Archive - 2014

When the Iowa Hawkeye women beat Northwestern last week 90-84, Lisa Bluder not only passed Vivian Stringer for the most wins (270) in school history, she topped Tom Davis, the former men’s head basketball coach.
What are the chances of head coaches from the women’s and men’s basketball teams to finish their careers with exactly 269 victories?
All five Iowa starters were in double figures, with Melissa Dixon and Samantha Logic leading the way.
That’s the way Lisa coaches basketball, and why she has been so successful.

Donald Melichar, 73, of Cedar Rapids passed away on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. Services were held on Feb. 14 at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial was in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Donald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharlene Melichar of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Richard Oltrogge of Sarah, Miss.; Jay (Robin) Melichar of Cedar Rapids; a brother Edward (Janet) Melichar of Cedar Rapids; a sister Janice (Walter) Ashbacker of Solon; granddaughter Bayli Oltrogge, and many loving nieces and nephews.

I received four new books for Christmas. Two are by authors I’ve read before (though not these particular titles) and the others are identified as New York Times Best-Selling Authors. This, I understand means only that they have had at least one book on that list, but not necessarily this one. In fact, I’m pretty sure about that, as one of the books indicates it was published in 2014, even though it was clearly under my Christmas tree on Christmas Eve, 2013.

SWISHER– Fifteen votes.
That’s how close the mayoral election was Tuesday, Feb. 4, in this small northwestern Johnson County community as voters decided who would replace Tim Mason as mayor.
Christopher J. Taylor won the special election with 151 of 288 total votes (52 percent) against 136 votes (47 percent) for Randy Hurlbert. The seat was vacated in November when Mason abruptly resigned minutes after City Clerk Connie Meier resigned. Council member Mary Gudenkauf has been acting as mayor pro tempore ever since, albeit reluctantly.

North Liberty Leader
IOWA CITY– The Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors earned their 51st consecutive district title Saturday, Feb. 8, in competition in Iowa City. The Warriors amassed 295 points to take the championship. The West High Trojans were second with 274.
West High’s Aiden Keen was named the Athlete of the Year while Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Shawn Thompson, with assistants Shane Brekke, Nick Carew and Greg Gibson was named Coach of the Year.