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Big Ten struggling to fill 8 reserved bowl slots

Sports

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

No. 4 Ohio State is chasing perfection and a chance play for a national championship. No. 18 Michigan State has the inside track to the Big Ten championship game. Four other conference teams are bowl-eligible and Iowa could join that list with a win this weekend.

But with only four weeks left in the regular season, the Big Ten is looking at the possibility of coming up short in postseason play again — even before the bowl lineups are announced. With eight bowl tie-ins, six qualifiers and Iowa on the cusp, the last available spot will have to be filled by one of three teams that are a combined 1-12 in league play this season: Illinois, Indiana or Northwestern.

Chiefs active Commings from IR, waive McDougald

Sports

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have activated rookie defensive back Sanders Commings from injured reserve and waived defensive back Bradley McDougald to clear space on their roster. The moves came Tuesday during the Chiefs’ bye week. After impressing the Chiefs during the offseason, Commings broke his collar bone on the first full day of workouts in training camp. He was placed on the temporary IR and the Chiefs had until this week to active him.

Commings was picked in the fifth round of April’s draft out of Georgia. Many scouts believed he had the ability to go much earlier in the draft, but some legal issues during his time with the Bulldogs caused his stock to slide. McDougald, an undrafted free agent out of Kansas, played in one game this season.

Autopsy: Slain Atlantic boy had blunt head injuries

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

LOGAN, Iowa (AP) — An autopsy shows a 5-year-old Atlantic boy’s death late last August was caused by blunt force head injuries and drowning. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner released the autopsy of Dominic Elkins on Tuesday. His death has been ruled a homicide.

A foster family caring for Dominic found his body on Aug. 31st at the bottom of a rural Harrison County ravine. The boy had been living with the family for about two weeks. Cody Metzker-Madsen, a 17-year-old described by authorities as a member of the foster family, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder in connection to Dominic’s death. Additional information has not been released.

Denison couple injured during a crash in Pott. Co., Tuesday

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol says a Denison couple was injured during a rollover accident Tuesday afternoon near Underwood, in Pottawattamie County. Officials say 56-year old Blanca and 54-year old Juan Pacas were traveling east during a moderate rain shower behind a semi on Interstate 80 in a 2001 Dodge Caravan, when Blanca attempted to transition from the right lane into the left, passing lane. As she did so, the driver a non-contact vehicle in the left lane honked their horn. Pacas swerved right and lost control of the van, which entered a ditch and rolled several times down a hill. The accident happened at around 1:20-p.m.

The couple were transported to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Their injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

Iowa’s offense takes step backward

Sports

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — With less than a month left in the 2013 regular season, Iowa’s offense is starting to look more and more like the 2012 version. That’s not a good thing for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten) has taken a big step backward the past two weeks. The Hawkeyes have scored just 19 points in regulation and are now tied for 11th in the Big Ten at 25.3 points per game heading into Saturday’s game at Purdue.

The rushing game, once among the nation’s best, is now averaging a pedestrian 4.3 yards per carry. The passing game isn’t much better, with just 205 yards per game and 12 TDs against 10 interceptions.

More info. released on Montgomery County train jumper

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County have identified a woman from France as the person who jumped from an Amtrak train late Monday evening. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 31-year-old Stephanie Hatt of Savigny sur Orge, France was pronounced dead after being discovered lying along the north side of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of James and Broad Streets in Stanton.

Officials with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad officials reported the woman, who is believed to be a tourist who arrived in the U-S on October 31st, jumped off Amtrak’s westbound California Zephyr at approximately 9:50 p.m., Monday. She was on her way from Chicago to Omaha when the incident occurred.

According to Sheriff Joe Sampson, Hatt became nervous to the point where the conductor had tried to calm her down and get her to sit still, but she bolted from her seat, ran down an aisle, open the door, and jumped from the train, which was traveling at 79 miles per hour. She died from blunt force trauma to the head.

