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Chiefs forced to bounce back from first loss

Sports

November 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs only intend to lose to the Denver Broncos once, and that thought goes beyond the rematch between AFC West rivals in two weeks at Arrowhead Stadium. After falling 27-17 on Sunday night for the first time all season, the Chiefs insisted that they are turning their attention to the San Diego Chargers. They weren’t going to dwell on missed opportunities, turnovers and miscues that cost them dearly at Mile High Stadium.

In other words, they aren’t going to let the fallout from Denver hurt them against San Diego this weekend. The Chiefs are still 9-1 and tied with the Broncos atop the division. But for the first time all season, they arrived at the training facility Monday forced to regroup from a loss.

Iowa News Headlines: Tue., Nov. 19, 2013

News

November 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The former CEO of Texas-based Reliant Energy is expected to be the latest Iowa Republican running for U.S. Senate in 2014. Fifty-one-year-old Mark Jacobs plans to announce his intentions Tuesday. Republicans seeking to succeed retiring Democrat Tom Harkin include radio host Sam Clovis, state Sen. Joni Ernst, lawyer Paul Lunde, former car salesman Scott Schaben, former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker and former Senate aide David Young. U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley is the only Democrat.

EDDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man was pinned to the wreckage of a car for nearly two days over the weekend. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office says 60-year-old Patrick Allen Douglas, of Ottumwa, was discovered Sunday afternoon in a car near Highway 63, south of Eddyville. The car entered the median between two bridges, near a creek. Authorities believe the crash happened between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday. Douglas told officials he fell asleep while driving.

CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) — A northeast Iowa man’s murder conviction won’t be reviewed by the state Supreme Court. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports the court denied a request by 32-year-old James Dean Raymond, of Clarksville, to review his 2006 conviction of first-degree murder in the death of Jesse Patchin, of Charles City. Prosecutors say Patchin died after an argument over a drug deal in a mobile home near Nashua around Oct. 1, 2005.

JEFFERSON, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa elementary school was placed briefly on lockdown after a high-speed police chase was called off near the campus. The chase began in Slater when an Iowa Department of Transportation enforcement officer clocked a car traveling at more than 100 mph in a 55 mph zone. The Des Moines Register reports the vehicle sped into Jefferson toward Jefferson-Scranton Elementary School. Officials soon called off the chase, but a suspect was later taken into custody.

Red Oak man arrested on Theft charge

News

November 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest Monday night of 21-year old Cody Dean Johnson, of Red Oak. Johnson was taken into custody near 3rd and Coolbaugh Streets at around 10:50-p.m., on a charge of Theft in the 5th Degree. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail a $300 cash bond.

EARNEST L. MADSEN, 87, of Exira (Svcs. 11/21/13)

Obituaries

November 19th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

EARNEST L. MADSEN, 87, of Exira, died Sun., Nov. 17th, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon. Funeral services for EARNEST MADSEN will be held 2-p.m. Thu., Nov. 21st, at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where the family visitation begins at 5-p.m. Wed. (Nov. 20th).

Burial will be in the Exira Cemetery.

EARNEST MADSEN is survived by:

His children – Melissa (David) LaFoy, of Hamlin; Lori (Lel) Lawrenson, of Omaha; Jeffrey (Jean) Madsen, Jodi (Bill) Haley, Scott Madsen, and Natalie (Gary) Smouse, all of Exira.

10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Other relatives, and friends.

Atlantic Parks Board sworn-in/Director warns fish kill at SRA Lake 1 is coming

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department officially has two new members. Prior to the start of their regular meeting Monday evening, Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones recited the oath of office to incoming members Erin McFadden and Charlene Beane, who were elected to the Board during the November 5th City elections.

Erin McFadden (left) and Charlene Beane (Center) are sworn-in by Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones.

Erin McFadden (left) and Charlene Beane (Center) are sworn-in by Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones.

The new board then got down to business by electing their officers for the next two-years. It turns out there was no change, with Stuart Dusenberry having been re-elected as Chair, Mary Strong, Vice Chair, and Jolene Smith as Secretary.

During their meeting, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring reported a fish kill can be expected soon in Lake number 1 at the Schildberg Recreation Area. Last month, Brian Hayes, Fisheries Biologist with the DNR reported to the Board the Gizzard Shad has overpopulated the lake and stunted the growth of other game fish.

Gizzard Shad fish

Gizzard Shad fish

Hayes said to deal with the menacing Gizzard Shad, the DNR will have to administer a dosage of Rotenone. Herring warned the Board that the DNR will be treating the lake possibly within the next week, or before the first ice freeze at the very least, and the result will be visually shocking to the point where the Board can expect calls from the public.

He said there will be a “sizable fill kill out there,” and will result in a lot of fish floating on top of the water. The media will be notified 48-hours in advance of the kill, which is designed to improve the fish population. While the floating fish carcasses might be a bit disturbing, Herring says Brian Hayes told him there is a plus side, in that the fish will attract predatory birds. That means there may be several Bald Eagles drawn to Atlantic. The rotenone will be in such small concentrations, that it will not harm the animals or birds that eat the fish which were killed by the chemical application.

