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Harkin Announces Over $750,000 to Repair Damaged Railroads in Iowa

News

August 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today (Thursday) announced that the state will receive $773,353 in grants for the repair and rehabilitation of flood damaged railroad infrastructure.  The funds come from the Iowa Department of Transportation through the Flood Damage Restoration for the Iowa River Railroad Program. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds transportation initiatives.

The railroad repairs include debris removal, track regulation, bridge reconstruction, aligning and surfacing caused by flood damage. The funds will be used to reimburse short line and regional rails in the following counties:  Adair, Cass, Dallas, Des Moines, Hardin, Iowa, Jasper, Marshall, Muscatine, Polk, Pottawattamie, and Poweshiek.

“Three years ago, devastating floods hit Iowa causing destruction across our state, including severe damage to our railway system,” said Harkin.  “These railroads are crucial to the safe and efficient movement of goods between Iowa communities and to places outside of our state, as well as critical to growing our economy.”

Lane restrictions on Iowa 25 in Guthrie County begin Aug. 22nd

News

August 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

CRESTON, Iowa – Aug. 11, 2011 – Road construction work will reduce Iowa 25 to one lane between Guthrie County Road F-65 near Casey and Iowa 44 in Guthrie Center beginning Monday, Aug. 22nd, weather permitting, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Creston construction office.

A 16-foot lane width restriction will be in place in the open lane. Flaggers and a pilot car will be used to control traffic during the closure. The roadway will return to normal traffic patterns when workers are not present. This project is expected to be completed by Oct. 3rd.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations
are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles and wear seat belts.

(IA-DOT News Release)

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11th

Trading Post

August 11th, 2011 by admin

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Chiefs Sign Offensive Tackle Jared Gaither

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

     KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Ravens tackle Jared Gaither in an attempt to add experience to the offensive line.  The 6-foot-9, 340-pound Gaither played three seasons in Baltimore, starting at left tackle in 2008 and ’09.  Gaither missed all of last season with back problems, but he could provide sound depth and potentially move into the starting lineup if he remains healthy. He’s played 33 regular season games, making 28 starts, along with starting in five postseason games for the Ravens.  Branden Albert has solidified one of the tackle spots, but Barry Richardson has struggled throughout the start of training camp at the other position. The Chiefs’ only veteran backup is Ryan O’Callaghan.

Wolf, Brewers Beat Cards for 13th Win in 14 Games

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Randy Wolf pitched eight sharp innings and the Milwaukee Brewers jumped on Jake Westbrook early to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 Wednesday night, giving the NL Central leaders their 13th win in 14 games.  Prince Fielder had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and an RBI double in the third to help the Brewers open a five-game cushion on the second-place Cardinals.  Milwaukee clinched only its fifth road series win of the season and will try for a sweep Thursday night. The Brewers have taken four of five from St. Louis this month.  The Brewers are 41-15 at home and just 26-35 on the road, but are one win away from a perfect 6-0 trip.

Iowa Content Being Out From Spotlight in 2011

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

     IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A year ago, Iowa tumbled from a preseason top-10 ranking to a .500 finish in the Big Ten.  The Hawkeyes earned a trip to the Insight Bowl, but they went without their top running back and wide receiver after December arrests.  The glow over a comeback win over Missouri was sullied by an offseason workout gone awry. It left 13 players hospitalized, and coach Kirk Ferentz was forced to defend his program.  All that drama, coupled with the departure of a celebrated senior class led by Adrian Clayborn and Ricky Stanzi, has significantly lowered expectations for Iowa in 2011.

Pioli: Chiefs Are Making Progress During Odd Camp

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

     ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli believes significant progress has been made during the first two weeks of a most unusual training camp.  Speaking after Kansas City’s walkthrough Wednesday morning, Pioli says he’s been “encouraged” by several new players and the ground that’s been covered by Todd Haley and the rest of the coaching staff after the lockout.  The defending AFC West champs wrap up their first leg of training camp with a practice under the lights Wednesday night in St. Joseph, Mo. They head home to Arrowhead Stadium for their preseason opener Friday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

UNI’s Ahelegbe To Play In Germany

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

     CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Former Northern Iowa point guard Kwadzo (ka-JOE) Ahelegbe (ah-HEL-eg-bah) will play in Germany next season.  The school says Ahelegbe has signed with BG G Jottingen (GO-ti-gen).  Ahelegbe led the Panthers with 14.1 points per game last year and was a first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference pick.  Ahelegbe finished his Northern Iowa career ranked ninth on the school’s career scoring list with 1,329 points.  Former Panthers John Little and Ben Jacobson also played BG
G Jottingen.

Cyclones Search For QB Will Define Upcoming Season

Sports

August 11th, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State’s defensive line appears to be its strongest in years. its linebackers and defensive backs are skilled and experienced. The Cyclones have intriguing options at wide receiver and running back and three starters back in the trenches.  None of that will matter if they can’t find a quarterback.  How Iowa State replaces three-year starter Austen Arnaud will likely define its third season under coach Paul Rhoads. Junior Jerome Tiller, junior college transfer Steele Jantz and redshirt freshman Jared Barnett are all in contention for the job.  Iowa State finished 5-7 (3-5 Big 12) in 2010, missing out of postseason eligibility after a 14-0 home loss to Missouri in its finale.

2011 Iowa corn crop could equal record set in 2009

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 11th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal authorities are forecasting a 2011 Iowa corn harvest of 2.43 billion bushels, a figure that would match the Iowa record set in 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the estimate is based on Aug. 1 conditions. Last year, 2.15 billion bushels were harvested in Iowa. The area expected to be harvested for grain is up to 13.75 million acres, compared with 13.05 million acres in 2010. The expected yield for 2011 is 177 bushels an acre. That’s 12 bushels higher than last year’s production but 5 bushels under the record set in 2009.