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Cardinals’ Rosenthal leads majors with 34 saves

Sports

August 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals say they have found a perfect fit for closer in Trevor Rosenthal. The 24-year-old right-hander leads the major leagues with 34 saves in his first season as the closer. The former 21st-round draft pick out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, took charge last September when Edward Mujica faltered. He has been a key piece ever since for the defending National League champions, who were a game back in the Central after taking two of three from first-place Milwaukee over the weekend.

Rosenthal has been durable, leading the team with 51 appearances. He has also calmly taken responsibility after some infrequent tough outings.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Aug. 5th 2014

News

August 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say two boys have been killed in an all-terrain vehicle crash in eastern Iowa. The Linn County Sheriff’s Office says several area agencies responded to a report Monday afternoon about an ATV that crashed into a creek. It’s unclear where the crash occurred. The boys’ names have not been released.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A woman who claims she was beaten by a Davenport police officer is suing the city. Thirty-five-year-old Brandie Redell filed the lawsuit that names the city along with two police officers. Redell says she was punched by an officer during a visit to a clothing store in February 2013. She was stopped on suspicion of shoplifting.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa City police say they’ve arrested a Minnesota man after he allegedly admitted he broke an apartment’s window to distract authorities from underage drinking at a party. Police also say 20-year-old Aaron Tyler, of Lakeville, Minnesota, took an officer’s vehicle for a short drive.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man has been sentenced to about a month in jail after pleading guilty to selling 195 pigs that didn’t belong to him. Forty-four-year-old Monty Grote pleaded guilty to three counts of third-degree theft. He received a 30-day jail sentence and was placed on two years of probation. Grote also has to pay about $14,600 in restitution.

Pursued motorcycle crashes in Pott. County, Omaha man injured

News

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A 19-year old man from Nebraska was injured after the motorcycle he was driving crashed Monday, as he was being pursued by the Iowa State Patrol, in Pottawattamie County. Officials say Joshua Holmes, of Omaha, was transported by Crescent Rescue to the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Officials say Holmes’ 2005 Honda zipped past two semi’s on the inside shoulder of southbound Interstate 29 during the pursuit. At mile post 67, the cycle entered the median, went out of control and rolled several times times before coming to rest in the median.

The crash happened at around 5:47-p.m.

Adair-Casey & CAM School Boards holds talks on possible sharing arrangements

News

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Adair-Casey Board of Education were the guests Monday evening at the CAM High School in Anita, during a joint meeting of the A-C and CAM School Boards. The cordial discussion lasted for about 50 minutes after introductions were made, but nothing was decided on at this stage of exploration. A-C/Guthrie Center shared Superintendent Steve Smith thanked the CAM Board for sitting down to talk with them about the direction A-C might take in determining the next course of action.

Members of the Adair-Casey School Board (far left) holds talks with CAM Board members (near side).

Members of the Adair-Casey School Board (far left) holds talks with CAM Board members (near side).

He said “We obviously looking for things that maybe could help us, and hopefully help other district or districts.” Smith said A-C “Took a hit last year in some enrollment [numbers], so if that happens again. obviously we may have different thoughts about what we may or may not do. So right now, to be a little proactive, we’re trying to reach out to all that districts that are contiguous so that we can see who is able to offer the best fit on the needs.

Adair-Casey has already held talks with West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley and now CAM. They have yet to sit down with the Guthrie Center School Board, but intend to do so in the near future. A-C Board President Megan Kading said they decided to explore their options because last year their district lost between 30-and 40-students, for a number of reasons, including the fact some families with three or more children who moved from the area, and less students came in after the graduating class.IMG_20140804_183612_528

CAM had a certified enrollment last year of 441 students. Adair-Casey had 328. CAM School Board President Gary Dinkla said he understands the process of change districts such as A-C are looking to explore.

One of the questions A-C Board member Mark Williams had for the CAM Board essentially boiled down to “How did they know when the process of sharing services needed to start,” and what are the challenges associated with going down the road toward possible consolidation? Gary Dinkla said “Probably the best time to start is when the communities are ready to accept it, or when you can convince communities it’s a process to go towards.”

