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Red Oak Police report (6/14/17)

News

June 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report two people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday. At around 10:40-p.m., 19-year old Dawson Allen Squires, of Red Oak, was arrested in the 700 block of N. 3rd Street, for Public Intoxication. He was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center (LEC) on a $300 cash bond.

And, just before 9-p.m., Tuesday, a juvenile male was arrested in the 400 block of E. Hammond Street, for Simple Assault. The juvenile was transported to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center, cited into juvenile court and then released to his parents.

 

Cardinals tab Cal-State Fullerton’s Scott Hurst as their first pick in 2017 MLB draft

Sports

June 14th, 2017 by admin

ST. LOUIS, Mo., June 13, 2017 – The St. Louis Cardinals selected eight players on the second day of the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.  Three pitchers, two outfielders, two infielders and one catcher made up their first selections in rounds 3-through-10 that were held today.

Scott Hurst, the Cardinals third round pick out of Cal State Fullerton, is a 5-foot-10, 175 lb., centerfielder. The left-handed-hitting junior is batting a team-leading .332 with 12 home runs, five triples, 15 doubles and 39 RBI in 61 games for the Titans. Named to the Big West Conference First Team, Hurst leads the conference in runs scored (54) and total bases (141), ranks 2nd in home runs, and 3rd in slugging percentage (.585) and triples. Earlier this season, Hurst went 5-for-5 with a school-record four home runs against Cal State-Northridge on May 20. Cal State Fullerton faces Oregon State in their opening game of the College World Series on Saturday, June 17.

Kramer Robertson, the Cardinals fourth round pick out of Louisiana State University, is a 5-foot-10, 166 lb., senior shortstop who was recognized as a Third Team All-American and Second Team All-SEC selection this season. Robertson was batting .319 with eight homers, three triples, 18 doubles, 43 RBI and a Division 1-leading 83 runs scored for the Tigers, who face Florida State in their opening game of the College World Series on Saturday, June 17.  As a junior, Robertson was voted Second Team All-American and First Team All-SEC before selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 32nd round of the of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Prior to LSU, Robertson was an All-American and All-State infielder at Midway High School in Waco, Texas, also playing quarterback for the football team and point guard for the basketball squad. His mother, Kim Mulkey, is the head women’s basketball coach at Baylor University and was a 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in basketball in Los Angeles, Calif. His father, Randy, played quarterback at Louisiana Tech.

Zach Kirtley, the Cardinals fifth round pick out of Saint Mary’s College, is a 6-foot-1, 190 lb., junior second baseman. Recognized as a West Coast Conference Honorable Mention, he batted .292 with five home runs, 16 doubles and 42 RBI in 57 games, while leading the Gaels in walks (43) and on-base percentage (.433). Kirtley was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2015, batting .346 with a team-leading 72 hits, 35 runs, 29 RBI and 12 doubles in 54 games while ranking fourth in the WCC in on-base percentage (.429)

Zach Jackson, the Cardinals sixth round pick out of Winter Haven (Fla.) High School, is a 6-foot-3, 215 lb. catcher. After moving from Haines City (Fla.) High School, the backstop batted .441 with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 95 plate appearances as a senior. He signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Florida.

Chase Pinder, the Cardinals seventh round pick out of Clemson University is a 6-foot-1, 190 lb. outfielder. Pinder batted .305 with seven home runs, 16 doubles, 32 RBI and 13 stolen bases for the Tigers in 61 games as a junior, earning All-ACC Third-Team honors. An accomplished studio artist, Chase is a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll majoring in sports communications. He is the younger brother of Oakland Athletics infielder Chad Pinder. His father, Chris, played college baseball at Florida State University and Virginia Commonwealth.

Wilberto Rivera, the Cardinals eighth round pick out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Florida, Puerto Rico, is a 6-foot-3, 207 lb., right-handed pitcher. The 18-year-old committed to play next season at Florida International University.

Evan Kruczynski (pronounced Kruh-zen-ski), the Cardinals ninth round pick out of East Carolina University, is a 6-foot-5, 215 lb. left-handed pitcher. The senior southpaw was a preseason All-American, but pitched in only 10 games due to an ankle injury, going 4-3 with a 4.47 ERA. Last season, the left-hander was 8-1 with a 2.01 ERA in 17 starts for the Pirates, ranking 10th among NCAA pitchers in starts and ERA. He pitched the Pirates to an 8-6 win over Texas Tech in the Lubbock Super Regional.

Brett Seeburger, the Cardinals 10th round pick out of San Diego State University, is a 6-foot-2, 225 lb., left-handed pitcher. The college senior was the 2017 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and the first Aztec to earn the honor since Stephen Strasburg in 2009. Seeburger went 10-3 with a 4.53 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 15 starts for the Aztecs, leading the MWC in wins, ranking T2nd in starts, 3rd in ERA, T5th in strikeouts, and 7th in opposing batting average (.281)

The Cardinals will complete the 2017 MLB Draft with rounds 11-40 on Wednesday.

