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Chiefs waive DB Thorpe, re-sign OL Mattison

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs waived Neiko Thorpe on Monday and re-signed offensive lineman Bryan Mattison, who had been waived just last week to make room for the rookie defensive back. The Chiefs wanted Thorpe available to help on special teams and provide some help in the defensive backfield in Sunday’s 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They waived Mattison, who has played 15 games over two seasons in St. Louis and Baltimore, to clear roster space for him. Injured backup defensive back Jalil Brown is expected back at practice this week, and the Chiefs brought back Mattison to provide depth along the offensive line.

Food Allergies in Children on the Rise: Extension Offers Childcare Provider Training

News

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Childcare providers in Cass and area counties have an opportunity to learn strategies and practical skills to provide an allergen-safe and healthy environment, for children in their care. ” Just a Bite: Managing Food Allergies in Childcare,” is a training program sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The training helps providers identify common food allergens for children, understand allergen food labeling laws as well as recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of food allergies. The program will be held October 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Atlantic. The program will be conducted by ISU Extension Nutrition & Health Program Specialist Barb Fuller.

According to ISU Extension, the prevalence of food allergies among children is rising. Officials say they have increased 18% in the last 10 years. Food allergies are more common among children, affecting 6-8% of children under age 4 whereas 4% of the adult population has food allergies. The highest incidence of food allergies occurs among children under the age of 3. Almost 1 in 5 of children in that age group have food allergies.

According to Fuller, “The prevalence of food allergies in this age group, can create life-threatening situations if a childcare provider is unaware of the management and treatment of food allergies.” She says “It often takes just a bite of the allergen to cause a reaction.” Fuller adds that “There are eight major food allergens that account for 90% of all food allergy reactions. Food allergies can be easily prevented and treated by knowing some basic principles.” Those principles will be the subject of the October 25th meeting in Atlantic. Call Rebecca at 712-243-1132 for more information or to register by October 25th.

Redskins Cut Struggling Kicker Billy Cundiff

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have released struggling kicker Billy Cundiff and replaced him with free agent Kai Forbath.

Forbath emerged as the winner in a tryout at Redskins Park on Tuesday. He won the Lou Groza Award with UCLA in 2009 as the top kicker in college football, but he has yet to play in the NFL.

Cundiff was signed late in preseason after he was waived by the Baltimore Ravens. He has been the worst kicker in the league this year, making only seven of 12 field goal attempts. Two of his misses have been from inside 40 yards, including a 31-yard misfire in Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Ailing LHP Garcia Removed from Cardinals’ Roster

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

WASHINGTON (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals left-handed starter Jaime Garcia has been removed from the team’s playoff roster due to a strained rotator cuff and inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that Garcia will be replaced on the NL division series roster by rookie right-hander Shelby Miller.

Garcia pitched only two innings in the Cardinals’ 12-4 victory Monday in St. Louis before leaving with a shoulder problem. An MRI exam diagnosed the injury, and he was scheduled to get a second opinion later Tuesday.

Garcia also missed two months this season with shoulder fatigue before returning in mid-August.

Miller appeared in six games this season, pitching 13 2-3 innings with a 1.32 ERA.

Game 3 is Wednesday in Washington.

Spartans Eager to Shed the Slow Starts

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State heads into Saturday’s game against Iowa eager to start fast for a change.

The unranked Spartans (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) have had to rally for three of their four victories and have been outscored 34-20 in the first quarter. The Spartans have allowed just 23 points in the second half all season.

Coach Mark Dantonio said he was disappointed with the slow start against Indiana last week. The Spartans have not won back to back games against Iowa (3-2, 1-0) in 34 years.

Pachall Leaving TCU, to Enter In-Patient Rehab

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Suspended TCU quarterback Casey Pachall (PAW’-hall) is leaving school for the rest of the semester and enrolling at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Coach Gary Patterson made the announcement Tuesday, five days after the junior starter was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving near campus. That came eight months after Pachall admitted to police that he smoked marijuana and failed a team-administered drug test.

Patterson said most of the inpatient programs like the one Pachall will enter are 30 to 60 days. The coach said that keeps the door open for Pachall re-enrolling at TCU next spring.

Redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin threw for 270 yards and had three interceptions Saturday as Iowa State beat TCU 37-23. The Horned Frogs (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) will face Baylor (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday.

14 IA Water Quality Projects Benefit from more than $13 million in State Revolving Fund Loans

News

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Finance Authority recently approved a combined total of more than $13 million in water quality loans to assist Bennett, Griswold, Kelley, Kiron, Lake Creek District, Laurens, Le Mars, Liscomb, Lohrville, Melborne, Terril, Walker, Wapello and Winterset. Griswold will receive $1.637-million loan for a Clean Water construction project.

The Construction Loans are a source of low-interest financing for these communities to address pollution of Iowa streams and lakes and the Planning & Design Loans will assist with project expenses. The funding is made available through the State Revolving Fund’s Construction Loan and Planning & Design Loan Programs.

The Iowa Finance Authority has awarded Iowa communities and municipalities more than $1.8 billion in Construction Loans and $120 million through Planning & Design Loans since program inception. The loans are made available as part of the State Revolving Fund. For more information on Planning & Design Loans, as well as other State Revolving Fund programs, visit www.IowaSRF.com.

Shawn Eichorst Introduced as New Nebraska AD

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Shawn Eichorst is promising to immerse himself in the culture of the Cornhuskers as he prepares for his new job as Nebraska athletic director.

Eichorst said Tuesday he planned to make few changes within the department, saying the programs were already on the right track under the leadership of retiring director Tom Osborne.

Eichorst left his job as athletic director at scandal-tainted Miami last week for a five-year contract to succeed Osborne. The 75-year-old Osborne — one of college football’s legendary coaches — announced late last month that he will retire Jan. 1 after five years on the job.

Iowa CB Hyde Apologizes for “Stupid” Mistake

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa cornerback Micah Hyde says he made a stupid mistake and let a lot of people down after being arrested in Iowa City last weekend.

Hyde apologized to his family, coaches and teammates on Tuesday in his first public comments since being booked on suspicion of public intoxication and interference with official acts early last Saturday.

Coach Kirk Ferentz has removed Hyde, a three-year starter, as a team captain. He also tightened the team’s curfew after Hyde and reserves Ray Hamilton and Drew Clark were arrested in separate alcohol-related incidents.

Ferentz says he didn’t suspend any of those players for Saturday’s game at Michigan State largely because of their positive behavior prior to last weekend.

Alex Karras with Wife, Kids After Kidney Failure

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

Former Iowa Hawkeye and Detroit Lions defensive star Alex Karras is at home, spending his final days with his family.

Craig Mitnick, Karras’ attorney in a lawsuit against the NFL, says Karras may be dying from kidney failure because his body has caught up to the dementia he suffers from. Mitnick says the family hasn’t yet decided whether his brain will be donated to research the effects of head injuries in football.

The 77-year-old, former All-Pro defensive tackle and actor was surrounded by his wife and kids on Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles.

Karras later joined “Monday Night Football” as a broadcaster and had a well-known appearance as Mongo in the 1974 movie “Blazing Saddles” as well as the 1980s sitcom “Webster.”