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Iowa counties hire engineers to oversee proposed pipeline

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — At least three Iowa counties have hired engineers to oversee the installation of a proposed underground oil pipeline, pending its approval. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports that Webster County on Tuesday approved the hire of an engineer to survey the pipeline’s construction if approved by the Iowa Board of Utilities. Dakota Access, LLC, a unit of Energy Transfer Partners, applied in January for the structure that would cut through 18 Iowa counties. Calhoun and Sac counties have also secured engineering services.

Webster County officials say the engineer is responsible for drainage districts. They say future agreements will likely cover the 24 roads the pipeline would cross. The proposed pipeline would carry crude oil from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota across South Dakota and Iowa to Patoka, Illinois.

Posted in News |

Iowa Senate panel OKs bill on minors using guns

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel has approved a bill that would lower the age at which children in Iowa could use guns with a parent’s supervision. A three-member judiciary subcommittee approved the bill unanimously Wednesday. It heads to a full committee for consideration, though it needs to advance by Friday to beat a procedural deadline in the Legislature.

The bill would make several changes to Iowa’s gun laws, including legalizing the use of a suppressor to silence a weapon. It also would ban public access to a database of names of people with permits to carry and purchase weapons. The bill would lower the age that a minor could use a pistol or revolver with a parent’s supervision from 14 to 7. A similar House bill has no age limit.

Posted in News |

Wednesday Girls State Tourney Results

Sports

March 4th, 2015 by Jim Field

Class 4-A Quarter-Finals:

  • Bishop Heelan Catholic 70, Ballard 67
  • Western Dubuque 51, Indianola 30

Class 5-A Quarter-Finals:

  • West Des Moines Valley 65, Mason City 42
  • Iowa City West 43, Southeast Polk 40
  • Dowling Catholic 58, Johnston 52
  • Waukee 61, Cedar Falls 47

Class 1-A Semi-Finals:

  • Newell-Fonda 63, Burlington Notre Dame 56

 

 

Posted in Sports |

Three Cyclones Honored By Big 12; Moody Is Unanimous All-Big 12 First-Team

Sports

March 4th, 2015 by Jim Field

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State women’s basketball senior point guard Nikki Moody was named a unanimous selection to the All-Big 12 first-team, while sophomore guard Seanna Johnson and senior guard Brynn Williamson earned honorable mention honors.

Moody, a Dallas, Texas native, was a first-team pick after averaging 14.4 points and 6.9 assists. In conference play, Moody’s 6.9 assists per game ranked second in the Big 12 and ninth nationally. She also broke the Iowa State career assists record with 733 career assists and counting. Her 733 assists ranks sixth in Big 12 history.

Moody, who tallied double figures in a team-high 21 games this season, led Iowa State in scoring in 13 games and in assists in 25. Moody is averaged 17.4 points and 7.3 assists over the last 14 conference games. This is Moody’s first time on the All-Big 12 first-team as she was named to the second team in 2013-14.

Johnson, who was an honorable mention selection, is the Big 12’s leading rebounder with 9.2 boards per game. She also is averaging 11.5 points per contest this season. She has rebounded in double-figures in 14 games this season and led the Cyclones in rebounding in 21 games. This is Johnson’s second-straight Big 12 honor, as the sophomore guard was named to the All-Big 12 freshman team last season. Johnson is one of two Cyclones to start every game this season.

Williamson, who earned honorable mention honors for the first time in her career, averaged 11.4 points and was second on the team with 6.2 rebounds per game. She scored in double figures in 18 games this season and netted a team-high 72 3-pointers this season. Williamson also started every game for the Cyclones this season.

2014-15 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Awards
Coach of the Year: Kim Mulkey, Baylor (15th season)
Player of the Year: Nina Davis, Baylor, F, 5-11, So, Memphis, Tenn.
Freshman of the Year: Gabbi Ortiz, Oklahoma, G, 5-9, Fr, Racine, Wis.
Newcomer of the Year: Peyton Little, Oklahoma, G, 5-11, So, Abilene, Texas
Defensive Player of the Year: Chelsea Prince, TCU, F, 5-11, Sr, Fort Worth, Texas
Sixth Man Award: Khadijiah Cave, Baylor, C, 6-2, So, Augusta, Ga.