2017 FIRST-YEAR PLAYER DRAFT – RECAP
Rd., Player (overall pick)          Pos.        B-T     Ht.      Wt.     School                                                        Hometown
3.  Scott Hurst (94)                       CF           L-R      5-10    175     Cal State University, Fullerton             Glendora, Calif.
4.  Kramer Robertson (124)        SS            R-R     5-10    166     Louisiana State University                    McGregor, Texas
5.  Zach Kirtley (154)                   2B           R-R     6-1      190     St. Mary’s (Calif.) College                      Highland, Calif.
6.  Zach Jackson (184)                 C              L-R      6-3      215     Winter Haven (Fla.) HS                          Haines City, Fla.
7.  Chase Pinder (214)                  CF           R-R     6-1      190     Clemson University                                Poquoson, Va.
8.  Wilberto Rivera (244)            RHP        R-R     6-3      207     Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy       Naranjito, Puerto Rico
9.  Evan Kruczynski (274)          LHP        L-L      6-5      215     East Carolina University                        Franklin, Wis.
10.  Brett Seeburger (304)             LHP        L-L      6-2      225     San Diego State University                    Oceanside, Calif.

Shaw, Broxton homer as Brewers beat Cards 8-5 to split DH

Sports

June 14th, 2017 by admin

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Keon Broxton and Travis Shaw each hit solo home runs and combined for five RBI to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 and split their day-night doubleheader on Tuesday.

The Cardinals won the opener 6-0 behind Jose Martinez’s two home runs.

In the nightcap, Shaw’s eighth inning single against Trevor Rosenthal (1-3) broke a 5-5 tie. Shaw, who was reinstated from a family medical emergency before the doubleheader, went 2-for-5 in the second game and drove in two runs.

Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson went 5 2/3 innings, but is still winless in 11 career games (10 starts) against the Cardinals. He gave up nine hits, two walks and struck out four.

Jared Hughes (2-1) got the decision after giving up a game-tying homer to Matt Carpenter. Corey Knebel earned his ninth saves in 12 opportunities.

Midwest Sports Brief (6/14/17)

Sports

June 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Keon Broxton and Travis Shaw each hit solo home runs and combined for five RBI to help the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-5 and split their day-night doubleheader yesterday. The Cardinals won the opener 6-0 behind Jose Martinez’s two home runs.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Alcides Escobar hit a two-run double as part of a six-run sixth inning and the Kansas City Royals beat the San Francisco Giants 8-1 last night. Jorge Bonifacio drove in three runs and snapped an 0-for-13 drought, Alex Gordon added two hits and two runs, while Whit Merrifield had a bases-loaded triple to help Kansas City to a win.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Dontari Poe has passed his weigh-in before his first minicamp with the Atlanta Falcons, earning the defensive tackle a $125,000 bonus. Poe needed to weigh no more than 340 yesterday to collect the bonus. Poe, a two-time Pro Bowl selection with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed a one-year, $8 million deal with weight-incentive clauses.

CHICAGO (AP) — Matt Davidson hit his first career grand slam, Derek Holland scattered eight hits over six innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 last night. Jose Abreu went 3 for 4 and Avisail Garcia had a two-run double as Chicago won its second straight after dropping nine of 11.

 

Iowa News Headlines: Wed., June 14th 2017

News

June 14th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

WILLIAMSON, Iowa – A road construction worker from Waterloo was killed in southern Iowa’s Lucas County, Tuesday afternoon, when she was struck by an SUV. The Iowa State Patrol says 48-year old Barbarella Ann Moore, who was working as a road construction flagger, died at around 3:30-p.m., when she was struck by a 2016 Chevy Equinox driven by 32-year old Brady Ryan Rasmus, of Chariton. The accident happened on Lucas County Road S-45, about 1/4 of a mile south of 570th Street.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University has sold former president Steven Leath’s airplane for $48,000 less than it paid three years ago. ISU said Tuesday that it’s sold the Cirrus for $450,000, despite Leath’s prediction that it would turn a profit. Leath pledged to unload the plane last year after an audit questioned dozens of flights he took for training.

NORTH ENGLISH, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have identified a police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a North English man in eastern Iowa over the weekend. The Iowa county Sheriff’s Office says in a news release Tuesday that Williamsburg Police Officer Blake Heller shot and killed 53-year-old Robin Blaylock on Saturday. The sheriff’s office says Heller serves as a part time officer for Williamsburg and the town of Marengo. He is also employed as a full time Iowa County Deputy Sheriff.

DEWITT, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in eastern Iowa are investigating after two bodies were found inside a home in DeWitt. The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office says in a news release that deputies were sent to the home along Highway 30 for a welfare check after family members could not reach the two adults who lived there by phone. The sheriff’s office said deputies entered the home around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday and found the bodies of two adults inside.

Jose Martinez has 2 HRs; Cards beat Brewers 6-0 in DH opener

Sports

June 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jose Martinez hit a pair of solo homers and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday. Martinez connected in the fifth and eighth innings for his first multi-homer game. He added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

Martinez’s 415-foot opposite field drive to right-center ignited a three-run Cardinals rally in the fifth. Matt Carpenter followed with an RBI double and scored on Dexter Fowler’s single to make it 3-0. Kolten Wong had an RBI double and Martinez added a sacrifice fly as the Cardinals extended their lead to 5-0 in the sixth.

