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Mid-America Council Scouts have sold a LOT of popcorn

News

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the The Boy Scouts of America, Mid-America Council say the  6,375 Boy Scouts in the M-A-C sold nearly $3.5 million worth of popcorn during a recent fundraiser. Of that total, $1.2 million benefited individual Scouts, helping send them to camp, buy supplies for Scouting and participate in activities. The Mid-America Council netted more than $1 million that will be used to help offset the cost of operating camps, and to provide training for Scouts and leaders. This year’s campaign also contributed more than $122,000 worth of popcorn in support of local military families. And, the popcorn campaign is helping send 192 Mid-America Council Scouts to college through a scholarship program.

The Mid-America Council serves 33,701 youth in 58 counties in Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. It’s supported by 9,585 volunteers, is headquartered in Omaha, with a satellite service center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Sunday Sports Capsule – Top Stories

Sports

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AP-SportsMinute

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers tossed five TD passes and the Green Bay Packers routed the Chicago Bears 35-21at Lambeau Field. The 14-1 Packers, who bounced back from their only loss of the season last week at Kansas City, earned the No. 1 seed throughout the NFC playoffs.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose hit a 10-foot jumper with 4.8 seconds left and scored 22 points in leading the Chicago Bulls to an 88-87 win over the L.A. Lakers in their season opener. Kobe Bryant shook off a torn tendon in his wrist and scored 28 points but had his last-second jumper blocked by Luol Deng (LOO’-ul dehng).

DALLAS (AP) — LeBron James and the Miami Heat couldn’t keep the Dallas Mavericks from winning the most recent NBA championship. They did a nice job, however, of getting the Mavs’ title defense off to an ugly start as James had 37 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Heat beat the Mavericks 105-94.

DALLAS (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern opened his lockout-delayed season by hearing boos from Mavericks fans. Stern was in Dallas for the NBA finals Mavs-Heat rematch was booed at the start of the Mavs’ banner-raising ceremony honoring their first championship.

HONOLULU (AP) — Tu Holloway poured in 21 points to lead No. 14 Xavier to an 87-77 victory over Southern Illinois on Sunday in the seventh-place game of the Diamond Head Classic. That ends a three-game losing streak for the Musketeers, who won for the first time since Dec. 10.

Sunday Sports Scorecard

Sports

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final     Green Bay     35     Chicago     21

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Final     New York     106     Boston     104
Final     Miami     105     Dallas     94
Final     Chicago     88     L-A Lakers     87
Final     Oklahoma City     97     Orlando     89
Final     L-A Clippers     105     Golden State     86

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final     (14) Xavier     87     S. Illinois     77

Stomach ailment reported in 5 Iowa counties

News

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Public Health has received reports of eight medium to large outbreaks of probable norovirus in at least five counties. Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. The illness usually begins 24 to 48 hours after exposure and lasts one to two days. The IDPH says three groups of people became ill after eating at a restaurant where several food handlers had also been sick. Outbreaks were also associated with events like holiday parties and holiday potlucks. Medical director Dr. Patricia Quinlisk says if a person has had any stomach illness, he or she should not prepare food of any kind for others until 48 hours have passed since his or her recovery.

The IDPH did not identify the five counties where the probable norovirus outbreaks occurred.

Skyscan forecast for Cass & surrounding counties, Dec. 26 2011

Weather

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

356 AM CST MON DEC 26 2011 NWS/Des Moines

TODAY…SUNNY IN THE MORNING THEN BECOMING PARTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN CLEARING. LOW IN THE MID 20S. WEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TUESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH AROUND 40. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE MID 20S. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW IN THE UPPER 20S. HIGH IN THE UPPER 40S.

