KEEPING SPORTS SEPARATE IS KEY ISSUE
A large group of concerned citizens met face to face with the East Greene Community School District board of directors at a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at the high school gym in Grand Junction.
The meeting was scheduled after a group of 15 concerned parents and patrons showed up at the school board meeting two weeks before (Nov. 16) to voice their concerns about the pending whole grade sharing agreement (WGS) with Jefferson-Scranton. The sharing agreement is due to take effect on July 1, 2012, for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years.
The agreement stipulates that all East Greene 7th through 12 graders (middle school and high school students) will attend classes in Jefferson for the two school years, but it was agreed upon signing the arrangement that the two districts would maintains separate middle school and high school sports programs.
However, a snafu has occurred in that plan as state high school athletic officials say only high schools can offer sports, and as of July 1 this summer, East Greene will not exist as a high school, due to the fact its high school and middle schools students will be attending all classes in the Jefferson-Scranton middle and high schools.
Superintendent Mike Harter told the board at its October regular meeting that he had just been appraised of this interpretation by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IAHSAA), which oversees boys high school athletics, and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association (IGHSAU), which sets policy and administers girls sports, but he assured them that this was just a minor setback and he had communicated with various individuals within both associations who told him East Greene could continue to offer sports next year even though its academic programs would be folded into Jefferson-Scranton.
Apparently, as word of “no sports at EG next year issue” percolated throughout the school district, along with concerns on why the school board had stopped publishing the proceedings of its regular and special meetings since summer, a group of concerned parents and taxpayers showed up in force at the meeting on Nov. 16, which usually draws about three visitors and offers visitors’ seating for about five. At issue, besides sports, was lack of communication from the board to the district, said some parents, and to others, a concern over the amount of miscommunication.
Harter appraised the situation at the Nov. 16 meeting for the concerned patrons, which included former board member Kevin Fouch, who completed a term on the board in September, having chosen not to run for re-election. Because of the number of questions and concerns, and an already full agenda, it was agreed by the board to schedule the special meeting two weeks later in the gym.
A crowd of about 75 interested parents and district patrons were at the Nov. 30 public meeting, where Harter again outlined the situation. Many of those present at the meeting are parents of students in middle and high school. Much of the discussion focused on the pros and cons of maintaining sports here while all the students in grades 7-12 will be attending classes in Jefferson.
Bruce Wessling of Grand Junction, who has a daughter in high school and one in middle school, pointed out that his seventh-grade daughter “is the only seventh grade girl out for basketball.” She is one of just six members of the EG junior high basketball team, which additionally consists of just five eighth graders. “What is the situation for next year when the 6th graders come up to play in junior high?” he asked the board. He indicated the sensible thing to do would be for East Greene students to participate with Jefferson-Scranton students, noting the low numbers for East Greene.
However, one issue with the East Greene enrollment is a disproportionate number of boys to girls in high school and middle school. While there just six girls on the junior high girls basketball team, there are more than 20 on the boys team—enough to divide into separate seventh and eighth grade teams with reserves to spare. The girls are at bare bones with just one reserve available at any game.
A similar situation exists at the high school level—there are enough boys to field varsity and junior varsity teams with reserves but only 10 girls available to play varsity and JV. The girls varsity is more along the lines of a JV team as there on no seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and four freshmen. A similar situation occurred with girls softball during the summer, with just 10 girls total on a team with and nine positions to fill.
The parents of boys have a different outlook on the situation, and many expressed concern about not keeping our teams here and the diminished chances of their sons to play sports in a combined Jefferson-Scranton and East Greene athletic program. Others repeated a phrase often heard in the East Greene area “that they won’t play my kid in Jefferson because they will only play their kids.”
East Greene does have enough boys to continue with a separate program, but that opens up some difficult issues—several parents noted—of needing to combine girls sports with Jefferson, but then keeping boys only a as separate program which would result in a lack of cohesiveness in what is purported as a program about “sharing.” (This is a two-way sharing arrangement as Jefferson-Scranton will send all its 5th and 6th grade students to attend classes in the Grand Junction building the next two school years).
Dean Lansman, Jefferson-Scranton football coach and a familiar figure here as he grew up in Rippey and is an East Greene graduate, spoke on behalf of participation levels and said there is room for everyone in a combined program. Tim Christensen, Jefferson-Scranton, superintendent, was also in attendance and supported Lansman’s statements.
Also at issue is why this problem surfaced after the whole grade sharing agreement with Jefferson-Scranton was signed, but not before.
Harter told the crowd that he was given information from the State Department of Education last year that East Greene could continue to offers sports while in a whole grade sharing arrangement. “It’s the Department of Education who said we could do this,” he said, noting that the state athletic associations take the lead of the state DOE. When asked who specifically he got the information for sports approval from at the state DOE, Harter said it was Carol Greta, who is an attorney in the office of Jason Glass, DOE executive director.
Harter has said since the October school board meeting that East Greene will fill the requirements of being a high school “if we offer one class a day in the Grand Junction building taught by an East Greene teacher.” He and Christensen have been working to create such a class and work it into the daily schedule of East Greene high school students. “We will offer a class, which could be a reading class, either at the beginning of the school day or at the end.” The scheduling will be worked out with the overall daily schedule of high school classes in the Jefferson building, to accommodate the new East Greene-specific class at the Grand Junction building.”
The administration will most likely need to identify a teacher in the Grand Junction building who is certified to teach high school in addition to fifth and sixth grades.
Space and time would need to be created in the Grand Junction building for the approximately 80 East Greene high school students who will travel to Jefferson each day next to attend this special class. Harter did not indicate if the class needs to be offered a full class period like the other high school curriculum courses or if it could be an abbreviated period.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Making Donations for Garreans-Walsh Family
FIRE DESTROYS JEFFERSON HOME, KILLS SON
Donations are being accepted for the Garreans-Walsh family, whose home in northwest Jefferson was destroyed by a tragic fire early Tuesday. Cody Garreans-Walsh, 18, a senior at Jefferson-Scranton High School, died in the fire. His brother, Nicholas, 14, sustained burns to his hands and feet and is hospitalized in Iowa City.
Donations can be made at Wells Fargo Bank, 200 W. State Street, Jefferson. Clothes and Christmas presents can be donated to Community Opportunities. Clothing sizes needed are boy’s size 14 pants and large shirts; women’s size 14 pants and large tops; and men’s size 34/32 pants and XL tops.
Community Opportunities is located at the Greene County Family Development Center, 200 E. State St., Jefferson, 515-386-2179.
Funeral services for Cody Garreans-Walsh are pending at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, Jefferson.
Donations are being accepted for the Garreans-Walsh family, whose home in northwest Jefferson was destroyed by a tragic fire early Tuesday. Cody Garreans-Walsh, 18, a senior at Jefferson-Scranton High School, died in the fire. His brother, Nicholas, 14, sustained burns to his hands and feet and is hospitalized in Iowa City.
Donations can be made at Wells Fargo Bank, 200 W. State Street, Jefferson. Clothes and Christmas presents can be donated to Community Opportunities. Clothing sizes needed are boy’s size 14 pants and large shirts; women’s size 14 pants and large tops; and men’s size 34/32 pants and XL tops.
Community Opportunities is located at the Greene County Family Development Center, 200 E. State St., Jefferson, 515-386-2179.
Funeral services for Cody Garreans-Walsh are pending at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, Jefferson.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Deadly Fire In Jefferson Early This Morning
VICTIM, AGE 18, WAS FORMER EAST GREENE STUDENT
An 18-year-old died in a fire in Jefferson early this morning. The fire broke out in the early hours at 707 West Head Street, which is in northwest Jefferson. The story, as reported by KCCI this morning: http://www.kcci.com/news/29931409/detail.html.
A posting on the East Greene Hawks Facebook page by East Greene school administrators identified the victim as Cody Garreans-Walsh, a former EG student who was currently enrolled in Jefferson-Scranton.
The young child who suffered injuries, as noted by the KCCI story, is identifed by the EG Hawks Facbook posting as Nicholas, the younger brother of Cody Garreans-Walsh. The Facebook item also noted, "some of our former students may remember his sister Samantha Walsh. Very sad and keep the family in your thoughts."
The KCCI story notes that fire officials believe a space heater may have been the cause of the fire.
An 18-year-old died in a fire in Jefferson early this morning. The fire broke out in the early hours at 707 West Head Street, which is in northwest Jefferson. The story, as reported by KCCI this morning: http://www.kcci.com/news/29931409/detail.html.
A posting on the East Greene Hawks Facebook page by East Greene school administrators identified the victim as Cody Garreans-Walsh, a former EG student who was currently enrolled in Jefferson-Scranton.
The young child who suffered injuries, as noted by the KCCI story, is identifed by the EG Hawks Facbook posting as Nicholas, the younger brother of Cody Garreans-Walsh. The Facebook item also noted, "some of our former students may remember his sister Samantha Walsh. Very sad and keep the family in your thoughts."
The KCCI story notes that fire officials believe a space heater may have been the cause of the fire.
Friday, December 2, 2011
The Eye Guy Remains ‘Frozen in Time’
FIRST COLUMN AS EDITOR OF FFA SPOKE OF GRAND JUNCTION
Editor’s Note: The following column is reprinted from the very first issue of Frozen Food Age magazine that I edited six years ago, September 2005, and it speaks to the grocery Thompsons of Main Street and East Hager Street in addition to the Hillmans and other Grand Junction families.
Being named editor of Frozen Food Age the previous month (August 2005) was somewhat the “pinnacle” of my business journalism career in New York. I had made it “up” to editorial management. From there it was sort of a non-stop, whirly-gig, ongoing roller coaster of writing, editing, traveling, speaking, pleading, begging, crying, ranting, raving and just plain surviving in the dog-eat-dog world of business-to-business (B2B) media over the course of the next 3 years and 3 months.
And like a captain of his ship, I went down with the "SS Frozen Food Age" as it was sunk by its own fleet commander (Cygnus Business Media) in late November 2008. Meaning: the company shuttered the magazine.
Much of my writing work from FFA is still housed in a few boxes in a friend’s apartment back in New York, but for some reason I held on to this very first column of nearly three dozen columns while relocating back to GJ in the spring; most likely because it addressed life in Grand Junction and my early-day connection to the grocery industry. As you probably surmised, Frozen Food Age covered the frozen food industry, but it specifically covered frozen foods at retail, a rather narrow niche of the overall grocery industry but a lucrative one (think $5.99 pails of ice cream and $4.99 frozen pizzas compared with 29 cent tomatoes and bagged baby carrots for $1.19 that have a limited shelf life, called “shrinkage” in grocery store parlance). FFs don’t shrink—they have a longer shelf life than other perishables (fruits, vegetables, dairy) but there are considerable costs for transport, storage and distribution.
Covering frozen foods at retail meant primarily addressing the relationship between the manufacturers (Birds Eye, Totino’s, Blue Bunny, etc.) and the grocery retail buyers and merchandisers (folks at Hy-Vee, A&P, Supervalu, Kroger, etc.). The former were the advertisers; the latter, readers. The fun part came in covering the next step in the shopping-at-retail continuum—the consumer. It was always a “check it out” moment when I would come across a print magazine ad in Better Homes & Garden or People or spot a 30-second TV commercial on a major network—usually for a product like Lean Cuisine or DiGiorno or the mighty ho-ho-ho Green Giant, a proud product of our neighbors to the north, Minnesota.
It was an interesting and challenging position. The people in the industry were respectful of our efforts in publishing Frozen Food Age and were just as disheartened as we staff members were when it was closed.
Well, anyway, I wanted to share this with the readers of Eye on Grand Junction, which was launched shortly after FFA was shuttered. Like I said, just think of Thompson family members from old GJ. Doesn’t have to big the Jack Thompsons but could be the big Morse/OJ/ Grandma “Hattie” Thompson clan of GJ and Rippey and environs or the Scotty Thompson and sons of a more recent GJ vintage. Either way, think warmly of a Thompson and hearken back to a pleasant memory of life back in GJ and eastern Greene County. Hello folks near and far, natives and newcomers alike: come visit us! Corner of Highways 30 and 144, Heartland, USA…we’ll put the coffee pots on and whip up some tasty pans of “bars” for nibbling.
“Freezing Point” column, September 2005, Frozen Food Age Magazine
From Fareway to Fairway and All Points in Between
Shortly after taking this position, I took a really close look at how pervasive the supermarket or grocery store has been in my life. Along with writing about food, I spent the last three years talking about it in meeting room discussions with Weight Watchers members. The topic of “what’s good to buy and where to buy it” came up often.
Yet my exposure to the grocery industry has been deeper, more pervasive. I grew up in a rambling, white frame house on the edge of small farm town of just shy of 1,000 people in central Iowa. The Thompson family, when they had about eight of their 10 kids, had lived in our house before they moved down the street to an even bigger house.
I had an older brother and sister and they, along with all the Thompsons, Gannons, Rowles, Dobsons and a sprinkling of Kerseys, Kennedys and a few other families, were the students of St. Mary’s Academy, which was just down the street from where we lived. St. Mary’s and the rectory were just across the street from the Thompsons. St. Brigid’s, our beautiful old brown brick church with the soaring steeple, was in the next block to the east and the cemetery was on a slight rise behind our church and school “campus.” I was the last of two students to enroll in St. Mary’s, which, regrettably, closed after my one and only year there.
It’s a heritage I take very seriously, however, as I was the last of a continuum of students from 1888 to 1962. For many of its years, St. Mary’s was a girls-only high school and many of the girls boarded in local homes, as they did in ours, which was then owned by Rose Bridget “Aunt Bridgie” Gannon. We are just the second owners in the house’s history, which dates back to the early days of St. Mary’s.
Looking back, I guess the Thompsons owned the local Foodland on Main Street. Ownership doesn’t seem like the right word, though. The Thompsons were the Foodland. Jack ran the store, Faye took care of the house and all those kids, plus her two brothers and her younger sister who came to live with them, and she was also the gatekeeper to the church and the activities going on there. All 10 kids worked “up at the store” during their high school and college years and all went on to college and then some.
I remember how my mom kept “suggesting” that I go speak to Jack about becoming a box boy up there, but I resisted. Too shy. Look at me now!
We were close to the Thompsons through church, school and the neighborhood, but our truly close friends were the Hillmans. My best friend was Dave Hillman, a year older than me and a grade ahead in school. His parents, Doris and Rolland, were my parents’ best friends and Rolland was a meat-cutter at the main Fareway store over in Boone, about 20 miles east of Grand Junction, my hometown.
Years later, while a student at Drake University in Des Moines, one of my classmates was Scott Beckwith, son of the owner and grandson of the founder of the Fareway chain.
Because I had gone to college with Scott Beckwith of the Fareway Beckwiths of Boone, Iowa, and a close family friend had spent his entire working career with the main store in downtown Boone, I was always on the lookout for the other Fareway stores, which was then a small chain of about a dozen stores in Iowa. One newspaper job took me to Storm Lake in northwest Iowa where I shopped my first Fareway store. It was no frills but it still had the signature meat counter just like the main store in Boone and was closed on Sundays.
The Fareways (and the Beckwiths) are still out there flourishing. Since my time in Iowa in the early 1980s, Fareway has expanded into Illinois and now has 80 stores. A web site covering grocery history architecture, www.groceteria.com, notes that Fareway has recently opened two stores in Omaha, one across the street from a Wal-Mart.
My move from Iowa to the Carolinas in the mid 1980s exposed me to a whole new group of supermarkets: Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Harris-Teeter and Food Lion. I remember the excitement while living in the growing coastal community of Pawleys Island in South Carolina when the new A&P supermarket plaza opened. With the memory of our recent hurricane on the Gulf Coast, I distinctly remember shopping at Pawleys A&P just before (provisions I eventually took to an overnight shelter) and after Hurricane Hugo hit the South Carolina coast in September 1989.
Of course, that was then. Then was Jack Thompson dying much too early from a heart attack and no successive owner ever having the knack and know-how that he had. It was a great store. Sadly, Grand Junction has not had a supermarket in many years.
And this is now. Now is shopping along the “Miracle Mile” of Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan—the Whole Foods Market in the glitzy new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to Citarella at West 75th Street to Zabar’s at West 80th.
In between is Food Emporium at Lincoln Center, a Gristede’s in the lower level of the architecturally stunning Ansonia, between 73d and 74th, and of course, New York’s very own Fairway, “Like No Other Market,” at 75th and Broadway.
These same three stores—Fairway, Citarella and Zabar’s—have been included as a side excursion at the Fancy Food Show in New York. And with good reason: they are a “foodie” heaven.
So if you are coming into the city on business or pleasure sometime soon, give me a call. I would love to show you my incredible neighborhood of stores.
Editor’s Note: The following column is reprinted from the very first issue of Frozen Food Age magazine that I edited six years ago, September 2005, and it speaks to the grocery Thompsons of Main Street and East Hager Street in addition to the Hillmans and other Grand Junction families.
Being named editor of Frozen Food Age the previous month (August 2005) was somewhat the “pinnacle” of my business journalism career in New York. I had made it “up” to editorial management. From there it was sort of a non-stop, whirly-gig, ongoing roller coaster of writing, editing, traveling, speaking, pleading, begging, crying, ranting, raving and just plain surviving in the dog-eat-dog world of business-to-business (B2B) media over the course of the next 3 years and 3 months.
And like a captain of his ship, I went down with the "SS Frozen Food Age" as it was sunk by its own fleet commander (Cygnus Business Media) in late November 2008. Meaning: the company shuttered the magazine.
