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Judge rules against landowners in eminent domain lawsuit

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

A Polk County judge rules the Iowa Utilities Board was right in its decision to allow the use of eminent domain for the building of the Bakken oil pipeline. Fourteen Iowa landowners sued, saying the I-U-B improperly allowed the use of eminent domain to seize the land for the pipeline because it has had no direct public benefit for the state as it ships oil from North Dakota through Iowa to Illinois.

Judge Jefferey Farrell determined the I-U-B properly weighed several factors, including the economic impact on the state and safety concerns, in determining the company could use eminent domain for the pipeline. The ruling says the board correctly found there is no requirement that the product has to be shipped to or from the state. A news release from the lawyers representing the landowners in the case says they are disappointed and they intend to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa St withstands 2nd half charge to beat K-State 87-79

Sports

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

MANHTAAN, Kan. (AP) — Solomon Young scored a season-high 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead Iowa State to an 87-79 win over Kansas State on Wednesday night. Deonte Burton added 17 points, Naz Mitrou-Long Long had 16, Monte Morris 15 and Matt Thomas 14 for the Cyclones (16-9, 8-5 Big 12).

Barry Brown had 21 points for Kansas State with Wesley Iwundu adding 16 with 13 rebounds. Iowa State built a 19-point lead and led 42-26 at the half before withstanding a furious second half rally from the Wildcats (16-10, 5-8), who got as close as six.

After shooting 34 percent (12 of 35) in the first half, Kansas State shot 58 percent (18 of 31) in the second. An 11-0 run got them within striking distances, 49-42 with 12:27 to play, but the Cyclones pushed the lead back to 15.

Twice the Wildcats got within six, the last time with 4:09 to play, but in the final 1:03 Iowa State was 11 of 12 from the foul line. The Cyclones made 18 of 22 free throws in the second half to finish 22 of 26 for a seven-point advantage.

Posted in Sports |

Girls Regional Basketball Scores from Wed., 2/15/17

Sports

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Class 3A Region 2
Regional Semifinal

Cherokee, Washington 82, East Sac County 38

Shenandoah 58, Red Oak 27

Class 3A Region 3
Regional Semifinal

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 68, Gilbert 38

PAC-LM 68, Roland-Story, Story City 55

Class 4A Region 1
Regional First Round

Bishop Heelan Catholic, Sioux City 62, Spencer 52

Sergeant Bluff-Luton 68, Glenwood 37

Class 4A Region 2
Regional First Round

Denison-Schleswig 61, Carroll 42

Webster City 58, Storm Lake 50

Class 4A Region 8
Regional First Round

Bondurant Farrar 50, Oskaloosa 47

Harlan 54, ADM, Adel 49

Class 5A Region 1
Play-In

Sioux City, East 49, Sioux City, North 43

Class 5A Region 8
Play-In

Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 46, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 38

Posted in Sports |

Morgan, Koch help Northern Iowa hold off Bradley 64-61

Sports

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — Jeremy Morgan and Bennett Koch each scored 18 points and Northern Iowa held off fast-closing Bradley 64-61 on Wednesday night. Northern Iowa led by 10 with five minutes left, but Bradley pulled within two after a dunk by Donte Thomas with 2:17 to go and despite Northern Iowa missing all three of its final shots, Koch sank 3 of 4 free throws to hold on for the win.

Jordan Ashton added 11 points for Northern Iowa (14-12, 9-6 Missouri Valley Conference) which avenged a January loss to Bradley, has won nine of its last 10 and is seeking to become the first MVC school since 1924-25 to start 0-5 in conference and finish above .500.

Bradley, which has lost three straight, trimmed its deficit to 61-59 on Thomas’ dunk but committed turnovers on its next two possessions and the Braves managed only two Darrell Brown free throws in the last two-plus minutes. Bradley still had a chance, but a potential tying 3-pointer missed as time expired.

