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Bluffs Police conduct tobacco compliance checks

News

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Council Bluffs say over the past few months, their Police Area Representative, (PAR) Unit conducted Tobacco Compliance checks at 71 businesses that have a tobacco license issued in Council Bluffs. During those checks, eight of those businesses sold tobacco to an underage informant working with the Council Bluffs P-D.

Authorities say citations were issued to each of the eight clerks at those businesses, with fines of $100 plus a surcharge and court costs. Civil fines and Administrative sanctions can be levied against the businesses, including a loss of their tobacco sales license.

The eight Council Bluffs businesses that failed the tobacco compliance check include: The Filling Station at 1531 2nd Ave.; Hy-Vee at 1745 Madison Ave.; Bucky’s at 1759 Madison Ave.; Eddy’s at 3434 Nebraska Ave.; Hy-Vee at 2323 W. Broadway; The Elks Lodge at 380 McKenzie Ave.; Tobacco Hut at 3134 Manawa Centre Dr., and Casey’s at 701 42nd Avenue.

Red Oak men arrested on burglary charges, Wed.

News

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak report the arrest Wednesday night of two men on burglary charges. 45-year old Lynn Kenneth Houtchens and 43-year old Richard Bryan Jenkins, both of Red Oak, were taken into custody at around 8:47-p.m. at 201 north 2nd Street, in Red Oak. Houtchens and Jenkins were brought to the Montgomery County Jail and charged with Burglary in the 3rd degree and Criminal Mischief in the 4th degree. Their bonds were set at $5,000 each.

Iowa officials seek help for summer meal program

News

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials are looking for groups to sponsor a site for a meal program that feeds students who may go hungry during the summer. The state Department of Education says the Summer Food Service Program provides healthy meals and snacks to children in low-income neighborhoods through the summer. Officials say the program currently reaches less than 10 percent of the more than 195,000 Iowa students who qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches during the school year.

The program is federally funded, but sponsors can help offset operational and administrative expenses. Participation involves a group providing a staff, supervision and distribution. Sponsors can include public or private nonprofit schools, colleges and universities. Local, municipal, county and other government entities are also encouraged to participate.

New leader named for Clarinda Treatment Complex

News

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new superintendent has been named to run a state facility in Clarinda that treats individuals with serious mental illness. Kris Weitzell has been the acting superintendent of the Clarinda Treatment Complex since Jan. 2 when the previous administrator Mark Lund retired. She had been named actiNg deputy superintendent in September 2013.

Her appointment as superintendent was announced Wednesday by Iowa Department of Human Services Director Chuck Palmer and Department of Corrections Director John Baldwin. Weitzell has worked in the Iowa Department of Corrections since 1982 and started her career as a correctional officer at Mitchellville. She rose through the ranks to become deputy warden at the prison in Newton prior to taking a job at the department’s central office.

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties: 2/6/14

Weather

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

346 AM CST THU FEB 6 2014

…WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY…

EARLY THIS MORNING…CLEAR. BITTERLY COLD. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 15 BELOW TO 25 BELOW ZERO.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. VERY COLD. HIGH 5 TO 10 ABOVE. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 20 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO IN THE MORNING.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY IN THE EVENING THEN BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY. BITTERLY COLD. LOW 5 TO 10 BELOW. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. WIND CHILL READINGS 15 TO 20 BELOW.

FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. VERY COLD. HIGH AROUND 15. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. LOWEST WIND CHILL READINGS 15 TO 20 BELOW IN THE MORNING.

FRIDAY NIGHT…CLOUDY WITH A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. NOT AS COLD. LOW 5 TO 10 ABOVE. SOUTH WIND AROUND 10 MPH.

SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF LIGHT SNOW. HIGH IN THE LOWER 20S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTHWEST 10 TO 15 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOW ZERO TO 5 BELOW. HIGH 15 TO 20.

Wind Chill Advisories remain in effect this morning (2/6/14)

Weather

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD COUNTIES: WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAYMONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT- PAGE COUNTIES: WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM CST THIS MORNING.

* SHORT TERM TRENDS…WIND CHILL VALUES OF 20 TO 25 BELOW ZERO ARE CURRENTLY OCCURRING…WITH SOME READINGS AS LOW AS 30 BELOW ZERO. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL CONTINUE TO FALL THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AS TEMPERATURES ALSO COOL…WITH THE COLDEST READINGS NEAR SUNRISE.

* WIND…WINDS WILL REMAIN NORTHWEST TO WESTERLY AROUND 10 MPH.

* TEMPERATURES/WIND CHILL VALUES…LOW TEMPERATURES TONIGHT WILL RANGE FROM 10 BELOW TO 15 BELOW. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL BE 20 TO 30 BELOW ZERO. WIND CHILL VALUES WILL OCCASIONALLY DROP BELOW 30 BELOW ZERO AT TIMES IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS…ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTH.

