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St. Louis Cardinals: Season wrap-up

Sports

November 1st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Clutch hitting deserted the St. Louis Cardinals throughout the postseason. The power arms that got them to the World Series finally gave out, too. For the third straight year there’s satisfaction in the achievement of making a deep October run. They were close to a second title in three years, largely thanks to rookie Michael Wacha, and there’s no reason they can’t keep contending. The way it ended, it felt as if they’d missed by a mile. Going forward, it appears the NL champions have plenty of payroll flexibility. They haven’t said whether they’ll seek a contract extension with free-agent Carlos Beltran, who would like to stay.

*****

NEW YORK (AP) — The World Series television rating on Fox was up 17 percent over last year but was the lowest for a matchup that went at least six games. Boston’s 4-2 Series win over St. Louis averaged an 8.9 rating, 15 share and 14.9 million viewers, Nielsen Media Research said Thursday.

San Francisco’s four-game sweep of Detroit last year averaged a record-low 7.6/12 and was seen by 12.7 million viewers. That was among only three Series that had lower ratings than this year’s, joined by 8.4 ratings for Philadelphia’s five-game win over Tampa Bay in 2008 and San Francisco’s five-game victory over Texas in 2010. Boston’s 6-1 victory in Wednesday night’s clincher received an 11.3/18 and was seen by 19.2 million viewers, baseball’s highest rating since Game 7 of the 2011 World Series.

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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals declined their $9.5 million option for next season on pitcher Jake Westbrook, who was not on their postseason roster after battling elbow and back injuries much of the year. The 36-year-old Westbrook, who was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA, gets a $1 million buyout.

The sinkerballer appeared in 21 games, all but two of them starts. He was barely used late in the year and got the start in the season finale as a nod to his contributions, working one scoreless inning. Westbrook is 105-103 for his career. He was 36-32 with a 4.27 ERA in three-plus seasons with St. Louis.

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Nov. 1st 2013

News

November 1st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board says Governor Terry Branstad’s former chief of staff may not immediately lobby the governor’s office, but can interact with his former colleagues. Jeff Boeyink recently left the administration and joined a Des Moines-based consulting firm. On Thursday the board responded to a request from his attorney for an opinion outlining how he must abide by state rules.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have captured a 20-year-old man suspected of killing an Iowa man and dumping his body in South Dakota. Sioux City police say a phone tip yesterday led to the arrest of Martin Castellanos. He was arrested in Sioux City.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) — A patrol car video presented in the trial of a former Iowa jail guard accused of killing his pregnant wife includes the sounds of him sobbing and pledging to kill the person responsible for her death. Seth Techel is heard sobbing as he tells a deputy in the video that he jumped out of the shower after he heard a gunshot, then grabbed a handgun and ran down a hallway.

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — A day care provider in northwest Iowa has been accused of severely abusing a 3-year-old girl. The state Division of Criminal Investigation says 33-year-old Rochelle Lynn Sapp was arrested yesterday in Orange City. The girl was taken to a hospital Tuesday with serious head injuries, including a fractured skull and brain trauma.

ISU’s Melvin Ejim To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Injury

Sports

October 31st, 2013 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior forward Melvin Ejim suffered a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise in practice Wednesday and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Ejim, a preseason All-Big 12 pick from Toronto, Ontario, averaged 10.3 points and led the Big 12 in rebounding (9.3) and double-doubles (15) as a junior.

Iowa State begins its season Sunday with an exhibition game against Augustana (S.D.). Tipoff against the Vikings is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT).

“Sully” SCOTT SULLIVAN, 43, of Marne (Svcs. 11/5/13)

Obituaries

October 31st, 2013 by Jim Field

“SULLY” SCOTT SULLIVAN, 43, of Marne died Wednesday, October 30th at his home.  Funeral services for “SULLY” SCOTT SULLIVAN will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., Nov. 5th, at the Hockenberry Family Care Home in Atlantic.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4-to 7-pm Mon., Nov. 4th, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Burial will be in the Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery in Atlantic.

SCOTT SULLIVAN is survived by:

His wife – Christal Sullivan, of Marne.

His children – Ethan, Katie and Erin, of Marne.

His parents – Tim (Carol) Sullivan, of West Des Moines.

His sisters – Kimberly Stucky, of North Ogden, UT., & Michelle Benning, of Urbandale.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31st

Trading Post

October 31st, 2013 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  two tickets to Saturday’s Wisconsin @ Iowa football game in Iowa City.  Asking $50 each.  Call 712-250-0228.

