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Bugs Badgering Ballplayers Just Part of the Game

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

     ST. LOUIS (AP) – The moth that forced Matt Holliday from the outfield is done causing mischief. What remained of the offending bug was tucked inside a sandwich bag,  perfect for TV cameras and for the St. Louis Cardinals’ star to show it off around the clubhouse.  Holliday was joking around Tuesday, one day after the insect flew deep inside his right ear during in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, of course, it’s a laughing matter, just the latest critter at the ballpark.  After all, midges, mosquitoes and grasshoppers have pestered players in the past.  But this latest call of the wild was something even manager Tony La Russa couldn’t remember seeing before.  It took 10 minutes to get the moth out of Holliday’s ear in the clubhouse. First, the trainers tried turning off all the lights hoping it would come out on its own. Then came the tweezers.

Controversial Cy-Hawk Trophy Will be Replaced

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

  The new Cy-Hawk trophy that was supposed to be given to the victor of the Iowa State-Iowa football game September 10th is going the way of the state’s touchplay machines. The trophy which features a farm family around a basket of corn, was unveiled by the Iowa Corn Growers Association and representatives of the two schools Saturday. But Corn Growers Association C-E-O Craig Floss says fans were not impressed.  “We have received an overwhelming amount of feedback on the new trophy that was unveiled last week at the Iowa State Fair,” Floss said, “We’ve had both positive and negative comments, but I would be remiss to not mention that the overwhelming amount of feedback has been negative.” Floss appeared with representatives of the two schools today (Tuesday) to pull the plug after five days.  “We are announcing that we are changing the trophy as was unveiled last week, and we are going to open up a process that is going to allow Iowans — the fans — to decide what that trophy should be like,” Floss said. Floss said they had sought to create a trophy that representative of the entire Cy-Hawk series between the schools and not just the football game. He says they “missed the mark.”  He says based on what they have heard, they are going to develop several concepts and then let the fans which concept to use to develop a trophy. Iowa State associate athletic director, Steve Malchow, says the creation of the trophy has been wrongly portrayed as Iowa Corn wanting to design the new trophy in exchange for its sponsorship of the series.  Malchow says each of the schools had received considerable input about changing the trophy, and the change to Iowa Corn as the sponsor of the series simply provided the right time to make the change. He says they are eager to move ahead and create a new trophy that is more representative of the “states marquee sporting event, the Iowa State-Iowa football game.” Iowa associate athletic director, Rick Klatt also said the criticism aimed at the corn growers was unwarranted.  Klatt says “unfortunately our partner in the project, Iowa Corn has shouldered most of the burden of the criticism.” He says both schools and Iowa corn collaborated in the development of the trophy and that story has been told incorrectly. Klatt was asked if there had been any fan input before the new trophy was developed.  Klatt says the answer is “no” as it would have been a greater challenge with more input, “The honest answer is that we didn’t consult with season ticket holders or donors are any particular constituency group.” The new trophy will not be given out at the September 10th game, but Floss says they will develop an interim trophy to hand out to the winning team until the revamped trophy is ready. Floss says you can find out more about giving input for the trophy at the Iowa Corn Growers Association website, or at the websites of the two schools.

Rams-Chiefs Game to Benefit Joplin Recovery

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

     KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams will use Friday night’s preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium to benefit the tornado recovery efforts in Joplin, Mo.  The city was devastated by a tornado on May 22 that killed more than 150 people and caused an estimated $2 billion in damage.  Joplin is only now finishing debris removal and turning its attention to rebuilding its infrastructure.  The Chiefs and Rams both visited the town to assist in the recovery effort his summer.  They plan to recognize rescue teams and volunteers on Friday night, along with collecting donations from fans. About 500 volunteers and residents of Joplin will attend the game, and the coaching staffs will wear special shirts and hats to raise awareness of the recovery effort.

Syngenta sues grain elevator over biotech corn ban

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Seed maker Syngenta is suing a grain elevator operator that has banned the company’s biotech corn. Bunge North America, which operates grain elevators across North America, including one in Council Bluffs, recently posted notices that it would not accept corn planted with Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera seed. In the lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Sioux City, St. Louis-based Bunge said the seed has not been approved for export to China.

