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Branstad comments on BPI lawsuit

Ag/Outdoor

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Governor Branstad says the lawsuit filed by meat processor B-P-I will be hard to win, but it’s a legal fight worth waging.  “I know a lawsuit is an expensive proposition, but I hope it does make people think before they just repeat inaccurate smear language,” Branstad says. “There is a responsibility on the part of journalists to be fair and accurate in their presentation of information.”

B-P-I is suing A-B-C and others for repeated use of the term “pink slime” to describe the company’s lean, finely-textured beef. “It’s never easy on a case like that, but I just think when you have somebody that conducts a smear campaign — they know full well there’s no health issues and they purposely use language and I will not use the term because I think it’s inappropriate because it conjures up all kinds of things that are inaccurate,” Branstad says, “and they’re playing on people’s lack of knowledge on food and food processing.”

Branstad says there “ought to be consequences” for broadcasting “inaccurate” information about lean, finely-textured beef. “Now, what’s going to happen in the courts, but I hope it makes other people think about the language they use and that they need to be careful to be honest and accurate with their descriptions and not use charged words and smear language,” Branstad says. An A-B-C vice president has said the lawsuit is “without merit” and said the company will “contest it vigorously.” According to court documents, B-P-I lost 80 percent of its business in a month because of the negative publicity and closed three of its four plants, including one in Waterloo where 220 people were employed.

Iowa’s governor suggests lean, finely-textured beef could make a comeback on the market. “What you do is you separate the fat from the lean and you end up with a leaner product which is really healthier for you than hamburger that’s got more fat in it and then also this puff of ammonia kills e coli and other bacteria, so you protect the safety,” Branstad says, “and the USDA has always said it’s a safe product.” Most legal experts say for B-P-I’s defamation lawsuit to succeed, the company will have to prove the defendants intended to cause harm with their reports.

(Radio Iowa)

Who’s Gonna Win? – Week 5 (9-21-12)

Trojan Preview/Who’s Gonna Win?

September 17th, 2012 by Jim Field

Games:

  • Adair-Casey (5-0, 4-0) @ Murray (4-0, 3-0)
  • Glidden-Ralston (4-1, 4-0) @ Exira/EHK (4-0, 4-0)
  • CAM (3-2, 2-1) @ Essex (3-2, 1-2)
  • Underwood (2-2, 2-0) @ Riverside (1-3, 0-2)
  • Audubon (1-3, 0-2) @ Bedford (2-2, 2-0)
  • St. Albert (3-1, 2-0) @ Tri-Center (3-1, 1-0)
  • Lewis Central (4-0, 1-0) @ ADM (4-0, 2-0)
  • Atlantic (2-2) @ Denison (1-3)

Our Picks:

  • Adair-Casey (Doug, Chris) Murrray (Matt, Jim)
  • Glidden-Ralston (Doug, Chris) Exira/EHK (Matt, Jim)
  • CAM (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • Underwood (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)
  • Audubon (Chris) Bedford (Doug, Matt, Jim)
  • St. Albert (Matt, Chris, Jim) Tri-Center (Doug)
  • Lewis Central (Doug, Chris) ADM (Matt, Jim)
  • Atlantic (Doug, Matt, Chris, Jim)

Results:

  • Chris 30-10 (5-3)
  • Matt 29-11 (7-1)
  • Jim 28-12 (7-1)
  • Doug 24-16 (3-5)

 

Branstad, Reynolds announce video contest in conjunction with Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit

News

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds said today (Monday), that they are inviting all Iowa middle schools and high schools to submit a video about what their school is doing to prevent bullying and what more might be done. The videos are being requested prior to the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit, which will be held Nov. 27th at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

During the Governor’s weekly Press Conference, Branstad and Reynolds noted that each video should reflect the theme of “Preventing Bullying in Your School and Beyond.” The audience for the video will include students, teachers, school administrators, parents and community leaders.

School, parents and businesses are encouraged to print out this flyer to help spread the word: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bullying-Summit-Video-Contest-Flyer.pdf

Branstad says students should use this as an opportunity to tell your school’s story about how bullying is being stopped, what more might be done, and how to better engage the community as a whole in bullying prevention efforts. Videos that meet all contest guidelines will be posted to Governor Branstad’s YouTube channel, with the public invited to choose their favorite between Nov. 12 and Nov. 21. Guidelines may be found at: https://preventbullying.iowa.gov/.

