712 Digital Group - top

Huskers’ Pelini receives 1-year contract extension

Sports

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini has received a one-year contract extension through February 2019. Athletic department spokeswoman Chris Anderson on Friday confirmed the extension, which was first reported by CBSSports.com. Anderson said terms were not immediately available for release. Pelini is 57-24 in six seasons, but there was speculation about his job status at the end of last season as the Cornhuskers’ streak of no conference championships stretched to 14 years.

Minutes after Nebraska lost its last regular-season game, to Iowa, Pelini defended his record and said, “If they want to fire me, go ahead.” Athletic director Shawn Eichorst issued a statement of support for Pelini the next day, but as recently as Tuesday had refused to answer questions about a contract extension.

Ark. firm recalls 29,200 pounds of chicken product

News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SPRINGDALE, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas firm is recalling about 29,200 pounds of seasoned raw, chicken breast strips due to misbranding and an undeclared allergen. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said Friday the recall involves George’s Inc. of Springdale.

The products are formulated with soy protein, a known allergen, and monosodium glutamate. But they were released with a label for George’s boneless skinless breast pieces with rib meat, which does not declare soy or MSG on the label.

The products were produced and packaged from Dec. 21 through Dec. 23 and were sold to distributors in Tennessee and Iowa for further distribution. The recalled products bear the establishment number “P-13584” below the USDA Mark of Inspection and “Packed on” date in the format of “month-day-year” on the carton label.

Iowa health officials report data breach

News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa health officials say a breach of personal information relating to some child and dependent adult abuse cases in Polk County took place over five years. The state Department of Human Services announced Friday that the information of more than 2,000 individuals was included in the breach, though there are no reports it’s been misused.

The agency says two workers used personal emails accounts, storage accounts and electronic devices for work purposes, beginning in 2008. That is a violation of department policy. The information included names, mailing addresses, Social Security numbers and other data. Letters have been mailed to the affected individuals to alert them, and they’ve been offered free credit monitoring.

Officials say appropriate personnel action has been taken, but they did not elaborate.

No. 23 Iowa women rally past No. 17 Purdue 87-80

Sports

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ally Disterhoft scored 10 of her 12 points in the final 5:38 as 23rd-ranked and fifth-seeded Iowa clawed back from the brink with a 24-11 closing run to upend No. 17, fourth-seeded Purdue 87-80 in a Big 10 quarterfinal Friday. The Hawkeyes (25-7) face eighth-seeded Ohio State (17-17) in a semifinal Saturday after the Buckeyes shocked No. 11 and top-seeded Penn State, 99-82.

Purdue (21-8) battled through seven ties and six lead changes in the first half to lead 39-35 at the break and appeared to be in control after halftime with Courtney Moses banging down 24 points. Iowa’s all-Big Ten selections Disterhoft, Samantha Logic and Bethany Doolittle were held to a combined seven points in the first half due to foul trouble but caught fire in the second. Doolittle finished with 16 and Logic 12.

Disterhoft scored six in an 8-1 run for a 71-70 lead Iowa never lost.

Marlins, Alvarez beat Wainwright, Cardinals

Sports

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Henderson Alvarez retired all nine batters he faced in his first start since pitching a no-hitter on the final day last season, leading the Miami Marlins to a 7-3 victory over a split Cardinals squad. Alvarez was slowed this spring by a shin infection. He hasn’t allowed a run since Sept. 24 or a hit in 12 consecutive innings.

Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright was equally efficient in his first start of spring training. Wainwright faced the minimum in two innings while striking out one. The right-hander needed only 25 pitches to get through the first two innings. Wainwright was slated to make his first appearance Thursday at Minnesota, but that game was rained out. He will pitch again Tuesday, working on three days’ rest, to get him back on track to start opening day.

The Marlins roughed up Lance Lynn for five runs in a third inning that featured doubles from Donovan Solano, Adeiny Hechavarria’s and Giancarlo Stanton.

Beaver Bounty continues in Shelby County

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A reminder for trappers from the Shelby County Conservation Service: Shelby County is continuing the beaver bounty until April 15th.beaver Beavers must be harvested legally in Shelby County prior to April 15th and the tails brought into the Conservation Board office to receive the $20 per tail bounty. Paperwork also has to be submitted along with the tails and can be accessed under the documents tab at Shelby County’s website http://shco.org

SPRING THAW CAUSES ELEVATED LEVELS OF WINTERTIME HAZE

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources said Friday (Today) elevated fine particle (PM 2.5) pollution levels were observed at Viking Lake State Park near Stanton, on Thursday. Levels rose overnight across much of Iowa, but should fall later today as a cold front moves eastward through the state and winds increase. The DNR recommends that Iowans with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children limit prolonged outdoor exertion until the cold front passes through later today.

The EPA’s 24-hour health threshold for PM 2.5 is 35 micrograms per cubic meter. Levels of 37.1 were recorded yesterday at Viking Lake. The daily average, as of 10 a.m. today, was 43.2 at Waterloo, 40.4 at Clinton, 39.5 at Emmetsburg, 39.2 at Davenport, 36.9 at Lake Sugema, 37 at Cedar Rapids, 35 at Iowa City, 34.1 at Muscatine and 25.2 at Des Moines.

Nitrate is a primary component of winter time haze in Iowa. Nitrate formation is enhanced during prolonged periods of high humidity and near freezing temperatures that sometimes occur during a spring thaw. Fine particles are also emitted by vehicle traffic and other combustion sources and by chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Stagnant air masses do not allow the fine particles to disperse, and pollutant levels rise.

EPA’s national air quality map is available online at www.airnow.gov.

 

 

Paramedics gather in Iowa for annual conference

News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Paramedics from four states have gathered in Sioux City for an annual conference that focuses on the skills needed to keep patients alive until they can reach a hospital.  The Emergency Conference involves paramedics, EMTs, nurses and other personnel. The two-day event is being held Friday and Saturday at the Sioux City Convention Center.

The Sioux City Journal reports national and local speakers are scheduled to discuss issues like motor vehicle collisions, hazardous materials and illnesses.  Terry Sudrla, an area paramedic, says the emergency medical services profession requires keeping up to date on processes, protocols and equipment.

Local food producers’ opportunity to meet potential buyers

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Local Food Policy Council (CCLFPC) is hosting a “Local Foods Meet and Greet” to help connect local food producers with potential buyers, such as restaurants, schools or other wholesale markets. Local food producers and potential purchasers are invited to join CCLFPC on Monday, March 10, 2014 from 4-5:30 PM at the Cass County Memorial Hospital. This is a come and go event, and those interested in attending are encouraged to stop by as available. farmersMarket_02_char11

There will be a short program at about 4:15-4:30, followed by a chance for networking and discussion. The event will be held in Conference Room 1 (enter through East doors and take a left). Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to RSVP to Emily Krengel, Cass County Health System Food Service Director at kreeh@casshealth.org or 712-243-7550 ext. 3421 by Monday at Noon.

 

Atlantic man cited following Thursday afternoon accident

News

March 7th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Atlantic cited a local man following an accident Thursday afternoon at 7th and Mulberry Streets. Officials say Armando Rosales, of Atlantic, was cited for Failure to Obey a Stop or Yield sign after he pulled away from the intersection and hit a vehicle driven by Scott Lauritzen, of Exira. The accident happened after Rosales stopped at the intersection and waited for a car to pass before making a left-hand turn onto 7th Street from southbound on Mulberry. Damage from the accident amounted to $1,700. No injuries were reported.