All-Big 12 First Team (all honors listed alphabetical by school)
Nina Davis**! Baylor F 5-11 So Memphis, Tenn.
Niya Johnson** Baylor G 5-8 Jr Gainesville, Fla.
Nikki Moody**^ Iowa State G 5-8 Sr Dallas, Texas
Chelsea Gardner**! Kansas F 6-3 Sr DeSoto, Texas
Peyton Little Oklahoma G 5-11 So Abilene, Texas
Brittney Martin** Oklahoma State G 6-0 Jr Syracuse, Utah
Zahna Medley! TCU G 5-6 Jr Springfield, Ill.
Imani McGee-Stafford^ Texas C 6-7 Jr Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Battle^ Texas Tech G 5-9 Sr Albuquerque, N.M.
Bria Holmes**! West Virginia G 6-1 Jr New Haven, Conn.

All-Big 12 Second Team
Breanna Lewis K-State F 6-5 So Milwaukee, Wis.
Gioya Carter Oklahoma G 5-9 So Midwest City, Okla.
Kaylon Williams Oklahoma F 6-3 Jr Midwest City, Okla.
Veja Hamilton TCU G/F 5-10 Jr Spring, Texas
Kelsey Lang Texas C 6-5 So The Woodlands, Texas

All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
Sune Agbuke (Baylor), Imani Wright (Baylor), Seanna Johnson (Iowa State), Brynn Williamson (Iowa State), Asia Boyd (Kansas), Natalie Knight (Kansas), Ashia Woods (K-State), Sharane Campbell-Olds (Oklahoma), Liz Donohoe (Oklahoma State), LaShawn Jones (Oklahoma State), Chelsea Prince (TCU), Nneka Enemkpali (Texas), Brady Sanders (Texas), Averee Fields (West Virginia)

Big 12 All-Defensive Team
Sune Agbuke Baylor C 6-4 Sr San Antonio, Texas
Breanna Lewis K-State F 6-5 So Milwaukee, Wis.
Sharane Campbell-Olds Oklahoma G 5-10 Sr Spencer, Okla.
Brittney Martin Oklahoma State G 6-0 Jr Syracuse, Utah
Chelsea Prince TCU F 5-11 Sr Fort Worth, Texas

Big 12 All-Freshman Team
Kristy Wallace** Baylor G 5-11 Loganholme, Queesnland, Australia
Lauren Aldridge Kansas G 5-7 Marshfield, Mo.
Gabbi Ortiz Oklahoma G 5-9 Racine, Wis.
Ariel Atkins Texas G 5-11 Duncanville, Texas
Brooke McCarty Texas G 5-4 League City, Texas

** Unanimous First Team Selection (coaches cannot vote for own players, unanimous denotes voted first team by other nine coaches)
! 2013-14 All Big 12 First Team Selection
^ 2013-14 All-Big 12 Second Team Selection

 

Posted in Sports |

Atlantic FFA Hosts Sub Districts

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 4th, 2015 by Jim Field

On Wednesday, February 26th, members of the Atlantic FFA chapter hosted the Sub District Career Development Events with several advancing to District FFA Convention, which is to be held on Saturday, March 8, in Denison. FFA member Clint Hansen competed in Extemporaneous Speaking and Adam Freund competed in Ag Broadcasting, both advancing to Districts. Clayton Saeugling was the alternate in the Job Interview category. Colin Peterson competed in the FFA Creed. Freund, Hansen and Marshal McDermott competed in the Farm Business Management Test, each earning a bronze rating. Haylee Valeika and Morgan Barkley competed in the Greenhand Quiz. Valeika earned a silver and Barkley a bronze. FFA advisor Eric Miller commented, “I was proud of all the hard work each member put into preparing for their event.”

