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Iowa businesses asked to report flood damage

News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa businesses along the Missouri River are being asked to report flood damage as the state gathers more information to appeal a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reject flood aid. FEMA notified the state in early August that activation of the Federal Individual Assistance Program was denied for five counties – Fremont, Harrison, Monona, Pottawattamie and Woodbury. The program helps individuals and businesses with grants and loans. FEMA earlier this month extended Iowa’s request for more time to appeal. The new deadline is Oct. 7. Iowa expects more and more damage will surface as the flood waters continue to fall.

Posted in News |

(updated) Arguments set in Iowa ACLU’s open-records lawsuit against Atlantic School District

News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

(updated 9:55-a.m. Sept. 20th)

A recent settlement between the Atlantic Community School District and the parents of several girls who claimed to have been strip-searched in August 2009 over the matter of missing money, has not ended the district’s legal battles. An open-records case filed over the incident at the Atlantic High School has reached the Iowa Court of Appeals, with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) saying the case will be argued in court, this Thursday.

The ACLU has been trying to find out what discipline, if any, was imposed on former Assistant High School Principle Paul Croghan, and Guidance Counselor Heather Turpin. The ACLU lost its bid in district court to uncover that information, but later appealed. In August 2009, several girls were strip-searched in a locker room at the school after a classmate reported the theft of $100 from her purse. No money was found. Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein  says the district’s case is being handled by its attorney, Brett Nietzche.  Amstein says Nietzche will argue on behalf of the district, that information regarding disciplinary action against school personnel is confidential, and should not have to be disclosed.

The district recently settled a lawsuit filed by families of three of the girls. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Amstein – who was not with the Atlantic Community School District when the incident took place – says with that portion of the legal matter concluded, they’re looking to move on to other issues.

Posted in News |

Corn harvest advances in Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The corn harvest in Iowa is under way with farmers focusing on getting storm damaged crops out of the fields first. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey released his weekly crop report Monday, saying this week’s sunshine will help dry the corn and let the harvest move forward. He says some scattered soybean fields have been harvested but the harvest is a week away for most soybean farmers. Sixty percent of the corn crop is mature, about one week behind last year but four days ahead of normal. Fifty-five percent of the corn crop is in good or excellent condition with just 16 percent being poor or very poor. Sixty-two percent of the soybean crop is in good or excellent condition with just 12 percent being poor or very poor.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

First of 18 meetings is tonight on DNR’s Resource Enhancement Program

Ag/Outdoor

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowans will get the chance to help guide the plans of the state’s Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, known as REAP, at a series of 18 meetings statewide starting tonight (Tuesday) in Cedar Falls. Tammie Krausman is a spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “These meetings are for anyone who has an interest in natural resources and outdoor recreation,” Krausman says. “They should really consider attending so they can give their voice and help shape the future for Iowa’s natural resources and outdoor rec.” For more than two decades, she says REAP has been a positive force in Iowa’s outdoor recreation and conservation activities.

Krausman says, “REAP is a 22-year-old program that’s given out $260-million that has funded parks, soil and water and habitat improvements, roadside prairies, historical development and conservation education.” She says Iowans are invited to offer their views on REAP at the meetings, in addition to a chance to take part in a REAP Congress next January at the Iowa House of Representatives.

“The Congress is a very cool thing,” she says. “You sit at the legislators’ desks and you can vote. People at that time provide motions or votes on what they want to have happen to the REAP program, perhaps they want to keep the formula the same, perhaps they want increase funding for REAP.” Iowa legislators appropriated 15-million dollars to the program last year and 12-million this year. The full funding of the REAP Act is at $20 million. Tonight’s meeting is in Cedar Falls with meetings to be held over the next month in 17 cities, including: Shenandoah, Council Bluffs, Carroll, and Creston. Learn more at: www.iowadnr.gov/Environment/REAP

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Iowa State to host Texas under the lights

Sports

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State will host Texas under the lights on Oct. 1st. The Big 12 announced Monday that the game will kick off at 6 p.m. and be televised on FX. Both teams are 3-0 and have this weekend off, setting up what’ll be one of the bigger games at Jack Trice Stadium in recent memory. The Cyclones stayed unbeaten with a 24-20 win at Connecticut and is received votes for The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season. The 19th-ranked Longhorns trounced UCLA 49-20 on Saturday. They’ll be seeking payback after losing to Iowa State for the first time in 2010. The Cyclones hit the road after playing Texas. They play at Baylor and Missouri before hosting Texas A&M on Oct. 22.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa LB Bruce Davis leaves team

