712 Digital Group - top

Northey: state needs rain for Iowa crops

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says much of the state is dry and in need of rain as the quality of the corn crop dipped slightly. Northey released his weekly crop report Monday saying corn was in 67 percent good to excellent condition, down slightly from last week and 1 percentage point behind the average. Soybeans were in 70 percent good to excellent condition.

Northey says the big issue for Iowa is the need for rain. Topsoil moisture was 46 percent short or very short with 52 percent adequate and 2 percent at a surplus. Subsoil moisture was 36 percent short or very short, 62 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Northey August is a critical month for soybean development and some timely rain would be beneficial.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Fire destroys Bluffs school’s properties

News

August 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A fire over the weekend at an office trailer and separate storage facility owned by the Council Bluffs Community School District has been deemed “suspicious” in nature.

The fire on the property located near the Wilson Middle School and the City of Council Bluffs-owned Pirate Cove Water Park was reported at around 3:30-a.m., Sunday.

Council Bluffs Fire Marshal’s Office Investigator Dan Busch said the fire started in the office trailer. The flames also damaged equipment and supplies in the nearby storage shed, including two John Deere mowers, a front-end loader, a Gator utility vehicle, a walk-behind mower and a number of blowers and weed eaters, as well as painting equipment and supplies. School district officials estimated the damages at more than $100,000.

Busch told the Omaha World-Herald that, while the cause of the fire was still under investigation, it appeared suspicious in nature. He said they’re asking the community for any information they may have with regard to the blaze. A $15,000 reward is available through the Arson Hotline at 800-532-1459.

Friday’s football game between Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson will go on as scheduled at the stadium. Buildings and grounds foreman Joseph Smith said anything damaged in the storage shed that will be needed for the game — number markers and pylons — have already been ordered and should be received by tomorrow (Wednesday).

Posted in News |

EVELYN DELORES SPARGUR, 85, of Anita, (svcs 8-18-11)

Obituaries

August 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

EVELYN DELORES SPARGUR, 85, of Anita, died Mon.., Aug. 15th, at the Colonial Manor in Anita.  Funeral services for EVELYN SPARGUR will be held 11-a.m. Thu., Aug. 18th, at the Anita United Methodist Church.  Hockenberry Care Funeral Home in Anita has the arrangements.

An open viewing will be held at the church from 10-am to 11-am, Thursday.

Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery.

EVELYN SPARGUR is survived by:

Her children: Dawn (Clair) Marnin, of Anita, & Darrell (Loretta) Spargur, of Haughton, LA.

Her sister – Faith Ann (Jim) Van Diest, of Tampa, FL.

6 grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren

Posted in Obituaries |

ALAN BROWN, 51, of Cumberland (svcs 8-19-11)

Obituaries

August 16th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

ALAN BROWN, 51, of Cumberland, died Mon., Aug. 15th, at the Cass County Hopice Center. Funeral services for ALAN BROWN will be held 10:30-a.m. Fri., Aug. 19th, in the Cumberland Community Center. Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Visitation is open at the funeral home: on Tue. (8/16) from 1-5:30pm; Wed. & Thu. (8/17-18) from 8am-5L30pm. Visitation with the family present, is from 9-10am Friday, at the Cumberland Community Center.

Burial is in the Newlons Grove Cemetery at Cumberland.

ALAN BROWN is survived by:

His wife – Shirley Brown.

Two step-sons – Chris (Lindsay) Blaine, of Massena, & Jake Blaine (June Smith), of Massena.

His sisters – Julie (Jerry) Edwards, of Cumberland, & Lila (Darren) Larsen, of Red Oak.

Father – Dennis Brown, of Cumberland;

Maternal Grandmother – Maxine Bruner, of Atlantic.

Posted in Obituaries |

Authorities ID plane crash victims in Iowa

News

August 15th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the names of two people who died in the crash of a small plane near the Des Moines River in central Iowa.

The state medical examiner’s office on Monday said 67-year-old Timothy Griffith, of West Des Moines, and 52-year-old Kendall Belz, of Johnston, died in Saturday’s crash near Madrid . Officials say they died of multiple blunt force injuries.

The vintage World War II plane went down in a remote area that was only accessible by boat or helicopter. The plane took down some high-power transmission lines when it crashed.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.

