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Maryland top N. Iowa 80-66 in USVI

Sports

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

St. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Evan Smotrycz led all scorers and tied a career-high 20 points to help lift Maryland 80-66 over Northern Iowa Sunday night to earn a berth in the finals of the Paradise Jam basketball tournament. Smotrycz grabbed 9 rebounds and scored three 3-pointers in leading Maryland (3-2) in a second-half surge over UNI (2-3). Maryland will face either Providence or LaSalle in Monday’s final.

Dez Wells scored 10 points in the first period, including a layup that gave Maryland a 33-30 halftime lead, and Smotrycz scored 17 points in the second period. Jake Layman scored 19 points, including a dunk on the game’s final play, Nick Faust scored 17 and Wells finished with 16.

Seth Tuttle led the Panthers with 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Deon Mitchell had 13 points and Nate Buss added 11. Maryland beat Marist 68-43 on Friday to advance against UNI.

Iowa News Headlines: Mon., Nov. 25th 2013

News

November 25th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor and congressional delegation are trying to shore up political support for ethanol, which is slipping as the nation produces more of its own oil. Republican Terry Branstad is pushing to reverse the Obama administration’s proposal to cut the required amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Almost half of Iowa’s corn crop goes to manufacture the grain alcohol, which is blended into gasoline.

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa woman who was once held captive by Iranian revolutionaries for more than a year is happy to see the United States talking with Iran. Kathryn Koob told The Associated Press yesterday she doesn’t want to comment on the deal that calls for Iran to freeze its nuclear program temporarily. But Koob says she’s glad the United States and Iran are sitting at the table and negotiating. Koob was one of 66 Americans held hostage in Iran beginning in 1979.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Nearly 100 Iowa families are celebrating having their soldiers home before Thanksgiving. KCCI reports that almost 100 soldiers from an Iowa Army National Guard unit returned home Saturday after a year in Afghanistan. Autumn Eddy says she felt like she was a single parent during the deployment, so she was looking forward to Sergeant Mark Eddy’s return.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hallie Christofferson scored 25 points to lead Number 22 Iowa State to an 89-47 blowout over Drake on Sunday. Christofferson, leading the Big 12 in shooting, was 8 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers in Des Moines.

No. 22 Iowa State blows past Drake 89-47

Sports

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hallie Christofferson scored 25 points to lead No. 22 Iowa State to an 89-47 blowout over Drake on Sunday. Christofferson, leading the Big 12 in shooting, was 8 of 10 from the field, including two 3-pointers, and was joined in double digits by Seanna Johnson and Brynn Williamson with 14 points apiece, and Jadda Buckley with 12. Johnson made it a double-double with 11 rebounds as well.

The undefeated Cyclones (5-0) took control of the game with a 14-0 run to close out the first half, carrying a 40-22 advantage into the break. Iowa State picked up right where it left off, out-scoring the Bulldogs 49-25 in the second half.

Lizzy Wendell led Drake (2-3) with 15 points, including the game’s first score — a layup that gave the Bulldogs an opening lead. Christofferson erased it moments later with a 3-pointer and the Cyclones pulled away.

Audubon City Council meeting on Monday

News

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council will meet Monday evening in a regular session. On their agenda are matters pertaining to a residential sewer backup, the car wash, approval of the Annual Urban Renewal report, a resolution re-appointing Lou Herbers to the Audubon County Airport Authority Board (with term ending 12-13-2017), and a report on the Melissa Thygesen-Maddox Starmer benefit.

The meeting at the Audubon City Hall begins at 7-p.m., Monday.

AP source: SS Peralta, Cardinals reach 4-year deal

Sports

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press that free agent shortstop Jhonny Peralta and the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed on a four-year contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because there was no official announcement. The two-time All-Star needed to pass a physical to complete the contract.  Other media outlets had first reported the deal.

The 31-year-old Peralta was suspended 50 games last season for his involvement in the Biogenesis drug scandal. He returned to the Detroit Tigers at the end of the season, but he became expendable because the team had traded for young shortstop Jose Iglesias.

St. Louis went to the World Series last month and lost in six games to Boston. Pete Kozma and Daniel Descalso are generally good fielders, but were light hitters.

RUBY N. ANDERSEN, 80, of Atlantic (Svcs. 11/27/13)

Obituaries

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

RUBY N. ANDERSEN, 80, of Atlantic, died Sat., Nov. 23rd, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs. Memorial services for RUBY ANDERSEN will be held 2-p.m. Wed., Nov. 27th, in the chapel at the Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home, in Atlantic.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

A Private family burial is planned.

RUBY ANDERSEN is survived by:

Her daughter – Shirley Nabulsi, of Omaha.

Atlantic School Board work session set for Mon.

News

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Directors will hold a work session Monday evening (11/25) at the High School. Items on their agenda include action on: Approval of a pay application for the Middle School renovation project; Approval of employment for a paraprofessional; a technology update from Roger Warne; discussion with regard to Capital Projects, and a closed session for an informal evaluation of the Superintendent.

Their meeting in High School Media Center begins at 7:30-p.m.

Rivers leads Chargers to 41-38 win over Chiefs

Sports

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Philip Rivers threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns, the final one a 26-yarder to Seyi Ajirotutu with 24 seconds remaining, to give San Diego a 41-38 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday and end the Chargers’ three-game losing streak.

The Chiefs had taken the lead when Alex Smith hit Dwayne Bowe in tight coverage for a go-ahead score with 1:22 left. But the Chargers (5-6) still had two timeouts, and they used both of them to quickly move downfield. Ajirotutu’s TD was just his third catch of the season. It also represented the eighth and final lead change in the game.

Smith threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs, who dropped their second straight after a 9-0 start. They also lost top pass rusher Tamba Hali and Justin Houston to injuries and now have to turn their attention to the Denver Broncos next week.

(Update): Witness says pickup was weaving before 3 vehicle accident in Atlantic Sunday afternoon

News

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Medivac Ambulance responded to a three-car accident Sunday afternoon on Highway 6 (7Th Street), near Wal-Mart. The accident happened at around 2:50-p.m.

Ric Hanson photos

Ric Hanson photos

 

Multiple injuries were reported. One female complained of a head injury, another had a leg injury, while a male inside another vehicle was also injuries, the extent unknown at the time Atlantic Police arrived on the scene.IMG_20131124_150916_244

A witness to the crash told KJAN News a red pickup had been traveling east on Highway 6 near the intersection with Hospital Drive by McDonald’s, and allegedly ran the stop light at the intersection. The truck continued eastbound and swerved to avoid an SUV waiting at the stop lights at the north entrance to the Wal-Mart Store. The SUV then hit the rear of a white SUV, which was also waiting at the stop light. That vehicle the pulled off onto the entrance drive to Wal-Mart, while the pickup and the other SUV remained on the road.

Iowans worry about ethanol’s lost political clout

Ag/Outdoor

November 24th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s governor and congressional delegation are trying to shore up political support for ethanol, which is slipping as the nation produces more of its own oil. Gov. Terry Branstad is pushing to reverse the Obama administration’s proposal to cut the required amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply. Almost half of Iowa’s corn crop goes to manufacture the grain alcohol, which is blended into gasoline.

Presidential candidates traditionally supported the federal mandate when they campaigned in Iowa, but many now say it is no longer justified. Environmentalists have complained about impact of expanded corn production. But Branstad says the federal mandate is important to Iowa farmers with corn prices low.