United Group Insurance

Midwest Sports Headlines: 12/24/18

Sports

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — For the second straight week, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs faltered in their attempt to send the entire AFC playoffs through Arrowhead Stadium. Rather than a relaxing Week 17 with a chance to rest players headed into the postseason, the Chiefs must avoid one more stumble that could cost them a division title and homefield advantage. Kansas City’s 38-31 loss to Seattle on Sunday night kept the Chiefs from wrapping up the AFC West and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes including a 2-yard TD to Ed Dickson with 7:31 remaining, Chris Carson rushed for two scores, and the Seattle Seahawks clinched an NFC wild-card berth with a 38-31 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Wilson got the better of Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and helped lead Seattle back to the postseason after missing the playoffs a year ago.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Kansas is likely to fall out of the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press college basketball poll following its 80-76 loss to No. 18 Arizona State. No. 2 Duke could move back into the top of the AP Top 25 after surviving a test against No. 12 Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nick Norton scored 14 of his career-high 31 points in the second overtime and Drake beat San Diego 110-103 in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic. Brady Ellingson hit a 3-pointer for Drake in the closing seconds of regulation and San Diego’s half-court heave went wide. The Bulldogs hit seven of their last eight shots of regulation.

Flying today? Patience is the most important thing you can pack

News

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans who are headed to the state’s busiest airport this (Monday) morning will find it even busier than usual as this is among the heaviest air travel days of the year. Kevin Foley, executive director of the Des Moines Airport Authority, says you should expect longer lines at security, more traffic, less parking and plenty of company. Despite all of that, Foley says try to maintain your holiday spirit. “Everybody in the entire airport wants to get you to where you’re going as quickly and smoothly as possible and they’re doing their best, those airline agents are doing their best to accommodate you,” Foley says. “Patience and a smile go a long way. They go much further than becoming impatient and upset.”

Even infrequent fliers know they’re not supposed to bring firearms onto the plane, yet several people still try every year. While the T-S-A rules have relaxed since Nine-Eleven and once-banned items like nail clippers are now okay to bring on board, many passengers continue bogging down security checkpoints by making poor packing decisions. “People forget about weapons of any type, knives or any of those types of things just aren’t going to go through in carry-on luggage,” Foley says. “That doesn’t mean you can’t take them, you just have to put them in your checked luggage.”

Check the website T-S-A-dot-gov before heading for the airport to familiarize yourself with the latest protocols. Also, it’s a wise idea to log on to your airline’s website to double-check your flight status. While you’re at it, visit the airport’s website, too, especially if you’ll be parking your vehicle there. “This time of year, typically long-term and several of the economy lots that are very close to the terminal will fill and you may not be able to park where you normally park,” Foley says. “Know where our additional lots are. We will not run out of parking, however, it may not be where you normally park.”

To be safe, arrive 90 minutes before your flight. Remember to skip wrapping any gifts. Wrap them at your destination as they’ll have to be unwrapped to go through security.

ISU research: just a little weightlifting greatly reduces risk for stroke or heart attack

Sports

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowans aiming to improve their heart health may want to hit a weight room rather than step on a treadmill after learning about a new study from Iowa State University. D.C. Lee, associate professor of kinesiology at ISU, led the research published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. “We found that even less than one hour per week of resistance exercise lowers CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk (by) 40 to 70 percent,” Lee said.  The researchers also found spending MORE than one hour a week in the weight room did NOT yield any ADDITIONAL benefit in terms of lowering cardiovascular disease risk. According to Lee, the workout also doesn’t need to involve a bench press, heavy barbells and weight plates.

“The muscle doesn’t know whether it’s from digging, carrying heavy shopping bags, or lifting dumbbells and barbells,” Lee said. “The stimulation of muscle, I think, is the key in terms of type of resistance exercise on cardiovascular health outcomes.”  The research found the benefits of strength training are independent of running, walking or other aerobic activity. Lee is hoping THAT information encourages people to keep exercising when they aren’t seeing desired results. “People believe in order to get health benefits from exercise they have to lose weight, but we found that the benefits of resistance exercise on cardiovascular disease doesn’t really need weight loss,” Lee said. “So, if you go to the gym to lose weight – if you do resistance exercise, you can get cardiovascular benefits. You should not stop exercising because you’re not losing weight.”

The data from nearly 13,000 adults was analyzed in the study conducted by Lee and his colleagues. They found just one hour of resistance exercise per week reduced a person’s risk for a heart attack or stroke by 40 to 70 percent.

2 injured in Pott. County I-80 accident early Monday morning

News

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A wrong-way vehicle traveling in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 in Pottawattamie County early this (Monday) morning, collided head-on with another vehicle, resulting in injuries to both drivers. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2013 Chevy Equinox driven by 60-year old Debra Ann Havick, of Harlan, was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at around 12:10-a.m., when her SUV collided head-on with a 2006 Nissan Altima, driven by 20-year old Joel William Becerra, of Walnut. The accident happened near the 12 mile marker of I-80 westbound. Following the collision, the SUV came to rest in the middle of I-80, while the car stopped partially in the median.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts. Havik was transported by Underwood EMS to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. Becerra was taken by LifeNet to the UNMC in Omaha.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area (& weather data for Atlantic): 12/24/2018

Weather

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Today (Christmas Eve): Areas of fog this morning; Partly cloudy. High around 40. SE @ 10.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/light rain or flurries. Low 28 20. SE @ 5. W
Christmas Day: Mostly cloudy w/light snow or flurries. High near 40. SE @ 10-15.
Wednesday: Cldy w/rain becoming mixed with snow. High near 39. Thursday: Mo Cldy w/rain. High 44.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 41. Our Low this morning was 18 Last year on this date our High was 22 and the Low was 1. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 55 in 1893 & 1964. The Record Low was -23 in 1983.

