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New data show increasing consolidation in Iowa’s ag industry

Ag/Outdoor, News

September 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Iowa News Service) – Advocates for a fair, sustainable and healthy food system have released a report showing that nearly all of the corn seed in Iowa is controlled by just four companies. Economists say concentrations that large can lead to market manipulation. Farm Action’s report shows nearly 90-percent of the corn seed in Iowa is controlled by Corteva and Bayer. AgReliant and Syngenta control the rest. Farm Action President Angela Huffman says that kind of control and concentration is happening all the way from seeds to the consumer’s plate, and she warns it makes market conditions ripe for abuse.

The same type of consolidation is happening in ag operations where livestock are raised in large confinements, and manure runoff is known to damage the air, ground and surface water in rural Iowa.

SALO, FINLAND – AUGUST 22, 2015: Line up of four John Deere agricultural tractors, 6115R and 7340 on the left, at Puontin Peltopaivat Agricultural Harvesting and Cultivating Show.

Operators have said they’re always looking for more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to raise livestock.

Huffman argues that monopolies like this can lead to collusion, price fixing and other types of market manipulation. She and other advocates have called on lawmakers in Congress to address the issue in the pending Farm Bill.

The current Farm Bill, which was supposed to expire in September of last year, has been extended – but debate still hasn’t started on a new version.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Election officials warn of tight turnaround for absentee ballots

News

September 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Two of Iowa’s top election officials say the window for receiving and then returning an absentee ballot is very narrow and mailing the ballot back may not be the best option. Adams County Auditor Becky Bissell is president of the Iowa State Association of County Auditors. Bissell says after she drops a ballot off at the Post Office, it takes between five to seven days before it’s delivered to a voter if they live in rural areas of her county.

“We have a 20 day window from when we can mail out the ballots. Three of those days the Postal Service doesn’t deliver mail,” Bissell says. “If it takes seven days for the ballot to get to them, they essentially have three days to get that ballot voted and back to us and that’s a pretty small window.” Iowans are able to fill out a form and REQUEST an absentee ballot today, but October 16th is the first day county auditors can start mailing out the ballots. Bissell says voters have other options once they get the absentee ballot — like hand delivering it to their local county auditor’s office.

“They can put it into an election drop box, if the county has one,” Bissell says. “In my county, they don’t have an election drop box, so===so if they can’t get out of the car, pull into a spot outside the courthouse, call my office and we’d be more than happy to come down and get that from the voter.” That’s an option in other counties, too, plus eligible Iowa voters can cast ballots at their county auditor’s office staring October 16th.

Secretary of State Paul Pate says voters who want to vote-by-mail can track their ballot online at www.voterready.iowa.gov. “You can see: ‘Did the county courthouse get my request for an absentee ballot? It shows you the date. It’ll show you the date that the courthouse mailed it out to you. It’ll show you the date they received it back and if at any point here you see your ballot’s not getting there, go to plan B,” Pate says. “And Plan B will be either to come down to the courthouse ad vote or go to a traditional polling location.” Pate and Bissell made their comments this weekend during an appearance on Iowa Press at Iowa P-B-S.

“My office and so have the county auditors have had some serious discussions with the legislature about looking at the timetable on the early voting/absentee ballot scenario and I’m sure we’ll be having more of those,” Pate says. “…There are just some administrative things that we may need a little more room to adjust for.”

Earlier this month state and local election officials around the country issued a statement warning delayed delivery of ballots by the U-S Postal Service could lead to fewer people voting and a loss of trust in the electoral system.

Posted in News |

3 fatalities reported following a crash in Polk County

News

September 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two-vehicle accident that killed three people Sunday evening. Deputies were called to the scene east of Ankeny, at the intersection of Northeast 46th Street and Northeast 94th Avenue, a little before 8 p.m. Sunday

A preliminary investigation determined one vehicle was traveling eastbound with two occupants while the other vehicle was northbound with one occupant. All three people were pronounced dead on the scene.

The victims have not yet been identified. No other information is available at this time.

Posted in News |

1 dead, 3 hurt in Muscatine County crash

News

September 23rd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

{Wilton, Iowa) –  A crash Sunday evening in Muscatine County resulted in three people hurt and another deceased. The Iowa State Patrol reports the collision between a Nissan Juke and a Ford Taurus happened at around 5:35-p.m. in the 1100 block of Taylor Avenue, in Wilton.

Authorities said the Nissan was traveling north on Taylor Avenue as the Ford was traveling southbound. For reasons unknown, the Nissan crossed the center line of the road into the southbound lane. The vehicle collided in an offset-style (Left front to left front side).  Both vehicles sustained severe damage. Following the collision the Nissan came to rest on the east shoulder of the road, while the Ford came to rest in the west ditch.

Two of the crash victims were transported to the University of Iowa Hospital by helicopter, where one of the individuals died. Another of the crash victims was transported to Genesis Medical Center by ambulance, while information on the fourth victim was not available.  The Patrol says two of the four victims were wearing seat belts.

No names were immediately released.

Posted in News |

High School Volleyball Scores from Saturday

Sports

September 22nd, 2024 by Asa Lucas

Red Oak Tournament

Underwood 2, Murray 0 (21-7, 21-10)

St. Albert 2, Underwood 0 (21-18, 21-14)

Tri Center 2, Underwood 1 (19-21, 21-3, 15-8)

Mount Vernon 2, Underwood 0 (21-13, 21-11)

Mount Vernon 2, Tri Center 0 (21-13, 21-10)

Tri Center 2, Murray 0 (21-10, 21-9)

Tri Center 2, St. Albert 0 (21-13, 21-14)

Tri Center 2, Red Oak 1 (25-23, 28-30, 15-12)

Mount Vernon 2, St. Albert 0 (21-7, 21-7)

Mount Vernon 2, Glenwood 1 (21-12, 16-21, 15-6)

Mount Vernon 2, Sioux Center 0 (25-19, 25-17)

Clarinda 2, Glenwood 1 (21-19, 15-21, 15-12)

Clarinda 2, Fremont Mills 0 (21-13, 21-10)

Fremont Mills 2, Creston (21-15, 22-20)

CBAL 2, Fremont Mills 1 (15-21, 21-18, 15-11)

Glenwood 2, Fremont Mills 0 (21-12, 21-7)

Glenwood 2, CBAL 0 (21-14, 21-13)

Glenwood 2, Creston 0 (21-13, 21-11)

Red Oak 2, Lenox 0 (21-12, 21-5)

Red Oak 2, East Union 0 (21-5, 21-5)

Red Oak 2, Treynor 0 (21-16, 24-22)

Treynor 2, Red Oak 1 (12-21, 23-21, 15-7)

Sioux Center 2, Red Oak 1 (21-9, 17-21, 15-11)

Sioux Center 2, Treynor 0 (22-20, 21-16)

Sioux Center 2, East Union 0 (21-9, 21-7)

 

OABCIG Tournament

Kingsley Pierson 2, AHSTW 1 (21-18, 16-21, 15-13)

Sidney 2, AHSTW 1 (14-21, 21-12, 15-10)

Lawton Bronson 2, AHSTW 0 (21-19, 21-13)

OABCIG 2, AHSTW 0 (21-15, 21-14)

Coon Rapids Bayard 2, AHSTW 1 (21-13, 17-21, 15-11)

Coon Rapids Bayard 2, Lawton Bronson 0

Coon Rapids Bayard 2, OABCIG 0

Coon Rapids Bayard 2, Kingsley Pierson 0

Sidney 2, Coon Rapids Bayard 1

 

Carroll Tournament

Storm Lake 2, Audubon 1 (16-21, 21-10, 15-13)

South Central Calhoun 2, Audubon 0 (21-6, 21-14)

Spencer 2, Audubon 0 (21-13, 21-17)

Carroll 2, IKM Manning 0 (21-16, 21-11)

Carroll 2, Storm Lake 0 (21-12, 21-14)

Carroll 2, Fort Dodge 0 (21-16, 21-16)

Newell Fonda 2, Carroll 1 (21-18, 11-21, 15-11)

Newell Fonda 2, IKM Manning 1 (18-21, 21-19, 15-7)

Fort Dodge 2, IKM Manning 1 (20-22, 21-13, 15-13)

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State is 18th in AP Poll

Sports

September 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State is up to 18th in the latest Associated Press top 25. The Cyclones are 3-0 after a 52-7 win over Arkansas State and will open Big-12 play this week at Houston.

That’s Iowa State coach Matt Campbell. Kickoff at Houston has been set for 6:00p.m. and will be televised by Fox Sports One. Campbell likes the progress his team made during non-conference play.

With Saturday’s victory Campbell has tied Dan McCarney as ISU’s all-time leader in wins.

Posted in Sports |

ALAN DERBY, 77, of Greenfield (No formal Svcs.)

Obituaries

September 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

ALAN DERBY, 77, of Greenfield, died Saturday, September 21, 2024, at his home.  No formal services will be held for ALAN DERBY. In accordance his wishes, he hoped everyone would remember him in their own way. A family remembrance will be held at a later date.  Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is assisting the family.

The family requests that memorial donations be directed to The Greater Greenfield Community Foundation, to be used toward planting trees lost in last spring’s tornado.

ALAN DERBY is survived by:

His wife – Julie.

His daughters – Stephanie, and Laura (Andrew).

His sister – Janet Derby.

His brother in law: Paul (Jan) Clemmensen, friends, other family, former students and colleagues.

Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa native who was NBA announcer for 51 years has died

News, Sports

September 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa native who was the voice of the Phoenix Suns for 51 seasons has died. Al McCoy died Saturday at the age of 91. He was the longest tenured announcer for an NBA team, from 1972 until May of 2023. He has received numerous honors for his NBA work. McCoy was born on a farm near Williams in Hamilton County. He started his career in 1951 with KJFJ Radio which is now KQWC.

McCoy worked in stations in Iowa and across the country before his start with the Phoenix Suns. McCoy also spent four seasons announcing Arizona Diamondbacks baseball games. The cause of death has not been announced.

Posted in News, Sports |

2 accidents in Creston, Friday: 1 injured

News

September 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Creston, Iowa) – Two accidents occurred less than 15-minutes apart, Friday afternoon, in Creston. According to the Creston Police Department, one person was injured during a collision that took place at around 5-p.m., at Highway 25 north and Prairie Street. Authorities say a 2000 Ford Crown Victoria driven by 16-year-old Tyler James Werner, of Creston, was stopped at the intersection of Sumner and Prairie facing east on Prairie, waiting to proceed through the intersection. Werner looked, but did not see an approaching 2013 Chevy Impala traveling north on Sumner, and driven by 22-year-old Katheryn Ann Rogness, of Lorimor.

The Ford struck the Chevy on the driver’s side door, causing disabling damage to both vehicles. Rogness suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Creston hospital. Police say Tyler Werner faces possible citations. The report noted the cause of the accident was apparently driver inexperience and a prior for reckless driving. Damage from the collision amounted to a police-estimated $3,000 total.

The other accident happened at around 4:47-p.m., Friday at the intersection of Sycamore and Devoe Streets, in Creston. Authorities say a 2020 Chevy Traverse driven by 52-year-old Terri Lynn Newton, of Diagonal, was traveling west of Devoe Street and approaching the stop sign at the intersection with Sycamore, but the vehicle did not fully stop. The SUV proceeded into the intersection, where it struck a 2009 Chevy Expedition driven by 18-year-old Tanner Alan Klejch, of Creston, as he was traveling north on Sycamore.

Neither driver nor a passenger in the Expedition were injured. All were wearing their seat belts. Damage from the collision amounted to a police-estimated $6,000 altogether. No citations were issued.

Posted in News |

Montgomery County Supervisors to act on establishing a County Compensation Board

News

September 22nd, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors are expected to draw lots, Tuesday, to determine staggered term limits for each member of the Compensation Board, and pass a resolution to establish a County Compensation Board. During their meeting last week, the Supervisors passed a resolution to reinstate the Compensation Board, which is typically comprised of representatives from each County department.

The Compensation Board recommends salary levels or increases to the supervisors during each fiscal year’s budget process. This past July, those types of boards were eliminated under a bill approved by the Iowa Legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. County officials then had the option of whether to reinstate comp boards, or assume their responsibilities.

In other business, the Board of Supervisors in Montgomery County will act on approving: a contract lease with Life Unposed, LLC, with regard to the Highland Annex; and, the abatement of taxes for certain, City of Elliott-owned properties/parcels, in the amount of $636.

The Board will once again discuss, and possibly pass, a Public Comment Policy. Last week, the Supervisors took no action on a proposed policy regulating public comment periods. Provisions included moving the comment period to the end of the meeting, and limiting speakers to three minutes. Supervisors Chair Mike Olson also proposed limiting the number of people speaking on a particular topic, and prohibiting personal attacks against board members.

The Montgomery County Board of Supervisor’s meeting begins at 8:30-a.m. Tuesday (Sept. 24), in their Red Oak courthouse Board Room.

Posted in News |