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Skyscan Forecast – Thursday, August 8th, 2019

Weather

August 8th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly cloudy to cloudy w/scattered showers & thunderstorms possible this morning. High 82. N @ 10.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 59. Winds light & variable.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 84 N @ 5-10.

Saturday: P/Cldy w/shwrs & tstsorms possible, late. High 87.

Sunday: Mo. cldy w/scattered thundershowers. High 82.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 87. Our Low this morning 64. Last year on this date our High was 88 and the Low was 57. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 111 in 1934. The Record Low was 39 in 1904.

Midwest Sports Headlines: 8/8/2019

Sports

August 8th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa athletic director Gary Barta has agreed to a three-year contract extension. Barta has been with the Hawkeyes since 2006. The school says he is now signed through 2024. Barta will earn a salary of $650,000 a year with deferred compensation that will bring his total up to $1 million in 2020-21.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Russell Martin drove a two-run, two-out single up the middle in the ninth inning for the Dodgers’ 10th walk-off win of the season, and Los Angeles swept the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory. Martin improbably came through after a frustrating offensive day for the Dodgers, who have won five straight. Marcell Ozuna homered in the sixth for the Cardinals, who went 0-5 on their California road trip after scoring just two runs in three games at Dodger Stadium.

BOSTON (AP) — The series finale between the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals was suspended by rain with the score tied 4-4 in the top of the 10th inning. The game will be picked up where it left off _ with a 2-1 count on Meibrys Viloria _ on a mutual off-day, Aug. 22, at 1:05 p.m.

BOSTON (AP) — Kansas City Royals speedster Billy Hamilton was so fast even the first base umpire couldn’t seem to believe it. Hamilton had back-to-back plays at first base overturned by instant replay against Boston. The first was a relay on a potential double play. The second he just legged out an infield single.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs did a complete overhaul of their defense this past offseason. But the offense? There is plenty of continuity there. And that could mean more big things for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Olympic champion Simone Biles remains angry at the way USA Gymnastics and other organizations botched the investigation into former national team doctor Larry Nassar. A congressional report took USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the FBI to task for their slow reaction to claims of abuse against Nassar. Nassar abused hundreds of athletes including Biles under the guise of treatment. Biles says she doesn’t know if USA Gymnastics is capable of changing.

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks have signed Isaiah Roby, the 45th overall pick acquired by the club on draft night. The Mavericks drafted Deividas Sirvydis at No. 37 overall in the second round and sent his rights to Detroit for the rights to Roby and two future second-round picks. The 6-foot-8 Roby skipped his senior season at Nebraska to enter the draft.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The owner and president of the Triple-A baseball team that will start play in Wichita, Kansas, next year says the new $75 million stadium will be the site of a lot more than baseball. The Wichita Eagle reports that the final structural beam on the stadium was hoisted into place Wednesday. The minor league team is moving from New Orleans to Wichita starting next season.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, August 8, 2019

News

August 8th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:30 a.m. CDT

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police in western Iowa say a man has been found dead in a Council Bluffs home, and that the discovery is related to a case of an armed man who was shot dead by police hours earlier. Council Bluffs police say in a news release that the body of the 51-year-old man was found around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police say the man’s death is related to another case in which an officer fatally shot a driver who had crashed his truck and was pointing guns at police and a woman inside the truck.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — It’s time for the Iowa State Fair, home of deep-fried everything, and every four years, presidential candidates. Starting Thursday, more than 20 Democratic White House hopefuls will navigate the festival of nutritionally questionable snacks while flocks of media cover their dietary choices. The candidates try to look presidential while at ease with the folkways of Middle America. But the offerings pose challenges for vegetarian Tulsi Gabbard and vegan Cory Booker.

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is accusing President Donald Trump of “fanning the flames of white supremacy.” Campaigning in Iowa on Wednesday, the former vice president also charged that the president offers no moral leadership and seems to have no interest in unifying the country. Biden and other Democrats seeking to take Trump’s place have been nearly unanimous in supporting an aggressive plan to confront gun violence in the aftermath of last weekend’s mass shootings.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The mother of a man charged in the shooting death of a Des Moines man earlier this summer has also been arrested in the case. Police said in a news release Wednesday that 40-year-old Tameeca Marie Lyke has been charged with preventing apprehension/obstructing prosecution. Lyke is the mother of 20-year-old Michael Reco Lyke Jr., who has been charged with first-degree murder and other counts in the June 28 shooting death of 41-year-old Earl Marcello Caldwell.

Dodgers sweep the Cardinals w/a 2-1 win Wednesday

Sports

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Russell Martin drove a two-run, two-out single up the middle in the ninth inning for the Dodgers’ 10th walk-off win of the season, and Los Angeles swept the St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-1 victory.

Martin improbably came through after a frustrating offensive day for the Dodgers, who have won five straight. Marcell Ozuna homered in the sixth for the Cardinals, who went 0-5 on their California road trip after scoring just two runs in three games at Dodger Stadium.

Cardinals RHP Alex Reyes went back to St. Louis for more examination of the pain in his shoulder and pectoral muscle. He threw a bullpen session Monday for the first time since June, but apparently didn’t respond well.

UP NEXT for the Cardinals: After a travel day home, Dakota Hudson (10-6, 3.99 ERA) looks for a bounce-back start against Chris Archer (3-8, 5.35 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

RAGBRAI profitable in Atlantic: by the numbers

News

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith, Wednesday, presented a report to the City Council, with regard to the success of RAGBRAI. The Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa was held July 21st and 22nd, with Atlantic serving as an overnight stop.

Of the event, Smith said after all the bills were paid, RAGBRAI profits amounted to $43,200. That figure will be split into quarters, with $10,800 donated to the Chamber, Police Department, Fire Department and Booster Club.

Here are some of the background and final stats for the event:

  • The event was in the planning stages (ever since the City was notified) for six-months, with a core committee of 27 people, and 20 committees formed to help in the planning and coordination.
  • There were 32 food vendors in all, 14 were local, non-profit organizations. Their $100 vendor fees were returned to those organizations. There were also four, local for-profit vendors, while the rest travel with RAGBRAI from point-to-point.
  • There were 190 groups of anywhere from 2 to 15 people placed with housing. The numbers showed that was a substantially higher amount than 2011, the last time the event was held in Atlantic. 98% of the housing requests were fulfilled by the Housing Committee.
  • All of the hotels in town were full during the event, as was the Schildberg Campground.
  • In addition to the Schildberg Campground, RAGBRAI participants stayed at one of the five other campgrounds in Atlantic. Those sites included the Sunnyside Park, the Cass County Fairgrounds, Middle School, High School and on the ground of the Heritage House.
  • There were a little more than 8,100 riders who camped out. (2,200 were at Sunnyside, 2,300 at the Fairgrounds, 2,200 at the Middle School, 325 at the Heritage House, and 910 at the High School.) That does not include persons who were housed or camped out in private yards or properties with permission.
  • There were about 16,000 registered riders in town for the event, and an unofficial count of around 2,000, who didn’t register but just joined-in for the ride for a certain amount of miles.
  • About 12,000 people were downtown Atlantic for the concert.
  • There were 14 different types of beer served out of two tents that were run by the Atlantic Fire Department. Over 1,000 cases of beer was ordered, with very little returned.
  • Smith said the town was nearly spotless the morning of the ride out of town.
  • And, she said the Chamber has received “An overwhelming amount of positive comments how the event went,” including mutually positive comments from residents and riders.
  • According to Bailey Smith, many riders were impressed with the Christmas lights that added an extra special attraction to the downtown the night of July 21st. Those same persons said they would love to come back for Atlantic’s Lighted Parade and Christmas festivities.

Scooters Coffee coming to Atlantic

News

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

A Midwest-based coffee chain is coming to Atlantic. In his report to the City Council Wednesday evening, City Administrator John Lund said Scooter’s Coffee plans to locate their business just east of Oinkers, on the grassy area in front of the Verizon Store. Lund said representatives from the company will attend the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on Tuesday. They submitted a site plan for the Commission to review. There was no immediate word on a timeline for the business to be established, but one of the first steps is for the site plan to be approved.

The company has locations in Carroll, Council Bluffs, Omaha, Bellevue, NE.  Scooter’s was founded in Bellevue, Nebraska in 1998. Their website says “Co-founders Don and Linda Eckles began an amazing journey when they opened their first drive-thru coffeehouse in Bellevue, Nebraska. Their keys to success: find a great location and stay committed to high-quality drinks, speed of service, and a BIG smile.”

