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Report: A&M Notifies Big 12 it Will Withdraw

Sports

August 30th, 2011 by Jim Field

     COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) – The New York Times is reporting Texas A&M has notified the Big 12 it will withdraw from the conference.  The newspaper reported on its website Monday night that Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin sent a letter to Missouri Chancellor and Big 12 board chairman Brady Deaton to inform the league it was
leaving.  The New York Times story cited two unidentified college officials with direct knowledge of the decision.  Texas A&M said earlier Monday it had received a letter from Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe outlining the withdrawal procedure should the Aggies decide to leave the league.  Texas A&M’s departure would cast doubt on the future of the Big 12 and could lead to more major changes to college athletics.

Iowa facility fined $7,500 in resident’s death

News

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

ADEL, Iowa (AP) – A Dallas County-owned care facility for the disabled has been fined $7,500 for failures connected to the death of a resident.The facility in Adel is often called the county home. State inspectors say a resident who had a history of choking on food was given crackers and left unsupervised on May 7. About 15 minutes later, another resident reported to staff that the resident with the crackers appeared to be choking. The resident was pronounced dead later at a hospital.

The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals fined the facility $7,500 for failing to adequately supervise residents. The state report does not identify the deceased resident.

Monday Volleyball Results

Sports

August 30th, 2011 by Jim Field

Coon Rapids-Bayard 25-25, Exira-EHK 13-14
Coon Rapids-Bayard 25-26, A-H-S-T, Avoca 21-24
Exira-EHK 26-25-18, A-H-S-T, Avoca 28-17-16
Guthrie Center 25-25-25, Madrid 14-11-19
Woodward-Granger 26-25-25, West Central Valley, Stuart 24-21-14

DHS Official to talk about changes in service

News

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

An official with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) will address the Cass County Board of Supervisors, Wednesday morning. Tom Bouska, with the regional DHS office is scheduled to speak to the board with regard to changes to the DHS’ services.

The changes to be announced are coming on the heels of word 37 Iowa Workforce Development Offices would be closing by month’s end, including the office here in Atlantic. According to Carol Morgan of the IowaWORKS Business Relations office in Council Bluffs, the department’s office in Harlan was closed Friday. Five more offices in Atlantic, Glenwood, Red Oak, Shenandoah, and Clarinda are set to be closed tomorrow (Wednesday). Morgan will be responsible for meeting the needs of businesses and potential employers in Southwest Iowa, including the Harlan, Atlantic, Glenwood, Shenandoah, and Clarinda areas. The Red Oak area will be serviced by business marketing specialist Marsha Wilson.

The state will continue to have Southwest IowaWORKS Regional Integrated offices located at Council Bluffs and Creston with office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For access to services from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, job seekers and businesses can call 1-866-239-0843. The Council Bluffs Center can be reached at (712) 242-2131 and the Creston Center can be reached at (641) 782-2119.

In other business, the Cass County Board of Supervisors Wednesday, will set the date for a public hearing on the proposed redistricting and representing plan of the Temporary Cass County Redistricting Commission. The Board will also review bids taken by the Iowa DOT and award contracts for, two bridge replacement projects. The bridges are located over Turkey and Seven-Mile Creeks, on 620th Street and Victoria Road, respectively. The Supervisors will also review the bids and award contracts for Hot Melt Asphalt and Portland Cement Concrete patching on certain county roads, and approve a quote for a new excavator to be used for ditch cleaning.

The Supervisor’s meeting begins at 9-a.m. at the courthouse, in Atlantic.

Iowa part of Google program to help businesses with websites

News

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa is participating in a nationwide program started by Google which partners with several business groups to offer free web development along with related tools and training to small businesses. The director of the small business development center at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Sue Pitts, says many small companies need some help setting up effective websites. Pitts says when they do have websites, they may not be using them.
You can have your brother’s sister’s brother put up a page that you never ever look at,” Pitts says,”so I think some people think they have a website but they might not. Or if a business is in existence, they may have had a website six years ago that they haven’t really looked at.”

Pitts says more people are using the web to search for what they need, and then doing business on-line. Pitt says “if you’re not found online you might not be found at all, you might be just passed over.” She says she walks down the street in her neighborhood after the Yellow Pages are delivered they are in the recycle bins at almost every house.

