United Group Insurance

NCAA denies Iowa DE Drew Ott’s bid for year of eligibility

Sports

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa defensive end Drew Ott’s college career is finished after his appeal for an extra year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA. Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed the NCAA’s decision Wednesday, saying he was disappointed in both the decision and the process.

Ott suffered a knee and an elbow injury during Iowa’s sixth game in 2015, injuries that cost him the rest of the season. He had hoped to put off the NFL for another season. But instead he’ll have to take his chances in the draft without being able to work out for any teams.

Ott’s departure will likely give redshirt freshman Matt Nelson a chance to start next fall.

Ex-Iowa State athlete sues school over response to rape case

Sports

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A former Iowa State University basketball player who faced a rape charge that was later dropped is suing the school, claiming its response ruined his chances of playing professional basketball. The Des Moines Register reports Bubu Palo’s lawsuit accuses university officials of wrongly punishing him even after the criminal case against him was dropped. The suit also names the Iowa Board of Regents.

Palo was charged with felony sexual abuse in 2012 after a female student accused him of rape. The case was dropped due to lack of evidence, but ISU President Steven Leath barred Palo from playing, saying he violated student conduct rules.

Leath’s decision was eventually overturned, but Palo says he faced scrutiny due to the punishment. University officials haven’t responded to the complaint.

3 arrests in Cass County, Tuesday

News

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports three people were arrested Tuesday. 35-year old Lisa Mae Harper,  of Atlantic, and 36-year old Joshua Michael Lillard, of Atlantic, were arrested on one charge each of Possession of Methamphetamine 3rd/Subsequent Offense (D Felony). Both were taken to the Cass County Jail where they remain held on $5,000 bond each.

56-year old Barry Dean Schmidt, of Massena, was arrested Tuesday on a District Court Warrant for Probation Violation. Schmidt was also charged with Felon in Possession of Ammunition (D Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine 2nd Offense (Aggravated), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Schmidt was taken to the Cass County Jail where he remains held on $12,300 bond.

And, Tuesday night, deputies in Montgomery County arrested 25-year old Timothy Alan Brown, of Elliott, on a Cass County District Court warrant for Failure to Appear on original charges of Carrying Weapons and on two-counts of Assault while displaying a dangerous weapons. Brown was brought to the Cass County Jail, where he remains held on $2,000 bond.

(12:40-p.m. News)

Iowa district unamused by girls’ joke: Hiring male stripper

News

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines school district spokesman has confirmed that ninth-grade girls hired a male stripper to perform at their school’s synchronized swimming club’s annual banquet. On Wednesday district spokesman Phil Roeder told The Des Moines Register that the Roosevelt High School principal will decide whether the girls violated school policies and punishment is merited.

Graham Gillette’s daughter is a member of the swimming club and says the girls employed the stripper as a joke. Gillette says the stripper appeared but didn’t totally disrobe at Friday evening’s event at the Des Moines Social Club. Roeder says a Social Club employee asked the stripper to leave, deeming the appearance inappropriate for the students.

The Sharks synchronized swimming club is run and funded by students in grades nine through 12.

NW IA man sentenced for transmitting info. about a minor

News

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the U-S Department of Justice said today (Wednesday), a man from northwest Iowa was sentenced to prison Monday after being convicted for Use of Interstate Facilities to Transmit Information about a Minor. 30-year old Lance Eugene Hunter, of Little Rock, IA, was sentenced to 18 months in custody, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hunter was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 2, 2015.  He pled guilty on January 26th, 2016.  Hunter was ordered to self-surrender on May 2nd, 2016.

Authorities say Hunter responded to an advertisement on the Internet website of Backpage.com that was posted as part of a law enforcement undercover operation.  Using his cell phone to send text messages, Hunter agreed to meet at a location in Sioux Falls to have sex with a fictitious 15 year-old girl.  Law enforcement officers arrested Hunter after he attempted to leave the scene.  They found the cell phone used for text messages as well as $100 in cash.

The case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Recent MS fundraiser in Atlantic raises almost $17k

News

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society report the annual MS Auction at Atlantic’s Fireside Lounge, held in March, raised nearly $17,000 to support the regional MS chapter. The effort brings the event’s 20-year fundraising total to more than $240,000. Over the last two decades, the funds have helped provide life-changing programs and services for people living with MS in Iowa and across the Upper Midwest, as well as fund cutting-edge research for the disease.

Holly Anderson, President of the National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter, said in a Press Release, “We’re immensely grateful to Mark Foegen for his passion and leadership these past 19 years, not to mention the outstanding generosity of the Atlantic community. Events like these are truly helping to change the world for people with MS and end the disease forever.”

And, event organizer Mark Foegen has expressed his appreciation to the Atlantic community for supporting the event, of which 100 percent of the proceeds are directed to the National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter. Foegen also wanted to especially thank Jessie Vais and those with Anita Livestock Auction for the volunteering efforts.

In addition to all those who attend and donate each year, many local businesses and individuals have played a critical role in the auction’s continued success — from donating advertising and auction items to helping with event planning and execution.

Sidney man arrested for assault

News

April 13th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Fremont County arrested a man Tuesday on assault, and other charges. Authorities say deputies were on routine patrol in Sidney, when they were flagged down by a witness who reported a possible fight in progress at Maple Street and Filmore Street. Through an investigation, deputies determined 28-year old Austin Haler, of Sidney, had allegedly assaulted an 18 year old male, and a 17 year old female who were walking past his residence.  The 18 year old and 17 year old had no contact with Haler prior to the assault.

Haler was arrested for Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and two counts of Simple Assault. He was being held in the Fremont County Jail, pending an arraignment with the Magistrate.

High School Soccer Scoreboard Tuesday 4/12/2016

Sports

April 13th, 2016 by admin

GIRLS

AHSTW 3, Riverside 0
Creston 4, Kuemper Catholic 3 (PK)
Glenwood 10, Denison-Schleswig 0
Winterset 4, Indianola 1

BOYS

AHSTW 2, Riverside 1
Ballard 2, West Central Valley, Stuart 1
Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 7, Tri-Center 1
Denison-Schleswig 2, Sioux City, West 0
Sioux City, North 4, Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 0
Underwood 5, Creston 0

Backyard & Beyond 4-13-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

April 13th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen discusses random acts of kindness.

Play

High School Golf Scoreboard Tuesday 4/14/2016

Sports

April 13th, 2016 by admin

GIRLS

Atlantic 178, Glenwood 229.  Medalist: Alyssa Ginther, Atlantic 41.  Erin Olsen, Atlantic 43.
Creston 184, Winterset 246, Clarke 264.  Medalist: Madison Hance, Creston 41.Harlan 208, Lewis Central 230. Medalist: Amber Gross, Harlan 44.
Boyer Valley 213, Denison-Schleswig 230, IKM-Manning 243, Charter Oak-Ute 265. Medalist: Katie O’Day, Boyer Valley 51.
Lenox 224, East Union 284. Medalist: Teya Still, Lenox 49.
Mount Ayr 212, Wayne 287. Medalist: Tessa Shields, Mount Ayr 41.

BOYS

Harlan 162, Lewis Central 209
Mount Ayr 193, Wayne 204. Medalist: Myles Greene, Mount Ayr 41.
Winterset 175, Creston 176, Clarke 213. Medalist: Kyle Somers, Creston 39.

Shenandoah Boys Mustang Invite

Large School Team Results

  1. Atlantic 308
  2. Shenandoah 311
  3. Glenwood 317
  4. Maryville 319
  5. Clarinda 325
  6. Denison-Schleswig 361
  7. Red Oak 380

Small School Team Results

  1. Nodaway Valley 344
  2. Bedford 393
  3. East Atchison 421
  4. Southwest Valley 444
  5. East Mills 445
  6. Southwest Iowa 460

Individual Results

  1. Ryan Ruzek, Shenandoah 70
  2. Jake Olsen, Atlantic 71
  3. Steven Martin, Shenandoah 73
  4. Hunter Hayes, Maryvile 73
  5. Kobe Rhodes, Glenwood 74
  6. Ryan Leath, Glenwood 77
  7. Matt Gearhart, Atlantic 77
  8. Connor Pirtle, Clarinda 77
  9. Zac Stork, Atlantic 79
  10. Carlton Rahn, Clarinda 79
  11. Ben Renaud, Atlantic 81
  12. Sam Marnin, Nodaway Valley 81
  13. Bryce Farlin, Maryville 82
  14. Matt Twaddle, Maryville 82
  15. Colton Book, Glenwood 82