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No. 22 Iowa beats Nebraska 67-57

Sports

January 1st, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa looked shaky at times but Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery will take the win. Devyn Marble had 15 points and eight rebounds and No. 22 Iowa opened its Big Ten season with a win for the first time since 2006 with a 67-57 victory over Nebraska on Tuesday night. Aaron White scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half for the Hawkeyes (12-2, 1-0), who led by as many as 20 points in the second half. For McCaffery, the late struggle doesn’t matter. Iowa preserved the win and he knows the Big Ten gauntlet continues on Sunday with No. 4 Wisconsin.

Terran Petteway had 20 points and 12 rebounds for Nebraska (8-5, 0-1), which shot a season-low 29.9 percent from the field as it lost its 14th straight game to a ranked opponent.

Freshman QB leads LSU into Outback against Iowa

Sports

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — No. 14 LSU has no qualms about Anthony Jennings making his first college start against Iowa in the Outback Bowl. The true freshman quarterback came off the bench to lead a 99-yard drive in the closing minutes of the Tigers’ regular season finale to beat Arkansas, so LSU coach Les Miles feels his offense will be in good hands against the Hawkeyes on Wednesday.

Miles says poise is one of Jennings’ strongest assets, which is one of the reasons LSU didn’t blink when senior Zach Mettenberger, who’s thrown for nearly 5,800 yards in his career, injured his knee with his team trailing 27-24 and seemingly running out of time against Arkansas.

MARIE BRUS, 100, of Manilla (Svcs. 1/4/14)

Obituaries

December 31st, 2013 by Jim Field

MARIE BRUS, 100, of Manilla died Tuesday, December 31st at the Manning Plaza.  Funeral services for MARIE BRUS will be held 2-p.m. Sat., Jan. 4th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla is in charge of the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-to 7-pm Friday (1/3), and at the church from 1-until 2-pm on Saturday, prior to the service.

Burial will be in the Manning Cemetery.

MARIE BRUS is survived by:

Her daughters – Beverly Graves, of Perry, and Bonnie Lorenzen, of Manilla.

Her brother – Paul Jahn, of Denison.

6 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 2 step great-grandchildren & 2 great-great grandchildren.

 

4 arrested in connection with Crawford Co. home invasion

News

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Crawford County report four people were arrested in connection with a home invasion robbery in Vail early Monday morning. Sheriff’s officials say the call about the incident at 101 Atlantic Street came in around 3:18-am. Officials say two suspects allegedly entered the home armed with a weapon appearing to be a handgun and stole cash and other personal items. The suspects fled the scene following the robbery.

A joint investigation by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and Denison Police Department was conducted and information led authorities to 909 Broadway Street in Denison. A search warrant was executed around 1pm where numerous items of evidence including property belonging to the victims of the robbery in Vail as well as a black b-b gun.

Arrested in connection with the incident was 18 year old Richard Allen Martinez, 19 year old Brandon Joel Mauricio, 19 year old Christian Pena and 24 year old Karen Yamilet Melara, all of Denison. Martinez and Mauricio were charged with robbery, 2nd degree, burglary, 3rd degree, theft, 2nd degree and assault while participating in a felony. Pena was charged with 3rd degree burglary. Melara was charged with accessory after the fact.

Upon further investigation, authorities also obtained evidence that led to believe Martinez was the participant in the two armed robberies that took place at the Denison Kum and Go store on Tuesday, December 3rd and Wednesday December 11th. Martinez was charged with two counts of 2nd degree robbery, 4th degree theft and one count of 5th degree theft.

Also arrested in connection to the Kum and Go robberies was 18 year old Alan Gualberto Ruvalcaba of Denison. He was charged with robbery, 2nd degree and theft, 4th degree. All suspects were transported to the Crawford County Jail and are waiting to appear before the magistrate. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Denison Police Department were assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the Harlan Police Department’s K-9 unit.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)

Former Monona County auditor gets 2 days in jail

News

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – A former Monona County auditor arrested on drug charges in July has been sentenced to two days in jail.  Brooke Kuhlmann, of Onawa, pleaded guilty Monday in Monona County District Court to a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed.

The Sioux City Journal reports Kuhlmann’s sentence includes $450 in fines and fees, plus a revocation of her driver’s license for six months. She will report to the county jail on Jan. 10th.  Investigators say the 28-year-old Kuhlmann bought methamphetamine from an undercover Iowa State Patrol officer in late July. She was later arrested during a traffic stop.

Kuhlmann, a Democrat elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, resigned in December.