Bluffs man seriously injured fleeing from authorities

News

December 26th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A  western Iowa man was flown to an Omaha hospital after the vehicle he was driving went out of control and rolled over two-separate times Sunday near Underwood, in Pottawattamie County. The Iowa State Patrol says 33-year old Justin D. Alstadt, of Council Bluffs, was attempting to flee from officers, when the 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup he was driving left the road near 270th Street and Pinoak Road at around 9:10-p.m., Sunday. The truck rolled over once before coming to rest on its wheels. Alstadt was flown to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries. Officials say he was not wearing a seat belt.

Alstadt was being pulled over on suspicion of having a broken taillight and driving 20 mph over the 30 mph speed limit on Highway 191, in Neola. The trooper who tried to stop him didn’t know at the time, that the Council Bluffs Police Department had issued a warrant for Alstadt’s arrest in connection with a domestic incident which allegedly took place earlier that day.  When Alstadt sped away from the trooper, his pickup reached speeds of 70 mph, sometimes on gravel roads. At one point, officials say the Chevy rolled over, but then landed on its wheels. Amazingly enough, Alstadt took off again, but the chase came to an end when the pickup went out of control and rolled over for a second, and final time.

Officials say alcohol was likely a factor in the crash, as troopers reportedly detected an odor of booze in the the vehicle Alstadt was driving. Charges are currently pending.

Man wanted on 2 warrants arrested Sunday in Shenandoah

News

December 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A man wanted on a warrant for eluding authorities was arrested Sunday morning in Shenandoah, following a foot pursuit. According to the Shenandoah Police Department, 30-year old Alfred Mutchler, Junior, of Shenandoah, was taken into custody in the 1300 block of West Lowell, early Sunday morning. Mutchler was wanted on a Page County warrant for eluding, which carries a $10,000 bond, and, on a Montgomery County warrant for a violation of probation, which carries a $5,000 bond. Authorities say Officer Brandon Allen was on routine patrol when he spotted Mutchler in the 1300 block of West Sheridan. When the Officer tried  to approach Mutchler, the man took off on foot. Sergeant Steve Mather of the Shenandoah Police Department joined in on the foot pursuit, until Mutchler was captured and placed under arrest. Mutchler was unable to post bond and was taken to the Page County jail in Clarinda for holding until he could make an appearance before the magistrate.

Council Bluffs airport revenues increase 50 percent

News

December 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — An audit shows the Council Bluffs Airport Authority revenues increasing 50 percent the last fiscal year and expenditures decreasing 12 percent. Total revenues were just over $2.9 million for the fiscal year ending June 30. Property taxes accounted for more than $575,000, rental income $145,000 and federal grants more than $2 million. There was an increase in federal grants for airport improvement projects. Expenses were almost $1.4 million. Those expenses included $189,000 for employee salaries, $738,000 for depreciation and $142,000 for interest expense. Certified public accountant Mike Massman said the airport is run “efficiently” and that it is a “real asset to the community.”

Chiefs may be playing for Romeo in season finale

Sports

December 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, their roller-coaster season taking one more dip when they lost to the Raiders in overtime. That doesn’t mean they don’t have something to play for in their finale. Romeo Crennel may be coaching for his job against the Broncos next Sunday. The interim coach has already said he wants the permanent job after leading the Chiefs to a victory over Green Bay last week in his first game replacing the fired Todd Haley. Kyle Orton may also be auditioning for a job. The quarterback is a free agent after this season, and general manager Scott Pioli might try to sign him to create competition for Matt Cassel, who went down with a season-ending injury to his throwing hand earlier this season.

Wildlife refuges announce Neb., Ia. deer hunts

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

December 25th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Boyer Chute and DeSoto National Wildlife Refuges are holding a January muzzleloader deer hunt for Iowa and Nebraska hunters. The hunt will run from Jan. 11 through Jan. 18, and will apply to antlerless deer only. Nebraska hunters need a Season Choice Area 21 permit for the hunt. Iowa hunters will need a January antlerless deer license, but they can use similar permits from Harrison or Pottawattamie counties. Boyer Chute Refuge is open to Nebraska hunters only. DeSoto has land in both the states of Iowa and Nebraska, and hunters from both states may hunt.