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Grassley bill to rein in $8B in unauthorized USDA spending

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is introducing a bill today (Tuesday) which he says will help to rein in billions of dollars in Biden administration spending that’s siphoning money away from vital farm programs. Grassley, a Republican, is calling it the U-S Department of Agriculture Spending Accountability Act. “The bill limits spending from that part of the U.S.D.A. called the Commodity Credit Corporation,” Grassley says, “and it would limit the C.C.C. to spending money only on programs authorized by Congress.”

Grassley says the legislation is designed to stop the U-S-D-A from undermining the role of Congress in writing the upcoming Farm Bill. “Over the past few years, secretaries of agriculture have used excess funds in the CCC for their own agenda,” Grassley says. “It’s become one of the most costly tools in the farm safety net.” He says the Biden administration is using this agricultural loophole as a blank check to pay for a host of unapproved programs, which Grassley says includes the president’s “environmental agenda.”

“Without these new controls, the Biden administration can simply fund its priorities using the C.C.C.,” Grassley says, “even if Congress rejects them in the upcoming Farm Bill.” He says the bill would save eight-billion dollars. Given the debt and deficit, Grassley says they “need to find savings in every nook and cranny of the Farm Bill.”

High School Softball Regional Final Schedule 07/11/2023

Sports

July 11th, 2023 by admin

IGHSAU Softball Playoffs
Regional Finals
07/11/2023 All games at 7:00 p.m.

CLASS 3A

Region 1: West Lyon @ Estherville-Lincoln Central
Region 2: Albia @ Chariton
Region 3: Greene County @ Saydel
Region 4: Atlantic @ Davis County- ON KJAN
Region 5: Grinnell @ Williamsburg
Region 6: Mount Vernon @ Benton
Region 7: Solon @ Wahlert Catholic
Region 8: West Burlington @ Assumption

CLASS 4A

Region 1: Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley @ Fort Dodge
Region 2: ADM @ Dallas Center-Grimes
Region 3: Winterset @ Indianola
Region 4: Ballard @ Carlisle
Region 5: Gilbert @ North Polk
Region 6: Burlington @ Norwalk
Region 7: North Scott @ Xavier
Region 8: Maquoketa @ Western Dubuque

CLASS 5A

Region 1: Waukee @ Ankeny
Region 2: Des Moines Lincoln @ Waukee Northwest
Region 3: Johnston @ WDM Valley
Region 4: Ames @ Ankeny Centennial
Region 5: Ottumwa @ Southeast Polk
Region 6: Linn-Mar @ Pleasant Valley
Region 7: Iowa City Libert @ Muscatine
Region 8: Dubuque Hempstead @ Bettendorf

CAM School Board approves employee moves, Sharing Agreements & more

News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Anita, Iowa) – The CAM School Board met Monday evening for about an hour, in Anita. Superintendent Paul Croghan told KJAN News the Board approved the resignation of Elementary Secretary Brittany Honeck. The Board then approved a contract with Honeck to become Board Secretary Assistant to the School Business Official (SBO) position.

The CAM School Board proceeded to renew Sharing Agreements with the Nodaway Valley Community School District.

They also passed a Resolution to approve a BMO Member Account Agreement, with regard to a credit card switch, and access to online banking. They also approved an assortment of Board Policies.

Croghan said community engagement meetings with SitelogicIQ will likely get underway in September, with regard to District Projects. And, he mentioned the School Board approved a Request For Proposal (RFP). The contract with the Nolte, Cornman & Johnson Auditing firm is for three-years. They also approved Board Legislative Priorities, including Supplemental State Aid, and Bond Approval by simple majority.

The CAM School Board approved also, the replacement of six heaters in the Elementary Building by Smith Plumbing and Heating, and approval of a transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Activity Fund, for reconditioned safety equipment. That includes football helmets and shoulder and knee pads, and new helmets.

Superintendent Croghan noted also, the new school year is fast approaching. He thanked school personnel who are making sure students and staff will have a clean and functional learning environment.

Heartbeat Today 7-11-2023

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

July 11th, 2023 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Audubon County Extension Office Manager Abby Van Aernam about the 2023 Audubon County Fair which opens this week.

Play

Collision in Creston, Saturday morning – no injuries

News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – The Creston Police Department said today (Tuesday, 7/11), no injuries were reported following a collision that occurred just before 10-a.m. Saturday, at the intersection of Elm and Adams Streets. Authorities report a 2022 Ford Explorer SUV driven by 72-year-old Martha Lou Larson, of Clearfield, and a 2022 Buick Encore SUV driven by 88-year-old Marjorie Anne Scurlock, of Creston, approached and stopped at 4-way stop intersection, with Larson traveling south on Elm Street and Scurlock headed east on Adams Street.

Both vehicles proceeded into the intersection at the same time, and collided. Both drivers said they thought they had the right-of-way, and did not see each other before entering the intersection. Damage from the collision amounted to $6,000. No citations were issued.

