712 Digital Group - top

Big spike in gas prices in Iowa

News

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Gas prices in Iowa have increased around 20-cents a gallon in the last 24 hours. Gail Weinholzer, spokesperson for Triple-A (AAA) Iowa, said Thursday that unleaded regular fuel is averaging $3.76 a gallon statewide. “That is 16-cents more than the national average and 23-cents higher than this day last year,” Weinholzer says. Iowa normally has gas prices well below the national average. The sudden rise in gasoline prices across the Upper Midwest is blamed on the closing of two refineries for major repairs.

Weinholzer says the two closed refineries are located near Chicago and are among the biggest in the U.S. One is owned by BP and the other by Exxon Mobile. The refineries are not expected to restart operations until after Memorial Day. “We probably won’t see price relief until the middle of June at the earliest and perhaps as late as the Fourth of July,” Weinholzer says. “Once a refinery restarts, it takes a while for them to ramp up production.” It’s not unusual for a refinery to schedule maintenance during the spring or fall switch to new blends of gas, according to Weinholzer.

“What is irregular is that two refineries would close for such an extended period of time,” Weinholzer says. “However, you have to keep in mind that they are owned by two different companies so they don’t sit down, put their calendars side by side, and decide when their respective refineries need to have their maintenance work done.” Because the refineries are both located in the Chicago area, the price spike in limited to Iowa and surrounding states.

“In fact, of the top 10 states in the country for average price, six to seven of them are in the Upper Midwest and Upper Great Lakes region,” Weinholzer says. She expects gas prices in Iowa will climb even higher by today (Friday). But, Weinholzer believes prices will remain below $4 a gallon.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Chiefs defense wins day during offseason workouts

Sports

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs defense has lived by the bend-but-don’t-break mantra the past few years under Romeo Crennel. Well, that’s out the window now. New defensive coordinator Bob Sutton would prefer to attack from the word, “Hike,” and during the first week of organized team activities, his players have taken quite the shine to it. The Chiefs only intercepted seven passes a year ago, tied for last in the league, and managed to come up with six fumble recoveries. But the new system under Sutton is designed to create confusion for opposing offense and, in theory, lead to more sacks and turnovers.

Asked about the defense, cornerback Brandon Flowers said: “I love it. We’re coming to get the quarterback every play, and as a defensive back, you love that.”

Posted in Sports |

Iowa lawmakers approve agriculture, DNR budget

Ag/Outdoor

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved a $40 million compromise budget for the state departments of natural resources and agriculture. The Senate and House both approved the spending Thursday. The total budget for the next fiscal year is about $5 million more than the current year. It includes a $2.4 million increase for the state Department of Agriculture to study Iowa’s water quality and encourage farmers to implement water quality practices.

Other budget items include spending for the Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The plan also creates a new Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State to study nutrient management practices in the state. The plan now moves to the governor’s office.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Legislature approves protections for farm tours

Ag/Outdoor

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved a bill that provides farmers with additional liability protection for educational tours. The state House and Senate passed the legislation Thursday night. A February ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court said that educational tours for the public are not shielded from personal injury lawsuits under a law meant to promote recreation on private lands.

This legislation revises state law so that educational activities would be included under recreational use protections. Supporters say this will give farmers confidence to continue offering tours. It will next move to the governor’s office. The court ruled that owners of a dairy farm in northeast Iowa could be sued by a woman who was injured when she fell through a hole in a hayloft while chaperoning a field trip.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Senate approves tax break for ethanol fuel

Ag/Outdoor

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An effort to maintain a tax break for ethanol blended fuel has won state Senate approval. The Iowa Senate on Thursday backed a bill that would extend a tax break for fuel that includes ethanol and gasoline for another year. Currently, ethanol blends are taxed at 20 cents a gallon and pure petroleum is taxed at 22 cents a gallon. Those numbers include a 1 cent environmental fee.

Without this bill, both types of fuel would soon be taxed at 21 cents total. The legislation has been amended, so it now moves to the House for approval. Representative Joshua Byrnes, a Republican from Osage, filed an amendment Thursday that would gradually increase the state fuel tax by 10 cents. It’s not clear the effort has enough support to pass.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Iowa early News headlines: Fri., May 17th 2013

News

May 17th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

PLEASANT HILL, Iowa (AP) — A high school senior in central Iowa has been accused of lighting a smoke bomb in a school bathroom. Jason Boothroyd was arrested yesterday after firefighters were dispatched to Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, outside of Des Moines. The entire school was evacuated.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Officials are investigating what may have caused 45 students at a Sioux City elementary school to get sick with a gastrointestinal illness. A Sioux City school district spokeswoman says the students from Bryant Elementary either called in sick yesterday or were sent home early. Three staff members also called in sick. Siouxland District Health is investigating what may have caused the illness.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have reached a spending compromise for Iowa’s public universities and other education programs. The state House and Senate approved the $897 million higher education budget yesterday evening. It’s a compromise including enough money to freeze in-state tuition at the state universities. The legislation now goes to Governor Terry Branstad.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An effort to maintain a tax break for ethanol blended fuel has won state Senate approval. The Iowa Senate yesterday backed a bill that would extend a tax break for fuel that includes ethanol and gasoline for another year. Currently, ethanol blends are taxed at 20 cents a gallon and pure petroleum is taxed at 22 cents a gallon. Those numbers include a 1 cent environmental fee.

