Iowa governor brushes off Cher comments on hogs

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is brushing off entertainer Cher’s criticism about hog crates. Cher posted a message on Twitter Tuesday asking why Iowa farmers “torture pigs” in narrow gestation crates, and calling New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie a “bully” for his stance on the issue.

Christie recently vetoed legislation outlawing gestation crates in New Jersey. New Jersey has few hogs, but some argue that Christie is influenced by the early voting status of Iowa, a state that raises more than 20 million hogs annually. Christie is weighing a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

Branstad has dismissed that characterization. On Wednesday he responded to Cher, saying, “They know a lot about pig production out there in Hollywood.”

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Drug-related arrests in Audubon County

News

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports two people from northern Iowa were arrested Tuesday night, on drug charges. 50-year-old Jeffery Allan Wear and 32-year-old Crystal Marie Rashedi, both of Fort Dodge, were taken into custody at around 9:30 p.m., following a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Bluebird Avenue.

The pair was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, and a Tax Stamp Violation.

Wear and Rashedi were being held in the Audubon County Jail on $100,000 bond, each.

Posted in News |

DAVID BOECK, 70, of Manilla (Svcs. 12/8/14)

Obituaries

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DAVID BOECK, 70, of Manilla, died Wed., Dec. 3rd, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Funeral services for DAVID BOECK will be held 2-p.m. Mon., Dec. 8th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla. Ohde Funeral Home in Manilla has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-until 7-pm Sunday, Dec. 7th, and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Manilla on Monday, from 1-p.m. until the time of service.

Burial will be in the Nishnabotna Cemetery near Manilla.

DAVID BOECK is survived by:

Wife: Charlotte Boeck of Manilla.

His daughters – Denise (Kenneth) Holloway, of Harlan. Carissa (Peter) Rosonke, of Wake Forest, North Carolina. Linette (Jason) DeSart, of Lanesboro.

His siblings – Donna Taylor, of Omaha; Charles Boeck, of Denison, & Robbie Boeck, of Omaha.

Mother-in-law: Zona Saunders of Manilla.

6 grandchildren.

Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

3 arrests in Mills County

News

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Three people were arrested Tuesday in Mills County. The Sheriff’s Office reports 29-year old Bradley Allen Fink, of Malvern, was arrested at the Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for OWI 2nd, Theft 2nd and Driving While Revoked. Also arrested at the Sheriff’s Office Tuesday, was 26-year old Andrew Dean West, of Malvern, who was wanted on a warrant for two counts of Conspiracy.

And, 28-year old Clayton Andrew Fritz, of Pacific Junction, was arrested at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Failure To Appear on a Driving While Barred charge.

Bond for all three men was set at $5,000, each.

Posted in News |

Disabled Iowa residents still waiting for services

News

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Thousands of disabled Iowa residents remain on waiting lists for state assistance despite the $6 million the Legislature earmarked to reduce those numbers. The Des Moines Register reports more than 9,000 Iowa residents are waiting, some for more than two years, for services to help them with their mental or physical disabilities. State lawmakers approved the funds last year for the Iowa Department of Human Services.

In June, about 8,400 people were on the lists. The number increased to almost 9,300 by October. Patient advocates say the state agency hasn’t spent much of the money intended to quicken access to the services. A spokeswoman said Tuesday the agency will soon ramp up the effort.

Posted in News |

Backyard and Beyond 12-03-2014

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 3rd, 2014 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Anne Pellett, Member of the Cass County Unit of American Cancer Society, about the Festival of Trees.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.0MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Posted in Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts |

Local High School Wrestling Rankings by The Predicament

Sports

December 3rd, 2014 by Jim Field

The Predicament’s Class 1-A State Tournament Team Rankings (CLICK HERE for full 1-A rankings)

1. Alburnett (5)
2. Woodbury Central (6)
3. SE Warren (6)
4. Clarion-Goldfield (3)
5. Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (4)
6. Lisbon (4)
7. Wilton (5)
8. West Marshall (5)
9. Sumner-Fredericksburg (3)
10. Underwood (2)

The Predicament’s Class 1-A Preseason Individual Rankings (Local only)
106
5. Tatem Bluml (Jr.) Oakland Riverside
9. Wyatt Crocker (Fr.) Logan Magnolia

