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Candidate for governor performs CPR at political fundraiser

News

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Democratic candidate for Iowa governor intervened when a woman had a medical emergency at a political fundraiser. The Des Moines Register reports that Andy McGuire rushed to help the woman at the Polk County Steak Fry on Saturday. McGuire is a physician and businesswoman.

McGuire performed CPR on the woman who had apparently choked on her food until paramedics arrived a short time later. McGuire is one of seven Democratic candidates for governor. The others are Nate Boulton, Cathy Glasson, Fred Hubbell, Jon Neiderbach, John Norris and Ross Wilburn.

Stagnant farm economy slows growth in Iowa, Nebraska

Ag/Outdoor, News

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A stagnant farm economy and its ripple effects on other industries are creating budget problems for Nebraska and Iowa, both of which posted the nation’s weakest income growth in a recent federal report.

Key lawmakers from both states say they’re concerned the agricultural downturn will persist, ripping through other sectors and putting additional strain on their budgets.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis says declining farm income was the leading cause of the slowdown in many states, including Iowa and Nebraska. The bureau reports that incomes in both states increased just 0.1 percent in the last quarter, the lowest growth nationwide.

Officials say the sluggishness also hurt agricultural manufacturing, lending, land-rental income and other industries tied to farming.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s report, 10/1/17

News

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office reports two men were cited for Possession of Alcohol under the legal age, Saturday night. Cited at around 8:40-p.m. in the 2500 block of Highway 71, was 20-year old Brett Jeffrey Fulton, and 20-year old Blake Michael Haidsiak-Riggle, both of Villisca. And, at around 3:45-a.m. today (Sunday), Montgomery County Deputies arrested 19-year old Parker Timothy Wagaman, of Red Oak, at the intersection of L Avenue and Highway 48.

Wagaman was charged with OWI/1st offense and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $1,000.

Democrat says party at fault for heartland loss

News

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House Democrat seen as a rising star says the party is to blame for allowing President Donald Trump to claim voters in reliably Democratic territory. Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio told Democrats at a fundraiser in Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday that those voters don’t think Democrats are with them anymore and don’t listen to them.

Another House Democrat at the gathering, Illinois’ Cheri Bustos, says the election shows that the party lost touch with small-town America. Iowa Democrats sent progressive Tom Harkin to the Senate for 30 years and twice delivered the state for Barack Obama. Today, they are powerless in the House, Senate and statehouse, and remain stunned by Trump’s solid victory in the state last year.

Ahead of the 2020 election, state Democrats are feeling pressure to recoup the working-class voters who marched with Trump.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area – Sunday, 10/1/17

Weather

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy & windy w/a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms thru early this afternoon. High 72. S @ 15-30mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight: Mo. Cldy w/a 50% chance of showers & thunderstorms, mainly after 9pm. Low around 61. S/SE @ 15-25mph.New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday: Partly sunny w/a 40% chance of showers & thunderstorms before 1pm. High near 81. S @ 10-20 w/gust to around 30 during the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy & breezy w/a 20% chance of showers & thunderstorms after midnight. Low around 66. S @ 15-30mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy & breezy w/a 70% chance of showers & thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon. High near 75.New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tues. Night: A 60% chance of showers and/or thunderstorms. Low around 54.
Wednesday: P/Sunny w/a 30% chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. High near 69.

Area Volleyball Scores from Saturday, 9/30/17

Sports

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

(2-0) Harlan 21-21, Carlisle 12-12
(2-0) Harlan 21-21, Ottumwa 16-11
(2-0) Harlan 21-22, Pella 18-20
(2-1) Harlan 24-25-15, Boone 26-21-11
(2-0) Missouri Valley 21-21, Heartland Christian 10-6
(2-1) Missouri Valley 25-19-15, Shenandoah 21-25-9
(2-0) Missouri Valley 25-22, Exira-EHK 23-20
(2-1) Pella 24-25-15, Harlan 26-23-12
(2-0) Red Oak 21-21, Fremont-Mills 6-11
(2-0) Red Oak 21-21, Lawton-Bronson 9-10
(2-0) Red Oak 21-21, Stanton 11-8
(2-0) Red Oak 21-21, Westwood, Sloan 17-13
(2-0) St. Albert, Council Bluffs 21-21, Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson 8-9
(2-0) St. Albert, Council Bluffs 21-21, Siouxland Christian 10-9
(2-1) St. Albert, Council Bluffs 25-20-15, Shenandoah 9-25-6
(2-0) St. Albert, Council Bluffs 25-25, Missouri Valley 15-11
(2-0) Tri-Center, Neola 21-21, Fremont-Mills 6-5
(2-0) Tri-Center, Neola 21-21, Lawton-Bronson 15-12
(2-0) Tri-Center, Neola 21-21, Stanton 11-11
(2-0) Tri-Center, Neola 21-21, Westwood, Sloan 9-7
(2-1) Tri-Center, Neola 21-9-15, Red Oak 18-21-12
(2-1) Woodbury Central 21-18-15, Boyer Valley 10-21-12
(2-0) Woodbury Central 21-21, River Valley 11-13
(2-0) Woodbury Central 23-21, St. Mary’s, Remsen 21-12

Chase in Page County results in 1 vehicle damaged, another stolen Saturday night

News

October 1st, 2017 by Ric Hanson

The Page County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be on the lookout for a blue and gold 2010 Ford F-150 pickup that was reported stolen following the pursuit of another vehicle. The pickup has Iowa license plate 038 SDQ. The theft occurred following a chase that began with a traffic stop just after 8-p.m. Saturday, north and west of College Springs. The driver of a 2005 Honda Pilot refused to stop for the patrol vehicle’s lights and siren, and instead increased speed. During the pursuit, which lasted less than 5 minutes, the Honda Pilot entered a field of standing corn.  Deputies discontinued the pursuit when the vehicle went into field.

