CHICAGO (AP) – The Chicago Cubs activated outfielder Chris Coghlan from the disabled list Friday and optioned infielder Tommy La Stella to Triple-A Iowa. La Stella, who was hitting .295 in 105 at-bats with a .388 on-base percentage, didn’t take the news well, according to Cubs manager Joe Maddon.

La Stella had options remaining, which left him vulnerable. The Cubs needed a roster spot with Coghlan (ribs) healthy again after completing a rehab stint at Double-A Tennessee. They will need to make a decision soon on outfielder Jorge Soler (hamstring), who also is on a rehab assignment.

Maddon inserted Coghlan into left field and the leadoff spot for Friday’s game. Coghlan is hitting .155 with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 70 games this season, batting .194 since the Cubs reacquired him earlier this season.

DAYTON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say one of the founders of the Dayton Rodeo has died during a fire at his Dayton home. The Webster County medical examiner pronounced 98-year-old Allen Porter dead at the scene Thursday. Dr. Dan Cole told The Messenger that Porter’s body was found in a hallway. An autopsy has been ordered.  Fire officials say Porter’s caretaker escaped through a window. The fire cause is being investigated.

A Dayton Wranglers Saddle Club account of the rodeo’s history says Porter helped started the event in 1937 with Duane Vegors and Vern Danielson. They began with rope trucks in the city park. Porter will be honored during an empty saddle ceremony at the rodeo. It’s scheduled for Sept. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Chris Parks.

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CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT

11 a.m. — Carlisle (32-6) vs. Pella (31-8)
1:30 p.m. — Harlan (28-5) vs. Solon (22-20)

CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT

5 p.m. — Waukee (31-11) vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie (36-6)
7:30 p.m. — Iowa City West (34-6) vs. Des Moines Roosevelt (33-10)

Semifinals winners will play for the State Championship Title in both classes on Saturday, at Principal Park, in Des Moines.

The Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce reports Connect-a-Dock is the Premier Partner of the AtlanticFest Road Race. The new partnership allows the AtlanticFest Road Race to continue chip timing to all the participants while keeping the cost and fees low to the entire community.  Abby Becker, Road Race chair, said “We are excited to continue chip timing for the AtlanticFest Road Race. Last year’s participants loved having an accurate time and immediate results.”  Becker added, “We are working with a new company this year, True Time Racing.”

The 2016 Road Race will be held on Saturday, August 13^th to kick off the 18^th Annual AtlanticFest. The race will begin at 8:00 AM at the Atlantic City Park with a 2 or 5 mile run and a 2 mile walk. The route can be found on www.atlanticiowa.com and will be similar to last year; enjoying a route through Schildberg Recreation Area.

Pre-Registration is open now until August 1^st. Participants that pre-register for $16 will receive a free performance shirt with the new Road Race logo. Pre-Registration is also available for $10 but does not include a shirt.  Racers that prefer to register closer to the event can register on-line until August 11^th or the day of at 7 am at the Atlantic City Park.

Pre-registered racers will receive a performance shirt with new thea Road Race logo sponsored by: First Whitney Bank, Connect- A- Dock, Cass County Health System and several other sponsors. New this year, Southwest Iowa Crystal Clear Southwest Iowa, will be filling re-usable water bottles to be distributed after the race.

For more information about the RoadRace, or additional AtlanticFest information visit www.atlanticiowa.com or call the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce at (712)243-3017.

CLASS 1A STATE TOURNAMENT
Thursday’s semifinals (7/28)
Remsen-St. Mary’s 5, Newman Catholic 3
West Sioux 2, Don Bosco 1

Saturday’s championship (7/30)
11 a.m. — Remsen-St. Mary’s (32-5) vs. West Sioux (26-2)

CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT
Thursday’s semifinals (7/28)
Clear Lake 10, Hinton 7
Kuemper Catholic 7, Pleasantville 1

Saturday’s championship (7/30)

1:30 p.m. — Clear Lake (30-7) vs. Kuemper Catholic (26-11)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A court has upheld the seizure of $63,000 from a former professional basketball player suspected of marijuana trafficking. Deputies in western Iowa seized former Purdue and Houston Baptist forward Gordon Watt’s cash in 2013 after stopping his speeding rental car. The money was packaged in bundles and discovered with items that investigators said pointed to drug dealing, including a baggie of marijuana, a digital scale and a stolen handgun.

Investigators believe Watt was driving to Colorado to buy marijuana to resell in Illinois. Watt, who played overseas after completing his college career in 2009, claimed he was going to practice in the high altitude and that he didn’t trust banks. The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday the cash is subject to forfeiture based on its likely tie to drugs.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Chris Parks.

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CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT
Wednesday’s quarterfinals
Waukee 3, Johnston 2
Cedar Rapids Prairie 1, Davenport West 0
Iowa City West 4, Cedar Rapids Jefferson 3
Des Moines Roosevelt 11, Urbandale 3
Friday’s semifinals
5 p.m. — Waukee (31-11) vs. Cedar Rapids Prairie (36-6)
7:30 p.m. — Iowa City West (34-6) vs. Des Moines Roosevelt (33-10)

THURSDAY, JULY 28TH

CLASS 1A Semifinals:

11 a.m. — Newman Catholic (33-5) vs. Remsen-St. Mary’s (31-5)
1:30 p.m. — West Sioux (26-2) vs. Don Bosco (35-4)

CLASS 2A Semifinals:

5 p.m. — Clear Lake (29-7) vs. Hinton (24-5)
7:30 p.m. — Pleasantville (29-9) vs. Kuemper Catholic (25-11)