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Midwest Spelling Bee to be held Saturday in Omaha

News

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The annual Midwest Spelling Bee for students in Nebraska and western Iowa will be held in Omaha on Saturday. The spelling bee competition is part of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, so the winner will compete in Washington, D.C. May 25th through May 31st.      Competitors in the Midwest Spelling Bee range from fifth grade to eighth grade. The Omaha World-Herald sponsors the Midwest Spelling Bee and will provide the winner with an all-expenses-paid trip to the national bee.

The winner will also receive a dictionary, $200 cash, a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica and a 2014 U.S. proof set. The competition is held at the Omaha school district’s Teachers Administration Center at 3230 Burt Street.

Very few details released in Crawford County farm deaths investgation

News

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Crawford County held a news conference Tuesday evening to discuss the investigation into the deaths of two people found in a burned-out home just outside of Deloit, but there was little new information released. Sioux City television station KTIV says that when firefighters from Deloit, Denison and Vail arrived on the scene early Monday afternoon, they found the main dwelling on the rural property and a pick up truck on fire. They later recovered two bodies from the scene.

The bodies were transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner. Officials say the autopsies to determine the cause of death are complete, but they can’t release  the cause of death at this time, or the identities of the two who died, as both remain under investigation.

Authorities said they’re not ruling out foul play just yet, and are actively seeking the help of the surrounding community. They say that two white males were seen near the area of the fire in a newer, dark, extended cab pickup truck, and they believe those two males may have witness information regarding the fire that can help them understand what happened on that rural property.

If you have further information about the incident, or the men at the scene, call the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 263-2146.

NWS forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area: 3/12/2014

Weather

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a north northwest wind around 17 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. North northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 63. West southwest wind 7 to 11 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 35. Southwest wind 8 to 11 mph.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.
Saturday Night: A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.

Mets’ Niese struggles in first start of spring

Sports

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Jon Niese struggled in his first spring start that was delayed by shoulder trouble, allowing four runs in two innings of the New York Mets’ 9-8 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. The Mets’ opening-day starter last season, Niese pitched until June before being sidelined by a partially torn rotator cuff. He returned in August, going 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA the rest of the way. He allowed six hits and walked two Tuesday.

The Cardinals tagged Niese for four runs in the second. Kolten Wong hit a two-run homer in the inning, hours after manager Mike Matheny expressed his support for the struggling second baseman. Fighting strep throat, Adam Wainwright made only one big mistake in 3 1-3 innings: Josh Satin hit a 2-1 pitch over the center field wall, giving the Mets a 1-0 lead in the second.

Cardinals to take replay ruling to New York

Sports

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals are going to replay school. Manager Mike Matheny believes a contested play late in the Cardinals’ 9-8 loss to the Mets would have been overturned had the new review process used the same video feed the team saw so he’s planning on discussing the call with officials in the commissioner’s office. Matheny says he wants to get an idea of how the system will work under the established guidelines.

During the regular season, rulings under new expanded replay system will be made in New York. This spring, the league gas been testing it by using video trucks parked outside ballparks. Fewer television angles are being used for exhibition games. Umpires in Jupiter needed about two minutes to uphold a call on a play at third base.

Chiefs’ free agents find big deals elsewhere

Sports

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were quiet on the opening day of free agency, even as several players who were instrumental in their turnaround found big deals elsewhere. The Falcons agreed to five-year contracts with defensive tackle Tyson Jackson and offensive guard Jon Asamoah on Tuesday. Both of them were draft picks of former Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who has since joined the front office in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert agreed to a five-year deal with the Dolphins, Pro Bowl punt returner Dexter McCluster was headed to the Titans and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz agreed to terms with the New York Giants. The only move Kansas City made was to re-sign defensive back and special teams star Husain Abdullah. The Chiefs had earlier re-signed linebacker Frank Zombo.

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., March 12th 2014

News

March 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in southeast Iowa say they’re investigating why dozens of people at a campus that practices meditation allegedly attacked a county sheriff inside a car. The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office says a group of at least 70 people surrounded Sheriff Gregg Morton while he was in his marked patrol vehicle Tuesday morning at a pandit campus near Fairfield. Morton says the group pushed the car back and forth and threw rocks at it. Morton and responding officers were not injured in the incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill to place restrictions on the use of unmanned aerial drones in Iowa continues to move through the Legislature after approval of an amendment by a Senate subcommittee. The bill considers use of a drone trespassing if it “intrudes upon the legitimate privacy interests in, on, or around private property that is not normally open to the public” or places where the public is not typically invited.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa Senate want to crack down on texting while driving, but some legislators worry the bill doesn’t do enough to address the larger issue of distracted driving. Texting while driving is now prohibited, but it is only enforced if a driver is pulled over for a different violation. Under the bill, officers could pull drivers over specifically for this offense. The measure now goes to the House.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers are attempting to change the state’s law dealing with drunken drivers. The Senate approved a measure that would change current law, particularly dealing with devices that require drivers to show they haven’t had alcohol before their vehicle ignition will unlock. Under the bill, offenders could begin driving more quickly than under current law if they install an ignition lock device.

McCaffery’s son diagnosed with thyroid tumor

Sports

March 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says his 13-year-old son has a thyroid tumor. McCaffery says he learned of his son Patrick’s condition last week. A biopsy was performed on Monday and surgery has been scheduled for next week at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics — one day before Patrick’s 14th birthday.

The tumor has not been diagnosed as cancerous, and McCaffery says a further course of action will be determined once the mass is removed. McCaffery and his wife, Margaret, have three sons and a daughter.

Hawkeyes stumble into Big Ten tournament

Sports

March 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is likely just days away from its first NCAA tournament berth in eight years, but that’s about the last thing on the mind of its fan base. They’re wondering what happened to their beloved Hawkeyes. Iowa finished the regular season in a freefall hardly anyone saw coming.

The Hawkeyes have lost five of their last six games — all after a postponement at Indiana altered their schedule — and closed with a brutal home loss to Illinois 66-63 on Saturday night. The Hawkeyes, once a trendy pick for a long run through the postseason, hope to start fresh on Thursday against Northwestern in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament.

Drone bill alive though significantly changed

News

March 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill to place restrictions on the use of unmanned aerial drones in Iowa continues to move through the Legislature after approval of an amendment by a Senate subcommittee. The House passed a much more restrictive bill last week. The Senate’s version makes operating a drone in a way that violates one’s privacy a violation of the state’s trespassing law.

The bill considers use of a drone trespassing if it “intrudes upon the legitimate privacy interests in, on, or around private property that is not normally open to the public” or places where the public is not typically invited. The bill is likely to be considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and is expected to pass the Senate and move back to the House for reconsideration.