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Chiefs’ Houston learning from Hali how to rush

Sports

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Tamba Hali remembers when he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a rookie, and how Jared Allen was too consumed by a spat with the front office to spend much time helping him. Hali vowed to pass along his own wisdom someday. Well, Justin Houston showed up a few years ago and has been like sponge ever since. And the work that Hali has put in helping Houston is already paying off.

He had three sacks in the Chiefs’ season-opening win over Jacksonville. Houston was quick to credit Hali for helping him out, saying the linebackers feed off each other. Next up is Sunday’s game against Dallas.

Hawkeyes, Cyclones looking to establish run

Sports

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has a stable of talented running backs and an impressive line. The Hawkeyes also have issues in the receiving corps and a sophomore quarterback, Jake Rudock, who will be making his road debut Saturday at Iowa State.

The Cyclones also have a number of skilled backs, young wideouts and a sophomore quarterback, Sam Richardson, coming off a sprained ankle. Neither team has a defensive line that opponents might describe as imposing.

It sure sounds like Saturday’s matchup in Ames could be a showdown of teams looking to run, run and run some more.

IFA awards nearly $2-million in grants for IA agencies helping the homeless

News

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Finance Authority’s (IFA) Board of Directors recently approved a combined total of nearly $2-million in federal grants to assist 25 agencies across the state with homelessness prevention and assistance initiatives during the 2014 calendar year. The funding is made available through the federal; Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program, which is administered by the U-S Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, and by the IFA. The purpose of the grant, is to help Iowans and their families quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.

In southwest Iowa:

The Crisis Intervention & Advocacy Center in Adel…which serves 19 counties, among them Adair, Adams, Audubon, Cass, Guthrie, Montgomery, Pottawattamie and Shelby… received a grant amounting to $69, 104, for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing.

The Catholic Council for Social Concern in Des Moines…which serves Pottawattamie, Audubon, Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties…received $71,984 for Shelter and Outreach programs.

Heartland Family Services/Council Bluffs, which serves Pott. County, received $47, 989 for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing.

MICAH House/Council Bluffs, received $47,989 for shelter and outreach programs benefiting the 11 area counties it serves.

And, the YWCA in Fort Dodge receives $91, 564 for shelter/outreach, Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing. It serves 24 counties, including four in the KJAN listening area.

Those and other agencies can use the grant funds for many purposes, including Street outreach, Emergency Shelters and essential services, short-term rental or utility assistance, case management and other, similar services.

JEWEL CATHERINE SWEENEY of Adair (9-14-13)

Obituaries

September 12th, 2013 by Jim Field

JEWEL CATHERINE SWEENEY of Adair died Sunday, September 8th at Morris Community Hospital in Morris, IL.  A Mass of Christian Burial for JEWEL CATHERINE SWEENEY will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 10:00 am at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adair.  Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Internment will be in the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Jewel Sweeney Memorial Fund in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250.

Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

SW IA Electric Co-ops receive a combined $16-million to improve electric service

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today (Thursday) announced funding for projects in seven states, to improve electric service for about 7,000 rural customers. Rural Utilities Service Administrator John Padalino made the announcement on the Secretary’s behalf during a regional meeting of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. The loan guarantees are made available through the Rural Utilities Service of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. They include more than $5 million for smart grid projects and nearly $3 million to improve electric service for Native Americans.

In Iowa, the Farmers Electric Cooperative, Inc., based in Greenfield, will receive $10 million. The funds will be used to serve 305 customers, build 273 miles of distribution line, and make other system improvements. The loan includes $60,000 for smart grid projects. And, the Southwest Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative based in Stanton, is receiving $6 million. The funds will be used to serve 336 customers, build 133 miles of distribution line, and make other system improvements. The loan includes $145,711 for smart grid projects.

Officials say altogether, the more than $136 million in USDA loan guarantees will help build more than 2,200 miles of line, fund more than $5 million in smart grid projects and make other system improvements.

Chiefs’ Charles back at practice with bruised quad

Sports

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles was back at practice Thursday after missing the previous day’s work out with a bruised thigh muscle sustained in last week’s win over Jacksonville. Charles did participate in a walkthrough Wednesday morning, after which Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that he expected Charles to be OK for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Charles had already run for 77 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars before hurting his quad while getting tackled on the first series of the third quarter. He briefly went to the locker room, and then returned to the field before leaving the game for good.

Cyrus Gray and Knile Davis split carries in Charles’ absence.

2 arrests in Cass County

News

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Monday of an Atlantic man. 43-year old Donald Lee Klindt, was arrested on a District Court warrant for Failure to Appear. Klindt was taken to the Cass County Jail and released the following day on $10,000 bond.

