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After years of neglect, an Illinois village with ties to Abraham Lincoln is getting a refresh

PETERSBURG, Ill. (AP) — Before his famous debates, before the Civil War rent the nation, before he helped end slavery and before his tragic assassination, Abraham Lincoln had New Salem.

The tiny central Illinois village, where Lincoln accidentally spent half-a-dozen years in the 1830s, perhaps did as much to prepare him to be the Union-saving 16th president as any other aspect of his humble yet remarkable life.

Volunteers in period clothing provide historical demonstrations for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year at the site, now part of a state park over 200 miles (330 kilometers) southwest of Chicago. But long-neglected maintenance has taken a toll on the setting, which was re-created by a federal public works program in the 1930s during the Great Depression.

It took a dedicated volunteer and state lawmakers’ advocacy this spring to secure state money to begin rehabbing the site. Work has not yet been scheduled.

What is New Salem’s connection to Lincoln?

Lincoln, a clean-shaven 22-year-old with the barest of formal schooling, had set out in 1831 to haul freight down the Mississippi River to New Orleans when he snagged his flatboat on the Sangamon River dam at New Salem.

“That was destiny,” said Guy Fraker, a Bloomington, Illinois, lawyer and Lincoln biographer, “because if he hadn’t, I really firmly believe we’d be two countries.”

Lincoln freed the boat and continued to New Orleans, but returned to take up residence in the village just northwest of the capitol, Springfield.

In New Salem, Lincoln encountered the religious and the atheist, the learned and the illiterate. It’s where he ran a store into bankruptcy, went off to war, served as postmaster, was offered a job as surveyor and thus taught himself geometry and by association, logic, began practicing law and lost his first political race but came back to win.

“This is where he got all of the education necessary to run for office, so this is probably the most important historic site in the state of Illinois, and certainly one of the most important historic sites in the country,” state Sen. Steve McClure said.

What’s next for New Salem?

But some spots are off-limits. The drive shaft of the rebuilt gristmill fell out of the structure’s floor following a 2016 flood. It’s hard to get to it anyway because a pedestrian walkway over Illinois Route 97 is closed. A hole in the roof of the carding mill, used to straighten wool for spinning, grew this winter to the size of a refrigerator and half of the roof on the replicated Trent brothers’ barn has collapsed.

Gina Gillmore-Wolter, president of the New Salem Lincoln League, roused McClure and another central Illinois Republican, state Rep. Wayne Rosenthal, to introduce legislation to appropriate money for rehabilitation and create a commission to oversee New Salem conservation.

McClure has put the brakes on the legislation because 10 days after Gillmore-Wolter and the lawmakers led a media tour of the village, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which oversees state historic sites, promised $8 million for repairs. It should be enough to stabilize structures and make some headway, but McClure said no one has inventoried problems or priced out remedies.

Natural Resources officials did not respond to emailed questions.

Why were improvements delayed?

New Salem withered shortly after Lincoln’s 1837 departure as residents picked up and moved when many transplanted their structures in the new county seat of Petersburg. Ironically, one of the best-preserved buildings is New Salem’s lone original: the Onstott Cooper Shop. Henry Onstott lent the auger Lincoln used to drain his swamped flatboat and ease it over the dam. The barrel-maker moved his shop to Petersburg in 1840, though it has since returned to its original spot.

By 1906, New Salem was a cow pasture with impressions marking erstwhile foundations. Media mogul and presidential hopeful William Randolph Hearst visited, then bought the property and donated it to the New Salem Chautauqua, an educational group.

It became a state park in 1918 and private donations paid for some reconstructed cabins, with many more added during the 1930s by the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps.

Budget shortfalls have hampered maintenance. Financial troubles closed all state parks for five months in the late 2000s. Advocates believe New Salem hasn’t seen major improvements since the 1970s.

“This is Lincoln’s alma mater,” Gillmore-Wolter said. “This should be a priority.”

Iowa’s high school graduation rate climbs to 88.3% for the class of 2024

DES MOINES – Iowa’s high school graduation rate climbed nearly a full percentage point, reaching 88.3% for the graduating class of 2024, according to figures released today by the Iowa Department of Education. This marks the first time since 2020 that Iowa’s graduation rate has returned to prepandemic levels.

State data show 88.3% of students in Iowa’s class of 2024 graduated within four years, increasing 0.8 percentage points from 87.5% for the class of 2023 and is the same rate as the class of 2019. A total of 34,158 Iowa students earned their high school diplomas in the class of 2024.

“Nearly 900 more students in the class of 2024 earned their high school diploma, positioning them to succeed in postsecondary education and higher-wage, fulfilling careers,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “Our data also shows encouraging, significant progress in narrowing graduation rate gaps experienced by students with disabilities and students from low-income backgrounds. Together with educators and families, Iowa will continue to provide all students with what they need to meet high expectations and realize their incredible potential.”

Iowa’s four-year graduation rate experienced by students with disabilities is 70.3%, representing an increase of 2.4 percentage points. The graduation rate for students from low-income backgrounds as determined by eligibility for free or reduced-price school meals is 80.2% which is a 1.5 percentage point increase from the previous year.

Graduation rates for students who are English learners declined slightly from 73.7% the prior year to 73.4% for the graduating class of 2024. The graduation rate for males is 86.7%, 3.2 percentage points lower than the graduation rate for females (89.9%); this gap has decreased since the class of 2022 when it was at 4.5 percentage points. Additionally, four-year graduation rates by racial and ethnic background increased for most student groups, including Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, two or more races, and white.

Iowa’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2024 is significantly higher than several of its neighboring states; Illinois and South Dakota recently reported 2024 graduation rates below Iowa’s, at 87.7% and 84.0%, respectively. Among neighboring states, only Missouri and Wisconsin reported class of 2024 graduation rates meaningfully above Iowa’s, at 90.8% and 91.1% respectively.

Iowa graduation rates are calculated with a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education. Unique student identification numbers allow school districts to account for all ninth-grade students as they move through high school. At the state level, the method helps determine when a student graduates, even if the student has switched districts during high school.

Iowa’s five-year graduation rate — which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school — was 89.9% for the class of 2023, up slightly from 89.7% for the class of 2022, yet slightly below 90.5% for the class of 2019.

Iowa’s annual dropout rate reflects the percent of students in grades 9-12 who dropped out of school during a single year. The annual dropout rate was 2.59% percent for the 2023-24 school year, showing an improvement from 3.02% in the 2022-23 school year and 2.61% in the 2018-19 school year. The state’s 2023-24 dropout rate represents 4,052 students dropping out in grades 9 through 12.

More information on Iowa’s graduation rates and dropout rates, including rates by school district and student group, are available on the Department of Education’s Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates webpage.

Statesmen Battle to Three-Set Victory Over Kansas Wesleyan

SALINA, Kan. — The William Penn University men’s volleyball team fought through a tough, three-set contest to secure a victory over Kansas Wesleyan in Heart of America Athletic Conference action on Monday.

The Statesmen (15-8, 12-4 Heart) showed resilience as they held off the Coyotes (8-15, 4-12 Heart), emerging victorious in set scores of 27-25, 25-21, and 31-29.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair with both teams exchanging points early. Locked at 11-11, the Statesmen managed to pull ahead with a 15-11 lead before Kansas Wesleyan fought back to tie it at 16-16. The set saw several more lead changes before WPU sealed the set 27-25.

In the second set, the Coyotes took an early 4-1 advantage, but William Penn responded with five consecutive points. The teams continued to trade points, with the set tied at 21-21 before the Statesmen surged ahead with a 4-0 run, securing the set 25-21.

The third set was a dramatic back-and-forth battle. William Penn held a 10-6 lead, but Kansas Wesleyan kept the pressure on, eventually tying the score at 23-23. The teams exchanged blows until WPU finally clinched the set 31-29, sealing the match.

