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Big 12 Football Honors Announced

Sports

December 8th, 2011 by admin

2011 Football All-Big 12 Awards Announced
from Big 12 Sports

The All-Big 12 Conference football teams and individual award winners have been announced. Selections are made by the league’s 10 head coaches, who are not permitted to vote for their own players.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Year
Robert Griffin III, Baylor, Jr., QB, Copperas Cove, Texas
Offensive Freshman of the Year
Tyler Lockett, Kansas State, WR, Tulsa, Okla.
Co-Defensive Players of the Year
A.J. Klein, Iowa State, Jr., LB, Kimberly, Wis
.
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma, Sr., DE, Baton Rouge, La.
Defensive Freshman of the Year
Quandre Diggs, Texas, DB, Angleton, Texas
Special Teams Player of the Year
Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma State, Jr., PK/P, Mansfield, Texas
Offensive Lineman of the Year
Grant Garner, Oklahoma State, Sr., Mesquite, Texas
Offensive Newcomer of the Year
Aaron Horne, Iowa State, Jr., WR, Oakland, Calif.
Defensive Lineman of the Year
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma, Sr., DE, Baton Rouge, La.
Defensive Newcomer of the Year
Arthur Brown, Kansas State, Jr., LB, Wichita, Kan.
Coach of the Year
Bill Snyder, Kansas State, 20th Season
2011 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
Pos. Player School Class Hometown/Previous School(s)
QB Robert Griffin III Baylor Jr. Copperas Cove, Texas/Copperas Cove
RB Terrance Ganaway Baylor Sr. DeKalb, Texas/DeKalb/Houston/Texarkana College
RB Henry Josey Missouri So. Angleton, Texas/Angleton
FB Trey Millard Oklahoma So. Columbia, Mo./Rock Bridge
WR Kendall Wright** Baylor Sr. Pittsburg, Texas/Pittsburg
WR Ryan Broyles^ Oklahoma Sr. Norman, Okla./Norman
WR Justin Blackmon** ^ Oklahoma State Jr. Ardmore, Okla./Plainview
TE Michael Egnew ^ Missouri Sr. Plainview, Texas/Plainview
OL Philip Blake Baylor Sr. Toronto, Ontario, Canada/Champlain Regional Prep/Tyler (Texas) JC
OL Kelechi Osemele Iowa State Sr. Houston, Texas/Langham Creek
OL Clyde Aufner Kansas State Sr. Raymore, Mo./Raymore-Peculiar
OL Gabe Ikard Oklahoma So. Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness
OL Levy Adcock** ^ Oklahoma State Sr. Claremore, Okla./Sequoyah/NE Okla. A&M JC
OL Grant Garner Oklahoma State Sr. Mesquite, Texas/North Mesquite
PK Quinn Sharp Oklahoma State Jr. Mansfield, Texas/Summit
KR/PR Fozzy Whittaker Texas Sr. Houston, Texas/Pearland
 
DEFENSE
Pos. Player School Class Hometown/Previous School(s)
DL Ray Kibble Kansas State Sr. Houston, Texas/Navarro JC
DL Frank Alexander** Oklahoma Sr. Baton Rouge, La./Southern Lab
DL Ronnell Lewis Oklahoma Jr. Dewar, Okla./Dewar
DL Jamie Blatnick Oklahoma State Sr. Celina, Texas/Celina
DL Alex Okafor** Texas Jr. Pflugerville, Texas/Pflugerville
LB A.J. Klein Iowa State Jr. Kimberly, Wis./Kimberly
LB Arthur Brown Kansas State Jr. Wichita, Kan./Miami
LB Emmanuel Acho Texas Sr. Dallas, Texas/St. Mark’s
DB Nigel Malone Kansas State Jr. Manteca, Calif./City College of San Francisco
DB Jamell Fleming Oklahoma Sr. Arlington, Texas/Seguin
DB Brodrick Brown Oklahoma State Jr. Houston, Texas/Westfield
DB Markelle Martin Oklahoma State Sr. Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider
DB Kenny Vaccaro Texas Jr. Brownwood, Texas/Early
P Quinn Sharp ^ Oklahoma State Jr. Mansfield, Texas/Summit
 