A reminder: Mobile Food Pantries Coming to Atlantic & Massena tomorrow (July 12 )

News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Cass County, Iowa) – A reminder from the Cass County Local Food Policy Council:  Atlantic and Massena are hosting mobile food pantries this month on Wednesday afternoon, July 12. A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. Each car can take food for up to two households at a time. Both Atlantic and Massena will be distributing the same food products. If supplies run low in Massena, families will be directed to Atlantic.

Full details about the July 12 Mobile Pantries, as well as dates for upcoming mobile pantries in 2023 are listed below:

July 12 Mobile Food Pantries:

Atlantic: Atlantic High School front parking lot, from 4-6 p.m. Enter from 14th Street and follow signs. Questions, call 712-243-1132.
Massena: Southwest Iowa Egg, 74877 Clark Avenue, Massena, Iowa – Enter from the west and drive across the scale for pick up.  Time:  4:30-5:00 p.m. 

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile pantries in Anita and Atlantic, visit https://foodbankheartland.org/food-resources/find-food/. For the latest information on Massena pantries, call (712) 779-3447. For information on upcoming events and local food, farmers markets, and food access activities, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

Body found Monday in Council Bluffs

News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Police in Council Bluffs report a badly decomposed body was found Monday afternoon, near 25th Street and Avenue G. Officers were dispatched to the scene at around 3:30-p.m.  Authorities  said initial evidence seemed to indicate the person found was not the victim of foul play. They did not identify the gender of the remains. An autopsy is expected to reveal more information.

National Wildlife Federation Certifies New Wildlife Habitat in Atlantic, Iowa Local Residents Making A Difference To Protect Wildlife

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), America’s largest wildlife conservation and education organization, reports Brad and Lorrie Rasmussen at Hygge Cottage and Tivoli Gardens in Atlantic (Iowa), have successfully created a Certified Wildlife Habitat through its Garden for Wildlife Program.  In addition, the Rasmussen’s habitat has been co-certified with NWF’s state affiliate, the Iowa Wildlife Federation.

The NWF says its celebrates this effort to create a garden which supports birds, butterflies, bees, frogs, and other local wildlife.  Every Certified Wildlife Habitat Garden provides natural sources of food, water, cover, and places to raise young and is maintained in a sustainable way which incorporates indigenous grasses and forbs, conserves water, and does not rely on pesticides.

NWF Naturalist David Mizejewski says “Anyone, anywhere can restore wildlife habitat right in their own yards and communities. Whether you garden in a suburban yard, an urban yard, or a rural plot of land, you will make a difference for local wildlife.  Creating a Certified Wildlife is fun, easy, and makes a real difference for both humans and wildlife.  It’s the perfect grassroots way to think globally and act locally and help birds, butterflies, bees, and many other types of wildlife.”

For more information on NWF’s Garden for Wildlife movement and how to qualify to have a garden space recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat, visit Garden for Wildlife or call 1-800-822-9919.

Adams County Fair concludes today

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

(Corning, Iowa) – The Adams County Fair concludes its week-long run today (Tuesday), in Corning. Here’s today’s slate of events/activities:

7:00-a.m., 4-H Endowment Breakfast

8:00-a.m., Dairy Show

9:00-a.m., Beef Show

1:00-p.m., 4-H/FFA Dog Show

2:00-p.m, Non-Sale Livestock will be released

4:00-p.m., Tall Corn Contest – sponsored by POET – static exhibits released

4:30-p.m., BBQ sponsored by the Adams County Fair Board

5:00-p.m., Bottle Buckaroo Show; 4-H Youth Council Ice Cream Stand

6:00-p.m., Livestock sale, followed by Premiums Sale, Herdsmanship & Shooting Sports Exhibition results announced.

On Wednesday, has the Swine Carcass results at the Adams County Extension, followed by Corning Meat Locker Walk-Through.

SHAWNA LEIGH KLINDT, 58, of Council Bluffs (Svcs. 7/17/23)

Obituaries

July 11th, 2023 by Ric Hanson

SHAWNA LEIGH KLINDT, 58, of Council Bluffs, died Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Mercy Hospital. A Memorial service for SHAWNA KLINDT will be held 11:30-a.m. Monday, July 17, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, in Kirkman. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at the United Methodist Church in Kirkman is on Monday, from 10:30-until 11:30-a.m.

SHAWNA LEIGH KLINDT is survived by:

Her husband – Robert “Smoky” Klindt, of Council Bluffs.

Her daughters – Carly Summers, of Waukee; Stacy (Mike) Christensen, of Harlan; and Emilee (Steven) Russell, of Omaha, NE.

Her son – Jonathan (Ashlie) Klindt, of Harlan.

Her father – Ivan Fries, of Irwin.

Her brothers – Jeff (Connie) Fries, of Ralston, NE; and Kevin (Brenda) Fries, of Harlan.

Her sister – Leslie (Tim) Eischeid, of Halbur.

and 8 grandchildren.