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Iowa early News Headlines: Tue., Oct. 18th 2016

News

October 18th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:40 a.m. CDT

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa State University is trying to shield the names of nearly two dozen people who have flown on a school airplane with President Steven Leath, including his best friend, a National Rifle Association Board member and an infamous athletics booster. The university released records detailing dozens of flights Leath took but redacted passengers’ names. The Associated Press obtained passengers’ names from flight billing records that had been on a university website.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials say repairs to the Iowa State Capitol’s dome have been delayed. The state legislature approved a nearly $10 million state appropriation for the major restoration project that is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. The Des Moines Register reports that architects are still working on drawings and specifications to allow competitive bidding on the project, which means repairs won’t start until the spring. Work had been expected to start in August.

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Music Man Square in the hometown of “The Music Man” creator Meredith Willson is floundering. The Mason City Foundation Board runs the attraction, which is housed in a large building that includes a 1912 streetscape, meeting rooms, a museum and recording studios. But board members said it’s losing about $60,000 a year. One board member thinks reorganization and restructuring could save it, but another says the upkeep costs don’t match the public’s interest.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s election isn’t rigged and every vote cast by an eligible voter will be counted, the state’s top elections official said Monday, countering Donald Trump’s assertion that this year’s elections are rigged. Secretary of State Paul Pate, who like Trump is a Republican, was responding to comments from Trump who lashed out at fellow Republicans in an early Monday morning Tweet.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18th

Trading Post

October 18th, 2016 by Jim Field

FOR SALE: 1) Lennox high-efficiency Downdraft Furnace for a shop, $600. 2) 1987 Chevy S10 Pickup, automatic, v-6, for parts and frame, $70. 3) 2-speed powerglide transmission, $60. 4) 1979 Dodge Pickup for parts, 360 Automatic 4×4, $220. 5) Farm-All H block, crankshaft, front cover, and pan for $60. 6) Front-mounted buzz saw for an older tractor, belt drive, $30. 7) Automatic egg turner for an incubator, Little Giant Model 6200, $25.  8) Cast iron cover for M & W hand clutch for M Farmall tractor, $65.  Call 402-651-8173 in Hancock.

FOR SALE: Clean 1998 Buick Century Limited – full power, leather, 133,000 miles, new tires, near new shocks and brakes, well maintained. A GOOD inexpensive, dependable & reliable car. $1700 obo can be seen at Western Iowa Real Estate (7th & Spruce) or call 250-4021.

FOR SALE: Glass display case – metal frame with 4 adjustable glass shelves. 72″ tall, 48″ wide, 20″ deep with lock. Like new! $800 new, asking $200 obo. Can be seen at Nishna Hills Golf clubhouse or call 250-4021.

Police and IA DOT warn of fake ticket scam

News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Officials with law enforcement and the Iowa Department of Transportation are warning Iowans about a new scam making the rounds through e-mail. The Creston Police Department posted Monday on its social media page that they have received information that an e-mail which appears to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles warns that you “Owe a fine for a traffic violation.” The e-mail contains links that you can click on to “pay” the fine.

Authorities warn that the City of Creston does NOT conduct traffic citations in that manner, and it is a scam. They advise you should “Block the sender and delete the email.”

Example of a Fake Ticket via e-mail

Example of a Fake Ticket via e-mail

The Iowa DOT went one step-further, and explained how you can tell the difference between a real citation and a fake one: A real citation would not come from an entity called “The Department of Motor Vehicles“; All Iowa traffic fines would be paid though your local county Courthouse, not by an e-mail link; The Iowa court system does not use “EasyPay“, which the DOT has no knowledge of); and you should always check the email address of the sender…it should indicate the county or state. Not just “City.”

If you have questions or think you have been scammed, please contact local law enforcement right way.

Atlantic Parks Board considers new park request

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Atlantic Parks and Rec Board, Monday, heard a request from Deb Smith, with regard to a property she owns at 6th and Oak Streets, that she would like to have turned into a park, if feasible.

Deb Smith presents her proposal to the Parks & Rec Board. (Director Seth Staashelm is on the left)

Deb Smith presents her proposal to the Parks & Rec Board. (Director Seth Staashelm is on the left)

The land was the former site of the old Hockenberry/Mullen Funeral Home, which was destroyed in an arson fire in May, 2012. Smith wants to sell the slightly more than one-half acre of land to the City for at or a little than less than the amount it costs in taxes, or about $9,968. It’s valued at around $17,900.

The land proposed is in the upper left part of this image.

The land proposed is in the upper left part of this image. (Click to enlarge)

Smith’s father was the Rev. Chuck Smith, who served as Mayor of Atlantic many years ago, and who died last March. Deb Smith said her father had hoped to turn the land into a park. Deb Smith, who now lives in Panama, said before her dad died she had contacted the Iowa West Foundation and inquired about grant funding for a park. She also spoke recently with Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm.

The land is currently zoned commercial. Staashelm said he would need to contact the City Attorney and then get a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission before the Parks and Rec Board makes its recommendation and presents her offer to the City Council. Staashelm said also, the Parks and Rec Departments funds are currently spoken for about the next two or three years, as part of its five-year plan, but there is an opportunity to apply for grants. Smith said she would be happy to help write any grant applications.

Park and Rec Board Member Charlene Beane suggested the area would be a great spot for another skate board park, but Board member Jolene Smith suggested a splash pad might be an idea, since there is already a water hookup on the property. If the City approves the purchase of the land, Staashelm said the property would need a retaining wall to help with drainage and to solve erosion problems, which the Parks and Rec Department could install, and a new sidewalk, which the Street Department might be able to install.

Staashelm said he would begin to seeking legal advice and P&Z approval, as the next steps in the process.

A third of Iowa, Nebraska corn harvested; 62 pct of soybeans

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers have made further progress harvesting corn and soybeans in Iowa and Nebraska but rain in Iowa and heavy dew in Nebraska has slowed the process. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Iowa farmers reported waiting for crops to dry in the field before harvesting. Nebraska also saw last week freezing temperatures across a wide area.

About a third of the Iowa corn crop is harvested, about a week behind the five-year average and 62 percent of soybeans are out of the field. The five-year average at this point in the year is 74 percent. In Nebraska 34 percent of corn is harvested, behind the average of 40 percent and 62 percent of soybeans are completed behind the average of 74 percent.

Iowa Prep Football Poll (10/17/16)

Sports

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The Top Ten teams in the Associated Press Iowa high school football polls of the 2016 season with first-place votes in parentheses and won-loss record, total points and position last week at right:

Class 4A
Record Pts Prv
1. West Des Moines Valley (16) 8-0 160 1
2. West Des Moines Dowling 7-1 144 2
3. Ankeny Centennial 7-1 105 3
4. Waterloo West 8-0 101 5
5. Cedar Rapids Washington 7-1 93 7
6. Bettendorf 6-2 87 6
7. Cedar Rapids Prairie 7-1 78 8
8. Waukee 6-2 52 9
9. Iowa City High 6-2 23 4
10. Ankeny 5-3 22 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Iowa City West 13. 12, Epworth Western Dubuque 2.

Class 3A
Record Pts Prv
1. Pella (12) 8-0 154 1
2. Cedar Rapids Xavier (4) 8-0 147 2
3. Creston-Orient-Macksburg 8-0 121 3
4. Carroll 8-0 113 4
5. Storm Lake 8-0 82 5
6. Norwalk 7-1 77 6
7. Webster City 7-1 54 8
(tie)Solon 7-1 54 7
9. Boone 7-1 32 9
10. Manchester West Delaware 7-1 31 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Glenwood 10. 12, Gilbert 4. 13, Sergeant Bluff-Luton 1.

Class 2A
Record Pts Prv
1. West Union North Fayette (15) 8-0 158 1
2. Boyden-Hull-RV (1) 7-1 141 3
3. Union, La Porte City 7-1 94 2
4. Carroll Kuemper 7-1 93 4
5. Mount Vernon 6-2 79 5
6. Central Lyon-GLR 7-1 76 6
7. Monroe PCM 7-1 72 7
8. Williamsburg 7-1 53 9
9. New Hampton 7-1 42 8
10. Cresco Crestwood 6-2 27 T10
(tie) Dike-New Hartford 6-2 27 T10

Others receiving votes: 12, Waukon 13. 13, South Central Calhoun 4. 14, Gowrie Prairie Valley 1.

Class 1A
Record Pts Prv
1. Iowa City Regina (14) 7-1 154 1
2. Pella Christian (1) 8-0 139 2
3. Denver (1) 8-0 119 3
4. Van Meter 8-0 100 4
5. Hull Western Christian 7-1 93 T5
(tie) Madrid 8-0 93 T5
7. Hinton 7-1 63 7
8. Bellevue 8-0 37 8
9. Inwood West Lyon 6-2 31 9
10. Wilton 7-1 23 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Logan-Magnolia 16. 12, Sigourney-Keota 10. 13, Pleasantville 2.

Class A
Record Pts Prv
1. St. Ansgar (10) 8-0 152 1
2. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2) 8-0 136 2
3. Council Bluffs St. Albert (3) 8-0 131 3
4. Algona Garrigan (1) 8-0 121 4
5. Lynnville-Sully 8-0 94 6
6. Britt West Hancock 6-2 61 7
7. Lisbon 7-1 47 8
8. Winthrop East Buchanan 6-2 35 9
9. Hawarden West Sioux 7-1 31 5
10. Montezuma 6-2 29 10

Others receiving votes: 11, Hudson 20. 12, Akron-Westfield 9. 12, Sloan Westwood 9. 14, Grundy Center 3. 15, Fairbank Wapsie Valley 2.

