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Boots to Heels Women’s Conference Set for April 12th

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Women in Southwest Iowa are invited to a day of fun, learning and friendship during the annual Boots to Heels Conference on Saturday, April 12th. The conference runs from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Organizers say a dynamic lineup of speakers are scheduled for the one-day conference, to focus on the interests of women living and working in rural Iowa.

Kate Olson, program coordinator with Cass County ISU Extensio, says this is an event for any woman who wants to have fun and learn about farm related topics and plenty of other topics for ladies who do not have a farm background. Currently scheduled speakers include Kris Boettger, owner of Barn Happy, a restored old barn near Cedar Falls that features all Iowa made products, as the keynote speaker to start off the conference. Boettger will encourage attendees to know themselves, find balance in their lives and serve out their strengths in a session titled “Living and Giving Your Best.”

Brandi Eckles, owner of Lou Lou’s clothing store in Atlantic, will discuss fashion trends and share tips for mixing and matching the newest trend pieces in her session “3 outfits 9 ways” during the lunch hour. Additional breakout sessions include some favorite speakers and topics from years past. Breakout topics range from fitness to food and wine pairing, and farmland leasing to arm-knitting a scarf! Favorite presenters from previous conferences include Kate Kohorst, Dawn Rice and Aubrey Stuart. A few new speakers also join the lineup to share their expertise with conference attendees.

A full list of breakout sessions and descriptions is available on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu.   Registration for the entire day, which includes all sessions, a continental breakfast, lunch, dessert and materials, is just $30. Registration forms with a full schedule are available at the Cass County Extension office and other local supporting businesses, or can be printed at the Cass County Extension Website www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

LOIS ANDERSON, 87, of Bridgewater (Svcs. 3/29/14)

Obituaries

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

LOIS ANDERSON, 87, of Bridgewater, died Tue., March 25th, at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle. Funeral services for LOIS ANDERSON will be held 2-p.m. Sat., March 29th, at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church.  Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

There will be no visitation. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial will be in the Witt Cemetery at Bridgewater.

Lois Anderson is survived by:

Her daughters – Claudia (Gail) Hepler, of Fontanelle, and Cynthia Morris, of Des Moines.

Her sisters – Evelyn (Norman) Simons, of Newell, and Kathryn Miller, of Fontanelle.

3 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law, other relatives & friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Louisville pounds Iowa 83-53 for spot in Sweet 16

Sports

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Shoni Schimmel had 26 points, seven assists and five steals to help Louisville thump host Iowa 83-53 on Tuesday night to earn their fifth trip to the Sweet Sixteen under coach Jeff Walz. Antonita Slaughter added 17 points on five 3s for the third-seeded Cardinals (32-4), who advanced to Sunday’s regional semifinal at home.

Louisville jumped out to a 17-point halftime lead and stretched its edge to 47-23 just 90 seconds into the second half. The Cardinals shot 53 percent, forced 19 turnovers and led by as many as 38 points.

Freshman Ally Disterhoft had 15 points for Iowa (27-9), which finished just 1 of 16 from 3-point range.

Posted in Sports |

Fernandez struggles as Marlins beat Cardinals 6-5

Sports

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Jose Fernandez struggled in his last tuneup for opening day as the Miami Marlins beat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 Tuesday. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year gave up five runs in nine hits in 4 2-3 innings, struck out three and walked two. His next outing will be in Monday’s opener at home against Colorado. Cardinals starter Lance Lynn struck out eight and walked one in five innings, giving up three runs and five hits.

Juan Diaz hit his first spring-training homer and drove in two runs for the Marlins, who rallied from a 5-3, seventh-inning deficit. Casey McGehee hit his second exhibition homer for Miami, which is 5-0 against the Cardinals this spring training. There was a 46-minute rain delay after the top of the sixth.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa superintendent resigns to save district money

News

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COON RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A schools superintendent in west-central Iowa says he is resigning in an effort to save his district money. Rich Stoffers, superintendent for the Coon Rapids-Bayard Community School District, says he’s taken an early retirement package in order to save thousands of dollars for the district next year. He called the decision bittersweet.

