712 Digital Group - top

“Trees Please!” grants awarded by MidAmerican Energy

News

March 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with MidAmerican Energy today (Thursday) announced they are distributing a total of $239,000 in grants to 97 cities and community organizations in Iowa, in support of the utilities’ “Trees Please! Program. The funds are distributed each year to promote energy efficiency and environmental beautification, through the planting of trees.

Each of the 97 communities has been awarded at least $1,000. Among them is: Avoca; Bedford; Carson; Defiance; Earlham; Glenwood; Hancock; Kimballton; Red Oak and Shelby. The City of Council Bluffs received a $20,000 grant from the “Trees Please!” program.

The grants are based entirely on the individual merits of the project, benefit to the community, and the ability to obtain matching funds. Each of the 97 communities were notified in December, 2011, that they would be receiving a grant, and the checks are in the process of being delivered.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8th

Trading Post

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: A well cared for 6 1/2 foot artificial Christmas tree (2 pieces), quite expensive, bought locally without stand, will sell complete with stand, asking $25.  Call 249-1726

FOR SALE: Old antique wood, two-handle scythe in fair condition.  Asking $10.  Call 249-1726.

WANTED: Smaller, older camper from the 60′s or 70′s about 10-12 feet.  Would like to restore the camper.  712-304-4262

Drake Seeking Re-Election to Iowa House

News

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

(DES MOINES) – This week Rep. Jack Drake (R-Griswold) filed nomination petitions with the Secretary of State’s office to seek re-election to the Iowa House in the newly-formed district 21.  After redistricting, district 21 is comprised of portions of Cass County (including Atlantic and Griswold), portions of Pottawattamie County (including Walnut), and all of Adams and Union Counties.

Drake was born and raised in district 21 as he attended country school in rural Pottawattamie County and graduated from Atlantic High School.  After he attended the University of Iowa, Drake returned home to farm.

Jack and his wife, Shirley, have four children and eleven grandchildren.  The family attends the Griswold United Methodist Church where Jack has been very active as a Sunday school teacher, chair of the finance committee and chair of the endowment committee.

Rep. Drake has served as a leader in the Iowa House, particularly in the area of agriculture.  He is currently the Chair of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget subcommittee where he has worked to adequately fund the budget while keeping a watchful eye on taxpayer dollars.  He also serves on the Agriculture, Appropriations and State Government Committees.

Drake will continue his focus on job creation, limited government spending, and strengthening Iowa agriculture.

“Generations of Iowans have created the rich farming history that represents our great state.  We must do all that we can to continue that tradition as it passes down to new generations,” said Drake.  “I will continue to work to fund the priorities of Iowans while also protecting the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa.”

In his community, Drake currently serves on the Walnut Telephone Company Board of Directors.  Additionally, he is a member of:  the Corn Growers Association, Soybean Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Farm Bureau.  He has served as the Past-President of both the East Pottawattamie County Extension Council and the East Pottawattamie County Farm Bureau.  He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

“Rep. Drake is a caucus leader and true public servant, one who listens and is respectful of the will of his constituents,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen.  “There is not a more dependable, honest legislator than Rep. Drake.”

Iowa Tops Illinois in Big Ten Tourney

Sports

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

Matt Gatens made sure his Iowa career didn’t end on Thursday.  The senior made a pair of late free throws to help seal the game as Iowa beat Illinois 64-61 in the first round of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis.  Gatens led the Hawkeyes with 20 points as they rallied from a four point halftime deficit.  Freshman Aaron White had 13 points for Iowa.  The biggest difference in the game was free throw shooting, Iowa was 12 of 19 from the stripe, the Illini never shot a free throw.  Meyers Leonard led Illinois with 18 points, while D.J. Richardson and Joseph Bertrand each had 11.  Iowa out-rebounded Illinois 34-32 and the Hawkeyes had nine steals and only turned the ball over six times.  Iowa improves to 17-15 on the season and advances to the quarter-final round Friday when they will face top seed Michigan State.  The game will tip off Friday morning at 11:00.  You can hear the game live on KJAN with the pre-game beginning at 10:00 am.

