712 Digital Group - top

Indiana State defeats Drake 61-54

Sports

February 2nd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Dwayne Lathan scored 15 points and Jake Odum 14 to lead Indiana State to a 61-54 victory against Drake on Wednesday night. Odum had seven rebounds for the Sycamores (14-9, 5-7), who outscored Drake 36-16 in the paint en route to winning their third straight game. Rayvonte Rice scored 17 points and Ben Simons 13 for the Bulldogs (13-10, 6-6), who shot just 33 percent (18 of 54) from the field. Both teams were playing their first games since having to work overtime last weekend. Drake needed three extra periods to outlast Wichita State 93-86 on Saturday night, and Indiana State beat Evansville 90-81 in double overtime on Sunday. Lathan’s layup gave the Sycamores a 53-48 lead with 2:09 remaining. The Bulldogs failed to score on their next two possessions. Indiana State made eight free throws in the last 51 seconds, providing the cushion to withstand late 3-pointers by Rice and Kurt Alexander for Drake.

Iowa State seeks height in defensive backs

Sports

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Born three months premature, Cliff Stokes usually was the smallest kid in his class as a youngster. Then he started growing and now he represents Iowa State’s new focus in recruiting defensive backs, a player with the height needed to take on the tall receivers the Cyclones face in the Big 12 Conference. The 6-foot, 180-pounder out of Trinity Valley Community College in Texas was among the 21 recruits who signed with Iowa State on Wednesday, a group that included five defensive backs. Four of the five defensive backs who signed are at least 6 feet tall, while the other is 5-10. Iowa State often has played cornerbacks who were 5-8 or 5-9. One of the starters last year, Jeremy Reeves, is 5-7.

Iowa State also signed five defensive linemen and place-kicker Cole Netten of Ankeny. Iowa State’s two kickers last season, Grant Mahoney and Zach Guyer were seniors, so the job appears to be Netten’s to lose. Netten went 11-for-14 on field goals last season, including a 47-yarder. One of the defensive backs who signed, Luke Knott of Lee’s Summit, Mo., is the brother of all-Big 12 linebacker Jake Knott, who’ll be a senior in the fall. Another, Damein Lawry of Dallas, played high school football for coach Elize Barnett, whose brother Duke is the father of ISU quarterback Jared Barnett.Rhoads said the 10-year, $20 million contract he signed in mid-December will help in recruiting because it shows stability in the program. He said he can be honest when parents asks if he’ll be at Iowa State until their son graduates. “I never as an assistant coach, a coordinator, a head coach looked them in the eye and told them with absolute certainty, yes,” Rhoads said. “Because chances are, it would be a lie. I think this long-term commitment by the university shows where we’re at in the direction we want to take this program.”

Iowa State’s class is generally ranked near the bottom of the Big 12, but Rhoads shrugged that off. “We’re trying to recruit the right guys that fit our philosophy and our program,” he said. “We’re not caught up in stars or golden apples or whatever they attach to a player.”

Ferentz focuses on new arrivals, not Coker

Sports

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — For the second year in a row, Iowa fans waited for national signing day to hear coach Kirk Ferentz address a topic at least as pressing as his latest recruiting class. This time, Ferentz kept the focus on the 24 newest Hawkeyes. Ferentz on Wednesday refused to get into further details about the departure of star running back Marcus Coker, who was suspended for last month’s Insight Bowl for unspecified misconduct and has since left the program. Ferentz was forced to use last season’s signing day press conference to address concerns over a workout-related illness that sent more than a dozen players to the hospital. He said Wednesday he would discuss non-recruiting topics next week.

With Coker gone, the Hawkeyes signed a pair of running backs who might see playing time as early as next season. Leading the way is Greg Garmon, a 6-1, 200-pounder from Erie, Pa., who was a first-team all-state pick and notched 2,859 career rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. Iowa also landed Cedar Falls running back Barkley Hill, who spurned Iowa State to sign with the Hawkeyes. Garmon and Hill be thrown into a mix that includes returnees Jordan Canzeri, Brad Rogers and De’Andre Johnson as Iowa searches for a combination that can come close to matching the 1,384 rushing yards and 15 TDs Coker put up in 2011. Ferentz also announced that reserve back Jason White will return for his senior season.Though Iowa is set at quarterback next season with returning senior starter James Vandenberg, the depth chart is slim behind him. The Hawkeyes will bring in a pair of quarterbacks next season to compete with redshirt freshman Jake Rudock for the starting job in 2013 and beyond. Cody Sokol is a rare junior college player to sign with Iowa, a sure sign of the urgency the Hawkeyes have this offseason. Sokol, who was born in Des Moines, threw for 3,087 yards and 43 touchdowns at Scottsdale Community College (Arizona) last season.

Iowa also landed Tennessee native C.J. Beathard, who’ll be a true freshman and a likely redshirt candidate. Sokol could also redshirt next season, according to Ferentz. The Hawkeyes struggled along the defensive line last season. They signed a pair of highly touted recruits in end Faith Ekakitie and tackle Jaleel Johnson, both from Illinois high schools. Iowa also ventured into Illinois for offensive tackle Ryan Ward, a 6-5, 275-pounder considered one of the top prospects at the position in the nation. The Hawkeyes loaded up in the secondary with five defensive back signees. They also landed four offensive linemen, four defensive linemen and three wide receivers. Iowa signed more players from Illinois, five, than any other state, and brought in just three in-state players.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Muir retires

Sports

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Offensive coordinator Bill Muir informed the Chiefs on Wednesday that he will retire after 34 years in the NFL, a move many had expected after Kansas City struggled much of last season. Muir joined the Chiefs as offensive line coach in 2009 and was elevated to offensive coordinator by then-coach Todd Haley, who was fired midway through this season.

The longtime assistant also spent seven seasons in Tampa Bay, where he won a Super Bowl as part of Jon Gruden’s staff. The Buccaneers won three division titles during his time there. Muir was not expected to remain the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator even if he remained on staff. New coach Romeo Crennel has said he hopes to have that position filled sometime after the Super Bowl.

CCMH Special Care Unit Relocates

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTIC – Effective February 1, 2012, the Special Care Unit (SCU) at Cass County Memorial Hospital has been moved to the Medical Surgical wing.  Specifically, patient rooms 125, 126, 127 and 128, have been equipped to provide the higher level of SCU care for inpatients.  At the same time, the name of the unit has been changed to Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

These changes have been made in anticipation of the completion of the new addition at the hospital, where all inpatient units (Medical Surgical, Obstetrics and Intensive Care) will be on the second floor with closer coordination of staff between the areas.  The name change is simply to better reflect the level of care provided.  “We want to begin working on some of the staff coordination and processes before we move to our new addition, so everything goes as smoothly as possible at that time,” explained Linda Hemminger, Assistant Administrator of Clinical Services.  “Intensive Care is a more accurate reflection of the care we provide, so this seemed like a good time to make that change, too.”

All of the equipment, monitors and other patient care items from the SCU have been relocated to the four ICU rooms, so patients will receive the same level of care and staff attention they have always received.  A permanent move to the new addition inpatient area is anticipated late this summer.

Crash Blocks US 30 in Harrison County – Issued 2:35 PM

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa DOT says a multiple vehicle crash is blocking U.S. 30 east of Missouri Valley, in Harrison County. Motorists are advised to use an alternate route to reach their destination.

Court: Bluffs police search of bicyclist was illegal

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Court of Appeals has ruled a Council Bluffs police officer’s late night search of a bicyclist was illegal and marijuana found during the search should be suppressed. The court overturned Keith Sorick’s drug possession conviction Wednesday, saying the officer had no reason to search Sorick after pulling him over in 2010 for not having lights on his bicycle at night, which is required by city code. After talking with Sorick, the officer patted him down and found the marijuana.

The officer testified at trial that he searched the 28-year-old Sorick because it dark and people in the neighborhood were known to have weapons. The court ruled that wasn’t enough to search Sorick, who was fined $315.

Measure would let Iowa casinos end dog racing

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Senate panel has approved a measure allowing the state’s two greyhound tracks to stop holding races, but it’s still not a sure bet the measure will clear the Senate. The bill approved today (Wednesday) would allow Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs and Mystique Casino in Dubuque to pay the state a combined $70 million over seven years to end a requirement to run dog races.
 
 The measure’s supporters say the industry is dying out across the nation and costing casinos millions to prop up. Others say ending the requirements would cost hundreds of jobs, including track workers and people who breed and train the dogs.  A similar measure discussed last year did not reach the Senate floor, and lawmakers say they’re unsure of this measure’s prospects this year.

Home invasion reported in Red Oak

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak are looking for a man who reportedly broke into a woman’s home early this (Wednesday) morning, and assaulted her before taking off with an undetermined amount of money. Red Oak Police say they received a call at around 12:23-a.m. about the incident which took place in the 300 block of East Elm Street. When officers arrived, they found 27-year-old Tasha Renee Smith, of Red Oak, suffering from cuts, bruises and abrasions. Smith was taken by Red Oak Rescue to Montgomery County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Authorities say an investigation determined that a white man in his late 20’s or early 30’s assaulted the woman after she answered the door, and he forced his way in. He also ransacked a bedroom in the home before leaving with some money.  Police said the suspect was about 5- feet 8- inches tall, with a heavy build and very short hair. He was last seen wearing a gray zip-up type hoodie, black pants and brown work-type boots.

The incident remains under investigation. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s K-9 unit and Red Oak Fire and Rescue assisted Red Oak Police at the scene.

No injuries after Red Oak teen rolls pickup truck in Montgomery County

News

February 1st, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials say no injuries were reported following a rollover accident this (Wednesday) morning, near Elliott. Authorities say a 1999 Ford F-150 pickup operated by 16-year old James LeRoy Bourn, of Red Oak, was traveling north on J Avenuem about one-quarter of a mile south of Highway 48, when he looked down, looked back up, and saw the vehicle was about to enter the west ditch.

Bourn overcorrected, and lost control of the pickup, which entered the ditch and flipped end-over-end before landing on its top. The accident happened just after 8-a.m.  The vehicle sustained $4,000 damage. No charges were filed in connection with the crash.