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Big rigs collide near the Mall of the Bluffs

News

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs say one person was hospitalized following a collision late Wednesday night between two semis on Interstate 80 in Council Bluffs.The Daily NonPareil reports 27-year old Rodion Korniyenko, of Oroville, CA, was transported by Council Bluffs Rescue to Alegent Health Creighton University Medical Center, suffering from with non-life-threatening head injuries.

Officials said 31-year old Emsad Music, of Urbandale, was westbound on Interstate 80 near the five-mile marker at about 11:15 p.m. when for unknown reasons he lost control of his 2009 Peterbilt semi truck. The semi went onto the shoulder, started to slide and entered the median, where Music swerved to avoid hitting a guardrail. The semi ended up in the eastbound lane, with its trailer swinging in front of an eastbound 2008 International semi driven by Korniyenko.

Following the collision, Korniyenko’s semi left the roadway and traveled down a steep embankment before coming to rest near a supermarket on Valley View Drive. The accident knocked the cab of the semi off the base, with the cab coming to a stop upside down, and Korniyenko trapped inside.

Music was uninjured in the crash. Authorities cited him for failure to maintain control of a vehicle.

Chiefs’ Hali misses practice with knee injury

Sports

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali remains out of practice with swelling in his left knee, leaving his status for this weekend’s playoff game in Indianapolis in question. Right tackle Eric Fisher also missed the final workout at the Chiefs’ practice facility Thursday before the team departs for Saturday’s game. He strained his groin earlier in the week. Chiefs coach Andy Reid won’t rule Hali out of the game and says it’s “just a matter of the swelling coming down.” He adds: “It’s been up; it’s been down. We want to make sure we get it out of there.”

Hali is tied with Justin Houston for the team lead with 11 sacks. Houston will be returning to the lineup Saturday after missing six games with a dislocated right elbow.

Iowa bounces back in ’13

Sports

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hardly anyone expected anything out of the Hawkeyes this season. But Iowa came through for longtime coach Kirk Ferentz, bouncing back from a 4-8 season with eight wins, a 5-3 mark in the Big Ten and a New Year’s Day bowl bid. Though the Hawkeyes (8-5) closed the season with a 21-14 loss to LSU in the Outback Bowl, that shouldn’t put too much of a damper on what they accomplished.

Iowa made major strides in 2013 and could be in position to challenge for a Big Ten title in 2014.

Indiana defeats No. 22 Iowa 86-84

Sports

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Larryn Brooks led Indiana with 20 points and nine assists as the Hoosiers opened Big Ten conference play with an 86-84 victory over Number 22 Iowa on Thursday. The Hawkeyes (12-3, 0-1) outscored Indiana 8-3 in the final seconds to climb within two, but Brooks made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute, and Simone Deloach and Taylor Agler each added one to stay ahead.

The score remained close in the first half until the Hoosiers went on a 12-4 run with three 3-pointers by Karlee McBride and one by Larryn Brooks. Indiana (14-0, 1-0) was up 43-36 at intermission and led by as much as 12 until Melissa Dixon knocked down a 3-pointer for the Hawkeyes with 2:40 to play to cut the deficit to three. Samantha Logic led Iowa with 25 points and 12 rebounds.

Indiana will face off against No. 17 Purdue on January 6th.

Blaskowsky leads No. 14 Iowa St past TCU, 71-49

Sports

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Nicole Blaskowsky came off the Iowa State bench to pump in 24 points and spark the undefeated, 14th-ranked Cyclones to a 71-49 win over Texas Christian in a Big 12 Conference opener Thursday Night. Iowa State built an eight-point lead in the first half, then put the defensive clamps on the Horned Frogs over the final 20 minutes, holding them to just 19 second-half points to earn its 12th win to start the season, matching a school record.

Blaskowsky was 8-of-16 from the field and drilled 7 of 15 3-point attempts. Nikki Moody added 13 points, Seanna Johnson 12 and Halle Christofferson 10 for Iowa State (12-0, 1-0 Big 12). The Cyclones now are 4-1 all-time against the Horned Frogs and 9-9 in conference openers.

Zahna Medley scored 22 points on 7-for-16 shooting to lead TCU (9-4, 0-1), which lost at home for the first time this season.

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Jan. 3rd 2014

News

January 3rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

BURLINGTON, Iowa (AP) — A Burlington firefighter remains hospitalized after being injured while battling an apartment blaze. The Hawk Eye says two firefighters were injured on New Year’s Day, and one remained at Great River Medical Center yesterday in West Burlington. The firefighter’s name and condition have not been released. Firetrucks were dispatched a little before 3:15 a.m. Wednesday to help residents in the six-unit, two-story building. Four occupants were taken to the hospital for treatment and then released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police say a man evicted from his former Des Moines apartment faces charges after he allegedly broke back in and took a nap. Police say they kicked down an apartment door Wednesday night and found 60-year-old David Stephenson sleeping in a bedroom. The Register reports no one else was in the apartment at the time.

NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) — Police tell the Iowa Press-Citizen a North Liberty man driving on New Year’s Eve was pulled over with a blood alcohol content that was more than five times the legal limit. The North Liberty Police Department says it received multiple reports Tuesday night about 40-year-old Chad Harvey.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Larryn Brooks led Indiana with 20 points and nine assists as the Hoosiers opened Big Ten conference play with an 86-84 victory over Number 22 Iowa yesterday. The Hawkeyes outscored Indiana 8-3 in the final seconds to climb within two, but Brooks made 7 of 8 free throws in the final minute.

DNR to answer Iowans’ water quality questions live on Facebook Jan. 14th

News

January 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowans with questions about the state’s water quality – from drinking water to recreation – can have those questions answered live on Facebook Jan. 14th. DNR staff will answer questions live from noon to 2:30 p.m. To ask a question, post it as a comment on the “Live Q&A” post that the DNR will post at noon that day. You can also post questions ahead of time on the DNR’s Facebook Timeline at www.facebook.com/iowadnr. Questions received after 2:30 will be answered, but at a later time.

DNR staff available for questions during the live water quality Q&A include:

* Bill Ehm, head of the DNR’s Environmental Services Division

* Shelli Grapp, Water Quality bureau chief

* John Olson, senior environmental specialist

To make sure you see the Live Q&A when it is posted, make sure you “like” the DNR’s page on Facebook. Go to www.facebook.com/iowadnr and click on “like” and make sure “get notifications” and “show in news feed” are selected.

Commenters should also view the DNR’s Facebook posting policy ahead of time at https://www.facebook.com/iowadnr/info.

Wind Chill Advisory 9-pm Thu. through 9-am Friday

Weather

January 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AREA COUNTIES: AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON

WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CST FRIDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 AM CST FRIDAY.

* TIMING OR SHORT TERM TRENDS…WIND CHILL VALUES WILL DROP TO AROUND -15 BY 9 PM AND CONTINUE TO FALL TO AROUND -20 THROUGH 3 AM. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL ONLY SLOWLY IMPROVE BETWEEN 6 AM AND 9 AM FRIDAY MORNING.

* WINDS…NORTHWEST WIND AT 5 TO 15 MPH THIS EVENING THEN SWITCH TO A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION AND INCREASE IN SPEED TOWARDS MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN FROST BITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS…MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND GLOVES.

Upcoming Elk Horn blood drive honors young blood recipient

News

January 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

January is National Blood Donor Month and the Petersen family of Walnut is among those celebrating blood donors. Following a diagnosis of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma (bot´re-oid rhab·do·myo·sar·co·ma) in September 2011, young Noah Petersen relied on blood transfusions to sustain him during chemotherapy treatments. The blood transfusions helped to keep Noah’s hemoglobin levels stable, and he now enjoys farming, trucks, tractors and riding four-wheel off road machines.

Noah Petersen

Noah Petersen

Noah’s parents are Kevin and Carrie Petersen, of Walnut. Carrie Petersen says “It was such a blessing not to have to worry about Noah when we found out his blood counts were low.” The family is thankful for everyone who gives blood, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including therapies necessary prior to chemotherapy. The family hopes Noah’s story will encourage people to make a commitment to donate blood.

On Jan. 14th, the Elk Horn community blood drive will be dedicated in Noah’s honor in hopes of inspiring others to step up and become heroes to patients like Noah. The blood drive will be held from 11:30-a.m. to 5:30-p.m. at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall (4313 Main St.), in Elk Horn, IA. To make an appointment, call Ann White at 712-764-5888.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Blood donations are used to treat cancer patients, trauma victims, premature babies, those living with chronic blood diseases and others every day — patients like Noah Petersen.

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Beef Cattle Forum set for Jan. 22nd in Carroll County

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with ISU Extension say the West Central Iowa Beef Cattle Forum will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22nd, at the American Legion in the Carroll County town of Arcadia. Chris Clark, beef program specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said the conference agenda will include a several timely topics and will include information for feedlot, stocker, and cow/calf producers.

Aaron Saeugling, ISU Extension and Outreach Agronomist will provide information on the use of cover crops as alternative forage sources and will focus on practical tips and expectations for cover crop use in west central Iowa. Jan Shearer from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will speak about cow/calf and feedlot lameness issues and Grant Dewell from the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine will give a presentation about the veterinary feed directive and judicious use of antibiotics.

Ken Hessenius, Iowa DNR Supervisor Field Office #3 will present on the Iowa DNR/EPA work plan and how that may impact cattle producers over the next few years. Shane Ellis, ISU Extension and Outreach Farm Management Specialist do a beef market update/outlook presentation. Matt Deppe, ICA CEO and Justine Stevenson, ICA Director of Government Relations will also be present to provide updates on Iowa Cattlemen’s Association activities.

The program at the American Legion in Arcadia begins at 9:00 a.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided and will be served at approximately 12:15 p.m. There is no cost for this event, but registrations are necessary to properly plan for meals. Persons interested in attending should make their reservations no later than Jan. 17th, by calling either the ICA office at 515-296-2266, or the Iowa State University Armstrong Research Farm in Lewis, 712-769-2600. For more information about the event please contact Merle Witt at the ICA office or Chris Clark at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm.