United Group Insurance

State’s hottest week further diminishes crops

Ag/Outdoor

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s corn crop has continued to decline as Iowa experienced the hottest week of the year last week. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s weekly crop condition update released Tuesday says 25 percent of the state’s corn is poor or very poor. That’s up from 21 percent the week before. Just 39 percent is good or excellent down from 44 percent the week before and 48 percent two weeks ago.

Iowa’s soybeans are now 24 percent poor or very poor, up from 20 percent a week ago and 39 percent is good or excellent, down from 45 percent. The conditions generally reflect the national trends. Iowa temperatures averaged nearly 12 degrees above normal and average rainfall was about a third of an inch. Normal for the week is about an inch.

Atlantic man arrested on drug charges

News

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff deputies in Cass County today (Tuesday), arrested 32-year old Steven Robert Pedersen, of Atlantic. Pedersen was taken into custody on a warrant for two Felony charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver.  One charge originated from the Atlantic Police Department, and one charge originated with the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Pedersen was brought to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $10,000 bond.

Massena man arrested on numerous charges

News

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A call about a reported domestic disturbance Monday evening in Massena resulted in the arrest of 31-year old Brian Harold Eilts, of Massena, on drug, alcohol, assault and other charges. Eilts faces charges that include: Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd Offense (Meth); OWI 1st Offense (a Serious Misdemeanor); and Simple Misdemeanor charges of Criminal Mischief 4th Degree, Domestic Abuse Assault, Criminal Mischief 5th Degree and Driving Under Suspension. Eilts was taken to the Cass County Jail where he is being held on $7,500 bond.

Chiefs place Commings on IR, sign McDougald

Sports

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs placed rookie safety Sanders Commings on injured reserve and signed Bradley McDougald to replace him on the roster heading into Sunday’s season opener at Jacksonville. Commings missed nearly all of training camp after breaking his left collarbone. The fifth-round pick from Georgia was put on IR with a designation to return, meaning he could return to the active roster at any time during the season.

McDougald made it through final cuts as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas, only to be waived Sunday when the Chiefs claimed seven other players off waivers. The Chiefs also signed offensive guard Rishawn Johnson to the practice squad Tuesday. He takes the place of Rokevious Watkins, who is serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Harlan arrest and incidents report

News

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department report two people were arrested in separate incidents last week. Authorities say 48-year old Curt Anstey, of Harlan, was taken into custody after he turned himself in on an active Shelby County Warrant for 5th degree theft. Anstey was taken to the Shelby County Jail on Wednesday, August 28th.

The previous day, August 27th, 55-year old Ronald Daeges, of Harlan, was taken into custody when officers responded to a disturbance in the 1000th block of 6th Street. Daeges was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct and taken to jail.

The Harlan Police Department also reports there have been several instances of criminal mischief at the Harlan Skate Park. The structure has been defaced on numerous occasions. The incidents remain under investigation. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of person(s) involved in the criminal activity.

Iowa shows progress despite loss in opener

Sports

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lost again last weekend to MAC school Northern Illinois— its seventh straight dating back to 2012 and first in an opener in 13 years. But don’t mistake a loss for lost confidence. The Hawkeyes (0-1) showed signs that the misery of last season could eventually be a thing of the past, even in defeat.

New starting quarterback Jake Rudock played well. The running game showed signs of progress and Iowa’s defense appears to be in decent shape heading into Saturday’s game with FCS school Missouri State. Coach Kirk Ferentz says he saw a lot of “good things,” from both the offense and defense.

Pigskin Payoff Winners – Week 1

Sports

September 3rd, 2013 by Jim Field

Game Score:  Northern Illinois 30, Iowa 27

$25 – Julie Stephens of Atlantic (NIU 32-27, 2 pts)

$10 – Caden Andersen of Atlantic (IA 28-27, 4 pts)

$5 – Robert Robinson of Exira (IA 27-24, 6 pts)

$5 – Roland Hansen of Elk Horn (IA 27-24, 6 pts)

$5 – Bill Robinson of Oakland (NIU 27-24, 6 pts)

*** All ties are broken by drawing ***

Saturday’s Game:  Missouri State @ Iowa

LYNN CHRISTENSEN, 75, formerly of Bridgewater (Svcs. 9/7/13)

Obituaries

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

LYNN CHRISTENSEN, 75, of Indianola (& formerly of Bridgewater), died Tue., Sept. 3rd, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Memorial services for LYNN CHRISTENSEN will be held 11-a.m. Sat., Sept. 7th, at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 6th, at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield from Noon to 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Lynn Christensen memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

LYNN CHRISTENSEN is survived by his:

Wife – Sharon Christensen of Indianola

3 children – Annette Purdy and husband Jeff of Winterset, Kevin Christensen and wife Jodi of Johnston and Colleen Kuebler and husband John of Indianola.

3 sisters – Bonnie Christensen of Des Moines, Joyce Nalevanko of Des Moines and Della Hudson and husband Dick of Corydon.

9 grandchildren, his sister-in-law Betty Hyndman of West Des Moines, other relatives and friends.

Police say woman at UI game tried to enter field

Sports

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a woman trying to get onto the field before the University of Iowa’s opening season football game had a blood alcohol content that was more than four times the legal limit to drive.  The university’s Department of Public Safety says 22-year-old Samantha Lynne Goudie, of Iowa City, tried to enter the playing field about an hour before the game against Northern Illinois University on Saturday. She was taken to the prisoner staging area at Kinnick Stadium.

Campus police say Goudie was unsteady on her feet and a preliminary breath test showed her blood-alcohol level was .341.  Goudie was charged with public intoxication. More than a dozen people were arrested during campus police’s game-day operations.

Injury accident reported in Clarinda

News

September 3rd, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Police in Clarinda say one person suffered possible/unknown injuries during an accident Friday afternoon. Officials say vehicles driven by 17-year old Kay Welch, of Bedford, and 17-year old Jo Ann Beason, of Clarinda, were stopped at their respective stop signs located at the intersection of 16th and Grant Streets. Both drivers entered the intersection at the same time, but neither saw the other. As Welch turned left from Grant onto 16th Street, the 2001 Dodge Durango she was driving hit Beason’s 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup. Welch was transported to the Clarinda Regional Health Center by ambulance.

Damage from the collision, which occurred at around 4:30-p.m., Friday, amounted to $3,000. Officials say Welch was cited for Failure to Yield upon making a left turn.