United Group Insurance

Area high school basketball scores from Monday, 2/11/19

Sports

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

BOYS BASKETBALL

Class 1A District 1 Play-in

Westwood, Sloan 78, Whiting 26

Class 1A District 15 Play-in

West Harrison, Mondamin 64, West Monona 62

Class 2A District 15 Quarterfinal

Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 66, MVAO-CO-U 56

POSTPONEMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS

Alta-Aurelia vs. Missouri Valley, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Atlantic vs. Harlan, ccd.

Carroll vs. Humboldt, ppd.

Clarinda vs. Shenandoah, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Lenox vs. Diagonal, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Mount Ayr vs. AC/GC, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Orient-Macksburg vs. Iowa Christian Academy, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Panorama, Panora vs. West Central Valley, Stuart, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Tri-Center, Neola vs. Red Oak, ppd. to Feb 12th.

Winterset vs. Newton, ccd.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sioux City, East 54, Spencer 31

(Update) Bedford woman killed in Sunday, Union County crash

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(in an update to our earlier reports, the Iowa State Patrol has identified the victim of a crash in Union County, Sunday, as a woman from Taylor County. Authorities say 66-year old Merna Padilla-King, of Bedford, who was not wearing a seat belt died, when her 2017 Chrysler mini-van was struck by a pickup truck on Highway 34, at around 12:17-p.m., Sunday.

The 1998 Dodge pickup was driven by 21-year old Emily M. Haidsiak, of Creston. She was traveling west on the highway, when her vehicle went out of control on the snow and slush covered road. The pickup crossed the center line west of Creston and entered the eastbound lane, where it struck the eastbound minivan. Haidsiak, and an infant passenger in her vehicle – who were properly belted-in – were transported by ambulance to the Greater Regional Medical Center, in Creston, for treatment of multiple, but non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation.

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart (Svcs. 03/01/2019)

Obituaries

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE, 71, of Stuart died Sunday, February 10th at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation in Des Moines. A Gathering of family and friends/Memorial service for JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE will be held Friday, March 1st at 11:00am at the Johnson Family Funeral Home-Stuart Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa VA or The Shriner’s Hospital and may be sent in care of the Johnson Family Funeral Home, PO Box 246, Stuart, IA 50250.

Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com

JON HARLAN “JAKE” ROTE is survived by:

Wife: Cheryl Rote of Stuart.

Son: Troy Templeman of Des Moines.

Sisters: Cozette Harris of Stuart. Mary (Bill) Sliger of Rosemead, CA.

Sisters-in-law: Cindy Rote-Crane of Dexter. Bonnie Rote of Redfield.

Brother-in-law: Marvin Templeman of Casey.

2 Granddaughters

Several Nieces, Nephews, Extended Family and Friends.

Bill to end pistol, revolver permit requirements advances

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — A bill to get rid of permit requirements for buying and carrying a pistol or revolver in Iowa has cleared its first hurdle in the state senate. Scott Jones, a Virginia-based lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, was in Des Moines to speak at a hearing in the capitol today (Monday).  “Self-defense situations are difficult, if not impossible to anticipate and law-abiding citizens should not be required to pay government-mandated fees and navigate a licensing system in order to exercise a fundamental individual right,” he said.

Jane Robinette of Urbandale wore a t-shirt to the hearing that the read, “America Needs Gun Safety.” “Is a permit really such an onerous thing to be able to carry something that can kill someone else?” Robinette asked. “I’m a law-abiding citizen. I have to get a driver’s license. I haven’t had…a speeding ticket ever in my life.” Jim Hirschberg of Lohrville argued the fee infringes on a constitutional right to protect life and property.

“Iowa’s permit system to carry is a hold-over from Jim Crow laws designed to discriminate,” Hirschberg said. “…What is a prevent a future legislature from raising the fee from $50 to $100 or $1000 or more? Nothing.” Tim Coonan, a lobbyist for Every Town for Gun Safety, says Iowa gun laws already are among the most permissive in the country. “At this point in our country’s history, given all the events known and unknown, it’s hard to imagine a scenario pulling back on systems that have most likely and in many cases have been proven reduce or prevent gun violence,” Coonan said.

Two Republicans on a subcommittee voted to make the bill eligible for debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Democrat on the subcommittee said he was concerned about giving Iowans considering suicide, especially veterans, quicker access to guns.

Iowa officer charged with stealing opioids from vet clinic

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

FAIRFIELD, Iowa (AP) — A southeastern Iowa police officer has been charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a veterinary clinic to steal powerful pain medications. The Iowa Department of Public Safety announced the arrest Monday of 31-year-old Ryan Mills, who lives in Washington, Iowa and works in Fairfield. A criminal complaint alleges Mills was caught stealing 57 tablets of Tramadol from the Veterinary Clinic in Fairfield before business hours on Jan. 1.

Later, he allegedly admitted to entering the clinic on multiple occasions to steal the opioids from a medicine cabinet. Tramadol is a controlled narcotic used to treat moderate to severe pain and is highly addictive.

The clinic began an internal investigation in November after noticing shortages of the drug in its inventory. An employee allegedly saw Mills commit the Jan. 1 theft and police were informed. The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Washington County Attorney’s Office are handling the case to avoid conflicts of interest. Mills was booked into jail Monday.

Mills County Sheriff’s report (2/11)

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports three arrests. On Sunday, 31-year old Joshua Edward Witt, of Fremont, NE., was arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice. He was being held without bond in the Mills County Jail.

On Friday, 23-year old Michael Quincy Combs, of Pacific Junction, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $1,000. That same day, 53-year old James Patrick Hiatt, of Omaha, was arrested in Sarpy County, NE., on a Mills County warrant for Probation Violation. His bond was set at $2,000.

AP Women’s College Basketball Top 25 02/11/2019

Sports

February 11th, 2019 by Jim Field

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ women’s college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Feb. 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. Baylor (22) 21-1 694 1
2. Louisville (3) 23-1 664 2
3. Oregon (3) 23-1 653 3
4. UConn 21-2 607 5
5. Mississippi St. 22-1 596 6
6. Notre Dame 22-3 553 4
7. Maryland 22-2 522 10
8. Marquette 21-3 513 8
9. Oregon St. 20-4 436 7
10. Stanford 19-4 423 11
11. South Carolina 17-5 403 12
12. NC State 21-2 400 9
13. Gonzaga 22-2 363 13
14. Iowa 19-5 329 16
15. Texas 19-5 294 14
16. Syracuse 18-5 277 15
17. Kentucky 19-5 206 19
18. Iowa St. 18-5 205 22
19. Arizona St. 16-6 202 20
20. Miami 21-5 186 25
21. Florida St. 20-4 146 24
22. Texas A&M 18-5 126 18
23. Rutgers 17-6 105 20
24. Michigan St. 16-6 65 23
25. South Dakota 22-3 42

Others receiving votes: Utah 32, UCF 26, Drake 8, UCLA 8, Rice 6, Missouri 3, Boise St. 2, Minnesota 2, West Virginia 1, Ohio 1, South Dakota St. 1.

State’s costs in gay discrimination lawsuit reaches $1.2M

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state’s bill for defending a lawsuit against a former official who claims he was discriminated against because he’s gay has surpassed $1.27 million. Iowa Solicitor General Jeffrey Thompson updated the Iowa Executive Council on Monday in response to a request by Auditor Rob Sand. The council, which includes the governor and other state elected officials, approves state litigation expenses. Former Iowa Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey filed the case in 2012. It accuses former Gov. Terry Branstad , current Gov. Kim Reynolds and others of discrimination, retaliation and violation of Godfrey’s constitutional right to due process.

Branstad, a Republican, pressured Godfrey, a Democratic appointee, to resign in 2010. When Godfrey refused, Branstad cut his salary by $39,000 a year. Godfrey says he was targeted because of his sexual orientation. Branstad asserts he didn’t know Godfrey is gay. Des Moines attorney George LaMarca quit the case last September , saying he was retiring. His law firm has billed the state just over $1 million. The case is now handled by the Nyemaster Goode law firm, also based in Des Moines, which has so far billed just over $272,000.

A trial is scheduled for June 3 in Des Moines. If the state loses, taxpayers could be forced to pay any jury verdict in addition to the fees for civil rights attorney Roxanne Conlin, who is representing Godfrey.

2 arrested following an incident Sunday in Coin

News

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Sheriff’s Deputies in Page County arrested two people, following an incident Sunday, in Coin. 38-year old Jayson Daniel Hickle, of Coin, was arrested at his home on a Page County warrant for Domestic abuse assault impeding flow of air / blood. He was transported to the Page County Jail and was unable to post a $2,000 bond. Also arrested was his wife, 32-year old Kaisa Nicole Hickle, who was arrested for Interference with official acts. Kaisa Hickle was transported to the Page County Jail where she posted $300 bond and was released prior to being booked into jail.

(12-p.m. News)

ALLAN LARSEN, 92, of Elk Horn (Svcs. 2/14/19)

Obituaries

February 11th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

ALLAN LARSEN, 92, of Elk Horn, died Mon., Feb. 11th, at home. Funeral services for ALLAN LARSEN will be held 11-a.m. Thu., Feb. 14th, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church. Ohde Funeral Home in Kimballton has the arrangements.

Friends may call after 10-a.m. Thursday, at the Elk Horn Lutheran Church.

Burial will be in the Elk Horn Lutheran Cemetery.

ALLAN LARSEN is survived by:

His wife – Reta Larsen, of Elk Horn.

His daughters – Becky Runyan, of Falls City, NE; Carol Urban, of Underwood, and Jane Kahl, of Fishers, IN.

4 grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.