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Iowa early News headlines: Tue., Sept. 4th 2012

News

September 4th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The president and his running mate and their mates have scheduled a post-convention trip to Iowa. Campaign officials say President Barack Obama and the first lady, Michelle Obama, will be accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, when they visit Iowa City on Friday. Obama is giving his keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have released the name of a driver found dead in a car that went into a pond at Water Works Park in Des Moines. Police say 23-year-old Mang Chang of Clive died in the crash that happened yesterday morning.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — Some neighbors are upset with expansion plans by a Mason City hospital. The Globe Gazette reports residents in the Forest Park neighborhood are circulating a petition against a proposed zoning change that would allow Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa to demolish 10 hours for the project. Resident Connie Momeni questions whether there will ever been an end to the expansion work. The City Council will review the application during a public hearing Tuesday.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State running back Shontrelle Johnson was forced to confront the possibility that he’d never play football again. Now Johnson has bounced back from months spent worrying about a neck injury and is in the best shape of his life. Johnson and fellow junior James White will split carries on Saturday when the Cyclones play at rival Iowa.

Posted in News |

Drought may lead to not so brilliant fall colors

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The unofficial end of summer is here and fall-like scenery could be arriving earlier than usual this year. Iowa Department of Natural Resources Forester Mark Vitosh says this summer’s drought has stressed some trees, which may speed up the process of leaves changing color. “In parts of central Iowa, I’m already starting to see some fall color, which is an indication those plants are deciding to shut down early and try to adapt to the conditions that are here,” Vitosh says. During a typical year, the fall colors are at their most brilliant in October.

Vitosh says the change in leaf color could climax a few weeks earlier this year. “We actually got a similar response in 2008 with the floods. We had a lot of stress on plants in some of the bottom lands and those trees started to turn color,” Vitosh says. “We may see a similar response this year because in some of the flood plain areas, those soils can be rather sandy and we haven’t had a lot of moisture.” A worst case scenario for fans of fall foliage would be almost no change in color.  “The other thing that happens with a drought, instead of getting fall color, you get a lot of nothing…a lot of brown or yellow or the trees just shut down. So, we may not get the brilliant colors,” Vitosh said.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Free hotel rooms in Omaha/Council Bluffs for qualifying cancer patients

News

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

More than a dozen hotels in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area are again offering a program that provides a free room to people who are traveling there to undergo cancer treatment. Mike Lefler, a spokesman for the American Cancer Society, says it’s one less expense and one less problem for the patient.  “Once you’re diagnosed with cancer, there are a thousand things that run through your mind,” Lefler says. “One of those things may be where you will stay or how you’re going to drive 50 to 100 miles to and from treatment five days a week for a number of weeks. By utilizing a Guest Room Program like this, people have one less thing to worry about when they are battling cancer.”

He says the program provides free lodging at participating hotels for as long as a patient needs treatment, with a few guidelines. “You have to be driving more than 50 miles one-way to your destination and you have to be in active treatment,” Lefler says. “The other thing is, if you call in and it’s a busy time for the hotels, it’s definitely based on availability.” He says you’re not guaranteed a room but most of the time, they can find a way to accommodate you. Lefler says participating hotels donate the room, free of charge to the patient, while they receive treatment.

“They do it as a community service because most of the hotels, the general managers, the employees have all seen first-hand, whether it’s themselves or family members or friends or loved ones, that have gone through cancer and know how devastating it can be,” he says. “We’re fortunate enough to have many, many partners in the Omaha area that are willing to give free nights of lodging.” Lefler says the service is especially helpful for those who need daily or weekly treatment over of period of months. Learn more about the program by calling your nearest chapter of the American Cancer Society.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Kelly Delivers, Cardinals Defeat Mets 5-4

Sports

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rookie Joe Kelly pitched 6 2-3 effective innings and also doubled, helping the St. Louis Cardinals defeat the New York Mets 5-4. Kelly (5-6) allowed five hits and two runs. He made his second start after a brief stint in the bullpen, and turned in his longest outing of the season. Edward Mujica got the last out of the seventh, giving him 16 straight scoreless appearances since coming over from Miami at the trade deadline. Jason Motte recorded five outs for his 33rd save in 38 chances. Skip Schumaker hit a solo homer and Matt Carpenter drove in two runs for the NL wild card-leading Cardinals. Daniel Murphy and Kelly Shoppach hit two-run homers for New York, which had won three straight and seven of eight.

Posted in Sports |

TONY DVORAK, 78, of Massena (Svcs. 9-8-12)

Obituaries

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

TONY DVORAK, 78, of Massena, died Mon., Sept. 3rd, at the Alegent Creighton Health in Omaha, NE. A Memorial Mass for TONY DVORAK will be held 10:30-a.m. Sat., Sept. 8th, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Massena.  Steen Funeral Home in Massena has the arrangements.

Visitation is open at the funeral home, from 4-8pm on Friday, with the family greeting friends from 7-8pm. A Rosary service will be held at the funeral home 6:30-p.m. Friday.

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

Burial will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Massena.

Memorials may be directed to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

TONY DVORAK is survived by:

His wife – Mary Pat Dvorak of Massena & her two children – Bill and Rosa Gregerson and Mary Elizabeth Gregerson (both of Omaha, Nebraska).

His brothers  – Dr. Allen and Carroll Dvorak and Dr. Marvin and Lynette Dvorak (both of Omaha, Nebraska).

His first wife – Patricia Ann Kaminski-Dvorak (of Atlantic, Iowa), & their twelve children: Carl Dvorak (of Houston, Texas), Tom and Kim Dvorak (of Lubbock, Texas), Joe and Julie Dvorak (of Dakota City, Iowa), John and Chris Dvorak (of Atlantic, Iowa), Ann Dvorak (of Omaha, Nebraska), Mary Dvorak (of Omaha, Nebraska), George and Dawn Dvorak (of Atlantic, Iowa), Mike Dvorak (of Beaver Lake, Nebraska), Theresa and Keith Dai (of Omaha, Nebraska), Sarah and Brian Hoburg (of Omaha, Nebraska), Charlie and Glenda Dvorak (of Ames, Iowa), and Dorothy and Chris Stallworth (of Omaha, Nebraska).

Tony is also survived by his 29 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Plenty of Questions as Chiefs Prepare for Opener

Sports

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs might be the only NFL team that has more questions heading into the regular season than they had at the start of training camp. Most of it pertains to injuries. Linebacker Derrick Johnson has been hobbling around on a bad ankle, cornerback Brandon Flowers has a bum heel, safety Kendrick Lewis is dealing with a shoulder injury. and backup cornerback Jalil Brown has been trying to recover from a groin strain. That’s just on defense, where the Chiefs are also without Pro Bowl linebacker Tamba Hali for Sunday’s game against Atlanta. He’s suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Still, Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel believes most of the injured guys will be ready to go, and after an encouraging preseason finale, he’s optimistic about the first game that counts.

Posted in Sports |

ISU Johnson Shines in Return from Neck Injury

Sports

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State running back Shontrelle Johnson was forced to confront the possibility that he’d never play football again. Now Johnson has bounced back from months spent worrying about a neck injury and is in the best shape of his life. Johnson, who missed much of 2011 following a scary injury in early October, celebrated his return to football on Saturday with the best outing of his career. Johnson rushed for a personal-best 120 yards on 18 carries as Iowa State beat Tulsa 38-23. Johnson and fellow junior James White will split carries on Saturday when the Cyclones (1-0) play at rival Iowa (1-0).

Posted in Sports |

Big 12 has Perfect Week, at least on Scoreboard

Sports

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

It was a perfect Week 1 for the retooled Big 12, at least as far as the scoreboard goes. All the league’s members, including newcomers TCU and West Virginia, got off to winning starts. How they got there varied widely, and in some cases left more questions than answers. No. 4 Oklahoma scuffled its way to a 24-7 victory at UTEP, No. 22 Kansas State needed a late scoring binge to separate from stubborn Missouri State, Iowa State trailed Tulsa early and Kansas had its hands full with South Dakota State in the second half. Sooners coach Bob Stoops says there is more parity than ever in college football, so early season mismatches that became a hallmark of the opening weekend are becoming rarer.