The Daily Times Herald reports Stoffers says financial challenges have been mounting for the small district, which aims to cut about $400,000 from its general fund budget for the upcoming school year. Stoffers, who is also an elementary school principal, recommends that the district share the superintendent position with another administrator. School board president Joel Davis says he has contacted other superintendents about the option, but it’s too early in the process to comment further on it.

Posted in News |

Official questions Council Bluff’s crime data

News

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A county official in western Iowa is questioning how Council Bluffs police recorded inaccurate crime data in the past. The Council Bluffs Police Department recently announced that crime data for most of 2012 was reported at a higher rate because of a glitch in its records software. Authorities say the problem was resolved late last year.

Pottawattamie County Board member Loren Knauss says he has since reported the issue to state officials out of concern with funding that was issued based on the statistics. The Omaha World-Herald reports Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh questioned Knauss’ actions, since the inquiry may require authorities to return money. Knauss says he has a legal and ethical obligation to report the situation.

Posted in News |

Groups object to addition in Iowa casino case

News

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Multiple parties in a legal fight over casino gambling in Sioux City are objecting to a group’s bid to join a lawsuit. Warrior Entertainment LLC recently filed requests to intervene in a lawsuit by Penn National Gaming Co.

Penn is challenging the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s decision last year to award a casino license to the owners of the Hard Rock casino. Warrior Entertainment, a partnership involving Ho-Chunk Inc. and others, also lost a bid.

The Sioux City Journal reports the commission, the Hard Rock developer and Sioux City officials all object to Warrior Entertainment’s petition. The commission argued in a motion Monday that the group is trying to “piggyback” onto the lawsuit. Ho-Chunk President and CEO Lance Morgan says the group has an interest in the proceedings.

Posted in News |

Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., March 26th 2014

News

March 26th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa House have advanced a bill attempting to change the state’s law dealing with drunken drivers. The bill would allow offenders to begin driving more quickly if they install an ignition lock device, which requires drivers to show they haven’t had alcohol before their vehicle ignition will unlock.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An effort to toughen laws against sexual assaults in state military forces and to hold the Iowa National Guard accountable for such abuses has won the Iowa House’s support. The measure would ensure that victims are aware of their right to report assaults and require the Guard to comply with certain reporting standards. It would require the Iowa National Guard to file a report annually to the Legislature detailing sexual abuse allegations. It also would make it illegal for a commander to interfere in a victim’s reporting process.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — A county official in western Iowa is questioning how Council Bluffs police recorded inaccurate crime data in the past. The Council Bluffs Police Department recently announced that crime data for most of 2012 was reported at a higher rate because of a glitch in its records software. Authorities say the problem was resolved late last year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bill that previously added pets to domestic abuse protective orders was amended by the Iowa House to also include property of emotional value. The legislation would give judges discretion to include property if a victim is emotionally attached to such items as well.

Posted in News |

KEITH KELDERMAN, 76, of Manning (Svcs. 3/29/14))

Obituaries

March 25th, 2014 by Jim Field

KEITH KELDERMAN, 76, of Manning died Tue., March 25th, at home.  Funeral services for KEITH KELDERMAN will be held 11-a.m. Sat., March 29th, at the United Methodist Church in Manning. Ohde Funeral Home in Manning in charge of arrangements.

Friends may call at the church from 3-to 6-pm on Friday (March 28th), and again on Saturday, beginning at 10-a.m. (One-hour prior to the service).

Burial will be held at a later date, in the Manning Cemetery.

KEITH KELDERMAN is survived by:

His wife – Sharon, of Manning.

His sons – Brian (Kristi) Kelderman, of Gainsville, FL., & Eric (Stacy) Kelderman, of Lee’s Summit, MO.

His brother – Larry “Towhead” Swaine and wife Bonnie, of Monroe, IA.

His sister – Marjorie (Johnny) Johnson, of Oak Ridge, TN.

and 5 grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Now it’s a 4-way race for Cass County Recorder

News

March 25th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Another name has been thrown into the hat for the Cass County Recorder’s job. Auditor Dale Sunderman reports Delbert Thurman, a Republican from Atlantic, has filed nomination papers for the June 3rd Primary. Thurman, the only male candidate for the Recorder’s position, joins fellow Republican candidates Mary Ward, Jess Ehrman and Shelly Glynn, in the bid to become Recorder. Thurman filed his nomination papers today (Tuesday).

Posted in News |