United Group Insurance

Hawkeye women seek much needed win

Sports

January 28th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder says the Hawkeyes are not waving the “white flag” on their NCAA Tournament hopes. After racing out to a 12-2 record to start the season the Hawkeyes are in the midst of a three week slump that has seen them drop five of six games heading into tonight’s (Thursday night’s) game at home against Michigan. Bluder feels getting to nine Big Ten victories would be enough to get the Hawkeyes a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Just a couple of weeks ago the Hawkeyes were riding a 25-game winning streak at home but have dropped their last two games in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was a loss to Michigan back on January seventh that started the skid. Bluder is confident the Hawkeyes will get things turned around. Tip-time for the game is 7-p.m.

(Learfield Sports)

Jesperson’s 8 3s lead Northern Iowa past Bradley 68-50

Sports

January 28th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Paul Jesperson hit 8 3-pointers and scored 28 points — both career highs — and Northern Iowa limited Bradley to just 18 second-half points as the Panthers took a 68-50 victory Wednesday night. Jesperson and Matt Bohannon each knocked down a pair of 3-pointers as Northern Iowa took a 12-4 lead, but Bradley kept pace. Antoine Pittman hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 32-32 with 1:06 left in the first half. Jesperson hit a late 3 to give Northern Iowa a 35-32 halftime advantage.

Bradley took a 38-37 lead on Pittman’s 3-pointer less than three minutes into the second half, but the Braves scored on just two Pittman 3-pointers over the next eight minutes. Northern Iowa (11-11, 3-6 Missouri Valley) built a 54-44 advantage and Jesperson hit three straight 3s to make it 63-47. Ronnie Suggs scored 15 and Pittman added 14 points for Bradley (3-19, 1-8).

 

Packers’ McCarthy can’t coach in Pro Bowl, cites illness

Sports

January 28th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Packers coach Mike McCarthy pulled out of his Pro Bowl coaching assignment Wednesday, saying doctors have advised him not to travel as he battles a stomach illness. The Packers said associate head coach Winston Moss will handle head-coaching responsibilities at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu this week, including Sunday’s game.

The Packers staff will coach one team and the staff of the Kansas City Chiefs will be on the other sideline. Rosters will be assigned after a Pro Bowl draft set for Wednesday night with Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin serving as the non-playing captains.

Players were selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players, a format first used in the 2014 game.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Thursday, Jan. 28th 2016

News

January 28th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An explosive feud between Donald Trump and Fox News Channel is overshadowing the final sprint to Iowa’s presidential caucuses, injecting a new sense of chaos into the 2016 Republican contest. On the eve of the final debate before Iowa voters weigh in, Trump refused to back off his decision to boycott Thursday’s prime-time faceoff. His campaign insisted that debate host Fox News crossed a line with a sarcastic statement mocking him.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A report that makes recommendations on how Iowa should handle its Medicaid program under private care also highlights confusion over how recipients will be able to voice complaints. Deanna Clingan-Fischer is state long-term care ombudsman, a position designed to help respond to complaints from people who receive long-term care in Iowa. Clingan-Fischer spoke to lawmakers Wednesday about a report released in December that recommends an independent system for overseeing such complaints from Medicaid recipients.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation has been introduced in the Iowa Legislature that would allow terminally ill people to end their lives with drugs prescribed by a doctor. Supporters of the legislation spoke Wednesday at the Capitol.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Hamburg Inn Number 2, located just east of the University of Iowa campus, will soon have new owners. KCRG-TV reports that 68-year-old restaurant owner Dave Panther says the sale will likely be finalized early next week.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28th

Trading Post

January 28th, 2016 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  Small Riverside Roll top desk. Very good condition. 36″ x 19″ x 43″.  All original hardware, drawers work great.  Asking $75.  712-243-4906, Atlantic.
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FOR SALE: Queen ​Duvet Cover Set// Sage New..was $50, sale for $15.  Call 712-304-5607.

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FOR SALE: desk has 1 broken wheel $10.  Call 712-304-5607.

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FOR SALE:  1 original tail light off a 2000 Toyota Celica GTS///$10.  Call 712-304-5607.

Iowa bills would allow terminally ill to end their lives

News

January 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Legislation has been introduced in the Iowa Legislature that would allow terminally ill people to end their lives with drugs prescribed by a doctor. Bills in the Senate and the House would allow a terminally ill but mentally capable person to self-administer medication that ends his or her life. Supporters of the legislation spoke Wednesday at the Capitol.

The legislation mirrors a law in Oregon, and a handful of other states have passed similar measures. It would allow doctors and health care institutions to opt out.

It’s unclear how much support the bill would get in the Republican-controlled House. Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City who helped sponsor one of the bills, says the legislation focuses on the dying individual and not on family or a medical insurer.

 

Man charged with seed corn theft conspiracy pleads guilty

Ag/Outdoor

January 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A naturalized U.S. citizen from China has entered a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, admitting he participated in a conspiracy to steal seed corn from U.S. companies. Mo Hailong, who was living in Florida when he was arrested in December 2013, is accused of traveling to the Midwest with other employees of a seed corn subsidiary of Beijing-based DBN Group to take seed out of Iowa fields with the intent of reproducing its genetic traits.

The plea agreement says Mo admits he conspired to steal trade secrets from DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto. Mo will be sentenced later in Des Moines. Prosecutors have agreed not to seek a prison sentence exceeding five years. The investigation began two years ago when Pioneer security staff discovered Chinese men crawling around in cornfields.

 

Report highlights confusion on private Medicaid oversight

News

January 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A report that makes recommendations on how Iowa should handle its Medicaid program under private care also highlights confusion over how recipients will be able to voice complaints.

Deanna Clingan-Fischer is state long-term care ombudsman, a position designed to help respond to complaints from people who receive long-term care in Iowa. Clingan-Fischer spoke to lawmakers Wednesday about a report released in December that recommends an independent system for overseeing such complaints from Medicaid recipients.

Iowa is scheduled to turn over its $4.2 billion Medicaid program to three private companies on March 1. The report makes recommendations like adding representatives who assist Medicaid recipients with challenges to claims or service.

Lawmakers in the Senate Human Resources Committee expressed concern that such an independent system won’t be in place by March 1.

 

UI researchers looking at higher rate of postpartum depression among women veterans

News

January 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Postpartum depression strikes about one in every eight women within about six months of having a baby, but University of Iowa researchers say the rate may be higher for women veterans. Dr. Michael O’Hara, a professor in the U-I Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, is working with the Veterans Administration on a program to help women veterans suffering from postpartum depression, especially those in rural areas.

“Many of them have been exposed to combat situations or have been in war zones or might have experienced sexual or physical abuse while they were in the military,” O’Hara says. “These kinds of exposures to traumatic events are associated with higher rates of depression.” The U-I is now working with about 40 women veterans through an online pilot program that involves six sessions over six weeks targeting mood management.

“The Mom Mood Booster program is basically focusing on helping women who are experiencing postpartum depression to increase their participation in positive events, to manage their negative mood and cognitions,” O’Hara says. “It focuses on the partner relationship and the woman’s relationship with the baby.” Some symptoms of postpartum depression may include low moods, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, insomnia, appetite disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. So far, he says the Mom Mood Booster program is having a positive impact.

“We support it with what we call phone coaches,” O’Hara says. “These are staff members who contact the women veterans every week, provide support and encouragement, answer questions and just help to keep them motivated to go through the program.” O’Hara’s own experiences in the military may help him relate to some of the pressures women veterans are dealing with, as he served four-and-a-half years in the Navy during the Vietnam era.

“Certainly, there weren’t nearly as many women in the service back in those days but I knew many women and they had lots of difficult experiences,” O’Hara says. “It does make a difference being a veteran myself and that’s part of my motivation to reaching out to the VA to do work with veteran women. It feels like I can give back a little bit.” Women in rural areas often don’t seek out or have access to mental health care, so O’Hara says reaching out to rural veteran women is important. The program will run through September and then the V-A will determine whether to continue funding.

(Radio Iowa)

Transient arrested in connection w/storage unit burglaries

News

January 27th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs have arrested a transient in connection with burglaries at storage facility. 35-year old Robert Thomas was taken into custody on six counts of burglary following an investigation into incidents which occurred at 1st American Storage this (Wednesday) morning, in Council Bluffs. Thomas was being held in the Pottawattamie County Jail.

Authorities say an Officer with the Council Bluffs P-D was called to the storage facility at 901 West Broadway at around 9:40-a.m., after police received word six storage units had been broken into. About 40 minutes later, the same Officer drove by the storage units again and noticed a suspicious looking male inside the fenced in area.

The Officer made contact with the individual, later identified as Thomas, and was able to locate stolen items from two of the units in his possession. The man was then taken to the Council Bluffs Police Department and questioned by Detectives. Through the work of the initial Officer and the Detective’s questioning, enough probable cause was developed to tie Thomas to all six burglaries.