While foul play has been ruled out, it’s still unclear why the woman jumped from the train. Toxicology reports are being conducted to determine if the woman was under the influence of drugs or medications. Red Oak Police, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Amtrak Police, the Iowa State Patrol and Stanton Rescue also assisted in the investigation.

Mills County arrest report

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Mills County report the arrest of five individuals over the past few days. On Monday, 26-year old Scott Eugene Jacobson, of Council Bluffs, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for violation of his probation, the bond for which was set at $3,000, and, he was held without bond, for being a Fugitive from Justice.

Arrested early Sunday in Mills County, was 40-year old Gary Edward White, Jr., of Silver City. White was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $4,300.

Three people were arrested Saturday in Mills County. 26-year old Eddie Valentine, of Omaha, NE, was arrested on an Assault charge. His bond was set at $2,000. 25-year old Seth Ryan Peters, of Glenwood, was arrested for Driving While Revoked. His bond was set at $1,000. And, 19-year old Kelsey Blake Poe, of Malvern, was arrested Saturday night at the Bluff View Motel, on Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Child Endangerment charges. Bond was set at $3,300.

Corning man arrested Monday in Cass County on drug/alcohol charges

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday (Nov. 4th), of 24-year old Cody Jacob Silence, from Corning. Silence was taken into custody on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance, OWI 1st Offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was brought to the Cass County Jail and released Tuesday on his own recognizance.

Joy riding juveniles face charges after stolen car hit and run incident

News

November 5th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Five juveniles face numerous charges in connection with a stolen vehicle hit-and-run incident over the weekend. Lenox Police say officers were notified on Sunday about a hit and run incident in the 100 block of Bedford Av. The driver of the vehicle reported it was parked about 10:30 PM Saturday (Nov. 2nd) and on their return to it Sunday morning, they found it had been severely damaged. Officers identified witnesses that stated the car had been stolen and taken on a joy ride by several juveniles following their attendance at an under age alcohol party in Lenox, Saturday night.

An investigation determined four separate juveniles operated the stolen car at different times. The vehicle was driven on gravel roads to Clearfield where it was operated recklessly. The vehicle sustained a variety of damages and is considered to be a total loss at this time.

Officials say their investigation has resulted in criminal charges being filed with the juvenile court officer. A 14-year old male was charged with operating without the owners consent, an aggravated misdemeanor, a 13-year old male was charged with theft in the 2nd degree, a class D felony and contributing to the delinquency of a minor by providing alcohol to a minor, a simple misdemeanor. A 15-year old male was charged with theft in the 2nd degree, a Class D felony. A 17-year old male was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by providing alcohol to a minor. And a 17-year old male was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor by providing alcohol to a minor and theft in the second degree, a Class D felony.

All the individuals involved are Lenox Junior-Senior High School students. Additional traffic charges are pending against several individuals. All of the juveniles remain in the custody of their parents.

Iowa State Releases 2014 Football Schedule

Sports

November 5th, 2013 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – The Big 12 Conference announced its 2014 league football schedule Tuesday.

The conference shared that several conference games could still have date changes pending network television decisions. One potential conference date changes already identified involve the Cyclones.

Iowa State will play host to Oklahoma on either Thursday, Oct. 30 or Saturday, Nov. 1.

The Cyclones will have seven home games, including five conference games in Jack Trice Stadium.

Homecoming will be against Kansas State on Oct. 11 and Family Weekend is set for the Toledo game on Sept. 20.

Iowa State’s “off” weeks are Sept. 6, Oct. 25 and Nov. 15.

2014 IOWA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

  • Aug. 30 NORTH DAKOTA STATE
  • Sept. 13 at Iowa
  • Sept. 20 TOLEDO (FW)
  • Sept. 27 BAYLOR
  • Oct. 4 at Oklahoma State
  • Oct. 11 KANSAS STATE (H)
  • Oct. 18 at Texas
  • Oct. 30 or Nov. 1 OKLAHOMA
  • Nov. 8 at Kansas
  • Nov. 22 TEXAS TECH
  • Nov. 29 WEST VIRGINIA
  • Dec. 6 at TCU