Class 8-Man
Record Pts Prv
1. Fremont Mills, Tabor (9) 8-0 151 1
2. Audubon (2) 8-0 136 3
(tie)Jackson Junction Turkey Valley (4) 8-0 136 2
4. Harris-Lake Park (1) 8-0 112 4
5. Gilbertville-Don Bosco 7-1 93 6
6. Coon Rapids-Bayard 7-1 71 7
7. Wyoming Midland 7-1 55 8
8. Elkader Central 6-2 33 9
9. Newell-Fonda 6-2 32 10
10. Bussey Twin Cedars 8-0 23 NR

Others receiving votes: 11, Lone Tree 12. 12, Bedford 10. 13, Graettinger-Terril-Ruthven-Ayrshire 8. 14, Westside Ar-We-Va 4. 15, Afton East Union 2. 16, Marengo Iowa Valley 1. 16, Elk Horn-Kimballton-Exira 1.

Winch stolen in Elliott

News

October 17th, 2016 by admin

The City of Elliott reported to Montgomery County Sheriff’s Officials that sometime over the weekend a thern winch was stolen from a hoist at the city lift station.  The winch was stolen sometime between Saturday morning and Monday morning and is valued at $800.  City Officials reported the theft at 8:40am on Monday morning.

Anyone with information on the theft should call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 712-623-5107 or Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 888-434-2712.

No serious injuries reported following collision in Atlantic

News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Police say no serious injuries were reported after an SUV struck a car this (Monday) afternoon at the intersection of 7th and Chestnut Streets. According to authorities, a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer driven by Amanda Gude, was traveling east on 7th and failed to stop at the signal light. Her SUV was struck on the driver’s side door by a 2009 Toyota Corolla driven by Sherry Toelle, who was traveling south on Chestnut and had a green light.

Toelle was reportedly transported by private vehicle to the Cass County Hospital, as a precaution. The accident happened just before 1:15-p.m. Gude was cited for failure to obey a traffic control device.

Master Gardners help supply produce for food banks

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

Food pantries in the state have been able to supply those in need with some vegetables this season there were grown by expert gardeners. Iowa State University’s Susan DeBlieck, says the Extension Department’s Master Gardener program partnered with the research farms to create donation gardens. “We partnered with our SNAP education staff to make funding available. Some of the funding available supported these donation gardens that were planted at seven of the Iowa State University research farms,” DeBlieck explains.

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and DeBlieck says the Extension Education and Outreach Program provides education for low income families on how to prepare produce. Master GardnerThe gardens were tended throughout the summer by Master Gardener volunteers who harvested seven-thousand pounds of vegetables. “All of those pounds of produce have been donated to nearby food pantries and food banks,” according to DeBlieck “And these demonstration farms are located all across the state and are really helping to build food security in particularly in rural areas.”

The gardens are located in Rock Rapids, Lewis, Kanawha, Ames, Nashua, Fruitland and Crawfordsville. The Iowa State Extension program has a long history of using demonstration gardens to help educate, and DeBlieck says this program fits in well with that tradition. “I believe that those started in the 1970’s and since that time we’ve been demonstrating different types of crops and different types of growing methods,” DeBlieck explains. “And so we chose crops that are wanted by food pantries. They are foods that store well, are easy to grow in Iowa, and look good on a food pantry shelf.” She says many of the vegetable you probably grew in your own garden.

They are green beans, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, potatoes, zucchini, beets, cantaloupe, garlic and carrots. The food banks and pantries are expected to benefit from the educational demonstrations at the gardens. She says people who came out to the research farms got to learn about the things they could grow to donate to the local food pantry. You can find out more information about the demonstration programs and how you can become a Master Gardener online at: www.extension.iastate.edu/mastergardener.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa top election official assures voters of a fair election

News

October 17th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is assuring Iowans that the state’s election is not rigged and says Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud only confuse voters. Monday’s comments by Pate, a Republican, were in response to Trump’s remarks and comments by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. Branstad said he agrees with the GOP nominee’s statements that there are efforts to cheat the system and that national media organizations are “colluding” with Clinton.

Branstad, a Republican whose son leads Trump’s Iowa campaign, said media bias and voter fraud are “one in the same.” Branstad expressed confidence in efforts of election officials to hold a clean election in Iowa, but added, “Nobody’s perfect.” An Iowa Democratic Party spokesman says it’s shocking Branstad didn’t reject Trump’s assertions.