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Winter Weather Update (6-pm 2/20/14) – Blizzard warning cancelled

Weather

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-GREENE-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-CASS-ADAIR COUNTIES-

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST FRIDAY...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 6 AM CST FRIDAY. THE BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

* SHORT TERM TRENDS...SNOW WILL DIMINISH THIS EVENING AS WINDS
  INCREASE.

* STORM TOTAL SNOW/ICE ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW IS
  EXPECTED. ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS LESS THAN AN INCH ARE
  POSSIBLE THIS EVENING.

* WINDS/VISIBILITY...NORTHWESTERLY AT 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS IN
  EXCESS OF 45 MPH. THIS WILL PRODUCE BLOWING SNOW WITH
  VISIBILITIES OF BELOW A MILE AT TIMES...ESPECIALLY IN THE
  EVENING.

* IMPACTS...IN ADDITION TO POOR VISIBILITY AT TIMES...THE HEAVY
  WET SNOW ALONG WITH FALLING TEMPERATURES AFTER DARK WILL LEAD TO
  HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS IN SOME AREAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW
AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

Braley stops in Atlantic, Wednesday

News

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Cass County Democratic Party Chair Sherry Toelle reports U-S Congressman Bruce Braley held a spirited discussion with 31 citizens from different counties Wednesday, at the Atlantic Family Table Restaurant.

Bruce Braley (Sherry Toelle/photo)

Bruce Braley (Sherry Toelle/photo)

Braley talked about his years growing up in Brooklyn, Iowa before moving to Waterloo where he and his wife raised their three children and where he practiced law for 23 years until he was elected to the US House of Representatives from Iowa’s First District. He called himself a “passionate spokesperson for the middle class, fighting for those people who have been marginalized and pushed out of the middle class”.

He talked also about the effects of Citizens United on his campaign, citing the monetary influence that unknown people are using to formulate negative ads against him. Topics discussed during the 50 minute event included mandatory minimum sentencing for federal crimes, the Affordable Care Act, and getting the youth and minorities of the country involved in politics.

Some in the crowd cited issues with the ACA, saying that they could get insurance at a lower cost outside the exchange. Others cited family members benefiting from the ACA, receiving insurance for conditions that they could not previously have had covered. Braley said that the bottom line to the ACA is that “people have benefitted from the the ACA, giving people a new lease on life”, allowing people to change jobs without worry that they will lose their health care coverage and allowing people with pre-existing conditions to have health care coverage for the first time.

Braley is running for the US Senate seat that will be open due to Senator Tom Harkin’s planned retirement at the end of his current term.

USDA releases key Census of Agriculture report

Ag/Outdoor, News

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the number of farms in Iowa has fallen but the total land farmed in the state has remained stable. The Census of Agriculture, a report released every five years, says the number of Iowa farms fell 4.5 percent to 88,631 in 2012 from 92,856 in 2007. The report released Thursday updates a wide range of agricultural statistics as of 2012.

The average size of a farm grew to 345 acres from 331 acres. Land farmed in the state declined by just over 130,000 acres to 30.6 million acres. The average age of an Iowa farmer increased to 57 from 56. The value of Iowa’s agricultural products rose 50 percent to $30.81 billion from $20.41 billion in 2007.

Bus crashes on I-80 in Adair County, Thursday

News

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Three people were injured when a bus carrying passengers from Omaha to Des Moines was involved in an accident Thursday afternoon, in Adair County. KCCI in Des Moines reports a MegaBus went out of control and crashed at around 12:25-p.m., near the Greenfield ramps on eastbound Interstate 80.The bus’ wheels became separated from the axle and the windshield was smashed.

Two Megabus employees and two passengers were on the bus at the time of the crash. Stuart and Menlo rescue crews took three people to a hospital to be checked out.

2 women injured in Cass County accident

News

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Two women were injured during an accident Thursday afternoon on Interstate 80 in Cass County. The Iowa State Patrol says a 2007 Chevy van driven by 19-year old Diana Cabanas, of West Covina, CA, was traveling west on I-80 near the Anita exit at around 2-p.m., when the van went out of control on the icy road, entered the median. The driver’s side impacted the guard rail causing Cabanas, and her passenger, 21-year old Danielle Perkins, from Offutt Air Force Base, to be injured. Both women were wearing their seat belts.

The women were transported by Anita Rescue to the Cass County Memorial Hospital for treatment.

 

LONNIE LEWIS SMITH, 68, of Council Bluffs & formerly of Oakland (Svcs. 2/22/14)

Obituaries

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

LONNIE LEWIS SMITH, 68, of Council Bluffs (& formerly of Oakland), died Wed., Feb. 19th, at the Northcrest Living Center in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for LONNIE SMITH will be held 10:30-a.m. Sat. Feb. 22nd, at the Oakland Fire Station in Oakland. Rieken-Vieth Funeral Home in Oakland has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be at the Oakland Fire Station on Friday from 5-7 PM.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Interment will be at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Oakland.

LONNIE LEWIS SMITH is survived by

His daughter – Stephanie Copenhaver and husband Robert of Council Bluffs.

His sister – Mary (Richard) Bees, of Oakland;

1 grandchild, his in-laws, other relatives and friends.

Wind Advisory Update

Weather

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-

PAGE COUNTIES; 152 PM CST THU FEB 20 2014

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING…

* WINDS…SUSTAINED WINDS 25 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH OUT OF THE NORTHWEST ARE EXPECTED DURING THE AFTERNOON. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Survey suggests Midwest economy losing steam

News

February 20th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is losing steam. The Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below growth neutral in the February survey, hitting 48.4, compared with 50.8 in January and 56.1 in December. The survey indexes range from 0 to 100, with 50 representing growth neutral. A score above 50 suggests growth in that factor in the months ahead.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says the overall index’s decline shows that “areas of the nation highly dependent on agriculture and energy are losing economic steam.”

Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Class 3-A State Wrestling First Round Results

Sports

February 20th, 2014 by Jim Field

  • 106 – Paxton Whiteaker (Lewis Central) 43-9 won by decision over Jacob Schipper (North Scott) 38-13 (Dec 12-7)
  • 106 – McGwire Midkiff (CB Thomas Jefferson) 40-9 won by decision over Collin Koerperich (Western Dubuque) 36-9 (Dec 6-1)
  • 113 – Jorge Partida (Denison-Schleswig) 34-6 won by fall over Cody Batterson (Southeast Polk) 29-15 (Fall 4:50)
  • 120 – Alijah Jeffery (Linn-Mar) 38-0 won by fall over AJ Slaughter (Glenwood) 28-22 (Fall 0:57)
  • 120 –  Kyle Briggs (CR Jefferson) 25-12 won by tech fall over Robbie Finch (CB Abraham Lincoln) 40-9 (TF-1.5 5:35 (22-6))
  • 126 – Colton Clingenpeel (CB Thomas Jefferson) 37-2 won by major decision over Jack Koethe (WDM Valley) 32-14 (MD 9-0)
  • 126 – John Gioffredi (Indianola) 41-2 won by major decision over Cole Peckham (Glenwood) 39-11 (MD 9-1)
  • 132 – Jake Koethe (WDM Valley) 43-1 won by fall over Justin Kaltved (Carroll) 27-11 (Fall 1:28)
  • 132 – Levi Azinger (Pella) 35-3 won by major decision over Mac Southard (Lewis Central) 33-21 (MD 8-0)
  • 132 – Matt Malcom (Glenwood) 46-6 won by major decision over Jakeb Bakken (Iowa City West) 35-19 (MD 13-0)
  • 138 – Logan Ryan (Bettendorf) 45-1 won by fall over Steven Ruby (CB Thomas Jefferson) 17-10 (Fall 2:40)
  • 145 – Jason Wallace (CB Thomas Jefferson) 34-5 won by tech fall over Israel Dirkx (Carroll) 26-14 (TF-1.5 4:22 (16-1))
  • 152 – Ethan Ruby (Lewis Central) 45-5 won by fall over Dustin Caldwell (Clinton) 31-10 (Fall 5:10)
  • 160 – Josh Clark (Glenwood) 28-11 won by decision over Nathaniel Standish (Johnston) 30-14 (Dec 15-9)
  • 170 – Sean Ickes (CR Xavier) 37-7 won by major decision over Hayden Waldstein (Lewis Central) 29-19 (MD 13-2)
  • 182 – Rocky Lombardi (WDM Valley) 33-7 won by decision over Chris Thomas (Lewis Central) 34-20 (Dec 7-2)
  • 195 – Ray Schroder (Newton) 39-5 won by decision over Jake Taylor (CB Thomas Jefferson) 32-18 (Dec 6-1)
  • 195 – Drea Lamb (Oskaloosa) 16-4 won by decision over Dustin Putnam (CB Abraham Lincoln) 36-15 (Dec 5-1)
  • 220 – Max Erpelding (Bettendorf) 23-25 won by fall over Mitch Cam (Denison-Schleswig) 19-12 (Fall 2:46)
  • 285 – Jordan Bywater (CB Abraham Lincoln) 44-3 won by decision over Tom Schiffer (Mason City) 29-7 (Dec 7-3)
  • 285 – Kaleb Staack (Waverly-Shell Rock) 45-4 won by fall over Jacob Cook (Lewis Central) 34-17 (Fall 4:15)

Consolation:

  • 120 – Skylar DeJong (Oskaloosa) 33-9 won by fall over Robbie Finch (CB Abraham Lincoln) 40-10 (Fall 2:44)
  • 120 – Camiran Sadeghi (Keokuk) 27-6 won by fall over AJ Slaughter (Glenwood) 28-23 (Fall 0:28)
  • 126 – Logen Rodriguez (CR Kennedy) 30-9 won by decision over Cole Peckham (Glenwood) 39-12 (Dec 5-4)
  • 132 – Matt Wempen (Linn-Mar) 18-4 won by decision over Mac Southard (Lewis Central) 33-22 (Dec 4-2)
  • 132 – Austin Hosch (Western Dubuque) 42-2 won by decision over Justin Kaltved (Carroll) 27-12 (Dec 4-0)
  • 138 – Lachlan Kelley (Urbandale) 28-9 won by decision over Steven Ruby (CB Thomas Jefferson) 17-11 (Dec 4-3)
  • 145 –  Israel Dirkx (Carroll) 27-14 won by fall over Selbie McNair (Davenport North) 27-18 (Fall 2:53)
  • 170 – Jeffrey Thongvanh (Newton) 17-11 won by major decision over Hayden Waldstein (Lewis Central) 29-20 (MD 15-5)
  • 182 – Chris Thomas (Lewis Central) 35-20 won by fall over Jamiir Moore (Waterloo East) 15-12 (Fall 1:07)
  • 195 – Deion Mikesell (Southeast Polk) 26-8 won by fall over Dustin Putnam (CB Abraham Lincoln) 36-16 (Fall 0:50)
  • 195 – John Ware (Ankeny Centennial) 38-7 won by major decision over Jake Taylor (CB Thomas Jefferson) 32-19 (MD 14-5)
  • 220 – Harrison Townsend (Ames) 25-12 won by injury default over Mitch Cam (Denison-Schleswig) 19-13 (Inj. 0:00)
  • 285 – Jacob Cook (Lewis Central) 35-17 won by decision over Jake Heinrich (Urbandale) 33-15 (Dec 5-2)

Team Scores:

1. Bettendorf 31.0
2. Southeast Polk 29.5
3. Waverly-Shell Rock 27.5
4. Prairie, Cedar Rapids 17.5
5. Linn-Mar, Marion 17.0
6. Iowa City, West 15.0
6. North Scott, Eldridge 15.0
8. Pleasant Valley 13.5
9. Fort Dodge 13.0
9. Newton 13.0
11. Cedar Rapids, Jefferson 11.5
12. Fort Madison 11.0
12. Xavier, Cedar Rapids 11.0
14. Dallas Center-Grimes 10.0
14. Dowling Catholic, Wdm 10.0
14. Epworth, Western Dubuque 10.0
14. Indianola 10.0
14. Lewis Central 10.0
14. Oskaloosa 10.0
14. Sioux City, East 10.0
21. Ames 9.5
22. Valley, West Des Moines 9.0
23. Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 8.5
24. Mason City 7.0
24. Spencer 7.0
26. Clinton 6.0
26. Johnston 6.0
26. Keokuk 6.0
29. Waterloo, West 5.5
30. Boone 5.0
30. Burlington 5.0
30. Decorah 5.0
30. Des Moines, East 5.0
30. Dubuque, Hempstead 5.0
30. Glenwood 5.0
30. Pella 5.0
30. Waukee 5.0
38. Cedar Rapids, Kennedy 4.5
39. Cedar Falls 4.0
39. Des Moines, Lincoln 4.0
39. Dubuque, Senior 4.0
39. Ottumwa 4.0
43. Carroll 3.0
43. Mount Pleasant 3.0
43. Norwalk 3.0
46. Ankeny Centennial 2.0
46. Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln 2.0
46. Davenport, North 2.0
46. Denison-Schleswig 2.0
46. Muscatine 2.0
46. Sioux City, North 2.0
52. Davenport, Central 1.0
52. Davenport, West 1.0
52. LeMars 1.0
52. Marshalltown 1.0
52. Urbandale 1.0
57. Ankeny 0.0
57. Cedar Rapids, Washington 0.0
57. Des Moines, North-Hoover 0.0
57. Des Moines, Roosevelt 0.0
57. Waterloo, East 0.0

ISU’s Ejim Named First-Team Academic All-American

Sports

February 20th, 2014 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior Melvin Ejim earned Capital One First-Team Academic All-America honors, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Ejim, a Toronto, Ontario native, joins his head coach Fred Hoiberg as the only Iowa State men’s basketball players to earn first-team academic All-America accolades.  Hoiberg was a first-teamer in 1995 and earned second-team honors in 1994. Julius Michalik (3rd-1994), Paul Shirley (2nd- 2001) and Jake Sullivan (3rd- 2003) round out Iowa State’s list of CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

Ejim has been a star for Iowa State in the classroom and on the court. The history major boasts a 3.70 GPA, while also working toward earning a business minor. Ejim is a member of the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Academic Honors Society and in 2013 was named the inaugural Big 12 Scholar Athlete of the Year.

On the basketball court, Ejim has helped guide No. 17 Iowa State to a 20-5 record. He is leading the Big 12 in scoring with 19.1 points per game and ranks second with 8.6 rebounds per game. A two-time All-Big 12 Conference selection, Ejim has 30 career double-doubles. Ejim, a four-year starter, has scored 1,478 points and grabbed 963 rebounds in his career.