn business, the family's dedication infused every aspect of the book's creation. 

One of the book's highlights is a bonus section chronicling the authors' family farm near Breda, Iowa, including a heartwarming anecdote about their father gifting premium seed corn to Boys Town founder Fr. Flanagan in 1944. Accompanied by a poignant photograph and the original letter to Boys Town, this narrative adds a touching layer of history to "ABC’s of Corn." 

In keeping with the authors' spirit of generosity, 100% of the proceeds from "ABC’s of Corn" will be donated to 4-H, an organization close to the hearts of Norma, Jean, and Lois. By supporting 4-H (www.4-H.org), readers not only enrich their own lives but also contribute to empowering young minds across the nation. 

"ABC’s of Corn" promises to captivate young readers with its blend of education and entertainment while honoring the legacy of three remarkable sisters. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on this enlightening journey through the world of corn. 

For additional media inquiries, review copies, or interviews, please contact Tony Thelen at [email protected]

To nominate an organization or person to receive a FREE complimentary copy of the first edition book, CLICK HERE. Limited offer while supplies last.

STATE NEWS
Cell phone use banned in southeast Iowa middle school

by Radio Iowa Contributor | May 30, 2024

(Radio Iowa file photo)

For the past month students in a southeast Iowa school were not allowed to use their cell phones during school hours and their principal expects the policy to resume when the next school year starts August 23.

Mike Davis, the principal of Evans Middle School in Ottumwa, said cell phone use was harming students’ mental health and diverting their attention from their classes. “I felt like taking the cell phones away would take that focus away on the negativity of what’s going on and have them focus a little bit more on what’s going on in our building,” Davis said.

Teachers noticed better behavior, longer attention spans, and more positive interactions among students during their free time, according to Davis.

“You know the real reason why we’re here — it’s not about the cell phones,” Davis said. “It’s to get a quality education.”

Davis acknowledges students didn’t appreciate the policy when it was announced, but Davis said cell phones were a distraction during the school day. “When a kid feels like they can’t live without their phone or be without their phone,” Davis said, “I think that becomes more of an issue than a kid having their phone.”

Davis hopes other schools consider a no-cell phone rule during school hours. â€œI would love to see other schools start to bring their students back to being students,” Davis said, “to being young adults, and learning to interact with others.”

Axios reported last week that Hoover High School in Des Moines will be a phone-free zone when school starts in the fall, to address anxiety and depression among students. Researchers say symptoms of depression and suicides among teens began to rise in 2012, just about the time polling began to show teens who had a phone admitted they used it for several hours a day. About 90% of American teenagers have a cell phone.

(Reporting by Julia Hill, KBIZ, Ottumwa)

MORE NEWS
What else!

WEEKEND
To-Do List

✅ SUMMER BUCKET LIST: The list goes on— fun for the whole family!
✅ SIMPLE HACKS: Headed to the beach?
✅ IT’S FREE: Win a FREE pair of tickets to The Ruckus!
✅  DON’T FORGET: LIVE MUSIC from Sturtz at the River Barn
✅ LISTEN: Latest episode of “Must Know People” with John Ryan!
✅ CHECK IT OUT: â€œThe Bear” Returns June 27
✅ THIS WEEKEND: Stone Pier Summer Concert Series and “It’s About Time” ASA Summer Concert
✅ NEXT WEEK: First Live + Local, Annual Bell Tower Festival 

FUN FACT FRIDAY
Tomorrow, June 1st, is national “Say Something Nice Day.” Use the day to be kind and spread happiness!

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