Sports

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa reserve linebacker Bruce Davis has left the team, citing personal reasons. Davis, a senior from Cleveland, suffered a season-ending knee injury last September and had played sparingly this season. Davis, who finishes his career with 20 total tackles, is set to graduate in December. Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz says in announcing Davis’s departure that he and his staff appreciate Davis’s contributions to the program. Iowa (2-1) hosts Louisiana Monroe on Saturday.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa Prep Football Poll

Sports

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school football polls of the 2011 season with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:
Class 4A
Record Pts Prv
1. Cedar Falls (12) 4-0 161 1
2. Iowa City High (3) 4-0 145 2
3. West Des Moines Valley (2) 5-0 143 3
4. Ankeny 5-0 126 4
5. West Des Moines Dowling 4-1 93 5
6. Marion Linn-Mar 4-0 78 6
7. Davenport Assumption 4-0 69 T7
8. Southeast Polk 4-1 41 9
9. Eldridge North Scott 4-0 32 10
10. Bettendorf 3-1 22 NR
Others receiving votes: 11, Cedar Rapids Xavier 12. 12, Marshalltown 5. 13, Iowa City West 3. 13, Ames 3. 15, Des Moines Lincoln 2.
Class 3A
Record Pts Prv
1. Clear Lake (10) 4-0 145 2
2. Webster City (2) 4-0 133 4
3. Denison-Schleswig (2) 4-0 100 5
4. Boyden-Hull-RV (1) 4-0 80 NR
5. Carroll 4-0 77 NR
6. Solon 3-1 70 8
7. Waverly-Shell Rock 4-0 68 9
8. Newton (1) 4-0 67 10
9. Sioux City Heelan 3-1 43 1
10. Adel ADM 4-0 40 NR
Others receiving votes: 11, Decorah 12. 12, La Porte City Union 10. 13, Carlisle 9. 14, Keokuk 8. 15, Harlan 6. 16, Manchester West Delaware 3. 16, DeWitt Central 3. 16, Williamsburg 3. 19, Grinnell 2. 20, Fairfield 1.
Class 2A
Record Pts Prv
1. Iowa City Regina (12) 4-0 156 1
2. State Center West Marshall (4) 4-0 144 2
T3.Spirit Lake 5-0 102 5
T3.Fort Dodge St. Edmond 4-0 102 4
5. Mediapolis 4-0 77 6
6. Osage 4-0 73 T7
T7.West Union North Fayette 3-1 49 9
T7.Monroe PCM 4-0 49 10
9. Carroll Kuemper 3-1 32 NR
10. Dyersville Beckman 3-1 21 NR
Others receiving votes: 11, Alleman North Polk 12. 11, West Liberty 12. 13, South Central Calhoun 11. 13, O-A/BCIG 11. 13, Sheldon 11. 16, Calmar South Winneshiek 7. 17, Central Lyon-GLR 5. 18, Wellman Mid-Prairie 4. 19, Truro Interstate 35 2.
Class 1A
Record Pts Prv
1. Council Bluffs St. Albert (8) 4-0 147 1
2. Emmetsburg (8) 4-0 138 2
3. Woodward-Granger 4-0 123 3
4. Dike-New Hartford 4-0 104 4
5. Logan-Magnolia 4-0 93 5
6. Aplington-Parkersburg 3-1 73 6
7. Stanwood North Cedar 4-0 46 7
8. Lawton-Bronson 4-0 42 T8
9. Panora Panorama 4-0 29 NR
T10.Fairbank Wapsie Valley 4-0 27 10
T10.Inwood West Lyon 3-1 27 8
Others receiving votes: 12, Arlington Starmont 21. 13, Alburnett 5. 14, Jackson Junction Turkey Valley 3. 15, St. Ansgar 2.
Class A
Record Pts Prv
1. Le Mars Gehlen Catholic (10) 4-0 149 1
2. Traer North Tama (3) 4-0 142 2
3. Lisbon (3) 4-0 128 3
4. Lone Tree 4-0 94 6
5. Postville 4-0 90 4
6. Britt West Hancock 3-1 86 5
7. Bedford 5-0 73 7
8. Mason City Newman 3-1 58 8
9. Brooklyn BGM 3-1 40 9
T10.Akron-Westfield 3-1 7 NR
T10.Lynnville-Sully 3-1 7 NR
Others receiving votes: 12, Wayland WACO 2. 13, Rockford 1. 13, Gilbertville-Don Bosco 1. 13, Madrid 1. 13, Marengo Iowa Valley 1.
Class 8-Man
Record Pts Prv
1. Armstrong-Ringsted (15) 5-0 158 1
2. Blairsburg NE Hamilton (1) 4-0 139 2
3. Tabor Fremont-Mills 4-0 117 3
4. West Bend-Mallard 4-0 97 4
5. East Mills 4-0 87 5
6. Janesville 4-0 63 6
7. Newell-Fonda 4-0 61 8
8. Riceville 4-0 53 7
9. Kingsley-Pierson 4-0 41 9
10. Preston 3-1 24 10
Others receiving votes: 11, Moravia 16. 12, Clarksville 15. 13, Wyoming Midland 5. 14, Stanton 2. 14, Murray 2.

