United Group Insurance

Ernst resolution would nullify WOTUS

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst has collected the signatures of 46 other senators on a resolution that would nullify an Environmental Protection Agency rule that’s unpopular in farm country. The “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule outlines six types of waterways that the E-P-A and the Army Corps of Engineers say are subject to federal Clean Water Act regulation. “I’ve just been hearing overwhelmingly from so many Iowans that the expanded definitions are causing confusion and uncertainty for farmers and ranchers and manufacturers,” Ernst says.

Other proposals attached to budget bills would block federal funding for implementing the rule. There’s a bill that essentially tells E-P-A officials to rewrite the rule and address some specific concerns. Now, the Ernst resolution seeks to get rid of the rule altogether. “It is just one of the options that we have on the table right now,” Ernst says. All three of those proposals face a presidential veto.

The Iowa Farm Bureau has suggested 97 percent of the land mass in Iowa now could face Clean Water Act regulation because of the rule, which went into effect in late August. Ernst calls the rule ill-conceived. “It’s a lot of over-regulation,” Ernst says. Iowa’s other U.S. Senator, Republican Chuck Grassley, is a co-sponsor of the Ernst resolution.

Officials in the Environmental Protection Agency say their rule “is fundamental to protecting and restoring the nation’s water resources.” The 1972 Clean Water Act gave the federal government jurisdiction over “navigable” waters, but a series of court cases over the past few decades have caused confusion over what “navigable” means. The agency’s new rule is an attempt to clarify its authority, but critics like Ernst say the E-P-A has gone so far as to seek jurisdiction over the gullies in corn fields.

“The law behind the rule has good intent,” Ernst says. “It’s just that the new rule takes it way too far.”

(Radio Iowa)

Area volleyball scores from Thu., 9/17/15

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(3-0) Adair-Casey 25-25-25, Paton-Churdan 21-18-21
(3-0) AR-WE-VA, Westside 25-25-25, West Harrison 19-10-22
(3-0) Bondurant-Farrar 25-25-25, Winterset 12-15-18
(3-0) Coon Rapids-Bayard 25-25-25, Woodbine 11-16-7
(3-1) Creston 25-18-25-25, Denison-Schleswig 16-25-12-16
(3-1) Earlham 15-25-25-25, Lenox 25-21-16-23
(3-) East Sac County 25-25-25, Pocahontas Area 14-10-18
(3-0) Essex 25-25-25, Heartland Christian 7-8-6
(3-0) IKM-Manning 25-25-25, Griswold 18-22-20
(3-0) Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 25-25-25, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 19-21-10
(3-0) Lewis Central 25-25-25, Clarinda 10-19-21
(3-2) Maple Valley-Anthon Oto 10-16-27-25-15, Ridge View 25-25-25-21-9
(3-0) Missouri Valley 25-25-25, Riverside, Oakland 6-9-13
(3-2) Stanton 25-25-24-13-15, Nishnabotna 20-18-26-25-7
(3-0) Treynor 25-25-26, Audubon 15-15-24
(3-0) Tri-Center, Neola 25-25-25, Logan-Magnolia 19-8-10
(2-0) Van Meter 21-21, Mount Ayr 13-14
(2-1) West Harrison 25-17-15, Whiting 21-25-10

Regulators look into death of racing dog, amid drug inquiry

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa regulators say they are investigating whether the death of a racing dog is linked to the use of a performance-enhancing drug found in others in the same kennel. Administrator Brian Ohorilko of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says the dog from the Iowa Greyhound Park in Dubuque died at a veterinarian’s office Wednesday night.

He says the dog isn’t among those that have already tested positive for ractopamine, a drug widely used as a feed supplement for livestock. But he says the dog came from one of the two kennels that are under investigation. The animal’s carcass is being sent to Iowa State University for a necropsy. Two trainers and two kennels have been temporarily suspended as regulators investigate how dogs ended up with the banned substance.