The co-founder’s daughter was nicknamed “Scooter” and when naming the company, “Scooter’s” became the favorite. It fit well with their mission to keep customers happy by helping them “scoot in and scoot out” quickly.

Body found in South Skunk River identified

News

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A body found near Oskaloosa has been identified. The Iowa Department of Public Safety has identified the victim as 24-year-old Ashley Shafer of Oskaloosa.

She was reported missing to the Oskaloosa Police Department on Monday. Shaefer’s body was found Tuesday afternoon in the South Skunk River near the Glendale Access in Mahaska County.

The D-C-I says the cause of Shafer’s death is still pending and there is no known threat to the public.

LOUISE JEAN MERKLE, 86, of Oakland (Svcs. 8/10/19)

Obituaries

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LOUISE JEAN MERKLE, 86, of Oakland, died Tuesday, August 6th, at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. Funeral services for LOUISE MERKLE will be held 2-p.m. Saturday, August 10th, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. Rieken Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be on Friday, August 9, 2019, from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM at the Oakland United Methodist Church.

Interment will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery.

Memorial are suggested to the United Methodist Church Mission Fund for clean water

LOUISE MERKLE is survived by:

Her husband – Richard Merkle, of Oakland.

Her children:  Cindy (Wes) Freemyer, of Oakland; Rick (Susan) Merkle, of Indianola; Steve (Victoria) Merkle, of Coralville, and Susan (Mark) Parman, of Hayward, WI.

13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and her brother-in-law Orie Clayton of Clarinda.  She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.

Authorities release more info. on Bluffs chase/shooting; Tie-in with body found Wed. morning

News

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Council Bluffs Police Department reports that at around 12:30-p.m. today (Wednesday), the Pottawattamie County Communications Center received a call to a residence in the 200 block of Yellow Pole Road – man down/medical call.  Pottawattamie County Deputies and Council Bluffs Officers responded and discovered a deceased 51 year-old male inside the residence.  Information developed during the investigation in this case, and a pursuit/shooting by Police early this (Wednesday) morning, indicates that incident are tied together.

Due to the complexity of the investigations, the need to notify family, and to follow up on additional leads we will not be releasing any further information until 9-a.m. Thursday.

Earlier today (Wednesday), authorities said law enforcement officials were in the preliminary stages of investigating a fatal, officer-involved shooting that took place  in the 1400 block of Indian Hills Road. A about 2:15-a.m., a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to stop a 1997 Dodge Ram pickup, in the area of 205th Street and Juniper Road. When the driver of the pickup refused to yield, a pursuit began.

The deputy reported several gunshots were fired at him from the interior of the pickup, during the short pursuit. The vehicle eluded the deputy and drove southbound into Council Bluffs on Railroad Avenue, when Council Bluffs Police engaged in the pursuit. Shots were fired out of the pickup at the pursuing officers, with one of the marked Council Bluffs P-D SUV’s being struck by gunfire.

The pickup exited Railroad Avenue and entered onto Indian Hills Drive, where the driver lost control before the vehicle rolled onto its side. Several officers surrounded the vehicle, which was occupied by the male driver and a female passenger. Officers could see the man was armed with two firearms, one of which was pointed at the female, while the other was pointed in the direction of the officers.

Police attempted to convince the driver to put down his weapons, but he refused. An officer on the scene fired one round at the driver, striking him in the head, ending the hostage situation. The female was taken to a Council Bluffs hospital for a precautionary evaluation.

The names of the driver and passenger, as well as the officers and deputies involved, will be released at a later stage in the investigation. No officers or deputies were injured during the pursuit or hostage incident, which remains under investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, with assistance from the Council Bluffs P-D and Pott. County Sheriff’s Office.

Iowa extends AD Gary Barta through 2024

Sports

August 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa athletic director Gary Barta has agreed to a three-year contract extension. The school announced Wednesday that Barta, who has been with the Hawkeyes since 2006, is now signed through 2024. Barta will earn a salary of $650,000 a year with deferred compensation that will bring his total up to $1 million in 2020-21.

Barta is responsible for hiring basketball coach Fran McCaffery and retaining longtime football coach Kirk Ferentz and women’s basketball coach Lida Bluder, who led Iowa to the Elite Eight in March. But the school also settled a pair of lawsuits totaling $6.5 million two years ago in the wake of Barta’s dismissal of field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum.