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Southwest Airlines jet slides-off the runway in Omaha

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Authorities at Omaha’s Eppley Airfield say a plane has slid off an ice-slicked runway. Airport officials said on Twitter that no one was injured when the Southwest Airlines plane went off the end of the runway after landing just after 2 p.m. Friday. The incident led authorities to close the airport Friday afternoon and suspend all flights.

Officials said airport fire crews were working with Southwest to get passengers off the plane and take them to the terminal.

Couple guilty in starvation death will spend lives in prison

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

ADEL, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa couple convicted in the starvation death of their 16-year-old adopted daughter will likely spend the rest of their lives in prison. A judge Friday sentenced 41-year-old Misty Jo Bousman Ray to a life sentence without the possibility of parole and her husband, 43-year-old Marc Ray, to 80 years in prison. They were arrested following the May 2017 death of Sabrina Ray, who weighed only 56 pounds when she died.

Misty Jo Bousman Ray pleaded guilty Jan. 9 to one count of first-degree kidnapping and two counts of third-degree kidnapping involving two other adopted children who lived at her Perry home. Marc Ray, pleaded guilty last month to child endangerment causing death and three counts of third-degree kidnapping. Misty Jo Bousman Ray apologized, saying “all of this is my fault.”

Boys Class 1A and 2A District basketball assignments released

Sports

January 18th, 2019 by admin

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released the District assignments for Class 1A and 2A boys basketball on Friday. Follow the links below to check out all of the groupings in each class. Class 3A and 4A assignments are set to be released next Friday the 25th.

CLASS 2A

CLASS 1A

Campbell announces changes to ISU football coaching staff

Sports

January 18th, 2019 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State Head Coach Matt Campbell announced today changes to his coaching staff which includes a familiar name returning to Ames from the professional ranks, his reconnection with a college teammate who has significant Power 5 Conference coaching experience and several promotions, and position group and duty adjustments.

Tom Manning, who coordinated ISU’s offense from 2016-17, will rejoin the Cyclone staff after one year with the Indianapolis Colts as offensive coordinator.

Campbell has also added Matt Caponi, who most recently directed the defensive backs at West Virginia (2016-18), to work with the secondary. A college teammate of Campbell at Mount Union, Caponi has been a full-time assistant with both the Mountaineers and Arizona previously.

The addition of Manning and Caponi are pending successful background checks.

Nate Scheelhaase, who was Iowa State’s running backs coach in 2018, will shift to wide receivers beginning this spring. He replaces Bryan Gasser, whose contract was not renewed. Quarterbacks coach Joel Gordon has been promoted to passing game coordinator and special teams coach Joe Houston will move to an off the field position.

“I am very excited with the changes we made with our football staff,” Campbell said. “We brought in coaches who are familiar with our program, our league and our culture. I also made some adjustments internally which will better serve our student-athletes.”

Manning was tight ends coach with the Colts last season, helping the team advance to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs and a 10-6 record. Manning was instrumental in tutoring Eric Ebron into a Pro Bowl selection. Ebron was second on the team in receptions (66) and receiving yards (750) and broke the club’s record for touchdown catches by a tight end with 13.

Manning’s work as offensive coordinator in his first stint at Iowa State (2016-17) produced two of the most-prolific seasons in school history. The Cyclones averaged 27.7 points in 2016 (ninth-best in school history) and 29.2 points in 2017 (third in ISU annals).

ISU averaged 421.6 yards of total offense in 2016, the fourth-best mark in the ISU record book. The Cyclones established the top-two passing offenses in the program history (272.9 in 2017 and 258.8 in 2016) with Manning calling plays.

Manning is a former FootballScoop.com Offensive Line Coach of the Year when he was an assistant at Toledo working for Campbell.

Caponi, who has 15 years of collegiate coaching experience, is reuniting with Campbell. The two Mount Union graduates were teammates as players and colleagues as coaches at that Division III power. Caponi comes to Ames after serving as defensive backs coach at West Virginia the last three seasons when the Mountaineers were one of the top defensive teams in the Big 12. He coached the safeties at Arizona (2013-15) before going to WVU.

In 2018, Caponi mentored four players who earned All-Big 12 recognition. That list included Kenny Robinson Jr., who was First-Team All-Big 12 after tying for third in the league in interceptions (4) and ranking 14th in tackles (77).

Scheelhaase and Gordon had impressive debut seasons in Ames. Scheelhaase coached a productive group of tailbacks, including All-American David Montgomery. The junior rushed for 1,216 yards, becoming just the eighth Cyclone in school history to record multiple 1,000-yard seasons. Gordon navigated through the loss of a starting QB in the first game and tutored true freshman Brock Purdy through a terrific rookie season. Purdy’s 169.91 QB passing efficiency was sixth nationally.

Spring practice for the Cyclones starts March 12.

Chiefs’ Berry confident he’ll play AFC title game vs Pats

Sports

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs safety Eric Berry sounded confident Friday that he’ll be on the field when Kansas City plays the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. The three-time All-Pro has been a full participant in practice this week after dealing with a heel injury, but needs the OK from coach Andy Reid to take the field on Sunday night.

“I feel pretty good. Just talk to coach and see what he wants to do and go from there,” Berry said. “It would mean a lot not just for me and my family and my teammates, but the organization.” Berry tore his Achilles’ tendon in last year’s opener, sidelining him the rest of the season. He returned in time for summer workouts and the start of training camp. But a mysterious heel injury popped up that kept Berry off the field until Week 15 against the Chargers.

Berry played more the following week on the turf in Seattle, but the injury recurred and he missed the regular-season finale against Oakland and the divisional round matchup against Indianapolis.
“It was pretty frustrating, but you just have to keep rolling,” said Berry, who nevertheless broke down the pregame huddle with an emotional pep talk. “Keep focused and keep your head down.”