Posted in Sports |

Southwest Iowa Businesses have a chance to win $5,000 for their business or start-up

News

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Iowa Western Community College say the IWCC Department of Economic and Workforce Development and Small Business Development Center, has partnered with the University of Northern Iowa and will participate in the state wide contest “Dream Big Grow Here”. Dream Big Grow Here is a contest for Iowa small business owners and Entrepreneurs created by the UNI MyEntre.Net team. Businesses can win up to $15,000 to help start or grow their businesses. $5,000 will be awarded on November 1st to a small business or start up in Pottawattamie, Shelby, Harrison, Mills, Page, Fremont or Cass County.

The regional winner will go on to a state contest for a chance to win $10,000. The contest offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to upload their business growth ideas and/or start up ideas online at www.DreamBigGrowHere.com from September 10th through the 28th, then encourage customers, friends, family and community members to vote for them from October 1st through October 22nd. The top 5 vote getters from the Southwest Iowa Missouri River Region will than participate in a regional pitch off contest at IWCC in Council Bluffs on November 1st, 2012.

The winner of the Southwest Iowa Missouri River regional contest receives a $5,000 cash award (according to contest rules) and a chance to compete for $10,000 in a live, pitch-off during the statewide EntreFest! Conference in April 2013. The Southwest Iowa Missouri River Region contest begins September 10th. To participate, entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the website to determine their eligibility OR an informational Dream Big Grow Here sessions that will be held on September 10th at Iowa Western Community College in Looft Hall.

Register for the sessions at dreambiggrowhere.iowabiztalk.com or call 712-325-3350. spitts@iwcc.edu. The contest upload phase begins on September 10th – September 28th when contestants will be able to go to www.dreambiggrowhere.com and fill out the questionnaire/application as well as upload a video, power point or photographs outlining their plans for growth and/or start up. The voting will begin on October 1st through October 22nd.

Contestants can encourage friends, family customers and employees, and fans to vote for them. The top 5 vote winners will be asked to present at the Southwest Iowa Dream Big Grow Here contest on November 1st at IWCC The Winner will be announced at the end of the evening. If you are interested in participating in the contest the Iowa Western Small Business Development Center offers free technical assistance and consulting for business planning, marketing, websites, pitches and more. You’re encouraged you to take advantage of the expertise the SBDC offers to make sure you are fully prepared and ready for the publicity you will gain during the voting phase. The SBDC will also help you prepare to work with social media and digital marketing so you are prepared to get votes during the voting stage. Dream Big Grow Here is sponsored by Iowa Bankers Association, Renew Rural Iowa, ISU Community Vitality Center, Iowa Economic Development Authority, VentureNet, Delta Dental of Iowa and Technology Association of Iowa.

For more information on the Dream Big Grow Here competition and for complete rules, go to www.DreamBig GrowHere.com or contact Sue Pitts at spitts@iwcc.edu. For help in preparing for the contest, contact Sue Pitts at the IWCC SBDC at 712-325-3350 or spitts@iwcc.edu.

Posted in News |

Iowan seeks uniform rules with missing children

News

September 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Cedar Falls child care provider wants Iowa to implement uniform standards for how law enforcement responds to a missing child case. The Des Moines Register says Robin Arnold says the first few hours are critical and a missing child is a missing child. Questions have been raised about whether the state could have done more when the two cousins disappeared in Evansdale on July 13 and remain missing. A search began immediately, and within hours, local residents and the media were notified. But an Amber Alert wasn’t issued. Officials say those are issued only when it’s known that a child has been abducted. Arnold wants the alerts regardless. Sen. Jeff Daniels, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says he’ll push for a review of Iowa law dealing with missing children.

Posted in News |