Haley Carlson was a candidate for District Office. She had a series of interviews beginning with an individual interview, which was a long process to help sort the candidates. After five candidates had each completed their interview, a group interview was held. The group interview is a team exercise designed to see how each member works in a group. This year team members had to make a mock presentation to a school board trying to convince them to start an FFA Chapter. Each contestant also took an FFA knowledge quiz. Although Carlson was not chosen to be on the ballot, this was an excellent springboard in preparation for next year. Carlson said, “It was a great experience! I learned a lot and that will help me prepare for next year. I also made many new friendships in the process.”

Adam F Ag Broadcasting  Cale P FFA Creed  Chapter Progam Team  Clayton S Ag Sales  Haley C Extemp

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Senate panel OKs plan for more radon prevention in new homes

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Builders in Iowa would be required to install radon mitigation systems in new homes under legislation that has won approval in an Iowa Senate committee. The bill moved out of the State Government Committee on Wednesday. Under the proposal, new homes must be built with radon mitigation pipes. If the homeowner discovers radon, they can add a fan to use the system.

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can leak through cracks in building foundations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls radon the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The agency also says Iowa’s 99 counties are in the agency’s highest risk zone for exposure.

A similar bill was approved by the Democratic-majority Senate two years ago but failed to advance in the Republican-controlled House.

Posted in News |

Northwest Iowa slaying trial delayed again

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — A trial has again been delayed for a 45-year-old northwest Iowa man accused of killing his mother. The Sioux City Journal reports that a judge allowed the postponement in the trial of Jonathan Neunaber scheduled to begin March 31 so that his attorney could have more preparation time. A new trial date hasn’t been set. Online court records originally list a Dec. 9 start date for the trial.

Neunaber has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in the slaying of his 80-year-old mother, Esther Neunaber. Her body and that of her husband, 83-year-old Donald Neunaber, were found July 9 in the Akron home they shared with their son. Authorities say Donald Neunaber died of natural causes. An autopsy determined his wife died of blunt for injuries.

Posted in News |

Atlantic & Marne Fire respond to out of control burn

News

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Firefighters from Atlantic and Marne were dispatched to a controlled burn that got out of control late this (Wednesday) morning. The call came just after 11:45-a.m. Thick black smoke could be seen from the KJAN studios rising from the vicinity of 58475 Marne Road, just east of Fayette Road. The fire had reportedly spread to a grassy area, but there were apparently no structures in danger.

Northwest winds at 15-to 25-miles per hour were helping to fan the smoke and flames.

Posted in News |

VERLAIN M. RATHKAMP, 94, of Griswold (3-6-2015)

Obituaries

March 4th, 2015 by Jim Field

VERLAIN M. RATHKAMP, 94, of Griswold died Tuesday, March 3rd at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.  Funeral service for VERLAIN M. RATHKAMP will be held on Friday, March 6th at 11:30 am at the Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

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An open visitation will be held from Noon until 7-pm Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

Private family burial will be held prior to the service at Weirich Cemetery southeast of Lyman.

Luncheon will be held after the funeral service, at the Atlantic Gospel Chapel

Memorials may be made to Gideons International

VERLAIN M. RATHKAMP is survived by:

Spouse:  Grace Rathkamp

Daughter:  Patty (Mark) Guldenpfennigm of Kansas City

Brothers-in-law:  Bud Lindeman & C.G. (Helen) Lindeman

Sister-in-law:  Martha Jane Lehmkuhl

5 Grandchildren

Posted in Obituaries |

NCAA reports big jump in home runs with new flat-seam ball

Sports

March 4th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The new flat-seam ball in college baseball is having the desired effect, with teams hitting 40 percent more home runs so far this season. The NCAA announced Wednesday that teams are hitting a home run about every other game. Last year, teams homered about once every three games through the first three weeks of the season.

The actual average is 0.47 home runs per team compared with 0.33 at this point in 2014. Last season’s final average of 0.39 per team was a record low. The NCAA approved use of the flat-seam ball in an attempt to punch up a game that has seen steep declines in offense since new bat standards took effect in 2011. Studies show the flat-seam ball travels 20 feet farther than the old raised-seam ball.

Posted in Sports |