2011 ALL-BIG 12 FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
Pos. Player School Class Hometown/Previous School(s)
QB Brandon Weeden Oklahoma State Sr. Edmond, Okla./Santa Fe
RB Joseph Randle Oklahoma State So. Wichita, Kan./Southeast
RB Cyrus Gray Texas A&M Sr. DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto
FB Kye Staley Oklahoma State Jr. Guthrie, Okla./Guthrie
WR Kenny Stills Oklahoma So. Encinitas, Calif./La Costa Canyon
WR Josh Cooper Oklahoma State Sr. Mustang, Okla./Mustang
WR Ryan Swope Texas A&M Jr. Austin, Texas/Westlake
TE James Hanna Oklahoma Sr. Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound
OL Robert T. Griffin Baylor Sr. Euless, Texas/Trinity/Navarro College
OL Hayworth Hicks Iowa State Sr. Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale/Antelope Valley
OL Jeremiah Hatch Kansas Sr. Dallas, Texas/Carter
OL Zach Hanson Kansas State Sr. Sacramento, Calif./Sacramento CC
OL Luke Joeckel Texas A&M So. Arlington, Texas/Arlington
OL LaAdrian Waddle Texas Tech Jr. Columbus, Texas/Columbus
PK Randy Bullock Texas A&M Sr. Klein, Texas/Klein
KR/PR Tyler Lockett Kansas State Fr. Tulsa, Okla./Booker T. Washington
 
DEFENSE
Pos. Player School Class Hometown/Previous School(s)
DL Nicolas Jean-Baptiste Baylor Sr. Stafford, Texas/Strake Jesuit College Prep
DL Jacquies Smith # Missouri Sr. Dallas, Texas/South Oak Cliff
DL Jackson Jeffcoat Texas So. Plano, Texas/Plano West
DL Kheeston Randall Texas Sr. Beaumont, Texas/Kelly
DL Tony Jerod-Eddie Texas A&M Sr. DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto
LB Jake Knott # Iowa State Jr. Waukee, Iowa/Waukee
LB Travis Lewis # Oklahoma Sr. San Antonio, Texas/Robert E. Lee
LB Keenan Robinson Texas Sr Plano, Texas/Plano East
DB Leonard Johnson # Iowa State Sr. Clearwater, Fla./Largo
DB Tysyn Hartman Kansas State Sr. Wichita, Kan./Kapaun Mt. Carmel
DB E.J. Gaines Missouri So. Independence, Mo./Fort Osage
DB Demontre Hurst Oklahoma Jr. Lancaster, Texas/Lancaster
DB Quandre Diggs Texas Fr. Angleton, Texas/Angleton
P Trey Barrow Missouri Jr. Moberly, Mo./Moberly
** Unanimous Selection.
^ – Repeat first team selection from last season.
# – Repeat second team selection from last season.
A tie in voting created an additional first-team offensive line spot and an additional second-team offensive line spot.
Players listed at each position alphabetically by school.

All Big 12 Honorable Mention

Iowa State- Jared Barnett (off FoY), Jake Lattimer (DL), Kirby Van Der Kamp (P), James White (RB)

US senators seek review of Mo. River flooding

News

December 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — U.S. senators from seven Missouri River states are asking the Government Accountability Office to examine this summer’s heavy flooding throughout the river basin.The request was supported by 13 senators who are part of the Missouri River Working Group. The group includes senators from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.The senators want the GAO to review several issues, including whether the Army Corps of Engineers followed its master manual for managing the Missouri River and what role meteorological forecasts played. They also want to know if environmental concerns, such as protecting endangered species, influenced flood-control efforts.

Backyard and Beyond 12-08-2011

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

December 8th, 2011 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Michelle Heath with the Nishna Valley YMCA about Christmas activities and hours at the Y.

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Drug arrests reported in Atlantic

News

December 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Police Department reports two drug-related arrests Wednesday. Officials say 34-year old Eric Ostrander, and 20-year old Shelbie Brammann, both of Atlantic, were arrested on warrants charging them with Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The pair were booked into the Cass County Jail and held, pending an appearance before the magistrate.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday afternoon, in the 400 block of Walnut Street. The A-P.D. says vehicles driven by Alfrieda Johnson Neary, and Diana Schuler, both of Atlantic, collided at around 4:40-p.m., as Schuler was backing out of a parking stall and Neary was traveling north on Walnut Street. Damage from the mishap amounted to $3,700.  Schuler was cited for Moving a vehicle backwards on a highway.

Survey: Many Iowans pessimistic about job security

News

December 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Iowa’s unemployment rate remains well below the national average, but that isn’t much comfort to Iowans who are out of a job. Employment analyst Joanie Ruge, says a recent survey finds those who are employed aren’t feeling confident about their job security. Ruge says, “Almost half of the workers surveyed, 48-percent, believe that their companies might be cutting benefits in the new year and also 41-percent believe their companies might lay off some workers.” 

State labor officials say Iowa’s unemployment rate held steady at six-percent in October compared to the national jobless rate at nine-percent. Despite the fears of firings, Ruge says there were signs of optimism in the survey. “This survey shows that 73-percent of workers actually feel very secure in their company and with their jobs,” she says. “This is certainly a great sign to see that number is pretty high.” 

