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Special teams feeling special again in Kansas City

Sports

August 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Special teams haven’t been all that special for the Kansas City Chiefs the last few years, at least, when it comes to the punt and kickoff return teams. The Chiefs haven’t brought a punt back for a touchdown in more than two years, and they haven’t had a kick return touchdown in nearly four. They aim to change all that under the guise of Dave Toub.

He was hired by new Chiefs coach Andy Reid after a successful run in Chicago, where Toub helped to turn Devin Hester into one of the most dangerous return men in the game. The special teams overhaul paid off in the preseason opener. Dexter McCluster had a 55-yard punt return and Knile Davis returned a kickoff 79 yards on a banner day for them.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News headlines: Wed., Aug. 14th 2013

News

August 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An Iowa company is dropping plans to slaughter horses in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily banned the practice. The president of Responsible Transportation, Keaton Walker, says that he couldn’t afford to wait for more court deliberations. His company was given federal approval to slaughter horses at the company’s Iowa plant starting Aug. 1st. But a judge issued a temporary restraining order after animal-welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, sued.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A judge has ordered an October trial in a lawsuit that alleges doctors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics conducted an experimental brain stimulation therapy that left a patient’s face paralyzed and then failed to get her proper treatment. Judge Marsha Bergan last week rejected the hospital’s request to dismiss Tamara Stellmach’s medical malpractice lawsuit. Stellmach contends she was injured by a procedure that involves stimulating the brain using pulses of magnetic energy through the scalp. Hospital lawyers deny that.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has again lowered its estimate of this year’s corn and soybean harvest. The move comes after assess the impact of the wet spring in many states that delayed planting and damaged some crops. Early wet weather worries have rapidly shifted to concerns about the return of drought in portions of the dry western corn belt.

ERIE, Ill. (AP) — Federal officials and a Texas company are investigating a pipeline explosion in western Illinois that sent flames hundreds of feet in the air and left a 15-foot-deep crater in a cornfield. The blast occurred around 11:15 p.m. Monday near the town of Erie, about 27 miles northeast of Davenport, Iowa. There were no injuries, but dozens of residents were evacuated for several hours. The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration said that an inspector was en route to the site.

Posted in News |

Cardinals beat Pirates 4-3 in 14 innings

Sports

August 14th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adron Chambers singled home the winning run in the 14th inning as the St. Louis Cardinals outlasted the Pittsburgh Pirates and cut into their NL Central lead with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday night. Sam Freeman (1-0) allowed a walk in a scoreless 14th for the Cardinals, who saddled the Pirates with their fourth straight loss and pulled within two games of them with a win in the 4-hour, 55-minute game.

Pittsburgh had four hits the first time through the order against Adam Wainwright and led 3-0 after two innings on homers by Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer. They had six hits the rest of the way. Both teams had chances in extra innings before the Cardinals, who had dropped four of five, cashed in.

Jon Jay singled off Jared Hughes (2-3) with one out in the 14th with his fourth hit. Jay stole second and then raced home and beat left fielder Starling Marte’s throw.

Posted in Sports |

Red Oak woman charged with arson

News

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

An incident at a group home in Red Oak Tuesday evening has resulted in a Red Oak woman being charged with arson. According to Red Oak Police Lt. John Bruce, officers were called to the Nishna Productions Home located in the 100 block of East Oak Street at around 5:35-p.m., Tuesday, after receiving a report a resident was setting items on fire in her room.

Officers located several burned pieces of paper and noted there was a mild smoke condition within the residents’ room. 18-year old Melody Marie Bentley, of Red Oak, was taken into custody without incident and charged with Arson in the 1st degree. She was transported to Montgomery County Corrections and held on $25,000 bond.

Posted in News |

Beltran in Cardinals lineup vs. Pirates

Sports

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Carlos Beltran was in the St. Louis Cardinals for the opener of their series against NL Central-leading Pittsburgh, making a quick recovery from a bruised right foot. Beltran was taken out in the sixth inning Sunday after fouling a ball off the foot. The Cardinals had a day off Monday and Beltran and the team had been hopeful he could return.

Beltran was batting .305 with a team-leading 20 home runs and 62 RBIs. The switch-hitter was hurt batting right-handed and he was batting left-handed against the Pirates’ Charlie Morton, lessening the chance of aggravating the bruise with another foul ball.

