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This is Responsible Gaming Education Week in Iowa

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Most people who visit Iowa’s 19 state-licensed casinos don’t suffer from gambling addiction, but for the few who do, those environments can be very detrimental. This is Responsible Gaming Education Week in Iowa. Wes Ehrecke, president and CEO of the Iowa Gaming Association, says it’s a time to focus on educating casino employees and patrons. “Well over 98% of people can go to the casino for the fun and entertainment it’s intended to be using their discretionary dollars,” Ehrecke says, “but for those that it might be a problem, we want to heighten awareness about resources that are available, gambling treatment counselors, 1-800-BETS OFF and other tools and resources they could explore if they’re experiencing a problem.”

Last year, significant changes were made to the voluntary self-exclusion program as a result of legislation passed in the Iowa legislature. This week, continued emphasis will help clarify and explain to patrons this reform that allows a person to voluntarily ban themselves for either five years or for life. Ehrecke credits the work of gambling treatment counselors at facilities near all 19 casinos.  “They are coming in to spend time, in some cases interacting with the patrons by setting up tables near the entrances,” Ehrecke says, “but especially with the employees to do staff training to better understand intervention skills and how to recognize if someone may be having a problem.”

Ehrecke says there is a new online link that was created by the Iowa Department of Public Health and the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program for those who are in need of help.”They have developed this new link called Your Life Iowa,” he says. “It’s not just gambling. It could be substance abuse. It could be mental health, various issues people might be experiencing and they have it all under one umbrella. YourLife.Iowa.org is a very helpful resource for people.”  There is also more information at www.iowagaming.org.

Posted in News |

Rutland man accused of stabbing Humboldt County deputy

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A man in Humboldt County is accused of stabbing a sheriff’s deputy. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s office announced in a press release that a Rutland man has been charged with assault on a peace officer using a deadly weapon. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s office executed a search of the residence of 47-year-old Michael J. Saeger in Rutland on Monday, and after initially talking to deputies, he became combative towards a deputy.

Officials with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said Saeger fled to a room with authorities giving chase and that he grabbed a knife and stabbed the deputy 4 times. The deputy was wearing body armor and was not injured. Saeger is being held at the Humboldt County Jail on assault charges, interference with official acts and manufacturing and possession of controlled substances.

Posted in News |

Ernst seeks special congressional investigation of US Olympic Committee

News, Sports

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst (R-Red Oak) has been calling on congress to launch its own investigation of the U.S. Olympic Committee to see why a sports doctor was allowed to treat athletes for years after dozens of complaints. “Like many Americans, I was horrified to hear of the crimes committed by Larry Nassar, the USA Gymnastics doctor who abused hundreds of young athletes,” Ernst said during testimony in a senate committee this summer. Since January, Ernst has joined with other senators on a number of occasions to call for a congressional response. Ernst says Nassar’s actions and the individuals and institutions who protected him are “reprehensible.” “When these athletes reported the abuse to those they trusted — people within their university, their gymnastics club, Olympic leadership or people their parents paid to turn them into strong and healthy athletes — they were shut down,” Ernst said. “They were ignored and they were told: ‘There was nothing to see here.'”

The U.S. Olympic Committee’s chairman resigned at the end of February and Nassar essentially has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, but Ernst says problems persist in the U.S. Olympic Committee and its affiliates that must be investigated and addressed. “Even more maddening is these organizations rake in millions of dollars a year and enjoy tax-exempt status,” Ernst said.  As a student at Iowa State University, Ernst volunteered at a rape crisis center and Ernst says that experience showed her survivors are forever altered by the abuse they endure. “Abuse like this is not something you can just simply forget,” Ernst said. “…We must take survivors’ stories seriously and ensure they are heard.” Ernst said. ‘

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has been created to oversee abuse complaints from athletes training for the Olympics. The U.S. Olympic Committee is a federally-chartered organization. It oversees 47 other groups like U-S-A Gymnastics that govern the individual and team sports that are part of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

Posted in News, Sports |

High school coaches advised to have ‘hydration strategy’ for athletes

Sports

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Most high school football and cross country teams started practices this week and coaches are being reminded to make sure their athletes are drinking plenty of water. James Lang, an Iowa State University assistant professor of kinesiology, says having a “hydration strategy” is critical to keeping kids safe. He says that strategy should include liquids 2 to 3 hours BEFORE practice. “That could be a 16-ounce glass of water and then, during a practice session, having a strategy to be drinking maybe every 15 to 20 minutes during the practice,” Lang says.

