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ISU’s Kempt granted another year of eligibility by NCAA

Sports

February 9th, 2018 by Jim Field

(From cyclones.com)

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Athletics Department announced today that quarterback Kyle Kempt has been granted a sixth season of eligibility by the NCAA. Kempt will be a senior at Iowa State in 2018.

The NCAA granted Kempt an extension of eligibility on Jan. 30 after considering the totality of circumstances surrounding his transfer from Oregon State University and Hutchinson Community College (Kansas).

“We are excited that Kyle was given another year of eligibility by the NCAA,” Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell said. “We alerted Kyle and our recruits when we received the clearance notification on Jan. 30. Since then all of our efforts had been focused on our 2018 football team and recruiting. Kyle has established himself as a leader on our team and we are thrilled by the NCAA’s decision to allow him to remain a Cyclone in 2018.”

“I’m relieved the decision has been made and extremely excited to be back with the team in 2018,” Kempt said. “We have a lot of work to do and it is a thrill for me to be able to represent this great university for another year. I am also thankful for the NCAA for looking at my situation so thoroughly and for all of the people involved in this process. They put in a lot of hard work and I really appreciate it.”

A native of Massillon, Ohio, Kempt played a huge part in Iowa State’s resurgence nationally in 2017, helping the Cyclones post an 8-5 record, appear in the AP top-25 for the first time since 2005 and claim their fourth bowl win in school history.

Kempt had attempted only two passes in his collegiate career prior to earning his first career start at No. 3 Oklahoma on Oct. 7. He proceeded to lead Iowa State to one of its greatest victories in school history, throwing for 343 yards and three touchdowns on 18-of-24 passing.

Kempt’s fourth-quarter toss to Allen Lazard with 2:19 left in the game was the game-winner in the Cyclones’ 38-31 victory. Kempt was named Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week after his performance vs. the Sooners.

Kempt kept the Cyclones rolling through a perfect October (4-0), including another win over a top-5 opponent in a 14-7 victory vs. No. 4 TCU in Jack Trice Stadium.

The honorable mention All-Big 12 selection finished the season with a 5-3 record as a starter, including a 3-1 mark vs. ranked opponents. He broke ISU’s single-season completion percentage (66.3) mark, connecting on 161-of-243 passes for 1,787 yards and 15 touchdowns. His 15 touchdowns passes ties for fifth on Iowa State’s season record list in just nine games played.

He notched his second 300-yard passing game of the year (314 yards) in the 21-20 win over No. 19 Memphis in the Liberty Bowl.

Kempt began his career at Oregon State in 2013, redshirting his first season and directing the scout team in 2014. After a coaching change, Kempt transferred to Hutchinson Community College in 2015.

Kempt joined the Cyclones as a walk-on in 2016, seeing action in two games. He got his chance in 2017 where he remained a walk-on.

Campbell also announced that Kempt has received a scholarship for the remainder of his Cyclone career.

THERESA M. BLUM, 87, of Walnut (Svcs. 2/17/18)

Obituaries

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

THERESA M. BLUM, 87, of Walnut, died Thursday, Feb. 8th, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community. A Mass of Christian Burial for THERESA BLUM will be held 10:30-a.m. Saturday,  Feb. 17th, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, in Walnut. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Avoca has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, Feb. 16th, from Noon until 8-p.m., with the family greeting friends from 4-until 8-p.m., and a Wake service at 7:15-p.m.

Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery in Walnut.

THERESA BLUM is survived by:

Her sons – Jim (Susan) Blum, of Omaha; Gary (Ruth) Blum, & Rick (Gwen) Blum, all of Walnut; Jeff (Nancy) Blum, of Blair, NE; and Scott (Shele) Blum, of Ames.

Her daughters – Mary Lou (Fred) Goettsch, of Hancock; Diane (Dan) Noonan, of Curlew, IA; Nancy (Mitch) Osborn, of Harlan; Darlene (Bob) King, of Bellevue, NE; Annette (Brian) Eckleberry, of Omaha,

Her Foreign Exchange daughter – Louise Chan, of Hong Kong.

Her brother – Paul (Agnes) Schulte, of Carroll.

22 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren.

Ex-Sac City councilman pleads not guilty to sexual abuse

News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — A former councilman of a northeastern Iowa town has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing two young girls. The Sioux City Journal reports that the former Sac City councilman, 76-year-old Gary Hansen Sr., entered a written plea Thursday in Sac County District Court to four counts of second-degree sexual abuse. Police say Hansen had sexual contact with two girls who were then under the age of 12 in 2009 and 2010. Police say one of the victims was about 6.

Hansen served on the Sac City Council until 2015, when he lost a bid for re-election. Hansen’s attorney, Jason Rieper of Des Moines, says his client plans to fight the charges at trial, although they “are reviewing our options.”

Pedestrian killed, and driver who struck her both from Iowa

News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

TOWN OF BLUE MOUNDS, Wis. (AP) — Sheriff’s officials say a woman who was killed while walking in a southern Wisconsin town was from Iowa. And, so was the driver of the car that struck her. Thirty-year-old Chelsea Oakley, of Anamosa, Iowa, died early Thursday when she was struck while walking along Highway 151 in the Dane County Town of Blue Mounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said Friday the 34-year-old driver is from Dubuque, Iowa. Investigators say there was no relationship between the victim and driver and that they were not traveling together.

The crash investigation is ongoing.

