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All eyes on $101 million man as Chiefs’ Houston gets to work

Sports

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – The massive linebacker with the sweat-drenched biceps insists he never took a day off this offseason, even if he never showed up for one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ workouts. Early in training camp, it’s easy to believe him.

With his familiar No. 50 stretched across his broad shoulders, Justin Houston has wasted no time in terrorizing quarterbacks again – even if they happened to be his own teammates. While the Chiefs worked out in only shells during the first couple of days, and hitting the QB is always taboo this time of year, more than once Houston could have easily leveled the boom.

“I just made sure about being busy at all times,” said Houston, who often posted videos of his offseason workouts on social media while his representatives worked on a long-term contract. The deal was consummated just over a week ago, a six-year, $101 million pact.

Storm damage/tornado track survey to begin today in southwest IA

News, Weather

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service says a preliminary storm survey is set to take place today (Monday) in Adams County, with regard to the severe thunderstorms that passed through the area Sunday evening. At least four tornado events were reported in the county, near the Adair-Adams-Union County lines, with video and photographic evidence of some tornadoes on the ground. Damage was also reported just before 7-p.m., to some rural buildings and other structures near Cromwell, at 120th and Urban Avenue.

In addition to the confirmed tornado on the ground near Cromwell Sunday at about 6:30-p.m., there were numerous reports of hail ranging in size from marbles near Creston, in Union County, to golf ball-sized near New Market, in Taylor County. In east central Iowa’s Jasper County, tennis ball-size hail was reported at around 6:20-p.m., near Monroe. Winds in Lucas County gusted up to nearly 60 miles per Sunday evening, as well.

A survey team will begin their storm damage assessment in southern Adair County this morning and proceed from there, in an effort to determine the track of a tornado or tornadoes.

Ferentz talks basics at Big Ten meeting

Sports

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz talked about the basics in an appearance at Big Ten media day. He says they have to fill some holes on both sides of the line to have success this season. “If you look at our football team, we have two outstanding senior defensive tackles, two outstanding offensive tackles. So the discussion really starts kind of there,” Ferentz says. “The good news is I think we have good players that are working hard to try to follow those players. Follow in their footsteps. They’re progressing. And certainly what we do in the next month is going to be really important for our development as a football team.”

Once the fill in the spots on the lines, they need to work on depth. “We need to develop depth at the quarterback position, receiver position as well. Defensively, the two defensive tackles, replacing those guys, developing depth there. The linebacker spot, we lost Quinton Alston, our middle linebacker. We feel pretty good about the group we have, and then a safety spot at the back end. So those areas are things we’ve been addressing,” Ferentz says.

Tight end Jake Duzey was injured in spring practice, but the coach is optimistic they’ll get him back. “The only good thing that came out of that was it’s not going to be a season-ending injury. So his rehab has gone very well. He’s making good strides,” according to Ferentz. “I think where we’re at right now, the next four weeks will be really critical how the four weeks go for him. And we’re optimistic. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but we’re optimistic he’ll be able to return sometime in September.”

Iowa is picked to finish 4th in the Big Ten West this season.

(Learfield Sports)

Emerson man arrested Sun. night

News

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Police in Red Oak arrested a man Sunday night on a serious misdemeanor charge of Driving While Revoked. 28-year old Donnie Clark Patterson, of Emerson, was also cited for Failure to Provide proof of insurance, after the vehicle he was driving was stopped at around 11:30-p.m., in Red Oak. Patterson was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $1,000 bond. The citation for having no proof of insurance will cost Patterson nearly $398.

NWS forecast for Cass & area Counties in IA, 8/3/15

Weather

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly sunny. Not as warm. High in the lower 80s. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms through midnight…then mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Low in the mid 60s. East wind near 5 mph. Chance of thunderstorms 40 percent.

Tuesday: Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. High in the lower 80s. Southeast wind near 10 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. Low in the mid 60s. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. High around 80.
Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Low in the mid 60s.

Thursday: Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of thunderstorms. High in the upper 70s.

Harrison Co. man faces homicide by vehicle charge in connection w/Cass Co. crash

News

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Attorney David Wiederstein reports a warrant has been requested for the arrest of a Harrison County man,  in connection with the death of a Nebraska man who was killed in a crash on Interstate 80 on May 16th. 50-year old Paul William Marshall, of Modale, faces a felony Homicide by Vehicle charge in the death of 31-year old Peter John Underwood, of Lincoln, NE., who died when a 2009 Dodge pickup driven by Marshall headed the wrong way on I-80 eastbound and collided with Underwood’s crossover SUV.

Following the crash, Marshall’s pickup came to rest in the median, and Underwood’s car ended up on the shoulder. Underwood, who was an assistant soccer coach at the University of Nebraska who was on a recruiting trip. He died at the scene.

