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New Alliance of American Football signs first 100 players

Sports

August 6th, 2018 by Jim Field

The Alliance of American Football has signed its first 100 players for the new spring league.

The AAF begins a 10-game regular season with eight teams in February. The first batch of players to sign the league’s standard three-year deal worth $250,000 was announced Monday . The players are allocated based on where they played in college or professionally. Players without geographic ties to an AAF team are allowed to sign with any team.

Players who receive NFL contracts will be allowed to break deals with the AAF, which was founded by TV and film producer Charlie Ebersol and Bill Polian.

Three former Iowa State players signed with Alliance teams. Center Oni Omoile signed with Memphis, Wide Receiver Dondre Daley signed with Orlando, and Safety Kamari Cotton-Moya signed with Phoenix. Former Nebraska Defensive Back Kieron Williams also signed with Phoenix.

Iowa dad gets 9 years for starvation death of 17-month-old

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa father has been given nine years in prison for letting his 17-month-old daughter starve to death. Washington County District Court records say 37-year-old Anthony McCoy was sentenced Friday in Washington. He’d pleaded guilty to two counts of child endangerment and one of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Avery McCoy. She weighed just 11 pounds when she was found dead in November 2016. An autopsy said malnutrition and neglect significantly contributed to the girl’s death. Her mother, Ambrashia “Amber” Chrzan, of Wellman, was sentenced last month to 50 years in prison.

Anita grad awarded CCHS Scholarship

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Memorial Hospital report the 2018 Cass County Health System scholarship recipient was Tyler Steele of Anita.  Tyler was a 2015 graduate of CAM High School.  He currently is a student at Creighton University in Omaha majoring in Healthcare Administration and Policy, with minors in Public Health, Business Administration and Biology.  Brett Altman, Cass County Health System CEO, presented the award to Tyler.

Tyler Steele and CCHS CEO Brett Altman

IHSBCA All-Star Series Recap

Sports

August 6th, 2018 by Jim Field

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association held their All-Start Series over this past weekend. Here is a look at the scores.

Thursday, August 2nd

Small East 4, Large East 1
Small West 10, Large West 8

Friday, August 3rd

Large East 19, Small West 8
Small East 6, Large West 5 (9 innings)

Saturday, August 4th

Small East 5, Small West 3
Large West 9, Large East 4

Sunday, August 5th

Consolation Game
Large West 8, Small West 3

Championship Game
Small East 5, Large East 0

Garret Reisz (St. Albert) was named the MVP of the Small West team. Players from the area that played on the Small Schools West Squad in the All-Star Series were Pitchers Garret Reisz of St. Albert and Bryce Neal of Clarinda. Catchers Jared Moser of Harlan and Ben Berg of Kuemper Catholic. Infielder Ryan Doran of Harlan. Utility Player Jaden Driskell of Creston. Coaches for the team included Steve Daeges of Harlan as Head Coach and Steve Birchard of Creston as an Assistant.

LEOLA “BELLE” JEFFERS RICE, 99, of Walnut, formerly of Fort Dodge (8-8-2018)

Obituaries

August 6th, 2018 by Jim Field

LEOLA “BELLE” JEFFERS RICE, 99, of Walnut, formerly of Fort Dodge died Friday, August 3rd at her home in Walnut.  Funeral Services for LEOLA “BELLE” JEFFERS RICE will be Wednesday, August 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Historic Bruce Funeral Home in Fort Dodge.

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Visitation will be Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

A luncheon will be served at Rolling Hills Community Church immediately following the graveside services.

LEOLA “BELLE” JEFFERS RICE is survived by:

Children:  Betty Lou (Larry) Roberts of Walnut; Susan Gail (Rodney) Irwin of Fort Dodge and Russell Charles (Peggy) of Dakota City.

Siblings:  Elmer Jeffers, Adrian Jeffers, Irma Darlene and Kay.

11 Grandchildren

18 Great-Grandchildren

3 Great-Great-Grandchildren

Olive Street Bridge repairs set to begin Aug. 13th

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the City of Atlantic report repairs are set to begin on the Olive Street bridge, Monday, August 13th.  The bridge will remain open to traffic, but may be reduced to one lane at times.

UPDATE: Body found – victim and suspect identified

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa Department of Public Safety today (Monday) said the body of a female found late Sunday morning in Lee County, has been identified and a suspect arrested. The body of 20-year old Sadie Alverado, of Muscatine, was found on a gravel road located on 235th Avenue, south of West Point, in Lee County. Sunday evening, the Lee County Attorney’s office was briefed on the facts and circumstances of the investigation. Charges were subsequently filed on 28-year old Damian Hamann, of Morning Sun, Iowa.  Hamann was charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in a Death.  He turned himself into the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday.

An autopsy was set to take place Tuesday August 7th, 2018, at the University of Iowa’s Decedent Care Unit.  The case is still under investigation. This is a joint investigation by the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Attorney’s Office and the Lee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Union County Sheriff’s report (8/6/18)

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Union County Sheriff’s Office report 49-year old Victor Robin Thatcher, of Creston, was arrested late Saturday night at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. Thatcher was transported to the Union County Jail by Story County Deputies. He was wanted on a Union County warrant for domestic abuse assault. Thatcher was subsequently released after posting a $300 bond.

“Operation T-Bone” parade winners announced

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon Chamber of Commerce today (Monday), released the winners of this past weekend’s “Operation T-Bone” parade. In the category of “Antique Auto, 1959 or older,” Jo Beane was the winner. The “Milestone Auto, 1960 or newer” award went to Dirk Rasmussen.

Other Operation T-Bone parade winners include:

  • Antique Machinery: Alvin Albertsen.
  • Saddle award: Audubon County Saddle Club.
  • Hitch award: Audubon State Bank.
  • Jr. Division: Children’s Nest.
  • Sr. Division (1st prize): Audubon Country Players. (2nd prize) – Audubon High School Class of 1968.
  • Good Neighbor award: Exira Fire and Rescue.
  • Grand Champion: The T-Bone Association.

Mason City library suggests moving geology archives

News

August 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A genealogy library in northern Iowa that has served residents for about four decades may need to find a new home by the end of September. The Globe Gazette reports that discussions of moving the North Central Iowa Genealogical Society’s files from the Mason City Public Library began earlier this year. Sandra Turner is the Mason City Library Board’s librarian. She has voiced concerns that the library could run out of room, and would “have to put the materials in storage.”

But the society’s president, Mark Suby, says he’s concerned about relocating more than 5,000 items in the collection. He says the group has “absolutely nowhere else to go.” The society was founded in 1927 and has 65-70 members.