United Group Insurance

Bluffs Company breaks ground for new plant that could create 100 jobs

News

November 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A ground breaking ceremony was held Wednesday in Council Bluffs, for a plant which may generate up to 100 jobs. Plumrose USA broke ground on a 100-thousand square foot, $70-million cold-cut slicing facility, which will be built north of the intersection of South 32nd Street and 21st Avenue. The company already has a plant at 2650 23rd Avenue, in Council Bluffs, but that facility produces products which must be sliced at a different location.

In May, 2011, Plumrose USA was one of three western Iowa companies that were awarded financial incentives packages from the Iowa Economic Development Board. The IEDB approved $520,000 in direct financial assistance from the Grow Iowa Values Financial Assistance Program (GIVFAP) and tax incentives, to Plumrose. The new plant is LEED certified, which means its design is environmentally and employee health friendly. Company officials say the facility should be open in about 11-months. Plumrose USA is owned by Denmark-based Danish Crown, a packaged meats company.

The Iowa Economic Development Board last May had also approved Enterprise Zone tax incentives to Menard’s Incorporated, to expand a warehouse at its distribution center in Shelby County, which will allow for a further expansion of its product lines, and $800,000 in direct financial assistance to Tyson Prepared Foods, Inc., for a proposed renovation of its Council Bluffs facility.

Pharmacy robbed Wed. evening in Council Bluffs

News

November 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs say a man possibly armed with a gun, robbed a pharmacy in Council Bluffs Wednesday evening. The incident at the Medicap Pharmacy located at 2201 West Broadway, happened at around 5:35-p..m.   Officials say a white male walked into the store and told employees he had a gun and demanded an undisclosed amount of prescription medications. No weapon was ever displayed during the incident.

The suspect was described as being white, about 5-feet 10-inches tall, and anywhere from 17- to 25-years of age. He wore a red jersey with “Cyclones” written in white on the front, along with cut-off black pants and black shoes. The suspects face was covered up with a black nylon panty hose.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-7867.

Nebraska men arrested on drug charges in Audubon Co.

News

November 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Audubon County say two Nebraska, men were arrested early Tuesday morning on drug charges, following a traffic stop on Highway 71 near Exira. 40-year old Scott Lee Kounovsky & 42-year old William Ray Blackerby, both of Omaha, NE., were taken into custody at around 1:45-a.m., Tuesday.

Kounovsky was charged with Possesson of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possessing Contraband in a Correction Facility. Blackerby was charged with Possession of Meth/2nd offense, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Both men were being held in the Audubon County Jail on $5,000 bond each.

And, a Webster County man was arrested Wednesday afternoon on drug charges, following a traffic stop which occurred November 1st, in Hamlin. 32-year old Christopher Lee Gordon, of Ft. Dodge, had been wanted on outstanding warrants.  Following an investigation after the traffic stop, Gordon was also charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was being held in the Audubon County Jail on $5,000 bond.

8-Man State Football Playoff Schedule

Sports

November 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Thursday @ the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls

8-Man:

  • 10:00 am — Clarksville (12-1) vs. Murray (11-1)
  • 1:00 pm — Armstrong-Ringsted (12-0) vs. Fremont-Mills (12-0)

3-A/4-A State Volleyball Tournament First Round Results

Sports

November 10th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Class 3A – First Round

  • (3-0) Dubuque Wahlert 25-25-25, Harlan 23-21-18
  • (3-1)  Bishop Heelan Catholic 25-24-25-25,  Charles City 17-26-15-22
  • (3-0) Waverly-Shell Rock 25-25-25, Maquoketa 16-15-17
  • (3-2)  Union 25-25-17-25-15, Solon 23-27-25-16-6

Class 4A  – First Round

  • (3-0) Iowa City West 25-25-25, Abraham Lincoln 20-15-20
  • (3-0) Cedar Rapids Kennedy 25-25-25, Dubuque Hempstead 9-21-15
  • (3-1)  Iowa City High 25-16-25-25, Cedar Falls 18-25-10-11
  • (3-0) Ankeny 25-25-25, Waukee 16-12-22

Cass County, Iowa Utilizing Pictometry(r) Intelligent Images

News

November 9th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Officials in Cass County, IA, announced Wednesday, that the county has implemented the use of Pictometry(r) Intelligent Images in county assessment, GIS and public safety offices. Pictometry imagery is high resolution aerial oblique imagery that is geo-referenced to enable the accurate measurement of structures and land features directly on imagery. With Pictometry’s patented aerial oblique imagery users can see the fronts and sides of locations from multiple perspectives and can measure area, distance, height, elevation, bearing, pitch and more – directly on imagery.

“Pictometry imagery is used by more than one third of the counties in the U.S. because it is an approved and accurate way to do field calculations and dispatch the appropriate first response resources when they are needed most,” said Duane McFadden, County Supervisor. “With Pictometry, counties can re-coup cost of investment within a year and can actually generate county income through significant improvements to work processes and fair and equitable assessment practices.