Lang advises coaches to be proactive about hydration, rather than reactive. “The best index for them is going to be body weight. That’s something a coach can easily incorporate with an athlete,” Lang says. “Weigh yourself before practice and weigh yourself after – and essentially, try and drink back that weight lost. So, for every pound lost, that would be about 16 ounces of fluid.” In addition to plenty of water, Lang suggests coaches give athletes time to acclimate to the heat by scheduling practices in the early morning or evening and – for football players – limiting pad use in the first week. Lang says the warning signs of dehydration can be subtle, but generally include a dull headache, dizziness or nausea. “That can progress to vomiting, more severe headaches, and at that point you’re starting to get into heat exhaustion, but also borderline heat stroke,” Lang says.

According to Lang, coaches should REQUIRE athletes to take water breaks, rather than simply making water available.

Posted in Sports |

Skyscan Forecast & weather data for Atlantic: 8/8/18

Weather

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Today: Areas of dense fog this morning (Otherwise) Mostly Sunny. High 85. N @ 10 mph.

Tonight: Fair to Partly cloudy. Low 62.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy. High 88. SW @ 10-15.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 86.

Saturday: P/Cldy. High 88.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 85. Our Low this morning was 56. Last year on this date our High was 82 and the Low was 50. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 111 in 1934. The Record Low was 39 in 1904.

Posted in Weather |

Special Weather Statement: Dense Fog

Weather

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Shelby-Pottawattamie-Mills-Montgomery-Page-Counties
353 AM CDT Wed Aug 8 2018

…PATCHY DENSE FOG THIS MORNING…

Patchy dense fog has developed across portions of southwest Iowa this morning with visibilities being restricted to a half mile or less. As of 3:45 AM, visibilities of a quarter mile or less were
being reported at Clarinda, Harlan, and Shenandoah. Conditions are expected to improve by 8 or 9 AM.

Posted in Weather |

2 arrested on drug charges Wed. morning in Montgomery County

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop in Montgomery County early this (Wednesday) morning, resulted in two, drug-related arrests. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a vehicle driven by 58-year old Terry Joe Halvin, of Red Oak, was pulled over in the 1800 block of Highway 48, at around 1:20-a.m. Halvin was subsequently arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – with the intent to deliver, a Class-B Felony. Halvin was also charged with Driving While Revoked. A passenger in the vehicle, 57-year old Julie Ann Vore, of Council Bluffs, also faces a Felony Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine – with the intent to deliver, charge.

Both were transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where they were being held without bond until being seen by a magistrate. The Montgomery County K9 Unit and Red Oak Police assisted in conducting the arrests.

Posted in News |

3 injured in Taylor County crash

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Three people from southwest Iowa were hurt during a collision Tuesday evening in Taylor County. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2005 Pontiac Grand Am driven by 19-year old Konner Ray Martin, of New Market, was traveling east on Highway 2 at around 6-p.m., when the car crossed the centerline of the road and collided with a westbound 2014 Toyota Highlander SUV, driven by 61-year old Jean Ann Minor, of Clarinda.

Both vehicles ended up in opposite ditches. Both drivers – who were wearing their seat belts – and a passenger in one of the vehicles, 18-year old Sophia Alezandra Groumoutis, of Creston, were injured. Martin and Minor were transported by Clarinda EMS to the Clarinda Hospital. Groumoutis, who was not wearing a seat belt, was flown by LifeNet helicopter to the UNMC in Omaha.

