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Chiefs’ Justin Houston plans to play vs Texans on Saturday

Sports

January 6th, 2016 by admin

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston confirmed Wednesday that he plans to play in Saturday’s wild-card game in Houston, his first game since hyperextending his knee in November.

The All-Pro pass rusher did light work last Friday but was not active for Sunday’s regular-season finale against Cleveland. He’s been practicing this week with a brace on his knee.

Houston acknowledged that “I definitely got some rust to knock off.” But his return should be a boon for the Chiefs, who have had to make do without their best pass rusher for the past five games.

Fellow pass rusher Tamba Hali is also expected to play. He returned last week from a broken thumb but only played 14 snaps against the Browns.

 

Posted in Sports |

Powerball jackpot surges to $500M in hours before drawing

News

January 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $500 million as more people across the country buy a chance at the biggest prize in nearly a year. Officials with the Multi-State Lottery Association raised the jackpot estimate from $450 million due to strong sales before Wednesday night’s drawing.

The jackpot ranks as the sixth largest offered in North America and the biggest since a $564.1 million Powerball prize shared by players from North Carolina, Texas and Puerto Rico last February. A winner of Wednesday’s jackpot could claim the pre-tax $500 million prize through an annuity over 29 years or in a single pre-tax payout of $306 million. Powerball is played in 44 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Posted in News |

Iowa Business Council releases annual “report card” on state’s economy

News

January 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The top concerns among the CEOs of the state’s largest businesses haven’t changed much in the new year. Elliott Smith is executive director of the Iowa Business Council (IBC). “Business leaders in the state really continue to be concerned about workforce issues and the availability of the quality, skilled employees that they need,” Smith said.

The IBC has released its annual review of the state’s economic climate — what the group calls the Iowa Competitiveness Index.Iowa Business Council logo Smith says the “report card” shows business leaders are struggling to find qualified workers in order to expand their operations or replace employees who are retiring. “It’s been an ongoing issue for a number of years now and it’s a real issue that continues to be on a challenge list for corporate executives, recruiters, and economic development officials,” Smith said. “I think that’s the overriding key priority out of the 2016 Competitiveness Index.”

This is the sixth year the IBC has compiled the Index, which examines data in five areas deemed important to the state’s prosperity; economic growth, education and workforce readiness, governance and fiscal matters, and health and well-being. The index is released just prior to the start of the legislative session. The IBC is pushing state lawmakers to find ways to constrain “explosive” Medicaid costs.

“A lot of that is driven by efficient and effective delivery of services,” Smith said. “A lot of that is also based on better disease prevention and management through addressing all the growing chronic disease conditions in the state and things like obesity and smoking.” In addition to the top executives of the largest businesses in the state, the Iowa Business Council is comprised of the three Regent university presidents, and the president of the Iowa Banking Association.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Heartbeat Today 1-6-2016

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

January 6th, 2016 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Mary Neubauer of the Iowa Lottery about tonight’s huge Powerball jackpot.

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Posted in Heartbeat Today, Podcasts |

Backyard & Beyond 1-6-2016

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

January 6th, 2016 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Atlantic Chamber of Commerce Director Ouida Hargens.

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Harlan tops Atlantic in Hawkeye 10 showdown

Sports

January 6th, 2016 by admin

In front of a nearly full crowd at the Atlantic High School Gym the Harlan Cyclones topped the Atlantic Trojans 57-50 in boys hoops Tuesday.  The Cyclones took control of the game early as they raced out to a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and pushed the lead to 13 points by halftime.  Ethan Knudson led the charge in the first half with 10 points.

Harlan started strong again in the second half scoring the first two baskets of the half and extended their lead to 44-29 by the end of the third quarter.  Atlantic made a strong push in the 4th quarter led by 9 points in the period by Ryan Hawkins and got as close 5 points in the final minute but Harlan made free throws down the stretch to seal the win.  Caled Rassmussen made 7-10 from the stripe in the fourth quarter and the Cyclones were 9 of 14 for the quarter.

Three point shooting also played in a big part in the Cyclones win as they knocked down 8 threes in the game.  Caleb Rassmussen lead the Cyclones with 16 points and Ethan Knudson finished with 14.  The Trojans were lead by Senior Ryan Hawkins who finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

The two teams will meet at least one more time this season on February 2nd in Harlan.

You can hear some post game comments from Head Coach Alan Jenkins below.

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Posted in Sports |

Cass County Extension Report 1-6-2016

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

January 6th, 2016 by Jim Field

w/Kate Olson

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Posted in Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts |

MIKE PIERSON, 62, of Oakland (Svcs. 01/09/2016)

Obituaries

January 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

MIKE PIERSON, 62, of Oakland, died Tue., Jan. 5th, at Creighton University in Omaha. Funeral services for MIKE PIERSON will be held Saturday, January 9th at 10:30am at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be held on Friday, January 8th from 5:00pm-7:30pm at the Oakland United Methodist Church.

Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemtery.

MIKE PIERSON is survived by:

Wife: Linda Pierson of Oakland.

Daughter: Erin Pierson of Chicago, IL

Mother-in-Law: Majorie “Gerry” Billings of Atlantic.

Brothers-in-law: Bill (Sue Nail) Billings Sioux City. Larry (Cheryl) Billings of Hancock.

Sister-in-law: Peggy Pierson of Oakland.

He is also survived by: His beloved dog Angus. Many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

MARCIA Z. EVANS, 81, of KS & formerly of Oakland (Svcs. 1/15/16)

Obituaries

January 6th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

MARCIA Z. EVANS, 81, of Overland Park, KS (& formerly of Oakland), died Wed., Jan. 6th, the Leisure Terrace Nursing Home in Overland Park.  Funeral services for MARCIA EVANS will be held 1-p.m. Jan. 15th, at the Oakland Christian Church, in Oakland. Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 5-7 PM at the Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland.

Interment will be in the Belknap Cemetery.

MARCIA EVANS is survived by:

Her sons: Bill Turner, Ray Evans, and Bruce Evans.

4 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Tuesday Wrestling Results 1/5/2016

Sports

January 6th, 2016 by admin

Double Dual at Creston

Creston O-M 47, Lewis Central 15
Creston O-M 64, Kuemper Catholic 0Lewis Central 48, Kuemper Catholic 33

Quad at Red Oak

Clarinda 46, Red Oak 30
Clarinda 69, Southwest Valley 9
Clarinda 66, St. Albert 12
Red Oak 54, Southwest Valley 24
Southwest Valley 51, St. Albert 11

Double Dual at Riverside

AHSTW 42, Riverside 31
ASHTW 54, Abraham Lincoln 25
Riverside 51, Abraham Lincoln 23

Double Dual at OA-BCIG

OA-BCIG 37, Logan-Magnolia 36
Logan-Magnolia 74, Woodine 6
OA-BCIG 69, Woodbine 9

Quad at West Central Valley

East Union 39, Exira-EHK 17
East Union 39, West Central Valley 16
West Central Valley 45, Exira-EHK 12
Woodward-Granger 53, East Union 16
Woodward-Granger 63, Exira-EHK 12
Woodward-Granger 51, West Central Valley 24

Double Dual at Omaha Westside

Thomas-Jefferson 66, Omaha Westside 12
Papillion-La Vista 50, Thomas Jefferson 28

Posted in Sports |