JoJo McGlaston led Bradley (9-19, 4-11) with 15 points and Nate Kennell added 13.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, Feb. 16th 2017

News

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

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

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plan by Republican lawmakers in Iowa to pass a bill that would cut most collective bargaining rights for public workers could also tame a political force that often supports their opponents. The proposed changes to Iowa’s collective bargaining law would drastically change how public sector unions are able to negotiate on behalf of roughly 180,000 people in the state. Academics say it would weaken unions who usually support Democrats.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — Police in central Iowa have arrested a man they say left messages at a high school threatening to kill a transgender student there. The Nevada Public Safety Department says police arrested 65-year-old Mondell Olson, of Ames, on Wednesday after an investigation into that threat and another harassing voicemail left for a Nevada High School teacher. Olson has been charged with three counts of harassment and remained Wednesday in the Story County Jail.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The longtime No. 2 administrator at the University of Iowa is leaving to become president of a Florida college that focuses on aerospace education. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University says UI Provost P. Barry Butler would start next month as the school’s president. Butler, a former engineering dean and professor, had been at Iowa since 1984.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley says Russia’s alleged attempts to meddle in November’s presidential election shouldn’t be a surprise given the United States worked to discredit the Italian Communist Party in Italy’s 1948 election. The U.S. was engaged in the Cold War with the Soviet Union at the time, and the CIA later acknowledged spending $1 million to try to sway the election away from communists. Grassley said Wednesday that the U.S. “doesn’t come to this table hands-free.”

Posted in News |

JOHN CHARLES BROWN, 89, of Fontanelle (Svcs. 2/21/17)

Obituaries

February 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

JOHN CHARLES BROWN, 89, of Fontanelle, died Wednesday, February 15th,  at the Adair County Memorial Hospital in Greenfield. Graveside services for JOHN C. BROWN will be held 1-p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21st, at the Dale Cemetery in rural Centerville. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 6-until 7-p.m., Monday, Feb. 20th. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Full military graveside rites will be conducted by the Centerville VFW Post #526 at the Dale Cemetery in rural Centerville.

Memorials may be directed to the John C. Brown Memorial Fund to be established by the family at a later date.

JOHN C. BROWN is survived by:

His son – David Brown, of Fontanelle.

Other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Deb Wheatley Field wraps up 35 years as City Clerk in Atlantic

News

February 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Wednesday evening’s City Council meeting in Atlantic was the last official meeting for City Clerk Deb Wheatley Field, who has served the City for over 35-years. City Administrator John Lund took the opportunity to recognize her as a mentor and friend. Lund got some laughs when he said “She has been serving Atlantic since before I was born.” He said also “I see what goes on behind the scenes, and she has the highest level of ethical and professional standards and the City is going to lose a lot when she retires.”

Lund told her “It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to work with you. You bring positive energy to this office and I appreciate working with you as a co-worker, but also as mentor in this field.”

Atlantic Mayor Dave Jones (Right) reads from a plaque presented to Deb Wheatley Field (left) and her husband Jim Field (center).

Mayor Dave Jones also recognized Wheatley Field in his comments to the Council. He said “In January 1996 I became a City Councilman At-Large in Atlantic. I had a lot to learn about how the City of Atlantic was run. The one thing I did notice, was that when questions were asked at Council or Committee meetings, about the budget, what [something] cost or when it was built, or who was the people behind it, they would always say [ask] ‘Deb.’ It did not take me long to realize the wealth of knowledge she has.”

He went on to say “Come budget time, long hours were put in to get our budget ready for the City Council. The City of Atlantic is still in great financial shape and will be into the future because of Deb’s dedicated work.” He concluded by saying “Deb Wheatley Field, the City is going to miss you. Thank you for all you have done for the City of Atlantic.”

Deb and her husband Jim Field stood beside the Mayor as he presented her with a plaque. Deb thanked the Council members, Mayor and past Council members for the opportunity to have served for the past 35-years. She teared up as she said “It has truly been an honor and a privilege. I’m very grateful. Thank you.”

An official retirement party and open house will be held for her in the Council’s Chambers at City Hall on Friday, February 24th, from 2:30-until 4:30-p.m.

Posted in News |

Man arrested; accused of threatening transgender student

News

February 15th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — Police in central Iowa have arrested a man they say left messages at a high school threatening to kill a transgender student there. The Nevada Public Safety Department says police arrested 65-year-old Mondell Olson, of Ames, on Wednesday after an investigation into that threat and another harassing voicemail left for a Nevada High School teacher.

Authorities say Olson left one message threatening to “kill, brand and cause bodily harm” to the student. Police say the other message for the teacher was sexual in nature. The messages were left Friday and Tuesday.

Olson has been charged with three counts of harassment and remained Wednesday in the Story County Jail in lieu of $4,300 bond.