The Cardinals added a hitter to the bench, recalling infielder Jermaine Curtis from Triple-A Memphis and demoting right-handed reliever Michael Blazek.

Posted in Sports |

HELEN MARIE WARNER, 95, of Avoca (8-17-13)

Obituaries

August 13th, 2013 by Jim Field

HELEN MARIE WARNER, 95, of Avoca died Tuesday, August 13th.  Funeral services for HELEN MARIE WARNER will be held on Saturday, August 17th at 11:00 am in the Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan.

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Visitation will be held on Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Burial in the Harlan Cemetery.

HELEN MARIE WARNER is survived by:

Son:  David Warner of Des Moines

Daughters:  Ruth (David) Walter of Omaha & Sheri (Curt) Stephany of Gretna, NE

9 Grandchildren, 13 Great-Grandchildren, 2 Step-Great-Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren and 3 step great-grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Corn harvest lowered, still on track for a record

Ag/Outdoor

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has again lowered its estimate of this year’s corn and soybean harvest, assessing the impact of the wet spring in many states that delayed planting and damaged some crops. Early wet weather worries have rapidly shifted to concerns about the return of drought in portions of the dry western corn belt.

Still, the USDA says in its monthly crop update released Monday that U.S. farmers are on track to bring in the largest corn crop ever this fall and the third largest soybean crop. The department expects a harvest of 13.8 billion bushels of corn, up 28 percent from last year.

Soybean farmers are expected to bring in nearly 3.26 billion bushels, up 8 percent from last year.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Hyundai recalls 239,000 Sonata, Azera models

News

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai is recalling 239,000 Sonata and Azera sedans in cold-weather states because road salt can corrode the rear suspension. The recall affects 215,000 Sonata midsize sedans from the 2006 to 2010 model years and 24,000 Azera full-size sedans from 2006 to 2011.

Hyundai says salt can corrode the rear suspension crossmember, which is part of the vehicle’s frame. In advanced cases, the crossmember could detach from the control arms that lead to the wheels, which could affect wheel alignment and increase the risk of a crash. Hyundai will inform owners next month. Dealers will inspect the cars and repair or replace the defective parts.

The recall affects vehicles registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Delaware and Washington, D.C.

Posted in News |

IA Transportation Commission approves Public Transit infrastructure grants

News

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Transportation Commission has approved more than $1.6 million in funding to support eight public transit projects, including one in Atlantic. The projects are funded under the state Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund. Eight projects were approved by the Commission, which will permit construction/improvement of facilities at five systems in Fort Dodge, Quad Cities, Atlantic, Sioux City and Des Moines. In Atlantic a $162, 240 grant will be used to construct a wash bay addition for the Region 13 transportation system.

The Public Transit Infrastructure Grant Fund provides state funding assistance to Iowa’s public transit systems for new or improved facilities to support their public transit services. State participation is limited to 80 percent and the balance must be matched from local sources.The Iowa General Assembly appropriates funding to this program on an annual basis.

Public transit service is available in all 99 counties. It provides more than 27 million rides a year getting Iowans where they need to go. Visit www.iowadot.gov/transitfor more information on Iowa’s public transit systems, and stay connected with Iowa Public Transit on Facebook

Posted in News |

Drug and other arrests in Mills County

News

August 13th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office say three people have been arrested on drug-related charges. On Monday, 32-year old Kale Garrett Hardman, of Malvern, was arrested at the Mills County Courthouse on a warrant for Failure to Appear on a Possession of Drug Paraphernalia charge. His bond was set at $300. And, on Friday, 60-year old Teresa Ann Dillard was arrested on warrants for Theft in the 2nd degree, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Her bond was set at $6,000. That same day, 45-year old Tammy Lynn Haddock, of Plattsmouth, NE, was arrested on Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, charges. Her bond was set at $1,000.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports also, the arrest on Friday of 27-year old Jacob Dale Bussing, of Council Bluffs, for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. 61-year old Patrick Allen Blanchard, of Pacific Junction, was arrested Friday for Theft in the 2nd Degree. Bond was set at $5,000.

On Saturday, 22-year old Linson Kell’i Sam, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving Under Suspension and Operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Bond was set at $2,300. And, 22-year old Robert Raymond Long, of Omaha, was arrested for Public Intoxication. His bond was set at $300.

Posted in News |