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AP Men’s College Basketball Top 25 11/11/2019

Sports

November 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Nov. 10, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:

Record Pts Prv
1. Kentucky (64) 2-0 1622 2
2. Duke 2-0 1538 4
3. Michigan St. 1-1 1451 1
4. Louisville (1) 2-0 1425 5
5. Kansas 1-1 1354 3
6. North Carolina 2-0 1187 9
7. Maryland 2-0 1166 7
8. Gonzaga 2-0 1136 8
9. Virginia 2-0 1134 11
10. Villanova 1-0 1064 10
11. Texas Tech 2-0 888 13
12. Seton Hall 2-0 869 12
13. Memphis 2-0 828 14
14. Oregon 2-0 804 15
15. Florida 1-1 616 6
16. Ohio St. 2-0 544 18
17. Utah St. 2-0 507 17
18. Saint Mary’s 1-0 438 20
19. Arizona 2-0 415 21
20. Washington 1-0 373
21. Xavier 2-0 370 19
22. Auburn 2-0 247 24
23. LSU 1-0 237 22
24. Baylor 1-1 179 16
25. Colorado 1-0 151

Others receiving votes: VCU 137, Florida St. 112, Texas 95, Marquette 67, Tennessee 49, Providence 23, Purdue 21, Houston 18, Utah 14, Missouri 13, Arkansas 11, Mississippi St. 9, Georgetown 4, Liberty 3, San Diego St. 2, Creighton 1, Dayton 1, Northeastern 1, Vermont 1.

Safety violations found after attacks at Iowa psych hospital

News

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Regulators have found serious safety violations at a state-run psychiatric hospital in Iowa where several combative patients have assaulted employees. An inspection found that employees at the Independence Mental Health Institute struggle to manage violent outbursts due to inadequate emergency plans, low staffing, poor communication and ineffective safety shields that staffers haven’t been trained to use.

The Iowa Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation in June after a series of attacks against staff members. A union representing employees said the hospital faced an urgent safety crisis. Inspectors found seven serious and three minor safety violations. They proposed a $72,770 fine against the Iowa Department of Human Services, which operates the facility, and ordered it to fix the problems.

The hospital treats patients with severe and complex psychiatric needs.

Authorities say Iowa worker died at Nebraska burn center

News

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say a man burned in a fire at a northwest Iowa hog confinement has died. Le Mars Fire-Rescue says 38-year-old Jorge Orozco died Saturday at St. Elizabeth Burn Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. He’d been flown there after being taken in a private vehicle on Sept. 30 to Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars. Officials say Orozco lived in Sioux City.

The hog operation sits about 5 miles (8 kilometers) northwest of Le Mars. Officials say Orozco and another man had been inside a building, using a power washer to clean it. Orozco left the building to refuel the power washer engine, and he spilled gas on himself and the machine. The vapors ignited, burning Orozco.

CCHS E-R drive to close temporarily Tues. morning

News

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Cass County Health System in Atlantic say they will temporarily close the Emergency Drive on Tuesday, November 12th from 10:30 am to noon. Patients who need access to the Emergency Department or Rehabilitation Services during this time are asked to please use the Main Entrance drive and circle around the building instead.

The drive is being closed while soil borings are being taken in preparation for repair work on CCHS parking lots and drives, and for the upcoming renovations outlined in the master facility plan. Additional soil borings will also be taken throughout the day, however, they should not cause any disruptions to patient traffic or parking

Iowa State’s final home game against Kansas set for 11:00am kickoff

Sports

November 11th, 2019 by admin

Iowa State’s final home football game vs. Kansas  on November, 23rd has been set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Net.

Issues with propane availability not expected to ease anytime soon

Ag/Outdoor, News

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The backup in the propane supply in Iowa is not expected to end very quickly. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says it continues to be a demand issue with farmers needing propane to dry crops and others needing it to heat their homes. “It’s not that there’s not enough propane in the country — it has to do with the logistics of getting it where it needs to go,” Naig says. He says it doesn’t look like there will be a big change in the situation anytime soon. “The things that are going to help alleviate that are getting the harvest completed and warmer temperatures,” Naig says. “I don’t think we are going to see any of those two in the immediate future.”