Iowa early News Headlines: Thu., Feb. 6th 2014

News

February 6th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — A school bus monitor in Waterloo has been accused of assaulting an 11-year-old student during an altercation. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports 56-year-old Sandra Shelby was arrested Monday on suspicion of causing bodily injury.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The owners of a dog ordered by West Des Moines to be euthanized are appealing the decision in district court. Reyna Gonzalez Tello and Jorge Galvan of West Des Moines have filed an appeal in Polk County District Court. They want a judge to overrule the city’s declaration that the 2-year-old pit bull named Palomo and nicknamed Killer is vicious.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa and Iowa State University are rushing to build more dormitories as high enrollment causes soaring demand for student housing. Documents from the Iowa Board of Regents show Iowa State is seeking approval to build an estimated $50 million residence hall project to house 700 students. The Des Moines Register reports the universities have spent millions to lease off-campus apartment buildings due to a boom in enrollment.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Highly touted receiver Allen Lazard has affirmed his commitment to Iowa State, joining a group that might be the best of coach Paul Rhoads’ six recruiting classes. Rhoads began his signing day press conference Wednesday by holding up Lazard’s signed letter of intent, a not-so-subtle jab at those who questioned if Lazard — a four-star prospect — actually would sign with the Cyclones.

Iowa State hires 2 new assistant coaches

Sports

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State football coach Paul Rhoads has added Tommy Mangino and Brandon Blaney to his staff as assistant coaches. Mangino is the son of former Kansas coach Mark Mangino, who became Iowa State’s offensive coordinator last month. He will coach the wide receivers after spending the 2013 season as a graduate assistant at Arkansas.

Blaney, who will coach the offensive line, has been on the Jacksonville Jaguars staff the last three years, most recently as defensive assistant coach. Rhoads also announced that Mark Mangino will coach the tight ends along with running the offense and Todd Sturdy will move from wide receivers coach to quarterbacks coach.

Walnut City Council to meet Thursday

News

February 5th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Members of the City Council in Walnut will gather at 5-pm Thursday for their regular meeting. Among the items on their agenda is discussion and/or action with regard to: A request for possible business incentives; The operation of the Walnut Welcome and Community Center; and City Facilities, including the possible purchase of property.

The Walnut City Council will also consider possible adoption of: A Resolution scheduling the time and place for a Public Hearing, for the purpose of soliciting written and oral comments on the City’s proposed Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget; A resolution establishing a Fire Department Bequeath Fund, to account for those funds received that benefit the department, and transferring funds from the City’s Fire Equipment Fund into the Bequeath Fund.

The Council will also review the preliminary budget, and talk about well repairs.

Cyclones Sign 25 Football Recruits to 2014 Class

Sports

February 5th, 2014 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Filling a need. It’s been a cliché term when head coaches talk about their recruiting classes on National Signing Day, but that’s exactly what Iowa State head football coach Paul Rhoads did today.

Rhoads and Iowa State had 25 players sign National Letters of Intent, as the Cyclones addressed their needs by replenishing positions with future stars on the gridiron.

ISU’s 2014 class, ranked in the top 50 nationally by Scout.com, features seven junior college players – all of whom Rhoads believes can contribute right away – and 18 prep players. It was a perfect balance, and Rhoads is happy with the recruiting efforts of his staff.

“I am very pleased with how the whole process worked out,” Rhoads said. “Our coaching staff did a phenomenal job. In the sport of football, you have to address every position. We did that with this class and we have guys who can make an impact right away.”

The future of ISU football will arrive on campus from 11 states/provinces. Texas is most represented with eight. The Cyclones signed only one Iowan in their class, but he is a big one – perhaps one of the biggest recruits in school history.

Allen Lazard, who was a three-time first-team all-state elite team member at Urbandale (Iowa) High School, shunned offers from some of the nation’s best programs to follow in the footsteps of his father, Kevin, as a Cyclone.

Name the national honor, and chances are Lazard earned it. The four-star receiver was a first-team all-USA All-American, a top-50 national recruit by Rivals.com and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, joining Jake Campos as Cyclones to play in the prestigious bowl game in back-to-back seasons.

Rhoads is thrilled to have Lazard in a Cyclone uniform next season.

“Allen was the first commitment and first member of this class,” Rhoads said. “It marks the second year in a row the top-rated player in the state of Iowa has chosen Iowa State. This is a young man who has gotten phenomenal national attention and was recruited by the traditional historical programs in college football and kept on turning them away to stay true to his word to be an Iowa State Cyclone.”

ISU’s class features six defensive backs, four offensive linemen, four linebackers, three defensive linemen, three wide receivers, two running backs, a quarterback, a tight end and a kicker. Nine different players in the class were ranked in the top 100 nationally by Rivals.com or Scout.com in their respective positions, including a pair of running backs: Mike Warren (No. 35 by Rivals.com) and Martinez Syria (No. 85 by Scout.com).

Three of these Cyclones enrolled in the spring semester at Iowa State and will participate in spring drills: linebacker Jordan Harris, a 5-11, 233-pound junior from Clarksdale, Miss., safety Devron Moore, a 5-11, 185-pound junior from Carthage, Mo., and defensive end Gabe Luna, a 6-1, 245-pound junior from Garden City, Kan.

(ISU Sports Information)