“We are surprised and disappointed that Syngenta has taken an action which could put at risk a major export market for U.S. corn producers,” St. Louis-based Bunge said in a statement Tuesday. Minnesota-based Syngenta claims Bunge violated federal and state laws and that the seed has been approved for shipment to other international markets, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Korea.

Syngenta spokesman Chuck Lee said only 1 percent of the nation’s corn crop will be exported to China this year. Bunge said it will accept Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera seed once it is approved by China.

“Until this approval occurs, we must protect the integrity of our export supply chain by not accepting Agrisure Viptera and other varieties that do not have major export market approval,” the company said in its statement. “Our obligation to our farmers is to provide access to the global marketplace and the price benefits of that access. Syngenta’s decision to commercialize Agrisure Viptera should not foreclose our ability to sell to a major market – China,” the company said.

China is currently the seventh largest importer of U.S. corn, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Basement collapses from flooding reported in Council Bluffs

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Monday morning’s storm that dumped 4 to 7 inches of rain across western Iowa is causing more trouble for residents of Council Bluffs. Public Information Officer Don Gross says several homes are not livable right now due to collapsed basements. “As of today (Tuesday) , seven homes have had basement collapses that have been severe enough that they have had to evacuate their homes,” Gross said. All of the affected homes are on the west side of Council Bluffs, which was hit the hardest by the flash flooding. The city is also dealing with a collapsed sanitary sewer, which could take up to two weeks to repair. There is some good news – most of the streets that were closed by the flooding are back open.

“There are a few spots that still have a little bit of water on them, but most of the water has receded,” Gross said. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin toured the flood stricken area of Council Bluffs Tuesday. The Council Bluffs recycling center is accepting tree debris free of charge to city residents until further notice.

(Radio Iowa)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th

Trading Post

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

WANTED: A good running vehicle that cost around 500.00….Please call Jenny @ 712-254-3276.

FOR SALE: Motorola W385 and Motorola W755 asking $100 for both. Call 712-762-3400.

FOR SALE: Two Sony Surround Sound systems asking $275 for both.  Call 712-762-3400.

FOR SALE: Brand new in box GemOro Ultrasteam jewelry cleaner – paid $380, asking $300.  Call 712-762-3400

WANTED: Looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom house , trailer or apartment near or around Atlantic or Avoca. Rent needs to be around 425.00 a month and must allow pets (we have a small dog he’s around 12 pounds, he’s house trained and is a very good dog). Please call Jenny @ 712-254-3276.

FOR SALE: 10 drawer dresser: 6 big drawers & 4 small drawers $25; entertainment center $10. 243-1218

FOR SALE: Twin loft bed, wooden, $75.  Entertainment center, honey oak color (pressed laminate), small glass doors, Opening 37″, 46 3/4″ W, 15″ deep, 54″ tall $40.  Set of living room lamps brass/gold look on the base. $20.  Call Lora @ 563-451-9210 or email ljs242000@yahoo.com pictures of everything!

FREE: 2 full grown cats, 2 years old, 1 gray, 1 multi-colored. Both are spayed/neutered and declawed, full bag of cat foot, litter box, and litter. 249-8602.

WANTED: Wide front end for WD Allis – Chalmers tractora nd a radiator for same. 641-788-2167 call after 6 pm.

FOR SALE: Full pickup of firewood. 778-4672

FREE: men’s pants 32×32, 612 W. 6th St. 243-2538

ISU Fans Will Love 2010-2011 Wrestling Schedule

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State’s 2011-2012 wrestling schedule is the Cyclones’ best in memory.  For the first time in years, the Cyclones will grapple with Big 12 opponents Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Missouri at home and on the road. Iowa State will play host to intrastate rival Iowa in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones will also host a National Duals Regional Feb. 12 that will feature six of the nation’s top teams.

“Our fans know wrestling and this schedule provides them the opportunity to see the nation’s top teams,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson said. “In addition to seeing all of our conference rivals, the schedule includes Iowa and Northern Iowa, Virginia Tech and Cornell. We want to be the nation’s premier wrestling program and you can’t do that if your wrestlers don’t wrestle the best.”