 

IA High School Football Scores from Thu., 9/17/15

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Cedar Rapids, Washington 49, Linn-Mar, Marion 14

Sioux City, East 56, Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 7

 

Lackey, Cardinals sweep; Brewers pitcher Nelson hurt

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

MILWAUKEE (AP) — John Lackey pitched seven shutout innings and the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals beat Milwaukee 6-3 Thursday night in a game delayed after Brewers pitcher Jimmy Nelson was hit in the head by a line drive. The Cardinals swept the three-game series to extend their winning streak to four. They now lead second-place Pittsburgh by five games in the division race.

Nelson was struck in the back of the head by a liner from Tommy Pham in the third inning. Nelson crumpled on the mound and remained prone for about a minute. Nelson later walked off the field and was hospitalized after a CT scan showed a contusion. Lackey (12-9) scattered five hits and two walks while striking out eight. He has a 2.23 ERA in his last 17 starts dating to June 15.

Pham tripled, doubled and singled, driving in two runs and scoring twice. Matt Carpenter got three hits, including a home run. Nelson (11-3) took the loss and Milwaukee dropped its sixth in a row.

 

Broncos complete stunning comeback, beat Chiefs 31-24

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Denver cornerback Bradley Roby returned Jamaal Charles’ second fumble 21 yards for a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining, completing a stunning comeback in the Broncos’ 31-24 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

Peyton Manning threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, the last to Emmanuel Sanders with 36 seconds left as the Broncos (2-0) appeared headed for overtime. But on the next play by the Chiefs (1-1), Charles was stripped by Brandon Marshall and the ball bounced right into Roby’s hands.

The dramatic about-face came after Knile Davis gave Kansas City the lead with 2:27 left on an 8-yard run, raising hope among a sellout crowd that the Chiefs might finally end some curses. Instead, Denver pushed its winning streak to seven straight over its AFC West rival, while Manning improved to 14-1 in his career against the Chiefs.

 

Iowa St faces crucial road test at talented Toledo

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State’s first road game will be its final test before the Big 12 season. The Cyclones can’t afford to start league play with a losing record. Iowa State (1-1) heads on Saturday to Mid-American Conference favorite Toledo (1-0) — which stunned Arkansas on the road last week — in need of a response after losing to Iowa 31-17.

The Cyclones finally paid for its listless rushing attack, as the Hawkeyes shut them out in the second half. But Iowa State’s play has been at times encouraging, especially on defense.

 

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Sept. 18th 2015

News

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump plans to attend a high school homecoming event in Iowa. Campaign manager Corey Lewandowski has confirmed Trump will appear at Urbandale High School’s homecoming event on Saturday night. Trump accepted the invitation from the school’s 2016 senior government class.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police say they’re investigating the shooting death of a 32-year-old man last week as a homicide. Bryan Edwards died at a hospital after being shot on September 10th in northwest Cedar Rapids. Authorities say investigators don’t believe the shooting was a random act.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two Democratic lawmakers are looking to halt or amend Governor Terry Branstad’s plans to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. Senators Amanda Ragan and Liz Mathis on Thursday sent a letter to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, saying they have “grave concerns” about the privatization plans. If a denial is not an option, the lawmakers ask that the state be subject to additional terms, including a longer time period to phase-in the new program.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Secretary of State Paul Pate says Iowa residents with a state driver’s license or photo ID will be able to register online to vote by January 1st. Earlier this year, the Iowa Voter Registration Commission approved a rule allowing qualified voters to visit a website where they can register. Pate estimates 93 percent of eligible voters use the online system.

Iowa, Pitt set for Big Ten-ACC matchup

Sports

September 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The similarities between Pittsburgh and Iowa have helped make their semi-regular series an exciting one. The Hawkeyes (2-0) and Panthers (2-0) find themselves in much different spots heading into Saturday’s matchup at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz is one of the nation’s longest-tenured coaches. But Ferentz has shaken things up in his 17th season in Iowa City, with a new-look offense and fake field-goal tries in each of Iowa’s first two games.