Much of my writing work from FFA is still housed in a few boxes in a friend’s apartment back in New York, but for some reason I held on to this very first column of nearly three dozen columns while relocating back to GJ in the spring; most likely because it addressed life in Grand Junction and my early-day connection to the grocery industry. As you probably surmised, Frozen Food Age covered the frozen food industry, but it specifically covered frozen foods at retail, a rather narrow niche of the overall grocery industry but a lucrative one (think $5.99 pails of ice cream and $4.99 frozen pizzas compared with 29 cent tomatoes and bagged baby carrots for $1.19 that have a limited shelf life, called “shrinkage” in grocery store parlance). FFs don’t shrink—they have a longer shelf life than other perishables (fruits, vegetables, dairy) but there are considerable costs for transport, storage and distribution.
Covering frozen foods at retail meant primarily addressing the relationship between the manufacturers (Birds Eye, Totino’s, Blue Bunny, etc.) and the grocery retail buyers and merchandisers (folks at Hy-Vee, A&P, Supervalu, Kroger, etc.). The former were the advertisers; the latter, readers. The fun part came in covering the next step in the shopping-at-retail continuum—the consumer. It was always a “check it out” moment when I would come across a print magazine ad in Better Homes & Garden or People or spot a 30-second TV commercial on a major network—usually for a product like Lean Cuisine or DiGiorno or the mighty ho-ho-ho Green Giant, a proud product of our neighbors to the north, Minnesota.
It was an interesting and challenging position. The people in the industry were respectful of our efforts in publishing Frozen Food Age and were just as disheartened as we staff members were when it was closed.
Well, anyway, I wanted to share this with the readers of Eye on Grand Junction, which was launched shortly after FFA was shuttered. Like I said, just think of Thompson family members from old GJ. Doesn’t have to big the Jack Thompsons but could be the big Morse/OJ/ Grandma “Hattie” Thompson clan of GJ and Rippey and environs or the Scotty Thompson and sons of a more recent GJ vintage. Either way, think warmly of a Thompson and hearken back to a pleasant memory of life back in GJ and eastern Greene County. Hello folks near and far, natives and newcomers alike: come visit us! Corner of Highways 30 and 144, Heartland, USA…we’ll put the coffee pots on and whip up some tasty pans of “bars” for nibbling.
“Freezing Point” column, September 2005, Frozen Food Age Magazine
From Fareway to Fairway and All Points in Between
Shortly after taking this position, I took a really close look at how pervasive the supermarket or grocery store has been in my life. Along with writing about food, I spent the last three years talking about it in meeting room discussions with Weight Watchers members. The topic of “what’s good to buy and where to buy it” came up often.
Yet my exposure to the grocery industry has been deeper, more pervasive. I grew up in a rambling, white frame house on the edge of small farm town of just shy of 1,000 people in central Iowa. The Thompson family, when they had about eight of their 10 kids, had lived in our house before they moved down the street to an even bigger house.
I had an older brother and sister and they, along with all the Thompsons, Gannons, Rowles, Dobsons and a sprinkling of Kerseys, Kennedys and a few other families, were the students of St. Mary’s Academy, which was just down the street from where we lived. St. Mary’s and the rectory were just across the street from the Thompsons. St. Brigid’s, our beautiful old brown brick church with the soaring steeple, was in the next block to the east and the cemetery was on a slight rise behind our church and school “campus.” I was the last of two students to enroll in St. Mary’s, which, regrettably, closed after my one and only year there.
It’s a heritage I take very seriously, however, as I was the last of a continuum of students from 1888 to 1962. For many of its years, St. Mary’s was a girls-only high school and many of the girls boarded in local homes, as they did in ours, which was then owned by Rose Bridget “Aunt Bridgie” Gannon. We are just the second owners in the house’s history, which dates back to the early days of St. Mary’s.
Looking back, I guess the Thompsons owned the local Foodland on Main Street. Ownership doesn’t seem like the right word, though. The Thompsons were the Foodland. Jack ran the store, Faye took care of the house and all those kids, plus her two brothers and her younger sister who came to live with them, and she was also the gatekeeper to the church and the activities going on there. All 10 kids worked “up at the store” during their high school and college years and all went on to college and then some.
I remember how my mom kept “suggesting” that I go speak to Jack about becoming a box boy up there, but I resisted. Too shy. Look at me now!
We were close to the Thompsons through church, school and the neighborhood, but our truly close friends were the Hillmans. My best friend was Dave Hillman, a year older than me and a grade ahead in school. His parents, Doris and Rolland, were my parents’ best friends and Rolland was a meat-cutter at the main Fareway store over in Boone, about 20 miles east of Grand Junction, my hometown.
Years later, while a student at Drake University in Des Moines, one of my classmates was Scott Beckwith, son of the owner and grandson of the founder of the Fareway chain.
Because I had gone to college with Scott Beckwith of the Fareway Beckwiths of Boone, Iowa, and a close family friend had spent his entire working career with the main store in downtown Boone, I was always on the lookout for the other Fareway stores, which was then a small chain of about a dozen stores in Iowa. One newspaper job took me to Storm Lake in northwest Iowa where I shopped my first Fareway store. It was no frills but it still had the signature meat counter just like the main store in Boone and was closed on Sundays.
The Fareways (and the Beckwiths) are still out there flourishing. Since my time in Iowa in the early 1980s, Fareway has expanded into Illinois and now has 80 stores. A web site covering grocery history architecture, www.groceteria.com, notes that Fareway has recently opened two stores in Omaha, one across the street from a Wal-Mart.
My move from Iowa to the Carolinas in the mid 1980s exposed me to a whole new group of supermarkets: Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Harris-Teeter and Food Lion. I remember the excitement while living in the growing coastal community of Pawleys Island in South Carolina when the new A&P supermarket plaza opened. With the memory of our recent hurricane on the Gulf Coast, I distinctly remember shopping at Pawleys A&P just before (provisions I eventually took to an overnight shelter) and after Hurricane Hugo hit the South Carolina coast in September 1989.
Of course, that was then. Then was Jack Thompson dying much too early from a heart attack and no successive owner ever having the knack and know-how that he had. It was a great store. Sadly, Grand Junction has not had a supermarket in many years.
And this is now. Now is shopping along the “Miracle Mile” of Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan—the Whole Foods Market in the glitzy new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle to Citarella at West 75th Street to Zabar’s at West 80th.
In between is Food Emporium at Lincoln Center, a Gristede’s in the lower level of the architecturally stunning Ansonia, between 73d and 74th, and of course, New York’s very own Fairway, “Like No Other Market,” at 75th and Broadway.
These same three stores—Fairway, Citarella and Zabar’s—have been included as a side excursion at the Fancy Food Show in New York. And with good reason: they are a “foodie” heaven.
So if you are coming into the city on business or pleasure sometime soon, give me a call. I would love to show you my incredible neighborhood of stores.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
‘Tis the Season Soup Supper Nov. 20
HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR GJ CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Grand Junction Horizons is sponsoring ‘Tis the Season soup supper and silent auction on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center on Main Street in Grand Junction. Proceeds from the event will be used to buy new Christmas decorations for downtown Grand Junction.
The menu is potato soup or chili, beef burgers, carrots and celery sticks, bars and beverage. There will be a free will offering at the door. Live entertainment will be provided by cast members performing numbers from the “Sanders Family Christmas” to be presented by the Perry Community Theatre on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at the McCreary Community Center in Perry.
“We are canvassing clubs, organizations and businesses in the community to donate holiday items, such as small decorated trees, wreaths, table centerpieces and outdoor yard art for the silent auction,” said Jan Scharingson, Horizons board member. “Already we have received more than a dozen items including a painted poinsettia window from the East Greene Art Club, red items including a fleece jacket and Ertl farm toys from Rueter’s Red Power, and several beautifully decorated holiday items from the Naked Ladies Garden Club including a peppermint decorated Christmas tree, a table runner and a white poinsettia centerpiece.”
“We have also received several anonymous items which will be bargains for the smart bidders, including a woodland wreath, red-and-gold Santa centerpiece, fall harvest cornucopia, nativity set, and a red-and-white afghan,” said Scharingson.
The auction items are now available for viewing and bidding in the lobby of Peoples Trust and Savings Bank on Main Street in Grand Junction. The bank staff is also putting together a seasonal item for the auction. “Be sure to stop in the bank and see these terrific holiday decorations and gift-giving items,” said Scharingson. “The bank lobby is open each day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, so check in often and make your bid.”
Items will be available for bidding through Saturday, Nov. 19, and then moved across the street to the Community Center for additional viewing and last-minute bidding at the beginning of the soup supper.
“Come join us on Main Street in Grand Junction as we ring in the Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year holiday season,” said Alan Robinson, ‘Tis the Season coordinator and Horizons member. “Get in your winning bid, enjoy some great chili and soup, listen to some terrific entertainment, and just enjoy visiting with friends and neighbors from the area. Plus, you’ll be helping up us to light up our venerable Main Street for many holidays to come.”
Grand Junction Horizons is sponsoring ‘Tis the Season soup supper and silent auction on Sunday, Nov. 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Community Center on Main Street in Grand Junction. Proceeds from the event will be used to buy new Christmas decorations for downtown Grand Junction.
The menu is potato soup or chili, beef burgers, carrots and celery sticks, bars and beverage. There will be a free will offering at the door. Live entertainment will be provided by cast members performing numbers from the “Sanders Family Christmas” to be presented by the Perry Community Theatre on Dec. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. at the McCreary Community Center in Perry.
“We are canvassing clubs, organizations and businesses in the community to donate holiday items, such as small decorated trees, wreaths, table centerpieces and outdoor yard art for the silent auction,” said Jan Scharingson, Horizons board member. “Already we have received more than a dozen items including a painted poinsettia window from the East Greene Art Club, red items including a fleece jacket and Ertl farm toys from Rueter’s Red Power, and several beautifully decorated holiday items from the Naked Ladies Garden Club including a peppermint decorated Christmas tree, a table runner and a white poinsettia centerpiece.”
“We have also received several anonymous items which will be bargains for the smart bidders, including a woodland wreath, red-and-gold Santa centerpiece, fall harvest cornucopia, nativity set, and a red-and-white afghan,” said Scharingson.
The auction items are now available for viewing and bidding in the lobby of Peoples Trust and Savings Bank on Main Street in Grand Junction. The bank staff is also putting together a seasonal item for the auction. “Be sure to stop in the bank and see these terrific holiday decorations and gift-giving items,” said Scharingson. “The bank lobby is open each day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, so check in often and make your bid.”
Items will be available for bidding through Saturday, Nov. 19, and then moved across the street to the Community Center for additional viewing and last-minute bidding at the beginning of the soup supper.
“Come join us on Main Street in Grand Junction as we ring in the Thanksgiving and Christmas-New Year holiday season,” said Alan Robinson, ‘Tis the Season coordinator and Horizons member. “Get in your winning bid, enjoy some great chili and soup, listen to some terrific entertainment, and just enjoy visiting with friends and neighbors from the area. Plus, you’ll be helping up us to light up our venerable Main Street for many holidays to come.”
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Jerry Herrick Re-Elected Mayor of GJ
FAGEN RE-ELECTED, ROBINSON ELECTED TO COUNCIL
Jerry Herrick was re-elected mayor of Grand Junction in voting today according to unofficial voting results from the Greene County Auditor’s Office. Herrick had 115 votes with challenger Dave Kersey receiving 55. Pat Fagen and Alan Robinson were both elected to the city council.
Fagen, an incumbent, was running unopposed for a city council seat and received 132 votes. Robinson was running unopposed for a vacant seat on the council and received 130 votes. He will fill the seat to be vacated by Barb Walker, whose term expires at the end of the year.
There were 38 write-in votes for council with Jeremy Richards receiving 22, Mike Ross 2, Leo Kersey 2, and 16 scattered.
Nearly one-third of the city’s registered voters went to the polls as 171 ballots were cast from 534 total registered voters, a 32% turnout.
It was the second-highest turnout of any city in Greene County except Scranton, where 33% of the 396 registered voters cast ballots. Scranton had contested elections for both mayor and city council. Rodney Walker was elected mayor with 85 votes, beating Ron Grimsley with 30.
Jerry Herrick was re-elected mayor of Grand Junction in voting today according to unofficial voting results from the Greene County Auditor’s Office. Herrick had 115 votes with challenger Dave Kersey receiving 55. Pat Fagen and Alan Robinson were both elected to the city council.
Fagen, an incumbent, was running unopposed for a city council seat and received 132 votes. Robinson was running unopposed for a vacant seat on the council and received 130 votes. He will fill the seat to be vacated by Barb Walker, whose term expires at the end of the year.
There were 38 write-in votes for council with Jeremy Richards receiving 22, Mike Ross 2, Leo Kersey 2, and 16 scattered.
Nearly one-third of the city’s registered voters went to the polls as 171 ballots were cast from 534 total registered voters, a 32% turnout.
It was the second-highest turnout of any city in Greene County except Scranton, where 33% of the 396 registered voters cast ballots. Scranton had contested elections for both mayor and city council. Rodney Walker was elected mayor with 85 votes, beating Ron Grimsley with 30.
EGHS/MS Students Help Their Community
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The EG Leaf Brigade takes a break between lawns. |
GREENE COUNTY FOOD PANTRY
Students at East Greene High School and Middle School have been busy with community outreach this autumn season.
High school students fanned out in Grand Junction on Thursday, Nov. 3, to rake the lawns of 10 residents and the high school lawn on 12th Street.
At Halloween, the Art Club and Student Council sponsored a dance at the high school for both middle school and high school students. Admission to the dance was a canned food item for the Greene County Christian ARC food pantry in Jefferson. Students who did not bring cans paid an admission charge and those funds also went to the food pantry.
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Student leaf rakers found this big pile of leaves just too easy to pass up—so they jumped in! From left, Cody Hidlebaugh, Brittany Gunn and Kate Beyerink. Brittany is a junior. Cody and Kate are sophomores. |
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Great job, East Greene students!!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
EG School Board Plays Pre-WGS ‘Name Game’
WHAT TO CALL EAST GREENE/JEFFERSON-SCRANTON??
East Greene School Board President Marc Hoffman opened the door to some much needed discussion about a new name for the conjoined East Greene and Jefferson-Scranton High School and Middle School at the Oct. 19 board meeting.
The two school districts are entering into a whole grade sharing arrangement next year, 2012-13, in which all 5th and 6th grade students from both districts will attend classes in the East Greene high school/middle school building in Grand Junction. All the EG and JS middle school students will attend classes in the Jefferson-Scranton Middle School and all EG and JS high school students will attend classes in the Jefferson-Scranton High School. Both buildings are in Jefferson and each was the middle school and high school serving Jefferson before it merged with Scranton in the early 1990s.
This year, however, the two school districts are already sharing high school instrumental and vocal music and speech, in addition to an ongoing arrangement of sharing teachers and certain academic classes, such as science, vocational agriculture and advanced college placement.
The issue came home to Hoffman as a band parent. Both of his children are in the J-S Marching Band which also includes East Greene students, but the band’s signage says Jefferson-Scranton only. “One of my kids was not happy about the band being introduced at a recent event as just the Jefferson-Scranton band, but the other one was OK with it,” Hoffman shared with other board members at the meeting held in the ICN room of the high school in Grand Junction.
No action was taken at the meeting, but the topic has been listed a discussion item at recent joint board meetings between the two districts’ school boards and will be an ongoing topic as the two districts move toward the start date for WGS next July. Board members did note that moving forward any changes would involve new signage, school colors, and uniforms for activities like band and sports. Mention was also made of the new “Home of the Rams” sign that was just put up at the main entrance to the Jefferson-Scranton Middle School gymnasium (used by JS high school athletics).
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Hats off to Hoffman for getting the ball rolling on this. It’s one of a number of important topics that will need to be discussed moving forward. Better to start now rather than wait until the June 2012 meeting just before the agreement officially goes into effect and creates a last-minute, “11th hour” situation.
I posted something on this site a few weeks ago on this very topic: “I suggest something that truly unites us across the board and helps this area stand out from the crowd: Lincolnway Community School District. Yes, the Lincoln (highway and president), with the statue of honest Abe on the courthouse square—on the county-owned side!—as our rallying point for all of Greene County, or at least all the towns and townships that would be inclusive of a reorg of the current J-S and EG districts.
“Lincolnway cleanly ties together the three largest towns of the [proposed] district which are also the three largest towns of the county—Scranton, Jefferson and Grand Junction. The school district and the Lincoln served by the three towns also embrace these townships: Scranton and Kendrick Townships and the city of Scranton; Bristol, Jackson, Hardin and Grant Townships surrounding the city of Jefferson; and the super-size Junction Township and the city of Grand Junction, the second largest town in Greene County with Scranton being third, both trailing Jefferson, the county seat and proposed site of the high school.”
Of course, the aspect of a “community school district” is still an option down the road, but in the duration as EG and JS move forward in whole grade sharing, it would be smart to “rebrand” a shared high school and middle school with new names. Lincolnway High School and Lincolnway Middle School truly fit the bill.
East Greene School Board President Marc Hoffman opened the door to some much needed discussion about a new name for the conjoined East Greene and Jefferson-Scranton High School and Middle School at the Oct. 19 board meeting.
The two school districts are entering into a whole grade sharing arrangement next year, 2012-13, in which all 5th and 6th grade students from both districts will attend classes in the East Greene high school/middle school building in Grand Junction. All the EG and JS middle school students will attend classes in the Jefferson-Scranton Middle School and all EG and JS high school students will attend classes in the Jefferson-Scranton High School. Both buildings are in Jefferson and each was the middle school and high school serving Jefferson before it merged with Scranton in the early 1990s.
This year, however, the two school districts are already sharing high school instrumental and vocal music and speech, in addition to an ongoing arrangement of sharing teachers and certain academic classes, such as science, vocational agriculture and advanced college placement.
The issue came home to Hoffman as a band parent. Both of his children are in the J-S Marching Band which also includes East Greene students, but the band’s signage says Jefferson-Scranton only. “One of my kids was not happy about the band being introduced at a recent event as just the Jefferson-Scranton band, but the other one was OK with it,” Hoffman shared with other board members at the meeting held in the ICN room of the high school in Grand Junction.
No action was taken at the meeting, but the topic has been listed a discussion item at recent joint board meetings between the two districts’ school boards and will be an ongoing topic as the two districts move toward the start date for WGS next July. Board members did note that moving forward any changes would involve new signage, school colors, and uniforms for activities like band and sports. Mention was also made of the new “Home of the Rams” sign that was just put up at the main entrance to the Jefferson-Scranton Middle School gymnasium (used by JS high school athletics).
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Hats off to Hoffman for getting the ball rolling on this. It’s one of a number of important topics that will need to be discussed moving forward. Better to start now rather than wait until the June 2012 meeting just before the agreement officially goes into effect and creates a last-minute, “11th hour” situation.
I posted something on this site a few weeks ago on this very topic: “I suggest something that truly unites us across the board and helps this area stand out from the crowd: Lincolnway Community School District. Yes, the Lincoln (highway and president), with the statue of honest Abe on the courthouse square—on the county-owned side!—as our rallying point for all of Greene County, or at least all the towns and townships that would be inclusive of a reorg of the current J-S and EG districts.
“Lincolnway cleanly ties together the three largest towns of the [proposed] district which are also the three largest towns of the county—Scranton, Jefferson and Grand Junction. The school district and the Lincoln served by the three towns also embrace these townships: Scranton and Kendrick Townships and the city of Scranton; Bristol, Jackson, Hardin and Grant Townships surrounding the city of Jefferson; and the super-size Junction Township and the city of Grand Junction, the second largest town in Greene County with Scranton being third, both trailing Jefferson, the county seat and proposed site of the high school.”
Of course, the aspect of a “community school district” is still an option down the road, but in the duration as EG and JS move forward in whole grade sharing, it would be smart to “rebrand” a shared high school and middle school with new names. Lincolnway High School and Lincolnway Middle School truly fit the bill.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Ausbergers Buy Watts Building for $2,800
MEET WITH GJ HORIZONS TO DISCUSS LHA FACILITY
GRAND JUNCTION, IOWA—Bob and Joyce Ausberger, Jefferson, were the winning bidders for the T.R. Watts & Son Building at 201 East Main Street in Grand Junction this morning. Joyce Ausberger told Eye on Grand Junction the bid was $2,800. The auction was conducted by Dale Higgins Auction of Grand Junction.
The Ausbergers had met with the Grand Junction Horizons board of directors in a special board meeting late Thursday afternoon at the Grand Junction Public Library to outline the Ausbergers’ plans to use the building as a welcome center for the local chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association.
The board asked the Ausbergers about the input required of GJ Horizons and who would be in charge of renovating the building, utility costs and general upkeep. At that time the Ausbergers had yet to make their bid, so they did not have a definitive purchase cost or possible renovation and upkeep costs for the building. They did tell Horizons they were interested if the price was in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.
Horizons members and the Ausbergers discussed monthly costs for electric, water and sewer from Grand Junction Municipal Light and Water and heating costs from Black Hills Energy.
If the Ausbergers did get the winning bid, Horizons agreed to help staff the proposed LHA welcome center and discussed how the community could work to make the welcome center an integral component of revitalization of Grand Junction’s Main Street.
The local LHA had a center on Lincolnway in Jefferson, next to the Hy-Vee Drug Store, but the building is owned by Hy-Vee and the company had other uses planned for the building, so the center was closed a few years ago.
Joyce Ausberger told Horizons that a similar office in Grand Junction would be opened between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the heavy tourism months in spring and summer, fewer hours in the fall, and not opened at all during the coldest months of winter. The office would offer free travel information and sells maps, brochures, and other items of interest to travelers on the Lincoln Highway, in addition to serving as a gathering spot for local residents and area Lincoln Highway enthusiasts.
Horizons members shared with the Ausbergers the community’s deep history with the Lincoln and there were a number of members present whose fathers were businessmen during the Lincoln’s hey-dey in the 1950s, when it was U.S. Highway 30.
They discussed with the Ausbergers some of the local memorabilia related to the Lincoln that is available from Grand Junction residents.
The Ausbergers are long-time supporters of the Lincoln Highway on a national, state and local level. They helped save the historic original Lincoln Highway bridge just north of the Union Pacific railroad tracks that serves as key component to the historic bridges and Grand Junction Lion’s Club Tree Park just east of Grand Junction on the section of the Lincoln built in the 1920s, which replaced the original route on the north side of the tracks.
Copyright Eye on Grand Junction 2011
GRAND JUNCTION, IOWA—Bob and Joyce Ausberger, Jefferson, were the winning bidders for the T.R. Watts & Son Building at 201 East Main Street in Grand Junction this morning. Joyce Ausberger told Eye on Grand Junction the bid was $2,800. The auction was conducted by Dale Higgins Auction of Grand Junction.
The Ausbergers had met with the Grand Junction Horizons board of directors in a special board meeting late Thursday afternoon at the Grand Junction Public Library to outline the Ausbergers’ plans to use the building as a welcome center for the local chapter of the Lincoln Highway Association.
The board asked the Ausbergers about the input required of GJ Horizons and who would be in charge of renovating the building, utility costs and general upkeep. At that time the Ausbergers had yet to make their bid, so they did not have a definitive purchase cost or possible renovation and upkeep costs for the building. They did tell Horizons they were interested if the price was in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.
Horizons members and the Ausbergers discussed monthly costs for electric, water and sewer from Grand Junction Municipal Light and Water and heating costs from Black Hills Energy.
If the Ausbergers did get the winning bid, Horizons agreed to help staff the proposed LHA welcome center and discussed how the community could work to make the welcome center an integral component of revitalization of Grand Junction’s Main Street.
The local LHA had a center on Lincolnway in Jefferson, next to the Hy-Vee Drug Store, but the building is owned by Hy-Vee and the company had other uses planned for the building, so the center was closed a few years ago.
Joyce Ausberger told Horizons that a similar office in Grand Junction would be opened between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the heavy tourism months in spring and summer, fewer hours in the fall, and not opened at all during the coldest months of winter. The office would offer free travel information and sells maps, brochures, and other items of interest to travelers on the Lincoln Highway, in addition to serving as a gathering spot for local residents and area Lincoln Highway enthusiasts.
Horizons members shared with the Ausbergers the community’s deep history with the Lincoln and there were a number of members present whose fathers were businessmen during the Lincoln’s hey-dey in the 1950s, when it was U.S. Highway 30.
They discussed with the Ausbergers some of the local memorabilia related to the Lincoln that is available from Grand Junction residents.
The Ausbergers are long-time supporters of the Lincoln Highway on a national, state and local level. They helped save the historic original Lincoln Highway bridge just north of the Union Pacific railroad tracks that serves as key component to the historic bridges and Grand Junction Lion’s Club Tree Park just east of Grand Junction on the section of the Lincoln built in the 1920s, which replaced the original route on the north side of the tracks.
Copyright Eye on Grand Junction 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Hawkettes Advance to Regional Semifinals
EG VS. WG FRIDAY @ 7 IN WOODWARD
East Greene advanced to the Class 1A regional volleyball semifinals with a definitive 25-11, 25-19, 25-23 blowout of Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) tonight in quarterfinal action at Burnside.
This sets up a “Battle of the Hawkettes” (and the “Greens”) as the Hawkettes of EG (green and white school colors) travel to Woodward to face 10th-ranked Woodward-Granger in a semifinal tilt on the WG Hawkettes’ (green and gold) home court in Woodward at 7 p.m. on Friday night, Oct. 28.
WG rolled over Madrid 25-9, 25-14, 25-17 in a quarterfinal match tonight in Woodward. The WG Hawkettes, winners of the West Central Conference, with a perfect 9-0 record, improved to 18-5. The EG Hawkettes improved to 10-15.
EYE ON GJ SAYS: This is a big win for the Hawkettes and shows they are really peaking at the right time. A tough non-conference slate that included matches against teams like Guthrie Center and Coon Rapids-Bayard—both ranked during the season—has paid off.
EG is the lone Rolling Hills Conference team still playing as Adair-Casey was beaten at home tonight by Earlham, another West Central team, 17-25, 25-17, 25-12, 28-26. Earlham (17-6) advances to a semifinal face-off with Coon Rapids-Bayard (22-8), a quarterfinal winner over Guthrie Center, 25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 25-23, on Friday night in Guthrie Center.
The Guthrie Center and Woodward semifinal winners advance to the Region 5 final on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Adel.
Jefferson-Scranton dropped its 2A quarterfinal match to Roland-Story in Roland, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23.
East Greene advanced to the Class 1A regional volleyball semifinals with a definitive 25-11, 25-19, 25-23 blowout of Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) tonight in quarterfinal action at Burnside.
This sets up a “Battle of the Hawkettes” (and the “Greens”) as the Hawkettes of EG (green and white school colors) travel to Woodward to face 10th-ranked Woodward-Granger in a semifinal tilt on the WG Hawkettes’ (green and gold) home court in Woodward at 7 p.m. on Friday night, Oct. 28.
WG rolled over Madrid 25-9, 25-14, 25-17 in a quarterfinal match tonight in Woodward. The WG Hawkettes, winners of the West Central Conference, with a perfect 9-0 record, improved to 18-5. The EG Hawkettes improved to 10-15.
EYE ON GJ SAYS: This is a big win for the Hawkettes and shows they are really peaking at the right time. A tough non-conference slate that included matches against teams like Guthrie Center and Coon Rapids-Bayard—both ranked during the season—has paid off.
EG is the lone Rolling Hills Conference team still playing as Adair-Casey was beaten at home tonight by Earlham, another West Central team, 17-25, 25-17, 25-12, 28-26. Earlham (17-6) advances to a semifinal face-off with Coon Rapids-Bayard (22-8), a quarterfinal winner over Guthrie Center, 25-21, 25-16, 22-25, 25-23, on Friday night in Guthrie Center.
The Guthrie Center and Woodward semifinal winners advance to the Region 5 final on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Adel.
Jefferson-Scranton dropped its 2A quarterfinal match to Roland-Story in Roland, 25-21, 25-23, 25-23.
Hawkettes Advance to Regional Quarterfinal
SWEEP SWG IN 3; FACE NEH TONIGHT @ BURNSIDE
East Greene swept Southeast Webster-Grand in three games to get a key regional volleyball victory on SWG’s home court in Burnside on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Hawkettes’ 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 win moved them on to the quarterfinal round tonight against Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg). EG returns to Burnside for the 7 p.m. match.
NEH beat CAL (Latimer) 25-21, 25-19, 25-13 on its home court Oct. 19 to advance. NEH (6-16) finished in a tie for 8th place at 2-6 with CAL and Dunkerton in the 11-team Iowa Star Conference. Tripoli, the No. 1 team in Class 1A and defending three-time state champion, won the Iowa Star with an 8-0 mark. Sixth-ranked Janesville (26-10) tied with North Tama for second place (behind Tripoli) in the Iowa Star. Those two teams square off tonight in Janesville in Region 7.
The Hawkettes improved their season record to 9-15 with the win over SWG, a team they lost to in four games in the season opener, also at Burnside. SWG finished the season 4-18.
The winner tonight advances on to the semifinal round on Friday at Woodward against the winner of a match tonight in Woodward between Madrid (9-12) and 10th-ranked Woodward-Granger (17-5). Madrid advanced with a very close win over Colo-Nesco 15-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23, 16-14 while WG rolled over Ankeny Christian 25-9, 25-17, 25-14.
Action in the other side of the Region 5 bracket tonight has Coon Rapids-Bayard (21-8) at 15th-ranked Guthrie Center (15-7) and Earlham (16-6) at Adair-Casey (18-10). Those winners square off Friday at Guthrie Center. Semifinal winners advance to the Region 5 final next Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Adel.
EYE ON GJ: This was a real solid turnaround for the Hawkettes and showed how much they have improved throughout the season. The season opening loss to the Eagles was not really all that close—25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21—although the Hawkettes showed some promise for the season to come with that 25-12 win in the second game. To head back to Burnside in the post-season and come away with a solid three-zip sweep says a lot for how far this young team (no seniors and just two juniors and the rest freshman and sophomores) has come in the 2011 season.
East Greene was a bright spot in an otherwise pretty dismal showing for the Rolling Hills Conference. Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton was sidelined by CRB in a play-in round game last Monday night in Coon Rapids. CRB then dispatched of Glidden-Ralston, RH regular season runner-up with Adair-Casey, on Wednesday. Iowa Christian, winner of both the regular season and conference tournament titles, was beaten handily by Martensdale-St. Mary’s in Martensdale in its Region 4 opener, 25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21.
Paton-Churdan, CAM and Ankeny Christian all lost their opening matches in Region 5 while the same fate befell Orient-Macksburg and Walnut in Region 3.
The only other RH team besides EG to post a win in regional opening round action was Adair-Casey, runner-up in the regular season standings and the conference tourney. The Bomberettes got by Grandview Park Baptist in a very tight match, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, 15-6. This was a pretty significant win, though, as GPB had advanced to the state tourney the last three years in addition to appearances in 2006 and 2002, the Defenders’ state championship season.
Jefferson-Scranton advanced in 2A with an easy win over Prairie Valley (Gowrie) in Jefferson, 25-13, 25-9, 25-19. The Rams head to Story City tonight for a quarterfinal contest against No. 15 Roland-Story, which rolled over Ogden, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13. Ogden is in its first season in the West Central Conference—East Greene’s former league—and found the going pretty rocky as the Bulldogs were 0-9 in conference play along the way to posting an 0-24 volleyball season.
The West Central as a conference fared much better, going 6-4 with one of the losses coming at the hands of a league member, Panorama, to another, Des Moines Christian, in 2A. Also losing in 2A were West Central Valley (Stuart) and Van Meter with all five 1A schools advancing: Guthrie Center, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Madrid and Woodward-Granger.
If Jefferson-Scranton gets by the Norse tonight in Story City, the Rams would play in Jefferson in a 2A semifinal match Friday against Kuemper (Carroll) or East Sac County (Lake View).
East Greene swept Southeast Webster-Grand in three games to get a key regional volleyball victory on SWG’s home court in Burnside on Wednesday, Oct. 19. The Hawkettes’ 25-20, 25-20, 25-17 win moved them on to the quarterfinal round tonight against Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg). EG returns to Burnside for the 7 p.m. match.
NEH beat CAL (Latimer) 25-21, 25-19, 25-13 on its home court Oct. 19 to advance. NEH (6-16) finished in a tie for 8th place at 2-6 with CAL and Dunkerton in the 11-team Iowa Star Conference. Tripoli, the No. 1 team in Class 1A and defending three-time state champion, won the Iowa Star with an 8-0 mark. Sixth-ranked Janesville (26-10) tied with North Tama for second place (behind Tripoli) in the Iowa Star. Those two teams square off tonight in Janesville in Region 7.
The Hawkettes improved their season record to 9-15 with the win over SWG, a team they lost to in four games in the season opener, also at Burnside. SWG finished the season 4-18.
The winner tonight advances on to the semifinal round on Friday at Woodward against the winner of a match tonight in Woodward between Madrid (9-12) and 10th-ranked Woodward-Granger (17-5). Madrid advanced with a very close win over Colo-Nesco 15-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-23, 16-14 while WG rolled over Ankeny Christian 25-9, 25-17, 25-14.
Action in the other side of the Region 5 bracket tonight has Coon Rapids-Bayard (21-8) at 15th-ranked Guthrie Center (15-7) and Earlham (16-6) at Adair-Casey (18-10). Those winners square off Friday at Guthrie Center. Semifinal winners advance to the Region 5 final next Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Adel.
EYE ON GJ: This was a real solid turnaround for the Hawkettes and showed how much they have improved throughout the season. The season opening loss to the Eagles was not really all that close—25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21—although the Hawkettes showed some promise for the season to come with that 25-12 win in the second game. To head back to Burnside in the post-season and come away with a solid three-zip sweep says a lot for how far this young team (no seniors and just two juniors and the rest freshman and sophomores) has come in the 2011 season.
East Greene was a bright spot in an otherwise pretty dismal showing for the Rolling Hills Conference. Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton was sidelined by CRB in a play-in round game last Monday night in Coon Rapids. CRB then dispatched of Glidden-Ralston, RH regular season runner-up with Adair-Casey, on Wednesday. Iowa Christian, winner of both the regular season and conference tournament titles, was beaten handily by Martensdale-St. Mary’s in Martensdale in its Region 4 opener, 25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21.
Paton-Churdan, CAM and Ankeny Christian all lost their opening matches in Region 5 while the same fate befell Orient-Macksburg and Walnut in Region 3.
The only other RH team besides EG to post a win in regional opening round action was Adair-Casey, runner-up in the regular season standings and the conference tourney. The Bomberettes got by Grandview Park Baptist in a very tight match, 21-25, 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, 15-6. This was a pretty significant win, though, as GPB had advanced to the state tourney the last three years in addition to appearances in 2006 and 2002, the Defenders’ state championship season.
Jefferson-Scranton advanced in 2A with an easy win over Prairie Valley (Gowrie) in Jefferson, 25-13, 25-9, 25-19. The Rams head to Story City tonight for a quarterfinal contest against No. 15 Roland-Story, which rolled over Ogden, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13. Ogden is in its first season in the West Central Conference—East Greene’s former league—and found the going pretty rocky as the Bulldogs were 0-9 in conference play along the way to posting an 0-24 volleyball season.
The West Central as a conference fared much better, going 6-4 with one of the losses coming at the hands of a league member, Panorama, to another, Des Moines Christian, in 2A. Also losing in 2A were West Central Valley (Stuart) and Van Meter with all five 1A schools advancing: Guthrie Center, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Earlham, Madrid and Woodward-Granger.
