United Group Insurance

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties in IA: Sept. 10th, 2013

Weather

September 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

343 AM CDT TUE SEP 10 2013

EARLY THIS MORNING…CLEAR. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 60S. WEST WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE MID 80S. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH MIDNIGHT. LOW IN THE UPPER 50S. NORTH WIND AROUND 5 MPH.

 THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 80S. NORTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

 THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE LOWER 50S. HIGH IN THE MID 70S.

Posted in Weather |

Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Sept. 10th 2013

News

September 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowans statewide can get some help understanding the state’s new health insurance exchange. The Iowa Insurance Division says the federal government has approved an awareness campaign aimed at helping residents better understand the health insurance marketplace that is part of the federal overhaul. The division will help lead town hall presentations about the marketplace beginning this month. Open enrollment for the federal marketplace begins Oct. 1.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids’ science museum has a new, permanent home after several years of a temporary setup following the 2008 flood. The Science Center that has for years been inside Lindale Mall will be closed for several days this week so staff can move equipment into a building on Council Street. The space once housed a grocery store and later office space for military contractor Rockwell Collins. Museum organizers hope to reopen sometime next week.

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack says the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved nearly $420,000 to pay for a fence around the Ottumwa Regional Airport. Loebsack says the money will pay for a 26,000-foot wildlife perimeter fence that will prevent unauthorized entry onto the airport grounds in southeast Iowa. Ensuring wildlife are kept out of the airport should improve safety for planes landing and taking off.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A mobile home fire in Waterloo has killed two people. Capt. Ryan Mahood of the Waterloo Fire Rescue says the fire on the city’s south side was reported Monday afternoon. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that at least one neighbor tried to rescue one of the victims, but the flames and heat were too intense.

Posted in News |

Hot and dry conditions continue today (Tue., 9/10/13)

News, Weather

September 10th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

404 AM CDT TUE SEP 10 2013

AREA COUNTIES: CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR & RINGGOLD….

…HOT CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST ACROSS PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IOWA TODAY…

A WEAK FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL ENTER NORTHERN IOWA TODAY. THE BOUNDARY WILL BRING RELIEF FROM THE HEAT IN THAT REGION…HOWEVER SOUTH OF THE SYSTEM THE HOT CONDITIONS WILL PERSIST ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN IOWA TODAY. EXPECT TEMPERATURES WELL INTO THE 90S ONCE AGAIN BY THIS AFTERNOON.

THE CUMULATIVE AFFECTS DUE TO THE PROLONGED PERIOD OF HEAT CAN IMPACT INDIVIDUALS…ESPECIALLY THOSE WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING. THEREFORE…CHECKUP ON RELATIVES…NEIGHBORS AND PETS. THE HEAT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LOW HUMIDITY WHICH WILL ACCELERATE THE DEHYDRATION PROCESS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ANYONE WHO MUST BE OUTDOORS DRINK PLENTY OF WATER…TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND WEAR LIGHT COLORED AND LOOSE CLOTHING. OUTSIDE EXERCISE SHOULD TAKE PLACE DURING THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENING HOURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COOLER.

WEDNESDAY WILL BE COOLER WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERALLY IN THE 80S WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NEAR THE MISSOURI BORDER WHERE LOWER 90S ARE STILL FORECAST.

IN ADDITION…AN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER REMAINS TODAY. THE COMBINATION OF ABNORMALLY DRY CONDITIONS…LOW HUMIDITY AND SOUTHWEST WINDS AT 15 TO 25 MPH COULD LEAD TO RAPID FIRE GROWTH SHOULD A FIRE BE IGNITED.

Posted in News, Weather |

Burglary and vehicle theft investigations in Montgomery County

News

September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating incidents of burglary and theft in Stanton. The Sheriff’s Department said Monday, that deputies investigated a burglary and the theft of a vehicle that day from the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company, of Stanton. The investigation determined someone entered the building located in the 400 block of Broad Avenue, through a walk door. Once inside, they took tools and a computer from a vehicle and left the building with a grey 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 van, which was later recovered south of Stanton, on 240th Street. The loss was estimated at $10,300.

Deputies also investigated the theft of a vehicle on Monday, from the Bates Garage at 305 Concord Avenue, in Stanton. Someone took a red 1994 Ford Ranger pickup belonging to Kenneth Blair, of Council Bluffs. The vehicle was driven north of Stanton, where it was crashed into a utility pole on Harvard Avenue, and driven an extra one-half mile before being abandoned on 220th Street. The pickup sustained $2,000 damage, while damage to the utility pole was estimated at $1,100.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-432-1001.