The top vote-getter will receive a $500 prize to be used for bullying prevention efforts at their school, along with a visit by the governor and lieutenant governor for an all-school assembly. The video contest winner will be announced at the Governor’s Bullying Prevention Summit.

Truck driver hurt during Friday accident, north of Atlantic

News

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says a truck driver from Pottawattamie County was injured during a single-vehicle accident Friday afternoon. Officials say the accident happened at around 3-p.m.,  on Troublesome Creek Road, about one-half mile west of Highway 71. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a 2006 Freightliner truck pulling a trailer loaded with corn, driven by 48-year old Roger Fred Hobus, of Avoca, was westbound on Troublesome Creek Road when Hobus reportedly drove to the north edge of the gravel road to avoid an oncoming car.

As he pulled to the side, the road edge gave way, causing the truck to roll over onto its right side into the north ditch. Hobus was taken via private vehicle to the Cass County Memorial Hospital,  where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $20,000. A fence in the north ditch also sustained damages of $500.

Shelby County Fire Danger rating reduced to “Moderate”

News, Weather

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has reduced the Fire Danger rating in the County, to “Moderate.” The rating had been set at “High” this past week, and in weeks prior, the “Extreme” category. Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert said today (Monday), that current weather conditions have “Opened-up a window of opportunity,” for those who have been holding-off on burning piles or CRP ground. Seivert says conditions through this coming Thursday will be better than they have been for several weeks. After Thursday, it looks like fall drying conditions will continue, and the grasslands will continue to die-off.

Seivert reminds Shelby County residents to exercise caution with all burns, and to contact your local Fire Chief or the EMA, if you have any questions about what the best time of day is to conduct an open burn, and the safest methods to do so.

Backyard and Beyond 09-17-2012

Backyard and Beyond, Podcasts

September 17th, 2012 by admin

Lavon Eblen speaks with Violet Anderson of Audubon about the Bargain barn.

Play

Harlan Police issue arrest report

News

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Harlan Police Department, today (Monday), issued a cumulative arrest report. The report covers incidents and arrests having occurred since August 26th. Most recently, on Sept. 11th, authorities say an arrest warrant was issued for 26-year old Zachary Scheffler, of Harlan. The warrant  was issued after officers were called to a domestic disturbance in the 400 block of 6th Street, during which Scheffler allegedly assaulted a woman during an argument. Scheffler had been released earlier in the day on $2,000 bond, in association with an Aggravated Serious Misdemeanor charge of Driving While Barred/Habitual Offender.

The H-PD says also, 17-year old Jessi Gregg, of Paola, KS, was cited Sept. 9th, for being a minor in possession of tobacco. The citation was issued after authorities were called to a disturbance in the 1800 block of 10th Street. Gregg was cited for the offense, and released.

Adair County Supervisors to meet Tuesday

News

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Members of the Adair County Board of Supervisors will gather Tuesday morning at the courthouse in Greenfield, for their regular weekly meeting. During their 9-a.m. session (which is normally held on Wednesday), the Board will canvass the result of a Special School Election, as well as discuss and/or act on: a Tax Abatement Resolution; a Transfer Resolution, and a Fiscal Year 2012 Iowa Municipal Workers’ Compensation Association (IMWCA) Workman’s Comp Audit Report.

At 9:15-a.m., Sheriff Brad Newton is scheduled to discuss the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling) and Fire Suppression contracts. At 9:30, the Board will hear from Joyce Ray, with regard to the Wayne Ray Memorial. And, at 9:45, County Engineer Nick Kauffman will present a proposal from Gus Construction, for culvert extensions on County Road G-30. Kauffman will also give a Secondary Roads Department report, and his regular report on Maintenance and Activities.

9AM Newscast 09-17-2012

News, Podcasts

September 17th, 2012 by admin

w/ Ric Hanson

Play

Saturday accident in Lenox

News

September 17th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Lenox Police Department report a two-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at Brooks and Nebraska Streets was apparently caused by another, unidentified driver. An investigation determined that a 2011 Chevy pickup driven by 71-year old Richard Trucks, of Lenox, was traveling south on Brooks Street, and a 2000 Oldsmobile  van driven by 21-year old Christain Collins, of Lenox, was northbound on Brooks.

Both drivers stated an unidentified silver pickup was southbound next to Trucks’ vehicle, and forced him over the center line. The action caused the Trucks’ and Collins vehicles to side swipe each other. Damage from the mishap amounted to $6,000. Officials say Collins was issued a citation for failure to have a valid driver’s license.