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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., 12/8/15

News

December 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Authorities are investigating the discovery of a body in the Cedar River near Gilbertville. A trapper found the body Sunday morning while checking traps, just northwest of Gilbertville. The Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office and Waterloo police are joining in the investigation. Authorities wouldn’t disclose the gender of the body and say it’s not clear when the person died. An autopsy is planned Tuesday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa lawmakers have reiterated their skepticism that private health care companies are ready to take over the state’s $4.2 billion Medicaid program in a few weeks. Democrats and Republicans on the Health Policy Oversight Committee sought clarity from representatives for the four private companies about the switch to managed care on Jan. 1.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court will consider a long-running dispute between a major Iowa trucking company and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. At issue is whether the EEOC has to pay Cedar Rapids-based CRST Van Expedited $4.7 million in legal fees and costs stemming from a major investigation into allegations that female truckers and trainees were routinely sexually harassed.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Some Davenport businesses say they may not survive after extended roadwork limited access to their stores, even though the project ended a month ahead of schedule. The Quad-City Times reports that barricades went up on August 17 in front of businesses so a roadway could be resurfaced and sanitary and storm sewers could be improved. A similar upcoming project will limit access to other businesses.

 

Lawrence, KS beats Des Moines in bid to host Jr. Olympic track championships

Sports

December 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — More than 40,000 people are expected to descend upon Lawrence in July 2017 after the city was selected to host the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Championships. The city beat out Des Moines, Iowa, to host the event. The Lawrence Journal-World reports the nation’s top track and field athletes between the ages of 7 and 18 will compete at Rock Chalk Park in northwest Lawrence.

Organizers say about 9,500 athletes and 33,000 family members, coaches and spectators are expected to attend the championships. Lawrence will have about 1,400 hotel rooms by 2017, far short of what is needed. The city’s visitor’s bureau is working to arrange rooms in Topeka, Overland Park, Olathe and Kansas City during the championships, which will run July 23 through July 30, 2017.

 

Michigan State jumps to No. 1 in AP Top 25 College Hoops poll

Sports

December 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

UNDATED (AP) — Michigan State is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time since early in the 2013-14 season. The Spartans (9-0) jumped from third to a runaway first following last week’s losses by then-Nos. 1 and 2 Kentucky and Maryland. Michigan State received 62 first-place votes Monday from the 65-member national media panel.

Kansas (6-1), which had one first-place vote, moved from fourth to second, while North Carolina, the preseason No. 1, jumped from ninth to third and received two votes for No. 1. Iowa State moved up one spot to fourth and was followed by Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Duke, Villanova and Virginia.

Butler, at No. 18, and Utah, at No. 25, are the week’s newcomers, both having been ranked earlier this season. They replace Syracuse, which was No. 14, and Texas A&M, which was 18th.

St Louis Cardinals’ Brian Bartow wins Fishel Award

Sports

December 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brian Bartow of the St. Louis Cardinals has won the Robert O. Fishel Award for public relations excellence, given annually by Major League Baseball. Bartow, the Cardinals’ director of communications, interned with St. Louis in 1985, was hired full-time as assistant director of public relations in 1987 and became director of media relations in 1994.

The award, announced Monday at the winter meetings, is named after the inaugural winner, who worked for the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees and the American League.

 

SUV hits car and pedestrian in Council Bluffs, Monday

News

December 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Two people – including a pedestrian – were injured during a collision witnessed by police Monday afternoon, in Council Bluffs. Authorities say a passenger car driven by a 17-year old male and occupied by a 15-year old female, was crossing the intersection of 25th and Avenue B and making a left turn at around 4:30-p.m., when an SUV driven by 71 year old Lila Moore, of Council Bluffs, ran a stop sign at the intersection. The SUV hit the car on the passenger side, causing the vehicle to spin around to the north. The car continued northbound because its brakes malfunctioned after the impact.

The SUV accelerated after impact with the passenger vehicle and traveled North through the intersection before driving up on the northeast corner sidewalk and hitting a Utility/Electricity Box, and then a pedestrian, 48 year old Rhonda Alvarez, of Council Bluffs, who was walking on the sidewalk with her dog. Alvarez was thrown in the air and landed on the eastside curb in the 200 block of North 25th Street. Alvarez was transported by Ambulance to CHI Creighton Hospital in Omaha as a precaution for her injuries. She complained of Back and Shoulder injuries while at the scene and later it was determined that her injuries were not life threatening. The 15 year old female passenger in the car suffered minor injuries in the crash.

The SUV continued to travel Northwest crossing North 25th Street, striking a parked unoccupied passenger vehicle, causing the vehicle to be pushed up into the backyard of 2502 Avenue B. The SUV stopped in the back yard of the same address and struck the garage of the home. As officers were gathering information, they were advised by a male witness who resides in a home at the corner of North 25th and Avenue B, that he had recorded this accident on his home surveillance video system. The video was reviewed and later recorded by a Council Bluffs Police Ident Tech as evidence.

Authorities say Moore was cited for Failure to obey a stop sign or signal.

GAYLE “WHITEY” PETERSEN, 82, of Harlan (Svcs. 12-11-2015)

Obituaries

December 7th, 2015 by admin

GAYLE “WHITEY” PETERSEN, 82, of Harlan died Sunday, December 6, 2015 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Funeral Services for GAYLE “WHITEY” PETERSEN will be held Friday, December 11th at 10:30am at First Baptist Church in Harlan.  Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 10th from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan with family greeting friends from 6:00pm-7:00pm.

GAYLE “WHITEY” PETERSEN is survived by:

Sons: Rick (Judi) Petersen of Atlantic.  Gaige Petersen of Kirkman.  Gary (Jo) Petersen of Harlan.

Daughter: Shelli (Jeff) Larson of Harlan.

10 Grandchildren

Lawmakers question private groups on Medicaid privatization

News

December 7th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some Iowa lawmakers have reiterated their skepticism that private health care companies are ready to take over the state’s $4.2 billion Medicaid program in a few weeks. Democrats and Republicans on the Health Policy Oversight Committee sought clarity Monday from representatives for the four private companies about the switch to managed care on Jan. 1. Some Democrats criticized the companies for not releasing more specific information about how many health care providers in the state have signed new contracts to provide Medicaid.

The representatives expressed confidence their companies are prepared. Medicaid provides care to low-income and needy people, including children and disabled individuals. The move to privatization hinges on approval from federal officials, some of whom will visit Iowa and meet with the private companies this week.

US Supreme Court to hear dispute between EEOC, Iowa company

News

December 7th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court will consider a longrunning dispute between the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a major Iowa trucking company. The court granted a petition Friday by Cedar Rapids-based CRST Van Expedited, Inc. to review a decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

At issue is whether EEOC has to pay the company $4.7 million in legal fees and costs stemming from a major investigation into allegations that female truckers and trainees were routinely sexually harassed. U.S. District Judge Linda Reade awarded fees to the company after faulting EEOC for bringing “groundless” claims without first investigating them.

But the appeals panel ruled that CRST cannot recover fees involving claims that were dismissed without any ruling on their merits. A decision is expected next spring or summer.

Michigan State moves to No. 1 in new AP Top 25, Cyclones up to No. 4

Sports

December 7th, 2015 by admin

Michigan State is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time since early in the 2013-14 season.

The Spartans (9-0) jumped from third to a runaway first following last week’s losses by then-Nos. 1 and 2 Kentucky and Maryland. Michigan State received 62 first-place votes Monday from the 65-member national media panel.

Kansas (6-1), which had one first-place vote, moved from fourth to second, while North Carolina, the preseason No. 1, jumped from ninth to third and received two votes for No. 1.

Iowa State moved up one spot to fourth and was followed by Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Duke, Villanova and Virginia.

Butler, at No. 18, and Utah, at No. 25, are the week’s newcomers, both having been ranked earlier this season. They replace Syracuse, which was No. 14, and Texas A&M, which was 18th.

 

Backyard and Beyond 12-07-2015

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 7th, 2015 by Jim Field

Lavon Eblen speaks with Shiona Putnam from Cass County Museum about a Holiday Open House.

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