Progress continues on the Nishna Valley Trails, Inc. (NVT) Troublesome Creek Connection Trail. Dave Chase, NVT President, says the trail projects are carried out in increments because of the costs involved, not to mention the engineering aspect of the entire project. Chase said donations help to make progress on the trail possible, including the recent funding from TS Bank in Atlantic, through their Community Support Program.

TS Banks provided a $7,500 donation, which will allow for the engineering and construction of a 150-yard section connecting existing trails. He said the Troublesome Creek Trail is basically done. The whole idea is to link up with the trail system at the Atlantic Municipal Utilities well head site. The TS Bank donation will allow for engineering and development of the trail along Olive Street that leads to the AMU trail, which will be hard-surfaced. When that’s completed, there will be a contiguous, 6-mile loop on the north side of Atlantic.

Chase says later this Spring, a kiosk will be set-up across the street from the KJAN Studios that will provide information about the area trails and their locations. So far, nearly two-miles of paved trail have been created to connect the two trails, including a 162-foot long pedestrian bridge that spans Troublesome Creek behind the KJAN Studios. The project began about 7-years ago, and is expected to be finished later this Fall.

If you’d like to contribute funds for the trails, send your checks to: Nishna Valley Trails, P.O. Box 496, Atlantic, IA 50022.  You can also contact Dave Chase (712-243-2444) if you’d like to donate or find out more about the trails project.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa running back Akrum Wadley is returning for his senior season. Wadley contemplated turning pro after a breakout junior year in which he emerged as Iowa’s most explosive offensive weapon. But the 190-pound Wadley decided that one more season in college – this time as the Hawkeyes’ go-to back- would be more beneficial than declaring for the NFL draft. Iowa finished 8-5, losing to Florida 30-3 on Monday in the Outback Bowl.

“I met with my parents and we laid out the pros and cons, and came to the decision that it would be best for me to stay at Iowa for my senior year. The main three reasons are to earn my degree, to have another year to prepare physically, and to not end my collegiate career on a bad note. We have some unfinished business.”

Wadley ran for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 36 passes with three TDs last year despite splitting carries with departing senior LeShun Daniels Jr.  Wadley will attempt to join Sedrick Shaw, Fred Russell and Ladell Betts as the only Hawkeyes to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season more than once, and if he stays healthy he’ll likely do so. Wadley will be Iowa’s returning back with significant experience.

“Akrum has displayed growth and maturity during his career, and had an outstanding season in 2016. We look forward to Akrum being a key member of our team in 2017,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.

We’re six days into the new year. Are you keeping your resolution to get fit? Thousands of Iowans work desk jobs and live sedentary lifestyles that aren’t doing enough to counteract the effects of obesity and heart disease. Doctor Jeremiah Gums, an internist at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, says if you stare at a computer screen all day, make a change at work, if possible.

“That’s always a great option, to request a standing work station,” Dr. Gums says, “but if you don’t have that option, just getting up every hour for a few minutes to move around, to go for a short walk, to use the restroom, to get a drink of water, anything really. Any sort of movement is beneficial.”

Almost one in every three Iowans is obese, according to the latest health rankings. He says the only way to prevent our health from taking a direct hit is to make a conscious effort each day to get some exercise. “Any kind of movement really helps,” Gums says. “When we just lay around on the couch especially, that really is more detrimental than what we would think to our overall health. Our bodies aren’t meant to be lying around. Any sort of activity every hour is good, but the more, the better.”

He suggests setting an alarm on your computer or smartphone every hour as a reminder to get up. “If you’re actually trying to lose weight, improve your BMI, we recommend getting 50 minutes of some sort of moderate-to-intense physical activity most days of the week,” Gums says. “I think 10 minutes of light activity every hour is good for people who have a busy lifestyle and have a hard time finding exercise elsewhere.”

He says it’s worth the extra effort as health risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle include obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health complications, muscle and bone degeneration and an overall higher rate of mortality.

(Radio Iowa)

More than 4,000 athletes will take part in 26 sports around the state as part of the 25th edition of the Winter Iowa Games. The majority of the competition will be hosted by the city of Dubuque January 28-29.

(That’s) Spokesman Cory Kennedy (who) says registration deadlines are approaching for the more than a dozen events that will be held in Dubuque.

Kennedy says they are always looking for more sports to add to increase participation.

(Radio Iowa)

A-H-S-T-W, Avoca 69, Earlham 64
Clarinda 73, Essex 50
Fremont Mills, Tabor 60, Stanton 53
Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto 48, West Monona, Onawa 35
Murray 57, Mount Ayr 44
Nodaway-Holt, Mo. 59, Sidney 52
Sioux City, East 74, Lewis Central 49

South Sioux City, Neb. 47, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 45

A-H-S-T-W, Avoca 54, Earlham 32
Essex 66, Clarinda 61, OT
Lewis Central 64, Sioux City, East 41
Mount Ayr 51, Murray 40
Sidney 60, Nodaway-Holt, Mo. 40
South Page 53, West Nodaway 24
Stanton 42, Fremont Mills, Tabor 37

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Glynn Watson Jr. scored a career-high 34 points, Tai Webster made the go-ahead free throw in the last minute of the second overtime, and Nebraska held off Iowa 93-90 on Thursday night. The Cornhuskers (9-6, 3-0 Big Ten) followed up surprising road wins over Indiana and Maryland with a victory in their conference home opener. They are 3-0 in league play for the first time since 1975-76.

The Huskers had a chance to win in regulation, but Evan Taylor missed two free throws with 1.3 seconds left. Peter Jok scored 34 points to lead Iowa (9-7, 1-2), which saw its five-game win streak against Nebraska end. Webster finished with 23 points and seven assists for the Huskers, Jeriah Horne added 12 points and Michael Jacobson had 13 rebounds. Webster went to the line after Jok fouled out with 54.6 seconds left. He made the first and missed the second, leaving the Huskers with a one-point lead.

Horne made two more free throws with 17.4 seconds to play. The Hawkeyes still had two chances to win, but Jordan Bohannon missed a shot and, after Taylor missed two more free throws, Brady Ellingson was off with his desperation 3-point try at the buzzer.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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Nebraska has been the early surprise in the Big Ten race and the Huskers try to stay unbeaten when they host Iowa tonight (Thursday night), in Pinnacle Bank Arena. After struggling to a 6-6 record in non-conference play the Huskers opened the league race with a stunning victory at Indiana and followed that up with a furious late rally to win at Maryland.

The Huskers must find a way to slow down Iowa senior guard Peter Jok and his 22 point average. Iowa has won the last five games in the series. You can hear the game on KJAN beginning at 7-p.m.

(Learfield Sports)

CHICAGO (AP) — Donte Ingram scored 25 points and Milton Doyle flirted with a triple-double with 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as Loyola of Chicago defeated Northern Iowa 77-66 on Wednesday night.

Ingram was 9 of 13 from the field, making a career-high five 3-point shots and finished at 20 points or better for the third time in five games. Doyle has scored in double figures every game this season for the Ramblers (11-5, 1-2 Missouri Valley Conference). Ben Richardson added 15 points as Loyola made 13 of 19 field goals in the second half (68 percent) and finished the game shooting 57 percent.

Juwan McCloud scored 16 to lead Northern Iowa (5-9, 0-3) and Jordan Ashton added 11. Leading scorer Jeremy Morgan was held to seven points on 2 of 7 shooting and the Panthers shot 40 percent from the field.

Loyola led by as many as 18 in the first half, up 39-26 at the break.