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Syngenta sues grain elevator over biotech corn ban

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — Seed maker Syngenta is suing a grain elevator operator that has banned the company’s biotech corn. Bunge North America, which operates grain elevators across North America, including one in Council Bluffs, recently posted notices that it would not accept corn planted with Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera seed. In the lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Sioux City, St. Louis-based Bunge said the seed has not been approved for export to China.

“We are surprised and disappointed that Syngenta has taken an action which could put at risk a major export market for U.S. corn producers,” St. Louis-based Bunge said in a statement Tuesday. Minnesota-based Syngenta claims Bunge violated federal and state laws and that the seed has been approved for shipment to other international markets, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico and Korea.

Syngenta spokesman Chuck Lee said only 1 percent of the nation’s corn crop will be exported to China this year. Bunge said it will accept Syngenta’s Agrisure Viptera seed once it is approved by China.

“Until this approval occurs, we must protect the integrity of our export supply chain by not accepting Agrisure Viptera and other varieties that do not have major export market approval,” the company said in its statement. “Our obligation to our farmers is to provide access to the global marketplace and the price benefits of that access. Syngenta’s decision to commercialize Agrisure Viptera should not foreclose our ability to sell to a major market – China,” the company said.

China is currently the seventh largest importer of U.S. corn, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Basement collapses from flooding reported in Council Bluffs

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

Monday morning’s storm that dumped 4 to 7 inches of rain across western Iowa is causing more trouble for residents of Council Bluffs. Public Information Officer Don Gross says several homes are not livable right now due to collapsed basements. “As of today (Tuesday) , seven homes have had basement collapses that have been severe enough that they have had to evacuate their homes,” Gross said. All of the affected homes are on the west side of Council Bluffs, which was hit the hardest by the flash flooding. The city is also dealing with a collapsed sanitary sewer, which could take up to two weeks to repair. There is some good news – most of the streets that were closed by the flooding are back open.

“There are a few spots that still have a little bit of water on them, but most of the water has receded,” Gross said. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin toured the flood stricken area of Council Bluffs Tuesday. The Council Bluffs recycling center is accepting tree debris free of charge to city residents until further notice.

(Radio Iowa)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th

Trading Post

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

WANTED: A good running vehicle that cost around 500.00….Please call Jenny @ 712-254-3276.

FOR SALE: Motorola W385 and Motorola W755 asking $100 for both. Call 712-762-3400.

FOR SALE: Two Sony Surround Sound systems asking $275 for both.  Call 712-762-3400.

FOR SALE: Brand new in box GemOro Ultrasteam jewelry cleaner – paid $380, asking $300.  Call 712-762-3400

WANTED: Looking for a 2 or 3 bedroom house , trailer or apartment near or around Atlantic or Avoca. Rent needs to be around 425.00 a month and must allow pets (we have a small dog he’s around 12 pounds, he’s house trained and is a very good dog). Please call Jenny @ 712-254-3276.

FOR SALE: 10 drawer dresser: 6 big drawers & 4 small drawers $25; entertainment center $10. 243-1218

FOR SALE: Twin loft bed, wooden, $75.  Entertainment center, honey oak color (pressed laminate), small glass doors, Opening 37″, 46 3/4″ W, 15″ deep, 54″ tall $40.  Set of living room lamps brass/gold look on the base. $20.  Call Lora @ 563-451-9210 or email ljs242000@yahoo.com pictures of everything!

FREE: 2 full grown cats, 2 years old, 1 gray, 1 multi-colored. Both are spayed/neutered and declawed, full bag of cat foot, litter box, and litter. 249-8602.

WANTED: Wide front end for WD Allis – Chalmers tractora nd a radiator for same. 641-788-2167 call after 6 pm.

FOR SALE: Full pickup of firewood. 778-4672

FREE: men’s pants 32×32, 612 W. 6th St. 243-2538

ISU Fans Will Love 2010-2011 Wrestling Schedule

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State’s 2011-2012 wrestling schedule is the Cyclones’ best in memory.  For the first time in years, the Cyclones will grapple with Big 12 opponents Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Missouri at home and on the road. Iowa State will play host to intrastate rival Iowa in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 in Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones will also host a National Duals Regional Feb. 12 that will feature six of the nation’s top teams.

“Our fans know wrestling and this schedule provides them the opportunity to see the nation’s top teams,” Iowa State head coach Kevin Jackson said. “In addition to seeing all of our conference rivals, the schedule includes Iowa and Northern Iowa, Virginia Tech and Cornell. We want to be the nation’s premier wrestling program and you can’t do that if your wrestlers don’t wrestle the best.”

The home season begins Nov. 13 with the Harold Nichols Open in Hilton Coliseum. Big 12 foes Oklahoma State and Oklahoma come to Ames, on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, respectively. Missouri is in Ames Jan. 8, Virginia Tech comes to Hilton Jan. 13, and on Jan. 29 2011 national runner-up Cornell makes an appearance in Hilton Coliseum. The home schedule will include a NWCA National/Cliff Keen National Duals regional, which includes Iowa, Virginia Tech, Northern Iowa, Oregon State and Wisconsin.

The Cyclones will also be tested on the road, starting with a Nov. 6 triangular against Army and Boston in Boston, Mass. On Nov. 20 the team will travel to Norfolk, Va. to take on Old Dominion before going on a month-long road schedule that includes Minnesota on Dec. 9, Missouri on Dec. 18, the Midlands Championships on the Dec. 29-30, before wrapping up the road stretch Jan. 3 in Tempe, Ariz. against Arizona State.

Iowa State will travel to Oklahoma to take on the Sooners on Jan. 20 and the Cowboys on Jan. 22 before finishing the regular dual season with a short trip to Cedar Falls to take on Northern Iowa.

Post season action begins with the Big 12 Championship March 3 in Columbia, Mo. The 2012 NCAA Championships are March 15-17 in St. Louis.

(ISU press release)

MARGARET HELEN BREWER, 85, of Stuart, formerly of Casey (8-26-2011)

Obituaries

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

Margaret Helen Brewer, 85, of Stuart (formerly of Casey) died Sunday, August 21st at Mercy West Medical Center in Des Moines.  Funeral services for Margaret Helen Brewer will be held on Friday, August 26th at 11:00 am at the Johnson Family Funeral Home in Stuart.

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the service in the Sunny Hill Cemetery in Adair.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Lutheran Church in Adair.  Online condolendences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Citizens voice their concerns over CCMH Behavioral Health Center’s Future

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A handful of people requested to speak before the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Board of Trustees during the meeting today (Tuesday), in Atlantic. Before the board discussed for nearly two-hours, their options for keeping the Behavioral Health Unit open or closing the unit entirely, they heard from individuals who’ve dealt with mental health issues in their families, educators, and health care professionals. One of those who spoke was Chuck Smith, who said the hospital has met, and should continue to meet, both the physical and mental health needs of the community. He says to stop providing behavioral health services in Cass County would be a “step backwards.”

Atlantic Parks and Recreation Director Roger Herring, who served as Principal of the Atlantic High School for 20-years, said he always tried to promote the community to prospective teachers, doctors and others who were considering locating here with their families. One of the selling points, is the fact Atlantic has a full, comprehensive medical facility. Herring says if the BHU were to be eliminated, there would be a void in the programs that we are able to offer. He says we need to be able to provide both physical, and mental health. Herring said the BHU, and other psychiatric services offered to students at CCMH, the Link Center and Behavioral Health Department, have saved the lives of some of his former students. He says it’s the hospital’s business to save lives, whether it’s teen suicide or families who are in crisis, they need to have somewhere to turn to. Herrings says sending them 60-miles away to Des Moines or Omaha, or further, could mean people’s lives will be lost.

Patty Koontz, a Behavior Disorder Teacher, says 106 students had their mental health needs met at the facility, last year. She says no other school district in Iowa has a Board Certified Psychiatrist on-call, available, like the Atlantic School District does. She says sending students elsewhere, would result in a disruption in the “continuity of care” the students currently receive.

The CCMH Board of Trustees Chair Steve Sisler said regardless of what happens to the BHU, they will find a way to provide mental health services to students. The question remains however, whether it will be on the CCMH campus, or elsewhere.

Monday evening accident in Atlantic

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A crash between two vehicles Monday evening in Atlantic resulted in two people being sent to the hospital. Atlantic Police report the driver of one of the vehicles, Thomas Sandbothe, of Griswold, and an unidentified passenger in his vehicle were injured, and transported to the Cass County Memorial Hospital.

The accident happened at the intersection of Highway 71 and 14th Street, at around 6:50-p.m. Officials say a vehicle driven by Brandon Cook, of Bridgewater, was eastbound on 14th Street, as Sandbothe was traveling south on Highway 71. Cook told police he thought Sandbothe was going to turn right onto 14th Street, and proceeded into the intersection, where the vehicles collided.

Cook was cited for failure to obey a stop or yield sign. Damage from the crash amounted to $10,650.

ISU Coach Grateful for Big Tackle

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

     AMES, Iowa (AP) – In the Nigerian homeland of Kelechi Osemele’s family, his first name translates as “Thank God.”  Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads certainly can relate. He says he is glad to have 6-foot-6, 347-pound offensive tackle playing for the Cyclones.  Osemele became part of Gene Chizik’s first recruiting class at Iowa State, signing in February 2007. He didn’t start until eighth game in 2008, and hasn’t missed a start since. When the Cyclones open the season against Northern Iowa on Sept. 3, Osemele will
start his 31st consecutive game.

Former Chiefs RB Larry Johnson Signs with Dolphins

Sports

August 23rd, 2011 by Jim Field

     DAVIE, Fla. (AP) – Veteran running back Larry Johnson has signed with the Miami Dolphins after sitting out most of last season.  Johnson gained 2 yards on five carries in two games before he was released by the Washington Redskins last September.  The 31-year-old has rushed for 6,221 yards and 55 scores in his career, but has played in just 16 games in the past three seasons.  In 2009 Johnson was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in November and finished the year with Cincinnati. His time in Kansas City was marred by off-field problems, including two suspensions in his final 12 months with the team.  Johnson’s best years were in 2005-06 with the Chiefs, when he had consecutive 1,750-yard seasons.  The Dolphins waived running back Kory Sheets.

CCMH BHU stays open for now

News

August 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A conference room at the Cass County Memorial Hospital was packed this (Tuesday) morning, with onlookers and persons voicing their concerns over the possible closure of the Behavioral Health Unit at CCMH. A special meeting of the CCMH Board of Trustees had been called to discuss the future of the unit, which reportedly cost the hospital nearly one-half million dollars last year, due to un-reimbursed Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. After nearly two-hours, no decision was made on closing the facility. Instead, the board will look into other options, including downsizing costs associated with remodeling of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to accommodate the BHU.

CCMH Administrator Pat Markham said architects who are working on the current remodeling project, also drew-up a draft for remodeling the ICU to make room for a downsized BHU unit. She says it wouldn’t be an ideal situation, but it would be functional. It would have four beds instead of the current eight. Rough estimates put the cost at $240- to $250,000.

That doesn’t include mechanical and electrical costs. Markham says they didn’t look at having a separate building on the CCMH campus for a Behavioral Health Unit when they came up with the original remodeling plans, because they anticipated losses associated with the unit. The prospect of downsizing the BHU instead of eliminating it entirely, was a bit easier for the board to accept, but they reached a stalemate, when a vote was taken on a motion to reduce the number of beds from eight-to four.

Board Members John Molgaard, Steve Sisler and Leanne Pellet voted against the motion, while members Ned Brown, Phyllis Stakey and Lois Casey voted in favor. The board was short one member due to a vacancy. Pellet said she voted against the motion, because she doesn’t know where the funding would come from to keep the unit functioning.

After the meeting, Cass County Supervisor Chuck Rieken said the reason the CCMH Board of Trustees reached a stalemate, is because they want the hard numbers crunched on how much a remodeling of the ICU would cost, and the possible revenue alternatives that are available, before any decision is made. He says the Board is on the right track, but both the CCMH Board, and the Board of Supervisors need to know the hard numbers before any consideration can be given to funding or not funding the BHU in the future.

One option that was raised to fund the BHU, involved an increase in the hospital’s tax asking, which is currently at 46-percent. Rieken said the county can’t pursue that, and neither can the CCMH Trustees, without sound legal advice.

CCMH Trustee Ned Brown said during the meeting, that if they should eventually increase the tax asking, it would have nothing to do with the current construction project. Instead, it would only be to keep the BHU “alive.”