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Uthoff leads No. Iowa over Penn State 73-49

Sports

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Jarrod Uthoff scored 14 points and Adam Woodbury had a career-high 15 rebounds to help No. 5 Iowa roll past Penn State 73-49 on Wednesday night. Peter Jok scored 12 points and Anthony Clemmons had 12 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Hawkeyes (18-4, 9-1 Big Ten), who won their 15th straight home game. Iowa shot 46 percent from the field and held Penn State to 30 percent shooting.

Brandon Taylor had 15 points and 11 rebounds for Penn State (11-12, 2-8). Taylor shot 6 of 18 from the field. The Nittany Lions made only one 3-pointer in 20 attempts. The Hawkeyes have won by double figures in eight of their nine conference wins.

Posted in Sports |

Washpun, Morgan lead Northern Iowa over Evansville 57-54

Sports

February 4th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Wes Washpun scored 14 points and made the go-ahead layup with 27 seconds left, and Northern Iowa held on to beat Evansville 57-54 on Wednesday night. The Panthers built an 11-point lead and never trailed in the first half. The Purple Aces opened the second half on a 20-8 run and led 44-40 with 11 minutes left. Blake Simmons scored five points, and Egidijus Mockevicius and D.J. Balentine chipped in four apiece during the stretch.

There were four lead changes before Washpun gave the Panthers the lead for good. Jeremy Morgan blocked Jaylon Brown’s potential game-tying jump shot with three seconds left. Morgan grabbed the rebound and then made two free throws to seal it.

Matt Bohannon added 13 points for Northern Iowa (13-11, 5-6 Missouri Valley Conference). Morgan finished with 12 points and two of the Panthers’ five blocks. Mockevicius led Evansville (18-6, 7-4) with 14 points.

Posted in Sports |

State senator demanding apology from Stanford over ‘corn show’ at Rose Bowl halftime

News, Sports

February 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

A state senator says Iowa shouldn’t stand for what Stanford’s band did at halftime during the Rose Bowl last month. The Stanford band put on what it called a “Farmers Only…corn show” — complete with cow tipping — to mock its Rose Bowl opponents: the University of Iowa. Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, married into a family of Hawkeye fans and he was not amused.

“This was very disrespectful not only to the fans of the University of Iowa, but also to Iowans in general,” Chelgren says. “I was disappointed and I would like to see Stanford have the courage to stand up and say: ‘This was wrong,’ and to make a public apology.” Chelgren’s sponsoring legislation that calls on the University of Iowa and the other two universities that get state tax-dollar support to cut ties with any Stanford researchers until that apology is made.

“There are areas of the country that apparently don’t share our Iowa values and I think we need to stand up for those virtues and values,” Chelgren says, “and this is one way to do that.” Chelgren’s daughter — who went to the University of Iowa — was at the game. “We’ve always taught our family to cheer as loud as you can for your team, but not really boo the other team, because they’re someone’s kids,” Chelgren says. “This just showed such a lack of respect for any kind of sportsmanship that I thought a statement had to be made.”

State Senator Bob Dvorsky, a Democrat from Coralville, represents the University of Iowa. He was watching the Rose Bowl and saw the halftime show on T-V — until E-S-P-N cut away from the performance before it concluded. “I think what they did was offensive, but I don’t think you can blame the institution of Stanford for that,” Dvorsky says. That’s because the Stanford band is not a university-sanctioned group.

“It’s not like the Hawkeye Marching Band,” Dvorsky says. “…It’s just some loosely-organized student organization.” Stanford officials had prohibited the band from traveling to The Cardinal’s road games this past season because of bad behavior, but the band was at the Rose Bowl for Stanford’s 45-to-16 victory over the Hawkeyes. Chelgren’s bill isn’t likely to pass the state senate, but Dvorsky isn’t suggesting Chelgren withdraw it.

“It sends a message,” Dvorsky says. “We didn’t like that.” Chelgren, who grew up in California, is running for congress this year — hoping to defeat Dave Loebsack, the lone Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation who also happens to live in Iowa City.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News, Sports |

Audit: State agency paid $97,000 to fictitious companies

News

February 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state audit has revealed that Iowa Workforce Development paid more than $97,000 in unemployment benefits to people claiming to work for companies that didn’t exist in 2013 and 2014s and paid more than $66,000 to people not eligible for unemployment payments in other states. Those improper payments are part of more than $909,000 the state lost over a three-year period for which the state auditor reviewed records.

Iowa Auditor Mary Mosiman says her office was notified in May 2013 that irregularities in unemployment payments were discovered. She was asked by the U.S. Department of Labor to audit workforce development’s books to determine the extent of lost funds. Mosiman says the audit found 20 fictitious company accounts. It’s unclear who set them up and no one has been charged.

Posted in News |

Bill to legalize fireworks in Iowa advances with challenges

News

February 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation that would legalize the sale of fireworks in Iowa is once again advancing through the Iowa Legislature, though it may face some challenges from lawmakers. The Senate State Government Committee voted 10-5 Wednesday in support of the bill, which would allow the sale and use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers and roman candles. Current law allows the sale of novelties like sparklers.

The measure has bounced between the Republican-majority House and the Democratic-controlled Senate with little success. Groups have raised concerns about public safety. An amendment to the bill passed Wednesday would give cities and municipalities more flexibility on whether to implement the bill if it becomes law. Sen. Jeff Danielson, a Cedar Falls Democrat, says the amendment makes the bill unenforceable. He plans to challenge it.

Posted in News |

Mother of Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer dies

News, Sports

February 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — The mother of Rutgers women’s basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has died. Rutgers announced the death of Thelma Stoner on Wednesday. The school gave no other details. Stringer missed a game on Jan. 16 against Nebraska to be with her mother in Atlanta during her illness.

The 67-year-old Stringer thanked her “friends, fans and members of the Rutgers Athletics community who have reached out with sympathy and support during these past difficult weeks.” Assistant coach Timothy Eatman will take over head coaching duties when the Scarlet Knights travel to Minnesota and Penn State this week.

Stringer has entered her 21st season at Rutgers. She’s the first basketball coach — male or female — to take three different schools to the NCAA Final Four (Cheyney, Iowa, Rutgers).

Posted in News, Sports |

Villisca woman arrested for Probation Violation

News

February 3rd, 2016 by admin

A Villisca woman was arrested Wednesday by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.  22-year-old Amanda Lee Smith was arrested at 4:10pm Wednesday on 2 valid Montgomery County bench warrants for Probaton Violation.  Smith was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and held on $20,000 bond.

Posted in News |

Red Oak teen arrested on railroad property

News

February 3rd, 2016 by admin

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of 17-year-old Deric Lee Redd of Red Oak for Trespass and Minor in Possession of Tobacco.  Redd was arrested Wendesday at 2:40pm on BNSF railroad property.  Redd was later released into the custody of a parent.

Posted in News |

Class 1A and 2A boys basketball pairings released

Sports

February 3rd, 2016 by admin

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the postseason pairings for Class 1A and 2A boys basketball on Wednesday.  Each class is broken down into 16 districts with winners of the districts then meeting up in a substate final to determine state qualifiers.  First Round games will be played on Monday, February 15th with Second Round Games played Thursday, February 18th.

Class 1A

District 13

First Round
Orient Macksburg @ East Union 8:00pm
Diagnol vs. Lamoni @ East Union 6:30pm

Second Round
O-M/East Union Winner @ Lenox 8:00pm
Central Decatur vs. Mormon Trail at Lenox 6:30pm
Diagnol/Lamoni Winner @ Nodaway Valley8:00pm
Murray vs. Mt. Ayr @ Nodaway Valley 6:30pm

District 14

First Round
CAM vs. Riverside @ Guthrie Center 6:30pm
Adair-Casey @ Guthrie Center 8:00pm

Second Round
CAM/Riverside Winner @ IKM-Manning 8:00pm
Glidden-Ralston @ Audubon 8:00pm
Paton-Churdan vs. Guthrie Center/Adair-Casey Winner @ IKM-Manning 6:30pm
Exira-EHK vs. Coon Rapids-Bayard @ Audubon 6:30pm

District 15

First Round
Clarinda Academy @ Griswold 8:00pm
Essex vs. Heartland Christian @ Griswold 6:30pm

Second Round
Clarinda Academy/Griswold Winner vs. Stanton @ Bedford 6:30pm
Sidney vs. Nishnabotna @ Fremont-Mills 6:30pm
Essex/Heartland Christian Winner @ Fremont-Mills 8:00pm
East Mills @ Bedford 8:00pm

District 16

First Round
West Monona vs. Charter Oak-Ute @ Logan-Magnolia 6:30pm
West Harrison @ Logan-Magnolia 8:00pm

Second Round
Ar-We-Va vs. West Monona/Charter Oak-Ute Winner @ Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto 6:30pm
Tri-Center @ St. Albert 8:00pm
Logan-Magnolia/West Harrison Winner @ Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto 8:00pm
Boyer Valley vs. Woodbine @ St. Albert 6:30pm

Class 2A

District 14

First Round
Van Meter vs. Southwest Valley @ Panorama 6:30pm
West Central Valley @ Panorama 8:00pm

Second Round
Earlham vs. Van Meter/SW Valley Winner @ I-35 6:30pm
Panorama/WCV Winner @ I-35 8:00pm

District 15

First Round
Red Oak @ Underwood 8:00pm
Missouri Valley vs. Clarinda @ Underwood 6:30pm

Second Round
Underwood/Red Oak Winner @ Treynor 8:00pm
Missouri Valley/Clarinda Winner vs. Shenandoah @ Treynor 6:30pm

District 16

First Round
AHSTW vs. East Sac County @ South Central Cahoun 6:30pm
OA-BCIG @ South Central Calhoun 8:00pm

Second Round
Ridge View vs. AHSTW/East Sac County Winner @ Kuemper Catholic 6:30pm
South Central Calhoun/OA-BCIG Winner @ Kuemper Catholic 8:00pm

Posted in Sports |

Owl Prowl in Cass County

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 3rd, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding Owl Prowl. The Owl Prowl will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods outside of Atlantic, IA on February 13th 2016 at 7:30 PM. The CCCB invites you to come out for a great night hike, and all of the surprises nature may have in store.  Drive the short drive and hike off that dinner! You’ll hike and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night! All ages welcome! The event is FREE. Dress for the weather. All ages are welcome! Cass Co Conservation bd

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |