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Iowa Senate panel OKs tax break for low income

News

March 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Low income Iowa residents would get a bigger break on their taxes under a bill that is moving through the state Senate.  Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom says Tuesday that the measure would apply to households with incomes of less than $45,000. He says about 210,000 households would get a roughly $250 tax break.  The proposal would raise the state credit from 7 percent to 20 percent of a taxpayer’s federal earned income tax credit.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the bill Tuesday and will now go to the full Senate for a vote. But while Democrats who control the Senate support the effort, it may have little chance of becoming law. Gov. Terry Branstad has vetoed similar legislation in past years.

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Backyard and Beyond 03-12-2013

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

March 12th, 2013 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Ann Pross, Iowa Western Community College Atlantic Campus Director, about the history of community college.

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Posted in Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts |

Marble, White Named to All-Big Ten Basketball Teams

Sports

March 12th, 2013 by Jim Field

ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM

Victor Oladipo, Indiana*
Cody Zeller, Indiana
Trey Burke, Michigan*
Tim Hardaway Jr., Michigan
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State

ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM

Keith Appling, Michigan State
Gary Harris, Michigan State
Adreian Payne, Michigan State
Aaron Craft, Ohio State
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin

ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAM

Brandon Paul, Illinois
D.J. Richardson, Illinois
Christian Watford, Indiana
Roy Devyn Marble, Iowa
Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota
Terone Johnson, Purdue

HONORABLE MENTION

Jordan Hulls, Indiana
Aaron White, Iowa
Derrick Nix, Michigan State
Andre Hollins, Minnesota
Dylan Talley, Nebraska
Jermaine Marshall, Penn State
D.J. Newbill, Penn State
Ben Brust, Wisconsin

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Yogi Ferrell, Indiana
Glenn Robinson III, Michigan
Gary Harris, Michigan State
A.J. Hammons, Purdue
Sam Dekker, Wisconsin

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM

Victor Oladipo, Indiana*
Jordan Morgan, Michigan
Aaron Craft, Ohio State*
Shannon Scott, Ohio State
Jared Berggren, Wisconsin

*unanimous

Wisconsin Coach Bo Ryan was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year.  Indiana’s Will Sheehey was named the sixth man of the year.

Posted in Sports |

Dumping cell phone plan for new company to be easier under bill

News

March 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Senator who’s known far and wide for his Tweets via smartphone now says he’s introducing legislation that would free cell phone users from a long-time albatross. Senator Chuck Grassley says consumers need more freedom from restrictive cell phone contracts and this bill would provide it. “If you change your cell phone before your contract runs out, you’re guilty of violating federal law,” Grassley says. “It simply repeals that provision that has the penalty in it so that you can change your cell phone, where you want to get your service, at will.”

The legislation would “empower” people to use their cell phone carrier of choice after they’ve complied with the original contract. The bill aims to address whether cell phone buyers, who often receive new devices at a reduced cost in exchange for committing to a long-term contract, should be able to switch devices to new carriers once the primary contract is up. Grassley says portability of devices would allow for more price competition and consumer choice.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Legislation to help focus attention on “high ability” students

News

March 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Some educators may be so concerned about helping under-achieving students to succeed that they may neglect gifted students. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring a bill which he says insures the needs of students in advanced placement, or A-P, classes are included in federal education policy. Grassley says, “As it stands, there’s a shortage of attention given to high-ability students, especially those students in under-served settings, and that could include most of rural America.” The legislation would make sure A-P students are included in the planning process at the district and state levels. If they’re not continually challenged, some advanced students may get bored with school, quit applying themselves or even drop out. Grassley says the bill would modify federal education policy to develop and encourage more achievement from high-ability students.

“America cannot afford to ignore the needs of its brightest students,” Grassley says, “and by doing so, squander the potential that they bring to our country, as well as their own potential.” The bill stipulates existing teacher quality grants would be used to help improve the achievements of all students, including those in gifted and talented programs. Grassley says gifted students “don’t get the attention they deserve,” adding, the advancement of those students “will help to enhance the future prosperity of our nation.”

