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Ex-Univ. of Iowa wrestler released on bond in cheating case

Sports

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — A former University of Iowa wrestler has been released on bond after appearing in court to face federal computer fraud charges in a large-scale academic misconduct scandal.

Trevor Graves appeared Thursday before a magistrate at the federal courthouse in Davenport. He was released but ordered to obey a curfew and other restrictions while awaiting trial.

Graves is accused of secretly installing devices known as keyloggers in university computers so that he could record what his professors typed and steal their login credentials.

He then allegedly accessed university systems to change grades on tests and assignments for himself and several classmates and to steal advanced copies of upcoming exams, from March 2015 through November 2016.

The 22-year-old Colorado native last participated on the Iowa wrestling team in the 2015-2016 season.

New Nebraska AD Moos: No plans for alcohol sales at stadium

Sports

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — New Nebraska athletic director Bill Moos, who unsuccessfully tried to start beer sales in the general seating areas at Washington State’s football stadium, says he has no plans for alcohol sales at Memorial Stadium or the school’s other sports venues.

Moos said Thursday that Nebraska doesn’t need to sell alcohol. The athletic department makes money, the football stadium has sold out every home game since 1962 and the Huskers rank in the top 15 nationally in men’s basketball attendance.

Moos said he proposed beer sales to the general public at WSU’s Martin Stadium because he was seeking additional revenue streams for a financially strapped department. Alcohol already was available in suites and club seating areas.

WSU submitted a proposal to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in 2015 and never received approval.

Atlantic Specialty Care receives top national rating

News

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Specialty Care received a rating of 4 out 5 in the U.S. News & World Report 2017-18 Nursing Home Finder report released last month. The report uses existing federal nursing home rating information and federally reported health care data to come up with their own rating system. Criteria such as annual state survey results, medical quality measures, staffing levels and rehabilitation outcomes are all formulated to reach the rating. More than 15,000 skilled nursing facilities in the United States were reviewed.

Administrator Kellie Jimerson says the caring environment the staff provide every day is the reason for their success. In a statement to the media, Jimerson said “We have such a great staff who take pride in what they do and how they care for our residents. Being named a top nursing home by U.S. News and World Report’s Nursing Home Finder is an achievement based on certain measurements. We don’t receive this distinction unless we meet high standards. It’s our caring staff who make the difference.”

Atlantic Specialty Care is a non-profit, 90-bed skilled nursing facility offering rehabilitation services, skilled nursing care, long term care and hospice care. Its parent organization is Care Initiatives, which serves over 3,000 Iowans through 44 skilled nursing care locations, eight assisted living locations, three senior housing apartment locations, and six hospice office locations.

Atlantic Realtor says he’s not running for Mayor

News

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Contrary to some yard signs you may have seen in Atlantic, a local realtor says he’s NOT running for Mayor of Atlantic. Dale Gross said in a statement from Chicago, where he was attending a meeting, that he’s had contact with several of his Atlantic friends about signs suggesting his name as a Write-In for Mayor of Atlantic.

Gross said he did not authorize the grassroots effort, and furthermore is “NOT running and do not wish to be Mayor. No one has permission (from him) to place [the] yard signs” saying anything to the contrary.

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones is running for re-election, and is un-opposed in the bid for the Nov. 7th City election.

DowDuPont seeking buyer for Iowa cellulosic ethanol plant

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

 

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — DowDuPont has announced it’s seeking a buyer for its 30-million gallon, $225 million cellulosic ethanol plant in central Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that DowDuPont has shuttered operations at the Nevada, Iowa, plant and cut 90 workers.

The move is part of DowDuPont’s announcement Thursday it will cut its global workforce by 5-7 percent and shutter some buildings. The cellulosic ethanol plant, which opened in 2015, is considered the next generation in renewable fuel production. It uses corncobs, husks and stalks to produce the biofuel. A skeleton crew will maintain the plant until a new buyer is found.

DowDuPont says the operation no longer fits its strategic plan. Iowa has two other large cellulosic ethanol plants. One is in Emmetsburg and the other is in Galva.

Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali returns to practice

Sports

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali returned to practice for the first time since the end of last season, though it’s unclear when he will be activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Hali’s return Thursday begins a three-week window in which the Chiefs must decide whether to activate Hali or shut him down for the season. The 33-year-old Hali missed the offseason program and all of training camp to rest and rehabilitate his ailing knees.

The Chiefs, who visit Dallas on Sunday, could use Hali’s help after losing Dee Ford to a back injury in Monday night’s game against Denver. Ford has not practiced this week.

Fellow pass rusher Justin Houston has also been limited with a knee injury.

DEBRA KAY ROGERS, 60, of Bayard (Svcs. 11/06/2017)

Obituaries

November 2nd, 2017 by Jim Field

DEBRA KAY ROGERS, 60, of Bayard died Wednesday, November 1st at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Memorial services for DEBRA KAY ROGERS will be held on Monday, November 6th at 10:30am at the Bayard Church of Christ. Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held Sunday, November 5th from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Twigg Funeral Home in Panora.