Posted in News |

Chiefs announce moves within scouting department

Sports

May 16th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs shook up their scouting department Thursday by hiring Will Lewis as director of pro scouting and Marvin Allen as the director of college scouting. Lewis spent 13 years with the Seahawks, most recently as vice president of football operations. Allen spent the past four years as a national scout with the Falcons.

The Chiefs also hired Randy Ball to be their pro scouting assistant and Trey Koziol to serve as an area scout, and promoted Mike Borgonzi to assistant director of pro scouting, Dom Green to assistant director of college scouting, Brett Veach to pro and college personnel analyst and Ryan Poles to college coordinator.

Posted in Sports |

Mets snap 6-game skid, beat Wainwright, Cardinals

Sports

May 16th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Daniel Murphy and David Wright combined for five hits and three RBIs against Adam Wainwright and the New York Mets snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Jonathan Niese (3-4) allowed two runs on six hits in 7 1-3 innings, his longest outing of the season. He ended his four-game losing streak over five starts since a win at Minnesota on April 12.

The Mets avoided a four-game sweep by getting to the Cardinals ace, who was coming off a two-hit shutout in which he no-hit the Rockies for 7 1-3 innings. Murphy doubled twice and singled with an RBI and walk and was 9 for 15 in the series. Wright singled and doubled with two RBIs.

Posted in Sports |

Drake signs Marshalltown’s Caird

Sports

May 16th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Marshalltown Community College guard Chris Caird has signed a letter of intent with Drake. Drake says Thursday that Caird, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound shooting guard from Daventry, England, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Caird should give the Bulldogs a major boost on the perimeter for first-year coach Ray Giacoletti.

Caird averaged 18 points and six rebounds a game for Marshalltown a year ago, connecting on 41 percent of his 3s. Caird spent three years at Marshalltown, missing the 2011-12 season because of injury.

Posted in Sports |

State Track and Field Championships Day 1 Session 2

Sports

May 16th, 2013 by admin

Girls 2A Shot Put

  • Kaylee Blake, IKM-Manning. 7th, 37’9″, 38’5.75″
  • Cristyn Eischeid, IKM-Manning. 17th, 35’2.25″

Girls 3A Discus

  • Valerie Johnson, Denison. 8th, 116’01”, 110’04”
  • Ashton Weyer, Harlan. 18th, 102’02”
  • Bailey Starner, Glenwood. 20th, 98’02”

Boys 2A Long Jump

  • Chase Rupiper, Kuemper Catholic. 12th, 20’2.5″
  • Casey Burg, IKM-Manning. 18th, 19’7.75″
  • Dane Livengood, Treynor. 22nd, 19’0.25″

Boys 3A High Jump

  • Mitch Bowden, Glenwood. 12th, J6’2″.
  • Tony Dawson, Harlan. 16th, J6’2″.

Boys 2A Shuttle Hurdle Relay Prelims

Boys 3A Shuttle Hurdle Relay Prelims

  • Harlan. 2nd, 58.30. Qualified for finals. Tony Dawson, Conner Clayton, Will Lansman, Austin Hess.
  • Glenwood. 3rd, 58.38. Qualified for finals. Dane Kruse, Mitch Bowden, Kyle Bowden, Sam Jameson.

Girls 2A 3000 Meter Run Final

  • Kaitlan Killinger, Treynor. 10th, 11:39.54
  • Destiny Scar, Nodaway Valley. 14th, 11:53.18

Girls 3A 3000 Meter Run Final

  • Tiffany Williams, Atlantic. 15th, 11:30.26

Boys 2A 3200 Meter Run Final

  • Evan Siegrist, St. Albert. 15th, 10:19.08
  • Colton Graham, Nodaway Valley. 20th, 10:40.47

Boys 3A 3200 Meter Run Final

  • Brandon Phipps, Creston. 13th, 10:07.86
  • Phillip Scrianko, Harlan. 17th, 10:26.06

Girls 2A 100 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Jaedra Moses, Clarinda.  23rd, 13.53.  Did not qualify.

Girls 3A 100 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Kecia Caudill, Glenwood. 12th, 13.24.  Did not qualify.
  • Courtney Magnussen, Glenwood. 13th, 13.26. Did not qualify.
  • Megan Ellerbeck, Denison. 24th, 13.97. Did not qualify.

