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M. JEANIE CHRISTENSEN, 80, of Harlan (Svcs. 2/24/15)

Obituaries

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

M. JEANIE CHRISTENSEN, 80, of Harlan, died Fri., Feb. 20th, at Myrtue Medical Center, in Harlan. Funeral services for JEANIE CHRISTENSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., Feb. 24th, at the 1st Baptist Church in Harlan. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Mon. (2/23), from 5-until 8-pm, with the family greeting friends from 6-to 8-pm.

Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery.

JEANIE CHRISTENSEN is survived by:

Her husband – Donald Christensen, of Harlan.

Her son – Jeffrey (Kerri) Christensen, of Schuyler, NE.

Her daughter – Jennifer (Jerry) Christensen, of Castle Rock, CO.

5 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

NWS weather forecast for Atlantic & the KJAN listening area

Weather

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 5-a.m. Sun., 2/22/15)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -10. North wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around -7. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 20. Wind chill values as low as -10. Light south southwest wind becoming southwest 8 to 13 mph in the morning.
Mon. Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 16. Wind chill values as low as zero. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph.
Tue. Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23.

Posted in Weather |

City Mgr. in Avoca takes some heat over potential conflicts of interest

News

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The City Manager in Avoca is getting some heat over potential conflicts of interest involving his work for other cities, and his outside business interests. The Omaha World-Herald reports 37-year old Clint Fichter who became Avoca’s first city manager in 2007, is chief executive officer of a company he founded that advises and provides administrative services for area communities, including Adair, Shelby and Neola. He also is executive director of the nonprofit Avoca Betterment Association, which develops affordable housing in that city of 1,600, and is one of three partners in A-Town Capital Group, which has purchased two commercial buildings on the town’s main street.

Mayor Jennie Maassen said she questions whether his work for other cities represents a conflict of interest. She also doesn’t think Avoca gets enough work out of Fichter because of his outside commitments. Both State Ombudsman Ruth Cooperrider and the president of the Iowa City/County Managers Association said Friday that when it comes to conflict of interest issues, appearances matter. Nonetheless, neither had enough information to say if Fichter’s actions were contrary to professional ethics or state law.

Councilwoman Sandy Petersen said for every dollar spent on Fichter’s salary, he has returned $11 to the city as a result of his grant writing. Fichter is paid $81,000 per year by the City of Avoca. He said he works about 45 hours at his job as city manager and about 15 more hours per week on other projects. He and his consulting business received about $49,000 for the outside work last year.

Fichter claims his opponents are trying to make his life unpleasant to get him to leave Avoca. He noted that his five-year contract, approved by the City Council in 2013, allows him to do work for other cities. Fichter advises other cities through a consulting company he founded called Polychronic. Polychronic provides a variety of services, including financial accounting, record-keeping and strategic planning for both Adair and Neola. He also serves as the city attorney in Shelby. He represented the city in its recent dispute with its volunteer firefighters.

Posted in News |

High School Basketball scores from Sat., 2/20/15

Sports

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

GIRLS REGIONAL BASKETBALL
Class 3A
Red Oak 72, Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 69
Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 41, LeMars 34
Class 4A
Indianola 47, Creston 29
Winterset 63, Perry 58
Harlan 67, ADM, Adel 30
Lewis Central 69, Glenwood 41
Class 5A
Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines 72, Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 23

Posted in Sports |

Iowa Gov. Branstad’s cannabis oil idea faces roadblocks

News

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has suggested Iowa residents could one day buy cannabis oil in neighboring Illinois, a move that industry experts say has major legislative roadblocks if it’s ever seriously considered. Branstad recently said he was open to working with officials in Illinois, which has a pilot program to produce and distribute medical marijuana. Iowa has a law that allows residents with some forms of epilepsy to use oil with an ingredient derived from marijuana for treatment.

Illinois law would need to be changed to let Iowa residents purchase the oil there. Federal law would prohibit them from bringing it back to Iowa. Chris Lindsey, with the Marijuana Policy Project, says the situation highlights the dilemma for states that allow some medical marijuana without a clear path to access it.

Posted in News |

Alston, Ohio State women beat No. 13 Iowa, 100-82

Sports

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ameryst Alston had 29 points and a career-high 11 assists, Alexa Hart scored 17 to go with 10 rebounds, and the Ohio State women snapped a five-game losing streak against Number 13 Iowa Saturday night, pulling away in the second half for a 100-82 win. Alston made 10 of 16 field goals, including 5 of 6 from 3-point range for Ohio State (19-9, 11-5 Big Ten), which shot 58.6 percent on 29 second-half field-goal attempts and has won four of its last five.

Kelsey Mitchell had 17 points, Shayla Cooper added 14 and 12 rebounds and Cait Craft scored 10 for the Buckeyes, who used a 23-4 run midway through the second half secure the win. Mitchell, a freshman, moved into fifth on the school’s single-season scoring list with 690 points. Samantha Logic led Iowa (21-6, 12-4) 23 points and six assists, moving her into third on the Big Ten’s career assist list with 831.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Sun., Feb. 22nd 2015

News

February 22nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Burlington police say they have located a vehicle they believe was involved in the shooting death of a man earlier this week. Police had asked the public for help on social media websites and through the local crime stoppers program in finding a black SUV after 24-year-old Deonte Carter was found fatally wounded in a city street Monday afternoon.