If Jefferson-Scranton gets by the Norse tonight in Story City, the Rams would play in Jefferson in a 2A semifinal match Friday against Kuemper (Carroll) or East Sac County (Lake View).
Friday, October 21, 2011
Hawks Roll Over Coon Rapids-Bayard 39-14
PLAY TONIGHT IN GJ FOR PLAYOFF SPOT
East Greene upended a favored Coon Rapids-Bayard football team Friday, Oct. 14, in Grand Junction and positioned itself favorably for a possible 8-Man State Playoff spot.
EG ended years of frustration at the hands of the Crusaders with a convincing 39-14 win. The Hawks took command early and never let up.
Quarterback Tory Beger was an offensive force, passing for four touchdowns and running for another. Beger was 27 of 46 through the air with one interception for 304 total yards. He ran for 59 yards on 16 carries. Reed Ostrander had another outstanding night with 12 receptions for 135 yards and three touchdown catches. TJ Lint had 8 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown. Harrison Johnston caught 7 passes for 66 yards, and Broc Timm had 1 reception for 25 yards.
Johnston had an outstanding game returning a CRB kick for a touchdown and two interceptions, one returned for a 48-yard TD. Johnston added to the EG cause with a 2-point conversion, and Zach Hiller capped off the evening with a successful PAT kick.
The Hawk defense put the clamps on CRB early and did not let up. Beger led the attack with 8 solo and 5 assisted tackles with Ostrander handling 10 solos and two assisted. Hiller had 9 solo and 2 assisted; Johnston 4 and 6; Broc Timm 4 and 7; Cody Hidelbaugh 6 and 3; Alex Gordon 5 and 4; and Lint 5 and 2.
EG completely shut down the Crusaders’ passing attack. In addition to Johnston’s two interceptions, Ostrander also snagged two CRB passes. Overall, the “Hawk D” held Crusader QB Keaton Schlatter to just 9 completions in 29 attempts for 94 yards passing. The Crusaders were held to 71 yards rushing for 165 yards total. EG racked up 104 yards on the ground to add to its 304 yards passing for 408-yard offensive total for the night.
EG takes on Ar-We-Va in the final regular season game tonight, Friday, Oct. 21, at Karber Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m. EG and Ar-We-Va have identical 4-4 records, but the Rockets are 4-1 in District 7 and have already clinched a playoff spot. After the win over CRB, the Hawks are deadlocked with the Crusaders at 2-3 with each team in contention for the fourth of four playoff spots in D7. A win gives Ar-We-Va the No. 2 seed and a possible No. 1 seed if Glidden-Ralston should fall to Coon Rapids-Bayard tonight in Coon Rapids. A win would pretty much give EG the No. 4 spot.
GR, unbeaten in D7 play (5-0) and 7-1 overall, will be a heavy favorite over CRB. Woodbine is 1-4 in D7 but takes on winless Charter Oak-Ute. If CRB and EG both lose and Woodbine wins, all three teams would be tied for the No. 4 spot and the tie-breaker system would be used based on the average point differential in each team’s six division games.
Heading into tonight’s games, CRB and EG are knotted up at -2.6 tie-breaker points. Woodbine is -6.4 but a win would improve that number while losses for CRB and EG would drop them further into the minus category, so unless those two teams’ losses were very, very close, Woodbine would most likely get the No. 4 playoff spot. But if COU should make it close against Woodbine in losing, it could come down to a single point in the scores being the difference.
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) has concluded district and season play at 4-2 and 6-3, and is guaranteed no worse than the No. 3 playoff spot. If EG gets by Ar-We-Va, that would tie up the Rockets and BV at 4-2 in the league for second. The No. 2 playoff spot would be decided by the points differential tie-breaker. BV finished the season with 5.3 points while AWV has 6.67 through 5 games. AWV could lose to EG and keep the No. 2 spot, but only if the Rockets lose by 1 point. A loss of 2 points or more would cut into their total point differential and drop them below BV’s point total differential.
District 7 Standings:
Glidden-Ralston 5-0 7-1
Ar-We-Va 4-1 4-4
Boyer Valley 4-2 6-3
Coon Rapids-Bayard 2-3 4-4
East Greene 2-3 4-4
Woodbine 1-4 2-6
Charter Oak-Ute 0-5 0-8
Oct. 14 Results:
EG 39, CRB 14
GR 62, COU 28
BV 48, WDB 6
AWV open
Games Tonight:
AWV @ EG
GR @ CRB
COU @ WDB
BV open
EYE ON GJ SAYS: At this point of the season there are two things at play—the actual games in GJ, Coon Rapids and Woodbine tonight and the mathematical promulgations that could determine who heads where next week for the first round of the post-season playoffs.
Either way, the Hawks really did themselves proud with a big win over CRB. It was the first win ever in 8-man football over the Crusaders. It was even sweeter to have it come on the Hawks' home field in Grand Junction.
Beger and Ostrander continue to rank high in the passing and receiving stats compiled each week and featured in the Friday morning prep preview in the D.M. Register. Each has been among the Top 10 and climbing. This week, Ostrander is No. 2 among all Iowa high school receivers with 68 receptions for 1,094 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The No. 4 seed in D7 will travel next Wednesday to the No. 1 seed in D8. Fremont-Mills (Tabor) and East Mills (Malvern) are both 5-0 in D8 and meet tonight in Malvern for the district championship. Fremont-Mills (7-0) is ranked No. 2 in the state in 8-Man Football while East Mills (8-0) is ranked No. 5.
East Greene upended a favored Coon Rapids-Bayard football team Friday, Oct. 14, in Grand Junction and positioned itself favorably for a possible 8-Man State Playoff spot.
EG ended years of frustration at the hands of the Crusaders with a convincing 39-14 win. The Hawks took command early and never let up.
Quarterback Tory Beger was an offensive force, passing for four touchdowns and running for another. Beger was 27 of 46 through the air with one interception for 304 total yards. He ran for 59 yards on 16 carries. Reed Ostrander had another outstanding night with 12 receptions for 135 yards and three touchdown catches. TJ Lint had 8 catches for 78 yards and 1 touchdown. Harrison Johnston caught 7 passes for 66 yards, and Broc Timm had 1 reception for 25 yards.
Johnston had an outstanding game returning a CRB kick for a touchdown and two interceptions, one returned for a 48-yard TD. Johnston added to the EG cause with a 2-point conversion, and Zach Hiller capped off the evening with a successful PAT kick.
The Hawk defense put the clamps on CRB early and did not let up. Beger led the attack with 8 solo and 5 assisted tackles with Ostrander handling 10 solos and two assisted. Hiller had 9 solo and 2 assisted; Johnston 4 and 6; Broc Timm 4 and 7; Cody Hidelbaugh 6 and 3; Alex Gordon 5 and 4; and Lint 5 and 2.
EG completely shut down the Crusaders’ passing attack. In addition to Johnston’s two interceptions, Ostrander also snagged two CRB passes. Overall, the “Hawk D” held Crusader QB Keaton Schlatter to just 9 completions in 29 attempts for 94 yards passing. The Crusaders were held to 71 yards rushing for 165 yards total. EG racked up 104 yards on the ground to add to its 304 yards passing for 408-yard offensive total for the night.
EG takes on Ar-We-Va in the final regular season game tonight, Friday, Oct. 21, at Karber Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m. EG and Ar-We-Va have identical 4-4 records, but the Rockets are 4-1 in District 7 and have already clinched a playoff spot. After the win over CRB, the Hawks are deadlocked with the Crusaders at 2-3 with each team in contention for the fourth of four playoff spots in D7. A win gives Ar-We-Va the No. 2 seed and a possible No. 1 seed if Glidden-Ralston should fall to Coon Rapids-Bayard tonight in Coon Rapids. A win would pretty much give EG the No. 4 spot.
GR, unbeaten in D7 play (5-0) and 7-1 overall, will be a heavy favorite over CRB. Woodbine is 1-4 in D7 but takes on winless Charter Oak-Ute. If CRB and EG both lose and Woodbine wins, all three teams would be tied for the No. 4 spot and the tie-breaker system would be used based on the average point differential in each team’s six division games.
Heading into tonight’s games, CRB and EG are knotted up at -2.6 tie-breaker points. Woodbine is -6.4 but a win would improve that number while losses for CRB and EG would drop them further into the minus category, so unless those two teams’ losses were very, very close, Woodbine would most likely get the No. 4 playoff spot. But if COU should make it close against Woodbine in losing, it could come down to a single point in the scores being the difference.
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) has concluded district and season play at 4-2 and 6-3, and is guaranteed no worse than the No. 3 playoff spot. If EG gets by Ar-We-Va, that would tie up the Rockets and BV at 4-2 in the league for second. The No. 2 playoff spot would be decided by the points differential tie-breaker. BV finished the season with 5.3 points while AWV has 6.67 through 5 games. AWV could lose to EG and keep the No. 2 spot, but only if the Rockets lose by 1 point. A loss of 2 points or more would cut into their total point differential and drop them below BV’s point total differential.
District 7 Standings:
Glidden-Ralston 5-0 7-1
Ar-We-Va 4-1 4-4
Boyer Valley 4-2 6-3
Coon Rapids-Bayard 2-3 4-4
East Greene 2-3 4-4
Woodbine 1-4 2-6
Charter Oak-Ute 0-5 0-8
Oct. 14 Results:
EG 39, CRB 14
GR 62, COU 28
BV 48, WDB 6
AWV open
Games Tonight:
AWV @ EG
GR @ CRB
COU @ WDB
BV open
EYE ON GJ SAYS: At this point of the season there are two things at play—the actual games in GJ, Coon Rapids and Woodbine tonight and the mathematical promulgations that could determine who heads where next week for the first round of the post-season playoffs.
Either way, the Hawks really did themselves proud with a big win over CRB. It was the first win ever in 8-man football over the Crusaders. It was even sweeter to have it come on the Hawks' home field in Grand Junction.
Beger and Ostrander continue to rank high in the passing and receiving stats compiled each week and featured in the Friday morning prep preview in the D.M. Register. Each has been among the Top 10 and climbing. This week, Ostrander is No. 2 among all Iowa high school receivers with 68 receptions for 1,094 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The No. 4 seed in D7 will travel next Wednesday to the No. 1 seed in D8. Fremont-Mills (Tabor) and East Mills (Malvern) are both 5-0 in D8 and meet tonight in Malvern for the district championship. Fremont-Mills (7-0) is ranked No. 2 in the state in 8-Man Football while East Mills (8-0) is ranked No. 5.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
EG Prepares for ‘Second’ and ‘Third’ Seasons
RH LEAGUE TOURNEY THURSDAY; REGIONAL NEXT WEEK
East Greene dropped a tough volleyball match to Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton on Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Rippey, 25-18, 25-14, 12-25, 29-27 to fall to 3-5 in the Rolling Hills Conference. The Hawkettes were back in action on Saturday winning two matches and losing three at the Walnut Tournament, moving their season record to 7-12.
EG beat Diagonal 21-8, 21-16 and Ankeny Christian 21-6, 20-22, 15-6 while losing to Walnut 21-13, 21-14 to finish 2-1 in pool play and advance with three other teams to the championship round of the 8-team tourney. Woodbine beat the Hawkettes 21-10, 22-20 in a semifinal match. EG closed out the tourney with another loss to Walnut, 21-14, 21-19, in the third-place match to finish fourth in the tourney.
Against EEHK, the Hawkettes got off to a slow start losing the first two games but took command in the third to double up points on the Spartans winning 25-12. EG went to “extra digits” in the fourth match but fell 29-27.
The loss dropped EG from the upper division of the Rolling Hills. Coming into the contest, the Hawkettes were tied with CAM (Anita) and Orient-Macksburg for fifth place at 3-4 with EEHK just behind at 2-5. CAM upset Iowa Christian Academy that night to move to 4-4 with OM breezing by winless Ankeny Christian Academy to move to 4-4 and stay tied with CAM.
EEHK moved up to 3-5 with the win, tying with the Hawkettes for seventh place in the league. The loss to CAM was Iowa Christian’s first conference setback and allowed Adair-Casey to move into a tie for first place with ICA at 7-1.
The conference title is on the line tonight as ICA hosts EEHK in Waukee and Adair-Casey hosts Walnut. All the league games are important this time of the season as teams no longer relevant in the conference regular championship title can still jockey for a good seed in the conference tournament on Thursday in Elk Horn.
This “second season” gives some of the lower division teams another crack at each other and also at the upper division teams. The bottom four teams form a “play-in” round to create an eight-team field. The 10th place team takes on the 7th place team with the winner moving on to face the No. 2 seed. The 9th place team takes on the 8th place team with the winner advancing to face the top seed. In other quarterfinal round games, No. 3 plays No. 6 and No. 4 takes on No. 5.
A “third season” gets underway next Wednesday, Oct. 19, as regional play begins. EG travels to Southeast Webster-Grand (Burnside) in Class 1A first-round action. The winner advances to the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Burnside to take on the winner of the Oct. 19 match in Blairsburg between CAL (Latimer) and Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg).
Adair-Casey 7-1
Iowa Christian 7-1
Glidden-Ralston 6-2
Walnut 5-3
CAM 4-4
Orient-Macksburg 4-4
East Greene 3-5
Exira/EHK 3-5
Paton-Churdan 1-7
Ankeny Christian 0-8
Tuesday, Oct. 5:
EEHK beat EG 25-18, 25-14, 12-25, 29-27
CAM beat ICA 16-25, 25-23, 25-22, 9-25, 15-12
OM beat ANK 29-27, 16-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-5
AC beat PC 25-19, 25-13, 25-16
GR beat WAL 23-25, 25-15, 14-25, 25-20, 15-11
EYE ON GJ SAYS: It was a tough loss for EG at the hands of EEHK. A win would have moved the Hawkettes to 4-4 in the league and provide some momentum heading into the long trip on Saturday to the Walnut Tourney and the final league match of the season tonight at Glidden-Ralston. GR beat Walnut last Tuesday to take sole command of third place in the Rolling Hills at 6-2, just behind league-leaders Adair-Casey and Iowa Christian at 7-1. Should either of those teams stumble tonight, a win over EG will move GR into a tie for second place. The Wildcats will be a heavy favorite and looking to avenge two softball thumpings from EG this summer.
The conference tournament should be a very competitive event with the co-leaders as solid favorites, but some of the middle-tier teams could have an outside shot at taking the tourney title, considering CAM’s surprise win over ICA, which came on the heels of CAM falling to Paton-Churdan, 28-26, 25-23, 9-25, 20-25, 15-8. It was the Rockettes’ first league win of the season. Look for PC to prevail tonight against Ankeny Christian in its league finale.
Considering how the conference tourney shakes out, some teams could get an updraft heading into the big payoff—the “third season” or regional tournament. Every team’s eye is on the prize of a regional championship and a trip to the state tournament in Cedar Rapids.
SWG got the better of the Hawkettes in the season opener for both teams in late August. The Eagles prevailed 25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21. EG will looking to make amends for that defeat. The Hawkettes play in a very competitive conference as Iowa Christian and Adair-Casey have been ranked most of the season. Two non-conference foes, Coon Rapids-Bayard and Guthrie Center, have also been ranked at different points of the season.
SWG is 1-9 in league play and 4-15 overall.
The winner of the Burnside quarterfinal bracket moves on to the semifinal round at Woodward. Teams in the opposite quarterfinal bracket are Colo-Nesco, Madrid, Ankeny Christian and Woodward-Granger.
The winner in Woodward on Friday, Oct. 28 moves on the regional final in Adel on Tuesday, Nov. 1 to face the winner of a seminal match in Guthrie Center on Oct. 28. Teams on that side of the regional bracket are Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Glidden-Ralston, Paton-Churdan, Guthrie Center, Earlham, CAM, Grandview Park Baptist and Adair-Casey.
EEHK and CRB face off in a play-in round match on Monday night with the winner advancing to a first-round match against Glidden Ralston on Wednesday. PC takes on Guthrie Center in another first round pairing in Guthrie Center on Wednesday with the winners that night meeting next Tuesday in a quarterfinal match up in Guthrie Center. Other first-round matches on that side of the bracket are Grandview Park Baptist at Adair-Casey and Earlham at CAM.
Iowa Christian Academy is in Region 4. The Trailblazers’ first-round opponent is Martensdale-St. Mary’s. Walnut and Orient-Macksburg of the Rolling Hills are both in Region 3.
The favorites to make the Region 5 final in Adel are Coon Rapids-Bayard, Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center in the Guthrie half of the bracket with Woodward-Granger as the team to beat in the Woodward side of the bracket. WG is leading the West Central Conference with a 7-0 league mark and 12-4 overall record. The Hawkettes are ranked 11th in Class 1A just behind No. 10 Adair-Casey (14-6) of the Rolling Hills and one spot in front of West Central league foe Guthrie Center (13-5). GC and WG face off on Thursday in Guthrie Center. GC is 4-3 in the West Central behind WG, DMC (7-1) and CRB and Earlham tied for third (5-2).
But Grandview Park Baptist and SWG can’t be overlooked as each plays in a predominantly 2A conference—GPB in the Heart of Iowa and SWG in the Twin Lakes. GPB has a particularly strong history in volleyball with several state tournament appearances in recent years.
Jefferson-Scranton is also in the Heart of Iowa and is in third place with a 5-2 conference record and 14-5 overall mark. The Rams host Prairie Valley (Gowrie) on Tuesday, Oct. 18, in a 2A Region 3 first round match. Roland-Story takes on winless Ogden that same night in Story City with Tuesday’s winners facing off on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in a quarterfinal match up in Story City. The winner there advances to a semifinal match up in Jefferson on Friday, Oct. 28, against either South Central Calhoun, East Sac, IKM-Manning or Kuemper. The Jefferson semifinal winner will take on the Des Moines Christian semifinal winner on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Ames. Teams on the DMC side of the bracket are Colfax-Mingo, North Polk, CMB, Gilbert, Van Meter, Audubon, Panorama and DMC. The first four are all members of the HOI with J-S while the others are all West Central Conference teams with the exception of Audubon of the Western Iowa Conference.