The Cumberland-Massena and Anita School Districts had Whole Grade Sharing for eight-years before they consolidated into CAM. Megan Kading asked if declining enrollment was a financial factor in consolidation. Dinkla said it was “To better utilize the resources,” both districts had. CAM Board Member Todd McKee said the time to hold these types of discussions and make the tough decisions “Is not black and white…you never know,” but it’s important to start talking and make changes before it’s too late.

McKee said he was still trying to catch his breathe after going through the process of trying to find a Superintendent the district could share after former CAM Superintendent Steve Pelzer announced his retirement. CAM opted to share the services of Nodaway Valley Superintendent Casey Berlau. McKee said he personally, didn’t want to open the door to another change too soon, but CAM Board Member Chuck Kinzie said “Sometimes the situation is the boss,” and districts have to be open and proactive in serving the needs of their students.

He said “If the time is right for further discussions…we need further discussions…if it’s right.”

NORMA COUSINS, 87, of Griswold (Svcs. 8/8/14)

Obituaries

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

NORMA COUSINS, 87, of Griswold, died Mon., Aug, 4th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital, in Atlantic. Funeral services for NORMA COUSINS will be on Friday, August 8, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Central Church of Christ in Griswold. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 PM Thursday, at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold.

Interment will be held in Castle Rock, CO on Monday at 1:00 PM.

NORMA COUSINS is survived by:

Her husband – Charles Raymond.

Her daughters – Diana (Keith) Bramer from Castle Rock, CO; & Kathy (Lawrence) Moore from Council
Bluffs.

Her Step-children: Marilyn Olsen, of Sioux City; Kenneth (Stephanie) Cousins, of Griswold; Mary (Max) Potter, of Griswold; & Beverly (Mike) Munden, of Wintergarden, FL>

5 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren; 9 step-grandchildren, and 11 step great-grandchildren.

Cubs prospect Baez set to join team in Colorado

Sports

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DENVER (AP) — Touted prospect Javier Baez will join the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in Colorado and could make his major league debut in the three-game series against the Rockies. The 21-year-old Baez got off to a slow start this year in the minors, but has been playing well of late. The middle infielder, who is known for his tremendous bat speed, hit .300 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs in his last 32 games for Triple-A Iowa.

Baez will have his contract purchased from the minors before the series opener against Colorado. There was no word Monday on a corresponding roster move. Baez is part of a loaded minor league system for Chicago that Cubs fans are hoping will lead the team back to respectability after a string of down years. The Cubs are 47-63 this season and in last in the NL Central.

Hawkeyes optimistic as fall camp opens

Sports

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The uncertainty that hung over Iowa heading into last year’s fall camp has been replaced by stability and reasonably high expectations. That doesn’t mean the Hawkeyes can afford to cruise through August. Iowa has five starters to replace on the back end of its defense, including three linebackers that reached the NFL. The Hawkeyes also need to sort out playing time at running back, wide receiver and tight end, and the new starters on the offensive line need to be ready by the end of the month because the program’s depth isn’t what it used to be.

But the good news for the Hawkeyes is that they appear to have solid options at every position. The task for the next three weeks will be to settle on starters for the opener on Aug. 30 against Northern Iowa and beyond. “This is a very, very pivotal three weeks for our football team,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said Monday. “It’s a great time for development. And we’ve got a lot of things that we’re curious to learn and curious to see.”

Here are five things to watch as Iowa opened fall practice on Monday.

NEW LINEBACKERS: The Iowa coaching staff has long been high on senior Quinton Alston whose playing time had previously been limited because of the presence of standouts Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens and James Morris. Alston is expected to lead a unit featuring sophomore Reggie Spearman, junior Travis Perry and as many as four redshirt freshmen in the rotation. “Some guys just make you feel good,” Ferentz said of Alston, who struggled earlier in his career. “When you see that light come on or the switch flip a little bit, it’s fun.”

