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New USDA effort looks to link farmers and urban shoppers

Ag/Outdoor

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The Department of Agriculture has announced a new effort aimed at connecting farmers with urban shoppers. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the demand for local food is growing to between five and seven billion dollars every year and that could be an economic boon for farmers. “We know that there are a number of opportunities that exist in urban centers to expand local food production and promotion,” Vilsack says.

Certain urban projects will now be eligible for a loan guarantee program that’s long been a part of the farm bill’s Rural Development title. Local food efforts in cities will be considered for funds through a guaranteed loan program, provided they directly benefit rural communities. “If you’re going to be using U-S-D-A resources, it has to have a connection, a financial and legitimate connection to rural areas and that is why there is the condition that there has to be some linkage to rural productions and producers,” he explains.

Vilsack says a food hub that connects city institutions to local food is one example. “So the business and industry loan program will clarify that these resources can now be used for an urban project, so long as it’s benefiting rural producers,” according to Vilsack. The 78 million dollars in this year’s farm bill is the biggest ever federal boost to local food programs.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

NWS Forecast for Cass & area Counties: 5/9/2014

Weather

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

347 AM CDT FRI MAY 9 2014

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLOUDY. BREEZY. MUCH COLDER. NORTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH.

TODAY…PARTLY SUNNY UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON THEN CLEARING. COOLER. HIGH IN THE MID 60S. WEST WIND 10 TO 15 MPH.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOW AROUND 50. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SATURDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING…THEN A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. WARMER. HIGH IN THE UPPER 70S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 30 PERCENT.

SATURDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY THROUGH MIDNIGHT THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE MID 50S. WEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE NORTH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS. HIGH IN THE UPPER 60S. NORTHEAST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT…LIGHT SHOWERS LIKELY AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. LOW IN THE LOWER 50S. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 60 PERCENT.

MONDAY…LIGHT SHOWERS LIKELY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 60S. CHANCE OF SHOWERS 60 PERCENT.

Posted in Weather |

Red Oak School Principal’s future uncertain

News

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The future of the Principal at the Red Oak High School is unclear, at least for now. The Daily NonPareil reports the Red Oak School Board on Monday, voted to approve a Motion to Consider, the termination of Principal Jedd Sherman. While Board may want him out, about 130 students who attended the Board meeting said they want him to stay.  Sherman has been Principal at Red Oak, for six-years.

According to an April 8th letter Superintendent Terry Schmidt sent to the principal, Sherman did not meet two of three remediation targets for an evaluation of administrative standards for the 2013-14 school year. However, Schmidt said, failure to meet those goals was not the reason for the board’s motion to consider Sherman’s termination. The board cited five reasons during the meeting for their motion.

Schmidt said he could not specify what those goals or reasons were. Sherman has five days – or until Monday – to request a hearing to discuss the consideration. His contract ends June 30th. The board sent a letter to Sherman, which outlined reasons for his contract termination. However, no final action has been made.

A continuation of last Monday’s meeting will be held May 12th at 6-p.m. A meeting for student comments is planned after the regular meeting. Sherman plans to attend the meeting to make a case to retain his job.

Posted in News |

Skalla estate makes good on bequeathment to Catholic churches

News

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

The executors of a Shelby County man’s estate have followed through on his wish to bequeath a total of more than $9.3-million to 13 southwest Iowa churches. Bud Skalla left 98 percent of his estate to Catholic parishes scattered across the area. The Daily NonPareil reports on Thursday, his executors passed on the money.10342843_463813467083892_1676410735316139889_n

Skalla left St. Mary Church in Portsmouth, where he was a devout attendee for many years, $730,000, $10,000 of which earmarked to maintain the St. Mary’s cemetery and graves of the Skalla family. He left $720,000 each to the following 12 churches:

• St. Michael, Harlan; St. Peter, Defiance; St. Joseph, Earling; St. Boniface, Westphalia; St. Mary, Panama; St. Patrick, Missouri Valley; St. Anne, Logan; St. Patrick, Dunlap; Sacred Heart, Woodbine; St. Patrick, Neola; St. Rose of Lima, Denison; and St. Patrick, in Council Bluffs.

Skalla, who died at the age of 92 on Nov. 26th, 2013, grew up struggling to get by in a farm family, worked hard, never married, invested wisely and lived frugally on the way to amassing his wealth. The recent skyrocketing of agricultural land prices was a boon to his wealth and he left more than $2 million in cash assets, along with roughly 1,100 acres of farmland in Shelby and Harrison counties. The land was auctioned off earlier this year, with the proceeds spread amongst the churches.

Skalla spent the last 13 years of his life at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, where he moved after suffering injuries in a fall at his home. Before that, he lived on farmland southeast of Portsmouth and attended St. Mary’s in Shelby.

Posted in News |

Chiefs draft Auburn DE Dee Ford in first round

Sports

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs selected Auburn defensive end Dee Ford with the No. 23 overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, landing a potential replacement for Tamba Hali or Justin Houston.

With only one selection in the first two rounds, Kansas City was thought to be trying to trade out of its pick. But general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid wound up with Ford, eschewing a wide receiver or defensive back that could have filled bigger holes.