CLEAR LAKE, Iowa (AP) — Two northern Iowa men are in trouble for telling a fish story that state officials say may not be true. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says Aaron Lauber of Clear Lake and Jason Schuttler of Manly are charged with theft by deception after officials believe they cheated at a state-sponsored fish tournament at Clear Lake on February 8th.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Students, faculty and staff at the University of Iowa are making it clear they want candidates for university president committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive campus. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the university held three town hall meetings Friday as the process of finding a successor for Sally Mason begins.

MITCHELLVILLE, Iowa (AP) — At least 17 women in prison at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville are donating some of their hair to be used to make wigs for women diagnosed with cancer. The Iowa Department of Corrections says the women will have at least eight inches of their hair cut by a Madrid hair stylist on Sunday.

Posted in News |

State Wrestling Championship Results

Sports

February 21st, 2015 by Jim Field

Class 1-A:

  • 106 – Justin Portillo (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 42-1, Jr. over Blake Bauer (Southeast Warren, Liberty Center) 51-4, So. (Fall 2:39).
  • 113 – Alex Thomsen (Underwood) 44-0, Fr. over Eric Lenz (Tipton) 34-4, Sr. (Dec 10-3).
  • 120 – Bryce West (Highland, Rverside) 50-0, So. over Cole Needham (West Marshall, State Center) 45-5, Jr. (MD 14-6).
  • 126 – Josh Portillo (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 46-1, Jr. over Tanner Greenwald (Wilton) 34-4, Jr. (TF-1.5 4:54 (17-1)).
  • 132 – Joel Haberman (Clarion-Goldfield-Dows) 43-8, Sr. over Hunter Washburn (Alburnett) 43-5, Sr. (SV-1 3-1).
  • 138 – Carter Happel (Lisbon) 55-0, Jr. over Trey Brisker (Wilton) 46-8, Fr. (MD 18-6).
  • 145 – Blake Meyer (Sumner-Fredericksburg) 49-4, Sr. over Conner Shulista (Alburnett) 49-3, Jr. (Dec 8-7).
  • 152 – Bryce Paul (Alburnett) 47-4, Jr. over Sawyer Amling (Edgewood-Colesburg) 30-1, Sr. (Fall 2:45).
  • 160 – Kegen Fingalsen (Central Springs) 56-0, Sr. over Cody Kingery (Underwood) 31-3, Sr. (Dec 4-0).
  • 170 – Dale Hilleman (West Marshall, State Center) 37-4, Sr. over Austin Hoyle (Alburnett) 35-16, Sr. (Fall 1:04).
  • 182 – Evan Hansen (Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton) 57-0, Sr. over Austin Laabs (Guthrie Center) 44-6, Sr. (MD 18-6).
  • 195 – Cash Wilcke (OA-BCIG) 43-0, Sr. over Zach Hickson (Don Bosco, Gilbertville) 47-3, Sr. (Fall 0:43).
  • 220 – Ryan Parmely (Maquoketa Valley, Delhi) 56-0, Sr. over Andrew Petersen (Woodbury Central, Moville) 50-4, Sr. (MD 12-2).
  • 285 – Levi Paulsen (Woodbury Central, Moville) 26-1, Sr. over Joe Ricker (Mount Ayr) 49-1, Sr. (Dec 5-1).

Class 2-A:

  • 106 – Michael Millage (Crestwood) 42-1, Fr. over Josh Keller (Columbus Community, Columbus Junction) 43-4, Jr. (Dec 6-3).
  • 113 – Brennen Doebel (Clear Lake) 48-1, Sr. over Derek Holschlag (Union) 53-3, So. (Dec 3-1).
  • 120 – Brock Rathbun (Center Point-Urbana) 50-0, Jr. over Brayden Curry (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) 54-3, So. (Dec 10-3).
  • 126 – Ryan Leisure (Clear Lake) 47-1, So. over Tristan Clark (PCM, Monroe) 44-4, Sr. (Dec 6-1).
  • 132 – Bradley Irwin (Centerville) 51-7, Sr. over Dusten Reed (Bedford/Lenox) 50-1, Sr. (Dec 4-1).
  • 138 – Brady Jennings (Osage) 45-2, Sr. over Spencer Wray (Creston/Orient-Macksburg) 30-3, Sr. (Dec 7-3).
  • 145 – Max Thomsen (Union) 56-0, Sr. over Caleb Coleman (Bondurant-Farrar) 43-3, Sr. (Dec 3-0).  **Thomsen is a four time state champion**
  • 152 – Chase Straw (Independence) 46-1, Sr. over Tristan Johnson (Osage) 47-6, Jr. (Fall 3:40).
  • 160 – Chase Shiltz (Creston/Orient-Macksburg) 31-0, So. over Zach Johnston (ADM) 41-3, Jr. (MD 11-3).
  • 170 – Jacob Holschlag (Union) 55-0, Sr. over Nick Baumler (North Fayette Valley) 45-4, Jr. (MD 9-1).
  • 182 – Joe Teague (Algona) 42-1, Sr. over Brent Lammers (West Delaware, Manchester) 37-1, Sr. (Fall 5:13).
  • 195 – Steven Holloway (Mediapolis) 52-1, Sr. over Brad Skubal (Washington) 43-4, Sr. (Dec 9-2).
  • 220 – Carter Isley (Albia) 48-0, Jr. over Kendrick Suntken (Hampton-Dumont) 34-4, Sr. (Dec 1-0).
  • 285 – Alex Silberstein (Ballard) 43-2, Sr. over Mario Pena (Hampton-Dumont) 47-3, Sr. (SV-1 3-1).