Offensively, William Penn dominated, out-hitting Kansas Wesleyan 48-29 in kills and posting a .206 hitting percentage to the Coyotes’ .124. Both teams struggled with attack errors, with the Statesmen committing 26 compared to Kansas Wesleyan’s 16.

Ben Cemeno-Castillo (Jr., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) led the charge for the Statesmen with 16 kills, followed by Josh Bluhm (Fr., Lockport, Ill., Software Engineering) with 13. Britten Beallis (Jr., Naperville, Ill., Sports Management) contributed 10 kills at a remarkable .529 attack rate.

On defense, Brady Zell (Fr., Wales, Wis., Business Management) led the team with 38 assists, while João Gabriel Filippelli (So., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Business Management) anchored the backline with 15 digs. Cemeno-Castillo added eight digs, with Zell contributing seven.

“It was a good team win for us on the road,” said Head Coach Luke Bentley. “One more tomorrow to cap off the road trip.”

Chemical Fire in Otley Prompts Evacuations, Shelter-In-Place Recommendations

OTLEY – A large chemical fire broke out in the city of Otley yesterday afternoon, forcing residents to evacuate.

Marion County Emergency Management reports that the fire started at the Two Rivers Cooperative fertilizer storage facility in Otley. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but authorities say it is expected to smolder for several days due to the chemicals stored in the building.

The chemicals stored in the facility included:

  • 392 tons of Urea
  • 378 tons of Potash
  • 36 tons of MAP (Monoammonium Phosphate)
  • 265 tons of Sulfur

Otley residents were ordered to evacuate as a precautionary measure. Currently, residents are recommended to either evacuate or shelter in place. Those impacted by the notice are all residents in the town of Otley, and residents living between Washington and Baldwin Streets, as well as State Highway 163 to Business Highway 163.

Historic tree to be cut down at the White House over safety concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) — A tree that’s nearly two centuries old will be removed from the White House grounds because it’s deteriorating, President Donald Trump said Sunday.

The southern magnolia stands near the curved portico on the south side of the building. It’s where foreign leaders are often welcomed for ceremonial visits, and where the president departs to board the Marine One helicopter.

According to the National Park Service website, “folklore tells us” that President Andrew Jackson brought the tree’s seeds from his home near Nashville, Tennessee. It was apparently planted in honor of his wife Rachel, who died shortly before he took office in 1829.

“The bad news is that everything must come to an end, and this tree is in terrible condition, a very dangerous safety hazard, at the White House Entrance, no less, and must now be removed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. “This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree.”

Trump said the wood from the tree “may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!”

The tree was significantly pruned in 2017, during Trump’s first term. It was also damaged in 1994 when a small Cessna plane crashed into the South Lawn and skidded into the White House.

Bill may expand number of physician assistants practicing in Iowa

By O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa)

The Iowa legislature has sent the governor a bill that would likely expand the number of physician assistants practicing in Iowa, by creating a path to a multi-state license.

If the bill becomes law, Iowa will enter a compact next year that would let P.A.s licensed in 14 states practice in any of those states. The neighboring states of Nebraska, Minnesota and Wisconsin will be part of the compact.

Senator Kara Warme of Ames said this kind of a reciprocal licensing arrangement is already available for doctors, nurses and mental health professionals. “We all know the extensive need that we have in our state for medical providers and this licensure compact is one way to meet some of those needs, allowing easier access to telehealth medicine or to practicing across state lines in our border communities,” Warme said during Senate debate of the bill.

Representative Austin Baeth of Des Moines, a physician, spoke during House debate. “This is a good bill,” Baeth said. “We know from experience in other health care licensure compacts that this is typically a net win for Iowa in gaining more health care professionals to help patch in our shortages.”

According to the American Academy of Physician Assistants, there are over 1300 P.A.s licensed to practice medicine in Iowa  and over half of them are working in rural areas. Two years ago, Governor Reynolds signed a law that removed the requirement that a  P.A. be supervised by a doctor in order to practice medicine in Iowa.

Anderson Nearly Perfect as William Penn Earns Another Split

OSKALOOSA — The Statesmen softball team almost posted another perfect game as it took one of two games in Heart of America Athletic Conference play against Benedictine Saturday.

WPU (20-10, 4-2 Heart) claimed the first game 5-0, but came up short in the nightcap 1-0.

After not having a perfect game in 18 years, the navy and gold almost recorded their second in as many weekends as Madie Anderson (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education) sat down the first 20 batters she faced in the opener.

The senior, who notched her second shutout in the last eight days, eventually had her perfection broken up by a rocket single off of the glove of third baseman Ella Pierce (Sr., McClelland, Iowa, Business Management), who was playing in front of the bag.  Anderson posted four strikeouts, including striking out the side in the third frame.

Her teammates fortunately did not squander her outing, scoring their five runs on 10 hits.

The hosts put three on the board in the first, beginning with an RBI double from Rylee Riesberg (So., Ankeny, Iowa, Exercise Science) that plated Laila Smith (So., Olympia, Wash., Elementary Education).

Riesberg then also came around, as did Laila Pelds (Jr., Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Elementary Education), on a single by Ella Pierce.

Kya Butler (Jr., Newton, Iowa, Sports Management) led off the second with a bunt single and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Peyton Naranjo (So., Ripon, Calif., Biology), while Naranjo capped the scoring off a fifth-inning single by Pelds.

Pelds and Ella Pierce each concluded the matchup with two hits.  Eight of WPU’s nine starters managed a base knock in the victory.

The nightcap witnessed just eight total hits in the second contest with the Statesmen losing the battle 6-2.

The Ravens (21-13, 6-2 Heart) managed the game’s lone run in the top of the fifth, while WPU moved the tying run to third base in the seventh, but could not push it across.

Pelds and Laila Smith both tallied one hit, while Chelsey Huff (Sr., Douds, Iowa, Exercise Science) was outstanding in the loss.

The senior scattered her six permitted base knocks over the span of the seven-inning complete game, while striking out eight (no walks).  She sat down the Ravens in order in the first and sixth innings.

“Needless to say Madie Anderson and Chelsey Huff were awesome,” Head Coach Laura North said.  “Madie had a great game and our defense made some amazing plays.  Chelsey was dominant again.  I knew the second game was going to be a dogfight, a sure pitcher’s duel.  We were facing arguably the best pitcher in the conference and had a chance in the seventh, and that is all I can ask for.  Giving up just one run all day was impressive.”

“We are pretty beat up right now and are piecing things together, but I am very happy with our performance today,” North added.

Oskaloosa High School Prom is This Weekend

OSKALOOSA, IOWA — The Oskaloosa Student Council is excited to announce the annual Oskaloosa High School prom, themed “Enchanted Forest,” scheduled for April 5, 2025. The event promises an evening of elegance and entertainment for all attendees.

The promenade, which is open to the public, will commence at 5:30 PM in the large Oskaloosa High School gym. Spectators are asked to enter through the north side gym doors. Promenade student attendees should enter through the south side gym door entrance. If you can’t make it to promenade in person, you can watch it live at indiansnetwork.tv.

Following the promenade, the dinner and dance for high school student participants only will take place at Debbie’s Celebration Barn from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM, followed by After Prom activities at the Penn Central Mall.

After Prom doors open at 11:30 PM, and attendees must arrive before 12:30 AM for entry. Please enter the doors by Love, Inc. The festivities will include activities such as prize giveaways, axe throwing, bumper cars, and many others, concluding at 3:45 AM.

All junior and senior students and their guests are invited to join in the celebration and create lasting memories at the “Enchanted Forest” prom.