Burial of her cremains will be in the Brethren Cemetery in Panora.

DEBRA KAY ROGERS is survived by:

Husband: Robert of Bayard.

Children: Chris (Crystal) Abbadusky of Illinois. Robert (Annie) Cook of Carroll. Nicole (Zachary) Wailes of Bayard.

Brothers: Kevin Abbadusky of New Boston, IL. Will Hensley of Winterset.

Sister: Tammy Brommel of Stuart. Lesley Jones of Bayard.

8 Grandchildren

Iowa Board of Medicine issues order pertaining to an Audubon physician

News

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Board of Medicine today (Thursday) issued public orders involving three separate cases to come before the Board. Locally, 42-year old Christopher F. Stubbs, M.D., an  Iowa-licensed physician who practices family medicine in Audubon, entered into a combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement with the Board on October 27, 2017. The Board alleged that Dr. Stubbs engaged in unethical or unprofessional conduct in violation of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa when he provided false information to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the Board concerning his medical school attendance history.

The Board alleged that Dr. Stubbs failed to disclose his attendance at, and termination from, Ross University School of Medicine, Dominica, on applications for the ECFMG Step 2 CK exam, the ECFMG Step 2 CS exam and his Iowa medical license. The Board also alleged that Dr. Stubbs used misleading information on his online employment biography.

Under the terms of the October 27, 2017, combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement, the Board issued Dr. Stubbs a Citation and Warning, suspended his Iowa medical license for ten (10) days beginning October 28, 2017, and ordered him to pay a $5,000 civil penalty. The Board also ordered Dr. Stubbs to complete a professional ethics program and amend his current employment biography to ensure it is not misleading regarding his medical school history and ensure that all such biographies in the future are not misleading. Finally, the Board placed Dr. Stubbs on probation for a period of three years subject to Board monitoring and a practice mentor.

DHS: Iowa will give $60M more to companies for Medicaid

News

November 2nd, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa official says the state will spend an additional $60 million this budget year for private insurance companies to keep running the Medicaid program. Iowa Department of Human Services spokesman Matt Highland said Thursday that additional costs announced this week as part of new state contracts with two companies will total $140.4 million. The state will pay $60.8 million of that. The federal government will pay about $80 million.

The agency announced a 3.3 percent increase in costs at a Tuesday press conference but didn’t specify a dollar amount. It was on the same day that AmeriHealth Caritas, one of three private insurance companies overseeing Medicaid in Iowa since 2016, announced it would pull out after failed negotiations over a new contract.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says DHS has surplus money from a previous budget year that’s expected to help cover the costs.

Stage is set for Wheelers and Hawks

Sports

November 2nd, 2017 by admin

The #2 Audubon Wheelers (10-0) host the #3 Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks (9-0) in the Quarterfinals of the 8-Man Football Playoffs on Friday night at Chiz Jones Field and it should be a terrific contest.

Audubon fought back from two scores down in the opening round to knock off Newell-Fonda 45-33. Remsen St. Mary’s cruised to a 58-13 win over Boyer Valley in round one. The Hawks fought their way through a very tough District 1 this season with wins over Newell-Fonda, Harris-Lake Park, and Graettinger Terril/Ruthven-Ayrshire. Hawks Head Coach Ryan Hajek hopes the grind of the regular season has prepared his team for this moment.

The Hawks are a similar team in style to the Wheelers, they like to run the ball first but can put it in the air efficiently as well. Star running back Canaan Cox has piled up 1,549 yards on the ground and 31 touchdowns. He is averaging 10.8 yards per carry and also has 3 receiving scores to his name. Cox moved into the district this year from North Carolina where he led the state’s independent class and was third overall in the state with 2,343 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns. Quarterback Derrick Shorg is another weapon, piling up 1,256 yards through the air with 17 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions.  His favorite target is Carter Kuchel who has pulled in 33 receptions for 773 yards and 11 touchdowns. As the numbers show balance and depth have been a key for the Hawks all season.

Audubon has also used great balance to get them to an undefeated mark. Quarterback Tyler Reibhoff has 884 yards passing with 15 touchdowns to go along with 1,114 rushing yards and 27 scores. Nolan Smith has rushed for 872 yards and 23 scores. Josh Lange has a combined 10 touchdowns rushing and receiving. Different players have stepped up for Audubon in key moments and Co-Head Coach Sean Birks likes how unified the team is right now.

The win last week for the Wheelers was a big stress reliever after having been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs the previous three years. Coach Birks thinks that win can help his team relax and just play their game this week.

We’ll have coverage of the Wheelers and Hawks on Friday night on KJAN. Chris Parks and Mike Smith will have the call from Chiz Jones field with a 6:00pm pre-game and 7:00pm kickoff. Tune in on AM1220, FM101.1, online at kjan.com, or on the KJAN mobile app. After the game we’ll have post-game coverage followed by the Iowa High School Scoreboard Show from 10:00pm-11:30pm.