The crash remains under investigation. The State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Taylor and Page County Sheriff’s Offices, Clarinda and New Market EMS, and LifeNet.

Posted in News |

Midwest Sports Headlines: 8/8/18

Sports

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

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

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State offensive lineman Dalton Risner has a future in the NFL. But he also hopes his future includes the growth and development of his foundation, RiseUp, which aims to provide hope and inspire the next generation. Eventually, he wants to establish a series of football-centric summer camps for kids that come from a variety of backgrounds.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Mike Montgomery allowed five singles over six-plus innings, David Bote drove in a career-high three runs and the Chicago Cubs beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0. Montgomery (4-4), who the Royals drafted in the first round in 2008, picked up his first win since June 29. Montgomery is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in four appearances against the Royals.

MIAMI (AP) — Streaking Matt Carpenter hit his 30th home run, a tiebreaking drive in the eighth inning that lifted the St. Louis Cardinals over the Miami Marlins 3-2. Carpenter connected for the fourth time in five games and increased his career high for home runs. He also extended his streak of reaching base safely to 26 games, the longest active string in the majors.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tiger Woods at times looks similar to the guy who won the PGA Championship four times among his 14 major titles, except for the results. And except for the way he began the week of the final major of the year. He took an ice bath. Woods says at 42 and having gone through four back surgeries, he has to manage his game. His results in the majors have been inconsistent

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Heavy storms that rolled through Missouri helped with the oppressive heat, but the rain also sent the humidity soaring at the PGA Championship. That was bad news for Dustin Johnson, who forgot to pack shorts for one of the few events at which PGA Tour players are allowed to wear them for practice rounds. That shouldn’t be as much trouble next year, when the PGA moves to May and will be played at Bethpage on New York’s Long Island.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Davis Love III will join a select club when he plays in his 100th major championship this weekend. There are only 14 others who have played in that many majors, a list that is topped by Jack Nicklaus with 164 starts. The 54-year-old Love’s first was the 1986 PGA Championship at Inverness, so it’s a nice coincidence he’s reaching triple digits at the PGA Championship this weekend at Bellerive.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jordan Spieth will take a second stab at winning the career Grand Slam when the PGA Championship begins Thursday at Bellerive in St. Louis. Spieth has struggled much of the season. But he was in contention at the British Open last month and thinks he has a chance to win the only major championship missing from his resume.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Francesco Molinari made his major championship debut 12 years ago at the Masters alongside Tiger Woods and didn’t make it to the weekend. That wasn’t devastating. All he was doing was caddying for brother Edoardo. A dozen years later, Molinari was again with Woods at a major, this time beating him to win the British Open. He now looks to build on his remarkable summer at the PGA Championship, the final major of the year.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., Aug. 8th 2018

News

August 8th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An outspoken critic of Iowa’s Medicaid privatization process says he has been removed as a chairman of a state council that monitors the state’s shift to private management of its $5 billion Medicaid program. The Des Moines Register reports David Hudson says Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has dropped him from the Medical Assistance Advisory Council for apparently pushing back too hard against the privatization scheme.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A spokesman for a central Iowa nonprofit crime-stopper organization says the reward fund for a missing University of Iowa student has grown to more than $300,000 and is likely to continue climbing. Greg Willey, spokesman for Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa says the Mollie Tibbetts reward fund has reached $301,363 a record for the organization that was incorporated in 1982.

EDDYVILLE, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man died after a boat capsized on the Des Moines River in southern Iowa. Rescuers were sent to a spot on the southern end of Mahaska County around 7 p.m. Sunday to check a report about a capsized boat and people in the water. The Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office says 46-year-old Martin Almond was found unconscious in the river and that he was declared dead later at a hospital. He lived in Oskaloosa.

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — A Chicago man accused of trying to kill his estranged wife has been sentenced to 25 years in an Iowa prison. The Telegraph Herald reports that 51-year-old Clifford Smiley was sentenced Monday. Prosecutors say Smiley stabbed his estranged wife in a Dubuque store parking lot on April 1.

Posted in News |