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Treynor sexual exploitation cases to be consolidated

News

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

A pair of cases involving a Treynor teacher and coach have been consolidated. The Daily NonPareil  reports court records show 45-year Michael Travis, faces four counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee. Fourth District Court Judge Mark Eveloff granted a motion to consolidate the cases. Travis was charged in May with two counts of sexual exploitation by a school employee for alleged inappropriate touching of two softball players during separate incidents in 2002 and 2006. The women are now ages 21 and 27.

Two more alleged victims later came forward with accusations against the Treynor man. Travis has pleaded not guilty to the initial charges and is scheduled to stand trial on Jan. 27. Sexual exploitation by a school employee is a Class D felony and carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years on each charge.

Travis has been on administrative leave from the district since April.

Audubon Community Banquet held Saturday night

News

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon Chamber of Commerce held its annual “Audubon Community Banquet” Saturday night. During the event, officials presented the “2014 Citizen of Year” award to 93-year old William P. Roth, who has lived in Audubon most of his life. Roth served in the National Guard, and was held prisoner more than 800 days during World War Two. He’s shared those experiences with school children, clubs and adults, is a published author, and has served the community through many organizations, including the local fire department, American Legion, the Audubon County Conservation Board, Isaac Walton League and Boy Scouts. Roth and his wife Dorothy have three children and two grandchildren.

The Chamber presented Bradley Nissen with its “2014 Junior Citizen of the Year” award, Saturday. Nissen is the son of Mark and Sandy Nissen. He’s been very active in the school system and throughout the community, is an athlete, a past National Honor Society Vice-President, Senior Class President, and Class Officer all four-years at the high school. Upon graduation from high school, will pursue an education with an emphasis on Architecture. He’s been accepted at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA., and at ISU in Ames.  Bradley has two sisters, Amy and Ashley.

And, the Audubon Chamber of Commerce presented the “2014 Community Service Award” to members of the “Firehouse Flames,” for their outstanding commitment and contributions to the citizens of Audubon County. The group was organized in Sept., 2009, and is comprised of 22 women who are the wives or girlfriends of firefighters.  They hold monthly meeting and yearly election of officers.

Some of their activities over the past year include: Monthly bingo for all ages; Garage sale tailgater suppers and bake sales; Babysitter courses for 5th graders; Games at the Audubon County Fair for kids; A Children’s Christmas Carnival, in December; working at some funeral luncheons and other events; and holding the Fire Prevention open house.

The group has donated funds raised from their activities to local fire victims, Caring and Sharing and at least 19 other programs and/or services.

Authorities say NW Iowa man’s death is suspicious

News

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Officials in northwest Iowa man say the death of a man in his home Friday, appears to have occurred under suspicious circumstances. The Omaha World-Herald says a firefighter determined that 29-year old Dustin T. Wilder was dead at the home at 621 Buckley St.  Deputies and firefighters were sent about 7: 15 a.m. to the home for an unconscious man and found Wilder.

Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office Major Todd Wieck did not say why Wilder’s death was considered suspicious. The cause and manner of Wilder’s death were not released.

Weather forecast for Cass & area Counties: 1/11/20015

Weather

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

435 AM CST SUN JAN 11 2015 – NWS/Des Moines

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLEAR. NOT AS COLD. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 20S. SOUTHEAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW 5 TO 10 ABOVE. NORTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

MONDAY…SUNNY…COLDER. HIGH AROUND 10. NORTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. COLDER. LOW 5 TO 10 BELOW. NORTHEAST WIND NEAR 10 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 15 TO 20 BELOW.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH AROUND 15. SOUTHEAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS AROUND 15 BELOW IN THE MORNING.

TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. NOT AS COLD. LOW 5 TO 10 ABOVE.

WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. WARMER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 20S.

Sports Headline: Seahawks, Patriots advance…Grizzlies get Green from Celtics…Two Ducks suspended

Sports

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes and Kam Chancellor returned an interception 90 yards for a touchdown as the Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 31-17 to advance to the NFC title game. The Seahawks never trailed, but they weren’t able to pull away until they scored 17 straight points in the fourth quarter to go ahead 31-10. The Seahawks are the first defending Super Bowl champion to win a playoff game the following season since New England in January 2006.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England is in the AFC title game for the fourth straight year after Tom Brady threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell with 5:13 remaining to complete the Patriots’ comeback in a 35-31 triumph over Baltimore. The Ravens led 28-14 late in the third quarter before Brady threw two of his three scoring passes. The Pats tied the game on wide receiver Julian Edelman’s 51-yard pass to Danny Amendola with 4:20 left in the third quarter.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Memphis Grizzlies have acquired Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green in a three-way swap with New Orleans. A person familiar with the situation says Tayshaun Prince would go Boston and Quincy Pondexter from Memphis to New Orleans. The trade also would send Austin Rivers from the Pelicans to the Celtics, and Russ Smith from New Orleans to the Grizzlies.

DALLAS (AP) — Oregon coach Mark Helfrich says wide receiver Darren Carrington and running back Ayele Forde will not play in Monday’s national championship game against Ohio State after positive NCAA drug tests. Carrington tested positive for marijuana, and results of Ford’s test were not immediately clear.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics have acquired infielders Ben Zobrist (ZOH’-brihst) and Yunel (yoo-NEHL’) Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays for catcher John Jaso (JAY’-soh), cash and minor leaguers Daniel Robertson and Boog Powell. Zobrist is an All-Star who hit .272 with 10 home runs last season, while Escobar compiled a .258 average with seven home runs and 39 RBIs. Jaso batted .264 with nine homers and 40 ribbies before missing the last five weeks of the season with a concussion.

Branstad to kick off second term with limited goals

News

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is kicking off his sixth term with a limited list of goals, most notably increasing roads funding, but so far without any major legacy project on the horizon. Branstad will give the annual condition of the state address Tuesday, laying out his priorities. He is expected to renew support for expanding broadband Internet and cracking down on bullying, as well as offering a pledge to secure more funding for Iowa’s bridges and roads, many of which are considered deteriorating or deficient.

Branstad said there would not be any “big surprises” in the speech. This is different than four years ago when the Republican Branstad was elected to a fifth term after time away from office. He ran with an ambitious plan to create jobs and reform government.

Iowa State stuns No. 3 Texas 59-57

Sports

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) —Seanna Johnson hit a layup with 19 seconds left, and Number 3 Texas’s unbeaten start is history after Iowa State rallied from an 18-point deficit to stun third-ranked Texas 59-57 on Saturday. Nikki Moody had 17 points to lead Iowa State (11-3, 2-1 Big 12), which defeated a top-three team at home for the first time in 12 years. The way the Cyclones did it sure was a head scratcher though.

Texas led by 37-19 late in the first half. But Iowa State answered with a 38-13 run and the Longhorns went cold in the second half, hitting just 8 of 38 shots. Iowa State plays at Number 5 Baylor on Tuesday.

No. 17 Iowa State edges No. 14 West Virginia 74-72

Sports

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Abdel Nader scored 19 points to lead Number 17 Iowa State to a 74-72 victory over 14th ranked West Virginia Saturday night. For the second time in four days, Iowa State (12-2, 2-0 Big 12) won a game that came down to the final seconds. The Cyclones beat Oklahoma State 63-61 on Tuesday night after Dustin Hogue blocked Tavarius Shine’s 3-point try with under a second left.

Leading scorer Georges Niang had his best game in nearly a month with 16 points for the Cyclones. Hogue added 11 points. Juwan Staten scored 23 points for West Virginia (14-2, 2-1). Devin Williams had 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Jaysean Paige added 10 points.

Iowa State twice squandered eight-point leads but pulled out the win by making three free throws in the final 13 seconds.

Northern Iowa crushes Drake 64-40

Sports

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Jeremy Morgan scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Northern Iowa crushed Drake 64-40 on Saturday. Deon Mitchell added 14 points for the Panthers (14-2, 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference) and Seth Tuttle had 12. The team sank 59.5 percent from the field overall with 9 of 19 3-pointers and outrebounded Drake 29-16.

Drake went up 14-5 early on a Reed Trimmer 3-pointer with 13:24 left in the first period. Northern Iowa came back to lead 31-29 at the break. The Panthers jumped to a 46-31 advantage to start the second period on a 15-2 run capped by a Morgan dunk and 3-pointer. A 13-0 run followed, taking it to 59-31 with 7:47 left to play and Northern Iowa rolled to the win. The Bulldogs scored just three field goals in the entire second half.

Trimmer led the Bulldogs (3-13, 0-4) with 13 points and three rebounds in Des Moines.

Area High School basketball scores from Sat., Jan. 10 2015

Sports

January 11th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Boyer Valley, Dunlap 71, Charter Oak-Ute 61
Carlisle 72, Glenwood 67
Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 70, Blair, Neb. 54
Creston 77, Red Oak 33
East Mills 69, Riverside, Oakland 31
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton 81, Adair-Casey 75, 2OT
Harlan 77, ADM, Adel 56
Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 54, East Sac County 38
Moulton-Udell 62, Orient-Macksburg 48
Nodaway Valley 68, Clarke, Osceola 56
West Harrison, Mondamin 58, CAM, Anita 55
West Monona, Onawa 62, Missouri Valley 61
Winterset 65, Clarinda 43

CNOS Classic:

Carroll 79, Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 62
LeMars 63, Sioux Center 53
Rock Valley 65, Dakota Valley, S.D. 50
Sioux City, West 71, Spencer 66
Western Christian, Hull 85, Worthington, Minn. 59

Lourdes Central Catholic Tournament – Championship:

Nebraska City Lourdes, Neb. 70, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 43

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Boyer Valley, Dunlap 57, Charter Oak-Ute 51
CAM, Anita 72, West Harrison, Mondamin 36
Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton 64, Adair-Casey 44
Harlan 67, ADM, Adel 49
IKM-Manning 71, OA-BCIG 52
Missouri Valley 59, West Monona, Onawa 35
Nodaway Valley 68, Clarke, Osceola 13
Orient-Macksburg 70, Moulton-Udell 45
Red Oak 56, Creston 48
Riverside, Oakland 36, East Mills 23

Lourdes Central Catholic LAA – Championship:

Nebraska City Lourdes, Neb. 37, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 29