United Group Insurance

Iowa News Headlines: Tue., Oct. 8th 2013

News

October 8th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is asking a judge to put fired Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund’s wrongful termination lawsuit on hold. Its lawyers say Hedlund’s termination technically isn’t final because he still has administrative appeals. Hedlund’s attorney has asked a judge to declare those appeals unnecessary.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Specialty Iowa license plates commemorating law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty are now available. The state Department of Transportation says the plates have a “Fallen Peace Officer” emblem. A numbered license plate costs $35 and a personalized plate is $60. Funds from the plates will be distributed to nonprofit organizations that assist families and co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A rule disallowing the use of a video-conferencing system to distribute abortion-inducing pills will take effect Nov. 6 unless stopped by a court. That’s after a committee that provides legislative oversight on state agency rule making decided the rule can go forward. Monday’s rules committee meeting was the last opportunity to stop the rule administratively. Planned Parenthood is has filed a lawsuit to try to do so in court.

BONDURANT, Iowa (AP) — A central Iowa high school is banning the use of cellphones and other hand-held devices during the entire school day. Officials at Bondurant-Farrar High School say students can carry them in their pockets or purses, but can’t use them or even look at them. That includes between classes and during the lunch hour. Officials say the ban is in response to students’ excessive use of electronic devices. They say they also want to control cyberbullying on social media.

Posted in News |

3 alcohol-related arrests in Cass County

News

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Three people were arrested Sunday on alcohol-related charges in Cass County. The Sheriff’s Department says 68-year old James Stanley Kwiatkowski, of Griswold, was taken into custody on a charge of OWI 1st Offense/Serious Misdemeanor. Kwiatkowski was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

33-year old Matthew Bernard Steffens, of Atlantic, was arrested Sunday on a charge of OWI 2nd Offense/Aggravated Misdemeanor. Steffens was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released later that day on his own recognizance.

And, 23-year old Fernando Romero, Jr., of Omaha, was arrested Sunday on a charge of OWI 1st Offense/Serious Misdemeanor. Romero was taken to the Cass County Jail where he was released the following day on $200 bond.

 

Posted in News |

A-P High School Football Poll: 10/7/13

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Associated Press Iowa Prep Football Poll

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school football polls of the 2013 season with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Class 4-A

  1. West Des Moines Dowling (14) 6-0 140 1
  2. Iowa City West 6-0 116 3
  3. Pleasant Valley 6-0 114 4
  4. Ames 6-0 106 5
  5. Waukee 5-1 72 7
  6. Cedar Rapids Xavier 5-1 51 2
  7. Sioux City East 5-1 42 8
  8. West Des Moines Valley 4-2 35 NR
  9. Bettendorf 5-1 34 9
  10. Davenport Assumption 5-1 27 10 & (tie) Iowa City High 5-1 27 10

Others receiving votes: 12, Urbandale 6.

Class 3-A

  1. Bishop Heelan Catholic (14) 6-0 140 1
  2. Decorah 6-0 122 2
  3. Pella 6-0 106 4
  4. Clear Lake 6-0 94 5
  5. Carroll 5-1 80 6
  6. Harlan 5-1 66 7
  7. Boone 6-0 51 10
  8. Washington 5-1 37 NR
  9. Spencer 5-1 34 3
  10. Solon 5-1 15 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Dallas Center-Grimes 12. 12, Webster City 6. 13, Grinnell 4. 14, Williamsburg 2. 15, Waverly-Shell Rock 1.

Class 2-A

  1. Kuemper Catholic (10) 6-0 136 1
  2. Waukon (4) 6-0 129 2
  3. West Marshall 6-0 105 3
  4. Albia 6-0 86 4
  5. Mediapolis 6-0 78 5
  6. New Hampton 6-0 68 7
  7. Boyden-Hull-RV 5-1 67 6
  8. Central Lyon-GLR 5-1 38 8
  9. Spirit Lake 5-1 30 9
  10. Cascade 5-1 13 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Garner-Hayfield/Ventura 9. 12, Wellman Mid-Prairie 8. 13, Alleman North Polk 2. 14, Sioux Center 1.

Class 1-A

  1. Iowa City Regina (14) 6-0 140 1
  2. St. Albert 6-0 118 2
  3. Dike-New Hartford 6-0 102 4
  4. Wilton 6-0 94 5
  5. North Fayette 6-0 89 6
  6. FD St. Edmond 6-0 63 8
  7. Maquoketa Valley 6-0 57 9
  8. Van Meter 6-0 52 10
  9. South Winneshiek 5-1 34 3
  10. Mount Ayr 5-1 7 7

Others receiving votes: 11, Paullina South O’Brien 6. 12, Manson-NW Webster 3. 13, Ridge View 2. 14, Jewell South Hamilton 1. 14, Guttenberg Clayton Ridge 1. 14, Tipton 1.

Class A

  1. West Lyon (9) 5-0 134 1
  2. BGM (3) 6-0 124 2
  3. Wapsie Valley (2) 6-0 116 3
  4. AGWSR 6-0 93 4
  5. A-H-S-T 6-0 84 5
  6. Montezuma 6-0 76 6
  7. Lawton-Bronson 5-1 51 7
  8. Pekin 5-1 39 8
  9. East Mills 5-1 23 9
  10. Hinton 4-2 10 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 7. 12, Lisbon 5. 12, Algona Garrigan 5. 14, Grundy Center 2. 15, Griswold 1.

