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Midwest Sports Headlines: 2/12/2019

Sports

February 12th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

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

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have signed troubled running back Kareem Hunt. Hunt was cut by Kansas City in November after a video showed him pushing and kicking a woman last February. Hunt was placed on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list before the Chiefs released him. He was in his second season with Kansas City and was one of the team’s best players. The Browns are giving the 23-year-old a chance to restart his career. He still could be suspended by the league under its personal conduct policy.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — The Southeastern and Big Ten conferences have a series of matchups with ranked teams that will have a big impact atop the league standings. Those games include No. 1 Tennessee’s trip to No. 5 Kentucky as the headliner on the week’s AP Top 25 schedule as well as No. 11 Michigan State’s visit to No. 20 Wisconsin. The week also includes No. 2 Duke’s trip to No. 16 Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Devon Dotson scored 25 points with six free throws in the final 40 seconds of overtime and No. 14 Kansas beat TCU 82-77. The Jayhawks won their second game in a row starting four freshmen. They never trailed in overtime after blowing a 12-point lead in the second half. TCU was trying to win consecutive games against Top 25 teams for the first time.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — The Browns are counting on Kareem Hunt not to run afoul. Cleveland signed the troubled running back to a 1-year contract, adding him to its roster following his release in Kansas City after a video surfaced of him pushing and kicking a woman. Hunt has been receiving counseling and vowed to improve. The NFL is still investigating the incident involving Hunt, who may face a lengthy suspension.

UNDATED (AP) — California authorities have filed criminal charges against Nebraska running back Maurice Washington. He is suspected of possessing a video of his underage high school girlfriend being sexually assaulted by two other people and sending that video to the girl less than a year ago. The university athletic department said it was aware of the situation and Washington’s attorney said his client would cooperate with authorities.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton has joined the Atlanta Falcons as a senior assistant. Sutton was fired by the Chiefs two days after a crushing 37-31 loss in the AFC championship game, when Kansas City failed to stop Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on what turned out to be the only possession of overtime. With the Falcons, Sutton will assist head coach Dan Quinn with game management, timeout usage and replay review.

Iowa early News Headlines: Tuesday, 2/12/2019

News

February 12th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:45 a.m. CST

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party is proposing the biggest changes to the state’s famed caucuses in nearly 50 years. State party chairman Troy Price outlined a measure on Monday that would allow people to participate in the caucuses virtually by telephone or smart devices. The idea is to open the first 2020 presidential caucus to people who cannot attend the local political meetings.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that would eliminate the requirement to obtain a permit to buy or carry a gun in Iowa has been moved out of a three-person Senate subcommittee. Two Republicans agreed to pass it on to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democratic Sen. Tony Bisignano declined to recommend the bill. He disagrees with allowing the sale of handguns at gun shows and person-to-person with no permit or background check. Supporters say requiring permits and fees to own a gun contradicts the U.S. Constitution.

CENTERVILLE, Iowa (AP) — The father of a man charged with murder in the death of a deer hunter has testified that his son owned numerous guns and kept them “everywhere.” The Daily Iowegian reports Jamison Davis testified Monday in the first-degree murder trial of his son, Ethan Davis. Ethan Davis is charged with killing deer hunter Curtis Ross in November 2017 on public hunting ground near Rathbun Lake. Jamison Davis says his son owned shotguns, pistols, knives and more than one AR-15 style weapon.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Starting next year, those pork chops on a stick can be bought with a card. The Iowa State Fair says it will require all food and drink vendors to accept credit and debit cards beginning in 2020. Cash has long been the dominant form of payment for the fried cheese curds, corn dogs and other foods bought by fairgoers.

Iowa Democrats propose ‘virtual’ caucus in 2020

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Democratic Party is proposing the biggest changes to the state’s famed caucuses in nearly 50 years. State party chairman Troy Price outlined a measure on Monday that would allow people to participate in the caucuses virtually by telephone or smart devices. The idea is to open the first 2020 presidential caucus to people who cannot attend the local political meetings.

The move is a response to criticism that the caucuses are difficult for evening workers and the elderly to attend. The six virtual sessions would begin in the days immediately before and on caucus night. The Iowa caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020. The proposal won’t be finalized until the spring.

Area high school basketball scores from Monday, 2/11/19

Sports

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 1A District 1 Play-in

Westwood, Sloan 78, Whiting 26

Class 1A District 15 Play-in

West Harrison, Mondamin 64, West Monona 62

Class 2A District 15 Quarterfinal

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 66, MVAO-CO-U 56

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Alta-Aurelia vs. Missouri Valley, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Atlantic vs. Harlan, ccd.

Carroll vs. Humboldt, ppd.

Clarinda vs. Shenandoah, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Lenox vs. Diagonal, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Mount Ayr vs. AC/GC, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Orient-Macksburg vs. Iowa Christian Academy, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Panorama, Panora vs. West Central Valley, Stuart, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Tri-Center, Neola vs. Red Oak, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Winterset vs. Newton, ccd.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sioux City, East 54, Spencer 31

(Update) Bedford woman killed in Sunday, Union County crash

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(in an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa State Patrol has identified the victim of a crash in Union County, Sunday, as a woman from Taylor County. Authorities say 66-year old Merna Padilla-King, of Bedford, who was not wearing a seat belt died, when her 2017 Chrysler mini-van was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 34, at around 12:17-p.m., Sunday.

The 1998 Dodge pickup was driven by 21-year old Emily M. Haidsiak, of Creston. She was traveling west on the highway, when her vehicle went out of control on the snow and slush covered road. The pickup crossed the center line west of Creston and entered the eastbound lane, where it struck the eastbound minivan. Haidsiak, and an infant passenger in her vehicle – who were properly belted-in – were transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston, for treatment of multiple, but non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart (Svcs. 03/01/2019)

Obituaries

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart died Sunday, February 10th at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Des Moines. A Gathering of family and friends/Memorial service for JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE will be held Friday, March 1st at 11:00am at the Johnson Family Funeral Home-Stuart Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa VA or The Shriner’s Hospital and may be sent in care of the Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250.

Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE is survived by:

Wife: Cheryl Rote of Stuart.

Son: Troy Templeman of Des Moines.

Sisters: Cozette Harris of Stuart. Mary (Bill) Sliger of Rosemead, CA.

Sisters-in-law: Cindy Rote-Crane of Dexter. Bonnie Rote of Redfield.

Brother-in-law: Marvin Templeman of Casey.

2 Granddaughters

Several Nieces, Nephews, Extended Family and Friends.

Bill to end pistol, revolver permit requirements advances

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A bill to get rid of permit requirements for buying and carrying a pistol or revolver in Iowa has cleared its first hurdle in the state senate. Scott Jones, a Virginia-based lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, was in Des Moines to speak at a hearing in the capitol today (Monday).  “Self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible to anticipate and law-abiding citizens should not be required to pay government-mandated fees and navigate a licensing system in order to exercise a fundamental individual right,” he said.

Jane Robinette of Urbandale wore a t-shirt to the hearing that the read, “America Needs Gun Safety.” “Is a permit really such an onerous thing to be able to carry something that can kill someone else?” Robinette asked. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have to get a driver’s license. I haven’t had…a speeding ticket ever in my life.” Jim Hirschberg of Lohrville argued the fee infringes on a constitutional right to protect life and property.

“Iowa’s permit system to carry is a hold-over from Jim Crow laws designed to discriminate,” Hirschberg said. “…What is a prevent a future legislature from raising the fee from $50 to $100 or $1000 or more? Nothing.” Tim Coonan, a lobbyist for Every Town for Gun Safety, says Iowa gun laws already are among the most permissive in the country. “At this point in our country’s history, given all the events known and unknown, it’s hard to imagine a scenario pulling back on systems that have most likely and in many cases have been proven reduce or prevent gun violence,” Coonan said.

Two Republicans on a subcommittee voted to make the bill eligible for debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Democrat on the subcommittee said he was concerned about giving Iowans considering suicide, especially veterans, quicker access to guns.

Iowa officer charged with stealing opioids from vet clinic

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa police officer has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a veterinary clinic to steal powerful pain medications. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the arrest Monday of 31-year-old Ryan Mills, who lives in Washington, Iowa and works in Fairfield. A criminal complaint alleges Mills was caught stealing 57 tablets of Tramadol from the Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield before business hours on Jan. 1.

Later, he allegedly admitted to entering the clinic on multiple occasions to steal the opioids from a medicine cabinet. Tramadol is a controlled narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain and is highly addictive.

The clinic began an internal investigation in November after noticing shortages of the drug in its inventory. An employee allegedly saw Mills commit the Jan. 1 theft and police were informed. The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Washington County Attorney’s Office are handling the case to avoid conflicts of interest. Mills was booked into jail Monday.

Mills County Sheriff’s report (2/11)

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. On Sunday, 31-year old Joshua Edward Witt, of Fremont, NE., was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

On Friday, 23-year old Michael Quincy Combs, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. That same day, 53-year old James Patrick Hiatt, of Omaha, was arrested in Sarpy County, NE., on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

AP Women’s College Basketball Top 25 02/11/2019

Sports

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 10, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:

Record Pts Prv
1. Baylor (22) 21-1 694 1
2. Louisville (3) 23-1 664 2
3. Oregon (3) 23-1 653 3
4. UConn 21-2 607 5
5. Mississippi St. 22-1 596 6
6. Notre Dame 22-3 553 4
7. Maryland 22-2 522 10
8. Marquette 21-3 513 8
9. Oregon St. 20-4 436 7
10. Stanford 19-4 423 11
11. South Carolina 17-5 403 12
12. NC State 21-2 400 9
13. Gonzaga 22-2 363 13
14. Iowa 19-5 329 16
15. Texas 19-5 294 14
16. Syracuse 18-5 277 15
17. Kentucky 19-5 206 19
18. Iowa St. 18-5 205 22
19. Arizona St. 16-6 202 20
20. Miami 21-5 186 25
21. Florida St. 20-4 146 24
22. Texas A&M 18-5 126 18
23. Rutgers 17-6 105 20
24. Michigan St. 16-6 65 23
25. South Dakota 22-3 42

Others receiving votes: Utah 32, UCF 26, Drake 8, UCLA 8, Rice 6, Missouri 3, Boise St. 2, Minnesota 2, West Virginia 1, Ohio 1, South Dakota St. 1.