Education officials propose extended learning

News

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Education officials in Iowa are hoping the state will support a pilot program aimed at helping students learn before and after school.  The state Department of Education says the extended learning pilot project could boost Iowa’s graduation rate. The department submitted a proposal for the $1 million program in November, but Gov. Terry Branstad hasn’t said whether he will support it.

The Des Moines Register says a report commissioned by the state and prepared by a consulting firm recommends that the proposed program focus on high-need students. Proponents of such programs say the measure is further evidence that support for out-of-school learning is growing in Iowa.

Fill the Feeder for the Swans and Soiree with the Swans

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Conservation Department has teamed up with Atlantic’s Orscheln’s store to help feed the Trumpeter Swans, now through January 31st. Officials say you can buy a bag of Whole Cleaned Corn at the registers and Orscheln’s staff will put it aside for the Trumpeter Swans. Four bags will fill the feeder, and the Conservation Dept. appreciates your help in keeping it full.Cass Co Conservation Board

Here’s a reminder also, to join Cass County Conservation Staff at Atlantic’s Schildberg Recreation Area this Saturday, January 4th, for ten-minute presentations on the Trumpeter Swans. Conservation staffers will give the presentations every half-hour beginning at 11-a.m., with the last one being presented at 2:00 p.m. 

The Schildberg Quarry is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, on the north side of Highway 83. In the event of bad weather, or if the swans are not present at the quarry, the program will be held at the Atlantic Public Library from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. with a light lunch available.

The event is sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Atlantic Public Library.

CORINNE LOIS SCHUE, 88, of Avoca (Svcs. 1/4/14)

Obituaries

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

CORINNE LOIS SCHUE, 88, of Avoca, died Sat., Dec. 28th, at the Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center. Funeral services for CORINNE SCHUE will be held 2-p.m. Sat., Jan. 4th, at the Shelby Methodist Church in Shelby. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Visitation at the Shelby Methodist Church will be held from 1-to 2-pm Saturday (prior to the service).

Burial will be in the Shelby Cemetery.

CORINNE SCHUE is survived by:

Her sons – Robert Schue, of St. Paul, MN, & Richard (Margaret) Schue, of Carmel, IN.

Her brother – Raleigh (Marilyn) Woltmann, of Avoca.

and 4 grandchildren.

Hatch, a candidate for governor, calls for $10.10 minimum wage

News

December 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jack Hatch is calling for an increase in the state’s minimum wage. Hatch says the minimum wage should be 10-dollars-and-10-cents an hour. He argues it’s one way of raising private sector hourly wages in general. Hatch says Iowa’s status as a “low wage state” hasn’t budged under 30-years-worth of Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s economic development strategies.

Hatch accuses Branstad of having a “perfect track record of failure” in economic development. Hatch says Branstad has failed to fulfill the promises he’s made about job creation and personal income growth for Iowans. In addition to raising the state’s minimum wage, Hatch promises as governor he would pay the prevailing wage to those who work on state-funded construction projects.

Iowa’s minimum wage has been raised above the national minimum wage twice in recent decades. Republican Terry Branstad approved raising Iowa’s minimum wage above the national rate just before his 1990 reelection race. In 2007, raising the state’s minimum wage was the first bill Democratic Governor Chet Culver signed into law.

(Radio Iowa)

ISU Legend Johnny Orr Dies at Age 86

Sports

December 31st, 2013 by Jim Field

Orr-colormugAMES, Iowa – Johnny Orr, the man credited with resurrecting a once-dormant Iowa State men’s basketball program and energizing an entire fan base, passed away today. He was 86 years old.

Orr was one of the nation’s most successful basketball coaches during his 29-year head coaching career (1964-66, 1969-94). He compiled a 466-346 career coaching mark and led 10 teams to NCAA Championship berths while at Massachusetts, Michigan and Iowa State.

“He was my hero,” said Iowa State head basketball coach Fred Hoiberg, who played three years for Orr. “As a kid, just to see him walk out of that tunnel was what you waited for on game nights. Just to see his enthusiasm and passion. He was a father figure to so many of us. He impacted so many lives and made all of us better people. Not only was he a great basketball coach, he was even a better person.”

Orr inherited a downtrodden Iowa State program that had produced losing seasons in five of the last six years prior to his arrival in 1980-81. He spent 14 years roaming the sidelines at Hilton Coliseum, making steady improvement and leading the Cyclones to a school-record six NCAA Championship appearances and five 20-win seasons. Orr retired in 1994 as Iowa State’s all-time winningest coach with a 218-200 record.

Orr was a winner at Iowa State, but his legacy in Ames was achieved by more than wins and losses. The ever-popular Orr was the perfect coach at the perfect time for Iowa State. His exciting, up-tempo style of play – combined with his infectious personality – created a tidal wave of excitement throughout the state of Iowa.

An Iowa State game in Hilton Coliseum became the hottest ticket in the state, as Orr’s teams steamrolled over their opponents for a 76.7 percent winning percentage at home.

Fans came in droves to watch the Cyclones. Iowa State averaged 6,470 fans the year before Orr arrived. Six years later (1985-86), Hilton Coliseum swelled to 14,024 fans per game, selling out all 13 home games. The top eight single-season attendance marks in school history occurred in the Orr era.

Hilton Coliseum erupted when Orr made his entrance fist-pumping to the “Tonight Show” theme. It usually spelled doom to the opposing team, even if the Cyclones weren’t the favorites. Orr’s Cyclones defeated top-25 opponents 20 times at home and he owns 12 of Iowa State’s 29 all-time victories vs. top-10 opponents.

Iowa State’s home-court dominance in sold-out Hilton Coliseum under Orr created a frenzied atmosphere that was second to none. The local and national media picked up on it, and soon the term “Hilton Magic” was created when Des Moines Register writer Buck Turnbull used it in one of his stories after another huge Cyclone victory at home. The moniker still is prevalent today.

Orr’s 1983-84 team turned the corner with a National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance, followed by an NCAA Championship berth in 1985, Iowa State’s first NCAA bid in 41 years.

The 1985-86 Cyclone squad was possibly his best. Led by future NBA all-star Jeff Hornacek and Iowa State’s all-time leading scorer Jeff Grayer, the Cyclones finished with a then-school-record 22 wins and placed second in the Big Eight Conference at 9-5. After securing its second-straight NCAA berth, the Cyclones advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with a victory over No. 2 seed Michigan, Orr’s former school.

The win over the fifth-ranked Wolverines was, “the greatest of my career” Orr beamed afterwards and cemented his already enormous popularity among the Iowa State faithful.

Orr’s Cyclone teams would later make NCAA appearances in 1988, 1989, 1992 and 1993 and annually ranked in the top 25 nationally in scoring. Iowa State averaged over 80 points per season six times in the Orr era, including a school-record 90.2 ppg in 1987-88, which ranked ninth nationally. The top four scorers in Iowa State history were coached by Orr (Grayer, Barry Stevens, Hoiberg, Victor Alexander).

Orr coached six Cyclones who earned first-team all-Big Eight honors 10 times. He mentored a total of six Cyclones who went on to a career in the NBA (Grayer, Hornacek, Stevens, Alexander, Hoiberg, Loren Meyer). Grayer was an All-American and is the only Cyclone men’s hoopster to compete on a United States Olympic Basketball team, earning a Bronze Medal at the 1988 Olympics.

A native of Taylorville, Ill., Orr graduated from Beloit (Wisconsin) College in 1949, where he was a two-time All-American in basketball. He coached at the high school level throughout the 1950s, including a stop at Dubuque (Iowa) Senior High School from 1951-59.

His first move into collegiate coaching was as an assistant at Wisconsin for four seasons. Orr became a collegiate head coach in 1963, when he was handed the reins at Massachusetts for three seasons.

After UMass, Orr assisted Dave Strack at Michigan for one season before taking over head coaching duties at Michigan prior to the 1968-69 season.

Orr led the Wolverines to four NCAA Championship appearances in 12 seasons, amassing a school-record 209 victories. He is one of the few coaches to be the all-time leader in career wins at two high-major schools.

Orr’s Michigan squads finished second in the Big Ten Conference three times and captured the 1977 Big Ten title. In 1976, Michigan advanced to the NCAA Championship title game, falling to Indiana in the national final. He was named National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) National Coach of the Year in 1976 and was Big Ten Coach of the Year twice (1974, 1977).

Throughout his 29-year head coaching career, Orr tutored 18 players who were drafted by the NBA.

Orr remained an active supporter of Iowa State after his retirement in 1994. His immense popularity among Cyclone fans never waned, either. Orr always was the life of the party at Cyclone outings, pep rallies and reunions. He had a special ability to make people laugh.

Orr was inducted into the Iowa State Letterwinners Club Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2011, the Iowa State Athletics Department opened a large sports bar-themed gathering area in the east concourse of Hilton Coliseum, naming it “Johnny’s” as a tribute to the coaching legend.

Outside the entrance of “Johnny’s”, a larger-than-life statue of Orr with his trademark fist-pump is permanently on display, along with memorabilia of his coaching tenure at Iowa State. His legacy is preserved for future generations of Cyclone fans.

Orr is survived by his wife, Romie, and three daughters; Jennifer, Leslie and Rebecca. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Robin, who passed away in 2010. The Orrs have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.