Posted in Sports |

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board discusses skate park options

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department’s Board of Directors Monday, continued discussion with regard to the skateboard park, and whether or not it should be moved to another, more centrally located area. Councilman Kern Miller has explored the possibility of moving the park to a lot located across the street from Iowa Western Community College, because it was thought the concrete pad for the half-pipe out at Sunnyside Park might have been originally intended for use as a Parks and Rec maintenance shed, but Mayor Dave Jones said that was never the case.  He says contrary to rumors, the pad was poured for a skateboard park, because the half-pipe is a heavy piece of equipment.

Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said the pad would require extensive modifications in order to build a shed at that location. He added there are other options when it comes to building a new maintenance shed, including a location further off to the south of the skate park. He says the utilities are already in place to make the location useable.

Park and Rec Board members said the proposed location for a new skate park is too small, too close to a local church, and that Iowa Western Center Director Ann Pross was not willing to say either way whether they would want it located on the lot across the street.  Herring said the half-pipe, which was damaged when it was moved to it’s current location, and is currently unusable, can be repaired, resurfaced and sealed, and left where it is, for about $2,500.

He says the location that they have is adequate, if they get some pieces added to the pipe once it‘s repaired, that will make it more user friendly, including “rails.” Herring says the people who use the park are willing to step forward to get the funds necessary to make that happen. Herring says the people who use the skate park vary in age from the early teens to their mid-30’s. He says “They deserve a place to skateboard,”  other than on peoples’ driveways, and city sidewalks, and Herring credited Councilman Miller for his efforts to make sure there is a place for the skateboarders to enjoy their sport.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Schildberg Quarry Trail ribbon cutting to be held Thursday

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring said Monday, a public “Open House” event will be held Thursday evening for the newly resurfaced Schildberg Quarry Recreation Area Trail, around Lake number One. Herring said the trail is done, with the exception of seeding, which has been delayed because of recent rains.  He says the Chamber will hold an Ambassador’s ribbon cutting ceremony at 10-a.m., with another ribbon cutting and public open house later that same evening, from about 5:30-until 7.

The trail he says, has seen a lot of use, but hopes are that the event planned for Thursday will make more people aware of what’s available at the Recreation Area, and the work that has been done to make it more user friendly.

The Parks & Rec Board is also looking at placing bag dispensers at the entrance to the park, so that persons who walk their dogs can dispose of their animals’ droppings. There may also be signs urging people to be considerate of others, by picking up their dogs’ droppings.

Herring said another idea is to include signs showing a map of the trails, and the distance for each trail, so people can keep track of their walking mileage.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Adair Board of Supervisors to meet this morning

News

September 20th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will meet this morning in Greenfield, instead of during their normal, Wednesday day session. During the 9-a.m. meeting at the courthouse, the Board will hold a Public Hearing on the 1st reading of a Redistricting/Reprecincting Plan ordinance, followed by consideration of the 2nd and 3rd readings, and a Resolution to approve the ordinance, signing of the ordinance, and certification of the County Reprecincting Worksheet and Precinct Population. The Adair County Supervisors will also hold a Public Hearing on the 1st reading of a Local Option Sales Tax ordinance, as well as consideration of the 2nd and 3rd readings, a resolution approving the ordinance, and signing of the same.

Other business includes discussion with regard to: the replacement of concrete; the reading of a proclamation and dedication of a1934 U-S Constitution Lithograph purchased from Gary Stephenson, of

Gary Stephenson holds a copy of the type of lithograph purchased by the Adair Co. Board of Supervisors.

Ft. Dodge and professionally framed; and, County Ordinances to Prepare for a Readopting Ordinance.

 

The session will conclude at Noon, with lunch, and an inspection tour of the 3 Mile Lake structures.

 

Posted in News |