East Greene dropped a tough volleyball match to Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton on Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Rippey, 25-18, 25-14, 12-25, 29-27 to fall to 3-5 in the Rolling Hills Conference. The Hawkettes were back in action on Saturday winning two matches and losing three at the Walnut Tournament, moving their season record to 7-12.
EG beat Diagonal 21-8, 21-16 and Ankeny Christian 21-6, 20-22, 15-6 while losing to Walnut 21-13, 21-14 to finish 2-1 in pool play and advance with three other teams to the championship round of the 8-team tourney. Woodbine beat the Hawkettes 21-10, 22-20 in a semifinal match. EG closed out the tourney with another loss to Walnut, 21-14, 21-19, in the third-place match to finish fourth in the tourney.
Against EEHK, the Hawkettes got off to a slow start losing the first two games but took command in the third to double up points on the Spartans winning 25-12. EG went to “extra digits” in the fourth match but fell 29-27.
The loss dropped EG from the upper division of the Rolling Hills. Coming into the contest, the Hawkettes were tied with CAM (Anita) and Orient-Macksburg for fifth place at 3-4 with EEHK just behind at 2-5. CAM upset Iowa Christian Academy that night to move to 4-4 with OM breezing by winless Ankeny Christian Academy to move to 4-4 and stay tied with CAM.
EEHK moved up to 3-5 with the win, tying with the Hawkettes for seventh place in the league. The loss to CAM was Iowa Christian’s first conference setback and allowed Adair-Casey to move into a tie for first place with ICA at 7-1.
The conference title is on the line tonight as ICA hosts EEHK in Waukee and Adair-Casey hosts Walnut. All the league games are important this time of the season as teams no longer relevant in the conference regular championship title can still jockey for a good seed in the conference tournament on Thursday in Elk Horn.
This “second season” gives some of the lower division teams another crack at each other and also at the upper division teams. The bottom four teams form a “play-in” round to create an eight-team field. The 10th place team takes on the 7th place team with the winner moving on to face the No. 2 seed. The 9th place team takes on the 8th place team with the winner advancing to face the top seed. In other quarterfinal round games, No. 3 plays No. 6 and No. 4 takes on No. 5.
A “third season” gets underway next Wednesday, Oct. 19, as regional play begins. EG travels to Southeast Webster-Grand (Burnside) in Class 1A first-round action. The winner advances to the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Burnside to take on the winner of the Oct. 19 match in Blairsburg between CAL (Latimer) and Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg).
Adair-Casey 7-1
Iowa Christian 7-1
Glidden-Ralston 6-2
Walnut 5-3
CAM 4-4
Orient-Macksburg 4-4
East Greene 3-5
Exira/EHK 3-5
Paton-Churdan 1-7
Ankeny Christian 0-8
Tuesday, Oct. 5:
EEHK beat EG 25-18, 25-14, 12-25, 29-27
CAM beat ICA 16-25, 25-23, 25-22, 9-25, 15-12
OM beat ANK 29-27, 16-25, 24-26, 25-17, 15-5
AC beat PC 25-19, 25-13, 25-16
GR beat WAL 23-25, 25-15, 14-25, 25-20, 15-11
EYE ON GJ SAYS: It was a tough loss for EG at the hands of EEHK. A win would have moved the Hawkettes to 4-4 in the league and provide some momentum heading into the long trip on Saturday to the Walnut Tourney and the final league match of the season tonight at Glidden-Ralston. GR beat Walnut last Tuesday to take sole command of third place in the Rolling Hills at 6-2, just behind league-leaders Adair-Casey and Iowa Christian at 7-1. Should either of those teams stumble tonight, a win over EG will move GR into a tie for second place. The Wildcats will be a heavy favorite and looking to avenge two softball thumpings from EG this summer.
The conference tournament should be a very competitive event with the co-leaders as solid favorites, but some of the middle-tier teams could have an outside shot at taking the tourney title, considering CAM’s surprise win over ICA, which came on the heels of CAM falling to Paton-Churdan, 28-26, 25-23, 9-25, 20-25, 15-8. It was the Rockettes’ first league win of the season. Look for PC to prevail tonight against Ankeny Christian in its league finale.
Considering how the conference tourney shakes out, some teams could get an updraft heading into the big payoff—the “third season” or regional tournament. Every team’s eye is on the prize of a regional championship and a trip to the state tournament in Cedar Rapids.
SWG got the better of the Hawkettes in the season opener for both teams in late August. The Eagles prevailed 25-12, 12-25, 25-14, 25-21. EG will looking to make amends for that defeat. The Hawkettes play in a very competitive conference as Iowa Christian and Adair-Casey have been ranked most of the season. Two non-conference foes, Coon Rapids-Bayard and Guthrie Center, have also been ranked at different points of the season.
SWG is 1-9 in league play and 4-15 overall.
The winner of the Burnside quarterfinal bracket moves on to the semifinal round at Woodward. Teams in the opposite quarterfinal bracket are Colo-Nesco, Madrid, Ankeny Christian and Woodward-Granger.
The winner in Woodward on Friday, Oct. 28 moves on the regional final in Adel on Tuesday, Nov. 1 to face the winner of a seminal match in Guthrie Center on Oct. 28. Teams on that side of the regional bracket are Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton, Coon Rapids-Bayard, Glidden-Ralston, Paton-Churdan, Guthrie Center, Earlham, CAM, Grandview Park Baptist and Adair-Casey.
EEHK and CRB face off in a play-in round match on Monday night with the winner advancing to a first-round match against Glidden Ralston on Wednesday. PC takes on Guthrie Center in another first round pairing in Guthrie Center on Wednesday with the winners that night meeting next Tuesday in a quarterfinal match up in Guthrie Center. Other first-round matches on that side of the bracket are Grandview Park Baptist at Adair-Casey and Earlham at CAM.
Iowa Christian Academy is in Region 4. The Trailblazers’ first-round opponent is Martensdale-St. Mary’s. Walnut and Orient-Macksburg of the Rolling Hills are both in Region 3.
The favorites to make the Region 5 final in Adel are Coon Rapids-Bayard, Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center in the Guthrie half of the bracket with Woodward-Granger as the team to beat in the Woodward side of the bracket. WG is leading the West Central Conference with a 7-0 league mark and 12-4 overall record. The Hawkettes are ranked 11th in Class 1A just behind No. 10 Adair-Casey (14-6) of the Rolling Hills and one spot in front of West Central league foe Guthrie Center (13-5). GC and WG face off on Thursday in Guthrie Center. GC is 4-3 in the West Central behind WG, DMC (7-1) and CRB and Earlham tied for third (5-2).
But Grandview Park Baptist and SWG can’t be overlooked as each plays in a predominantly 2A conference—GPB in the Heart of Iowa and SWG in the Twin Lakes. GPB has a particularly strong history in volleyball with several state tournament appearances in recent years.
Jefferson-Scranton is also in the Heart of Iowa and is in third place with a 5-2 conference record and 14-5 overall mark. The Rams host Prairie Valley (Gowrie) on Tuesday, Oct. 18, in a 2A Region 3 first round match. Roland-Story takes on winless Ogden that same night in Story City with Tuesday’s winners facing off on Tuesday, Oct. 25 in a quarterfinal match up in Story City. The winner there advances to a semifinal match up in Jefferson on Friday, Oct. 28, against either South Central Calhoun, East Sac, IKM-Manning or Kuemper. The Jefferson semifinal winner will take on the Des Moines Christian semifinal winner on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Ames. Teams on the DMC side of the bracket are Colfax-Mingo, North Polk, CMB, Gilbert, Van Meter, Audubon, Panorama and DMC. The first four are all members of the HOI with J-S while the others are all West Central Conference teams with the exception of Audubon of the Western Iowa Conference.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Comer Honored As GJ ‘Yard of the Month’
The yard of Sharon Comer of Sunset Drive in Grand Junction has been selected as “Yard of the Month” by the Grand Junction Horizons.
Yard of the Month is selected from a list of semifinalists each month that meet the criteria for the honor—proportionality and balance among ornamentals, shrubs, flowers and trees; perspective from various angles and frontage streets; not overly done or too “busy” looking; general upkeep and ongoing improvement; and overall aesthetic.“The Comer property helps beautify the Sunset Drive neighborhood and makes for a great entryway into Grand Junction from the south on Highway 144 and for travelers along the Lincoln Highway as it comes into Grand Junction from the west and then heads north toward Main Street,” said a Grand Junction Horizons spokesperson. “This is truly an outstanding yard.”
The Yard of the Month sign created by students at East Greene High School art classes is on display at the Comer home throughout the month of September.Going “Greene”?
NO WAY, JOSÉ, IT’S “LINCOLNWAY”!
Is there something that Tommy Birch down at the Des Moines Register knows that we don’t?
Tommy put together a nice recap of East Greene’s big Homecoming win over Charter Oak-Ute in a prep wrap-up in Sunday’s Register sports section Sept. 18 with a subhead entitled, “GOING GREENE.”
Earlier that weekend, some swag bags were handed out at the East Greene Homecoming Parade in GJ emblazoned with that awful beak-nosed bird they used for the [current] school logo and the words, “GO GREENE.” Hmmm? Twice in the same weekend with this mono-syllabic “GREENE” shows up. No longer “EAST,” cuz we’re headed west? Coincidence? I wonder. If this is someone’s idea for a new name for a possible reorganized East Greene and Jefferson-Scranton school district in the near future--something like Greene United or Greene County—I vote No . Without Paton-Churdan in a “reorg” it is only two-thirds to three-fourths or so of Greene County.
I suggest something that truly unites us across the board and helps this area stand out from the crowd: Lincolnway Community School District. Yes, the Lincoln (highway and president), with the statue of honest Abe on the courthouse square—on the county-owned side!—as our rallying point for all of Greene County, or at least all the towns and townships that would be inclusive of a reorg of the current J-S and EG districts.
Lincolnway cleanly ties together the three largest towns of the [proposed] district which are also the three largest towns of the county—Scranton, Jefferson and Grand Junction. The school district and the Lincoln served by the three towns also embrace these townships: Scranton and Kendrick Townships and the city of Scranton; Bristol, Jackson, Hardin and Grant Townships surrounding the city of Jefferson; and the super-size Junction Township and the city of Grand Junction, the second largest town in Greene County with Scranton being third, both trailing Jefferson, the county seat and proposed site of the high school.
Well, that will be then and this is now, so let’s give some applause to the EG Hawks for their showing in GJ at Homecoming on Sept. 16. Tommy Birch wrote:
“GOING GREENE: East Greene had a pair of strong performances in 66-28 victory over Charter Oak-Ute. Reed Ostrander hauled in five passes for 99 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two carries for 50 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown. He had a 51-yard punt return for a touchdown. Quarterback Tory Beger completed 20-of-29 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Beger also rushed for two more scores.”
The following Monday, Sept. 21, the “Little Hawks” of the EG Junior High School in GJ posted a big 44-6 win over Adair-Casey in a game suspended in the middle of the third quarter as AC ran out of players. They started with 10 but injuries whittled that down to 7 which is one less needed to play 8-man football.
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Take it or leave it Paton-Churdan, or be on your “way.” If you don’t want to be a part of a county-wide school system, then don’t. But don’t expect any panting, open door “we’ll give it a name you can use too” reality going forward. And since you rebuffed the outreach from EG for any sports sharing, don’t expect us to hold some gild-edged invitation for sports sharing along the likes of Lincolnway/Paton-Churdan. It will be Lincolnway and Lincolnway only. Period. You had your chance(s). You took a pass.
Come on, folks! We need to market that Lincolnway. Make it educational….President Lincoln, early day highway transportation, Floyd Mahany and his legacy with the tower, and our beautiful historic courthouse…. emblematic of our pioneer forebears. Hey! There’s a great team nickname….the Pioneers….Lincolnway Pioneers! Green and Black school colors….green of East Greene and the black of Scranton’s black and gold and Jefferson’s black and red. Honor the heritage….
Is there something that Tommy Birch down at the Des Moines Register knows that we don’t?
Tommy put together a nice recap of East Greene’s big Homecoming win over Charter Oak-Ute in a prep wrap-up in Sunday’s Register sports section Sept. 18 with a subhead entitled, “GOING GREENE.”
Earlier that weekend, some swag bags were handed out at the East Greene Homecoming Parade in GJ emblazoned with that awful beak-nosed bird they used for the [current] school logo and the words, “GO GREENE.” Hmmm? Twice in the same weekend with this mono-syllabic “GREENE” shows up. No longer “EAST,” cuz we’re headed west? Coincidence? I wonder. If this is someone’s idea for a new name for a possible reorganized East Greene and Jefferson-Scranton school district in the near future--something like Greene United or Greene County—I vote No . Without Paton-Churdan in a “reorg” it is only two-thirds to three-fourths or so of Greene County.
I suggest something that truly unites us across the board and helps this area stand out from the crowd: Lincolnway Community School District. Yes, the Lincoln (highway and president), with the statue of honest Abe on the courthouse square—on the county-owned side!—as our rallying point for all of Greene County, or at least all the towns and townships that would be inclusive of a reorg of the current J-S and EG districts.
Lincolnway cleanly ties together the three largest towns of the [proposed] district which are also the three largest towns of the county—Scranton, Jefferson and Grand Junction. The school district and the Lincoln served by the three towns also embrace these townships: Scranton and Kendrick Townships and the city of Scranton; Bristol, Jackson, Hardin and Grant Townships surrounding the city of Jefferson; and the super-size Junction Township and the city of Grand Junction, the second largest town in Greene County with Scranton being third, both trailing Jefferson, the county seat and proposed site of the high school.
Well, that will be then and this is now, so let’s give some applause to the EG Hawks for their showing in GJ at Homecoming on Sept. 16. Tommy Birch wrote:
“GOING GREENE: East Greene had a pair of strong performances in 66-28 victory over Charter Oak-Ute. Reed Ostrander hauled in five passes for 99 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two carries for 50 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown. He had a 51-yard punt return for a touchdown. Quarterback Tory Beger completed 20-of-29 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Beger also rushed for two more scores.”
The following Monday, Sept. 21, the “Little Hawks” of the EG Junior High School in GJ posted a big 44-6 win over Adair-Casey in a game suspended in the middle of the third quarter as AC ran out of players. They started with 10 but injuries whittled that down to 7 which is one less needed to play 8-man football.
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Take it or leave it Paton-Churdan, or be on your “way.” If you don’t want to be a part of a county-wide school system, then don’t. But don’t expect any panting, open door “we’ll give it a name you can use too” reality going forward. And since you rebuffed the outreach from EG for any sports sharing, don’t expect us to hold some gild-edged invitation for sports sharing along the likes of Lincolnway/Paton-Churdan. It will be Lincolnway and Lincolnway only. Period. You had your chance(s). You took a pass.
Come on, folks! We need to market that Lincolnway. Make it educational….President Lincoln, early day highway transportation, Floyd Mahany and his legacy with the tower, and our beautiful historic courthouse…. emblematic of our pioneer forebears. Hey! There’s a great team nickname….the Pioneers….Lincolnway Pioneers! Green and Black school colors….green of East Greene and the black of Scranton’s black and gold and Jefferson’s black and red. Honor the heritage….
Friday, September 9, 2011
Keeping It Grand
GJ REAL ESTATE MARKET IS SIZZLING!
The real estate market in Grand Junction is “hot” – not only have three of the largest homes in town—the former Slininger’s funeral home building on East Main Street, the Watts property on the end of East Main, and the former St. Brigid’s rectory on East Hager Street—just sold, but no less than 4 realtor signs have popped up on the lawn of 406 East Hager! Holy multiple listings—Polking, Peckumm, Iowa, and Town & Farm realty companies are looking for a piece of the action on this one! It’s testimony to the level of the ladies in Greene County real estate as the four signs bear contacts for Linda, Linda, Laura and Karen. Update! Now there is a fifth sign on the property—Midland Realty with contact information for realtor Al Rowedder. That’s five!.. Fresh off their successful runs at the Greene County Fair, two of the Gunn sisters—Brittany and Hannah—brightened up the GJ Laundromat with a nice mural on the upper west wall (above the bank of dryers) this summer. Their artwork depicts clothes hanging on the line. Very nice—fresh and breezy. …Marty and Linda Hoffman are building a family room addition to the back of their home on Herron Street….A new sidewalk is gracing the 12th Street side and a bit of the Hager Street corner of the Ross residence on the northeast corner of Hager and 12th… Dennhardt Construction of Jefferson finished up a pavement project for the driveway and parking area at the northeast corner of the high school/middle school just before school started on Aug. 25. The new paving begins at the entry to the school property at Kelley and 13th Streets and extends to the wing that houses the art and ICN rooms and adjacent parking areas.
The real estate market in Grand Junction is “hot” – not only have three of the largest homes in town—the former Slininger’s funeral home building on East Main Street, the Watts property on the end of East Main, and the former St. Brigid’s rectory on East Hager Street—just sold, but no less than 4 realtor signs have popped up on the lawn of 406 East Hager! Holy multiple listings—Polking, Peckumm, Iowa, and Town & Farm realty companies are looking for a piece of the action on this one! It’s testimony to the level of the ladies in Greene County real estate as the four signs bear contacts for Linda, Linda, Laura and Karen. Update! Now there is a fifth sign on the property—Midland Realty with contact information for realtor Al Rowedder. That’s five!.. Fresh off their successful runs at the Greene County Fair, two of the Gunn sisters—Brittany and Hannah—brightened up the GJ Laundromat with a nice mural on the upper west wall (above the bank of dryers) this summer. Their artwork depicts clothes hanging on the line. Very nice—fresh and breezy. …Marty and Linda Hoffman are building a family room addition to the back of their home on Herron Street….A new sidewalk is gracing the 12th Street side and a bit of the Hager Street corner of the Ross residence on the northeast corner of Hager and 12th… Dennhardt Construction of Jefferson finished up a pavement project for the driveway and parking area at the northeast corner of the high school/middle school just before school started on Aug. 25. The new paving begins at the entry to the school property at Kelley and 13th Streets and extends to the wing that houses the art and ICN rooms and adjacent parking areas.
