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Dissecting the Kansas City Chiefs’ downward spiral

Sports

September 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Was last year a smoke-and-mirrors mirage? Did the Kansas City Chiefs go from 2-14 to 11-5 and the playoffs on the strength of dumb luck? There’s an argument to be made for it after their season-opening loss to Tennessee.

Alex Smith threw three interceptions after receiving a big contract extension. Running ball Jamaal Charles touched the ball 11 times after getting his own new deal. Wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was suspended. First-round draft pick Dee Ford got on the field for just three snaps.

Defensive starters Derrick Johnson and Mike DeVito were lost to season-ending injuries, too. Now, the Chiefs will have to pull out of a downward spiral at arguably the toughest place in the AFC: Denver. They visit the Broncos in Week 2 on Sunday.

Cueto outlasts Lynn as Reds beat Cardinals 1-0

Sports

September 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

CINCINNATI (AP) — Johnny Cueto pitched eight scoreless innings to beat Lance Lynn and send the St. Louis Cardinals to their third consecutive loss 1-0 Thursday. Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 33rd save and third in the last three games.

Cueto allowed just three hits and hit a batter to help the Reds win their second series in the last 13 against Central Division-leading St. Louis. The Cardinals have lost three straight for the first time since a four-game losing streak Aug. 26-30 and finished their eight-game road trip 4-4 after winning three out of four in Milwaukee.

Lynn retired 15 straight before Brandon Phillips led off the eighth inning with the Reds’ first walk of the game. He went to third on Jay Bruce’s single to center field and scored on Ramon Santiago’s sinking liner to short center that John Jay got a glove on but couldn’t hold. Bruce had to hold up to see if the ball was caught and was forced at second.

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., Sept. 12th 2014

News

September 12th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) — Testimony began yesterday in the second trial of a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 17-year-old girl who was beaten and shot to death in a southeast Iowa farmhouse 40 years ago. Robert Eugene Pilcher was arrested in 2012 in the killing of Mary Jayne Jones after a cold case unit started by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation re-examined evidence using tools like DNA evidence that were not available in 1974.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Washington County attorney who said he was too busy to follow the state’s public records law faces a $1,000 fine for the violation. Iowa Administrative Law Judge Margaret LaMarche issued the recommendation for the fine against Larry Brock this week. It’s the minimum he faced if convicted of violating the law, The Des Moines Register reports.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — A fugitive captured in Iowa after decades on the run is returning to North Carolina, where he escaped from prison in 1973. North Carolina officers were transporting 69-year-old Ronald Carnes from a county jail in Cedar Rapids to a prison in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A large fish kill in northwest Iowa was caused by a manure spill from a nearby dairy operation, state officials announced yesterday. The state Department of Natural Resources said the August discharge killed more than 860,000 fish along 28 miles of stream in O’Brien County.

ISP provides new info. on fatal crash in Adams Co.

News

September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa State Patrol late Thursday afternoon released more information about a fatal crash that occurred Thursday morning. Authorities said 15-year old Christian Silva, of Creston died when the pickup he was driving hit a semi after Silva failed to stop at the intersection with Vanilla Avenue and 200th Street, or about 5-miles east of Prescott.

The accident happened at around 7:40-a.m., as Silva was traveling south on Vanilla Avenue. After the pickup hit the side of a 2006 Peterbilt semi driven by 37-year old John Paxson, of Mt. Ayr, the semi continued into east on 200th street before entering the south ditch. The pickup truck continued south through the intersection and rolled over onto its top into the east ditch.

Silva, a sophomore at Southwest Valley School District, in Corning, was wearing his seat belt, but died at the scene. Paxson was treated at the scene and released.

In a statement on the district’s Facebook page, Southwest Valley Superintendent Willie Stone said “All students have been informed of this tragedy. We have made arrangements for several grief counselors to be available at school to help anyone dealing with the grief of Christian’s death. Students can visit with our counselors at any time to help them through this tragedy.” He also asked for students and staff to “Please keep Christian’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

All schools sponsored events at Southwest Valley Community Schools scheduled for Thursday evening were have been postponed because of the tragic event that unfolded Thursday morning.

