United Group Insurance

Branstad addresses education, water quality in annual speech

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has told Iowa lawmakers he wants to invest more money in education and water quality initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year.  Branstad made the remarks during his 2016 Condition of the State speech to the Iowa General Assembly on Tuesday. He says he wants more money for schools and seeks to improve the state’s water supply. He is proposing a state general fund budget of roughly $7.4 billion for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

Branstad stressed it would be a “tight” budget year and growing Medicaid costs put a strain on state finances. School funding could once again be a contentious debate in the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-majority House. Democrats want more funding for education, while Republicans are skeptical of spending increases.

Powerball jackpot increases again to $1.5B on strong sales

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The world’s largest lottery jackpot has grown to $1.5 billion because of continuing strong Powerball ticket sales. Lottery officials increased their estimate of the huge jackpot for the second day in a row Tuesday because of immense interest in the prize.

The record-breaking Powerball jackpot could grow yet more before Wednesday’s drawing if ticket sales continue to exceed expectations. Officials reassess the estimate daily. The odds of matching all six numbers to win the jackpot are one in 292.2 million.
The $1.5 billion prize would be paid in annual payments over 29 years. Or the winner could opt for a lump-sum payment of $930 million.

Cardinals adding HD videoboard at Busch Stadium

Sports

January 12th, 2016 by admin

ST. LOUIS, January 12, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced details regarding the team’s multi-million dollar investment in the new state-of-the-art high definition LED video boards being installed at Busch Stadium for the 2016 season – the team’s 10th Anniversary of the ballpark.

“Fans will immediately notice the difference the first time they look at the new high definition video boards,” said William DeWitt III, President of the Cardinals. “We are really excited by all the things we will be able to do to enhance the fan experience with the new system, including offering better in-game video entertainment and more social media engagement.”

All 11 stadium-facing LED scoreboards are being replaced at Busch as part of a series of improvements three years in the making. The main video scoreboard will now be one complete full-color LED screen replacing the previous LED screen, tri-visions, and 2-color matrix boards and line score. Since the new video board will occupy the entire 120’ x 40’ space that all the other equipment occupied, the total size of the video board will be approximately three times larger than the previous video board with twice the resolution and brightness thanks to the more compact placement of the LEDs (13mm). The new World Championship Board (Out of Town Board) will replace some backlit signage and a tri-vision board for an entire full-color LED area of 81’ x 40’ with 13 mm spacing; approximately two and a half times larger than the previous video board. In addition to the two main scoreboards, all other stadium-facing Fascia Ribbon Board Displays including first base, third base, centerfield, bullpens, and speed pitch will be replaced adding more than twice the resolution of the previous boards. All stadium boards have been supplied by Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota whom supplied the previous board in Busch III.

“Daktronics is proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the St. Louis Cardinals to upgrade the video technology at Busch Stadium,” said Daktronics Regional Manager Tony Mulder. “These enhancements are sure to improve an already amazing game-day atmosphere at baseball’s highest level of competition.  We’re excited to see the final product entertaining Cardinals fans this upcoming season.”

The new scoreboards along with new scoreboard equipment will make every display High Definition. The new equipment will also enhance the club’s capability to show more replays from more angles, add more roaming or wireless HD cameras in the fan entertainment experience, more options and abilities to create new layouts with more stats and entertainment elements as well as more dynamic signage abilities for sponsors.

The upgrade also includes some re-working of the stadium audio system with new amplifiers and control software to provide fans an enhanced audio experience. The team is upgrading all of the control and production equipment to take advantage of the new system. A significant portion of the new control room equipment is from Grass Valley, a subsidiary of local company Belden Cable.

The Cardinals are also making a number of other improvements to the ballpark to enhance the fan experience in advance of the 2016 season as the team celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Busch Stadium. The Cardinals moved into the new, $411 privately-financed Busch Stadium in April 2006. Following a formal dedication ceremony on April 10, 2006, the Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4 on Opening Day in St. Louis. The Cardinals will mark the anniversary during the team’s first home series against the Brewers April 11 – 14th

91-year-old Holocaust survivor dies in Des Moines

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa woman who survived the Holocaust has died in Des Moines. Connie Griffin of Dunn’s Chapel said Tuesday that Jennie Wolnerman died at home Saturday. Wolnerman was 91. Her obituary says she was born in Poland, survived the brutalities of a concentration camp and eventually married another Holocaust survivor, David Wolnerman, who survives her. They moved to the United States in 1950.

The Des Moines Register reports that she was believed to have been one of Iowa’s last Holocaust survivors. Her grandson Daniel Wolnerman gave the eulogy at Monday’s funeral and said she’d survived a death march by stealing a loaf of bread. He says a guard told her that if she had the ability to steal from a Nazi guard, she would make it through her ordeal.

