United Group Insurance

Iowa Speedway prepares for US Cellular 250 on Aug. 3rd

Sports

July 29th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The NASCAR Nationwide Series makes its second stop at the Iowa Speedway this weekend with Saturday night’s US Cellular 250. Iowa Speedway CEO Doug Fritz says Brad Keselowski will be the first reigning sprint Cup champion to compete at the track. Fritz says Keselowski has been to Newton before, as well as other Nascar stars, but never before in the track’s 8-year history have they had the current Nascar Sprint Cup Series Champion.

Fritz says the drivers in the Nationwide Series enjoy competing against the big names in the Sprint Cup Series. They include Brian Vickers, who recently won the New Hampshire Nascar Sprint Cup Series race, along with Nationwide regulars Trevor Baine, a past Daytona 500 Champ, along with Sam Hornish, Jr., the current Nationwide Series points leader and past champion of the Indy 500.

Fritz says as of Sunday morning, there were still tickets available for Saturday night’s race, but he anticipates a sell out. After that, it’s general admission and standing room only on race day. Tickets for both Friday’s practice sessions and Saturday’s qualifying laps and race can be obtained at www.iowaspeedway.com, or 1-866RUSTY-GO.  He says fans will have an opportunity to meet the drivers this weekend. An autograph session with all the Nationwide drivers takes place from 2:30-until 3:10-p.m., Saturday.  Parking lots open both days at 10-a.m. for tailgating.

Heyward’s homer helps Braves sweep Cardinals, 5-2

Sports

July 29th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

ATLANTA (AP) — Jason Heyward homered and drove in two runs to help the Atlanta Braves beat St. Louis 5-2 on Sunday night, capping their first three-game sweep of the Cardinals at home in 10 years. The Braves broke a 2-all tie with two runs in the sixth inning off rookie Shelby Miller and two relievers. Pinch-hitter Joey Terdoslavich drove in Chris Johnson with the go-ahead run. Heyward added another run-scoring single.

Heyward has nine homers this season, including two in the series between NL division leaders. Kris Medlen allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk in six innings to snap his three-game losing streak.

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

News

July 29th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Officials closed Interstate 29 in western Iowa Sunday to check for bridge damage after a fiery semitrailer truck crash that killed one person. A northbound truck flew off an overpass over Avenue G in Council Bluffs around 3:30 p.m. yesterday. I-29 traffic was rerouted Sunday while Iowa Roads Department engineers evaluated the bridge.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Several Nebraska and Iowa cities set new record low temperatures early yesterday. The National Weather Service says record lows were set Sunday in Des Moines and Ottumwa, Iowa. In Des Moines, temperatures fell to 51 to break the record of 53 set in 1925. Ottumwa residents saw temperatures fall to 48.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Lottery offers plenty of options, and judging by the operation’s last record-breaking year, state residents are definitely taking their chances. Lottery officials announced last week that during the fiscal year ending June 30th, the Iowa Lottery sold $339 million in tickets, gave out about $201 million in prizes and yielded almost $85 million for the state, most of which now goes into the general fund.

BLAKESBURG, Iowa (AP) — The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the explosion of small bomb in a library book drop in the small southeast Iowa community of Blakesburg. The Ottumwa Courier reports librarian Rebecca Brittain says the “homemade bomb” was found in the Blakesburg Public Library’s book drop on Wednesday morning. No one was hurt, but some books were destroyed.

Marion County man arrested in Red Oak, Sunday

News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A man from Marion County in south central Iowa was arrested Sunday evening, in Montgomery County. The Red Oak Police Department reports 46-year old James Edward Stone, of Pleasantville, was arrested in the 100 block of West Coolbaugh Street in Red Oak, at around 4:30-p.m.  Stone was wanted on a Contempt of Court charge for Failure to Appear & Failure to Pay, Child Support. He was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 cash bond.

I-29 closed after fiery Iowa crash that killed 1

News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

(Updated 5-a.m. 7/29)

A bridge along Interstate 29 in Council Bluffs was closed for a little more than 5-hours Sunday while authorities conducted a damage assessment following a fiery semitrailer truck crash that killed one person.  According to Council Bluffs Police, a 2005 Volvo semi was traveling north at around 3:30-p.m., when for reasons unknown, it crashed through the guardrail separating I-29 northbound and I-29 southbound at Avenue G. The truck flew across Avenue G and hit an embankment between the bridges on the north side of Avenue G before becoming fully engulfed in flames.

