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Big Ten Shines Bright with Final Four in own Backyard

Sports

March 31st, 2015 by Jim Field

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It has been a very good year so far for the Big Ten.

First Ohio State won the first college football playoff in January.

Now the league has Wisconsin and Michigan State advancing to a Final Four, which is hosted in the middle of Big Ten country in Indianapolis.

The Big Ten’s showing had Wisconsin forward Sam Dekker noting that some observers thought the league wasn’t quite as strong this season.

Commissioner Jim Delaney says the league overall wasn’t as successful as hoped for in non-conference play. There was a logjam in league play behind regular-season winner Wisconsin.

 

Posted in Sports |

Jury seated for 2nd Iowa murder trial of man

News

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BOONE, Iowa (AP) — Attorneys delivered their opening statements today (Tuesday) and testimony is underway in the second Iowa trial of a man accused of killing his former roommate in 2009. The Messenger reports a Boone County jury was seated Monday for the trial of 55-year-old John Green. Green is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 58-year-old Mark Koster in Sac City.

Green’s first trial was held in Webster County because his attorney had argued that pretrial publicity would make it impossible for Green to receive a fair trial in Sac City. The same argument was used against holding the second trial in Fort Dodge. The first trial ended in a mistrial.

Koster was declared missing in 2010. His remains were found in the basement of his Sac City home in 2012.

Posted in News |

TUESDAY, MARCH 31st

Trading Post

March 31st, 2015 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Bobcat Miller 8000watt generator, mounted on a trailer, has 300′ of lead, asking $2100.  Call 712-304-4262.

FOR SALE:  a whole kitchen set, oak cabinets and counter tops.  Asking $1100.  Call 712-304-4262.

WANTED: Fishing gear such as poles and lures.  Call 712-249-4005.

Posted in Trading Post |

RICHARD SORFONDEN, 79, of Stuart (Svcs. 04-20-2015)

Obituaries

March 31st, 2015 by admin

RICHARD SORFONDEN, 79, of Stuart died Sunday, March 29th at the Stuart Community Care Center.  Memorial services for RICHARD SORFONDEN will be held Thursday, April 2nd at 1:30pm at the Stuart-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Stuart.  Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 1st from 5:00pm-7:30pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the West Central Valley Dollars for Scholars and sent in care of the Johnson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa Senate passes bill to expand anti-bullying efforts

News

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Senate has passed legislation that would give school educators more authority to respond to student bullying in Iowa. The Senate voted 43-7 Tuesday for the bill. It now heads to the House, where lawmakers are considering a similar measure. The bill would give school educators more authority to respond to bullying, including guidelines to respond to bullying off school grounds. It also expands language on cyberbullying to include social media.

The legislation was briefly debated on the Senate floor Monday before the vote Tuesday. Some lawmakers expressed reservation about the bill not having funding for teacher training and a student pilot program. That differs from the House bill, which has a $200,000 appropriation.

Gov. Terry Branstad, who supports anti-bullying efforts, released a statement Tuesday applauding the vote.

Posted in News |

Atlantic man arrested on Child Porn charges

News

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A Cass County man was arrested Monday on child pornography charges. Atlantic Police say 54-year old Jimmy Misner, of Atlantic, was arrested on a Federal warrant for Possession of Child Pornography, Receipt of Child Pornography and Forfeiture. Misner was brought to the Cass County Jail and later transferred to an undisclosed facility.

Posted in News |

USDA: Record soybean acres expected, corn acres to drop

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Farmers are expected to plant a record number of soybean acres this year, but less corn as that grain’s profit potential remains low due to slumping prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first report of the new crop season says farmers will plant 84.6 million acres in soybeans, up 1 percent from last year’s previous record of 83.7 million acres.

Corn planting will fall to 89.2 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. It’s the third year of acreage decline. Soybeans are favored because they cost less to grow and prices haven’t fallen as quickly as corn. The report is based on 84,000 farmer surveys completed in early March.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Cass County Property Taxes are now due!

News

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A reminder to property owners in Cass County: County Treasurer Tracey J. Marshall says your  second-half tax payments of real estate and mobile homes are now due.  You can go online to pay your taxes at www.iowatreasurers.org. At the Treasurer’s Office, their staff will accept Credit and Debit cards for payment.

The deadline for payments without penalty is today (Tuesday March 31st, 2015). Payments with a postmark of March 31, 2015 will be accepted without penalty. 

Posted in News |

Iowa State’s Abdelmassih leaves for spot at St. John’s

Sports

March 31st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassih is leaving for a similar position at St. John’s. Abdelmassih, the lone remaining member of coach Fred Hoiberg’s original staff from 2010-11, was a student manager at St. John’s from 2004-07. He announced his departure from Iowa State on his Twitter account Tuesday, saying that St. John’s holds a “special place” in his heart.

Abdelmassih will reunite with the Red Storm and former star Chris Mullin. A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Monday that Mullin has agreed to coach the Red Storm.

Abdelmassih was considered Hoiberg’s top recruiter, helping sign Royce White, DeAndre Kane and current starter Jameel McKay. He says Iowa State will be a “ridiculously hard place to leave.”

Posted in Sports |

Grichuk, Kozma to Fill Final Cardinals Bench Spots

Sports

March 31st, 2015 by Jim Field

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Infielder Pete Kozma and outfielder Randall Grichuk will fill the Cardinals’ final two bench spots on St. Louis’ opening-day roster.

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday he liked Kozma’s versatility. The shortstop has also played third, second, some outfield and even practiced catching this spring training. Though he’s known more for his defense than his bat, Kozma began Tuesday with a .425 batting average.

Grichuk, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels, is hitting .262 with four home runs. He’s played all three outfield positions.

“Just watching what he’s done this spring, I couldn’t imagine us leaving Florida without him on this club,” Matheny said.

Stephen Piscotty will begin the season in the minor leagues.

 

Posted in Sports |