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Midwest/Regional Sports Headlines: 11/17/17

Sports

November 17th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs probably don’t know what to expect from the New York Giants. Neither do the Giants. On paper this game at MetLife Stadium is a mismatch. The Chiefs (6-3) are well-rested coming off a bye week. The Giants (1-8) seemingly have hit rock bottom after getting blown out by the Rams two weeks ago and then losing to the previously winless San Francisco 49ers last weekend.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs defense has been lambasted for being poor against the run. But the reality is their pass defense hasn’t been much better, a big reason they’ve lost three of four. As the Chiefs return from their bye with a visit to the Giants, they understand that getting back to winning ways on defense will play a big part in whether they make some playoff noise.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big 12 has a team in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings, but not a team locked into its championship game. With only two games left, the most straightforward championship game scenario would be No. 3 Oklahoma and No. 11 TCU winning out and meeting again Dec. 2. There is also the chance for several tiebreaker scenarios coming into play to determine the title game matchup. While unlikely, there’s still a chance six teams could finish with 6-3 conference records.

NEW YORK (AP) — Shamorie Ponds scored 22 points, Justin Simon had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and St. John’s pulled away early from Nebraska for a 79-56 victory. Bashir Ahmed scored 15 points and Marcus LoVett added 13 with three assists for St. John’s (3-0), which outrebounded Nebraska 50-39 and outscored them 44-16 in the paint.

Iowa early News Headlines: Friday, 11/17/2017

News

November 17th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 3:54 a.m. CST

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The Keystone pipeline has leaked 210,000 gallons in rural South Dakota but officials don’t believe it has polluted water. Pipeline operator TransCanada Corp. says it has shut down the system that delivers oil from Canada to refineries in Illinois and Oklahoma. There have been 17 leaks of oil and products in the U.S. larger than this one since 2010. The leak was discovered four days before Nebraska regulators are to announce whether they approve an expansion of the Keystone system.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen said Thursday she wants information released from an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment within the Senate Republican caucus. Petersen sent letters to the GOP-controlled chamber’s two ranking Republican lawmakers requesting that findings from the investigation be shared publicly. Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix has said that can’t be done because of privacy concerns. GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds also wants general findings released.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — An elementary school in eastern Iowa is using a therapy pig to help special education students manage emotions and focus on learning. The Muscatine Journal reports that Frankie the pig serves as a calming mechanism. Students showing signs of emotional distress are asked to sit and read to the therapy pig. The practice has proven to help students recover and return to learning more quickly. Students are also in charge of feeding and caring for Frankie, which has created a sense of responsibility.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The director of the Homeland Security Department’s office of faith-based partnerships has resigned after a CNN report on racially inflammatory remarks he made before joining the federal government. CNN reported that before Rev. Jamie Johnson’s appointment, he often appeared on conservative talk radio. In one clip posted by CNN, Johnson said, “America’s black community … has turned America’s major cities into slums because of laziness, drug use and sexual promiscuity.”

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17th

Trading Post

November 17th, 2017 by Jim Field

FOR SALE:  I have several collector dolls for sale, prices range from 10.00 to 15.00 each, or if you buy several will work out deal, have more pics of additional dolls if interested, they make excellent Christmas gifts!! Please contact by sending text to 865 963 7499, Anita area.

WANTED:  looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom home to rent.  Have SIRHA assistance.  Call 712-243-4900.

FOR SALE:  Toddler activity table.  It is about 4′ tall, 8′ long and 4′ wide.  Has 8 toddler chairs.  Would be ideal for daycare or preschool setting.  Asking $225.  Call 712-249-3973.

FOR SALE: 1) 2 sets of steel steps. Set up for 4′ tall with landing on top, open grid tread so ice and snow would fall through, can be set up to go straight out or alongside a building. $200 each set. 2) Landscaping stones of various sizes. 6″ to 3′ round. Price will vary depending on amount but will sell for around $40/ton. Call 712-304-2587.

Iowa Democratic leader seeks Senate GOP harassment findings

News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The top Democrat in the Iowa Senate wants information released from an internal investigation into alleged sexual harassment within the Senate Republican caucus.

Senate Minority Leader Janet Petersen, a Des Moines Democrat, sent letters Thursday to the GOP-controlled chamber’s two ranking Republican lawmakers requesting that findings from the investigation be shared publicly.

The investigation was launched after a trial this year involving a former Senate GOP staffer who alleged sexual harassment within the office. A jury sided with the staffer and the state agreed to pay $1.75 million as part of a settlement.

One of the letters addressed Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock, who has said information from the investigation can’t be shared because of privacy concerns. Gov. Kim Reynolds and House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, both Republicans, also want general findings released.

Blum, Young and King vote “yes” on GOP tax plan; Democrat Loebsack a no

News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

All three Republicans in Iowa’s congressional delegation have voted FOR the House G-O-P’s tax plan. Iowa Republican Congressmen Rod Blum of Dubuque, David Young of Van Meter and Steve King of Kiron voted yes. King told Radio Iowa in late October that he was ready to support the package. “I’m willing to compromise more than I’ve been for probably 10 years because I see the urgency,” King said. “We need to get these things done and I’m supporting this tax policy even though I think that we ought to go with the ‘Fair Tax’ and abolish the IRS.”

