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Iowa early News Headlines: Sat., Aug. 23rd 2014

News

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — More than 100 people gathered in Iowa City to protest police actions in the wake of an officer’s killing of a black teenager in Missouri. KCRG-TV reports those who attended the Thursday evening rally at the downtown pedestrian mall called for justice in the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was shot by a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators also expressed concern that something similar could happen in Iowa City.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — An Illinois Department of Transportation official says work on a major bridge linking the Quad Cities is behind schedule. The Quad-City Times reports that crews have struggled to replace beams on the Centennial Bridge between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. The structure closed this month for repairs and was scheduled to reopen by September 6th.

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — A Marshalltown man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his girlfriend’s 3-year-old daughter. The Marshalltown Police Department says the additional charge against Branden Collins was added following Jossilyn Starn’s death on Friday.

ATLANTIC, Iowa (AP) — Authorities in western Iowa say a woman faces felony charges after lying to people for months that her 5-year-old daughter has terminal cancer. Cass County Attorney Dan Feistner says 30-year-old Leatha Slauson appears to have acted alone when she told residents in Atlantic that her daughter has a life-threatening illness. Slauson was arrested Thursday night on a charge of felony child endangerment.

Posted in News |

Severe T-storm warning (Update)

Weather

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

327 AM CDT SAT AUG 23 2014

…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 345 AM CDT FOR SOUTHERN GUTHRIE AND ADAIR COUNTIES…

AT 327 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 4 MILES WEST OF STUART…OR 12 MILES NORTH OF GREENFIELD…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…EXPECT DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…

GREENFIELD…STUART…ADAIR…FONTANELLE…DEXTER…CASEY… DIAMONDHEAD LAKE…MENLO…GREENFIELD MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND NODAWAY PARK.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 73 AND 97.

Posted in Weather |

Clinton shadow in Iowa no threat to some Democrats

News

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) — Democrats with presidential dreams are coming to Iowa with little fanfare, entourage or recognition. They’re undeterred by talk of a Hillary Rodham Clinton candidacy in 2016 or her plans to visit the leadoff caucus state next month to honor retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.

But former Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and a few others have nothing to lose if Clinton runs, and lots to gain if she doesn’t. Other Democrats who have visited Iowa include Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer.

An independent who is supported largely by Democrats, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, will be in Iowa when Clinton attends Harkin’s fundraiser. On the GOP side, some potential candidates are further along in Iowa, with paid staff on the ground.

Posted in News |

Board accepts complaint filed against Red Oak CSD

News

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

A report in the Omaha World-Herald says the Iowa Public Information Board, Thursday, accepted a third complaint against the Red Oak Community School District. Margaret Stoldorf filed a complaint July 8th saying the agenda for a June 30 school board meeting was too vague and a “typical citizen” would not have understood the personnel action before the board.

In response, the district cited interviews given to the Daily Nonpareil in Council Bluffs and KMA radio, based in Shenandoah, to make the public aware of the topic of the board meeting. But Public Information Board Executive Director Keith Luchtel wrote in a letter that notifying media outlets did not waive requirements for agendas.

The state agency has two other pending complaints against the Red Oak district, from former Principal Jedd Sherman and district resident Don Rogerson. Stoldorf’s concerns will be brought forward to seek an informal resolution with the school district.

The other two complaints are being reviewed by agency staff, which will present a formal report to the board later. The board will then decide whether it finds probable cause that violations of the state’s open meetings law occurred. If the board finds probable cause, it could choose to file charges, which could lead to fines of $1,500 for each school board member for each violation.

In all three cases, the Red Oak district has said that it met its obligations under Iowa law.

Posted in News |

Phillies slip past Cardinals for 5-4 victory

Sports

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ryan Howard drove in a pair of runs and Kyle Kendrick overcame a rocky first inning to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night. Ben Revere, who entered the day second in the NL in batting, went 3 for 4 to raise his average to .315. Chase Utley and Marlon Byrd also drove in runs for Philadelphia, which won its third in four games.

