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U.N.I. coach says this team could be special

September 30, 2009 By

U.N.I. coach Mark Farley admits this year’s Panther team could be a special one. U.N.I. is off to a 3-1 start and opened the Missouri Valley Football Conference race with a dominating victory at Missouri State. “This football team is at a better point today than any previous team that we’ve had,” Farley says. He says that assessment is based on not the opponents they’ve faced, but on what he’s seen in practice and the fact they are good on offense, defense and special teams.

Farley says the key will be not looking too far down the road, and he says if they keep healthy and keep getting better they are in a good place. He says they have to keep finding ways to challenge the football team.

One area that needs improvement is penalties. U.N.I. averages just under 63 yards in penalties per game. Farley says they’ve lost over 250 yards of offense from penalties in the first four games, and also have lost more on deffense. The Panthers host an Indiana State team this weekend that has lost 31 consecutive games and 55 of its last 56.

“We’ve got to find a way to challenge our team, and do it for four quarters, and not worry about who we’re playing, but how we’re playing,” Farley says. Farley says the Panthers cannot focus on Indiana State’s record. “If you dare look too far down the road, if you dare look past today, I think that you start to become complacent with where you are at and you start to become neutral,” Farley says. He says Indiana State has been in all its ballgames at halftime and has had some problems in the second half.

Indiana State coach Trent Miles says his team faces a big challenge against the Panthers. He says they are a well-coached solid team and the best defense in the nation and could easily be ranked number one. Miles says they are going to buckle up the chin straps and “come out breathing fire and try to get at it.”

The Sycamores have scored only 30 points in five games. Miles says the problems on offense are a combination of mistakes and a young offensive line, as they are starting a true freshman, three true sophomores and a true junior and they aren’t where they need to be yet.

Miles says the Sycamore defensive line will need to battle a U.N.I. offensive line that is much bigger. He says they will have to play with great pad level and be physical and try to penetrate.

Elwin Huffman of KOEL in Oelwein contributed to this story.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: ,

Rants calls for state gun rights amendment

September 30, 2009 By

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants of Sioux Ctiy is calling for another new amendment to the state’s constitution, one that guarantees Iowans have the right “to keep and bear arms.” 

Iowa is one of six states which do not have such an amendment in their state constitution, and Rants says that’s important given today”s announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a gun rights case.

“We know that the U.S. Supreme Court is revisiting the Second Amendment,” Rants says.  “And one of the key decisions they’re going to make is whether or not localities like Chicago or state governments can pass legislation or ordinances that temper or take away people’s rights to bear arms, pass handgun controls, for instance.” 

Rants is a member of the Iowa House who tried but failed last spring to set the wheels in motion for a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa.  Rants says it’s time to ensure Iowans have the right, under the state constitution, to own firearms and an amendment to the state constitution would do that.

“With Justice Sotomayor on the Supreme Court and given her previous options…(it) leads me to believe that the court will say that the Second Amendment applies to federal legislation and may not apply to state or local ordinances,” Rants says.  “Therefore, if Iowans truly want to protect their Second Amendment rights, we need a state constitutional amendment.  I’ll be introducing that legislation in January when the legislature reconvenes and I’ll make that part of my agenda if Iowans were to elect me governor next fall.” 

Rants is not a gun owner or a hunter, and he is not a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

“I still believe that’s a right that someday I may want to take advantage of,” Rants says.  “My neighbors, my fellow citizens certainly should have that right, regardless of whether I take advantage of it.” 

Iowa along with the states of California, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York do not have state constitutional provisions which guarantee a right to keep and bear arms.  The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit challenging Chicago’s ban on handguns and other restrictions on shotguns and rifles. Last year the Supreme Court struck down portions of a Washington, D.C. handgun ban.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Northwest Iowa blood center impacted by flu

September 30, 2009 By

Flu season doesn’t usually peak until January or February, but a blood center in northwest Iowa is already seeing an impact on its donor numbers. Heather Marreel, spokeswoman for the Siouxland Community Blood Bank in Sioux City, says supplies are still in good shape, but there’s been a noticeable drop in donations due to scattered influenza outbreaks across the region.

“Right now, we’re coming into the busy season for us as we’re having a lot of blood drives at high schools and colleges,” Marreel says. “They are the ones who seem to be impacted the most with a lot of their students and staff coming down with the flu, so our numbers are down slightly.” Marreel, the center’s director of recruitment, says donors for all blood types are virtually always in demand, but she adds, if you’re feeling like you might have a bug, it’s likely best to stay away for a while.

“We want our donors to be 100% healthy when they come in and donate blood,” Marreel says. “If somebody has the flu symptoms, the chills, the fever, sweats and things like that, we ask our donors to be flu symptom-free for at least 24 hours before they come in and donate blood.” While certain illnesses, conditions or activities can disqualify you as a blood donor, she says just getting vaccinated for the flu isn’t a reason to skip giving a pint.

“The good news is, if you have received a flu shot, or if you plan on receiving the H1N1 vaccine when that comes out, that does not impact one’s ability to donate blood,” Marreel says. “You can receive the shot that morning and still donate blood later in the afternoon.” To reach the Sioux City office, visit: “www.siouxlandbloodbank.org” or to find the nearest Red Cross blood center, call 800-Give Life.

Filed Under: Health & Medicine

Weather expected to change drastically

September 30, 2009 By

A drastic change in the weather is expected as Iowans flip their calendars to the month of October. National Weather Service meteorologist Brad Small says showers and storms will move from west to east across the state sometime after midnight. Some of the storms could be severe.

“Generally, the greatest threat will be in the form of large hail,” Small said. “There could be some damaging winds and possibly a tornado or two toward the Missouri border, but for the vast majority of the state the main threats will be large hail and heavy rain.” Some areas of the state could receive one to two inches of rain through Thursday and minor flooding could occur in places were rivers and streams are already running high. The rain and storms on Thursday will be followed by much cooler temperatures.

“Friday will be a very fall-like day, probably the most extreme we’ve seen so far this season,” Small said. “Highs will struggle to get into the low 50s, with off and on rain and some brisk winds too.” Partly to mostly cloudy conditions are expected statewide Saturday and Sunday with highs in the mid 50s to low 60s.

Filed Under: Weather

Man charged after his pot stash is found at courthouse

September 30, 2009 By

A Mason City man could end up in prison for a couple of years after being arrested for allegedly planting a stash of marijuana at the Cerro Gordo County Courthouse. The Sheriff’s Department says they arrested 23-year-old Matthew Kiroff at the Courthouse Tuesday for possession of marijuana second offense.

That’s after building maintenance located a stash of marijuana in a bathroom and altered deputies of the discovery. After an investigation by the Sheriff’s Department, Kiroff was found trying to remove the marijuana from the courthouse and was placed under arrest. Kiroff faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $6,250 if convicted.

Contributed by Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City

Filed Under: Crime & Courts Tagged With:

U.S. House honors Norman Borlaug

September 30, 2009 By
Norman Borlaug

Norman Borlaug

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution this afternoon honoring Iowa native Norman Borlaug “for helping reduce world hunger.” 

Borlaug, a native of Cresco, Iowa, won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his work in plant genetics. He died earlier this month at the age of 95. Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat from Waterloo, said Borlaug was one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With: , , ,

Eight-man: Jason Carroll, Corwith-Wesley-LuVerne

September 30, 2009 By

The junior rushed for 285 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Northeast Hamilton. He also converted a two-point conversion and returned two punts for a total of 52 yards. Carroll also collected 14 tackles on defense, including two for a loss.

Filed Under: INS Player of the Week, Sports
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