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Sac City, Iowa, again home to world’s largest popcorn ball

News

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — Hundreds of people convened on the western Iowa town of Sac City this weekend to construct the world’s largest popcorn ball. The Sioux City Journal reports a ball of popcorn estimated to weigh 10,000 pounds was constructed Saturday at the Noble Popcorn plant.

Sac City first claimed the largest popcorn ball in 1995, when people came together to make one weighing in at 2,225 pounds. The enormous treat traveled all over the Midwest and to the Iowa State Fair to promote Sac County’s claim as the “Popcorn Capital.”

But as the record was defeated in following years, Sac City kept building bigger popcorn balls, its last one coming in at 5,000 pounds in 2009. Saturday’s effort is intended to be noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board to meet Monday

News

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Atlantic Parks and Recreations Department’s Board of Directors will hold their regular monthly meeting Monday evening in the Council’s Chambers, at City Hall. On the agenda for the 5:15-p.m. session, are updates on: The Sunnyside Park Kiddie Korral water foundation and East Shelter House renovation; Swimming Pool renovation; A Schildberg Rec Area Lake #2 Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Grant; the Vision Iowa Grant; updates as well on the Harl-Holt Park basketball court, Movies in the Park, and Schildberg Rec Area Boat Ramp.

In his report to the Board, Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring will provide an update on the Sunnyside Park Summer Block Party, a report on a park bench donation, updates on the Summer Programs, and information about group exercise classes at Sunnyside Park and the Schildberg Rec Area.

Sam Hornish Jr. wins Xfinity race in Iowa

Sports

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Sam Hornish Jr. led 183 of 250 laps in his first race of 2016 and cruised to victory in Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity race at the Iowa Speedway. Hornish, driving the No. 18 car for Joe Gibbs Racing, picked up his first win in two years — which also came at Iowa’s 0.875-mile oval.

Hornish was briefly pushed by Ty Dillon and Brad Keselowski on a restart with 27 laps to go. But Hornish held on to the outside groove for his fourth career Xfinity series win. Dillon was second, followed by Keselowski, Daniel Suarez and Alex Bowman. Pole sitter Erik Jones had issues with the No. 20 car all afternoon. He finished 27th.

Teen accused of stealing delivery truck, giving away goods

News

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a Sioux City teen they say stole a Coca-Cola delivery truck, then gave away the goods inside. The Sioux City Journal reports police believe the 18-year-old stole the truck as the driver was inside a business making a delivery Monday. Police say the teen then drove to a construction site in the Dakota Dune and gave away $1,000 in merchandise from the truck.

Police say he then came back to Sioux City in the truck and fled on foot when officers attempted to stop him. Police say that upon his arrest, he was found with prescription pills that were not in his name. The teen has been charged with theft, drug possession, reckless driving and other counts.

Elevated Ozone levels in central Iowa today

Weather

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

BOONE-STORY-MARSHALL-TAMA-DALLAS-POLK-JASPER-POWESHIEK-MADISON-WARREN-MARION-MAHASKA COUNTIES, INCLUDING THE CITIES OF: BOONE; AMES; MARSHALLTOWN; TAMA; TOLEDO; TRAER; DYSART; GLADBROOK; PERRY; WAUKEE; ADEL; DES MOINES; NEWTON; GRINNELL; WINTERSET; EARLHAM; INDIANOLA; NORWALK; CARLISLE; PELLA; KNOXVILLE and OSKALOOSA…

OZONE LEVELS MAY BE ELEVATED TODAY

THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISES THAT CLEAR SKIES AND VERY WARM TEMPERATURES TODAY MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH OZONE LEVELS THAT ARE UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS SUCH AS CHILDREN…THE ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH ASTHMA OR OTHER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. MEMBERS OF THESE GROUPS SHOULD LIMIT OUTDOOR EXERTION DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

IOWANS MAY KEEP TRACK OF EVOLVING AIR QUALITY CONDITIONS ON THE WEB AT WWW.AIRNOW.GOV.

