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Midwest Sports Headlines: 8/6/17

Sports

August 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals game against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night was postponed because of rain and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Sunday. The teams have split the first two games of the four-game series.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer and Lance Lynn got past Joey Votto’s first-inning home run to win his fourth straight start as the St. Louis Cardinals eased past the Cincinnati Reds 4-1 Saturday night. Lynn retired 12 of the last 14 batters he faced.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals will likely place All-Star catcher Salvador Perez on the disabled list before a doubleheader Sunday against the Seattle Mariners. The Royals and Mariners were rained out Saturday night and rescheduled for a traditional doubleheader Sunday, starting at 1:15 p.m. Central with about 30 minutes between games.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith has had a solid first week of training camp, making all the throws and none of the mistakes that Chiefs coach Andy Reid expects of him. But with first-round pick Patrick Mahomes II wowing everyone from fans to coaches, Smith still finds himself under the microscope despite his 41-20 record as the starting quarterback in Kansas City.

CANTON, Ohio (AP) —The rags-to-riches tale of Kurt Warner has taken him to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former Iowa Barnstormers Arena League quarterback who went from grocery store worker to winning two NFL MVP awards and one league title, reinvigorating two moribund franchises along the way, was inducted into the shrine Saturday night.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz thinks Iowa screwed up by not recruiting James Butler out of high school. The Hawkeyes recently rectified that mistake, adding Butler as a highly coveted graduate transfer that they hope can help getting their sluggish offense on track. The addition of Butler, combined with star Akrum Wadley’s return following a breakout season in 2016, should give the Hawkeyes a formidable ground game to help compensate for a passing attack that looks unsettled heading into 2017.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Sunday, 8/6/17

News

August 6th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 4:15 a.m. CDT

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — More than $3 million has been awarded to build a first-of-its-kind housing development for the chronically homeless in Iowa City. The Press-Citizen reports that the Iowa Finance Authority Board of Directors recently awarded $2.7 million to Shelter House for the development, in addition to a $463,000 grant. The plan includes 24 one-bedroom apartments that will cater to the chronically homeless and frequent service users.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Police in western Iowa are investigating after six people suffered opioid overdoses in Council Bluffs this week. The Daily Nonpareil reports that two men were treated for overdoses at separate Council Bluffs hospitals about half-an-hour apart Wednesday night. A day earlier, three people were found unconscious in a Council Bluffs gas station parking lot and another man found unresponsive at a nearby home. All have since been treated and released.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man at a Des Moines home and say a suspect has been charged. Des Moines police say in a news release that officers and medics were called to the home around 4 a.m. Saturday and found a man who had been fatally stabbed. Police say 49-year-old Shawn Eugene Davis was arrested and charged Saturday with first-degree murder in the stabbing death.

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — The identity of a baby killed in a Waterloo crash that also injured nine others has been released. The Courier reports that 7-month-old Liam Mwanje died Wednesday night when a minivan he and eight other people were in collided with a pickup truck at a Waterloo intersection. The baby was taken to a hospital, where he died. Police have not released details about whether restraints were in use at the time of the crash.

Posted in News |

Vandalism at Marshalltown High School

News

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Police in Marshalltown are investigating a case in which a stolen truck plowed into doors of the Marshalltown Roundhouse at Marshalltown High School.

The Marshalltown Police Department got called to the scene at 4:15 Friday morning. A stolen pick up truck had crashed into the north doors of the Marshalltown Roundhouse, a facility that was refurbished just a year ago. There was no one in the vehicle. An investigation is underway. Buildings and grounds crews worked to secure the building as soon as they could.

No activities at the school were interfered with. Repairs are dependent upon the availability of glass and door frames.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Future of NAFTA discussed at Iowa Ag Summit

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Speakers at Saturday’s Iowa Ag Summit suggested there are opportunities and risks ahead as the Trump Administration renegotiates the North American Free Trade Agreement. Officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico will convene in Washington on August 16th to begin the first round of discussions. U-S Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue did not mention NAFTA directly during his keynote address at the Iowa Ag Summit, but he talked about it with reporters afterwards. “First of all, the principle is: ‘Do no harm.’ Overall, agriculture’s done very well under NAFTA and we hope to continue that,” Perdue said. “There are a few things that need to be addressed, certainly, with Canada and with Mexico.”

But Perdue says “not all sectors have benefited equally” under the trade deal. “Our producers in south Florida, vegetables and fruits, have not done as well. Our pork, our dairy, our grain farmers have done relatively well under NAFTA,” Perdue says. “We want to make sure that we have a good, fair deal that’s enforced and we can live with maybe for another 20 years.”