113
2. Alex Thomsen (Fr.) Underwood

120
6. Craig Rice (Sr.) Southwest Iowa

126
3. Christian Polley (Sr.) Tri Center-Neola

138
5 Brad Kerkhoff (Sr.) Audubon
8. Jacob Vogel (Sr.) Oakland Riverside

145
6. Jake Mulford (Jr.) Audubon
9. Brady Charbonneau (Sr.) Logan Magnolia

152
4. Trevor Smith (Sr.) Audubon
7. Josh Hopkins (Jr.) East Mills

160
1. Cody Kingery (Sr.) Underwood

170
6. Riley Wohlers (Jr.) Logan-Magnolia

182
1. Evan Hansen (Sr.) Exira/EHK
3. Austin Laabs (Sr.) Guthrie Center

195
9. Wilson Solorzano (Sr.) Panorama

220
3. Cale Crowder (Sr.) Guthrie Center

The Predicament’s Class 2-A State Tournament Team Rankings (CLICK HERE for full 2-A rankings)

1. Mediapolis (8)
2. Union (6)
3. Davenport Assumption (7)
4. Clear Lake (4)
5. Central Lyon (6)
6. Osage (3)
7. Albia (3)
8. Independence (5)
9. Dubuque Wahlert (3)
10. Crestwood (5)

The Predicament’s Class 2-A Preseason Individual Rankings (Local only)
106
6. Wil Beach (Sr.) Harlan

113
4. Jared Hensley (So.) Bedford-Lenox
10. Carter Cox (So.) Atlantic

132
6. Dusten Reed (Sr.) Bedford-Lenox

152
10. Luke Strong (Sr.) Clarinda

170
6. JJ Clark (Jr.) Clarinda

195
5. Seth Maitlen (Jr.) Creston
9. Christian Lauritsen (Sr.) Clarinda

220
8. Kadon Hulett (So.) Creston

The Predicament’s Class 3-A State Tournament Team Rankings (CLICK HERE for full 3-A rankings)
1. SE Polk (12)
2. Bettendorf (8)
3. Cedar Rapids Jefferson (7)
4. Cedar Rapids Prairie (6)
5. Iowa City West (5)
6. Fort Dodge (5)
7. Linn Mar (5)
8. North Scott (5)
9. Dowling Catholic (4)
10. CB Thomas Jefferson (3)

The Predicament’s Class 3-A Individual Preseason Rankings
106
1. McGwire Midkiff (So.) CB Thomas Jefferson
4. Paxton Whiteaker (Jr.) Lewis Central

138
4. Colton Clingenpeel (Jr.) CB Thomas Jefferson
10. Mac Southard (So.) Lewis Central

145
4. Jason Wallace (Sr.) CB Thomas Jefferson
8. Justin Kaltved (Jr.) Carroll

152
4. Matt Malcom (Jr.) Glenwood

160
8 Anthony Sherry (Fr.) Glenwood

182
10. Hayden Waldstein (Jr.) Lewis Central

195
7. Chris Thomas (Sr.) Lewis Central

Posted in Sports |

Deer Hunters waiting to Purchase Licenses

Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports

December 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Hunters planning to be in the timber for Saturday’s opening day of the first shotgun deer season should consider buying their license soon to avoid waiting in line at the license sales counter. Officials with the Iowa DNR say fewer than half of the expected 70,000 hunters have purchased their deer license as of Wednesday morning. A weekend weather forecast with temperatures favorable for hunting could lead to additional hunters choosing to go during the first shotgun season rather than second.

“Good weather usually means more people will be hunting and staying in the field longer which can lead to higher success rates,” said Willie Suchy, wildlife research supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Successful hunters are reminded to report their deer harvest by midnight the day after the deer is recovered. For hunters with Internet access, the online harvest reporting is the easiest way to register the deer. Hunters can report their deer online at www.iowadnr.gov, by calling the toll free reporting number 1-800-771-4692, or at any license vendor.

Accurately reporting the harvest is an important part of Iowa’s deer management program and plays a vital role in managing deer populations and future hunting opportunities. Reporting the harvest is required by law. Hunters will be checked for compliance.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Sports |