(Radio Iowa)

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Snow plow driver cited following Shelby Co. accident

News

March 12th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A snowplow driver for the Shelby County Road Department was cited for Failure to Maintain Control, Monday, after the 2003 International dump truck he was driving went out of control and entered the east ditch off of Shelby County Road F-58, about nine-miles east of Corley. The Sheriff’s Department says 45-year old Tracy Klein, of Harlan, was plowing snow with the county truck when the accident happened Monday morning. No injuries were reported. The truck sustained an estimated $80,000 damage.

(9-a.m.News)

Posted in News |

8AM Sportscast 03-12-2013

Podcasts, Sports

March 12th, 2013 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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8AM Newscast 03-12-2013

News, Podcasts

March 12th, 2013 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

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2012-2013 Iowa Newspaper Association Boys Basketball All-State Teams

Sports

March 12th, 2013 by Jim Field

Class 4-A
First Team
Jeremy Morgan, 6-6, Sr., Iowa City West
Peter Jok, 6-6, Sr., WDM Valley  *Mr. Basketball*
Daniel Tillo, 6-4, So., Sioux City North
T.J. Lake, 5-11, Sr., Western Dubuque
Wyatt Lohaus, 6-2, Jr., Iowa City West
Cortez Seales, 6-5, So., North Scott
Kalehl Brown, 6-4, Sr., Cedar Falls
Kyle Haber, 6-7, Jr., Dubuque Senior

Second Team
Michael Jacobson, 6-7, So., Waukee
Ted Friedman, 6-10, Sr., Ankeny
Chris Bennett, 6-5, Sr., DM Roosevelt
Marcel Dunson, 6-1, Sr., Sioux City East
Cole Clearman, 6-0, Jr., Bettendorf
Jalen Jones, 6-6, Jr., Clinton
Allen Lazard, 6-5, Sr., Urbandale
Jay Knuth, 6-7, Jr., Johnston

Third Team
Josh Weeber, 6-5, Sr., Dubuque Senior
Isaac Boettger, 6-6, Sr., Cedar Falls
Justin Randall, 6-6, Sr., Burlington
Peter Odia, 6-4, Sr., WDM Dowling
Nick Jeffries, 6-3, Jr., Southeast Polk
Chris King, 6-1, So., DM Hoover
Kendall Jacks, 6-3, Jr., Bettendorf
Jacob Olson, 6-0, Jr., CR Jefferson

Class 3-A
First Team
Grant Sagan, 6-4, Sr., Vinton-Shellsburg
Casey Schlatter, 6-8, Jr., Iowa Falls-Alden
Klint Carlson, 6-8, Sr., Waverly-Shell Rock
Shane Graves, 5-11, Sr., Bishop Heelan Catholic
Spencer Barnes, 6-1, Sr., Anamosa
Tate Handsaker, 6-3, Sr., Nevada
Faith Pope, 6-5, Sr., Mount Pleasant
Billy Daniel, 6-6, Sr., Davenport Assumption

Second Team
Trey Lansman, 6-6, Jr., Harlan
Carson Miller, 6-8, Sr., Norwalk
Dalton Franken, 6-5, Sr., Atlantic
Max Kearns, 6-3, Sr., Vinton-Shellsburg
Josh Jirak, 6-0, Sr., Center Point-Urbana
Nick Drucker, 6-1, Jr., Dallas Center-Grimes
Miles Wentzien, 6-1, So., Fort Madison
Eli Dunne, 6-3, Jr., Grinnell

Third Team
Kyle Heaton, 6-6, Sr., Bishop Heelan Catholic
Matt Heitmann, 6-9, Jr., Williamsburg
Justin Van Kalsbeek, 6-6, Sr., MOC-Floyd Valley
Spencer Davidson, 6-2, Jr., Clear Lake
Brook Thompson, 5-9, Sr., Nevada
Sam Markham, 6-2, Sr., Atlantic
Nate Cave, 6-4, Jr., Harlan
Luke Neitzel, 6-2, Sr., Creston