Cass County authorities release information on Marne shooting

News

October 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, released more information about a shooting incident that took place Wednesday morning, in Marne. Officials say at 10-a.m., the Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an individual with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Marne. Upon investigation, 43-year old Scott Edward Sullivan, of Marne, was pronounced deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Marker apologizes for remark about minorities

News

October 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Engineer Charles Marker has issued an apology for a comment he made last week at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. During the meeting, Marker, who was speaking about a bridge construction project, said one of the projects was running behind because a subcontractor had not been able to complete their portion of the project. Marker said based on Federal law, the County is required to have a certain percentage of all projects to minority sub-contractors.

But then he added “You can see what that gets us into…we’re sitting there just waiting on a minority contractor to show up ‘cuz they’ve got other jobs they’re workin’ on, and I guess they don’t get in a hurry. But we’re required to do that and there’s no way around it under federal guidelines.”

That comment irritated an Atlantic resident, who called KJAN News and requested a copy of the audio from the meeting. KJAN provided Marker with a copy of the audio, as well. At Thursday’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting, Marker clarified his statement and apologized if his previous comment offended anyone.

He said quote – “It was not my intent to imply that they {the subcontractor} was procrastinating or would be doing substandard work. I was only trying to explain the County could not open the bridge until all parts of the contract were completed, both those of the contractor and the subcontractor. As stated during last week’s report, they were already working on other projects, and it was not clear how soon they would be available to complete our guardrail {on the bridge near the research farm}. So, if my report was offensive and unclear, I apologize, but it was not my intent to offend anybody.”

The Board thanked Marker for his report and public apology.

HSFB: Riverside at Audubon 10-30-2013 Class A First Round Playoffs

Podcasts, Sports

October 31st, 2013 by admin

Jim Field and Chris Parks have the call of the game played at Chis Jones Field in Audubon.

Play

Cass Supervisors approve new GIS hire

News

October 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Thursday, approved the hiring of a new Geographic Information Systems coordinator. Treasurer Tracey Marshall introduced to the board Mary Steinlicht, who has moved to the area from Bemidji, MN. Mary said she used to work for the NRCS – Natural Resources Conservation Service – in Bemidji. She graduated about a year and a half ago from Bemidji State University. She says she already has several projects lined-up to work on in Cass County.

In August, Cass County Assessor Brenda Nelson asked for and received the Board’s permission to approve the creation of the position, and to proceed with steps necessary to fill the position. At the time, Nelson said she has the money in this year’s budget for the new hire’s salary and benefits.

In subsequent years, other departments within the County that heavily utilize GIS, would chip in to cover the salary and benefits. Nelson, Cass County Engineer Charles Marker and Treasurer Tracey Marshall all agreed that having a GIS specialist in-house, instead of outsourcing the position would be a time-saver for them, and a great benefit to the taxpayers.

Cass County Supervisors approve Anita Urban Renewal

News

October 31st, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Board of Supervisors, Thursday morning, passed a Resolution giving  the City of Anita permission to exercise its Urban Renewal Powers, with regard to the establishment of an Urban Renewal Plan and a Tax Incremental Financing (or, TIF) District within two-miles of the City’s boundaries.

Anita City Clerk Lindsey Jahde presented the Board with a copy of the proposed Urban Renewal Plan as prepared by the City’s bonding attorney. Jahde said the purpose of the plan is to capture revenue off of five wind turbines located within a two-mile radius of the City of Anita. She said there are five Capital Improvement Projects the City would use the funds for.

The first is blighted municipal waterworks system in the City of Anita. The City looks to upgrade its well and water treatment facility. The total project cost is about $2.1-million. Planning and Design is estimated to cost $102-thousand. Another project involves blight remediation of some of the City’s Streets which are currently gravel, and have no curbs and gutters for storm water run-off. That’s expected to cost $1.2-million.

One of the other 5 projects involves the improvement of Main Street, in Anita. Phase 1 Planning and Design for the projects is estimated to cost $150-thousand. Blight alleviation, in support of the Anita Economic Development Group is yet another project that would utilize TIF monies from the turbines.

Jahde said proceeds from the turbines alone won’t pay for all the projects, so the City intends to use other funds as they become available. It’s estimated over a period of 20-years, the five-turbines will bring in about $2.4-million in revenue. Cass County Auditor Dale Sunderman said 2010 was the first year percentage add-ons could be captured from TIF revenue, so the City will be able to capture the last 15-percent over the next 20-years. It breaks down to 5-percent the first year, 10-percent the second year, and the third through the 20th year, 15-percent.

Among the next steps for the City of Anita, is to hold a joint meeting between the Board of Supervisors and the Anita Community School District’s Board, along with a public hearing on the Urban Renewal plan November 26th, prior to approval of the plan and ordinance. Final approval is necessary prior to December 1st, because the City has to certify its debt by that date in order to capture the first 5-percent of the TIF revenue by freezing the base year at 2012, so they can begin with the  2013 valuations that will be taxed in 2014.