The warrant requested for Marshall states that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a combination of those substances. His blood alcohol content was .08 or more, as determined by tests.

(Update) NJ couple hurt in Cass County motorcycle crash

News

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our story posted Sunday afternoon at KJAN.com, the Iowa State Patrol says a couple from New Jersey were injured when the 1999 Harley Davidson touring bike they were riding, crashed about a mile west of the Marne exit on Interstate 80.

The cycle, driven by 37-year old Dominic R. Napoli, of Butler, New Jersey, was traveling west at around 3:30-p.m., and pulling a small trailer. When a tire on the cycle went flat, the driver lost control, causing the bike to leave the road and enter the median, where it overturned. Napoli, and his passenger, 37-year old Jennifer A. Napoli, also from Butler, NJ., suffered incapacitating injuries. Jennifer Napoli suffered from neck and back injuries, while Dominic Napoli had injuries to his head.

Both were transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. They were later transferred to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, with the woman taken there by LifeNet helicopter, and the man transported by Medivac Ambulance. Both are expected to recover from their injuries.

Iowa early News Headlines: Mon., Aug. 3rd 2015

News

August 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

Des Moines – The National Weather Service says a preliminary storm survey is set to take place today (Monday) in Adams County, with regard to the severe thunderstorms that passed through the area Sunday evening. At least four tornado events were reported in the county, with video and photographic evidence of some tornadoes on the ground. Damage was also reported to some rural buildings and other structures near Cromwell, at 120th and Urban Avenue.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa elected officials pride themselves on working in a politically divided government that still gets things done. But after a combative budget process, capped with several vetoes by Governor Terry Branstad, some are questioning how well the system is working. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says relations between Branstad and lawmakers are near “an all-time low.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton is airing the first television ads of her presidential race. The $2 million ad buys start on Tuesday and run in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa group that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights is turning its attention to a lesser-noticed segment of that population: the aging and elderly. The Register reports the group One Iowa hosted its first “Gay and Gray” Iowa Senior Summit on Saturday in Des Moines. Donna Red Wing, the group’s executive director, says she has heard from Iowa residents who fear they’ll live out their days in a senior housing facility where they’ll face discrimination.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say three Polk County sheriff’s deputies were injured while trying to arrest a Mississippi man in Des Moines. Authorities say the deputies were called to a BP gas station shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday on a report that two intoxicated males were harassing the store clerk.

ROBERT L. HUEBERT, 79, of Panama (Svcs. 8/5/15)

Obituaries

August 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

ROBERT L. HUEBERT, 79, of Panama, died Fri., July 31st, at the University of NE Medical Center, in Omaha. A Mass of Christian Burial Service for ROBERT HUEBERT will be held 11-a.m. Wed., Aug. 5th, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, in Panama. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Tue., Aug. 4th, from 9-a.m. until 1-p.m., and at St. Mary’s from 3-p.m. until 8-p.m., with a Rosary at St. Mary’s beginning at 7-p.m.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Panama.

ROBERT HUEBERT is survived by:

His wife – Ruth [Wegner] Huebert, of Panama.
His daughters – Kathryn Huebert, of Panama, & Anne Cundiff, of Waukee.
His sisters – Trix Cormaci, of Omaha, & Tedde Myers, of Colorado Springs, Co.
His brother – John (Polly) Huebert, of Omaha.

Severe weather incident report 8/2/15

Weather

August 2nd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

(Will be updated)

8:13-p.m. 1″ diameter hail 4 miles s.w. of Gravity in Taylor County

7:24-p.m. Dime size hail in Orient observed by trained weather spotter
7:04-p.m. Funnel cloud seen 6 miles N/NE of Villisca in Montgomery County
6:52-p.m 1″ diameter hail in Creston (spotter obs.)

Off Hwy 92 between Greenfield & Fontanelle (pics courtesy of Michelle Reinhardt)

Off Hwy 92 between Greenfield & Fontanelle (pics courtesy of Michelle Reinhardt)

6:20-to 6:30-p.m. Numerous funnel cloud or tornado on the ground reports from the public, NE of Prescott, NW of Cromwell in Adams County, and NW of Creston, in Union County
6:34-p.m. 1 1/4″ hail in Glenwood, Mills County.
6:15-p.m. 1″ diameter hail W/NW of Grant in Montgomery County
6:10-p.m. 1 1/4″ hail reported 3 miles w/nw of Orient by trained spotter in Adair Co.
5:50-p.m. Nickel-sized hail in Greenfield reported by Adair County Emergency Mgmt.

Off Hwy 92 w. of Bridgewater

Off Hwy 92 w. of Bridgewater

4:20-a.m. 1-inch diameter hail reported 2 miles south/southwest of Panama in Shelby County.