Posted in News |

Cyclones Ranked No. 18 in Coaches Pre-Season Poll

Sports

August 15th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State volleyball team is ranked No. 18 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason poll. The Cyclones are one of three Big 12 teams ranked in the top-20 of the poll, coming in behind No. 4 Texas and No. 16 Oklahoma.
Iowa State will play seven matches against teams ranked in the top-25. The Cyclones’ first test against a ranked opponent will be on Sept. 5 when the team travels to Gainesville, Fla. to play the No. 9 Florida Gators.
On Tuesday Sept. 13, Iowa State will face in-state rival No. 14 Northern Iowa, whom the Cyclones defeated in straight sets in 2010. The non-conference schedule ends with a trip to No. 5 Nebraska on Saturday Sept. 21. The Cyclones will play two matches apiece against Texas and Oklahoma during the Big 12 conference season.
The Cyclones return five starters from last year’s NCAA tournament team, including AVCA All-American honorable mention Jamie Straube.
Redshirt freshman Hannah Willms was named the preseason Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and Straube and Alison Landwehr were selected to the preseason All-Big 12 team.
Iowa State also welcomes the nation’s 25th-ranked recruiting class.
AVCA Division I Coaches Top-25 Preseason Poll
1. Penn State (54)
2. Southern California (5)
3. California (1)
4. Texas
5. Nebraska
6. Stanford
7. Washington
8. Illinois
9. Florida
10. Hawai’i
11. UCLA
12. Minnesota
13. Purdue
14. Northern Iowa
15. Colorado State
16. Oklahoma
17. Duke
18. Iowa State
19. Dayton
20. San Diego
21. Ohio State
22. Long Beach State
23. Tulsa
24. Michigan
Tennessee
Others receiving votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Pepperdine, LSU, Oregon, Missouri, Florida State, Indiana, St. Mary’(Calif.), Louisville, Arizona, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Miami (Fla.), Clemson, Wichita State, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Cal Poly, Michigan State, Northwestern, Western Kentucky

Posted in Sports |

Cyclones Release Non-Conference Women’s Hoop Schedule

Sports

August 15th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Home games against Iowa and Northern Iowa, along with contests against Big Ten foes Michigan and Penn State highlight the Iowa State women’s basketball non-conference schedule. The Cyclones will face three NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago before opening Big 12 play.
“This is without question the toughest schedule we have faced in my 17 years at Iowa State,” Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly said. “The non-conference portion, as always, has the three instate games, which are always very tough. We also return the game to Michigan and add Penn State to the mix at the Nugget Classic. It will be a challenge, but we are looking forward to the competition.”
The Cyclones, who will play two exhibition contests and 11 regular-season non-conference games, open the season at home on Tuesday, Nov. 1 in an exhibition against Coe College. The Cyclones host Rockhurst (Mo.) in their final exhibition tune-up on Sunday, Nov. 6.
Iowa State kicks off the regular season and its 36th season in Hilton Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 11 against Houston Baptist.
The Cyclones will play the first part of a women’s and men’s doubleheader at Drake on Tuesday, Nov. 15 to open the road portion of the schedule.
Following a home showdown with Northern Arizona on Nov. 20, Iowa State heads west to the Nugget Classic in Reno, Nev. during the Thanksgiving holiday. Iowa State faces Penn State on Friday, Nov. 25 before playing either Butler or Nevada the following day.
Iowa State opens December with two more Big Ten foes. The Cyclones travel to Michigan on Sunday, Dec. 4 for a Big 12/Big Ten Challenge game. Then, on Wednesday, Dec. 7, Iowa State plays host to the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup against Iowa at Hilton Coliseum.
Among the other games on the non-conference schedule are a home game against Northern Iowa (Dec. 20). Iowa State also hosts Buffalo, New Hampshire and New Jersey Institute of Technology in the Cyclone Challenge (Dec. 29-30). The Cyclones face New Hampshire in the first game of the tournament.
Please note that game times and dates are still subject to change. A complete schedule with tip-off times and television rights feeds will be available at a later date.
2011-12 Iowa State women’s basketball season tickets are on sale now starting at just $99. They can be ordered through the Iowa State Athletics Ticket Office by visiting cyclones.com or calling 1-888-478-2925. Single game tickets will go on sale at a later date.

