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Soriano Lifts Cubs Past Cardinals 3-2

Sports

April 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

CHICAGO (AP) — Alfonso Soriano hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning and the Chicago Cubs beat St. Louis 3-2 on Tuesday night, ending the Cardinals’ run of 13 consecutive winning series. Tony Campana sparked the winning rally with a one-out single off Fernando Salas (0-1). Campana then stole second in a close call that led to the first ejection for Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. After Starlin Castro struck out, Bryan LaHair was walked intentionally before Soriano hit a full-count pitch off second baseman Tyler Greene and into the outfield. Campana scored easily to give the Cubs their second consecutive dramatic victory against the Cardinals.  James Russell (1-0) pitched a scoreless inning to get the win.

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., April 25th 2012

News

April 25th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa-based Meredith Corp. is laying off 80 workers, including 25 in Des Moines. Spokesman Art Slusark says the layoffs are part of a larger effort to “dedicate resources” to meet demands and operate as efficiently as possible. The company employs 3,400 people.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama toured the Des Moines area, rallying supporters of President Barack Obama and helping raise money for the Democrat’s re-election bid. Michelle Obama spoke yesterday at a Windsor Heights community center, thanking volunteers at a public event after greeting donors at a private reception.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Des Moines police say a police officer has been arrested in a hit-and-run involving a squad car. Police say Officer Brandon Singleton was arrested yesterday after an internal investigation that began with his request for a service truck to change a tire. Singleton is charged with hitting an unoccupied vehicle and three drug charges.

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal prosecutor says a former Iowa letter carrier accused of mailing dud pipe bombs and letters to investment firms gathered information about those he threatened and shared it to demonstrate he was capable of finding and killing them. Opening statements began yesterday in John Tomkins’ trial in Chicago.

Crew fatigue likely cause of SW Iowa train crash

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says crew fatigue is the probable cause of a deadly train collision in southwest Iowa. A Burlington Northern Santa Fe coal train slammed into a standing BNSF train near Red Oak on April 17, 2011. The coal trains’ conductor Patricia “Trish” Hyatt and Engineer Tom Anderson, both of Creston, died in the crash. The NTSB says Tuesday that both crewmembers had fallen asleep.

Officials say Hyatt and Anderson also failed to comply with a signal requiring them to operate at a restricted speed and stop short of the standing train. NTSB Chairwoman Deborah Hersman says the investigation draws attention to the dangers of human fatigue. The board says other factors contributed to the accident, including the absence of a system that identifies the rear of a train and stops the approaching train if a safe breaking profile is exceeded.

Iowa House OKs sends mental health bill to Senate

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has voted to overhaul the state’s mental health system, setting up a regional network designed to ensure the quality of services is consistent statewide. The House approved the measure Tuesday on a 65-32 vote, returning it to the Senate where a similar version has been approved. Cedar Rapids Republican Rep. Renee Schulte says relatively minor differences have been worked out and she anticipates quick Senate approval. Schulte says the current county-based system leads to wide variation in the quality of services offered. She says the state will spend about $52 million in taking over some of the services now being provided by counties. Supporters of the change have been working to reshape Iowa’s public mental health system for years.

Google says it will build 2nd data center in Iowa

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Google has announced it will make a $300 million investment to build another data center in Council Bluffs. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company announced at a news conference Tuesday that the center will bring about 50 new jobs to the city. Officials say construction will begin immediately. Google’s existing $600 million data center opened in 2009. Last week the Iowa Economic Development Authority board approved more than $9 million in tax credits to help Google select the Iowa site.

LEONA GROVES, 97, of Massena (Svc. 4-27-12)

Obituaries

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

LEONA GROVES, 97, of Massena, died Tue., April 24th, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.  Funeral services for LEONA GROVES will be held 10:30-a.m. Fri., April 27, at the United Methodist Church in Massena.  Steen Funeral Home in Massena has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 26th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Steen Funeral Home in Massena.

Memorials may be directed to the Leona Groves Memorial Fund, to be established by the family. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com

Burial will be in the Massena Center Cemetery.

LEONA GROVES is survived by:

Her two sons – Richard Groves and wife Carolyn of Massena, and Bobby Groves and wife Charlotte of Rural Atlantic.

7 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, other relatives & friends. ;

Non-injury accident in Atlantic, Monday

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

An accident at 2nd and Locust in Atlantic Monday afternoon caused $8,500 damage, but there were no injuries. According to the Atlantic Police Department, vehicles driven by Dylan Christensen and Phillip Hetrick, both of Atlantic, collided at around 1:35-p.m., as Christensen was headed eastbound on 2nd Street, and Hetrick was traveling west. Officials say when Christensen attempted to make a left turn onto Locust, his vehicle struck Hetricks’ vehicle on the driver’s side door. Christensen was cited for Failure to Yield upon making a left turn.

Council tells resident “Turn off the lights!” In Audubon

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council Tuesday night passed an ordinance dealing with Nuisance Lighting. City Clerk Lora Hansen told KJAN News the measure passed on the first and final consideration. The ordinance entitled “Light Pollution” – pertains to “Obstrusive and objectionable elements of outdoor lighting, including uplight, glare, light trespass and excessive light levels.”

The ordinance, which defines the level of those elements which can be considered obtrusive, was created after the City received complaints about a residence that has what amounts to outdoor floodlights, or security lighting. Hanson said neighbors had complained it was “Like daylight in their house 24-hours a day.”

In other business, the Audubon City Council: discussed matters pertaining to the Landfill Commission; Extended the deadline for a resident to make repairs to an unsafe structure, until July 15th; and, passed a resolution setting the wage for the Public Works Director at $37,500 per year.

Backyard and Beyond 04-24-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 24th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Vicky Christensen, Anita Librarian, about the Anita Library activities and Friends of the Library.

Play

Adair and Cass Co. Supervisors to hold regular sessions Wed.

News

April 24th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Adair and Cass County Boards of Supervisors will hold their regular weekly sessions Wednesday, in Greenfield and Atlantic, respectively. Both boards have relatively light agendas. In addition to regular business and reports, the Adair County Board will hold discussion with Sheriff Brad Newton pertaining to the old Jail/Sheriff’s Office, now that the new Public Safety building is up and running, and, discuss with Custodian Rich Wallace, matters pertaining to Candy Machines.

In Atlantic, the Cass County Supervisors will hear a report from the Southern Iowa Rural Water Association (SIRWA), on their efforts to gather customers for a rural water project in the southwest part of Cass County.

Both meetings begin at 9-a.m.