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Mega Millions jackpot climbs toward a new record

News

December 16th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials say the next Mega Millions prize could surpass last year’s record $656 million jackpot. No one won the $425 million prize on Friday night. And officials Saturday raised the amount to $550 million for Tuesday’s drawing, the fourth-largest in U.S. history. The game’s lead director Paula Otto said Sunday that ticket sales were up by as much as 20 percent in states that reported their weekend numbers. Sales are expected to spike Tuesday.

Otto says lottery officials are in uncharted territory because there’s never been such a large jackpot in December, when tickets sales typically peak. It’s too early to know whether the jackpot will reach a record, but Otto says she expects it will come close.

2 hurt in separate Pott. Co. crashes, Sunday evening

News

December 16th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Two people were injured during separate crashes Sunday evening in Pottawattamie County.The Iowa State Patrol says the first crash happened south of McClelland at around 5:20-p.m. on 270th Street, just south of Hickory Road. Officials say 1997 Chevy pickup driven by 29-year old Christopher T. Mahoney, of McClelland, was traveling north on 270th, when Mahoney fell asleep at the wheel. The pickup left the road and hit a utility pole. Mahoney, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported by Treynor Rescue to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs. The accident remains under investigation.

The second crash happened at around 6:24-p.m. on Highway 59, near the Wings America Truck Stop just north of Avoca. Officials say a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta pulled out of the Wings parking lot onto Highway 59 and was struck by a northbound 2006 Infiniti QX-56. Both vehicles came to rest on the roadway.

The driver of the Infiniti, 43-year old Amber Quist, of Omaha, was transported by Avoca Rescue to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Officials say Quist was wearing her seat belt. The driver of the Jetta, 31-year old Lindsay Holmes of Anita, and a passenger in her car, were not injured.

 

Chiefs clinch playoffs with 56-31 win vs Raiders

Sports

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jamaal Charles tied a franchise record with five touchdowns in a game, Alex Smith threw five TD passes and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Raiders 56-31 on Sunday to clinch at least a wild-card spot. The Chiefs (11-3) became the fourth team ever to make the playoffs a year after losing at least 14 games. Kansas City is tied for first place in the AFC West with Denver but needs help to win the division because the Broncos swept the season series.

Charles gained 215 yards from scrimmage as the Chiefs put up the highest point total allowed in Raiders’ history. Matt McGloin threw four interceptions and lost a fumble while sharing time with Terrelle Pryor. Oakland (4-10) lost its fourth straight game.

LARRY JOE SCHETTLER, 67, of Audubon (Svcs. 12/17/13)

Obituaries

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

LARRY JOE SCHETTLER, 67, of Audubon, died Fri., Dec. 13th, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Des Moines. A Celebration of Life service for LARRY SCHETTLER, will be held 11-a.m. Tue., Dec. 17th, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Carroll. Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where a family visitation is 5-pm Mon., and a Rosary is at 6:30-p.m.

LARRY SCHETTLER is survived by:

His best friends & longtime companion – Sue Behrens, of Audubon.

His children – Chad (Gloria) Schettler, of Indianola; Joseph (Kristan) Schettler, of Carlisle; Kathryn (Robert) Furnal, of Babbitt, MN & Megan (Chad) Andrew, of Lucas, IA.

His brothers & sisters – Leona (Rich) Onken, of Ralston, NE; Alan (Shirlee) Schettler, of Swisher; Dean (Joan) Schettler, of Breda; Marilyn (Dale) Behrens, of Roselle, IA, & JoAnn (Randy) Wallace, of West Des Moines.

9 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, his in-laws, other relatives & friends.

Carjacking suspect hits woman in Council Bluffs

News

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police are looking for a man who is accused of carjacking a couple in Council Bluffs and then hitting the woman as he drove away. Police say the couple left their vehicle running outside a Bucky’s convenience store shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The couple told police that a man climbed into their car and started to drive off.

Authorities say the woman ran outside to stop the suspect, and he ran into her. The woman was taken to the hospital with lower leg injuries, but is expected to recover. Police in Omaha found the car on fire about an hour later. Authorities are still investigating.

Woodbury Co. official charged with assault

News

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Woodbury County supervisor and jail official is on paid administrative leave after he was arrested this weekend on suspicion of domestic assault. David Tripp is accused of firing a revolver into the air during an argument with his wife at their home on Saturday. No one was injured. The 43-year-old Tripp was charged with aggravated assault, a misdemeanor.