And, on Wednesday, deputies in Cass County arrested 39-year old Tara Marie Brosam, of Atlantic. Brosam faces a charge of OWI 1st Offense. She was taken to the Cass County Jail and released later that day on her own recognizance.

(12:40-p.m News)

Cross Country Team Rankings

Sports

September 12th, 2013 by Jim Field

Here are the latest cross country team rankings from the Iowa Association of Track Coaches.

Girls 1-A:

  1. Griswold
  2. Pekin
  3. Central Elkader
  4. North Linn
  5. Earlham
  6. Pocahontas Area
  7. St. Albert
  8. Marquette
  9. South Winneshiek
  10. Tri-Center
  11. Denver
  12. Durant
  13. South Hamilton
  14. Lynnville-Sully
  15. Eagle Grove

Girls 2-A:

  1. Western Christian
  2. Unity Christian
  3. Northeast
  4. Gilbert
  5. Iowa City Regina
  6. East Marshall
  7. Davis County
  8. Dike-New Hartford
  9. Cascade
  10. North Fayette
  11. Panorama
  12. Monticello
  13. Noth Polk
  14. Roland-Story
  15. Spirit Lake

Girls 3-A:

  1. Decorah
  2. MOC-Floyd Valley
  3. Davenport Assumption
  4. Harlan
  5. Dubuque Wahlert
  6. Pella
  7. Grinnell
  8. Dallas Center-Grimes
  9. Bishop Heelan Catholic
  10. Fort Madison
  11. Williamsburg
  12. Shenandoah
  13. Crestwood
  14. Solon
  15. Spencer

Girls 4-A:

  1. Linn-Mar
  2. Pleasant Valley
  3. Ames
  4. Iowa City West
  5. Cedar Rapids Kennedy
  6. Muscatine
  7. Dowling Catholic
  8. Waukee
  9. Johnston
  10. Iowa City High
  11. Ankeny Centennial
  12. Cedar Rapids Washington
  13. Dubuque Senior
  14. Cedar Falls
  15. Urbandale

Boys 1-A:

  1. Denver
  2. Riverside
  3. St. Albert
  4. Trinity Christian
  5. West Lyon
  6. Marquette
  7. Turkey Valley
  8. South Winneshiek
  9. Central Elkader
  10. Nodaway Valley
  11. Boyer Valley
  12. Wapello
  13. Highland
  14. Logan-Magnolia
  15. Pekin

Boys 2-A:

  1. Monticello
  2. Gilbert
  3. Tipton
  4. Shenandoah
  5. Osage
  6. St. Edmond
  7. East Marshall
  8. Unity
  9. Spirit Lake
  10. North Polk
  11. Western Christian
  12. Dike-New Hartford
  13. Mid-Prairie
  14. Iowa City Regina
  15. Albia

Boys 3-A:

  1. Pella
  2. Charles City
  3. Algona
  4. Decorah
  5. Boone
  6. Center Point-Urbana
  7. Bishop Heelan Catholic
  8. Fort Madison
  9. Grinnell
  10. Cedar Rapids Xavier
  11. Ballard
  12. Vinton-Shellsburg
  13. Glenwood
  14. Knoxville
  15. Garner-Hayfield

Boys 4-A:

  1. Linn-Mar
  2. Johnston
  3. Waukee
  4. Pleasant Valley
  5. Dubuque Hempstead
  6. Cedar Falls
  7. Dowling Catholic
  8. Iowa City High
  9. Dubuque Senior
  10. Iowa City West
  11. Cedar Rapids Prairie
  12. Burlington
  13. Cedar Rapids Washington
  14. Ames
  15. Sioux City East

Judge refuses to block new meat labeling rules

Ag/Outdoor

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Meat industry groups say they’ll continue fighting new label rules requiring specific information about the origin of their products even though a federal judge refused to block the rules. The new rules took effect in May requiring clear information about where animals grown for meat were born, raised and slaughtered on labels for steaks, ribs and other cuts of meat.

A judge said Wednesday he won’t issue a preliminary order blocking the label rules, but he didn’t decide the overall lawsuit. Officials at the American Meat Institute trade group for packers, processors, and suppliers say they will appeal Wednesday’s decision and keep fighting the new rules. Seven other industry groups joined AMI in the lawsuit because they say the rules are too costly and don’t provide any health benefits.

Drought intensifies in Midwest and South

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

September 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Heat and little rain continue to intensify the drought in several states including primary crop growing areas. The national drought monitor report released Thursday says in Iowa, the nation’s largest corn producer, severe drought spread to nearly 42 percent of the state up from 32 percent a week ago.   The drought monitor tracks conditions from Sept. 3 through Tuesday morning.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says about a third of corn and soybeans are in good or excellent condition in Iowa down from more than half rated in those categories a month ago. In Nebraska, where drought increased in some areas, non-irrigated corn is in similar shape.

Drought worsened in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.