Class 8-Man

  1. Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton  (9) 6-0 131 1
  2. Don Bosco (4) 7-0 128 2
  3. Newell-Fonda (1) 6-0 101 3
  4. Adair-Casey 7-0 93 4
  5. Springville 7-0 86 6
  6. West Bend-Mallard 7-0 86 5
  7. River Valley 6-0 58 8
  8. Janesville 5-1 35 10
  9. HLV 6-1 14 NR
  10. Coon Rapids-Bayard 6-1 13 7

Others receiving votes: 11, Marcus MMC 12. 12, Glidden-Ralston 8. 13, Lamoni 2. 13, Fremont Mills, Tabor 2. 15, Bussey Twin Cedars 1.

Posted in Sports |

Wacha, Cardinals edge Pirates 2-1 to knot NLDS

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie Michael Wacha took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals showed off their October poise, edging the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 Monday and setting up a winner-take-all Game 5 in the NL division series. The Cardinals improved to 7-1 over the last three years when facing elimination in the postseason.

Pedro Alvarez hit his third home run of the series, connecting with one out in the eighth for Pittsburgh’s only hit in Game 4. Wacha and the St. Louis bullpen made Matt Holliday’s two-run homer stand up. Trevor Rosenthal worked around a two-out walk in the ninth, retiring Andrew McCutchen on a popup for his first postseason save.

Game 5 will be Wednesday in St. Louis, with ace Adam Wainwright starting for the Cardinals. The Pirates had not announced their starter.

Posted in Sports |

UI wrestler cited for shooting duck

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa wrestler Senior Ethen Lofthouse has been cited by police for shooting a duck with a bow and arrow outside of his residence. Iowa City police on Friday cited Lofthouse, a senior and a two-time All-American, for illegal hunting. The university says it’s aware of the situation and is working with Lofthouse through a process outlined in its student-athlete code of conduct.

This is the second incident involving Iowa wrestlers and illegal hunting in less than a year. Freshmen Connor Ryan and Alex Meyer were suspended from the team last November after they were arrested for illegally hunting rabbits on campus.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State rallies around feisty Rhoads

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Paul Rhoads put Iowa State in the national spotlight for the first time in years with a fiery postgame tirade following last week’s 31-30 loss to Texas. The rant helped illustrate why Rhoads might be the most popular 1-3 coach in the country heading into Saturday’s game at No. 20 Texas Tech (5-0, 1-0 Big 12).

Iowa State’s fans, administration and players remain committed to Rhoads. His enthusiasm for the Cyclones hasn’t worn off either — even with their hopes for a winning season in 2013 in peril. The fan base has spoken with crowds of at least 50,000 at Jack Trice Stadium for a school-record 16 games in a row. Athletic director Jamie Pollard fully committed to Rhoads before the 2012 season with a contract extension through 2021.

Posted in Sports |

LYLE WILLIAM HAYES, 94, of Guthrie Center (10-11-13)

Obituaries

October 7th, 2013 by Jim Field

LYLE WILLIAM HAYES, 94, of Guthrie Center died Sunday, October 6th at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center.  Funeral services for LYLE WILLIAM HAYES will be held on Friday, October 11th at 10:00 am in the First Christian Church of Guthrie Center.  Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center has the arrangements.

————————————————————————————

Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with the family present from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial in the Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center.

Posted in Obituaries |

Villisca man arrested on drug charges in Mills County

News

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report the arrest on Saturday of a Villisca man on drug charges. 58-year old Rodolfo Morales, Jr., was arrested at around 3:30-p.m. following a traffic stop on Highway 34. Morales faces OWI/1st offense, Driving While Revoked, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, charges. His bond was set at just over $2,866.

And, a Malvern man was arrested late Friday night in Mills County. 34-year old Dayton Ernest Tuper faces a charge of Simple Assault.  His bond was set at $300.

Posted in News |

Iowa DOT begins issuing “Fallen Peace Officer” specialty license plates

News

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Iowa motorists wanting to remember a fallen law enforcement officer may now purchase a specialty license plate with a “Fallen Peace Officer” emblem, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The fees for a numbered “Fallen Peace Officer” plate are $35, with a $10 annual validation fee; and $60 for a personalized plate, with a $15 annual validation fee.fallenofficer_sm

The Iowa Department of Public Safety receives $35 from each new plate and $10 from each renewal. The Iowa DPS distributes 100 percent of the funds in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations to assist in rebuilding the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. When awarding grants, the Iowa DPS gives first consideration to Iowa Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) and similar nonprofit organizations providing such resources.

For information, applications, and pictures of this specialty plate go to the Iowa DOT’s website at www.iowadot.gov/mvd/ovs/plates/plates.htm.

Posted in News |

Tony Stewart has 3rd leg surgery

Sports

October 7th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (AP) – NASCAR driver Tony Stewart is recovering from a third surgery on his right leg following an August crash at an Iowa sprint car track.  Stewart-Haas Racing said the procedure was done Monday to to examine and close a wound on his shin stemming from the broken tibia and fibula he suffered in the Aug. 5 crash at Southern Iowa Speedway. He remains hospitalized for observation.

The team said the surgery was a proactive measure and Stewart is expected back with the team next season.  He also had surgery on Aug. 6 and Aug. 8, with the latter procedure done to insert a metal rod inside the tibia.

Posted in Sports |