United Group Insurance

Outgoing Iowa GOP chairman backs medical marijuana

News

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The outgoing chairman of Iowa’s Republican Party supports legalizing the medical use of marijuana. GOP Chairman A.J. Spiker wrote an opinion column The Des Moines Register ran Sunday arguing that Republicans should support medical marijuana. Spiker says doctors know better than politicians what treatments are needed.

Spiker submitted his resignation earlier this month, and a vote on his replacement is scheduled for March 29. Spiker plans to work for U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s political action committee. Rand Paul is a potential 2016 presidential candidate, and Spiker had previously backed Paul’s father, former U.S. Rep. Ron Paul.

Posted in News |

Kelly, Holliday lead Cardinals to win over Astros

Sports

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Joe Kelly allowed his first hit in a two-run sixth inning and Matt Holliday homered, leading the St. Louis Cardinals to a 6-3 victory Sunday over the Houston Astros. Kelly’s control fluctuated in his fourth spring start, striking out five but also walking four. He did not get an out in the sixth. Kelly’s Grapefruit League ERA dropped to 6.29.

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta gave the Cardinals the lead in the second with his third homer of the spring. Holliday hit his first of the spring in the third and Matt Adams also connected in the third, a two-run homer off Astros starter Jerome Williams. Williams gave up six runs and nine hits in four innings.

Closer Trevor Rosenthal took a come-backer off his backside in the ninth. The ball caromed to third baseman Daniel Descalso, who threw to first in time to get Marwin Gonzalez. Rosenthal remained in the game and recorded the save.

Posted in Sports |

Minnesota company recalls several food products

News

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota company is recalling some of its peanut butter, cheese, salsa and spreads that are distributed nationwide after authorities discovered some samples of the products contained listeria. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says there have been no reports of illness from the bacterium and that Coon Rapids-based Parkers Farm Acquisition is cooperating with the investigation.

The company has issued a voluntary recall of several products with various sell-by dates. Consumers who bought these products are urged to return them to the store or throw them away. The products are distributed nationwide under the Parkers Farm, Parkers, Happy Farms, Central Markets, Hy-Top, Amish Classic, Say Cheez, Win Schuler and Bucky Badger labels.

These items were sold at several stores, including Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Byerly’s, Lunds, Target, Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Nash Finch, Costco, ALDI, Wal-Mart and Brookshire stores.

Posted in News |

Bugs resistant to genetically modified corn found

Ag/Outdoor

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Researchers say bugs are developing resistance to the widely popular genetically engineered corn plants that make their own insecticide, so farmers may have to make changes. The Lincoln Journal Star reports (http://bit.ly/1eC05SM ) that cases of rootworms eating roots of so-called Bt corn have been confirmed in Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota and Minnesota.

Iowa State University researchers say rootworms have developed resistance to two of the four genetic traits in corn plants that are engineered to kill rootworms. Iowa State professor Aaron Gassmann says the problem isn’t widespread yet, but farmers and seed companies should consider changing their approaches to pest control.

In areas where Bt corn has failed to control rootworms, farmers turned to insecticides. The USDA says 76 percent of all corn planted last year was Bt corn.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Backers say drones will prove useful for farmers

Ag/Outdoor

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Agricultural interest in using unmanned drones to help monitor millions of acres of crops is growing. The Des Moines Register reports that supporters believe using drones on farms makes sense because the operations are generally large and in rural areas. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International predicts that 80 percent of the commercial use of drones will eventually be in agriculture.

Drones with infrared cameras and other sensors can help identify insect problems and watering issues early. They can also help assess crop yields and locate missing cattle. Farmer Brent Johnson bought a drone last year to study how the topography of his 900-acre central Iowa farm affects yields. He says using the drone helps him decide whether to replant an area or avoid it in the future.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Massena Fire called to a grass fire, Sunday

News

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Firefighters from Massena were called to the scene of an out-of-control grass fire Sunday afternoon on the Cass-Adams County line. The call went out at around 12:36-p.m for the fire located about 1.5-miles east of Highway 148. Crews were on the scene for about 25 minutes.

No other details are available.

Posted in News |

MARY ANN HARTMAN COUGHLIN, 81, of Elliott (Svcs. 3/28/14)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MARY ANN HARTMAN COUGHLIN, 81, of Elliot, died Sat., March 22nd, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak.  A Mass of Christian Burial service for MARY ANN COUGHLIN will be held 10-a.m. Fri., March 28th, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Griswold.  Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold has the arrangements.

A Rosary will be held at the funeral home on Thursday beginning at 6-p.m., followed by visitation with the family until 8-p.m.

A memorial fund has been established.

Interment will be in the Weirich Cemetery south of Lyman.

MARY ANN COUGHLIN is survived by:

Her 5 children – Diane (Jim) Sifford, and Nancy (Nick) Zimmer, all of Red Oak; Bruce (Glenda) Coughlin, and Brian (Jana) Coughlin, all of Elliott, and Debra (Brian) Church, of Atlantic.

6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, other relatives & friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

MARY SALENA BYERS, 82, of Atlantic (Svcs. 3/29/14)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MARY SALENA BYERS, 82, of Atlantic, died Sat., March 22nd, at the Heritage House in Atlantic. Funeral services for MARY BYERS will be held 10:30-a.m. Sat., March 29th, at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church south of Cumberland. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to the church.

Posted in Obituaries |

RODNEY DORLAND SCHULER, 56, of Atlantic (Svcs. 3/26/14)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

RODNEY DORLAND SCHULER, 56, of Atlantic, died Sat., March 22nd, at home. Funeral services for RODNEY SCHULER will be held 11-a.m. Wed., March 26th, at the 1st Church of Christ in Atlantic. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the church on Tuesday, from 5-to 7-pm.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

RODNEY SCHULER is survived by:

His wife – Michelle Schuler, of Atlantic.

His parents – Dorland and Verna Schuler of Griswold.

His children – Jordan (Chelsi) Schuler, Kristen Schuler, and Evan Schuler, all of Atlantic, and Brandon Schuler and his fiance’ Shannon Bower, of Davenport.

His brothers and sisters – Reggie (Jeanie) Schuler, of Griswold; Rhonda (Steve) Hayward, of Joplin, MO, & Roger (Janelle) Schuler, of Massillon, OH.

Posted in Obituaries |

MILO L. SORENSEN, 87, of Guthrie Center (Svcs. 3/25/14)

Obituaries

March 23rd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

MILO L. SORENSEN, 87, of Guthrie Center, died Sat., March 22nd, at the New Homestead in Guthrie Center. Memorial services for MILO SORENSEN will be held 10:30-a.m. Tue., March 25th, at the 1st United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center has the arrangements.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-to 8-pm Mon., March 24th, with the family present from 6-to 8-pm.

Burial of cremains will be in the Union Cemetery at Guthrie Center.

Posted in Obituaries |