Martinez’s homer to left in the eighth traveled 436 feet. Right-hander Lance Lynn (5-3) struggled with his control with four walks, but was able to get out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fifth. Lynn struck out eight, including the side in the fourth inning.

 

Atlantic Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat

News

June 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(corrects timeline to 8:10-p.m. NOT a.m.)

Atlantic Police, Atlantic Fire and Rescue, Medivac Ambulance, Cass County Emergency Management Coordinator Mike Kennon, and Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh McLaren all responded to an incident at the Atlantic Wal-Mart Store, Tuesday evening. Atlantic Police Lt. Paul Wood told KJAN News a written bomb threat forced the evacuation of the store. The threat was received at around 8:10-p.m.

A thorough search of the store netted no suspicious devices. By 8:45-p.m., the store was cleared and all units except the Atlantic Police had been released from the scene. The incident remains under investigation. Authorities will review video footage of the area inside the store where the threat was believed to be, along with other evidence.

Atlantic School Board to act on various contracts Wednesday evening

News

June 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic School Board has their regular monthly meeting set to take place 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, at the High School Media Center. During their session, the Board will act on approving various contracts and/or Letters of Assignment, and some resignations.

Resignations to come before the Board include: Washington Elementary Clerical Para-Educator, Denise Finnell; High School Cheer Leading Coach, Julie Hansen, and Link Center Para, Dawn Walton.

Contracts and/or Letters of Assignment to be approved include those for:

  • Liz Reid, Middle School Extended Year
  • Alan Jenkins, Head 7th Grade Football Coach
  • Joe Brummer, Head Freshman Football Coach
  • Faith McCunn, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach
  • Michelle McLaren, Amber Knudsen, Lindsey Benning – TLC Model Educators
  • Ashley Mosier and Jarrod O’Donnell – TLC Mentor
  • Kelly Simonton – Daytime High School Custodian
  • Eric Miller – from BA, Step 13 to BA+15, Step 13.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board will act on recommendations from former Superintendent Michael Amstein, for 2017-18 salary increases.

Prior to his departing the District, Amstein recommended that the central office clerical staff and other district staff that are NOT included in either the certified or non-certified bargaining groups, receive a 2% salary increase for the upcoming school year, the cost of which was calculated at $5,386 altogether, including IPERS and FICA. The change would affect four clerical positions, two tech-support positions, two At-Risk Advocates, and one Grounds Maintenance position. The 2% increase is the same as the total package increase negotiated with the non-certified employees association.

Amstein also recommended a 2% salary increase for Supervisors and Administrators for 2017-18, which amounts to $10,255, includes IPERS and FICA, and is in line with what was recommended or negotiated for all other groups within the District. And, the Atlantic School Board will act on approving a recommendation from Food Services Director DeeAnn Schreiner for a 10-cent increase in lunch for 2017-18 at the High School and Middle School /Schuler (currently $2.70 & $2.65 respectively), and 15-cents for the Washington School (from $2.40 to $2.55). Adults would pay $3.65 for lunch, instead of the current $3.50.

Breakfast at all schools in the District would increase from $1.70 to $1.80, if approved. The increase is necessary to bring the District more in-line with the USDA’s minimum Weighted Average Price for lunch (currently $2.86). The District is serving breakfast and lunch during the summer until August 4th. Breakfast is served from 9-until 10-a.m., and lunch from 11-until 12:30-p.m.

Reynolds open to all aspects of tax reform

News

June 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Republican Governor Kim Reynolds says the state tax code “does not align with today’s economy,” and she’s “open to all aspects” of tax reform in 2018. State tax revenues currently are running far below expectations, however, prompting plans for extraordinary measures to ensure the current year’s state budget doesn’t slip into a deficit.

“We’re going to put everything on the table and that means we take a look at holistically how we can do comprehensive tax reform,” Reynolds says. “…That is a priority. I believe that’s the next thing we need to do to make sure Iowa is competitive, so that we can encourage business and industry to expand and grow and locate in the state of Iowa.”  But Reynolds says any tax reforms must be “sustainable” and cannot endanger previous state funding promises to schools.

House Democratic Leader Mark Smith says the state’s in a financial quandary now because of “corporate tax giveaways” that have “slowed the state’s economy” rather than stimulate it. He says university students are being forced, instead to pay higher tuition and property owners are paying higher taxes.

(Radio Iowa)

NB I-29 exit ramp (Exit 4) to WB I-80 near Council Bluffs to close Wed. night

News

June 13th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 4 Construction Office in Atlantic, report the northbound Interstate 29 exit ramp (exit 4) to westbound I-80 near Council Bluffs, will be closed from 8-p.m. Wednesday, June 14th, until 5 a.m. Thursday, June 15th, for road construction work…weather permitting.

Motorists will be detoured around the closure by taking U.S. 275/Iowa 92 (exit 48) to the South Expressway.

Construction during the 2017 season is part of the Iowa DOT’s Council Bluffs Interstate System Improvement Program.