The president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa says the group isn’t just for women. Jan McNelly of Webster City says the League of Women Voters is open to men, too. Men have been eligible for League of Women Voters membership for 30 years, and about 10 percent of the members in Iowa are men. To become a member, one need only be 18 or older, and be a legal U.S. resident. McNelly says the League’s mission is to help “concerned citizens” learn more about issues. She says it’s important to learn more about what candidates will do if elected rather than to learn about their personalities. McNelly was among those celebrating Women’s Suffrage Day this past week — the 83rd anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which gave women the right to vote. McNally says the work women suffragists started is not finished — and she says members of the League of Women Voters “are ready to work.” The League of Women Voters was formed in 1920 and has been active in Iowa, which boasted some of the prominent names in the women’s suffrage movement. The League has over 700 members in Iowa and has a history of political action. The League of Women Voters successfully challenged the Congressional redistricting plan the Iowa Legislature crafted in 1972.
Iowan has key role in latest horror flick
A Clarinda native is featured in a new horror movie that opens up this weekend. Bill Aaron Brown is a 1998 graduate of Clarinda High School and is in “Jeepers Creepers 2″ — a sequel to the first movie. He says the “Creeper” comes back every 23 years for 23 days to eat people’s body parts to survive — eyes to see, hearts to live. Brown says in his film, the monster attacks a busload of high school kids.He says they’ve just won a high school basketball championship and are on their way home when the creeper attacks the bus. Brown plays the nerdy team manager Bucky in what he says is a departure from the other roles he’s played.Brown says he went in for four different roles before he got this one, which was the only role left. Brown hopes this film does as well as the original.He says the first one did really well on Labor Day weekend two or three years ago. He says there’s some competition from the film “Freddy versus Jason”, but he thinks it will do okay. Brown continues to play a reoccurring role as Kyle on the TV sitcom “Eight Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter.” he’s also appeared in other TV shows such as “Boston Public” and two movies with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
Britt draft horse show underway
An annual draft horse show’s underway in Britt, showcasing the original horsepower that plowed the prairies. Organizer Melanie Hiscock says this is one of the biggest draft-horse “hitch” shows in North America. In the draft-horse industry she says they refer to this as “the Britt Show” and everyone knows where and what that is, and Hiscock adds it draws competitors from many states and Canada as well as spectators who’ll drive 6-8 hours just to see it. Secretary-treasurer today, Hiscock says this is the 22nd annual show. Britt’s lucky to bring in team “hitches” from all over the country — as far as Idaho, Texas and Nova Scotia, Canada, with 19 six-horse hitches in all. Hiscock says this is a salute to history as well as a qualifying show for the “Classic Series Show Circuit.” She calls it a great family activity, with kids of all ages up to the fellows who remember farming with horses and like to watch and compare notes about old times. The Britt Draft Horse show will run through Sunday at the Hancock County Fairgrounds.
Fire damages U-of-I building
A fire Friday on the University of Iowa campus damaged a high-tech new building nearing completion but spokesman Steve Parrott says they were lucky. About 90 construction workers in the building at the time were able to get out safely, no faculty or students were hurt but they did evacuate the chemistry building when the fire broke out about 11:30. By late in the day classes had resumed in the chemistry building and students returned to Dahm Hall, a nearby dorm that also was emptied for a time. Even though there were “some pretty good-looking flames” and smoke, he says it looks like there wasn’t significant structural damage, and there’s minimal damage inside, just drywall water damage, because it wasn’t finished inside but outside walls show damage and the planned opening will have to be pushed back a couple months. The building’s going to house the university’s honors program as well as the Belin Blank Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development, as well as classrooms and offices. The Iowa City fire department’s probing the cause of the fire, the second big blaze it’s had to tackle this week. The Blank Honors Center is being built in the center of the University campus.
Drake scores first, but drops season opener
Drake opened and closed the scoring but in between Illinois State dominated as the Bulldogs fell 27-13 in their season opener Thursday night. Illinois State’s ground game was too powerful as the Redbirds piled up 282 yards of rushing in the contest. It was an impressive debut for new Drake quarterback Connor Jostes who ended up with 247 yards of passing including a 17 yard scoring strike to Shea Moroni in the closing moments of the game. Jonathan Taylor opened the scoring with a one yard run midway through the opening quarter.
ISU,Iowa, UNI ready to open football season
The college football season shifts into high gear this weekend with openers for Iowa and Iowa State at home. The Hawkeyes come off last year’s record-breaking season by hosting Miami of Ohio. The Hawkeye defense will go up against Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who piled up more than 340-yards in a 29-24 Hawkeye victory last season. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Roethlisberger was a young player two years ago who struggled, and an experience player who did well last year. With so many new faces he says his the offense may not be flashy but he is hoping it is effective. He says they want to be aggressive and fundamentally sound. Ferentz says limiting penalties is always important in a season opener.The Cyclones entertain U-N-I under the lights. Iowa State has been to three straight bowl games and coach Dan McCarney wants to build momentum at the outset. McCarney says they need a good start to achieve the goals he’s set for the team.McCarney says the best way for the Cyclones to prepare is to have respect for U-N-I and realize the Panthers can win this game. He says it’s his job to send the message so his players really truly understand it. He says this is U-N-I’s Superbowl and they know from the past that they can win the game.A pair of redshirt freshman start in the backfield, Austin Flynn at quarterback and Stevie Hicks at running back. Despite the inexperience, McCarney would like to see the offense run smoothly.The game will be the first at U-N-I for running back Terrance Freeney. Coach Mark Farley expects the former Cedar Falls High School standout to make an immediate impact. He calls him a solid slashing runner who can go over people or around them. Farley says Freeney has been a leader so far this season.Farley says Freeney bring several elements to the running back position, giving them an edge they didn’t have in past seasons, one back with finesse of power. And Farley says Freeney can catch the ball too.
UNI volleyball team set to take on top competition
The eighth-ranked Northern Iowa volleyball team opens the season this weekend at a tournament in Los Angeles. The Panthers open with a match against South Carolina later today and cap it off by taking on top-ranked and defending national U-S-C.Panther coach Bobbi Peterson says they’re big and physical and throw a lot of things at you. She says despite a difficult challenge the Panthers are ready and looking forward to the opportunity.