Agent: Bills TE Chandler Agrees to 2-Year Deal

Sports

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Tight end Scott Chandler has agreed in principal to a two-year contract to re-sign with the Buffalo Bills less than a week before he was eligible to become a free agent, the player’s agent has told The Associated Press.

Rick E. Smith confirmed in an e-mail that his client had agreed to the deal Thursday morning. Chandler, a former Iowa Hawkeye player, announced the news himself by posting it on his Twitter account. Chandler wrote he’s “blessed to be back with the Bills,” and added there’s “nowhere else I want to be.”

Chandler had 38 catches for 389 yards and tied a single-season franchise record with six touchdowns last season.

He becomes the second key offensive player retained by the Bills before free agency opens next week. Buffalo re-signed leading receiver Stevie Johnson on Monday.

Staying in St. Louis an Easy Call for Shortstop

Sports

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Rafael Furcal didn’t have to think too hard about re-signing with the St. Louis Cardinals, even after they declined to pick up his contract option.

Furcal, a trade deadline pickup who was one of the keys to the Cardinals’ World Series run, got a two-year, $14 million contract.

He filled voids last season at leadoff and at shortstop, where he helped to solidify the defense with one of the strongest arms at his position in the major leagues.

Nodaway Valley Falls in 1-A Semi-Finals

Sports

March 8th, 2012 by Jim Field

Danville made a push in the fourth quarter and grabbed a 65-49 win over Nodaway Valley in a Class 1-A boys state semi-final game Thursday morning.  Danville led by three after three quarters, but a 19-6 final quarter advantage was the difference.  The Bears made 15 of their 21 free throw attempts, had a 17-5 edge in second chance points and out-rebounded the Wolverines 40-26.  Steven Soukup led Danville with 25 points and 13 rebounds, Collin Bartsch had 14 points and Michael Soukup added 13.  Nodaway Valley was led by Alex Welsch with 17 points and 11 rebounds and T.J. Bower had 15 points.  Danville improves to 27-0 and will play in the 1-A title game for the second straight year.  Nodaway Valley falls to 23-3 and will play in the 1-A consolation game Friday morning.

BETTY SANNY, 93, of Lewis (Svcs. 3-13-12)

Obituaries

March 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

BETTY SANNY, 93, of Lewis, died Thu., March 8th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Funeral services for BETTY SANNY will be held 10-a.m. Tue., March 13th, at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Visitation is open at the funeral home: Saturday morning, and Sunday afternoon, and all day  Monday; with the family will be present to visit with friends, from 6-8pm Monday.

Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.

Betty Sanny is survived by:

Her daughters – Mable Anderson and Betty Jane Anderson, both of Lewis, and Judy Ireland, of Iowa Falls.

Her son – Rick Sanny, of Lewis.

Her sister – Bernice Burnside, of Atlantic.

18 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 46 great-great grandchildren,and 14 great-great great grandchildren.

Riverside School Board goes back to the drawing board following bond failure

News

March 8th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

A school bond issue that failed twice isn’t slowing down the efforts by the Riverside Community School District to come up with solutions to their aging facilities problems. Twice within the past year a bond issue placed before the voters seeking to consolidate the districts three buildings into one location, failed. Superintendent Jim Sutton says their school board decided to go back to the drawing board. He says both sides of the bond issue are trying to find ways to make patrons happy, and not divide community.

Sutton says the board is starting a committee to help the school district decide on the next step. He says they’re putting out suggestion boxes within the district’s communities. A committee will review the suggestions and report back to the school board. Sutton says the committee will not determine the next steps for the district, but will provide a summary of public input. Any resident of the Riverside School District can sign up for the committee. Sutton says the school district is trying to move quickly on finding volunteers.

He says you can simply call the Central Office at 712-484-2291 by no later than March 16th , to have your name included on the committee. Sutton says the list of volunteers will be taken to the next Riverside School Board meeting for review and a committee of no more than a dozen will be selected.

(Courtesy Joel McCall/KNOD – Harlan)

8AM Sportscast 03-08-2012

Podcasts, Sports

March 8th, 2012 by admin

w/ Jim Field

Play