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Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., April 29th 2013

News

April 29th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad still isn’t ruling out the possibility of increasing the state fuel tax. Lawmakers seem less optimistic. Branstad says that if the Legislature approves proposed cuts to the commercial property tax, then a fuel tax increase “could be considered.” The tax has not gone up since 1989.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) — The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust has given the University of Northern Iowa a $2 million grant for a new educational research and development center. The money will go toward the Center for Educational Transformation. The center’s goal is to transform education through research, advocacy and innovation.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A shooting outside of a Des Moines-area strip club has killed one man in a large crowd and injured another. The shooting that killed Reginald Bryan happened in a parking lot outside Big Earl’s Gold Mine club. More than 300 people were gathered between the strip club and a nearby gas station for an after-hours party.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A domestic assault trial for the father of one of the cousins abducted in Evansdale and later found dead has been delayed. Witness schedule issues forced delay of the trial of Daniel Morrissey for assault against Misty Cook. He also has pleaded not guilty to criminal conduct and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

Locke muffles Cardinals in Pirates’ 9-0 win

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rookie Jeff Locke pitched seven innings of three-hit ball and Russell Martin had two of Pittsburgh’s four home runs in a 9-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday that gave the Pirates a series win and the NL Central lead. Jones had three hits and John McDonald added an RBI double for Pittsburgh, which ended rookie Shelby Miller’s streak of 14 scoreless innings at home to start the season. The Pirates have won nine of 12 overall.

Locke (3-1) has worked 13 scoreless innings while allowing five hits his last two starts. The Cardinals got just three singles and advanced two runners into scoring position against the 25-year-old left-hander. Miller (3-2) struggled to put away hitters and was taken out after 113 pitches and giving up two homers in 5 2-3 innings.

No one wants to pay to remove truck from Mo. river

News

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

SLOAN, Iowa (AP) — Three months after a truck splashed into the Missouri River during a police chase, no one wants to pay the cost of removing the sunken vehicle. The Sioux City Journal reports the situation is frustrating for riverfront landowner who has to keep looking at the truck that’s covered by about a foot of water near Sloan, Iowa.Usually when vehicles wind up in the river, the owner or his insurance company pays the $6,000-to-$8,000 bill to retrieve it. But in this case, the truck’s owner, who was fleeing police at speeds over 70 mph, is either unable or unwilling to pay the bill.

Land owner Don Dixon says he’s tried contacting every agency he can think of for help, but hasn’t had any luck.

Villisca man arrested on alcohol & assault charges

News

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest Saturday night of a Villisca man. 21-year old Jesse A. Luft was taken into custody a little after 10-p.m. on charges of Public Intoxication and Domestic Abuse Assault. He was arrested following an investigation into a report of a man being drunk and disorderly in the street, at 200 South 1st Avenue. Luft was being held in lieu of bond, in the Montgomery County Jail.

Iowa News Headlines: Sun., April 28th 2013

News

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

WATERLOO, (AP) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has dismissed a discrimination complaint filed against the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. Black Hawk County Veterans Affairs Executive Director Bennie Spain says the board denied him access to public agendas and kept him from presenting agenda items.

DES MOINES, (AP) — Police in Des Moines say a body found in the backyard of a boarded-up house is that of a man police had been seeking for a hammer attack on his girlfriend. The body of Larry Western was found Thursday evening. Western was a suspect in the beating of a woman about 18 hours earlier.

IOWA CITY, (AP) — A man has been sentenced to life in prison for his role in the 2009 killing of an Iowa City landlord. A jury convicted Justin Marshall of first-degree aiding and abetting in a murder for the shooting death of John Versypt. Police say Versypt was checking on his properties when he was shot in the head during an attempted robbery.

DES MOINES, (AP) — A woman who sought a job at Iowa Methodist Medical Center is suing the hospital. She says it failed to make accommodations for her shy bladder syndrome. Conner says she was placed in a room with no running water and ordered to produce a urine sample when she reported to take a drug test.

Chiefs draft center Eric Kush in sixth round

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs added depth to their offensive line Saturday by picking Eric Kush in the sixth round of the NFL draft. Kush played center for California University, a Division II school in Pennsylvania. The Chiefs lost center Rodney Hudson to a season-ending broken bone in his left leg three games into last season. Ryan Lilja slid over from guard to center for most of the season, but he announced his intention to retire after the Chiefs finished 2-14 a year ago.

The left the Chiefs in need of a backup center. Kansas City spent its first two picks Saturday on defense: Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson was snapped up in the fourth round and Georgia defensive back Sanders Commings in the fifth.

K-State FB Braden Wilson picked by Chiefs

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State fullback Braden Wilson will have a chance to play in front of friends and family after getting drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round Saturday. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound Wilson helped to protect Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein last year for the Wildcats, who surprised just about everyone by winning the Big 12 championship.

It’s unclear how the fullback will factor into new coach Andy Reid’s offensive in Kansas City, or whether he might be converted to a tight end. The only other fullbacks on the Chiefs roster are Patrick DiMarco and Ryan D’Imperio. Wilson is from Smith Center, Kan.

Chiefs use seventh-round pick on DE Catapano

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs used the first pick in the seventh round on Mike Catapano, a defensive end out of Princeton and the third Ivy League player selected. Cornell offensive tackle J.C. Trett went in the fourth round to the Packers, eight spots ahead of Harvard fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who was drafted by the Ravens. Catapano was not invited to the annual scouting combine, but participated in the East-West Shrine Game. Fifteen NFL teams showed up for Princeton’s pro day to check him out. He had 12 sacks and 15½ tackles for loss as a senior.

Omaha to host 2016 US swim trials for 3rd time

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — The 2016 U.S. Olympic swimming trials are going back to Omaha for the third time. USA Swimming President Bruce Stratton announced the decision to return to Nebraska on Saturday. San Antonio and St. Louis were the other finalists. Omaha has hosted the last two trials, in 2012 and 2008. Last year’s eight-day event was attended by more than 164,000 fans and the meet was broadcast live in prime time on NBC. Two temporary pools were built inside the CenturyLink Center for the event.

USA Swimming assistant executive director Mike Unger says Omaha won again because the setup for the athletes and coaches was the best among the three finalists. The trials will be held in early July.

Harrison upstages packed Drake hurdles field

Sports

April 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Queen Harrison ran a world-leading 12.71 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles Saturday to win the marquee event at the Drake Relays. Dawn Harper was second, and fellow Olympian Kellie Wells third — just like they did at the London Games — and Des Moines native Lolo Jones was fourth.

Zusana Hejnova of the Czech Republic cruised to the 400 hurdles title in a world-leading 54.41. Germany’s Bjorn Otto won the men’s pole vault at 18 feet, 8 1/4 inches and Reese Hoffa took the shot put title.

Spain’s Ruth Beitia won the women’s high jump at 6-4 3/4 and Nick Willis took the men’s mile in 3:55.70.