2011-12 Iowa State Women’s Basketball Schedule
Nov. 1                   Exhibition (Coe College)
Nov. 6                   Exhibition (Rockhurst (Mo.)
Nov. 11                 Houston Baptist
Nov. 15                 at Drake
Nov. 20                 Northern Arizona
Nov. 25-26          Nugget Classic (Reno, Nev.)
Nov. 25                 vs. Penn State
Nov. 26                 vs. Butler or Nevada
Dec. 4                    at Michigan
Dec. 7                    Iowa (Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series)
Dec. 11                 Mississippi Valley State
Dec. 20                 Northern Iowa
Dec. 29-30           Cyclone Challenge (Ames, Iowa)
Dec. 29                 New Hampshire
Dec. 30                 New Jersey Institute of Technology or Buffalo
Jan. 4                     at Oklahoma
Jan. 7                     Baylor
Jan. 11                  at Kansas
Jan. 14                  Texas A&M
Jan. 18                  at Texas
Jan. 21                  Texas Tech
Jan. 25                  at Kansas State
Jan. 29                  at Texas A&M
Feb. 1                    Oklahoma State
Feb. 4                    Texas
Feb. 8                    at Missouri
Feb. 12                 at Texas Tech
Feb. 15                 Kansas
Feb. 18                 Oklahoma
Feb. 21                 Missouri
Feb. 25                 at Oklahoma State
Feb. 29                 Kansas State
March 3                at Baylor
March 7-10         Phillips 66 Big 12 Championships (Kansas City, Mo.)

Posted in Sports |

2011 Hawkeye 10 BB/SB All-Academic Selections

Sports

August 15th, 2011 by Jim Field

Baseball:

  • Chad Miller (Creston)
  • Matt Schulz (Glenwood)
  • Taylor Kaufman (Glenwood)
  • Kyle Wheeler (Glenwood)
  • Alex Brown (Harlan)
  • Zach Kurth (Harlan)
  • Derek Schwartz (Harlan)
  • Bryce Berg (Kuemper Catholic)
  • Jacob Schultes (Kuemper Catholic)
  • Nate Connealy (Lewis Central)
  • Eric Toole (Lewis Central)
  • Brett Vanderpool (Lewis Central)

Softball:

  • Elizabeth Metheny (Atlantic)
  • Kristan Clement (Clarinda)
  • Brooke Larsen (Clarinda)
  • Andrea Nelson (Clarinda)
  • Shelby Kramer (Creston)
  • Paige Kinzer (Denison)
  • Kristen Alesch (Denison)
  • Brooke Peckham (Glenwood)
  • Ana VanScoy (Glenwood)
  • Brooke Schaben (Harlan)
  • Jessica Schultes (Kuemper Catholic)
  • Paityn Korner (Lewis Central)
  • Madison Massey (Lewis Central)
  • Becca Leininger (Red Oak)
  • Caitlin Smith (Red Oak)
  • Ellaine Walker (Red Oak)
  • Kristin Comstock (Shenandoah)
  • Ashley McGinnis (Shenandoah)

Posted in Sports |

Corning man arrested on OWI charge

News

August 15th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Lenox Police Department reports a Corning man was arrested Saturday on a couple of charges. 56-year old Jeff E. Mendenhall was taken into custody at around 11:40-p.m., on charges of Speeding/79-in a 55-mile per hour zone, and OWI/2nd offense.

Mendenhall was transported to the Taylor County Jail, and held pending a court appearance.

Posted in News |

Atlantic Police report: 3 arrests & 2 accidents

News

August 15th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police report two Atlantic residents were arrested Sunday. 37-year old Christopher Brown was charged with OWI, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 22-year old Brittiny Sampson was arrested on a Cass County warrant for Willful Injury causing Serious Injury. Brown and Sampson were booked into the Cass County Jail. And, 27-year old Travis Sandbothe, of Atlantic, was arrested Saturday, on a Cass County warrant for Willful Injury causing Serious Injury. He was also booked into the Cass County Jail.

And, the A-PD recently investigated two accidents. Officials say Robert Mailander, of Anita, was cited Friday for Failure to Maintain Control, failure to reduce speed, and for striking an unattended vehicle. Officials say a Semi tractor-trailer driven by David Sanders, of Carroll, was traveling west in the 600 block of 7th Street and had signaled to make a right turn into alley. A vehicle driven by Mailander was traveling west behind the semi, and proceeded to swing out into the center lane to make the turn, when he failed to stop for the turning semi. The P-D says Mailander’s vehicle hit the semi before hitting a legally parked vehicle registered to Joseph Wilder, of Little River, South Carolina. Damage from the accident, which happened at around 8-a.m. Friday, amounted to $20,000.

The other accident happened at around 4:30-p.m Saturday, at 6th and Cedar Streets. Officials say Linda Kelly, of Atlantic, was cited for striking an unattended vehicle, after the vehicle she was driving collided with a legally parked vehicle registered to Don Christensen, of Atlantic. The mishap occurred as Kelly was backing out of a private driveway. Damage from the collision amounted to $3,000.

Posted in News |