EG Beats Paton-Churdan In Volleyball
WIN MOVES HAWKETTES’ LEAGUE MARK TO 2-1
East Greene picked up a big volleyball win over arch rival Paton-Churdan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, in Rippey, 27-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-13.
EG was in top form at the service line with 91% accuracy and 11 aces. Chelsi Wilkens lead the serving corps with 23-24 for 96% and 3 aces. Bailey Godwin was perfect on 11 serves while Jolee Wessling was 12-14 with 3 aces; Brittany Gunn 11-12 with 2 aces; Hannah Onken 10-12 with 1 ace; and Emily Jacobsen 8-10 with 2 aces.
Paton-Churdan was 55 of 72 for 76% at the service line.
Wilkens was a formidable force at the net on offense with 27 kills on 47 attempts and 24 assists. She was good for two blocks on defense. Onken had one block.
The win over the Rockettes moved EG’s season record to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the Rolling Hills Conference.
Rollings Hills Conference Standings
Adair-Casey 3-0
Iowa Christian 3-0
Walnut 3-0
East Greene 2-1
Glidden-Ralston 2-1
CAM 1-2
Exira/EHK 1-2
Ankeny Christian 0-3
Orient-Macksburg 0-3
Paton-Churdan 0-3
Rolling Hills Conference Scores, Tuesday, Sept. 6:
East Greene beat Paton-Churdan 27-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-13
Iowa Christian Academy beat Orient-Macksburg 25-23, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22
Adair-Casey beat CAM (Anita) 25-17, 25-15, 25-22
Glidden-Ralston beat Ankeny Christian Academy 25-15, 25-19, 25-22
Walnut beat Elk Horn-Kimballton 26-24, 25-19, 25-20
EYE ON GJ: The Hawkettes have two key road matches next week, traveling to Anita to take on CAM, 1-2 in the conference, and then to league co-leader Adair-Casey (7-1), ranked No. 7 in the state, on Thursday in Adair. Iowa Christian Academy (5-1), which is tied with AC and Walnut for the Rolling Hills lead at 3-0, is also ranked in the Top 10 in Class 1A, coming in at No. 10 this week. Area rival Coon Rapids-Bayard (10-2) is ranked eighth just behind another area team, Ar-We-Va (6-3), which is seventh. Ar-We-Va beat CRB at the Perry Tournament on Wednesday 21-16, 21-19. Ar-We-Va went 2-1 in the tourney at Perry with CRB finishing 1-2. Perry beat Des Moines Christian for the tourney championship with Ar-We-Va beating Earlham in the consolation match for third place.
These matches should indicate just what kind of season EG will have as these are two solid competitors. A road win over CAM would really put the Hawkettes in good standing in the conference race and give them some momentum heading into the contest at Adair. It will be interesting to see how this year’s regional pairings go as EG would see tough competition from teams to the south and west (ICA, AC, CRB, AWV) whereas the teams to the north and east don’t seem to be as daunting.
East Greene picked up a big volleyball win over arch rival Paton-Churdan on Tuesday, Sept. 6, in Rippey, 27-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-13.
EG was in top form at the service line with 91% accuracy and 11 aces. Chelsi Wilkens lead the serving corps with 23-24 for 96% and 3 aces. Bailey Godwin was perfect on 11 serves while Jolee Wessling was 12-14 with 3 aces; Brittany Gunn 11-12 with 2 aces; Hannah Onken 10-12 with 1 ace; and Emily Jacobsen 8-10 with 2 aces.
Paton-Churdan was 55 of 72 for 76% at the service line.
Wilkens was a formidable force at the net on offense with 27 kills on 47 attempts and 24 assists. She was good for two blocks on defense. Onken had one block.
The win over the Rockettes moved EG’s season record to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the Rolling Hills Conference.
Rollings Hills Conference Standings
Adair-Casey 3-0
Iowa Christian 3-0
Walnut 3-0
East Greene 2-1
Glidden-Ralston 2-1
CAM 1-2
Exira/EHK 1-2
Ankeny Christian 0-3
Orient-Macksburg 0-3
Paton-Churdan 0-3
Rolling Hills Conference Scores, Tuesday, Sept. 6:
East Greene beat Paton-Churdan 27-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-13
Iowa Christian Academy beat Orient-Macksburg 25-23, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22
Adair-Casey beat CAM (Anita) 25-17, 25-15, 25-22
Glidden-Ralston beat Ankeny Christian Academy 25-15, 25-19, 25-22
Walnut beat Elk Horn-Kimballton 26-24, 25-19, 25-20
EYE ON GJ: The Hawkettes have two key road matches next week, traveling to Anita to take on CAM, 1-2 in the conference, and then to league co-leader Adair-Casey (7-1), ranked No. 7 in the state, on Thursday in Adair. Iowa Christian Academy (5-1), which is tied with AC and Walnut for the Rolling Hills lead at 3-0, is also ranked in the Top 10 in Class 1A, coming in at No. 10 this week. Area rival Coon Rapids-Bayard (10-2) is ranked eighth just behind another area team, Ar-We-Va (6-3), which is seventh. Ar-We-Va beat CRB at the Perry Tournament on Wednesday 21-16, 21-19. Ar-We-Va went 2-1 in the tourney at Perry with CRB finishing 1-2. Perry beat Des Moines Christian for the tourney championship with Ar-We-Va beating Earlham in the consolation match for third place.
These matches should indicate just what kind of season EG will have as these are two solid competitors. A road win over CAM would really put the Hawkettes in good standing in the conference race and give them some momentum heading into the contest at Adair. It will be interesting to see how this year’s regional pairings go as EG would see tough competition from teams to the south and west (ICA, AC, CRB, AWV) whereas the teams to the north and east don’t seem to be as daunting.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
EG Wins Home Opener, 36-34
BEAT TWIN CEDARS IN GAME THAT SPANS TWO DAYS
East Greene slipped past Twin Cedars (Bussey), 36-34, in a game that stretched over two days—Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2 and 3—to pick up its first win of the season.
The game got underway as scheduled Friday night with a bit of sprinkles and light rain. The two teams traded touchdowns with the Hawks holding the upper hand at the halftime break, 26-20. Twin Cedars came back in the third quarter to take the lead on a touchdown and a two-point conversion, 28-26. The Sabers had the momentum as the Hawks looked to be tiring and were whistled for some key penalties.
The rain had stopped by halftime but with 3:45 left in the third quarter, the officials suspended the game due to lighting to the north. What was hoped to be a mandatory 30-minute delay with the expectations that the lighting would stop, turned into a one-hour delay and still no letup from the lightning. At that point—9:45 p.m.—it was determined to suspend play and resume the game the next day at 2 p.m.
The delay worked to the Hawks’ advantage as the Twin Cedars players and fans would need to drive all the way back to southern Marion County Friday night, and then back up to Grand Junction on Saturday.
Some electrical problems had made the sound system inoperative at Karber Field on Friday but the system was working on Saturday, so the resumed game got underway with the playing of the national anthem. But a light rain began just as play started, so conditions were similar to the night before—just brighter and with no lightning.
Twin Cedars got out of the blocks fast as Jared Stephens scored on a 25-yard run on the first play of the resumed game, extending the Sabers’ lead to 34-26. The EG defense came to the fore, however, and stopped the two point conversion.
The defensive momentum carried forward into the fourth quarter as the Hawks punted down to the 1-yard-line and then stopped TC for a loss in the end zone to score a two-point safety, cutting the lead to 34-28.
Neither team mounted much of a threat rest of the fourth quarter, but in the late stages the Sabers were threatening in Hawk territory when EG intercepted the ball with enough time on the clock to mount one last drive.
EG moved downfield on a key Tory Beger-to-Reed Ostrander pass play with Beger running the ball in a few plays later to tie the game at 34-34. Beger connected with Harrison Johnston on a two-point conversion pass play to put EG in the lead, 36-34, with 40 seconds left in the game.
The Hawks kicked off with Twin Cedars running the ball back to midfield. The Sabers put together an all-out passing assault but the Hawks held them in check in four downs and took over with 17 seconds left on the clock. The Hawks downed the ball on the first snap and then just ran out the clock to pick up their first win of the season, evening their non-district record at 1-1. Twin Cedars fell to 1-1 in non-district play.
Beger passed was 22-38 in passing for a total of 253 yards with no interceptions. He connected for three touchdown passes—one a 56-yard strike to Ostrander. On the receiving end, Ostrander caught 10 passes for 179 total yards. T. J. Lint caught seven passes for 50 yards, Gathercoal caught two for 18 yards, and Broc Timm
Beger ran the ball 16 times for 32 yards and Ostrander gained 106 yards on six carries, most of that on a 63-yard touchdown run. Beger scored on an 8-yard jaunt. Lint had 1 carry for a -1 yard, giving the Hawks 390 total yards—137 on the ground and 253 in the air. Twin Cedars had 356 total yards—213 rushing and 143 passing.
Lint lead the defense with 15 total tackles (two solo and 13 assisted) with Beger right behind with 12 total tackles (2 solo and 10 assisted). Ostrander, Beger and Cody Hidelbaugh each had a sack.
Gathercoal has a big night on defense as he added a fumble recovery to his game-changing interception. Beger also recovered a fumble. The Hawks kicking game was in good form with Zach Hiller kicking off five times for 165 yards and Alex Gordon punting four times for 150 yards.
EG travels to Dunlap on Friday to face 2-1 Boyer Valley in the District 7 opener. This kicks off another season of the 8-Man Football “Lincoln League” as 5 of 7 teams in District 7 are located on the historic Lincoln Highway. The “Lincoln League” (8-Man District 7) is down to seven teams this season as Walnut has dropped its football program and is sharing football with Atlantic, a 3A school. Teams on the Lincoln are: East Greene, Glidden-Ralston, Ar-We-Va, Boyer Valley and Woodbine. The only non-Lincoln teams are within a dozen miles of the highway—Coon Rapids-Bayard and Charter Oak-Ute.
Towns that are on the Lincoln in the five school districts, heading westward, are Grand Junction, Ralston, Glidden, Arcadia, Westside, Vale, Arion, Dow City, Dunlap and Woodbine—a “Big 10” roster of Lincoln Highway/U.S. 30 towns.
Boyer Valley has had easy wins over Whiting and River Valley (Correctionville) and lost by one point on Friday in overtime to No. 6-ranked Kingsley-Pierson, 21-20. EG beat Boyer Valley last year in Grand Junction, 26-20. Both teams qualified for the playoffs last year with EG finishing third in District 7 and BV finishing fourth. Twin Cedars hosts Tri-County (Thornburgh) in a District 5 opener for both teams.
Season (Non-Districts) Records of Lincoln League Teams
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) 2-1
Coon Rapids-Bayard 1-1
East Greene 1-1
Glidden-Ralston 1-1
Woodbine 1-1
Charter Oak-Ute 0-2
Ar-We-Va (Westside) 0-3
District 7 Scores, Week 2 (Sept. 1):
EG 36, Twin Cedars (Bussey) 34
Woodbine 48, Whiting 8
Kingsley-Pierson 21, Boyer Valley 20 (OT), *KP ranked No. 6
CRB 42, Grandview Park Baptist 9
Newell-Fonda 45, GR 8
River Valley 64, Ar-We- 61
Remsen-Union 58, Charter Oak-Ute 8, *RU ranked No. 5
District 7 Scores, Week 1 (Aug. 26):
Melcher Dallas 44, EG 30
GR 62, Grandview Park Baptist 21
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) 61, Whiting 0
Kingsley-Pierson 47, Ar-We-Va 6
Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) 56, CRB 20
River Valley (Correctionville) 70, COU 28
District 7 Scores, Week 0 (Aug. 19):
Boyer Valley 66, River Valley (Correctionville) 22
CAM (Anita) 39, Woodbine 0
Armstrong-Ringsted 51, Ar-We-Va 12, *AR ranked No. 1
EYE ON GJ SAYS: The Hawks will have their hands full with the Boyer Valley Bulldogs, who look to be one of the top teams in the “Lincoln League” at this stage of the season. BV took sixth-ranked Kingsley-Pierson, a District 1 team, to overtime before falling by one point while unranked Newell-Fonda, also in District 1, rolled over Glidden-Ralston 45-8. Glidden-Ralston, Kingsley-Pierson and Newell-Fonda all advanced to the playoffs last year. KP lost to state champion Armstrong-Ringsted in the first round while NF was eliminated by Armstrong-Ringsted in the second round. GR made it to the quarterfinal round, losing to Fremont-Mills (Tabor) which was, in turn, eliminated by AR in the semifinals in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
EG will need to stop the running game of Michael Hanigan, BV’s standout junior quarterback/defensive back. Hanigan ran the ball 41 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns against Kingsley-Pierson. He was 4-9 with one interception and 51 yards passing. He has ran the ball 91 times for 601 yards in three games—an impressive 200 yards per game average.
BV will need to shut down the EG aerial assault. Beger is now finding success with a range of receivers, while he and Ostrander are also a threat running the ball. Ostrander is still the go-to guy on the EG passing attack, so how the Hawks hold up against the Bulldogs’ pass defense will go a long way in determining who gets the upper hand in Dunlap.
In the 44-30 loss to Melcher-Dallas, Beger put up 195 total yards on 16-24 passing with one interception, giving him a total of 448 yards for both games combined—an impressive 224 yards per game average.
In other D7/Lincoln League games this week, Ar-We-Va (0-3) is at Coon Rapids-Bayard (1-1) and Woodbine (1-1) is at Glidden-Ralston.
East Greene slipped past Twin Cedars (Bussey), 36-34, in a game that stretched over two days—Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2 and 3—to pick up its first win of the season.
The game got underway as scheduled Friday night with a bit of sprinkles and light rain. The two teams traded touchdowns with the Hawks holding the upper hand at the halftime break, 26-20. Twin Cedars came back in the third quarter to take the lead on a touchdown and a two-point conversion, 28-26. The Sabers had the momentum as the Hawks looked to be tiring and were whistled for some key penalties.
The rain had stopped by halftime but with 3:45 left in the third quarter, the officials suspended the game due to lighting to the north. What was hoped to be a mandatory 30-minute delay with the expectations that the lighting would stop, turned into a one-hour delay and still no letup from the lightning. At that point—9:45 p.m.—it was determined to suspend play and resume the game the next day at 2 p.m.
The delay worked to the Hawks’ advantage as the Twin Cedars players and fans would need to drive all the way back to southern Marion County Friday night, and then back up to Grand Junction on Saturday.
Some electrical problems had made the sound system inoperative at Karber Field on Friday but the system was working on Saturday, so the resumed game got underway with the playing of the national anthem. But a light rain began just as play started, so conditions were similar to the night before—just brighter and with no lightning.
Twin Cedars got out of the blocks fast as Jared Stephens scored on a 25-yard run on the first play of the resumed game, extending the Sabers’ lead to 34-26. The EG defense came to the fore, however, and stopped the two point conversion.
The defensive momentum carried forward into the fourth quarter as the Hawks punted down to the 1-yard-line and then stopped TC for a loss in the end zone to score a two-point safety, cutting the lead to 34-28.
Neither team mounted much of a threat rest of the fourth quarter, but in the late stages the Sabers were threatening in Hawk territory when EG intercepted the ball with enough time on the clock to mount one last drive.
EG moved downfield on a key Tory Beger-to-Reed Ostrander pass play with Beger running the ball in a few plays later to tie the game at 34-34. Beger connected with Harrison Johnston on a two-point conversion pass play to put EG in the lead, 36-34, with 40 seconds left in the game.
The Hawks kicked off with Twin Cedars running the ball back to midfield. The Sabers put together an all-out passing assault but the Hawks held them in check in four downs and took over with 17 seconds left on the clock. The Hawks downed the ball on the first snap and then just ran out the clock to pick up their first win of the season, evening their non-district record at 1-1. Twin Cedars fell to 1-1 in non-district play.
Beger passed was 22-38 in passing for a total of 253 yards with no interceptions. He connected for three touchdown passes—one a 56-yard strike to Ostrander. On the receiving end, Ostrander caught 10 passes for 179 total yards. T. J. Lint caught seven passes for 50 yards, Gathercoal caught two for 18 yards, and Broc Timm
Beger ran the ball 16 times for 32 yards and Ostrander gained 106 yards on six carries, most of that on a 63-yard touchdown run. Beger scored on an 8-yard jaunt. Lint had 1 carry for a -1 yard, giving the Hawks 390 total yards—137 on the ground and 253 in the air. Twin Cedars had 356 total yards—213 rushing and 143 passing.
Lint lead the defense with 15 total tackles (two solo and 13 assisted) with Beger right behind with 12 total tackles (2 solo and 10 assisted). Ostrander, Beger and Cody Hidelbaugh each had a sack.
Gathercoal has a big night on defense as he added a fumble recovery to his game-changing interception. Beger also recovered a fumble. The Hawks kicking game was in good form with Zach Hiller kicking off five times for 165 yards and Alex Gordon punting four times for 150 yards.