Suppliers have had to send trucks long distances to get propane and Naig says that may show up in the price. “The price will rise to accommodate for transportation issues if there are any. We hear about some folks putting surcharges on — it’s logical — it needs to be reasonable. If a supplier is having to drive to Kansas to get the supply — they will have to pass some of that cost on to consumers,” according to Naig. “We will be watching that situation closely.”

He says they would take action if they see the price being raised just to take advantage of the delays in getting propane.

Cedar Rapids sees almost 6″ snow with record cold possible tonight

News, Weather

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — December 21st is -supposed- to be the first day of winter this year but a peek outside shows it’s already here. Heavy snowfall overnight dropped almost a half-foot of flakes on some areas of the state and near-record cold temperatures are expected tonight (Monday). Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg, at the National Weather Service, says much of the snowfall was concentrated between Highway 30 and Interstate 80. “The Des Moines metro, here at the office in Johnston, we had 4.4 inches of snow,” Kotenberg says. “There’s a place in Benton County with 4.8 inches, Cedar Rapids had 5.8 inches. Spreading outwards from there, one to two inches as you get toward Fort Dodge, Waterloo had three-and-a-half inches.”

(Click on the graphic to enlarge)

Some schools had late starts this morning due to the wintry weather, while many fender benders were reported across the state’s midsection as roads are very slick. Even where it’s stopped snowing, hazards remain. “We’ll continue to have winds going from north to south at around 15 to 25 miles per hour with gusts nearing 30 miles an hour here and there,” Kotenberg says. “That could cause blowing and drifting of snow, especially on untreated roadways, so definitely take it easy if you’re out there, if you’re traveling.”

The all-time record low temperature for this date at the Des Moines International Airport is four degrees, while the forecast for this evening calls for a low of three-degrees.  “We’re also going to have a little bit of wind speed so that’s going to bring the wind chills down to anywhere between zero and minus-ten degrees across much of Iowa,” Kotenberg says. “Towards the northern tier of counties, they’ll be in the minus-ten to minus-15 degree range. Not quite wind chill advisory but definitely hat and gloves and try to minimize the amount of time you spend outside.”

Forecasters says another wintry blast is predicted to arrive late Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday morning with the potential to drop another one-to-three inches of snow. Kotenberg says they’re still watching that developing storm to see exactly where the snow will fall and how much.

Nominations for 2019 Angel of Christmas Now Being Accepted

News

November 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and Cass County Health System are now accepting nominations for the 2019 Angel(s) of Christmas. The Angel of Christmas is a tradition in Atlantic recognizing and thanking area residents who symbolize the true meaning of the season. Angels exemplify the true holiday spirit all year long – putting others first, spreading generosity and sharing the holiday spirit with everyone they meet. Bailey Smith, Executive Director at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce said “Sometimes we forget the true meaning of the season and I think celebrating people who put others first and spread holiday cheer all year long deserve to be recognized.”

In 2018, Lt. Devin Hogue was named the Angel of Christmas, demonstrating the true meaning of the season serving as a dedicated public servant on the Police Department but also offering his time as a tireless volunteer to the community. Devin plans many events for local youth including the annual Youth Weekend Campout, Henry Doorly Zoo trip, school food drives, family dream Christmas, Shop with A Cop and Family Night Out.

Nominate a Christmas Angel you know, to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce by November 22nd. This year’s angel will be announced at the Holiday Concert on December 8th at 3 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. Nominate by submitting brief comments about the person to the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com. You can find a nomination form on www.christmasinatlantic.com.

Pick up your Christmas Brochure from area retails businesses, “like” the Chamber on Facebook, or follow on Twitter to find dates and details to celebrate Christmas in Atlantic. You can find a complete list of activities at www.christmasinatlantic.com. Capture the Christmas magic with #MyAtlanticIA and post to the Atlantic Area Chamber’s Facebook or Instagram (@AtlanticIowaFan) page. Contact the Atlantic Area Chamber with any questions at 712-243-3017.