Hali turns 31 in November while Houston is due to become a free agent after the upcoming season. Ford will likely move to outside linebacker and be groomed as a replacement. Ford made 10 1/2 sacks for the Tigers last season.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa early News Headlines: Fri., May 9th 2014

News

May 9th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Governor Terry Branstad says he has decided to present the Iowa Award to Kenneth Quinn, the president of the World Food Prize Foundation. The Iowa Award is the state’s highest citizen honor. Quinn, a former U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia took the job heading the World Food Prize Foundation in 2000. Branstad will present the award to Quinn on May 30th at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — Two school districts in northern Iowa are one step closer to uniting under one district. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports a plan to merge Ventura Community Schools and Garner-Hayfield Community School District won unanimous support Wednesday from a board of directors for the Iowa Area Education Agencies. The issue is now eligible for a public vote in September.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — Davenport-based Lee Enterprises, publisher of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Rapid City Journal and 44 other newspapers, says it posted a $1.5 million profit in its fiscal second-quarter, reversing a loss in the same period a year ago. The Iowa-based publisher’s profit for the quarter ending March 30th was 3 cents per share and compares with a loss of $6 million a year ago.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A man has been accused of driving a lawn mower in the middle of a Des Moines street while intoxicated. Police tell the Des Moines Register 46-year-old Billy Eugene Williams was spotted driving a Cub Cadet lawn mower Wednesday afternoon.

Posted in News |

Tornado Watch update 5:24-p.m. May 8th

News, Weather

May 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED TORNADO WATCH 130 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN IOWA THIS CANCELS 2 COUNTIES… POTTAWATTAMIE and SHELBY. THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF…COUNCIL BLUFFS AND HARLAN.

TORNADO WATCH 130 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES IN THE KJAN LISTENING AREA….

ADAIR ADAMS AUDUBON CARROLL CASS CRAWFORD DALLAS GUTHRIE MADISON MONTGOMERY RINGGOLD SAC TAYLOR UNION.

 

 

Posted in News, Weather |

TORNADO WARNING: NORTHERN GUTHRIE COUNTY!

Weather

May 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

525 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING FOR…NORTHERN GUTHRIE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA… UNTIL 600 PM CDT

* AT 525 PM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO WAS LOCATED 7 MILES WEST OF GUTHRIE CENTER…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD…TORNADO…QUARTER SIZE HAIL AND 60 MPH WIND GUSTS.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED ROTATION.

IMPACT…FLYING DEBRIS WILL BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE CAUGHT WITHOUT SHELTER. MOBILE HOMES WILL BE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. DAMAGE TO ROOFS…WINDOWS AND VEHICLES WILL OCCUR. TREE DAMAGE IS LIKELY.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…

GUTHRIE CENTER…LAKE PANORAMA…BAYARD…BAGLEY…YALE… JAMAICA…LAKIN SLOUGH GAME MANAGEMENT AREA AND SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

THIS TORNADO WARNING REPLACES THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING ISSUED FOR THE SAME AREA.TAKE COVER NOW! MOVE TO A BASEMENT OR AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST

FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING. AVOID WINDOWS. IF IN A MOBILE HOME…A

VEHICLE OR OUTDOORS…MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.

Posted in Weather |

Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Audubon, Guthrie & Greene Counties

Weather

May 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DES MOINES IA

519 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2014

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR…NORTHEASTERN AUDUBON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…NORTHWESTERN GUTHRIE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…SOUTHWESTERN GREENE COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL IOWA…* UNTIL 600 PM CDT

* AT 519 PM CDT…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED 10 MILES EAST OF AUDUBON…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 35 MPH.

HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS AND QUARTER SIZE HAIL.

SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.

IMPACT…HAIL DAMAGE TO VEHICLES IS EXPECTED. EXPECT WIND DAMAGE TO ROOFS…SIDING AND TREES.

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE…JEFFERSON…GUTHRIE CENTER…COON RAPIDS…LAKE PANORAMA…SCRANTON…BAYARD…BAGLEY…YALE…JAMAICA…LAKIN SLOUGH GAME MANAGEMENT AREA AND SPRINGBROOK STATE PARK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A TORNADO WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA. TORNADOES CAN DEVELOP QUICKLY FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS. ALTHOUGH A TORNADO IS NOT IMMEDIATELY LIKELY…IF ONE IS SPOTTED…ACT QUICKLY AND MOVE TO A PLACE OF SAFETY INSIDE A STURDY STRUCTURE…SUCH AS A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM. FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

 

Posted in Weather |

Special Weather Statement: Strong & gusty winds

Weather

May 8th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

SAC-CRAWFORD-CARROLL-AUDUBON-GUTHRIE-DALLAS-CASS-ADAIR-MADISON-ADAMS-UNION-TAYLOR-RINGGOLD COUNTIES

432 PM CDT THU MAY 8 2014

A FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL PUSH EASTWARD ACROSS IOWA. AHEAD OF THE BOUNDARY WINDS WILL REMAIN STRONG AND GUSTY THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON HOURS. WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 40 MPH AT TIMES. LOOSE OBJECTS MAY BLOW AROUND…AND TRAVELERS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY…ESPECIALLY ON EAST AND WEST ROUTES.

Posted in Weather |