King issued a written statement shortly after the bill passed, calling it “historic,” but adding that “it would have been much improved” if the plan had included repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s penalty for those who do not have health insurance. That proposal is part the tax package pending in the U.S. Senate. In early October, when just a “framework” of the tax plan emerged, Congressman YOUNG indicated he’d support getting rid of the estate tax, reducing the corporate tax rate and cutting income taxes on the “middle class.”

“I tell you this, everywhere I go in the third district, people are talking about (this): Their taxes are too high,” Young said. The lone Democrat in Iowa’s congressional delegation is Dave Loebsack of Iowa City. He voted against the House G-O-P’s tax plan. Loebsack said in a written statement that the plan “slashes taxes for millionaires, billionaires and corporations” and “will hurt everyday Iowans.” Loebsack pointed to the bill’s cuts to “Medicare, Medicaid, education and job training initiatives” in order to finance the tax cuts.

(Radio Iowa)

Senate Agriculture Committee Sends Farm Credit Nominee Glen Smith to Full Senate

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today (Thursday) announced the Committee voted to favorably report nominee Glen R. Smith, from Atlantic, Iowa, to be a Member of the Farm Credit Administration Board. Mr. Smith may now be considered by the full U.S. Senate for confirmation.

Glen R. Smith

“The Senate Agriculture Committee has acted in a bipartisan fashion on each nomination we have received,” Roberts and Stabenow said. “We are pleased to send Glen Smith, a qualified nominee for the Farm Credit Administration Board, to the full Senate for confirmation.”

The Committee held a hearing on the nominee on Nov. 9th.

Mills County Sheriff’s report, 11/16/17

News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s officials in Mills County report two people were arrested, Wednesday. 44-year old Dwayne Darrell Rollins, of Atlantic, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, on a Mills County warrant for Contempt of Court. Rollins was being held in the Mills County Jail without bond. And, 44-year old Lynette Kae Linkenhoker, of Tabor, was arrested for Domestic Abuse Assault. She was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office also investigated two separate, vehicle-versus-deer accidents, both of which took place on Monday. The drivers were identified as 49-year old Kristi Barrett, of Sidney, and 61-year old Gregory Gregston, of Scottsdale, AZ. No injuries were reported.

VIOLET ERBES, 89, of Greenfield (Svcs. 11/21/17)

Obituaries

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

VIOLET ERBES, 89, of Greenfield, died Thursday, Nov. 16th, at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle.  Funeral services for VIOLET ERBES will be at 2-p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21st, at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held on Monday November 20th, at the Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the family greeting friends on Monday evening at the Funeral Home in Fontanelle from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Burial is in the Fontanelle Cemetery.  A luncheon will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle, following the committal services at the cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Violet Erbes memorial fund to be established by the family.

VIOLET ERBES is survived by her children:

Susan (Jeff) Williams and Gary (Eliz) Erbes.

5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, many other family members and friends.

2 accidents in Page County

News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

One person was injured during an accident Tuesday, in Page County. Sheriff Lyle Palmer reports 69-year old Donald Lee Ridnour, of Clarinda, was transported from the scene to the Shenandoah Medical Center by Shenandoah Ambulance. The collision happened at around 10:19-a.m., Tuesday. The Sheriff says 45-year old Teresa Deann Madison, of Clarinda, was stopped at the intersection of Highways 2 and 59, and waiting for traffic to clear to continue westbound on Highway 2. Madison was the driver and only occupant of a 2010 Kia Sedona van. Donald Ridnour was traveling westbound on Highway 2 approaching the intersection in a 1994 Plymouth van, when he failed to stop.

Both vehicles are considered totaled. Charges are pending. The Page County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Shenandoah Police Department, Shenandoah Fire Department, and Shenandoah Ambulance.

And, no injuries were reported following an accident at 5:03-a.m. Monday, in Page County. Sheriff Palmer says 22-year old Haley Lynne Fundermann, of rural Red Oak, was traveling north on O Avenue near the intersection with 180th Street, when the 2006 Mercury Montego she was driving struck five cows on the road. The cows were the property of Norman Buch, of Clarinda. Palmer says there was dense fog in the area at the time, obscuring visibility of the stray animals. All five cows died in the accident. The vehicle was totaled.

Bankers: economy to remain slow in rural parts of 10 states

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 16th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The economy will likely remain slow in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states in the months ahead. The overall Rural Mainstreet Index for the region remained in negative territory below 50 and declined to 44.7 in November from October’s 45.3. The index is based on Creighton University’s monthly survey of bankers.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss the current low commodity prices and declining farm income continue to weigh on the rural economy. The index ranges between 0 and 100, with any number under 50 indicating a shrinking economy. The index tracking the price of farmland and ranchland declined to 36.5 in November from October’s already-weak 39.2.

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