EG travels to Dunlap on Friday to face 2-1 Boyer Valley in the District 7 opener. This kicks off another season of the 8-Man Football “Lincoln League” as 5 of 7 teams in District 7 are located on the historic Lincoln Highway. The “Lincoln League” (8-Man District 7) is down to seven teams this season as Walnut has dropped its football program and is sharing football with Atlantic, a 3A school. Teams on the Lincoln are: East Greene, Glidden-Ralston, Ar-We-Va, Boyer Valley and Woodbine. The only non-Lincoln teams are within a dozen miles of the highway—Coon Rapids-Bayard and Charter Oak-Ute.
Towns that are on the Lincoln in the five school districts, heading westward, are Grand Junction, Ralston, Glidden, Arcadia, Westside, Vale, Arion, Dow City, Dunlap and Woodbine—a “Big 10” roster of Lincoln Highway/U.S. 30 towns.
Boyer Valley has had easy wins over Whiting and River Valley (Correctionville) and lost by one point on Friday in overtime to No. 6-ranked Kingsley-Pierson, 21-20. EG beat Boyer Valley last year in Grand Junction, 26-20. Both teams qualified for the playoffs last year with EG finishing third in District 7 and BV finishing fourth. Twin Cedars hosts Tri-County (Thornburgh) in a District 5 opener for both teams.
Season (Non-Districts) Records of Lincoln League Teams
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) 2-1
Coon Rapids-Bayard 1-1
East Greene 1-1
Glidden-Ralston 1-1
Woodbine 1-1
Charter Oak-Ute 0-2
Ar-We-Va (Westside) 0-3
District 7 Scores, Week 2 (Sept. 1):
EG 36, Twin Cedars (Bussey) 34
Woodbine 48, Whiting 8
Kingsley-Pierson 21, Boyer Valley 20 (OT), *KP ranked No. 6
CRB 42, Grandview Park Baptist 9
Newell-Fonda 45, GR 8
River Valley 64, Ar-We- 61
Remsen-Union 58, Charter Oak-Ute 8, *RU ranked No. 5
District 7 Scores, Week 1 (Aug. 26):
Melcher Dallas 44, EG 30
GR 62, Grandview Park Baptist 21
Boyer Valley (Dunlap) 61, Whiting 0
Kingsley-Pierson 47, Ar-We-Va 6
Northeast Hamilton (Blairsburg) 56, CRB 20
River Valley (Correctionville) 70, COU 28
District 7 Scores, Week 0 (Aug. 19):
Boyer Valley 66, River Valley (Correctionville) 22
CAM (Anita) 39, Woodbine 0
Armstrong-Ringsted 51, Ar-We-Va 12, *AR ranked No. 1
EYE ON GJ SAYS: The Hawks will have their hands full with the Boyer Valley Bulldogs, who look to be one of the top teams in the “Lincoln League” at this stage of the season. BV took sixth-ranked Kingsley-Pierson, a District 1 team, to overtime before falling by one point while unranked Newell-Fonda, also in District 1, rolled over Glidden-Ralston 45-8. Glidden-Ralston, Kingsley-Pierson and Newell-Fonda all advanced to the playoffs last year. KP lost to state champion Armstrong-Ringsted in the first round while NF was eliminated by Armstrong-Ringsted in the second round. GR made it to the quarterfinal round, losing to Fremont-Mills (Tabor) which was, in turn, eliminated by AR in the semifinals in the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
EG will need to stop the running game of Michael Hanigan, BV’s standout junior quarterback/defensive back. Hanigan ran the ball 41 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns against Kingsley-Pierson. He was 4-9 with one interception and 51 yards passing. He has ran the ball 91 times for 601 yards in three games—an impressive 200 yards per game average.
BV will need to shut down the EG aerial assault. Beger is now finding success with a range of receivers, while he and Ostrander are also a threat running the ball. Ostrander is still the go-to guy on the EG passing attack, so how the Hawks hold up against the Bulldogs’ pass defense will go a long way in determining who gets the upper hand in Dunlap.
In the 44-30 loss to Melcher-Dallas, Beger put up 195 total yards on 16-24 passing with one interception, giving him a total of 448 yards for both games combined—an impressive 224 yards per game average.
In other D7/Lincoln League games this week, Ar-We-Va (0-3) is at Coon Rapids-Bayard (1-1) and Woodbine (1-1) is at Glidden-Ralston.
Hawkettes Get By OM In Tight Match
TAKE DECIDING FIFTH GAME BY TWO POINTS
East Greene evened its Rolling Hills volleyball record at 1-1 with a squeaker over Orient-Macksburg on Thursday, Sept. 1, in Orient, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 7-25, 17-15.
It was a solid comeback for the Hawkettes after losing the first game but winning the next two, only to lose the momentum in a 25-7 drubbing in a fourth game that would have clinched the match. In matches that go to the fifth—and deciding—game in a best-of-five match, the scoring is only to 15 but the winning team must win by two points.
The Hawkettes were tested to the limit as OM forced them to “extra digits” but EG prevailed, getting the last two points of game five for the 17-15 win.
EG opened the conference season with a loss to Walnut 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Rippey. The previous week, EG fell to Southeast Webster on Tuesday and then went 2-2 in the Coon Rapids-Bayard Invitational on Saturday, beating Ankeny Christian and Paton-Churdan but losing to Adair-Casey and Coon Rapids-Bayard, both ranked teams. CRB beat Adair-Casey in the championship game to win the tournament.
EG, now 3-4 on the season, hosts Paton-Churdan tonight in Rippey in a conference match.
ROLING HILLS CONFERENCE
Adair-Casey 2-0
Iowa Christian 2-0
Walnut 2-0
East Greene 1-1
CAM 1-1
Glidden-Ralston 1-1
Exira/EHK 1-1
Ankeny Christian 0-2
Orient-Macksburg 0-2
Paton-Churdan 0-2
Thurs., Sept. 1:
East Greene 16-25-25-7-17, Orient-Macksburg 25-23-23-25-15
Exira-EHK 25-24-25-25, Paton-Churdan 22-26-23-22
Iowa Christian Academy 25-20-25-25, Glidden-Ralston 20-25-18-21
Adair-Casey 25-22-25-25, Ankeny Christian Academy 6-25-8-13
Walnut 20-25-25-26, CAM, Anita 25-18-17-24
Tues., Aug. 30:
Adair-Casey 25-25-24-25, Exira-EHK 17-20-26-18
CAM, Anita 25-25-25, Ankeny Christian Academy 17-14-18
Glidden-Ralston 20-25-25-25-16, Orient-Macksburg 25-14-16-27-14
Iowa Christian Academy 25-25-25, Paton-Churdan 11-16-13
Walnut 25-25-25, East Greene 18-22-21
EYE ON GJ SAYS: EG is playing among some of the best teams in Class 1A as two conference foes—Iowa Christian and Adair-Casey—are both ranked along with two non-conference teams in west central Iowa—Coon Rapids-Bayard and Ar-We-Va.
Through Thursday, Sept. 1, Ar-We-Va (3-0) is ranked sixth; Adair-Casey (5-1) is eighth; CRB (8-2), ninth; and Iowa Christian (3-1), 13th. AC and ICA are the pre-season favorites in the Rolling Hills with ICA winning the regular conference crown with a perfect 9-0 mark, just ahead of AC at 8-1, but AC came back to beat ICA in the conference tournament championship final. Walnut however is also off to a good start with wins over East Greene and CAM (Anita) putting the Warriors in a tie for first with AC and ICA at 2-0.
ICA, AC, Ar-We-Va and CRB are the only ranked teams in central and west central Iowa in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A with the exception of Bondurant-Farrar in Polk County, which moved in the 3A rankings last week in 13th place. BF was a member of the Heart of Iowa Conference as in Jefferson-Scranton but moved this season to the all 3A Raccoon River Valley Conference. Other teams in the 10-team league are ADM (Adel), Ballard (Huxley), Boone, Carlisle, Carroll, Dallas Center-Grimes, Perry, Saydel and Winterset.
East Greene evened its Rolling Hills volleyball record at 1-1 with a squeaker over Orient-Macksburg on Thursday, Sept. 1, in Orient, 16-25, 25-23, 25-23, 7-25, 17-15.
It was a solid comeback for the Hawkettes after losing the first game but winning the next two, only to lose the momentum in a 25-7 drubbing in a fourth game that would have clinched the match. In matches that go to the fifth—and deciding—game in a best-of-five match, the scoring is only to 15 but the winning team must win by two points.
The Hawkettes were tested to the limit as OM forced them to “extra digits” but EG prevailed, getting the last two points of game five for the 17-15 win.
EG opened the conference season with a loss to Walnut 25-18, 25-22, 25-21 on Tuesday, Aug. 30, in Rippey. The previous week, EG fell to Southeast Webster on Tuesday and then went 2-2 in the Coon Rapids-Bayard Invitational on Saturday, beating Ankeny Christian and Paton-Churdan but losing to Adair-Casey and Coon Rapids-Bayard, both ranked teams. CRB beat Adair-Casey in the championship game to win the tournament.
EG, now 3-4 on the season, hosts Paton-Churdan tonight in Rippey in a conference match.
ROLING HILLS CONFERENCE
Adair-Casey 2-0
Iowa Christian 2-0
Walnut 2-0
East Greene 1-1
CAM 1-1
Glidden-Ralston 1-1
Exira/EHK 1-1
Ankeny Christian 0-2
Orient-Macksburg 0-2
Paton-Churdan 0-2
Thurs., Sept. 1:
East Greene 16-25-25-7-17, Orient-Macksburg 25-23-23-25-15
Exira-EHK 25-24-25-25, Paton-Churdan 22-26-23-22
Iowa Christian Academy 25-20-25-25, Glidden-Ralston 20-25-18-21
Adair-Casey 25-22-25-25, Ankeny Christian Academy 6-25-8-13
Walnut 20-25-25-26, CAM, Anita 25-18-17-24
Tues., Aug. 30:
Adair-Casey 25-25-24-25, Exira-EHK 17-20-26-18
CAM, Anita 25-25-25, Ankeny Christian Academy 17-14-18
Glidden-Ralston 20-25-25-25-16, Orient-Macksburg 25-14-16-27-14
Iowa Christian Academy 25-25-25, Paton-Churdan 11-16-13
Walnut 25-25-25, East Greene 18-22-21
EYE ON GJ SAYS: EG is playing among some of the best teams in Class 1A as two conference foes—Iowa Christian and Adair-Casey—are both ranked along with two non-conference teams in west central Iowa—Coon Rapids-Bayard and Ar-We-Va.
Through Thursday, Sept. 1, Ar-We-Va (3-0) is ranked sixth; Adair-Casey (5-1) is eighth; CRB (8-2), ninth; and Iowa Christian (3-1), 13th. AC and ICA are the pre-season favorites in the Rolling Hills with ICA winning the regular conference crown with a perfect 9-0 mark, just ahead of AC at 8-1, but AC came back to beat ICA in the conference tournament championship final. Walnut however is also off to a good start with wins over East Greene and CAM (Anita) putting the Warriors in a tie for first with AC and ICA at 2-0.
ICA, AC, Ar-We-Va and CRB are the only ranked teams in central and west central Iowa in Classes 1A, 2A and 3A with the exception of Bondurant-Farrar in Polk County, which moved in the 3A rankings last week in 13th place. BF was a member of the Heart of Iowa Conference as in Jefferson-Scranton but moved this season to the all 3A Raccoon River Valley Conference. Other teams in the 10-team league are ADM (Adel), Ballard (Huxley), Boone, Carlisle, Carroll, Dallas Center-Grimes, Perry, Saydel and Winterset.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Council Discusses Main Street Tear-Downs
FOUR BUILDINGS AT MAIN & 11TH WOULD COME DOWN
City Attorney David Morain outlined a plan of action for the Grand Junction City Council to remove four buildings on Main Street at the Monday, Aug. 8, council meeting.
Morain noted that of the four properties on the south side of Main at 11th Street, “some are more run down than others but all are eyesores.” The council has discussed using the site of the four buildings as a new community center, and Morain noted that clearing out the buildings “will be a heck of a project. You will run into a lot of headaches. The four lots each have possible background issues—mortgages, problems with creditors, or a judgment lien on a property.”
Morain has been in contact with Area XII Council of Governments (COG) for assistance on the project. Further, he has directly communicated with the owners of the properties—Keith Light, Wayne Tomlinson, Kim Rueter and Duane Delp.
Morain said Rueter had earlier indicated the cost of his building would be $10,000, but since then “he is ready to play ball. All he wants out of the building is the safe.”
The Delp building—the fourth one from the intersection of 11th Street and Main—is presently used by Donna Delp as the Hair Junction salon. Council member Pat Fagen and Linda Hoffman noted they have been in discussion with Donna Delp about moving her business to the Dustin Fouch building at the northeast corner of Main and 13th Streets, next door to the post office.
Morain said the Delp building “is not perfect. It has structural issues, but we do have permission to go in and inspect it. If it is an unsafe building, that might hasten their degree of agreeability.”
Mayor Jerry Herrick said he approached the Greene County Board of Supervisors for possible help for tear-downs, but no funds are available. But Herrick has also been in discussion with officials of LDC Grand Junction ethanol plant for funds to support the rehabilitation of Main Street.
Herrick has been exploring the creation and availability of the “Dreyfus funds,” which he said were created when the LDC Grand Junction plant was built in relation to tax abatement granted Louis Dreyfus Commodities. He said it has been difficult to determine who controls the funds and how they are dispersed, adding that no funds have even been distributed to Junction Township or the East Greene Community School District. He has been communicating with the Greene County Board of Supervisors about the funds since they are under the county’s jurisdiction as the LDC Grand Junction plant is in rural Greene County, but it is less than one mile from the city’s northern border.
City Clerk Rita Jenkins noted that the Greene County Foundation, which supports a wide range of projects throughout the county, does not distribute any funds for “tear downs” but only for building projects.
Morain also addressed the asbestos issue involving a tear-down, pointing out that the inspection process can be as much as $500 per building and there are samples taken based on the number of rooms, which are $10 each. So, for example, 30 samples could cost an additional $300.
Morain also roughly outlined the process for inspection, remediation and posting a demolition notice, and added a remark “about jumping through hoops from beginning to end.”
Earlier in the meeting, Ken Paxton, executive director, Greene County Chamber Commerce, discussed with the council the town’s rehabilitation efforts. In addition to the county supervisors, Herrick has been in discussion with chamber officials about helping moving the town forward. Following up on those discussions, Paxton noted that Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge has a “deconstruction class” that is geared toward teaching students how to properly tear down buildings. He said these students could help Grand Junction accomplish its goals. He urged Herrick to put a plan together addressing to present to ICCC officials regarding the town’s tear-down efforts.
Council agreed to move forward with the tear-down project. “We are not doing our job as city leaders if we don’t do something,” said Herrick.
“We have to move forward,” said Fagen. “It is hazardous, it’s dangerous. We need to find what revenue streams will lessen the burden.”
The first step is to inspect the properties, but it was agreed to not instruct the city’s usual inspector, Wayne Emmett of Grand Junction, to inspect but to use an inspector who lives outside of town. Morain said he would contact the city inspector in Jefferson.
Herrick has also been discussing with the council access to funds that were created when the LDC Grand Junction plant opened. These “Dreyfus funds,” he said, were
RESIDENTIAL TEAR-DOWN PROGRESS
Morain also updated the council on progress in tearing down the dilapidated barn and house at the corner of Fifth Street and West Hager Street. The property is known as the “Grundon property” and would have been initially platted on the western one-half of Block 14 of the corner of Fifth Street and M Street in West Grand Junction. M Street was later changed to Hager Street.
The property has been slated as a tear-down for awhile, but Morain noted there has been a slight glitch in communicating to the property owners of record. Apparently, the information about the property at the county auditor’s office and the county assessor’s office does not match up. One piece of information indicates the property went from Grant Grundon, after his death, to his son and two daughters. The share that went to his son, Gerald Grundon, who is deceased, then passed on to Gerald’s widow, Betty Grundon. However, said Morain, there is no information about the sisters of Gerald Grundon (Grant Grundon’s daughters), and if they are also deceased, and if so, who is the executor of each of their estates.
That hurdle could be overcome, Morain explained, by using a little known state statute, 675A.10A where “the city can take title to properties that are unstable or unsafe.” The next steps would be to publish the information as per the statute as a legal proceeding in the local newspaper and do some title searching to determine if there are any mortgages or liens on the property.
“Scranton looked at using this statute but they didn’t and now they wish they had,” said Morain. The property fell into the hands of an out-of-town owner who has made no effort to improve it.
DRAINAGE PROGRESS ON SANDOE STREET
Greene County Engineer Wade Weiss met with the council regarding a drainage problem on land owned by the Union Pacific Rail Road at Sandoe Street and North 17th Street.
At issue, is the need for new drainage tile that runs under the railroad and the adjacent right of way. The water is not draining properly and remains standing. “Springtime is the biggest problem,” said Councilmember Barb Walker. “The water stays there a long time.”
Weiss noted that a town municipality is not in his jurisdiction, But Weiss did offer to help move the process along and to share any pertinent information that the county engineer’s office has to help the city improve the drainage.
He and the council discussed hiring Mer Engineering to look at the problem and determine what type and size of tile is needed.
Weiss was not aware that the railroad owned the property where the drainage problem occurs. “They came through years ago and bought all the land [small parcels north of the tracks] up,” Herrick explained.
The council is looking at how to fund the improved drainage. The Union Pacific wants to close one of the railroad crossings in town and if they do that, the town would be compensated financially. Herrick said the funds coming from the railroad could offset the costs of drainage repair.
The city is looking at closing either 13th Street or 19th Street. If the 19th Street crossing is closed, that would be a setback for residents there, noted Councilmember Pierre Kellogg, but they would gain by having the nearby drainage problem alleviated.
“We need to do it,” said Kellogg. “Whatever it takes, even it means closing the crossing.”