New data show at least 3,400 untested rape kits in Iowa

News

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State officials say there are at least 3,400 untested rape kits in storage around Iowa, and preliminary data indicate law enforcement agencies don’t have standardized rules for handling such evidence.

The Crime Victim Assistance Division within the Iowa attorney general’s office says its review of untested sexual abuse evidence collection kits in Iowa is continuing, and the actual number of untested kids could increase by several hundred.

Division director Janelle Melohn says more than 70 percent of the state’s nearly 400 agencies have responded to an electronic survey released this year about the kits. Survey results will be compiled into a report, which could include proposed legislation or a request for state funding to test kits.

The division received $2 million in federal funding to conduct research and some testing.

 

1 injured in vehicle vs. ATV accident in Cass County

News

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

One person was injured Sunday morning when a vehicle struck and ATV, west of Cumberland. According to dispatch reports, the accident happened at around 9:20-a.m. near 650th and Quincy Road. A 59-year old male was transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, suffering from side pain and an abrasion to his head.

No other details are currently available.

Trojan Boys Soccer players shine at East-West All Star Cup

Sports

June 19th, 2016 by admin

A pair of Atlantic players came up large in the East vs. West All-Star Cup senior All-Star Soccer Game on Saturday at Valley Stadium in Des Moines.  Atlantic’s David Thomsen scored two goals and Ryan Hawkins had two assists in the West team’s 4-1 win.

The other two West team goals were scored by local athletes as well with Jake Dotterer notching a tally along with Ethan Knudson of Harlan.

The West team was coached by Ben Schekirke of Storm Lake.

The Girls All-Star Cup is set for next Saturday, June 25th.

Cardinals recall Pham, sign more draft picks

Sports

June 19th, 2016 by admin

ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals have recalled outfielder Tommy Pham from Triple-A Memphis. The Cardinals also optioned outfielder Randal Grichuk to Triple-A on Saturday. The moves were made before St. Louis hosted Texas.

Pham injured his oblique on opening day. He was hitting a combined .250 with four home runs and 19 RBIs in 37 games with Memphis and Double-A Springfield. Grichuk was hitting .206 with eight homers and 27 RBI in 62 games for St. Louis this season.

Also on Saturday the Cardinals signed right-handed pitcher Dakota Hudson, their third first round draft pick (34th overall) from the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Hudson, 21, is a 6-foot-5, 215-pound, college junior, who was 9-5 with a 2.55 ERA in 17 starts for Mississippi State University.  He was a starter for the No. 6 National-Seeded Bulldogs, who fell in the Super Regional to Arizona.

Hudson’s teammate at Mississippi State, right-handed pitcher Austin Sexton (18th round) was also signed today, along with St. Louis native, RHP Robbie Gordon (36th round) and seventh-round pick, catcher Andrew Knizner (KIZZ-ner).

The Cardinals have now signed 27 of their 42 draft picks including 10 of 12 players selected in the Top 10 rounds and four non-drafted free agents.  Two pitchers, RHP Connor Jones from Virginia and RHP Zac Gallen from North Carolina, remain as the only players from the Cardinals Top 10 rounds yet to sign.

The Cardinals have until July 15 at 4:00 p.m. CT, to sign players from the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

 

Iowa State Basketball adds Tennessee transfer Kosongo

Sports

June 19th, 2016 by admin

The Iowa State Men’s hoops team added Tennessee transfer Ray Kasongo to the roster on Saturday.  Kosongo is  a 6-8 245 pound Power Forward that will sit out the 2016-17 season under NCAA transfer rules.  He will have two seasons of eligibility left after sitting out the upcoming season.

Kosongo is originally from Toronto, Ontario and spent one year at the College of Southern Idaho before moving on to Tennessee.  He averaged 1.4 points and 1.5 rebounds in 22 games with the Volunteers last season.