Pitt has yet another new coach in Pat Narduzzi, who stymied Iowa and the rest of the Big Ten as the defensive coordinator at Michigan State.

City Elections set for Nov. 3rd in Cass County

News

September 17th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The filing deadline has passed for those wanting to be included on the ballot for the Nov. 3rd City Elections in Cass County. In Lewis and Wiota, there will be a races to fill a limited number of seats on the City Council, while a Mayor’s race will be featured in Anita. Other than that, there are no contested races in the other cities. Public Measures will also be on the ballot for voters to decide, in four of the eight cities in Cass County. The final list of names appearing on the ballot include:

In Atlantic, all four incumbent Councilpersons have filed for re-election. They include Dana Halder – At Large, Chris Jimerson – 1st Ward, and Linda Hartkopf – 4th Ward and Ashley Hayes in the Third Ward. And, Dick Casady, who was appointed by Mayor Dave Jones earlier this year to fill a vacancy in the 5th Ward, is on the ballot. There are no challengers for those respective seats. Incumbent Stuart Dusenberry also filed papers for an open seat on the Parks and Rec Board, in Atlantic. He also is unopposed.

Voters in Atlantic will also have to make up their minds on Public Measure B, which asks “Shall the City of Atlantic, in Cass County, Iowa, issue its bonds, paid with local option sales tax (LOST) revenue in an amount not exceeding the amount of $875,000 for the purpose of paying for the cost of restoring the historic ballroom/theater and creating a multi-purpose facility on the second and third floors of City Hall?”

In Anita, Ben Daughenbaugh and Timothy Miller will vie for the title of Mayor. Incumbents Thomas R. Harris and Jeff Bohnsack have filed to run for two open seats on the Anita City Council.

In Cumberland, incumbent Mayor Nancy Virginia Couglin is unopposed for re-election, while incumbent Sandra K. Eversole and Scott W. Becker are running for two seats on the Council. Catherine Landstreet-Howard is unopposed in her run to fill a vacancy seat on the City Council, so there are no contested races in Cumberland.

In Griswold, no one filed to run for Mayor, so the position will come down to a write-in vote. Incumbents Ryan Askeland and Lisa Cook, along with Carmen Sorensen, are running unopposed for three open seats on the City Council. Voters in Griswold will also be asked to decide on Public Measure C, which asks if the City should change the Mayor’s term from a two-year term to a four-year term.

In Lewis, Jon E. Mosier in unopposed in his bid for Mayor, while five candidates, including Incumbent Duane Scott Anderson, Leroy Easter, Marvin Bradfield, Kristy Bassett and Nona Erickson are running for just three open seats on the Council. Lewis voters will also decide on Public Measure D, which asks if an annual levy, the amount of which will not exceed a rate of twenty-seven cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property, is authorized for providing moneys for public library services?

In Marne, incumbent Mayor Randy Baxter is running unopposed for re-election. Three incumbents: Alan Cranston, Lori Holste and Angela Redler, along with Michael Jensen and Kyle Frederiksen, are running for five open seats on the City Council, so there is not a contested race there. Marne voters also have an issue to vote on. Public Measure E asks “Shall an annual levy, the amount of which shall not exceed a rate of one dollar and fifty cents per thousand dollars of assessed value of the taxable property in the unified law enforcement district be authorized for providing additional moneys needed for unified law enforcement services in the district?”

In Massena, incumbent Mayor Linda Reineke is unopposed for re-election, while incumbents Kevin and Adam McCunn have filed for re-election to one of three seats on the City Council, with Micah Lee running in an Appointed position on the Council.

In Wiota, incumbent Ford Lillard is running again for Mayor, and there will be a three-way race for two seats on the City Council, with incumbent Jon Schwarte competing against Steven R. Havens and Jim Fischer.