Boys 2A Shot Put

  • Riley Bach, Kuemper Catholic. 11th, 48’0.5″
  • Jared DeVoe, Clarinda. 17th, 46’3.25″

Boys 3A Discus

  • Andrew Overton, Denison.  5th, 156′
  • Cameron Joy, Glenwood. 14th, 145’5″.
  • Connor Fikes, Glenwood. 17th, 137’7″.
  • Cale Stork, Harlan. 21st, 127’4″.

Girls 2A Long Jump

  • Callie Calfee, Treynor. 9th, 16’3″.
  • Josie Carter, Nodaway Valley.  14th, 16’1.75″.
  • Kaitlyn Pearce, St. Albert.  17th, 15’7″.
  • Blake Bergren, Red Oak.  24th, 14’11.5″

Girls 3A High Jump

  • Dena Baughman, Harlan. 8th, 5″.
  • Liz Riessen, Harlan. 13th, J5″.

Boys 2A 100 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Eric Johnson, St. Albert. 12th, 11.73. Did not qualify.
  • Dane Livengood, Treynor. 15th, 11.78. Did not qualify.
  • Joe Racine, Shenendoah. 23rd, 12.07. Did not qualify.

Boys 3A 100 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Joey Foss, Harlan. 20th, 12.06. Did not qualify.

Girls 2A 4×800 Meter Relay Final

  • Tri-Center. 5th, 09:59.85. Emily Baatz, Alex Larsen, Nikki Paulson, Michell Mumm.
  • Treynor. 18th, 10:16.93. Lexis Rogers, Alyssa Carley, Madison Huff, Tracy Purdy.

Girls 3A 4×800 Meter Relay Final

  • Harlan. 4th, 09:46.26. Bailey Kuhl, Elle Kloewer, Marissa Klindt, Jess Feldman.
  • Creston. 11th, 09:59.91.  Maria Mostek, Emily Wignall, Briley Taylor, Natalie Mostek.
  • Glenwood. 18th, 10.17.11.  Carlie Cooper, Bailey Starner, Hayley Matthews, Molly Dean.

Boys 2A 4×800 Meter Relay Final

  • St. Albert. 20th, 08:32.60. Lucas Luke, Ryan Hansen, Gus Doll, Evan Siegrist.
  • Treynor. 23rd, 08:40.91. Kellin Chambers, Michael Wesley, Ryan Hempel, Ed Talbott.

Boys 3A 4×800 Meter Relay Final

  • Glenwood. 6th, 08:11.41. James Fuller, Jeff Reeve, Brady Wheeler, Jared Cook.
  • Creston. 11th, 08:17.19. Brice Briley, Travis Miller, Briar Evans, Jay Wolfe.
  • Harlan. 21st, 08:27.73.  Jacob Feldman, Andrew Mumm, Nick Hough, Levi Preston.

Girls 2A 200 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Kari Witt, Tri-Center. 15th, 26.98.  Did not qualify.

Girls 3A 200 Meter Dash Prelims

Boys 2A 200 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Ryan Wettengel, St. Albert.  16th, 23.34. Did not qualify.

Boys 3A 200 Meter Dash Prelims

  • Grant May, Glenwood. 19th, 23.52. Did not qualify.
  • Matt Evers, Harlan. 17th, 23.36. Did not qualify.
  • Joey Foss, Harlan. 22nd, 23.55. Did not qualify.

Girls 2A 400 Meter Dash Finals

  • Sarah Schlichte, IKM-Manning. 7th, 1:00.45

Girls 3A 400 Meter Dash Finals

  • Mikayla Evers, Harlan. 8th, 59.42.
  • Alyssa Rihner, Denison. 13th, 1:00.54.

Boys 2A 400 Meter Dash Finals

  • Tucker Culjat, St. Albert. 13th, 52.12.
  • Casey Dykes, Red Oak. 19th, 52.88.
  • Doug Hoke, Tri-Center. 21st, 53.13.

Boys 3A 400 Meter Dash Finals

  • Derek Jones, Glenwood. 5th, 49.60.
  • Jay Wolfe, Creston. 11th, 50.75.
  • Brogan Weddum, Glenwood. 22nd, 52.60.

Girls 2A Shuttle Hurdle Prelims

  •  Treynor. 1st, 1:06.88.  Top Qualifier. Lexis Rogers, Lexi Killinger, Laura Hempel, Chaley Rath.,
  • Nodaway Valley. 20th, 1:12.56.  Did not qualify. Josie Carter, Katy Ersham, Kenna Lundy, Sidney Hohertz.
  • IKM-Manning. 22nd, 1:14.63.  Did not qualify. Bethany Luensman, Carley McConnell, Nicole Langel, Alex Bornhoft.

Girls 3A Shuttle Hurdle Prelims

  • Glenwood. 11th, 1:09.13.  Did not qualify. Miranda Ruth, Ashely Konfrst, Halie Darrow, Olivia Scarborough
  • Harlan. DQ. Did not qualify. Jordyn Moser, Dena Baughman, Whitney Boldan, Courtney Scheffler.

Posted in Sports |