As of November 1, 2011 Pictometry(r) Online is now available to Cass County entities for one year on a free trial basis. There are 200 seats available with each seat entitled to five users for a total of 1000 users. In addition to being able to view Cass County properties, you will also have access to Montgomery, Pottawattamie and Shelby properties.

For more information please contact Tracey J. Marshall, Cass County Treasurer at tmarshall@casscoia.us, or Mike Kennon, Cass County Emergency Management mkennon@casscoia.us, or Mary Anstey, Deputy Cass County Assessor manesty@casscoia.us

Cyclone Women Open Season Hosting Houston Baptist

Sports

November 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State women’s basketball team opens regular season play Friday night when it hosts Houston Baptist at Hilton Coliseum. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Who: Iowa State vs. Houston Baptist
Where: Ames, Iowa – Hilton Coliseum
When: Friday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.
Radio: Cyclone Radio Network/Learfield
Talent: Rich Fellingham (PxP), Molly Parrott (Color)
TV: None
Webcast: Clone Zone
Live Stats: Live stats will be available at cyclones.com.
Live Blog: Matt Shoultz, assistant director of athletics communications, will be holding a live blog during the game at cyclones.com. Fans are encouraged to participate in the blog by asking questions.

Cyclone Notebook
– Iowa State opens its 39th season of play Friday evening when it hosts Houston Baptist at Hilton Coliseum at 7 p.m.
– The Cyclones will drop their 2010-11 NCAA Tournament banner prior to the game.
– Iowa State has won 16-straight season openers dating back to head coach Bill Fennelly’s first season in Ames. ISU is 30-8 all-time in season openers. During the Fennelly era, the Cyclones have won their opening game by an average of 25.1 points.
– Iowa State has an all-time record of 591-513 (.535), including 354-160 (.689) under the direction of Fennelly.
– The Cyclones won exhibition contests against Coe College and Rockhurst by an average of 52 points per game. The Cyclones shot 46.9 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from 3-point range.
– Junior forward Chelsea Poppens led the Cyclones averaging 15.5 points in the two exhibition games. Hallie Christofferson (11.5), Anna Prins (11.0) and Kelsey Harris (10.0) were also in double figures.
– Iowa State’s returning players have combined to start 190 career games. The junior class is led by Chelsea Poppens and Anna Prins, both of which have scored over 500 career points and grabbed over 200 rebounds.

Series Notes
– Iowa State and Houston Baptist are meeting for the first time. HBU is in its first year as a full Division I member after reclassifying in 2007.
– The Cyclones are 11-4 all-time against teams from the Great West Conference. The last meeting against a Great West team was in 2010-11 when ISU beat Chicago State, 62-48, at Hilton Coliseum.

Prins Sidelined
– Junior center Anna Prins will miss at least two weeks after undergoing a scope for a sore right knee Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Trey Bien
– Iowa State has made at least one three-pointer in an NCAA record 517 consecutive games, a streak that dates back to 1995. The Cyclones set the record against Texas on Feb. 21, 2011.

The last time the Cyclones didn’t hit a 3-pointer was on Feb. 15, 1995 against Missouri. That was the season before Fennelly was hired as head coach of the Cyclones.

Nonconference Home Success
– The Cyclones have gone undefeated at home during the nonconference portion of the schedule for six consecutive seasons and have won 58 straight regular-season nonconference contests at Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones have not lost a regular-season nonconference home game since the 2003-04 season (Washington).

For more news and notes on Iowa State women’s basketball follow us on twitter (@CycloneWBB).

(ISU press release)

Hawkeyes 2012 Basketball Class Ranked #19 by ESPN

Sports

November 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery is getting the job done on the recruiting trail.  After an 11-20 inaugural season, McCaffery has begun the building process by signing five recruits on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.  Two of those recruits are ESPN Top 100 selections.  Adam Woodbury, a 7-foot-1 center from Sioux City East is the centerpiece of the class.  A four star recruit, Woodbury begins his senior high school season in a couple weeks after choosing Iowa over North Carolina.  Joining Woodbury will be his AAU teammate, Mike Gesell of South Sioux City, Nebraska.  The 6-foot-2 point guard is also a four star recruit.  Other signees include6-foot-1 point guard Anthony Clemmons of Lansing, Michigan, 6-foot-3 shooting guard Patrick Ingram of Indianapolis, Indiana and 6-foot-9 center/forward Kyle Meyer of Alpharetta, Georgia.  All five would be eligible to join the Hawkeyes for the 2012-13 season.  Iowa will open the 2011-12 season this Friday night at home against Chicago State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.  The game tips off at 7:00 pm and will be heard on KJAN.

For more information, visit HawkeyeSports.com.

Cyclones Sign Three In Top-35 2012 Class

Sports

November 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg announced today the signing of three players to national letters of intent for the 2012-13 basketball season. The three-person class is ranked in the top-35 nationally according to the ESPNU rankings.

Georges Niang (6-7, 235, Fr., Methuen, Mass.), who has emerged as one of the best power forwards in the nation, Sherron Dorsey-Walker (6-4, 175, Fr., Detroit, Mich.), one of the best shooters in the class of 2012, and Nkereuwem Okoro (6-5, 220, Fr., Bronx, N.Y.), one of the best preps out of the New York area, will enroll at Iowa State in the fall of 2012.

Iowa State Men’s Basketball 2012-13 Recruits
Georges Niang, F, 6-7, 235, Freshman, Methuen, Mass. (The Tilton School [N.H.])
Nkereuwem Okoro, G, 6-5, 220, Freshman, Bronx, N.Y. (St. Raymond)
Sherron Dorsey-Walker, G, 6-4, 175, Freshman, Detroit, Mich. (Pershing)

Georges Niang
F, 6-7, 235, Fr.
Methuen, Mass. (The Tilton School [N.H.])
A skilled forward who can score in a variety of ways around the hoop and connect from outside…considered one of the best players on the East Coast, earning First-Team Class AA NEPSAC honors in 2011…a consensus national top-100 recruit, Niang is ranked No. 42 by Lindy’s, No. 69 by Scout.com, No. 73 by Sporting News, No. 82 by ESPNU and No. 98 by Rivals.com in the 2012 prep national rankings…Scout.com ranks him as the 15th-best power forward in the nation and ESPNU has him listed at No. 18…averaged 24.2 points and 8.2 rebounds as a junior…led his team to the NEPSAC Class AA championship with a 72-56 win over St. Mark’s (Mass.)…was named outstanding player of the tournament, scoring 23 points on 11-of-11 shooting from the field and grabbing nine boards in the championship game…team lost in the National Prep Championship to Notre Dame Prep (87-85), as Niang scored 31 points…ranked as the second-best player in New Hampshire and the eighth-best player in New England…his stock rose dramatically in the summer of 2011 in his play on the AAU circuit…played for the Boston-based BABC AAU team, the same program that featured former Cyclone and NBA player Will Blalock…his BABC squad won the 2011 Nike Peach Jam, one of the best AAU tournaments in the country…first name is pronounced GEORGE…last name pronounced Knee-yang…also had offers from Iowa, Providence, Texas A&M and Seton Hall.

Hoiberg on Niang:
“Georges will make an immediate impact in our program. He can score with anyone on the block and can take his defender on the perimeter and score from there. He is a throwback player who will find a way to beat you. He also plays the game with passion and is a player who will make his teammates better.”

Nkereuwem Okoro
G, 6-5, 220, Fr.
Bronx, N.Y. (St. Raymond)
A tough bruising guard-forward who has emerged as one of the best prospects out of New York in the Class of 2012…ranked as the third-best player in New York City in the Class of 2012…Rivals.com ranked him as a top-10 player outside the Rivals150…averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 rebounds as a junior, earning First-Team All-CHSAA honors…was a Third-Team All-CHSAA selection as a sophomore in 2010…team advanced to the CHSAA sectional finals, losing to Christ The King in overtime…first name is pronounced kur-AH-whum…last name pronounced oh-CORE-oh…goes by “Kerwin”…chose Iowa State over Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Arizona and Texas A&M.

Hoiberg on Okoro:
“We as a staff fell in love with Nkereuwem’s toughness and tenacity on the court. He is a big guard who can defend and rebound. He has also dramatically improved his jumpshot in the last year. He is another outstanding New York player who knows how to win.”

Sherron Dorsey-Walker
G, 6-4, 175, Fr.
Detroit, Mich. (Pershing)
One of the top prospects out of Michigan who is an outstanding shooter with a long wingspan…rated No. 122 in the Rivals.com rankings and listed as the second-best player out of Michigan…ranked as the 24th-best shooting guard in the Class of 2012 by Rivals.com and is listed at No. 25 on ESPNU’s best shooting guards…a two-year starter at Detroit Pershing…as a sophomore in high school, was teammates with McDonald’s All-American and current Michigan State Spartan Keith Appling…averaged 16.2 points as a junior…earned honorable mention all-state honors the last two seasons…played for the R.E.A.C.H. Legends AAU team…had offers from Michigan, Baylor, Boston College, Florida State, Indiana and Virginia Tech.

Hoiberg on Dorsey-Walker
“Outside shooting will always be an emphasis for us and we feel Sherron is one of the best shooters in the Class of 2012. He is a tall guard with excellent range and a smooth stroke. We think Sherron will fit in well in our system and look forward to seeing him develop into a contributor for us.”

Paterno to Retire at End of Season

Sports

November 9th, 2011 by Jim Field

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) – Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has decided to retire at the end of the season, his long career brought down by his failure to do more about an allegation of child sex abuse against a former assistant.  Paterno said in a statement Wednesday he is “absolutely devastated” by the developments in the case of Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator accused of molesting eight boys over 15 years.  Paterno says the board of trustees should “not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address.”  “This is a tragedy,” Paterno says. “It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”  Penn State’s athletic director and a vice president have already stepped down after being charged criminally with failing to notify authorities after an eyewitness reported a 2002 assault.  Paterno has not been accused of legal wrongdoing. But he has been assailed for what the state police commissioner called a lapse
of “moral responsibility” for not doing more to stop Sandusky, whose attorney maintains his client’s innocence.