Ruge says there are numerous stable industries in Iowa that are continuing to grow and add employees. “Health care, pharmaceuticals, anything in information technology, engineering, there are job opportunities in these sectors,” Ruge says. “Where we’ve seen more of a struggle has been in automotive over the last few years. The jobs have really gone away from manufacturing even though we have seen some of the jobs come back.” 

Ruge says many people are taking precautions, cutting back on expenses and putting money into savings, just in case a job is lost. For people who are unemployed, she says to stay focused on networking with both your personal and social networks. Make sure you let people know you are looking for work, she adds, as you never know where that next job might appear. 

(Matt Kelley/Radio Iowa)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8th

Trading Post

December 8th, 2011 by Jim Field

WANTED: 2 baby cribs in good condition.  They do not have to match. Willing to purchase separately.  Please call 712-249-6135.

TO GIVE AWAY: Old wooden windows, would be good for those who use them for crafts.  Call 712-755-3736 in Harlan.

FOR SALE: AKC Black lab puppies, Still available: 2 Males & 1 Female, Born 11-6-11 READY FOR CHRISTMAS!  Home raised. Both parents are proven hunters, pointers, retrievers & excellent family dogs.  Male is black & Dam is yellow.
$300 each. Call: 712-370-3901.

8AM Sportscast 12-08-2011

Podcasts, Sports

December 8th, 2011 by admin

w/ Jim Field

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Iowa regents to discuss tuition hike, naming rule

News

December 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Regents will consider giving final approval to a 3.75 percent tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students.The regents will meet by telephone Thursday to consider the proposal, which would raise tuition at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa by $240. Mandatory fees would go up an additional $50 at Iowa and $45 at UNI.University officials caution the increase could be adjusted upward later depending on how much money lawmakers approve for the universities during budget talks next year.Also Thursday, the board is expected to discuss a plan that would bar state universities from naming academic institutes for current elected officials. The rule comes after criticism of the new center honoring U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin at ISU.

Atlantic City Council approves AMU budget

News

December 8th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday evening, approved a resolution accepting the 2012 Budget for the Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU), which the Utilities’ Board had adopted earlier this week, following a public hearing. Steve Tjepkes, with AMU, said the proposed budget for the Electric and Water Departments for Calendar Year 2012 totals nearly $10.8-million, which is an increase of almost $665,000, or 6.6%, over the current year re-estimate. The increased cost is being offset with increases in AMU’s retail electric rates.

Tjepkes says the increase, which went into effect in November, varies from 10- to 14-percent, due to the season and cost of energy prices. He says as far as the water distribution system is concerned, this was the first out of nine years AMU actually sold more gallons of water, as compared to previous years. Plans next year call for work on two water towers, which will cost about $175,000.  Tjepkes says there will be NO rate increases for AMU’s water customers in 2012.

The budget he says, includes $1.2-million for other system improvements, as well. That includes the completion of mapping their water distribution facilities via GPS, an energy efficiency program which uses programmable theromstats as a way to control peak usagae of electricty during the Summer months, and, automated meter reading systems, to better help the utlility detect and find outages more quickly.

Tjepkes says AMU’s revenues were down for the third year in a row, due to a decrease in excess energy sales, which he attributed in-part, to the economy. The utility will transfer $360,000 to the City of Atlantic in lieu of paying property taxes, which is a common practice. Their contribution equals about 3.3% of AMU’s annual revenues, and is designed to offset AMU’s utility charges to the City.

Albert Pujols to Sign With The Angels

Sports

December 8th, 2011 by Jim Field

Albert Pujols will sign with the Angels for ten years and $250-260MM, tweets Yahoo’s Tim Brown.  He’ll receive a full no-trade clause.  Pujols decided this morning, writes Brown.  Pujols is represented by Dan Lozano of Icon Sports Group.

Pujols, 32 in January, was drafted by the Cardinals in 1999 in the 13th round and began his career with a staggering 11-year stretch.  The first baseman is the active career leader in batting average (.328) and slugging percentage (.617), he’s second among active players in career on-base percentage (.421).  Pujols owns a Rookie of the Year award and three MVP awards, and has ranked no worse than ninth in the MVP voting in every season of his career.  He’s been extremely durable, averaging 155 games per season.  The Cardinals signed Pujols to a long-term deal in 2004, which ended up being a huge bargain at $111MM over eight years.  Pujols and the Cardinals failed to find common ground on an extension in February this year, but the contract didn’t seem a distraction as the team ended up winning the World Series.

The suddenly free-spending Marlins made a competitive bid for Pujols this offseason, offering a ten-year deal.  They seemingly dropped out after signing Mark Buehrle, and up until Thursday morning, the Cardinals were considered the favorite.  It’s not much of a consolation prize, but the Cardinals will receive the Angels’ #19 pick in the 2012 draft as well as a supplemental choice.

With Kendrys Morales and Mark Trumbo, the Angels now have a couple of first base trade chips.  Morales could be non-tendered next week.