Class 3-A:

  • 106 – Brody Teske (Fort Dodge) 43-0, Fr. over Jakob Allison (Waukee) 42-7, Jr. (Dec 8-4).
  • 113 – Jack Wagner (Bettendorf) 48-1, Jr. over Triston Lara (Fort Dodge) 39-4, So. (Dec 9-4).
  • 120 – Jacob Schwarm (Bettendorf) 48-2, Sr. over Grant Stotts (Valley, WDM) 38-7, Fr. (Fall 2:58).
  • 126 – Nolan Hellickson (Southeast Polk) 43-0, Sr. over Skylar DeJong (Oskaloosa) 44-2, Sr. (Dec 8-2).
  • 132 – Michael Zachary (Dowling Catholic, WDM) 33-4, Jr. over Paul Glynn (Bettendorf) 47-6, Sr. (Dec 5-2).
  • 138 – Josh Wenger (Prairie Cedar Rapids) 45-1, Sr. over Daniel Kelly (Cedar Falls) 26-2, Sr. (Dec 8-2).
  • 145 – Fredy Stroker (Bettendorf) 50-1, Sr. over Aaron Meyer (Southeast Polk) 40-6, Sr. (Fall 0:43).
  • 152 – Marcus Coleman (Ames) 40-3, So. over Briar Dittmer (Southeast Polk) 28-7, Sr. (Dec 9-5).
  • 160 – Bryce Steiert (Waverly-Shell Rock) 53-1, Sr. over Dayton Racer (Bettendorf) 42-4, Sr. (SV-1 3-1).
  • 170 – Isaiah Patton (Dowling Catholic, WDM) 39-2, Sr. over Max Lyon (Epworth, Western Dubuque) 47-2, So. (SV-1 5-3).
  • 182 – Mitch Otto (Sioux City East) 45-3, Sr. over Jarod Cadena (Prairie Cedar Rapids) 38-8, Sr. (Dec 4-1).
  • 195 – Sam Cook (Fort Dodge) 42-1, Jr. over Deion Mikesell (Southeast Polk) 28-9, Sr. (Dec 6-2).
  • 220 – Ethan Andersen (Southeast Polk) 44-1, Jr. over Gannon Gremmel (Dubuque Hempstead) 44-1, Jr. (Dec 9-3).
  • 285 – Jake Marnin (Southeast Polk) 36-0, Sr. over Dalton Kuehl (Cedar Rapids Jefferson) 37-8, Sr. (Fall 5:00).

Posted in Sports |

Niang and Thomas lead No. 14 Iowa State over Texas 85-77

Sports

February 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Georges Niang and Matt Thomas scored 17 points each to help No. 14 Iowa State beat Texas 85-77 on Saturday. For Thomas, a sophomore reserve, it was a career high. Iowa State (20-6, 10-4 Big 12) won its second straight Big 12 road game, something the Cyclones had not accomplished since the 2005-06 season. They had lost six straight at Texas since their only victory over the Longhorns in Austin in 2005.

Kendal Yancy led Texas (17-10, 6-8) with a career-best 29 points, 18 more than his average. He scored 21 in the second half. Isaiah Taylor added 23, matching his career high. Yancy made a career-high six 3-pointers. His fourth of the game left Texas trailing by just five points with seven minutes remaining. But Iowa State trumped that with consecutive 3s by Thomas and Naz Long.

Posted in Sports |

No. 11 Northern Iowa rolls past Bradley 56-39

Sports

February 21st, 2015 by Ric Hanson

 CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Nate Buss and Wes Washpun each scored 11 points off the bench and 11th-ranked Northern Iowa rolled past Bradley 56-39 on Saturday, matching a school record with its 15th straight win. Seth Tuttle added nine points and eight rebounds for the Panthers (26-2, 15-1 MVC), who also took their seventh straight by at least 10 points.

Northern Iowa led by just four at halftime. But its defense allowed just seven points in the opening 12:37 of the second half, helping turn a tight game into yet another blowout in favor of the surging Panthers. Josh Cunningham and Nate Wells each had six points for Bradley (8-21, 3-13). The Braves are the fourth team that Northern Iowa has held to 40 points or less during Valley play.

Posted in Sports |