ISU Women Rally Falls Short at Drake, 86-81

Sports

November 11th, 2019 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa – A fourth-quarter rally from 17-down came up just short as Iowa State (1-1) fell to Drake (2-0) 86-81 Sunday afternoon at the Knapp Center.

The Cyclones found themselves in a 57-40 hole halfway through the third quarter, but were able to rally within a single point on two occasions, but never take the final step to get ahead.

Leading the way was Kristin Scott, who recorded 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, including four 3-pointers and a 15-point fourth-quarter effort. Ashley Joens had 18 points nine rebounds and five assists, while Rae Johnson had 10 points and six assists.

How It Happened
The Iowa State offense was outstanding, hitting eight of its 12 first-quarter shots, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, to amass a lead of as many as eight points at 21-13 on a Jade Thurmon floater. However, the home Bulldogs were able to four 3-pointers of their own to cut the visitors’ lead down to four points at the end of the first.

Drake was able to maintain the momentum into the second quarter, as the Bulldogs moved ahead 28-26 on a Maggie Negaard 3-pointer, and eventually got ahead five, 33-28, on a Sara Rhine lay-in. Foul trouble started to become a concern for both teams, as Adriana Camber, Inès Nezerwa and Madison Wise all reached two fouls, while three Bulldogs joined them with two fouls. Drake was able to ride it out, bringing a five-point lead into the locker room at 39-34.

The Bulldogs continued to pile it in from deep, as four 3-pointers on five attempts to open the second half brought their lead to double figures at 57-40. The pace picked up late in the quarter, which ISU was able to take advantage of to whittle away at the Drake lead, getting it down to single digits via a 10-point quarter from Ashley Joens.

Joens’ put-back to open the fourth cut the Drake lead to six at 64-58, and were about to narrow it further to a single point via a five-point run by Kristen Scott down to 70-69. Joens cut the Drake lead down to one again at 76-75, but the Bulldogs offense got back-to-back buckets from Rhine and Brenni Rose to get ahead again by six and for good. Scott hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final minute to help keep the Cyclones in the hunt.

Up Next
Iowa State returns to Hilton Coliseum next Tuesday, Nov. 19, to host Texas Southern. Tip between the Cyclones and Tigers will be at 11 a.m.

AP College Football Top 25 11/10/2019

Sports

November 11th, 2019 by admin

The Top 25 teams in The Associated Press college football poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Nov. 9, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote, and previous ranking:

Record Pts Pv
1. LSU (54) 9-0 1542 1
2. Ohio St. (5) 9-0 1480 3
3. Clemson (3) 10-0 1441 4
4. Alabama 8-1 1312 2
5. Georgia 8-1 1267 6
6. Oregon 8-1 1224 7
7. Minnesota 9-0 1164 13
8. Utah 8-1 1099 8
9. Penn St. 8-1 1003 5
10. Oklahoma 8-1 1000 9
11. Florida 8-2 934 10
12. Baylor 9-0 932 11
13. Auburn 7-2 871 12
14. Michigan 7-2 744 14
15. Wisconsin 7-2 657 16
16. Notre Dame 7-2 593 15
17. Cincinnati 8-1 567 17
18. Memphis 8-1 510 19
19. Boise St. 8-1 371 21
20. SMU 9-1 346 23
21. Navy 7-1 228 25
22. Texas 6-3 199 NR
23. Iowa 6-3 197 18
24. Indiana 7-2 108 NR
25. Oklahoma St. 6-3 77 NR

Others receiving votes: Appalachian St. 73, Kansas St. 67, Texas A&M 42, Wake Forest 38, Louisiana Tech 25, Virginia 12, San Diego St. 7, Iowa St. 4, Virginia Tech 4, Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2, UCF 2, Air Force 2, North Dakota St. 1, Southern Cal 1, Illinois 1.