Meetings set in Adair County prior to Special Bond Election

News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A reminder that on March 6th, 2018 Adair County will hold a Special Election for the issuance of a bond to construct a Courthouse Elevator. Auditor Mindy Schaefer reports the Bond would be not to exceed $650,000 making the total project not to exceed $1,250,000. Meetings will be held in all the Cities in Adair County to answer any questions and to demonstrate the need for the new elevator. (View the latest conceptual drawings for the Courthouse Elevator Project here:

Revised 3D for SHPO[7887]

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

February 15, 2018 at Bridgewater Town Hall at 6:00 p.m.

February 15, 2018 at Fontanelle Library at 7:00 p.m.

February 22, 2018 at Adair County Courthouse Courtroom at 7:00 p.m.

February 22, 2018 at Orient City Hall at 6:00 p.m.

February 27, 2018 at Stuart Legion Hall at 7:00 p.m.

February 28, 2018 at Adair City Hall at 6:00 p.m.

Iowa man pleads not guilty to charges in fatal ATV crash

News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

PRIMGHAR, Iowa (AP) — A northwestern Iowa man has pleaded not guilty to charges in a fatal 2016 all-terrain vehicle crash. The Sioux City Journal reports that 27-year-old Garrett Crowl entered the written plea Thursday in O’Brien County District Court. He’s charged with two counts of vehicular homicide — one of operating while intoxicated and the other while driving recklessly.

Investigators say Crowl was driving an ATV recklessly while under the influence of marijuana on July 30, 2016, when he lost control in a recreation area near Sheldon and crashed into a tree. His passenger, 25-year-old Shaleah Donavon, died. Crowl’s trial is set for April 17.


Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s report, 2/9/18

News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A traffic stop Thursday in Pottawattamie County resulted in the arrest of a man on a drug charge. 33-year old Taylor James Reed, of Omaha, was arrested at around 8-p.m. for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Authorities seized into evidence, 27.5-grams of a green leafy substance identified as marijuana, and a multi-colored container with green wax, and two pipes. A woman from Council Bluffs turned herself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office, Thursday morning. 26-year old Kaitlyn Elise Peabody was wanted for Violation of Probation. She was booked into the Pott. County Jail.

22-year old Shawn Richard Ellis, of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office Thursday morning. He was wanted on warrants for 5th Degree Criminal Mischief, and Felony charges of Willful Injury/aggravated assault, along with Domestic Abuse Assault and Violation of Probation. Ellis was turned over to jail staff. Thursday afternoon, a warrant was served on a woman already booked into the Pott. County Jail. Authorities said 52-year old Julie Ann Guy, of Council Bluffs, was served with the warrant for Violation of Probation and then returned to the custody of jail staff.

A man from Nebraska, also being held in the Pott. County Jail, was served with a warrant for being a Fugitive from Justice. 34-year old William J. Odinas, of Omaha, was served and then returned to his cell. And, a Wisconsin man was arrested Thursday for Criminal Trespass with Injury, and Criminal Mischief in the 3rd Degree. 25-year old Justin Tyme Rocha, of Beloit, WI., was taken into custody for causing an estimated $1,000 damage to the front entry door, window and bathroom vanity at a residence in the 500 block of Brady Street, in Minden. Odinas was booked into the Pott. County Jail.

Backyard & Beyond 2-9-2018

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

February 9th, 2018 by Jim Field

LaVon Eblen visits with Jody Ahlenbaugh of the Atlantic Public Library about a program featuring quilts and the Underground Railroad.

Play

Iowa schools invited to serve locally grown foods on Oct. 11th as part of Local Food Day Celebration

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced today (Friday) it has received a $100,000 Farm to School Support Services Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to host an Iowa Local Food Day on October 11, 2018, as part of National Farm to School month. Mike Naig, Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture said “We continue to see growing interest from both the schools and the farmers in incorporating locally grown produce in school meals. We are excited to get this additional funding to help scale-up efforts focused on increasing the amount of locally grown food served in school breakfasts and lunches. This food day celebration will help prepare growers to sell to schools and assist schools in accessing locally grown items.”

With the grant funding, the Department is working to: build a support network for schools interested in using local foods; aid food service directors in making local procurements; work with growers interested in selling produce to schools; partner with Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) as a starting point for farmers to work with schools; and allow Farm to School activities to expand beyond fruits and vegetables.

The Department is also helping to host the 2018 Iowa Farm to School Conference on June 29th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.  Conference attendees will have the opportunity to share ideas, resources and successes to help grow the farm to school and farm to early care and education movement in Iowa.

Farmers or schools interested in participating in Farm to School efforts can contact Tammy Stotts with the Department at tammy.stotts@iowaagriculture.gov.

2-to 4-inches of new snow possible tonight in parts of s.w. Iowa

Weather

February 9th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service says after some Iowa locations received over half a foot of snow overnight into early this morning, more snow is coming to the state tonight. Around 1″ to 4″ of snow is expected along and south of Interstate-80, with the highest totals falling over southern Iowa. The snow will begin in western Iowa around 4-pm today and spread eastward throughout the evening hours, making it to the Des Moines metro around 6- to 8-pm.

The snow is expected to last through the overnight hours, with most accumulation occurring between midnight- and 6-am Saturday. By noon Saturday, much of the snow should be east of our area. Hazardous travel is possible, so be prepared to slow down as roadways may be snow-covered and slippery.