Class 2-A
First Team
Rylan Murry, 6-8, Sr., West Branch
Dallas Ennema, 6-7, Sr., Sheldon
Payton Plagge, 6-8, Sr., West Fork
Reed Tellinghuisen, 6-5, Jr., East Sac County
Britton Barrier, 6-1, Sr., Tri-Center
TJ Sterk, 6-4, Sr., IKM-Manning
Sam Brincks, 6-6, Jr., Kuemper Catholic
Alex Welsch, 6-7, Sr., Nodaway Valley

Second Team
Marshall Shedeck, 6-4, Sr., North Cedar
Austin Ver Meer, 6-6, Sr., Pella Christian
Sean Morgan, 6-5, Sr., Dike-New Hartford
Brad Baudler, 5-10, Sr., Nodaway Valley
CJ Mason, 6-4, Sr., MFL-Mar-Mac
Jared Jones, 6-2, Sr., DM Christian
Michael Den Herder, 6-5, Sr., Western Christian
Jordan Wagenbach, 6-0, Sr., Mediapolis

Third Team
Cole Crawford, 6-5, Sr., Wilton
Tanner Kellogg, 6-0, Sr., Albia
Austin Glawe, 6-4, Sr., Sioux Central
Trevor Haaland, 6-2, Jr., Osage
Duncan Ferch, 6-3, Jr., West Marshall
Cole Neary, 6-6, Jr., Kuemper Catholic
Park Mikels, 6-0, Sr., Davis County
Carson Parker, 6-2, Jr., Dike-New Hartford

Class 1-A
First Team
Kennedy Drey, 6-6, Sr., Storm Lake St. Mary’s
Ricky Williams, 6-7, Sr., Riverside
John Burns, 6-5, Sr., Algona Garrigan
Luke Lenhart, 6-1, Sr., Storm Lake St. Mary’s
Steven Soukup, 6-5, Sr., Danville
Austin Lefler, 5-10, Sr., Lawton-Bronson
Bryan Forbes, 6-3, Sr., Lone Tree
Brandt Van Roekel, 6-3, Sr., Boyden-Hull

Second Team
Mitchell Boerm, 6-5, Sr., North Tama
Colton Bormann, 6-0, Sr., Preston
Kory Kuenstling, 6-10, Jr., Dunkerton
Austin Halls, 6-2, Sr., Murray
Eli Ihnen, 6-2, Sr., Harris-Lake Park
Mitchell Boevers, 5-11, Sr., Wapsie Valley
Vaclav Bujnoch, 6-6, Sr., Sigourney
Michael Soukup, 6-5, Sr., Danville

Third Team
Josh Westendorf, 6-3, Sr., West Monona
Braydee Poore, 6-3, Sr., Mount Ayr
Adam Courtney, 6-2, Sr., Guthrie Center
Brandon Snyder, 6-1, Jr., West Lyon
Spencer Rochholz, 6-2, Sr., Adair-Casey
Collin Henrich, 6-1, Sr., Kingsley-Pierson
Dalton Anderson, 6-3, Jr., Newell-Fonda
Josh Bagley, 6-0, Sr., AGWSR

Posted in Sports |

Crock Pot Potatoes (3-12-13)

Mom's Tips

March 12th, 2013 by Jim Field

  • 2 pounds frozen hash browns
  • 1 can cheddar cheese soup
  • 1 – 12 oz. can evaporated milk
  • 1 – 12 oz. can milk
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 can onion rings (optional)

Partially thaw hash browns.  Put everything in crock pot, but onion rings.  Cook four to five hours on high.  Add onion rings in last hour.

(Carol Luhring)

Posted in Mom's Tips |