“We’ll catch some flack,” said Herrick. “There will be some complaining.”
Later in the meeting, Terry Hoefle, chief of Grand Junction Fire Rescue, expressed concern about closing off 19th Street as an access route to that part of town if there is a fire or rescue call. Council members also noted that 19th Street serves as a route for area farmers to move machinery.
In other business, the council:
*Discussed with Morain the current city ordinance against pit bulls. Three families currently have pit bulls and are in violation of the ordinance. The city took one family to court but the judgment went against the city, said Jenkins. She pointed out that some people try to say they don’t have pit bulls but have some other breed, but it’s really a pit bull. “The American bulldog is a pit bull.” She suggested rewriting the ordinance “so we have the exact wording.”
*Approved a Class E liquor license for Casey’s, 504 Sixteenth Street North. The Class E license will allow Casey’s to sell “hard liquor” in addition to its current beer and wine sales. Council approved 3-0 with Kellogg, Walker and Linda Herrick voting yes; Walker abstaining; and Councilmember Dave Kersey was absent.
*Herrick updated the council about the progress of the problem at the South Pumping Station on Sunset Drive. Earlier this summer, an increased level of discharge from the sewer system had put the town in violation with the Department of Natural Resources. Herrick said a camera placed down in there had determined that there is a leak, but the leak is actually in the county drainage tile which caused damage to the city tile. So that created the leak and the county is responsible.
Herrick said normally, the flow from the water tower and wells is between 79K and 115K a day but due to the problem at the South Pumping Station the city is pumping 1 million gallons of water a day—10 times as much.
*Hoefle’s fire and rescue department report noted that there was a trailer house fire in the previous month.
City Attorney David Morain outlined a plan of action for the Grand Junction City Council to remove four buildings on Main Street at the Monday, Aug. 8, council meeting.
Morain noted that of the four properties on the south side of Main at 11th Street, “some are more run down than others but all are eyesores.” The council has discussed using the site of the four buildings as a new community center, and Morain noted that clearing out the buildings “will be a heck of a project. You will run into a lot of headaches. The four lots each have possible background issues—mortgages, problems with creditors, or a judgment lien on a property.”
Morain has been in contact with Area XII Council of Governments (COG) for assistance on the project. Further, he has directly communicated with the owners of the properties—Keith Light, Wayne Tomlinson, Kim Rueter and Duane Delp.
Morain said Rueter had earlier indicated the cost of his building would be $10,000, but since then “he is ready to play ball. All he wants out of the building is the safe.”
The Delp building—the fourth one from the intersection of 11th Street and Main—is presently used by Donna Delp as the Hair Junction salon. Council member Pat Fagen and Linda Hoffman noted they have been in discussion with Donna Delp about moving her business to the Dustin Fouch building at the northeast corner of Main and 13th Streets, next door to the post office.
Morain said the Delp building “is not perfect. It has structural issues, but we do have permission to go in and inspect it. If it is an unsafe building, that might hasten their degree of agreeability.”
Mayor Jerry Herrick said he approached the Greene County Board of Supervisors for possible help for tear-downs, but no funds are available. But Herrick has also been in discussion with officials of LDC Grand Junction ethanol plant for funds to support the rehabilitation of Main Street.
Herrick has been exploring the creation and availability of the “Dreyfus funds,” which he said were created when the LDC Grand Junction plant was built in relation to tax abatement granted Louis Dreyfus Commodities. He said it has been difficult to determine who controls the funds and how they are dispersed, adding that no funds have even been distributed to Junction Township or the East Greene Community School District. He has been communicating with the Greene County Board of Supervisors about the funds since they are under the county’s jurisdiction as the LDC Grand Junction plant is in rural Greene County, but it is less than one mile from the city’s northern border.
City Clerk Rita Jenkins noted that the Greene County Foundation, which supports a wide range of projects throughout the county, does not distribute any funds for “tear downs” but only for building projects.
Morain also addressed the asbestos issue involving a tear-down, pointing out that the inspection process can be as much as $500 per building and there are samples taken based on the number of rooms, which are $10 each. So, for example, 30 samples could cost an additional $300.
Morain also roughly outlined the process for inspection, remediation and posting a demolition notice, and added a remark “about jumping through hoops from beginning to end.”
Earlier in the meeting, Ken Paxton, executive director, Greene County Chamber Commerce, discussed with the council the town’s rehabilitation efforts. In addition to the county supervisors, Herrick has been in discussion with chamber officials about helping moving the town forward. Following up on those discussions, Paxton noted that Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge has a “deconstruction class” that is geared toward teaching students how to properly tear down buildings. He said these students could help Grand Junction accomplish its goals. He urged Herrick to put a plan together addressing to present to ICCC officials regarding the town’s tear-down efforts.
Council agreed to move forward with the tear-down project. “We are not doing our job as city leaders if we don’t do something,” said Herrick.
“We have to move forward,” said Fagen. “It is hazardous, it’s dangerous. We need to find what revenue streams will lessen the burden.”
The first step is to inspect the properties, but it was agreed to not instruct the city’s usual inspector, Wayne Emmett of Grand Junction, to inspect but to use an inspector who lives outside of town. Morain said he would contact the city inspector in Jefferson.
Herrick has also been discussing with the council access to funds that were created when the LDC Grand Junction plant opened. These “Dreyfus funds,” he said, were
RESIDENTIAL TEAR-DOWN PROGRESS
Morain also updated the council on progress in tearing down the dilapidated barn and house at the corner of Fifth Street and West Hager Street. The property is known as the “Grundon property” and would have been initially platted on the western one-half of Block 14 of the corner of Fifth Street and M Street in West Grand Junction. M Street was later changed to Hager Street.
The property has been slated as a tear-down for awhile, but Morain noted there has been a slight glitch in communicating to the property owners of record. Apparently, the information about the property at the county auditor’s office and the county assessor’s office does not match up. One piece of information indicates the property went from Grant Grundon, after his death, to his son and two daughters. The share that went to his son, Gerald Grundon, who is deceased, then passed on to Gerald’s widow, Betty Grundon. However, said Morain, there is no information about the sisters of Gerald Grundon (Grant Grundon’s daughters), and if they are also deceased, and if so, who is the executor of each of their estates.
That hurdle could be overcome, Morain explained, by using a little known state statute, 675A.10A where “the city can take title to properties that are unstable or unsafe.” The next steps would be to publish the information as per the statute as a legal proceeding in the local newspaper and do some title searching to determine if there are any mortgages or liens on the property.
“Scranton looked at using this statute but they didn’t and now they wish they had,” said Morain. The property fell into the hands of an out-of-town owner who has made no effort to improve it.
DRAINAGE PROGRESS ON SANDOE STREET
Greene County Engineer Wade Weiss met with the council regarding a drainage problem on land owned by the Union Pacific Rail Road at Sandoe Street and North 17th Street.
At issue, is the need for new drainage tile that runs under the railroad and the adjacent right of way. The water is not draining properly and remains standing. “Springtime is the biggest problem,” said Councilmember Barb Walker. “The water stays there a long time.”
Weiss noted that a town municipality is not in his jurisdiction, But Weiss did offer to help move the process along and to share any pertinent information that the county engineer’s office has to help the city improve the drainage.
He and the council discussed hiring Mer Engineering to look at the problem and determine what type and size of tile is needed.
Weiss was not aware that the railroad owned the property where the drainage problem occurs. “They came through years ago and bought all the land [small parcels north of the tracks] up,” Herrick explained.
The council is looking at how to fund the improved drainage. The Union Pacific wants to close one of the railroad crossings in town and if they do that, the town would be compensated financially. Herrick said the funds coming from the railroad could offset the costs of drainage repair.
The city is looking at closing either 13th Street or 19th Street. If the 19th Street crossing is closed, that would be a setback for residents there, noted Councilmember Pierre Kellogg, but they would gain by having the nearby drainage problem alleviated.
“We need to do it,” said Kellogg. “Whatever it takes, even it means closing the crossing.”
“We’ll catch some flack,” said Herrick. “There will be some complaining.”
Later in the meeting, Terry Hoefle, chief of Grand Junction Fire Rescue, expressed concern about closing off 19th Street as an access route to that part of town if there is a fire or rescue call. Council members also noted that 19th Street serves as a route for area farmers to move machinery.
In other business, the council:
*Discussed with Morain the current city ordinance against pit bulls. Three families currently have pit bulls and are in violation of the ordinance. The city took one family to court but the judgment went against the city, said Jenkins. She pointed out that some people try to say they don’t have pit bulls but have some other breed, but it’s really a pit bull. “The American bulldog is a pit bull.” She suggested rewriting the ordinance “so we have the exact wording.”
*Approved a Class E liquor license for Casey’s, 504 Sixteenth Street North. The Class E license will allow Casey’s to sell “hard liquor” in addition to its current beer and wine sales. Council approved 3-0 with Kellogg, Walker and Linda Herrick voting yes; Walker abstaining; and Councilmember Dave Kersey was absent.
*Herrick updated the council about the progress of the problem at the South Pumping Station on Sunset Drive. Earlier this summer, an increased level of discharge from the sewer system had put the town in violation with the Department of Natural Resources. Herrick said a camera placed down in there had determined that there is a leak, but the leak is actually in the county drainage tile which caused damage to the city tile. So that created the leak and the county is responsible.
Herrick said normally, the flow from the water tower and wells is between 79K and 115K a day but due to the problem at the South Pumping Station the city is pumping 1 million gallons of water a day—10 times as much.
*Hoefle’s fire and rescue department report noted that there was a trailer house fire in the previous month.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Kennedys Named GJ ‘Yard of the Month’
FIRST YARD HONORED IN MONTHLY SHOWCASE
The yard of Jerry and Janice Kennedy at Elizabeth and 15th Streets was selected as the July “Yard of the Month” by the Grand Junction Horizons Club.
Yard of the Month is selected from a list of semifinalists each month that meet the criteria for the honor—proportionality and balance among ornamentals, shrubs, flowers and trees; perspective from various angles and frontage streets; not overly done or too “busy” looking; general upkeep and ongoing improvement; and overall aesthetic.
“We want to thank the Naked Ladies Garden Club of Grand Junction for suggesting and supporting the Yard of the Month idea and to the Jefferson Garden Club for serving as our monthly judges,” says a Grand Junction Horizons spokesperson.
“The Kennedy’s yard truly embraces the concepts of aesthetic and perspective in creating and maintaining what clearly qualifies as great looking lawn,” said the spokesperson. “It is a beautiful yard on its own, but when viewed in context of the open spaces to the south across Elizabeth Street and the sloping landscape and tree lines of Mt. Calvary Cemetery to the east, and to the adjacent yards and homes, it helps to make for a really top-notch neighborhood.”
To nominate a yard in Grand Junction for Yard of the Month, contact any Grand Junction Horizons member or send an email to eyeongj@gmail.com with “GJ Yard of the Month” in the message line.
The yard of Jerry and Janice Kennedy at Elizabeth and 15th Streets was selected as the July “Yard of the Month” by the Grand Junction Horizons Club.
“We want to thank the Naked Ladies Garden Club of Grand Junction for suggesting and supporting the Yard of the Month idea and to the Jefferson Garden Club for serving as our monthly judges,” says a Grand Junction Horizons spokesperson.
“The Kennedy’s yard truly embraces the concepts of aesthetic and perspective in creating and maintaining what clearly qualifies as great looking lawn,” said the spokesperson. “It is a beautiful yard on its own, but when viewed in context of the open spaces to the south across Elizabeth Street and the sloping landscape and tree lines of Mt. Calvary Cemetery to the east, and to the adjacent yards and homes, it helps to make for a really top-notch neighborhood.”
To nominate a yard in Grand Junction for Yard of the Month, contact any Grand Junction Horizons member or send an email to eyeongj@gmail.com with “GJ Yard of the Month” in the message line.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cooklin, Gannon Earn Diamond ‘High Honors’
EG PITCHER NAMED ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM
Graduated seniors Tyler Cooklin and Katlynn Gannon closed out the summer baseball and softball seasons for East Greene by earning all-state recognition. Cooklin joined an elite group of baseball athletes by being named to the Class 1A All-State Second Team by the Iowa Newspaper Association.
Gannon, a catcher and senior leader on a young East Greene softball squad that saw great improvement throughout the season, was named All State Honorable Mention by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
Cooklin, an outfielder and pitcher, helped lead the Hawks to their third straight 1A District baseball title and a berth in the substate game at Marshalltown, where they came up two runs short of advancing to the state tournament. Unheralded English Valleys (North English) beat the Hawks 6-4 and advanced to the tourney at Principal Park where they gave heavily favored Martensdale-St. Mary’s a run for its money, falling 2-1 in the opening round. MSt.M continued on with its nation’s longest unbeaten streak—set and broke during the district and substate rounds—to win its second straight 1A tourney with a 5-4 win over Kee (Lansing) in the championship game.
The Hawks struggled early in the season, dropping a number of conference games they were expected to handle, and finished in sixth place among eight teams in the Rolling Hills Conference with a 5-9 mark. However, they were just behind Orient-Macksburg and Glidden-Ralston at 6-8, so a win in their season finale over co-champion Iowa Christian (a shared program with Ankeny Christian) would have put them in tie for fourth-place and technically an “upper division” finish in their inaugural season in the Rolling Hills. Alas, Iowa Christian got the upper hand and won 8-4 to tie Elk Horn-Kimballton/Exira (another shared program) for the Rolling Hills title with a 12-2 mark.
As it was, the Hawks put together a four-game winning season and won four of five games heading into district tourney action. The Hawks had the home field advantage, hosting the first round games and a semifinal matchup at Walt Anderson Field in Rippey, which moved them on to State Center where they upset state-ranked Northern University (Cedar Falls) to win the district title, 6-4.
And the Rolling Hills proved to be a group of formidable opponents. Orient-Macksburg, Walnut and East Greene all won district titles and advanced to substate, with O-M downing Nishnabotna, 13-3, to make it on to state. Nishnabotna was a qualifier in last year’s state tournament. Walnut fell to state-ranked Coon Rapids-Bayard, 2-0, which ended years of frustration in post-season setbacks, to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2007. It was the Crusaders’ fourth state tournament appearance. CRB won its first round game at state and almost upended MSt.M in the semifinals, falling by just one run, 5-4.
The Hawkettes ended their season on a high note with a two-game winning streak, a come-from-behind win 6-5 over O-M that ended on a sharp “heads up” double-play between Gannon and first baseman Jolee Wessling, and a drubbing of rival Glidden-Ralston, 14-2 in 3 innings.
EG hosted a first-round regional softball game at Dutton Field in Grand Junction against Ar-We-Va “under the lights” and put forth a good effort, falling 11-9, to end the season at 4-13.
Gannon was named second team all-conference in the Rolling Hills and freshman outfielder Chelsi Wilkens was named all-conference honorable mention. Gannon was also named to the Class 1A All-District Team for the Central District by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Twenty players are honored in each of six geographic districts by the IGHSAU in Class 1A: Central, West Central, North Central, Northeast, South and Southeast.
The Hawks reaped a number of post-season honors. Rolling Hills All-Conference recognition went to: Cooklin, senior, first team, outfielder; Wes Onken, senior, first team, first baseman; Aaron Lyons, senior, second team, outfielder; and Reed Ostrander, honorable mention.
Three of the Hawk seniors were also named to the all-district team. Similar to the IGHSAU, the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association names all-district teams, honoring 15 players on the first team and 15 on the second team for five geographic districts: Northeast, Northwest, Central, Southeast and Southwest.
Cooklin and Onken were both named first-team Central All-District and Lyons was named to the second team. Cooklin was named as an outfielder. He batted .478 for the season. Onken was named to a utility position, which honors his performance as both a pitcher and first baseman. He batted .380 and was 4-4 on the mound. Cooklin was 5-4 as a pitcher. Down the tournament trail, he was the winning pitcher against Colo-Nesco in the first round at Rippey and in the upset of Northern University in the district championship. Onken got the win in the semifinal round victory over Madrid at Rippey and Cooklin took the loss against English Valleys.
Lyons was named to the second all-district team as an outfielder and was known for his clutch plays from centerfield in key games. His batting average for the season was .373.
Onken will be heading to Coe College in Cedar Rapids this fall where he will be a member of the KoHawks baseball team. Coe finished the 2011 season ranked No. 27 among all NCAA Division III baseball teams this season.
EYE ON GJ SAYS: Hats off the all the Hawks and Hawkettes for great seasons. Along with Gannon, senior Jasmine Kinney was a steady force at shortstop for the Hawkettes along with seniors Tia Lowe, who played the first part of the season, and Molly Neese, who played third base for the latter two-thirds of the season. Great job, seniors, and thanks for all your efforts wearing on behalf of East Greene in softball, track, volleyball, basketball and cheerleading.
EG bids farewell to Cooklin, Lyons, Onken and fellow seniors Zach Dearborn (pitcher and shortstop) and Rob Ritchie, a key reserve on the baseball team. They have been part of a remarkable run in EG Hawk athletic success along with seniors Schyler Bardole in football, track and basketball; Bret Kersey in football and wrestling (as part of the JS/PC/EG shared team); and Nic Nicolaisen in football and basketball that saw the Hawks finish third among eight teams in District 7 8-man football and qualify for the state playoffs; finish as runner-up in the Rolling Hills to state tourney qualifier Elk Horn-Kimballton/Exira in the basketball with a 15-3 conference record and 18-5 overall; score points at the state track meet for the first time in many years; and win a third straight district baseball title and a trip to the substate. These senior baseball players played key roles on the EG state tournament team of 2009, when they were sophomores. EG’s track points this year were earned by Ostrander, but Dearborn, Bardole and Lyons were standout sprinters for the Hawks and were part of the successful 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay titles for EG the last several track seasons.
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