Montgomery County sex offender arrested

News

September 11th, 2014 by admin

A man wanted for failing to comply with the State of Iowa’s Sex Offender Registry was arrested recently in Montgomery County. Authorities say it was the third time in the last 14 months and the sixth time since Sept. 2007, that 52-year old Jack Ray Steinspring, of Red Oak had failed to register since he was required to do so.

Steinspring was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $5,000 bond.

(used during the 3-p.m. & 5-pm News, Thu. 9-11)

ELSIE BERNICE SHEEDER, 93, of Guthrie Center (Svcs. 9/15/14)

Obituaries

September 11th, 2014 by admin

ELSIE BERNICE SHEEDER, 93, of Guthrie Center, died Wed.,  Sept. 10th at The New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Funeral Services for ELSIE SHEEDER will be held 11-a.m. Mon., Sept. 15th at the Guthrie Center Christian Church. Twigg Funeral Home in Panora has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service Monday (10-until 11-a.m.) at the Guthrie Center Christian Church.

Burial will be at the Union Cemetery at Guthrie Center.

Singer Carole King to campaign for Braley

News

September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Braley has a friend in Carole King. Braley’s campaign announced Thursday that the singer-songwriter would meet with supporters at four locations around the state on Friday. The four-term congressman from Waterloo is locked in a tight Senate race with Republican Joni Ernst. Both are vying to win the Senate seat vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin.

King, whose 1971 album Tapestry won four Grammy awards, will appear in Council Bluffs, Creston, Newton and Iowa City to thank volunteers. She is the second musical star from the 1970s to back Braley. Last month Joe Walsh, of the Eagles, promoted a fundraising effort that gave contributors a chance to win tickets to an Eagles concert. For $5, contributors could be entered to win tickets and go backstage.

Dike breach floods Fremont County marsh area

News

September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Iowa DNR report floodwaters from recent heavy rains across southwest Iowa caused a dike on the south side of the main tract at Riverton Wildlife Management Area in Fremont County to blow out, rapidly raising the water level in the marsh. The rising water level has made the main Riverton boat ramp inaccessible and is putting water over the main access road.

The main access road and boat ramp will be closed until water levels recede. The Jensen tract south of the town of Riverton is still open to boat and walk in hunters. The Riverton Wildlife Management Area is a 4,000 acre public hunting and wildlife refuge area popular with waterfowl hunters. Iowa’s special September teal season is open through Sept. 16. The duck hunting season in the south zone is Oct. 4-8 and Oct. 18 to Dec. 11.

(Update) American battling Ebola steadily improving

News

September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska doctors treating an American aid worker infected with Ebola say he has responded well to aggressive treatment in the past week. Dr. Phil Smith said Thursday Dr. Rick Sacra received blood transfusions from an Ebola survivor shortly after he arrived at the Nebraska Medical Center last Friday.

The 51-year-old Sacra, who had been working at a hospital in Liberia, also received an experimental drug that doctors refuse to identify. And he has received supportive care including IV fluids. Smith says doctors wanted to treat Sacra with everything available to give him the best chance of recovering.

The doctors treating Sacra are talking with doctors at Emory University Hospital who have treated three other Ebola patients. They hope to develop to develop new treatment plans based on the experience.

Update: S.W. Valley High School Sophomore dies in Thu. morning crash

News

September 11th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

In an update to our story at 9-a.m. today, officials with Southwest Valley Schools in Corning say a sophomore at the school died following a crash at the intersection of Vanilla Avenue and 200th Street, near Corning, in Adams County. In a press release, Superintendent Willie Stone announced that Christian Silva was killed the crash.

Stone says all students were informed of the incident, and grief counselors were made available at school to help anyone dealing with the grief of Silva’s death. All school-sponsored events at Southwest Iowa schools scheduled this (Thursday) evening were postponed.

Additional information about the accident has not been released.The crash was being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol.