United Group Insurance

Final Design Revealed for Largest Open Skatepark in U.S. – to be Built in Iowa

Sports

July 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The final design plans for a massive skateboarding park in Iowa’s capital city were revealed this weekend. One of the backers of the project, Dan Rogers, says “the best skatepark builders in the world” have designed the park in Des Moines.  “I know it’s supposed to be the biggest, greatest thing ever and you hear that a lot and it’s usually a letdown, but this time it won’t be,” Rogers said. “This is going to be the best park for sure in the Midwest, if not in America, when this thing’s done.”

Des Moines Skate Park conceptual design

Rogers knows a thing or two about skateparks. The Tipton native is a professional skateboarder who now lives in California and co-owns Subsect Skateshop in Des Moines. He recruited fellow pro skaters Lance Mountain and Colby Carter of California Skateparks to design the project. Rogers believes the park, to be located near Wells Fargo Arena, will draw international skateboarding competitions to Iowa.

“There’s actually potential to have a world renowned event here in Des Moines for skateboarding,” Rogers said. He also predicts the park will draw more young people to stay in Iowa or move to Des Moines. The skatepark will be built on the west bank of Des Moines River and – at 65,000 square feet – will become one of the largest open skateparks in the U.S.  “The way the land is contoured – it’s a site specific design. You couldn’t really build this anywhere else, the way this park is going to be laid out. That makes it very unique and that will attract skateboarders from all over the world,” Rogers said. Fundraising is underway for the Des Moines Regional Skatepark, which will cost roughly $3.5 million to build. Rogers is hoping a groundbreaking can be held sometime next year.

Greyhound pulls out of Omaha – Burlington Trailways takes over

News

July 23rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Greyhound bus line will no longer offer service into and out of Omaha, beginning next month. According to the Omaha World Herald, Burlington Trailways, based in West Burlington, IA, will assume Greyhound’s abandoned routes, effective August 16th. The final day for Greyhound service to Omaha is August 15th. Burlington’s routes include stops in Indianapolis, Denver and Chicago, to name just  a few. Customers who prefer to travel on Greyhound, will find the nearest depot in Kansas City, MO.

The move by the Dallas, Texas-based Greyhound, means the company will end more than 80-years of service to the Omaha area. A company spokesman said its decision was based on an evaluation of its routes on a nationwide basis. Burlington Trailways’ Vice President Marty Bradley told the World-Herald the change will primarily be in name, only. The company, he says, will continue to operate out of the downtown station at 16th and Jackson Streets, in Omaha.

The paper says B-T will take over all of Greyhound’s Omaha routes, including the one from Omaha to Chicago, which features stops in Des Moines, Iowa City, Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Ill. The fee the company charges for its fares, are expected to be comparable, to those charged by Greyhound.

Separate motorcycle crashes in Harrison County claim two lives

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Harrison County roads proved to be deadly for two Nebraska men over the weekend. Sheriff’s Officials say 62-year old Patrick J. Cronin, of Omaha, died Friday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding missed an S-curve on the Loess Hills Trails — formerly Iowa Highway 183 — and hit a railroad bridge. Cronin, who was not wearing a helmet died at the scene of the crash, which happened at around 5-p.m., Friday, about 1.5-miles south of Missouri Valley.

Less than 24-hours later, 48-year old Michael R. Beck, of Decatur, NE, died, when the 2004 Harley Davidson he was riding left Interstate 29 northbound near the 94.5 mile marker, and crashed into the  median near Little Sioux. The State Patrol says Beck — who was wearing a helmet when the accident happened at around 2-p.m., Saturday — was flown by Lifenet helicopter to Creighton University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

WAYNE RAY, 80, of Greenfield (Svcs. 7-25-12)

Obituaries

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

WAYNE RAY, 80, of Greenfield, died Sun., July 22nd, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services for WAYNE RAY will be held 10:30-a.m. Wed., July 25th, at the First Presbyterian Church in Greenfield. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 24th, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Wayne Ray memorial fund to be established by the family.

Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery with full military graveside rites by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 and V.F.W. Post No. 5357.   

WAYNE RAY is survived by:

His wife Joyce.

His three children: Wendell (Diane) Ray of Greenfield, Iowa, Linda (Al) Polito of Monticello, Iowa, and Ann Ray of Cincinnati, Ohio;

5 grandchildren, his sister-in-law Judy Laurens, other relatives and friends.

Lynn wins 12th, Cardinals top Cubs 7-0 for sweep

Sports

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Lance Lynn won his 12th game with six spotless innings, and Matt Holliday and Carlos Beltran homered on consecutive pitches to put the finishing touches on the St. Louis Cardinals’ 7-0 victory Sunday that completed a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs. Jon Jay and Tony Cruz hit consecutive two-run doubles off Travis Wood (4-5) in the first for St. Louis, which outscored the Cubs 23-1 and outhit them 38-16 for their sweep over Chicago since June 3-5, 2011 in St. Louis. It’s just their second series sweep overall at home, where they’re 26-20.

Lynn (12-4) has allowed just one run in 19 innings his last three starts. Fernando Salas and Marc Rzepczynski finished a combined five-hitter as the Cardinals earned consecutive shutouts for the first time since Oct. 1-2, 2010 against the Rockies.

Audubon City Council to act on a resolution, sewer rate ordinance & more

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon City Council has a full agenda for their meeting Monday evening. Among the matter they’re expected to take action on during the 7-p.m. session at City Hall, is: a Resolution setting the date and time for a public hearing (Aug. 13th at 7-p.m.), to consider the sale of City property at 118 East Division Street; The 1st consideration of an ordinance setting sewer rates; and, Resolutions assessing costs of abatement for dangerous buildings at 808 South Street, and 212 Tracey Street. The Abatements amount to more than $9,400 altogether.

The Audubon City Council will also discuss a watering ban, and meter policies, along with other local issues.

CAM School Board Special Meeting

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The CAM School District’s Board of Education will gather for a Special Meeting Monday morning, at the High School, in Anita. During their 9-a.m. session in the Commons area, the Board will discuss and likely take action on: A resignation; Contracts; and approval of a management fund bill.

Omaha man arrested in Adams County

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Adams County say an Omaha man was arrested Saturday evening. 50-year old Terry Studey was taken into custody just before 6-p.m., on a charge of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI). The arrest occured after an investigation that began after authorities received a call to assist a Park Officer with a situation that took place at Lake Icaria.

Villisca teen arrested on OWI charge

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports a Villisca teen was arrested early Sunday morning (July 22nd). 17-year old Thomas Ayres was taken into custody at around 4:45-a.m., on a charge of OWI/1st offense. His arrest took place following an incident in the 2600 block of 110th Street. Ayres was brought to the Montgomery County Jail and subsequently released to a parent.

Burglary investigation in Montgomery County

News

July 22nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Montgomery County are investigating a burglary which occurred at a property located west of Stanton. Sheriff’s officials say the investigation began at around 8:35-a.m Sunday (7/22), at a machine shed in the 2300 block of 230th Street, where someone took a blue 1989 Honda Four-track ATV. The machine has a blue 12-gallon wand sprayer on the front.

Officials say the owner is willing to provide a cash reward for the recovery of the ATV. Anyone with information with regard to the theft, is urged to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107, or Crimestoppers, at 1-800-432-1001.