FREE LOMAX: Junior defensive back Jordan Lomax was expected to start at cornerback for Iowa a year ago, but injuries and the emergence of freshman Desmond King scuttled those plans. The Hawkeyes felt strongly enough about finding a spot for Lomax that they moved him to free safety though, and he’s expected to start there this season. Lomax, a 5-foot-10 junior, should be able to lean on senior strong safety John Lowdermilk as he navigates his first fall camp in a new position.

SKILL QUESTIONS: The Hawkeyes will likely split most of their carries between senior Mark Weisman and junior Jordan Canzeri this season. Iowa is deep and experienced at wide receiver as well, though rising redshirt freshman Derrick Willies could earn a starting spot over the next three weeks after an electrifying spring camp. Senior Ray Hamilton will finally get his chance as Iowa’s top tight end following C.J. Fiedorowicz’s graduation, but Jake Duzey will also get a chance to be a major factor for the Hawkeyes. “Ray Hamilton is a guy, in my opinion, that is probably better than we think maybe he is,” Ferentz said.

LINED UP: Iowa returns three starting offensive linemen, including All-America candidate Brandon Scherff at left tackle, and senior Andrew Donnal has been installed at right tackle after playing both guard and tackle a year ago. Redshirt freshman Sean Walsh will open camp as the starting left guard, and the Hawkeyes will be counting on Walsh to prove he belongs there because their rotation behind him is filled with untested underclassmen. “We’ve got to focus on the smaller details, because that’s what got us in trouble last year, with false starts. We’ve all got to be on the same page,” Scherff said.

EXTRA POINTS: Wide receiver Damond Powell suffered a sports hernia injury this summer, but he said Monday that he should be ready for the opener…The competition between Maurice Fleming and Sean Draper for the left cornerback spot might be the closest of any starting job in the program…True freshman Tyler Wiegers will likely start the season as Iowa’s third quarterback after Nic Shimonek left the program to walk on at Texas Tech.

Iowa revises free tuition for tickets promotion

Sports

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has revised a promotion offering free tuition to five students buying season tickets for football by making the offer available to all students. The Hawkeyes were forced to suspend a plan that offered $8,000 in free tuition to randomly selected student ticket holders after it ran afoul of state raffle laws.

But Iowa brought it back Monday. It now says that any student who wants to participate in the promotion simply has to notify the athletic department by 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Iowa’s revised plan was approved by the state’s Attorney General’s office.

The tuition promotion was one of a number of plans by Iowa to combat lagging student attendance.

Major water leak in Fontanelle

News

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Emergency Management Agency reports the City of Fontanelle is experiencing a major water leak. The leak affects customers west of 3rd Street on Highway 92. Officials have been trying to pinpoint the location, but the water is not coming to the surface.

They are trying to get a water leak detection company in the City as soon as possible. If residents of Fontanelle sees any water coming to the surface in that vicinity, please let a city employee know. You can also call the sheriff’s office and they can relay a message.

Officials they will try to get the leak fixed as soon as possible, but that may not be until Tuesday, in a worst case scenario.

JACKSON LEE PILGREEN, 2, of Greenfield (Svcs. 8/7/14)

Obituaries

August 4th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JACKSON LEE PILGREEN, 2, of Greenfield (the son of Jonathan and Cassandra [Boeckman] Pilgreen), died Sun., Aug. 3rd, at Children’s Hospital in Omaha. Funeral services for JACKSON PILGREEN will be held 10-a.m. Thu., Aug. 7th, at the Griswold Community Building. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:30 PM at the Griswold
Community Building.

Interment will be at the Griswold Cemetery.

JACKSON LEE PILGREEN is survived by:

His parents – Jonathan and Cassandra Pilgreen of Greenfield.

His sister – Aleyah Pilgreen of Greenfield.

His grandparents – Leslie and Wayne Clary of Griswold, and Patricia and Robert Downey of Omaha; Stephen Pilgreen and his wife Sara.

Many other relatives and friends.