Posted in News |

A-P High School Football Poll: 9/9/13

Sports

September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school football polls of the 2013 season with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Class 4-A

Record Pts Prv

1. West Des Moines Dowling (6) 2-0 112 2

2. Cedar Rapids Xavier (6) 2-0 111 1

3. Iowa City West 2-0 89 4

4. Urbandale 2-0 73 7

5. Cedar Falls 2-0 61 6

6. Pleasant Valley 2-0 59 5

7. West Des Moines Valley 1-1 42 3

8. Bettendorf 2-0 39 8

9. Ames 2-0 30 9 (tie)

10. Ankeny Centennial 2-0 28 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Cedar Rapids Kennedy 5. 11, Sioux City East 5. 11, Waukee 5. 14, Ottumwa 1.

Class 3-A

Record Pts Prv

1. Bishop Heelan Catholic (11) 2-0 119 1

2. Harlan (1) 2-0 90 3

3. Decorah 2-0 85 5

(tie) Spencer 2-0 85 4

5. Grinnell 2-0 83 2

6. Clear Lake 2-0 61 7

7. Pella 2-0 55 6

8. Humboldt 2-0 22 NR

9. Williamsburg 1-1 13 10

10. Webster City 2-0 12 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 10. 12, Waverly-Shell Rock 6. 13, Creston-Orient-Macksburg 5. 13, Boone 5. 15, Carroll 3. 15, DeWitt Central 3. 17, Norwalk 2. 18, Washington 1.

Class 2-A

Record Pts Prv

1. Waukon (3) 2-0 104 1

2. Kuemper Catholic (5) 2-0 101 2

3. West Marshall (1) 2-0 79 3

4. Spirit Lake (1) 2-0 78 5

5. Boyden-Hull-RV (2) 2-0 70 6

6. Union 2-0 64 7

7. Albia 2-0 38 8

8. Mediapolis 2-0 32 9 (tie)

9. Dyersville Beckman 1-1 30 4

10. Garner-Hayfield 2-0 18 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, New Hampton 17. 12, Monroe PCM 14. 13, Alleman North Polk 8. 14, Sioux Center 3. 15, O-A/BCIG 2. 16, East Sac County 1. 16, Wellman Mid-Prairie 1.

Class 1-A

Record Pts Prv

1. Iowa City Regina (11) 2-0 119 1

2. South Winneshiek (1) 2-0 97 2

3. St. Albert 2-0 90 4

4. Dike-New Hartford 2-0 79 5

5. St. Ansgar 2-0 51 7

6. Mount Ayr 2-0 47 6

7. Wilton 2-0 43 8

8. Maquoketa Valley 2-0 27 10

9. Aplington-Parkersburg 1-1 24 3

10. South O’Brien 2-0 20 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, West Branch 19. 12, Guttenberg Clayton Ridge 10. 13, Fort Dodge St. Edmond 9. 14, Van Meter 8. 15, Manson-NW Webster 6. 16, West Union North Fayette 5. 17, Sigourney-Keota 3. 18, Ridge View 2. 19, Emmetsburg 1.

Class A

Record Pts Prv

1. West Lyon (6) 2-0 109 1

2. BGM (4) 2-0 108 3

3. Wapsie Valley (2) 2-0 103 2

4. AGWSR 3-0 73 6

5. Akron-Westfield 2-0 67 7

6. Montezuma 2-0 52 NR

7. A-H-S-T 2-0 40 NR

8. Belmond-Klemme 2-0 32 NR

9. Hinton 1-1 21 4

10. East Mills 2-0 15 NR

(tie) Algona Garrigan 1-1 15 NR

Others receiving votes: 12, Sloan Westwood 14. 13, Logan-Magnolia 3. 14, Garwin GMG 2. 14, Woodward-Granger 2. 14, Sibley-Ocheyedan 2. 17, Packwood Pekin 1. 17, Madrid 1.