2 arrested on drug charges in Fremont County, Sunday

News

December 24th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that Sunday evening, the Fremont County K9 Unit stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 3200 block of Highway 2. During the course of the stop two people were taken into custody for drug possession. 56 year old Scott Blackman and his wife, 55 year old Brenda Blackman both of Sioux City,IA, were found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana.

Scott Blackman

Brenda Blackman

Scott Blackman was arrested for felony Possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana 3rd or subsequent, possession of drug paraphernalia, and Driving Revoked. Brenda Blackman was arrested for Possesssion of Methamphetamine and marijuana. Both parties were transported to the Fremont County Law Enforcement Center. Scott Blackman’s bond was placed at just over $7,866, while Brenda’s was placed at $2,000.

Seahawks clinch playoff berth outlasting Chiefs 38-31

Sports

December 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SEATTLE (AP) — Russell Wilson threw a 2-yard pass to Ed Dickson with 7:31 left for his third touchdown strike, Chris Carson rushed for two scores, and the Seattle Seahawks clinched an NFC wild-card berth with a 38-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Wilson got the better of Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and helped lead Seattle back to the postseason after missing the playoffs a year ago. Seattle’s now made the playoffs in seven of the nine seasons with Pete Carroll in charge, and six of seven with Wilson at quarterback.

The Seahawks (9-6) can wrap up the No. 5 seed and a matchup with Dallas by beating Arizona in Week 17. Carson became the first Seattle running back since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to have 1,000 yards rushing. Travis Kelce passed Tony Gonzalez for most yards receiving in a single season by a tight end in Chiefs history. Patrick Mahomes has 30 touchdown passes on the road, most in NFL history. Tom Brady had 29 in 2007. Kansas City running back Darrel Williams suffered a hamstring injury in the first half and did not return.
UP NEXT
Chiefs: Kansas City hosts Oakland in Week 17.
Seahawks: Seattle hosts Arizona to close out the regular season.

Drake beats San Diego in 2 overtimes, wins Las Vegas Classic

Sports

December 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nick Norton scored 14 of his career-high 31 points in the second overtime and Drake beat San Diego 110-103 on Sunday night in the championship game of the Las Vegas Classic.
Brady Ellingson hit a 3-pointer for Drake in the closing seconds of regulation and San Diego’s half-court heave went wide. The Bulldogs hit seven of their last eight shots of regulation. Anthony Murphy made 1 of 2 free throws to tie it at 93 in the first overtime and San Diego got to the other end for a shot but it didn’t hit the rim at the buzzer.

Norton banked in a 3-pointer to give Drake a 103-100 lead and he made six straight free throws in the final minute. Ellingson made four 3-pointers and scored 25 points for Drake (10-2). Norton made five 3s, hit all 10 of his free-throw attempts and also had six rebounds and seven assists.

Olin Carter III led the Toreros (10-4) with 30 points. Isaiah Wright had 25 points and six assists and Isaiah Pineiro added 20 points and eight rebounds.

Woman killed when SUV hits deer that crashes through the windshield

News

December 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A woman from eastern Iowa died Sunday evening, when a deer struck by an SUV crashed through the passenger side windshield of the vehicle and struck her. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Toyota RAV4 driven by 24-year old Amy Kathleen Smith, of West Des Moines, was traveling eastbound on Highway 30 at Q Avenue, in Tama County, when the vehicle hit a deer at around 5:20-p.m..

The animal went through the windshield and struck a passenger, 57-year old Donna Kathleen Smith, of Walford, causing fatal injuries. Smith died at the scene. The accident remains under investigation.

Macksburg man arrested (Cited & released) for Livestock Neglect

Ag/Outdoor, News

December 23rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater, Sunday night, reported the arrest on Dec. 18th, of 46-year old Daniel Ray Brownlee, of Macksburg. Brownlee was arrested for Failure to Dispose of a dead animal and Livestock Neglect. He was subsequently cited for the offenses and then released.

Authorities say on Dec. 10th, the Adair County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about possible livestock neglect and improper disposal of a deceased cow, in the 3000 block of 300th Street, in Adair County. The caller said the deceased animal had been there so long other animals were feeding on it. A deputy saw the deceased animal from the roadway, and said noted there appeared to be no hay or other food sources in any of the hay rings or around the lot. Some of the cattle were also malnourished.

After he climbed the gate for further inspection, the Deputy found no water in any of the tanks, and the pond was frozen over. As he was documenting the scene, he found a red cow that was on its side and presumably deceased, but to his surprise, the animal was still alive and had been in the process of giving birth, but with complications. The calf was mostly outside the cow and frozen to death. The cow was alive but in severe distress. The deputy then left the area to obtain a search warrant and the assistance of a veterinarian. The vet arrived later that same evening and said the cow needed to be put down.

The owner of the cow (Daniel Brownlee) was notified of the situation and instructed to dispose of the cow in accordance with Iowa Code. When the deputy returned on Dec. 13th, he was shocked to find the animal still alive and still in serious distress, and in the exact same position she was in 69 hours earlier. When Brownlee was again contacted, he said the thought the cow had died. The deputy obtained his permission to euthanize the animal, and contacted the same veterinarian as before.