Firefighters contained the blaze and fuel spill in about 10 minutes. Once the flames were extinguished, the body of the male driver was discovered. The man’s identity had not been verified as of early this (Monday) morning, but authorities say they believe they do know who he is. His name will be released pending confirmation through an autopsy slated for today, and notification of family.

While the crash remains under investigation, officials say speed, alcohol and medical reasons could be factors. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Council Bluffs P-D’s Traffic Unit at 712-328-4948.

I-29 traffic was rerouted Sunday while Iowa Roads Department engineers evaluated the bridge, which was re-opened to traffic by around 8:30-p.m.

Drug arrest in Red Oak, Sunday

News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

A Red Oak man was arrested this (Sunday) afternoon, on drug-related charges. According to Red Oak Police, 22-year old James Leroy Christensen, Jr., was taken into custody in the 600 block of North Highland Avenue in Red Oak, at around 12:10-p.m. Christensen was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and then released on a citation.

Sioux City Native: Col. Bud Day, Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 88

News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

MIAMI (AP) — Retired Col. George “Bud” Day, a Medal of Honor recipient who spent 5½ years as a POW in Vietnam and was Arizona Sen. John McCain’s cellmate, has died. He was 88.

Col. George "Bud" Day (IA Aviation Museum/photo)

Col. George “Bud” Day (IA Aviation Museum/photo)

Doris Day said Sunday that her husband died Saturday at his home in Fort Walton Beach after a long illness. Col. Day was born in Sioux City, where the airport is named after him. In 2011, Day was inducted into the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame, at the Iowa Aviation Museum, in Greenfield.

Day was one of the nation’s most highly decorated servicemen since Gen. Douglas MacArthur. He later became a tireless advocate for veterans’ rights. He received the Medal of Honor for escaping his captors for 10 days after the aircraft he was piloting was shot down over North Vietnam. In all, he earned more than 70 medals during service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Doris Day said her husband will be buried at Barancas National Cemetery in Pensacola.

3 juveniles arrested on drug & alcohol charges in Audubon, Sunday

News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Audubon Police Department reports three juveniles from Audubon were arrested today (Sunday), on charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Alcohol, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The arrests stem from an investigation into an incident at the Legion Park on July 16th. The juveniles were charged and referred to the Juvenile Court District.

On Saturday, Police in Audubon arrested 38 year old, Christopher Lee Hansen, of Audubon, for Interference with Official Acts and Driving without a valid motorcycle license. Hansen was transported to the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office where he posted bond and was released. That same day, 38 year old James Raymond Nottingham, of Wadsworth, Illinois was arrested on charges of Domestic Abuse Causing Injury by Dangerous Weapon (3rd offense), and Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Owners Consent. He was also cited for Failure to Have a Valid License. The arrest stems from an incident that occurred on July 25th. Nottingham was being being held in the Audubon County Jail, Sunday. The Audubon Police Department was assisted in handling the incident by the Iowa State Patrol.

And, on July 12th, officers with the Audubon Police Department arrested 29 year old Roger Allen Schmidt of Audubon, for Open Container of Alcohol in a Public Place. Schmidt was cited and released at the scene.

MABEL ROOT, 105, formerly of Fontanelle (Private graveside svcs.)

Obituaries

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

MABEL ROOT, 105, formerly of Fontanelle, died Fri., July 26th, at the Clearview Home in Clearfield, Iowa. Private family graveside services for MABEL ROOT will be held at the Bryant Cemetery north of Fontanelle.  Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Cass County Fair – Day 4 (Sun., July 28th 2013)

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 28th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Fair continues its 6-day run here in Atlantic, today. The Swine show kicked-off activities early this morning, at 7:30. The Commercial Exhibits building opens at 10-a.m. The Thrashing and Antique Equipment Show is slated to run from 11-a.m. until 3-p.m..

Other events include the Decorator’s Showcase from Noon until 4-p.m., where young people have an opportunity to decorate one room in their own style. Participants select coordinating textures and colors, consider a formal, informal or semi-formal look, then put those selections into a display. Each member is allowed one-hour for the contest. Local businesses have donated and loaned samples of wallpaper or fabric as a starter for 4-H’ers to use.

The Poultry and Dog show, and Skid Loader Rodeo events begin at 2-p.m., the Texaco Country Showdown for new music talent gets underway at 3-p.m., “Share the Fun” at 5-p.m., with Cass County 4-H’ers showing-off their talent, and the Horse Fun Show is at 6-p.m., along with the Tractor Pull.