(update) Atlantic woman injured during Accident on Hwy 83 n.w. of Atlantic

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Marne 1st Responders were called to the scene of a collision this (Tuesday) morning, northwest of Atlantic. The crash, which happened on the Marne Road (Highway 83), near the intersection with Glacier Road, was reported at around 8:55-a.m.

According to Cass County Sheriff’s Office, a 1970 Chevy pickup, driven by 64-year old Leroy Merel Osbahr, of Avoca, was traveling northbound on Highway 83 when the brakes locked-up on the vehicle. The action caused the pickup to enter the southbound lane, where the pickup collided with a 2016Chevy Equinox. The crossover SUV was pushed into the ditch during the collision.

The driver of the SUV, 35-year old Stacie Rae Hansen, of Atlantic, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Cass County Memorial Hospital by Medivac Ambulance. Osbahr was not injured. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000.

The Osbahr’s report a dog traveling with them at the time of the accident, is missing. The 50-lb. female boxer, light brown in color, jumped out of a pickup after the crash. She has a blue leather collar w/Avoca and Shelby Veterinary tags. If found, call 402-680-1949.

Hawkeyes finish 9th in final AP college football poll

Sports

January 12th, 2016 by admin

After Alabama claimed the national championship on Monday night in a 45-40 win over Clemson the final AP Top 25 poll of the season was released.  The Iowa Hawkeyes fell three spots from No. 6 to No. 9 after their Rose Bowl loss to Stanford.  The full poll is as follows:

The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, final records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking:

Record Pts Pv
1. Alabama (61) 14-1 1,525 2
2. Clemson 14-1 1,464 1
3. Stanford 12-2 1,360 5
4. Ohio St. 12-1 1,342 7
5. Oklahoma 11-2 1,270 4
6. Michigan St. 12-2 1,227 3
7. TCU 11-2 1,098 11
8. Houston 13-1 1,050 14
9. Iowa 12-2 981 6
10. Mississippi 10-3 975 16
11. Notre Dame 10-3 953 8
12. Michigan 10-3 911 17
13. Baylor 10-3 820 18
14. Florida St. 10-3 630 9
15. North Carolina 11-3 563 10
16. LSU 9-3 546 22
17. Utah 10-3 499 20
18. Navy 11-2 465 21
19. Oregon 9-4 391 15
20. Oklahoma St. 10-3 372 13
21. Wisconsin 10-3 332 23
22. Tennessee 9-4 260 NR
23. Northwestern 10-3 203 12
24. W. Kentucky 12-2 128 25
25. Florida 10-4 126 19

Others receiving votes: Georgia 109, Washington St. 51, Mississippi St. 47, San Diego St. 44, Arkansas 28, Toledo 28, Southern Cal 10, Appalachian St. 7, Boise St. 4, Duke 3, Temple 2, BYU 1.

 

Backyard & Beyond 1-12-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 12th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Brenda Swope about the Atlantic Elks Lodge “Captain Andy” Hypnotist show.

Play

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12th

Trading Post

January 12th, 2016 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: Lifestyle treadmill.  Has incline and some other readings, $175.  Two Mud/Snow tires on rims, P215/175R/15.  Call 712-243-4308.

FOR SALE:  Recliner in good condition. No smoking or pets or kids home..Asking 100.00. Call 712-579-5109 or712-782-3179.  SOLD!

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FOR SALE:  couch and love seat. Excellent condition. No smoking pets or kids in the home. Asking 500.00 for the set. Call 712-579-5109 or 712-782-3179.  SOLD!

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Council Bluffs Law Enforcement Center Community Study Group reviews potential locations for a new police headquarters

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Council Bluffs Police Chief Tim Carmody reports community study group members will be comparing their notes on possible locations for a potential new police headquarters this evening (Tuesday, January 12) from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, at the Council Bluffs Public Library, Room 1A.Bluffs Badge

Carmody says the 11-member panel has invested countless hours over the past two months studying the current police headquarters facility, touring modern facilities in the Kansas City area, and reviewing multiple locations throughout Council Bluffs and comparing these sites using 31 evaluation criteria. The Chief says also “We are confident that the recommendations they provide to the city will help us to meet the public safety needs for the entire community.”

The panel will continue to meet several times over the next five weeks to narrow the range of options for the new police headquarters. The next meeting will be held in Room 1B at the Council Bluffs Public Library on January 19, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. During that meeting the public will be given the opportunity to participate in a planning charrette hosted by the architecture firm retained by the city to develop a site and needs assessment plan. The meetings are open to the general public to observe, but space is limited.

A project webpage has been established at http://councilbluffs-ia.gov/policehq, and residents are encouraged to participate in an online community discussion at http://buildingcbsaferfuture.mysidewalk.com

Accident on Marne Road northwest of Atlantic

News

January 12th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire and Rescue and Marne 1st responders were called to the scene of a single-vehicle accident northwest of Atlantic on the Marne Road (Highway 83) nea the intersection with Glacier Road, just west of the railroad overpass. The call went out at 8:55-a.m.

No other details are currently available.

(9-a.m. News)