Matt Adams homered and Matt Holliday drove in two runs for the Cardinals, who lost for just the second time in nine games. Kendrick (6-11) increased his first-inning ERA to 9.69 this season by allowing three runs in the opening inning. He left after giving up four runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings.

Adam Wainwright (15-8) failed in his bid to become the first 16-game winner in the big leagues while continuing his August struggles. The right-hander allowed five runs, four earned, and six hits in six innings, dropping to 2-3 with a 6.49 ERA in five starts this month.

Posted in Sports |

Super Bowl Task Force to begin work

Sports

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A special task force charged with bringing a future Super Bowl to Kansas City gets to work next week. Missouri lawmakers approved a resolution earlier this year urging the NFL to play a Super Bowl at Arrowhead Stadium. The groundwork for the campaign will be done by the Super Bowl Task Force, created within the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

The sponsor of the resolution, Democratic state Senator Paul LeVota, of Independence, says the task force will hold its first meeting Monday at Arrowhead. LeVota filed his resolution after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell indicated the league’s willingness to consider playing Super Bowls in cold-weather cities. LeVota says Arrowhead’s $350 million renovation in 2010 would help make it an attractive venue.

Posted in Sports |

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Adair & Guthrie Counties

Weather

August 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

303 AM CDT SAT AUG 23 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…SOUTHERN GUTHRIE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…ADAIR COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST IOWA…UNTIL 345 AM CDT

* AT 303 AM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 8 MILES SOUTHWEST OF GREENFIELD…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 45 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND PENNY SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…EXPECT DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED  INCLUDE…GREENFIELD…STUART…ADAIR…FONTANELLE…DEXTER…CASEY… ORIENT…DIAMONDHEAD LAKE…MENLO…BRIDGEWATER…GREENFIELD MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AND NODAWAY PARK.

THIS INCLUDES INTERSTATE 80 BETWEEN MILE MARKERS 74 AND 97.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

Posted in Weather |

Chiefs OT Stephenson suspended for PEDs violation

News

August 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Chiefs offensive tackle Donald Stephenson has been suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. Stephenson was a fill-in starter last season but was expected to anchor the right side of the line this year. He remains eligible to participate in all preseason practices and games, including Saturday night’s game against Minnesota.

Stephenson will miss games against Tennessee, Denver, Miami and New England, and be eligible to return to the active roster Sept. 30. The Chiefs play San Francisco the following Sunday. The Chiefs were already without wide receiver Dwayne Bowe for the season opener after he was suspended by the league for an incident involving marijuana last November.

Posted in News |

NORMA ARLENE BLADT, 88, of Avoca (Svcs. 8/26/14)

Obituaries

August 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

NORMA ARLENE BLADT, 88, of Avoca, died Fri., Aug. 22nd, at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Funeral services for NORMA BLADT will be held 10-a.m. Tue., Aug. 26th, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. Payley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Visitation at the funeral home is from 5-to 8-pm Mon., Aug. 25th, with the family greeting friends from 6-to-8pm.

Burial will be in the Shelby Cemetery.

NORMA BLADT is survived by:

Her son – Dennis Bladt, of Avoca.

Her daughter – Julie Ann Wade (& Bruce Arp), of Avoca.

1 grandchild, her in-laws, other relatives & friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Atlantic Fire Chief’s response to “Super Riley” developments

News

August 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees issued a statement Friday afternoon, with regard to developments in the case of a young girl allegedly being treated for cancer, and the arrest of her mother for making the whole thing up. On the AFD’s Facebook Page, McNees said… “The Atlantic Fire Department is saddened to hear of the events surrounding the family of Super Riley. This is now a family and legal matter. Riley was made an honorary member of our department because of her desire to become a firefighter someday, and our desire to make her dream come true.

Under the current circumstances she needs our support more than ever and will remain an honorary member and we wish her nothing but the best in her future.”

Posted in News |