April 5, 2025 (public events)

5:00 P.M.  Doors open for Promenade Oskaloosa High School Gymnasium, (1816 N 3rd St)

5:30 P.M.  Promenade (admission free)

Prom Court:

Back row: (Left to right) Maddux Ashman, Lukas Toubekis, Ty Lorentzen, Deondre Bullock, Xavier Edwards

Front row: (Left to right) Avree Ebelsheiser. Kelsie Hicks, Chloe Mason, Bethany VanDonselaar, Alexis Prather

Hawkeyes Drub Gophers in Game 1

MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Iowa baseball team defeated Minnesota, 16-7, on Thursday afternoon at Siebert Field.

The Hawkeyes smashed 17 hits and plated 16 runs en route to their eighth Big Ten win of the season.

“Our offense really picked us up today,” said head coach Rick Heller. “It was a dogfight early, Minnesota just stayed on us by getting leadoff guys on and scratching a run here and a run there. It looked like one of those games that was going to go back and forth till the end. Then Daniel Wright came in for us and slowed the game down, put some zeros up till our offense was able to put together three big innings.”

Aaron Savary got the start on the mound for the Hawkeyes he threw 3 2/3 innings while allowing four runs on five hits. Savary struck out four.

Daniel Wright had a solid relief appearance to earn the win throwing 3 1/3 innings allowing one run on five hits while striking out three.

Jack Whitlock threw the final two innings and allowed two unearned runs on one hit.

Miles Rilsey and Daniel Rogers each plated three RBIs to lead the Iowa offense. Reese Moore, Jaixen Frost and Tyler Guerin joined them as Hawkeyes with multi-RBI games with two apiece.

Risley was 4-for-6 and Gable Mitchell also went with 4-for-6 and score three runs.

“Gable Mitchell had a big game with the four hits, said Heller. “Miles Risley also had a big game with four. Tyler Guerin had a good pinch hit at bat with the bases loaded driving in two runs. We just kept on them all the way to the end, which was great to see.”

Iowa plated one in the first to get the game rolling before the Hawkeyes had big innings in the second, sixth and seventh innings plating four runs in each of those frames. A run in the eighth and two in the ninth would be more than enough to get the win.

Iowa hit 11-for-24 (.458) with runners in scoring position and were 9-for-16 (.692) with runners on third with less than two outs.

An AI-based drone that speeds up the detection and monitoring of wildfires is presented in Germany

EBERSWALDE, Germany (AP) — A company that specializes in early wildfire detection has developed a new, AI-based drone it says will help speed up the detection, location and monitoring of fires.

The Silvaguard drone by Dryard Networks was presented Thursday in Eberswalde outside of Berlin as wildfires driven by extreme heat and climate change are becoming a more common, often deadly phenomenon around the globe.

The drone will deliver infrared images, among other things, and works in combination with a fire detection system that the company developed earlier and that’s already being used in several countries. The fire detection system, called Silvanet, is designed to detect wildfires at the smoldering stage using solar-powered gas sensors connected via a wireless network.

Each gas sensor can protect an area the size of a football field and be attached to a tree. The plan is that once Silvanet detects a fire, it will trigger a nearby Silvaguard drone to fly to the location and provide detailed images.

“Today we saw a combination of Silvanet — the solar powered gas sensors that detected the fire within minutes — with Silvaguard, the first prototype of an autonomous, an AI enabled drone that we dispatched in response to a fire,” said Carsten Brinkschulte, the CEO and co-founder, Dryad Networks.

The drone “flew autonomously to the location of the sensor, detecting the fire, and delivered overhead infrared and optical video from the point of fire,” he said of the newly developed drone.

The company is still waiting to get the go-ahead for the commercial use of Silvaguard drone from authorities.

The information about the fire, including geographic coordinates, video and infrared images, will then be sent to the firefighters who will then know where the fire is spreading and how big it is, which will help them know how many firefighters need to be deployed.

“When it comes to wildfires, time is of the essence, you cannot be fast enough,” Brinkschulte said.

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