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No. 13 Michigan Kicks Off November Grind at Iowa

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – No. 13 Michigan just finished its best October in years, winning three games after taking just two in its last two years under Rich Rodriguez.  But the Wolverines (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) know the true measure of their season will come during four-game grind that starts Saturday at reeling Iowa (5-3, 2-2).  The Hawkeyes are coming off a stunning 22-21 loss at Minnesota.  They’ve struggled stopping the run, while Michigan ranks among the best running teams in the country.  But Iowa is unbeaten at home this season, and six of Michigan’s seven wins have come in the Big House.  Michigan closes the season at Iowa and Illinois before a two-game home stand against Nebraska and Ohio State.

Iowa State Wary of Upset-Minded Kansas

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State went on the road last week as a double-digit underdog that hadn’t won a Big 12 game – and won by 34 points. Kansas hits the road this week as a double-digit underdog that hasn’t won a Big 12 game.  On Saturday, the Jayhawks (2-6, 0-5 Big 12) face Iowa State, the one team that knows how dangerous a supposedly weaker team can be in this league.  Iowa State (4-4, 1-4) stunned the Big 12 by throttling Texas Tech 41-7 in Lubbock last week. The Cyclones insist they’re on guard against letting Kansas (2-6, 0-5) pull off a similar feat.  The Jayhawks have lost six straight and gained just 46 yards in a 43-0 loss at Texas last week.

No. 9 Huskers Expect Test Against Northwestern Spread

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) – Northwestern brings its spread offense to Nebraska on Saturday, the kind the ninth-ranked Huskers used to go against week after week in the Big 12.  Cornhuskers defensive coordinator says Northwestern’s Dan Persa is close to if not the best quarterback Nebraska has faced.  Persa has been sharing time with the versatile Kain Colter, and the pair has combined to throw for 289 yards a game in Big Ten play.  Nebraska has been playing some of its best defense the last two games, holding Minnesota and Michigan State under 300 total yards.  Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) has won three straight to move into a three-way tie for the lead in the Big Ten’s Legends Division.  Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) is playing its final road game and needs to win three of its last four to become bowl eligible.

Former Cardinals Star Bob Forsch Dies at 61

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Bob Forsch, who threw two no-hitters for the St. Louis Cardinals and is the third-winningest pitcher in team history, has died at the age of 61.  Cardinals spokesman Brian Bartow said Forsch died Thursday at his home near Tampa, Florida.  A cause was not immediately known.  The death came less than a week after Forsch threw out the first  pitch at Game 7 of the World Series.  The Cardinals beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 last Friday to win the championship.  Forsch won 163 games for the Cardinals from 1974 to 1988, trailing only Bob Gibson and Jesse Haines, before ending his career in Houston in 1989. He threw no-hitters in 1978 and 1983, the only Cardinals pitcher to accomplish the feat twice.

Branstad announces IA’s withdrawal from MO. River Association of States & Tribes

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad today (Friday) announced that he will withdraw Iowa as a member of the Missouri River Association of States and Tribes (MoRAST) effective immediately. Gov. Branstad has sent a letter to notify MoRAST Executive Director Michael Hayden of Iowa’s withdrawal.  In the letter,  Branstad said, “I do not believe that MoRAST is the best avenue to pursue Iowa’s interests and priorities.  Rather, I believe more direct discussions with relevant local, state, and Federal partners will allow for enhanced engagement on Missouri River management and better prioritization of flood control over recreational and other uses. 

“At the recent MoRAST meeting in Rapids City, South Dakota, MoRAST was not responsive to the perspectives of some states, including Iowa.  While seven of the eight Missouri River governors have called for a heightened focus on flood control, MoRAST did not actively pursue this goal at the recent meeting.  Moreover, there have been long-standing concerns that MoRAST’s by-laws are too narrowly constrained to adequately represent the diversity of key stakeholders and multiple uses of the River.” 

The Governor cited several examples in the letter of why states must improve the focus on flood control for Missouri River management. Those examples include: 

  • Flooding caused an estimated $207 million in lost crop sales and related economic activity as over 280,000 farm acres were impacted, according to Iowa Farm Bureau estimates.
  • 350 homes met FEMA’s definition of destroyed or major damage.
  • Hundreds of miles of Iowa roads were impacted.
  • 950,000 trees could die from over-exposure to flood waters, according to Iowa Department of Natural Resources estimates.
  • The flooding has severely hampered Western Iowa’s economy.  

Gov. Branstad concluded by saying, “The negative impacts of Missouri River flooding on communities in Western Iowa were immense, and impacted Iowans deserve a fresh approach to Missouri River management.”

ISU Guard Christopherson on Lowe’s Watch List

Sports

November 4th, 2011 by Jim Field

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Iowa State senior guard Scott Christopherson is one of 30 men’s basketball candidates eligible for the 2011-12 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence- community, classroom, character and competition.
A native of LaCrosse, Wis., Christopherson averaged 13.7 ppg and made 86 3-pointers while earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in 2010-11. Christopherson, who is Iowa State’s all-time leader in 3-point percentage (43.7 pct.), achieved over a 3.5 GPA in finance in the spring of 2011 and has been extremely active in the Ames community in his four years at Iowa State.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
The 30 men’s basketball candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, Division I men’s and women’s coaches and fans who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
For more information on all of the candidates, visit seniorCLASSaward.com.

NORMA M. HELMRICH, 92, of Manchester, IA (Svcs 11-7-11)

Obituaries

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

NORMA M. HELMRICH, 92, of Manchester, IA, died Thu., Nov. 3rd, at her home. Funeral services for NORMA HELMRICH will be held 11-a.m. Mon., Nov. 7th, at the Manchester United Methodist Church. Bohnenkamp-Murdoch Funeral Home in Manchester has the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.murdochfuneralhome.com.

Visitation at the funeral home is from 2-until 6-pm Sunday, Nov. 6th.

Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery at Manchester.

NORMA HELMRICH is survived by:

Her husband – Bob.

Her children – Lois (Gail) Casey, of Atlantic, and Patty Helmrich, of Manchester.

2 brothers and 2 sisters, all from Manchester.

2 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Corning couple arrested on assault charges

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

An assault complaint led to the arrest Wednesday of two people in Corning. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office reports 40-year old Lucinda Nicholas and 33-year old Matthew Corey, both of Corning, were each charged with Domestic Assault, following an investigation into an incident which occurred Wednesday afternoon. Officials say Lucinda Nicholas called the sheriff’s department to report she’d allegedly been assaulted by Matthew Corey, but upon further investigation, it was determined Corey had been assaulted, as well. Both were being held in the Adams County Jail.

Local candidates talk about their strengths at a forum in Atlantic

News

November 4th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The candidates at Thursday night’s Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum in Atlantic discussed their interest in seeing the bike trails in and around Atlantic expanded, budget issues, term limits, their goals if elected, taxes, their qualifications, and what their strengths are. Among the Board of Supervisor’s candidates, Don Lappe said his biggest strength is his years in law enforcement, and working with government agencies in that capacity. He said he understands what’s transpired in local government in the past and what to expect in the future. Jeff Richter, who was a self-employed auctioneer for over 35-years before he retired, said his biggest strength is his business experience. He says he also knows how to deal with budgets, based on his experience.

Gaylord Schelling, who retired after 33-years in a teaching career, said his strength lies in his abilities to communicate, and in resolving conflicts. He also said he would be a “Good steward” of the tax dollars. Pat McCurdy said his biggest strength is in the area of economic development. He was one of the founders of Southwest Iowa Egg in the southeast part of the county, which he says created 20 jobs and added to the tax base. He was also involved in bringing Boulders Inn and Suites, to Atlantic. He said he’d like to bring more wind farms to the county, to increase the tax base. Kathy Somers, who currently serves on the City Council, said her biggest strength is her ability to look at both sides of an issue and make an informed decision.

When asked whether or not the Supervisor candidates would be willing to take a cut in pay if that were an option, to cut costs in a tight budget year, Schelling said he’s not running for the job because of the pay, he said he wants a new challenge, and to give back to the county and community to make it a great place to raise families. Richter, Lappe, and McCurdy said the pay is irrelevant, and they too want to give back to the community and bring jobs to the area. Somers said the Supervisor’s pay is much less than the City Council’s, yet she would definitely take a cut in salary. She also said she cares about the community, and hopes to add a more rounded, “balanced membership” to the Board, along with fresh ideas and a youthful exuberance.

The City and County government elections will take place on Tuesday, November 8th.

Backyard and Beyond 11-04-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

November 4th, 2011 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Amy Faust of Sugar Clay Winery near Thurman about the Western Iowa Wine Trail Holiday Event this weekend!

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