In other business, the Atlantic Parks and Rec Board approved for remittance to the City Council, a draft of the Tobacco Free Policy for Sunnyside Park, with a slight modification. It was created using the City of Adel’s Ordinance which says tobacco use is prohibited in designated areas of City parks, trails, and outdoor recreational facilities, and all public building grounds at all times. Designated park areas include: restrooms, athletic fields and in the spectator areas of athletic fields during a sporting event; tennis courts; disc golf courses; playground areas; recreational trail rest areas; and any pavilions; shelters and benches located in a park or on a public ground.

Atlantic’s version would add the basketball court, but remove the disc golf course from the list of areas where the use of tobacco products would be prohibited. It would also be submitted as a proposed ordinance instead of a “Policy.” Herring said the police department is recommending it be submitted as an ordinance because it would be more enforceable than a “Policy.” The final version will be written by the City Attorney and presented before the City Council at a future meeting for their approval.

Stuart man faces arson and other charges following Sunday incident

News

November 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Stuart Police Department reports one person was arrested on arson and other charges, Sunday, following a reported fire at the Super 8 hotel just off Interstate 80 at the Stuart exit. Officials say evidence discovered during the investigation resulted in the arrest of Jason McGowan, of Stuart.  McGowan was arrested at the scene of the fire and taken to the Adair County Jail, where he was charged with 1st Degree Arson, filing False Reports (Arson) and False Reports to Public Safety Entity in relation to the fire.

The incident began at around 5:35-p.m. Sunday, with reports of a fire at the Super 8 Hotel located at 203 SE 7th St. in Stuart. Officers arrived and found a guest room on fire. According to Stuart Police Chief David Reha fire alarms were not working in the building at the time of the fire. Stuart Police evacuated the hotel by going room to room. Officers later discovered that one of their vehicles had been intentionally damaged while they were inside evacuating the hotel. The hotel room was a total loss and damage is estimated in excess of $3,000.00. Damage to the police vehicle was estimated at $200.

Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, a cooperative investigation was conducted by members of the Stuart Police Department, Stuart Fire Department, and Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office, which led to McGowan’s arrest. In addition to the arson and false report charges, McGowan was charged with Criminal Mischief,  with regard to the damage caused to a police vehicle.

HERB C. JENS, 85, of Avoca (11-20-13)

Obituaries

November 18th, 2013 by Jim Field

HERB C. JENS, 85, of Avoca died Sunday, November 17th at Avoca Nursing & Rehab Center.  Funeral services for HERB C. JENS will be held on Wednesday, November 20th at 10:30 am at the Hancock United Methodist Church.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

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Family will greet friends on Tuesday from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hancock.

HERB C. JENS is survived by:

Wife:  Patty Jens of Avoca.

Sons:  Curtis (Jackie) Jens, of Ogden & Harley Jens (& Jerece Cheers), of Hancock.

Brother:  Harold (Leanna) Jens of Avoca.

6 Grandchildren

4 Great-Grandchildren

Struggling Iowa State preps for 3-7 Kansas

Sports

November 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State has faced one of the most grueling stretches of any team in the country over the past two months — and it lost every time. The beleaguered Cyclones get someone they believe they can hang with on Saturday.

Iowa State (1-9, 0-7 Big 12) will have its best chance yet to snap a seven-game losing streak when it hosts Kansas (3-7, 1-6) in a matchup of the Big 12’s two worst teams.

Though the Jayhawks scored their first league win by beating West Virginia last weekend, the Cyclones are still favored to beat someone for the first time in Big 12 play.

“Operation Blessing” in Page County needs requests & donations

News

November 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer said Monday, his office is currently taking requests for “Operation Blessing.” Since Clarinda, Essex and Shenandoah have similar programs, the Sheriff’s Office is focusing on children in the other communities and rural areas of Page County. The requests must come from a parent or guardian of the child. The requests can be called into the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or in person at the Sheriff’s Office. There will be a first and second choice for each child. Requests will be taken from November 25th through December 20th.

Operation Blessing was started in the mid 1980’s with the Page County Reserve Officers to ensure that every child in Page County had the opportunity to receive a gift at Christmas. It has continued every year since.

Anyone wishing to donate to Operation Blessing can either stop by the Page County Sheriff’s Office or mail the donation to the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 323 North 15th, Clarinda. When the gifts are ready to be picked up the Sheriff’s Office will notify the parent or guardian that the gift is ready.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to everyone who has helped keep this program going through donations in the past, and the assistance their staff provides through the wrapping and delivery process.

Authorities Seek Help in Identifying Body Found in Harrison County

News

November 18th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in western Iowa are seeking the public’s help in identifying a body found on Saturday, November 16th. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a hunter who had discovered the body of a white male in a rural, wooded area 4 miles southwest of Mondamin.  The body was transported to the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.  There was no form of identification with the body.

The body is described as a white male, approximately 5’11” and 160 pounds.  He has longer grey and black hair and no teeth.  At the time of discovery, he was wearing black Wrangler brand jeans, a blue t-shirt with a pocket, a blue button down dress shirt, a brown-plaid insulated flannel jacket, and a blue hooded zipper sweatshirt with a “Golden Harvest” logo on the left breast area.  He was also wearing Red Wing brand boots, size 12.

This man’s death and identification are being investigated by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.  If anyone information regarding this investigation please contact Iowa DCI Special Agent Chad Fiedler at (712)322-1585 or (402)515-5160.