Berry has become a pro at overcoming adversity. He missed most of one season with a torn ACL in his knee, and he missed the end of another when he was diagnosed with cancer. In both instances, he recovered in time to play the following season. However, those situations were relatively straightforward. There was a clear diagnosis and obvious path toward recovery. But the heel has been a challenge for Berry and the organization, once viewed as a “day-to-day” situation that became a saga that lasted months.

There have been various reports, always citing unnamed sources, of a heel deformity that causes intense pain, but the Chiefs and Berry have refused to confirm them. Asked several times about the injury Friday, Berry merely replied: “It’s hard to explain.” Berry said he wasn’t concerned about the field causing the heel problems. It was torn up in the divisional round after several inches of snow fell before the game. The grounds crew spent this week replacing the turf between the hashes, along the sidelines and in one of the end zones.

“I’m just being prepared for every situation,” Berry said. “Our field crew, grounds crew is very good. They do a very good job. Just trusting in them that they can get the job done.” Berry’s value lies not just in his athletic ability, though the Chiefs could use some help covering Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on Sunday. Rather, his biggest benefit to a defense that has struggled mightily at times this season may be his leadership and on-field demeanor.

“A huge impact. He’s a huge player for us,” Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford said, while defensive tackle Chris Jones said “the physicality he brings to this team and the leadership role is amazing.” When he’s at his best, Berry is one of the best safeties in the NFL, adequate in coverage and dynamic at stuffing the run. But even at a fraction of his best, Berry is still talented enough to impact a game, and that’s why his return could prove so critical to the Chiefs.

“I mean, Eric’s a good football player. He’s an All-Pro player,” Reid said. “That’d be an obvious statement, but it’s another good player in the mix. A great player.” Notes: Chiefs OLB Dorian O’Daniel (hamstring) was ruled out for the game. … WR Sammy Watkins (foot) and RB Spencer Ware (hamstring) participated in practice all week and are expected to play.

Revised info.: Winter clothing Drive for Cass County Homeless

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

C.L.E.A.N. of Cass County is spearheading a project to collect winter clothing (Gloves, coats, caps and lap/small size blankets) to provide for Cass County homeless persons and those less fortunate. You may drop off your new or gently used donations at Akin Building Center, where a drop-box is located.

On Wednesday, January 30th, C.L.E.A.N volunteers will collect those items and drive around the county delivering backpacks full of toiletries, winter gear, blankets, food, and more to the areas there is a need.

If you have questions or would like to help on January 30th, please contact Sam Schwartz at 712-250-8867, Damon Clark at 712-249-9611, or Megan Bierbaum at 712-243-7829.

Investigation made into Harlan High School Threat

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Authorities in Shelby County said Friday (Today), that on Thursday, January 17th, an investigation occurred based on an allegation at the Harlan High School, stating a student made a general threat against the school and school officials. School officials identified in the allegation were notified of the threat.

Administration investigated the allegation and it was determined that while there was not an immediate threat to the school, the matter was turned over to law enforcement. Law enforcement has been notified and is investigating the allegation.

The student who allegedly made these threats will not be at school in the coming days.

Northern Iowa roads seeing snow cover as storm builds

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Transportation says road conditions are deteriorating in northern Iowa as a winter storm sweeps the Midwest for a second straight weekend. The department says visibility is below a half mile in many locations, with snow and winds of up to 20 mph hitting areas like Mason City and Clear Lake. Motorists are being warned to use extra caution on roads.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for Friday afternoon into Saturday for all of eastern Iowa, with high winds and snow up to 8 inches in northeastern Iowa. Some cities have already declared snow emergencies in anticipation of the storm, and some school events have been postponed or canceled.

(UPDATE!) Missing eastern IA teen found unharmed in Texas

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa — Law enforcement has cancelled a previously issued “Attempt to Locate” for missing Melcher teenager Liberty “Libby” Boley. Through cooperation between law enforcement authorities in Iowa and Texas, Libby was found unharmed this (Friday) morning in south Texas. Iowa law enforcement, including the Division of Criminal Investigation, Melcher-Dallas Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion County Attorney’s Office, continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Libby’s disappearance. Law enforcement would like to thank the public for their vigilance and commitment to helping locate Libby.

14-year old Liberty Boley

Wisconsin Man Arrested on Burglary charges, after off-duty Guthrie County Deputy sees him and alerts authorities

News

January 18th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Beginning in September 2018, law enforcement agencies began responding to numerous burglaries of rural businesses all across the state of Iowa and Minnesota.  The burglar forced their way into business late at night when the businesses were closed.  The burglar would steal primarily cash from these businesses.  Law enforcement agencies across the state have been worked together sharing details of the burglaries and video surveillance to try and identify, locate and arrest the burglary suspect.

Eric Todd Halll

Through cooperation and information sharing, law enforcement officials were able to identify 43-year old Eric Todd Hall as the suspect in the burglaries. Hall has outstanding warrant from the State of Wisconsin for Probation Violation.  Both the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office and Council Bluffs Police Departments in Iowa had also filed warrants for Hall’s arrest to include; 3 counts of Burglary 3rd degree, Eluding and Interference with Official Acts respectively.

On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, an off duty Guthrie County Deputy located Hall at the Prairie Meadows Casino in Altoona.  The Deputy notified Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies who responded and attempted to arrest Hall on his outstanding warrants.  He initially resisted Deputies during his arrest, but was taken into custody.  Polk County authorities have charged Hall with Criminal Mischief 2nd and Interference with official Acts.  Hall is suspected to be involved in over 25 burglaries across the state of Iowa.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is working with the numerous Sheriff’s Offices and Police Departments across the state on this ongoing investigation.