Posted in News |

State Dual Team Wrestling: 7th Place Match- Atlantic/CAM vs. Creston O-M

Sports

February 15th, 2017 by admin

126 Cade Vicker (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Tanner Williamson (Atlantic) Fall 0:25  Dual Score: 0-6
132 Kelby Luther (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Colby Sorensen (Atlantic) Dec 7-2  Dual Score: 0-9
138 Trevor Marlin (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Colton Mudd (Atlantic) Maj 14-6  Dual Score: 0-13
145 Connor Pellett (Atlantic) over Tristan Travis (Creston Orient-Macksburg) Fall 3:47 Dual Score: 6-13
152 Brant Looney (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Marcus Duranceau (Atlantic) Fall 1:26 Dual Score: 6-19
160 Mason Kinsella (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Devin Siedlik (Atlantic) Dec 6-4  Dual Score: 6-22
170 Sam Chapman (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Dawson Carey (Atlantic) Dec 9-6  Dual Score: 6-25
182 Austin Mills (Atlantic) over Kolby Tomas (Creston Orient-Macksburg) Maj 16-5 Dual Score: 10-25
195 Trevor Kinyon (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Unknown (Atlantic) Forf  Dual Score: 10-31
220 Unknown (Creston Orient-Macksburg) vs Unknown (Atlantic) Double Forf Dual Score: 10-31
285 Blake Sevier (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Nate Moen (Atlantic) Fall 0:56  Dual Score: 10-37
106 Aybren Moore (Atlantic) over Hunter Fry (Creston Orient-Macksburg) Dec 6-2 Dual Score: 13-37
113 Luke Latham (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf  Dual Score: 13-43
120 Jacob Goodson (Creston Orient-Macksburg) over Benard McGee (Atlantic) Fall 2:45 Dual Score: 49-13

Creston O-M defeats Atlantic/CAM 49-13. Creston O-M takes 7th place and Atlantic/CAM takes 8th.

Posted in Sports |

State Dual Team Wrestling Results

Sports

February 15th, 2017 by admin

Class 1A

Quarterfinals

Don Bosco 39, I-35 30
Lake Mills 44, Logan-Magnolia 31
Lisbon 50, Wapsie Valley 24
Missouri Valley 37, Sibley-Ocheydan 30

Consolation Semifinals

Logan-Magnolia 42, I-35 29
Sibley-Ocheydan 44, Wapsie Valley 28

Semifinals

Don Bosco 36, Lake Mills 28
Lisbon 42, Missouri Valley 27

7th Place Match: Wapsie Valley 50, I-35 17

5th Place Match: Sibley-Ocheydan 37, Logan-Magnolia 35

3rd Place Match: Lake Mills 39, Missouri Valley 37

Championship: Lisbon 45, Don Bosco 26

Class 2A

Quarterfinals

New Hampton 51, Denver-Tripoli 23
Assumption 39, Creston-OM 36
Solon 62, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 12
Washington 35, Atlantic/CAM 31

Consolation Semifinals

Denver-Tripoli 43, Creston O-M 28
Sergeant Bluff-Luton 63, Atlantic/CAM 6

Semifinals

New Hampton 46, Assumption 24
Solon 61, Washington 12

7th Place Match: Creston O-M 49, Atlantic/CAM 13

5th Place Match: Denver-Tripoli 38, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 27

3rd Place Match: Assumption 40, Washington 25

Championship: New Hampton 45, Solon 23

Class 3A

Quarterfinals

Southeast Polk 36, Prairie, Cedar Rapids 23
Waverly-Shell Rock 43, Epworth, Western Dubuque 30
West Des Moines Valley 44, Indianola 24
Fort Dodge 30, North Scott 27

Consolation Semifinals

Prairie, Cedar Rapids 47, Epworth, Western Dubuque 21
North Scott 37, Indianola 28

Semifinals

Southeast Polk 40, Waverly-Shell Rock 24
Fort Dodge 34, West Des Moines Valley 31

7th Place Match: Epworth, Western Dubuque 55, Indianola 15

5th Place Match: North Scott 39, Prairie, Cedar Rapids 22

3rd Place Match: Waverly-Shell Rock 59, West Des Moines Valley 12

Championship: Southeast Polk 48, Ft. Dodge 18

Posted in Sports |