Three Canadian officials spoke at the summit, too, and each talked about NAFTA. Fred Gorrell, the assistant deputy minister for agriculture in Canada, says Canada, the United States and Mexico are the “envy of the world” when it comes to the long-standing trade relationship.  “Not only do we trade with each other, we build things together,” Gorrell said.

Jean-Claude Poissant, Canada’s parliamentary secretary for agriculture, says trade drives the economies “on both sides of the border.”  “The government of Canada is committed to working with you to grow the Canada-U.S. relationship,” Poussant said. “…The main point I want to make is that the Canada-U.S. relationship is strong, stable and beneficial to both our great nations.”

The Iowa Ag Summit also covered issues like prospects for the next Farm Bill, but trade policy was at the forefront of the day-long event. Governor Kim Reynolds says “modernizing” NAFTA presents an opportunity for the state. “Our goal is to ensure Iowa’s high quality products continue to move across borders and around the world,” Reynolds said. Senator Chuck Grassley says re-negotiating the trade pact will be “more difficult” with Canada than with Mexico. “There are some areas, like Canadian dairy policy, that are going to be quite a challenge if we try to make changes in that area, but I think it’s legitimate that we try to do that,” Grassley said.

Randy Spronk, a past president of the National Pork Producers Council, notes Canada and Mexico bought more than two BILLION dollars worth of U.S. pork last year. “As a matter of fact, you add Mexico and Canada together — Mexico is number two and Canada is number four — that’s one third of our exports,” Spronk said. Senator Joni Ernst says in addition to NAFTA, the Trump Administration must establish new “bilateral” agreements now that the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership has been scrapped. “If we don’t pursue these trade agreements, I guarantee you that China will,” Ernst said. And that makes international trade a national security issue, according to Ernst.

Bruce Rastetter, the agribusinessman from Arlington who hosted and organized Saturday’s event, says open markets are critical to both farmers AND Iowa manufacturers. “One of the negative outcomes of NAFTA has been the loss of jobs in rural Iowa,” Rastetter told reporters. Rastetter announced the next Iowa Ag Summit will be on March 3rd of 2018 — and he plans to make it an annual event. “There’ll be an emphasis on trade, manufacturing and I think also in light of the need for improved water quality in agriculture, we’ll have an emphasis on that,” Rastetter said.

Panelists at THIS weekend’s ag summit discussed water quality, too. One panelist suggested federal crop subsidies should be limited to farmers who engage in conservation practices. Others discussed how to provide “accountability” and measure progress.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

OPAL V. FRISBIE, 97, of Adair (Svcs 8/8/17)

Obituaries

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

OPAL V. FRISBIE, 97, of Adair, died Friday, August 4th, at the Good Samaritan Society in Fontanelle. Funeral services for OPAL FRISBIE will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., Aug. 8th, at the Canby Friends Church, in Canby (IA). Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Adair has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home, where visitation with the family is on Monday, from 5-until 7-p.m. ; Memorials may be directed to the Canby Friends Cemetery.

Burial will be in the Canby Friends Cemetery.

OPAL FRISBIE is survived by:

Her sons – Gary Frisbie (& friend Cindy) Frisbie, of Hillsboro, IA., & Delmar (Deborah) Frisbie, of Adair.

Her daughter – Carol (Pat) Mathers, of Butte, NE.

7 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa adds Nevada RB James Butler

Sports

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz thinks Iowa screwed up by not recruiting James Butler out of high school. The Hawkeyes recently rectified that mistake, adding Butler as a highly coveted graduate transfer that they hope can help getting their sluggish offense on track.

Butler, who gained over 1,300 yards rushing in each of his last two seasons at Nevada, joined Iowa last month after graduating in just three years. The addition of Butler, combined with star Akrum Wadley’s return following a breakout season in 2016, should give the Hawkeyes a formidable ground game to help compensate for a passing attack that looks unsettled heading into 2017.

Posted in Sports |

ISU’s Lazard taking business approach to season

Sports

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State senior wide receiver Allen Lazard says he is coming into the fall season more focused than ever before. “This being my last year and all, I need to be the most locked in I’ve ever been. Really take advantage of every single practice — because it really is my last practices, my last camp,” Lazard says. And as a senior he has another role.

“I’m also leading my teammates and showing them if we put that work in now all that work we put in the last six months is really going to pay off. If we get together and form that bond…make sure we develop that chemistry,” Lazard says. “That way we can go to the season very on point with our schemes and stuff.” Lazard thought about leaving after his junior season to go into the N-F-L, but decided to returned. He says part of what he does this season is preparing to move on to the next level of football and he has developed a routine to carry him through.