Pitts says many customers make up their minds about what to buy before ever stepping into a storefront. She says the good news for businesses is that it’s getting easier and less expensive to build an effective web presence. The governor’s office says six out of 10 Iowa small businesses are without a website. Business owners can learn more about the Google program during workshops planned at several locations around the state next month.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa’s new dove hunting season opens this week

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa’s newest hunting season opens later this week following months of heated debate about the use of lead shot and the killing of mourning doves. Iowa’s new dove hunting season will run from September 1 through November 9. Experienced dove hunters, like Scott Gritters of Guttenberg, are excited they won’t have to travel out of state to test their skills. Gritters, a DNR fisheries biologist, says dove hunting is a relaxing, yet challenging sport.

“They’re very sporty and acrobatic. It takes a good shot to get ’em,” Gritters said. The dove season is expected to attract around 20,000 resident hunters, including many who have never before hunted doves. Gritters says it can be frustrating for beginners. He suggests practicing with clay targets. “I think those people who are really good at shooting teal, which is a very fast duck…I think those people will have a better chance at (shooting doves),” Gritters said. “But hunting is like anything, you’ll be better if you practice.” Doves are most active in the morning and evening and tend to flock near water and low-standing or harvested crops. Hunters can wear camouflage, but are not allowed to use live decoys or bird calls. Gritters says doves are not only a challenge to shoot, but good to eat.

“I’m really looking forward to cooking the first batch up. They are an awesome eating bird,” Gritters said. “We usually just wrap ’em in bacon on the grill.” Iowa is now one of 41 states to allow dove hunting. Hunters are being allowed to use lead shot this season, despite protests from some individuals who’ve raised environmental concerns. The Iowa Legislature is expected to debate a ban on lead shot before the 2012 dove hunting season.
For more information, surf to:  www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/MigratoryGameBirds/MourningDoves.aspx

(Radio Iowa)

LENORE MAUK, 102, of Montclair, CA & formerly of Griswold, (graveside svcs 9-6-11

Obituaries

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

LENORE MAUK, 102, of Montclair, CA (& formerly of Griswold), died Sun., Aug. 28th, at the Montclair Manor in Montclair, CA, where she had been a resident since 1995. Graveside services for LENORE MAUK will be held 2-p.m. Tue., Sept. 6th, at the Griswold Cemetery, west of town. Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with their arrangements.

There is no visitation. Friends and family are asked to meet at the cemetery for the service.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.duhnfuneral.com.

LENORE MAUK is survived by:

Her daughter – Diane Mauk, of Chino Hills, CA.

Her sons – Dale Mauk, of Kingman, Az, & Bill Mauk, of Galt, CA.

Her brother – Leon (Dorothy) Putnam, of Griswold.

8 grandchildren, several great- and great-great grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.

AMBER L. OBERHOLTZ, 89, of Panora & formerly of Casey (svcs 8-31-11)

Obituaries

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMBER L. OBERHOLTZ, 89, of Panora (& formerly of Casey), died Sun., Aug. 28th, at the Panora Nursing & Rehab Center. Funeral services for AMBER OBERHOLTZ will be held 11-a.m. Wed., Aug. 31st, at the Casey United Methodist Church. Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart has the arrangements.

Visitation at the church will be held one-hour prior to the service, on Wednesday.

Burial will be in the Spribg Valley Cemtery/Quaker Cemetery, north of Casey.

Memorials contributions may be made to Hospice, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Chiefs’ Johnson finally reaching elite status

Sports

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Derrick Johnson may finally be on the cusp of stardom. It’s only taken six years, 90 games and countless headaches to get there. The Kansas City linebacker is coming off a breakthrough season in which he had a career-high 94 tackles and helped the Chiefs win the AFC West title. It was the kind of season that fans have been expecting of Johnson since he was their first-round draft pick in 2005. Johnson acknowledged that he must become the leader of a young but talented defense. Even though he’s just 28, there are only a handful of players on the entire roster who have been in the league longer than him.

ISU transfer Simon won’t play vs. UNI

Sports

August 30th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads says defensive lineman Henry Simon will start practicing with the Cyclones today (Tuesday), but won’t be available for Saturday night’s opener against Northern Iowa. Simon, a 6-foot-3, 302-pound junior college transfer from Chula Vista, Calif., is expected to eventually push for playing time on the line. Rhoads also says redshirt junior Jon Caspers has been moved from guard to defensive tackle to bolster that unit’s depth. Rhoads says true freshman wide receivers Quenton Bundrage and Ja’Quarius Daniels should play immediately, as will freshman defensive back Jared Brackens and junior college transfer Ernst Brun, Jr., a tight end.