Class 8-Man

Record Pts Prv

1. Gilbertville-Don Bosco (5) 3-0 109 2

2. Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton (4) 2-0 104 1

3. Newell-Fonda (2) 2-0 83 4

4. West Bend-Mallard (1) 3-0 70 7

5. Adair-Casey 3-0 68 3

6. Springville 3-0 53 5(tie)

7. Glidden-Ralston 2-0 34 8

8. Coon Rapids-Bayard 3-0 25 NR

9. West Harrison 3-0 23 NR

10. River Valley 2-0 19 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Lamoni 12. 11, Riceville 12. 13, Lenox 10. 14, Sidney 9. 14, Easton Valley 9. 16, Marcus MMC 6. 16, Janesville 6. 18, Bussey Twin Cedars 4. 19, Blairsburg NE Hamilton 2. 19, Buffalo Center North Iowa 2.

Posted in Sports |

Cyclones brush off lack of buzz for Iowa game

Sports

September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The annual matchup between the Cyclones and Hawkeyes is viewed as perhaps the biggest sporting event of the year in Iowa. The game might not feel quite so big this year though, because Iowa and Iowa State are off to unimpressive starts. The Cyclones insist that Saturday’s matchup will be as intense as ever.

Iowa State is 0-1 after losing to FCS school Northern Iowa. The only win for the Hawkeyes (1-1) came last weekend against lowly FCS opponent Missouri State. Those early stumbles have threatened to take some of the buzz out of the 61st meeting between the state’s largest schools. Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads says this week is always electric, adding that there is great energy and emotion surrounding this game.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa crops continue decline with little rain

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Another week of higher than normal temperatures and the driest week since mid-January combined to further damage corn and soybean crops in Iowa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says just 35 percent of corn and 33 percent of soybeans are now in good or excellent condition both down from more than half rated in those categories just a month ago.

A higher percentage of both crops moved into the poor or very poor category with 28 percent of corn in the worst shape up three percentage points in a week and 30 percent of soybeans a six percentage point increase. Statewide average precipitation for the past week was only four-hundredths of an inch. Normal is seven-eighths of an inch.

Temperatures for the week averaged 4.3 degrees above normal.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Pigskin Payoff Winners – Week 2

Sports

September 9th, 2013 by Jim Field

Game Score:  Iowa Hawkeyes 28, Missouri State 14

  • $25 – Kevin Ernst of Van Meter (IA 28-13, 1 pt)
  • $10 – Larry Friederich of Avoca (27-13, 2 pts)
  • $5 – Cliff Christensen of Atlantic (IA 31-14, 3 pts)
  • $5 – Taylor Andersen of Atlantic (IA 28-17, 3 pts)
  • $5 – Garrett Leed of Anita (IA 27-12, 3 pts)

***** All Ties Are Broken By Drawing *****

Saturday’s Game:  Iowa Hawkeyes @ Iowa State

 

Posted in Sports |

Des Moines seeks to avoid sledding crash lawsuits

News

September 9th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines City Council will consider posting signs in parks and public golf courses that warn people of potential hazards. The Des Moines Register reports the signs would be intended to protect the city against potential lawsuits from people who could be injured while sledding, ice skating or cross-country skiing on public land. Other cities, including Sioux City and Omaha, have faced multi-million-dollar lawsuits after people suffered severe injuries in sledding accidents.

The Des Moines council will consider an ordinance Monday night that doesn’t ban such winter activities but calls for signs that state the city doesn’t take responsibility for accidents. Such a policy would be similar to action taken in Omaha.

Posted in News |

Who’s Gonna Win? (9-13-13)

Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win?

September 9th, 2013 by Jim Field

Games:

  • CAM (1-2, 1-0) @ Fremont-Mills (1-1)
  • West Harrison (3-0, 2-0) @ Exira/EHK (2-0, 2-0)
  • Lamoni (3-0, 1-0) @ Adair-Casey (3-0, 2-0)
  • Underwood (1-1) @ Griswold (1-1)
  • A-H-S-T (2-0) @ Westwood (2-0)
  • East Mills (2-0) @ Riverside (1-1)
  • IKM-Manning (1-1) @ Tri-Center (1-1)
  • Atlantic (1-1) @ Creston (2-0)

Our Picks:

  • CAM (Matt, Jim) Fremont-Mills (Doug, Chris)
  • Exira/EHK (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • Adair-Casey (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • Griswold (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • A-H-S-T (Matt, Chris, Jim) Westwood (Doug)
  • East Mills (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • IKM-Manning (Doug, Chris, Jim) Tri-Center (Matt)
  • Creston (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)

Results:

  •  Chris 8-0 (19-5)
  • Doug 7-1 (18-6)
  • Jim 7-1 (18-6)
  • Matt 6-2 (18-6)

Posted in Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win? |