Similar make and model of the stolen pickup (Not the actual vehicle)

When  perimeter was set up around the section that the corn field was in, it was discovered the vehicle had continued through the standing corn, crashed through a fence and through more standing corn before crashing into a ditch.  The vehicle was disabled from the ditch.  With a registration check from the VIN number on the Honda Pilot, it was found to have been stolen from Council Bluffs on or about September 5th, 2017.

The driver then exited the vehicle and went to a residence less than ¼ mile from where the Honda Pilot was in the ditch.  The owners of the residence reported that their pickup, as described earlier in this report, had been stolen from the residence. Anyone with information about the crimes mentioned, is asked to call the Page County Sheriff’s Office at 712-542-5193, or their local Law Enforcement Agency.

Brewers’ playoff hopes dashed after Cards rally for 7-6 win

Sports

September 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

ST. LOUIS (AP) – The Milwaukee Brewers were eliminated from playoff contention Saturday when they squandered a six-run lead in a 7-6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, handing baseball’s final postseason spot to the Colorado Rockies. Brewers reliever Anthony Swarzak gave up a two-run single to Stephen Piscotty that tied it in the eighth inning and a go-ahead single to Harrison Bader. Milwaukee tried to rally and save its season in the bottom half, but Brett Phillips struck out with a runner on second to end it.

Milwaukee’s loss clinched the second NL wild card for Colorado, which will play at NL West rival Arizona in the wild-card game Wednesday.  The Brewers began the day needing to win their last two regular-season games in St. Louis while the Rockies dropped their final two at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers to force a tiebreaker Monday.

Fast start lifts Michigan State to 17-10 win over Iowa

Sports

September 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Brian Lewerke threw two touchdown passes to Felton Davis in the first quarter, and Michigan State held on for a 17-10 victory over Iowa on Saturday. The Spartans (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) dominated early, and their defense forced two crucial turnovers in the third quarter. Iowa (3-2, 0-2) managed only 19 yards rushing and has now lost its first two conference games for the first time since 2008. Davis surpassed his career high in receptions before halftime and finished with nine for 114 yards. His touchdown catches of 22 and 6 yards gave Michigan State a 14-0 lead, and that was enough for the Spartans to come away with an important home victory. Akrum Wadley scored for Iowa on a 9-yard run in the second quarter, but he was held to 30 yards on 17 carries.

The Hawkeyes trailed 17-7 at halftime but were on the verge of scoring on the first drive of the third quarter. After a successful fake field goal, Iowa was inside the 10-yard line, but quarterback Nate Stanley had the ball slip out of his hand as he began a throwing motion, and linebacker Joe Bachie came diving in to catch it out of the air. Brandon Smith fumbled the ball away in Michigan State territory on Iowa’s next possession. The Spartans held on at the end after Lewerke scrambled for a first down on third-and-12 with under 4:00 to play. By the time Iowa got the ball back, the Hawkeyes were back at their own 16 with 45 seconds remaining.

The Hawkeyes lost to Penn State on the final play last weekend, but they were outgained badly in that game, and their inability to move the ball against Michigan State is cause for concern. The last time Iowa started 0-2 in Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes did rebound quickly, winning five of their final six conference games. Up Next for Iowa: The Hawkeyes host Illinois next Saturday.

Dunne, Northern Iowa beat Southern Illinois 24-17

Sports

September 30th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) – Eli Dunne was 26-of-36 passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns and the Northern Iowa defense forced three fourth-quarter turnovers to help Panthers beat Southern Illinois 24-17 on Saturday night in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams. Daurice Fountain had seven catches for 106 yards and a score and Trevor Allen had 75 yards rushing on 18 carries and added an 11-yard touchdown reception for Northern Iowa (2-2).

Sam Drysdale kicked a 45-yard field goal to give Northern Iowa a 3-0 lead with 4:01 left in the first quarter and, after the Salukis went three-and-out, Dunne’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Fountain made it 10-0 early in the second. Matt Sotiropoulos hit a 32-yard field goal put Southern Illinois on the board with 4:24 left in the half, but a 42-yard reception by Fountain set up a 4-yard TD catch by Elias Nessen that made it 17-3 at the break.

Kyron Watson forced, and then recovered, a fumble by Allen and, four plays later, Sam Straub hit Jacob Varble for a 5-yard touchdown that pulled the Salukis to 24-17 with 11:17 to play, but the Panthers forced turnovers on each of Southern Illinois’ next three possessions – including an interception by Jake Hartford at the 3 with 1:47 remaining.