The home season begins Nov. 13 with the Harold Nichols Open in Hilton Coliseum. Big 12 foes Oklahoma State and Oklahoma come to Ames, on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, respectively. Missouri is in Ames Jan. 8, Virginia Tech comes to Hilton Jan. 13, and on Jan. 29 2011 national runner-up Cornell makes an appearance in Hilton Coliseum. The home schedule will include a NWCA National/Cliff Keen National Duals regional, which includes Iowa, Virginia Tech, Northern Iowa, Oregon State and Wisconsin.

The Cyclones will also be tested on the road, starting with a Nov. 6 triangular against Army and Boston in Boston, Mass. On Nov. 20 the team will travel to Norfolk, Va. to take on Old Dominion before going on a month-long road schedule that includes Minnesota on Dec. 9, Missouri on Dec. 18, the Midlands Championships on the Dec. 29-30, before wrapping up the road stretch Jan. 3 in Tempe, Ariz. against Arizona State.

Iowa State will travel to Oklahoma to take on the Sooners on Jan. 20 and the Cowboys on Jan. 22 before finishing the regular dual season with a short trip to Cedar Falls to take on Northern Iowa.

Post season action begins with the Big 12 Championship March 3 in Columbia, Mo. The 2012 NCAA Championships are March 15-17 in St. Louis.

(ISU press release)

MARGARET HELEN BREWER, 85, of Stuart, formerly of Casey (8-26-2011)

Obituaries

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

Margaret Helen Brewer, 85, of Stuart (formerly of Casey) died Sunday, August 21st at Mercy West Medical Center in Des Moines.  Funeral services for Margaret Helen Brewer will be held on Friday, August 26th at 11:00 am at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart.

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the service in the Sunny Hill Cemetery in Adair.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Adair.  Online condolendences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Citizens voice their concerns over CCMH Behavioral Health Center’s Future

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A handful of people requested to speak before the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees during the meeting today (Tuesday), in Atlantic. Before the board discussed for nearly two-hours, their options for keeping the Behavioral Health Unit open or closing the unit entirely, they heard from individuals who’ve dealt with mental health issues in their families, educators, and health care professionals. One of those who spoke was Chuck Smith, who said the hospital has met, and should continue to meet, both the physical and mental health needs of the community. He says to stop providing behavioral health services in Cass County would be a “step backwards.”

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring, who served as Principal of the Atlantic High School for 20-years, said he always tried to promote the community to prospective teachers, doctors and others who were considering locating here with their families. One of the selling points, is the fact Atlantic has a full, comprehensive medical facility. Herring says if the BHU were to be eliminated, there would be a void in the programs that we are able to offer. He says we need to be able to provide both physical, and mental health. Herring said the BHU, and other psychiatric services offered to students at CCMH, the Link Center and Behavioral Health Department, have saved the lives of some of his former students. He says it’s the hospital’s business to save lives, whether it’s teen suicide or families who are in crisis, they need to have somewhere to turn to. Herrings says sending them 60-miles away to Des Moines or Omaha, or further, could mean people’s lives will be lost.

Patty Koontz, a Behavior Disorder Teacher, says 106 students had their mental health needs met at the facility, last year. She says no other school district in Iowa has a Board Certified Psychiatrist on-call, available, like the Atlantic School District does. She says sending students elsewhere, would result in a disruption in the “continuity of care” the students currently receive.

The CCMH Board of Trustees Chair Steve Sisler said regardless of what happens to the BHU, they will find a way to provide mental health services to students. The question remains however, whether it will be on the CCMH campus, or elsewhere.

Monday evening accident in Atlantic

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A crash between two vehicles Monday evening in Atlantic resulted in two people being sent to the hospital. Atlantic Police report the driver of one of the vehicles, Thomas Sandbothe, of Griswold, and an unidentified passenger in his vehicle were injured, and transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 71 and 14th Street, at around 6:50-p.m. Officials say a vehicle driven by Brandon Cook, of Bridgewater, was eastbound on 14th Street, as Sandbothe was traveling south on Highway 71. Cook told police he thought Sandbothe was going to turn right onto 14th Street, and proceeded into the intersection, where the vehicles collided.

Cook was cited for failure to obey a stop or yield sign. Damage from the crash amounted to $10,650.