He says that involves waking up at the same time, going through the same things every day, being early to meetings, practices and handling things the most professional and businesslike that he can. Lazard has been a factor for the Cyclones since graduating from Urbandale High School and moving to Ames. He says he’s not thinking about any of the records or legacy that he’ll leave after his senior season.

“I’m just focused on winning. These past three years, all the tough times that we’ve been through, all the wins that we let slip out from underneath us, that’s what fuels me. That’s what drives me and pushes my teammates as well. Makes you want to push them even more, Lazard says. Lazard caught 69 passes for one-thousand-18 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Iowa State opens the season on September 2nd at home against U-N-I.

(Learfield Sports)

Posted in Sports |

Reynolds says state has nearly half a billion in cash reserve, no need for short-term borrowing

News

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Governor Kim Reynolds says the state does not need to engage in cash flow borrowing to cover the state’s financial obligations next March and April. “I want to just assure Iowans we have almost half a billion dollars in cash reserves. I don’t think this is a time when we need to be short-term borrowing, ” Reynolds says. “I don’t think it’s necessary.”

State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald has been arguing the state should borrow a lump sum in September, then it can be invested and earn interest until this spring. That’s when the state enters a lean period, waiting for Iowans to pay their income taxes while still making massive monthly school aid payments and meeting state payroll. Fitzgerald says the state “nearly drained” its cash reserves this past spring during that period.

Reynolds will use her authority to withdraw up to 50 MILLION dollars from the cash reserve THIS FALL to cover any red ink in the state budgeting year that ended June 30th. If the deficit is larger, state legislators will have to reconvene and vote to withdraw more. Reynolds says the accountants are still reviewing the books, waiting for state agencies to turn over any unspent funds and for bills owed to the state BEFORE June 30th to be paid.

“I want to just reassure all Iowans that our bills are being paid and have been paid and are being paid,” Reynolds says. “…We’re continuing to collect the facts. We’re doing the due diligence that we need to be doing so that we can make an informed decision on the procedures moving forward.”

Cedar Rapids Mayor Ron Corbett is running against Reynolds in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary. He’s been criticizing Reynolds for the way she and former Governor Terry Branstad have been using the state’s cash reserves this year to cover on-going state expenses rather than make deeper cuts in the budget.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in News |

Midwest Sports Headlines: 8/5/17

Sports

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joey Votto drove home a pair of runs with a double and a single, and Asher Wojciechowski went five innings in his return to the rotation on Friday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds have won all five games against St. Louis at Great American Ball Park this season. They lead 8-3 in their season series.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — James Paxton tied a Mariners’ record by winning his seventh straight start, and Seattle beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 Friday night to move back over .500. Jason Hammel gave up three runs and six hits in six and one third innings.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is back at training camp after another Achilles’ tendon injury. The 34-year-old star was sorely missed after he was hurt last December, especially in a playoff loss to Pittsburgh. But despite the quick turnaround time from his injury, the Chiefs believe Johnson is back to playing at his same old level.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is heading to Ohio to celebrate Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ entry into the NFL Hall of Fame. Christie is scheduled to be in Canton Saturday to see Jones’ induction. Christie is a lifelong Cowboys fan despite most New Jersey football fans favoring two of the Cowboys’ biggest rivals: the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska receiver Stanley Morgan Junior said he is committed to doing the right thing after a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge against him was dropped. The junior from New Orleans is the Cornhuskers’ top returning receiver. Morgan said he wants to atone for a number of passes he dropped last season.

Posted in Sports |

Fatal tractor-trailer accident in northern Iowa, Friday

News

August 5th, 2017 by Ric Hanson

An unidentified, minor passenger in a semi died Friday, when the tractor-trailer went out of control and rolled over near the Iowa-Minnesota border. The Iowa State Patrol says the accident happened in Osceola County, northwest of Harris, IA, at around 12:10-p.m.

Officials say the semi, driven by 35-year old Joshua Hamrick, of Spencer, was southbound on Walnut Avenue, when a tire left the roadway. The trailer also left the road and began to slide into the ditch. The trailer slide around the side of the semi and began to roll, causing the semi to make a complete roll before it came to rest on the passenger side near the intersection of Walnut Ave. and 120th Street.

The juvenile passenger died at the scene. The semi was registered to Stahly Family Farms, out of Lake Park, Iowa.

Posted in News |