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says he’s greatly concerned, and a decision on Tripp’s future could come before the criminal investigation is completed. County Board Chairman Larry Clausen says he’s not sure what consequences Tripp could face in his role as a supervisor. Tripp was elected in 2010.

Bluffs residents to take on 6% water rate hike

News

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

It’ll cost more for residents of Council Bluffs to use water supplied by the City, beginning January 1st. The Omaha World-Herald, citing an official with the Council Bluffs Water Works, says residents will see a 6 percent hike in their water bills, which is the first increase since an 8 percent jump in 2012. The Water Works serves 22,000 customers.

Based on calculations, the cost of the average family’s water usage will increase roughly $14.28 per year to $253 from this year’s average annual water cost of $238. That comes out to an additional $2.38 every two months. Most residents are billed every two months.The current cost for taking a daily shower using 25 gallons of water is just a dime. Under the new increase, the cost of that shower will increase just a penny.

Earlier this month, the Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ Board of Trustees approved a 5-percent across the board increase for both electric and water rates beginning January 1st. That means the average household would see an increase of one-dollar per month in their water bill.

Saturday’s Area High School Basketball Scores (12/14/13)

Sports

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hawkeye 10:

  • Carroll 63, Kuemper Catholic 42
  • Glenwood 66, St. Albert 39
  • Harlan 74, Blair, NE 46
  • Ralston, NE 46, Lewis Central 35
  • Clarinda Academy 89, Red Oak 70
  • Shenandoah 91, South Page 33
  • Creston 70, ADM 57

Rolling Valley:

  • Adair-Casey 52, Glidden-Ralston 48
  • Ar-We-Va 65, Charter Oak-Ute 43
  • Boyer Valley 58, West Harrison 53
  • Coon Rapids-Bayard 65, Woodbine 36
  • Boyer Valley 58, West Harrison 52

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Hawkeye 10:

  • Glenwood 57, St. Albert 51 (OT)
  • Red Oak 78, Clarinda Academy 13

Rolling Valley:

  • Adair-Casey 54, Glidden-Ralston 25
  • Ar-We-Va, Westside 56, Charter Oak-Ute 25
  • Coon Rapids-Bayard 37, Woodbine 25
  • Paton-Churdan 69, CAM 35

New Mexico State defeats Drake, 81-69 in OT

Sports

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — K.C. Ross-Miller scored eight points in the final minute of regulation and added four more in overtime as New Mexico State defeated Drake 81-69 Saturday night. Ross-Miller was 8 of 8 from the line on his way to 14 points. Sim Bhullar scored a game-high 22 points, including seven in overtime. New Mexico State (8-5) outscored Drake (6-3) 14-2 in overtime.

Drake trailed 57-47 with 8:47 remaining. Chris Caird hit back-to-back 3-pointers, capping a 17-8 run to pull Drake within one, 65-64 with 24 seconds to play. Two Ross-Miller free throws stretched the Aggies’ lead to 67-64, but DK Eldridge fouled Jordan Daniels on a 3-point shot with 4 seconds left. Daniels made all three free throws, tying the game for the first time to send into overtime.

Richard Carter scored a team-high 21 points, Daniels added 18 and Caird 13 to lead the Bulldogs in Des Moines.

Iowa News Headlines: Sun., Dec. 15 2013

News

December 15th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — An early-morning fire has damaged the National Mississippi River Center Museum and Aquarium. Officials tell the Dubuque Telegraph Herald that the fire appears to have started early Saturday near the tortoise exhibit, causing minor damage. Officials say no humans or animals were injured in the fire.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Police have arrested a man suspected of pulling a gun at Davenport’s North YMCA. The Quad-City Times reports that a 21-year-old Davenport man has been charged with carrying a weapon on school grounds and intimidation with a weapon. Police identified the man as a suspect in the Friday gun incident and obtained a search warrant for his home, where he was arrested later Friday. No one was injured.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Salvation Army official says a woman stole a countertop Red Kettle from a restaurant in Sioux City. Major Von Vandiver, the commanding officer of The Salvation Army of Siouxland, told the Sioux City Journal a surveillance video showed a woman walked into Perkins Restaurant & Bakery about 2 a.m. Tuesday and took the kettle.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — K.C. Ross-Miller scored eight points in the final minute of regulation and added four more in overtime as New Mexico State defeated Drake 81-69 Saturday night. Richard Carter scored a team-high 21 points, Daniels added 18 and Caird 13 to lead the Bulldogs in Des Moines.