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Scholten says American government is pushing down on farmers

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — J.D. Scholten, the Democrat challenging Republican Congressman Steve King’s bid for a ninth term, says consolidation in agriculture and President Trump’s trade war are making it harder for farmers to make a profit. The E-P-A’s anti-ethanol moves to benefit the oil industry isn’t helping either, according to Scholten. “Our American government is pushing down on our farmers,” Scholten says. “Who’s looking out for farmers? Who’s looking out for us?”

Scholten made his comments this weekend during a speech at The Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Scholten, a former professional baseball player who now works as a paralegal in Sioux City, stressed his family’s farm roots. “My great-great grandparents turned the field in Worth County and so it’s in my blood,” Scholten said. “I’m a fifth-generation Iowan, first to be raised in town. Our family farm we rent out to a family friend.”

Scholten criticized the Bayer-Monsanto merger, arguing farmers will have to pay more for seeds and farm chemicals. And Scholten says farmers are the first victims in the Trump Administration’s trade policies. “The fourth district is bearing the brunt of these tariffs and that’s got to end,” Scholten said. “You look at the $12 billion bailout…It’s like you’re getting punched in the face and that same guy that’s punching you in the face gives you an ice cube.”

Scholten says both Democrats and Republicans have failed farmers by allowing the mergers of grain processing, meat packing and seed companies to create monopolies and “it’s time to get ahead of the curve.”

The only grocery store in NW Iowa town of Remsen is destroyed in fire

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The only grocery store in the northwest Iowa town of Remsen was destroyed in a weekend fire. Firefighters from Remsen and several neighboring communities fought the blaze for more than five hours. The fire was reported at about 4:15 AM Sunday. Remsen Assistant Fire Chief Mark Gaskill says they believe they’ve pinpointed what sparked the fire at Farm Fresh Foodtown. “The breaker box that the main power comes into the grocery store in the back, it had blown a fuse and the panel was not secured shut, so that is probably where the fire started,” Gaskill says. “From there, it started a bunch of cardboard on fire and then started moving through the building itself.” Gaskill says the building was demolished.

“I would consider it being a total loss,” Gaskill says. “Some of the building might still be okay but contents inside would be a total loss.” Sammy Chodha (CHO-dah), the owner of the store, says he will rebuild and bring back a grocery store to small community. “I’ll be sooner than the insurance company to make it a better establishment and make it work for the people of Remsen,” Chodha says. Five different fire departments responded to the blaze, from: Remsen, Oyens, Marcus, Granville and Le Mars.

Glenwood woman arrested on Theft charge

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Glenwood Police report 33-year old Emily McCord, of Glenwood, was arrested Saturday, on a charge of Theft in the 2nd Degree. Her bond was set at $5,000.

Farm Forum to be held in Atlantic, Thursday morning

Ag/Outdoor, News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A round table discussion about the Farm Bill and Iowa’s Agricultural Economy will be held this Thursday, Aug. 23rd, in Atlantic. The Farm Forum takes place at the Atlantic Public Library, from 10-until 11:30-a.m., and features Democratic candidates for political office that include Tim Gannon (Ag. Secretary Candidate), Cindy Axne (3rd District Congressional candidate) and Denise O’Brien (Dem. candidate for House District 21). The forum will be moderated by retired Des Moines Register columnist Chuck Offenburger.

Gov. Reynolds orders flags at half-staff in honor, remembrance of Leonard Boswell

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise on Friday, August 24, 2018, to sunset on Saturday, August 25, 2018, in honor and remembrance of former Congressman Leonard Boswell. He passed away on Friday, August 17, 2018, at the age of 84. “Congressman Boswell will be remembered for his many years of public service to our state and for his service to our country,” Gov. Reynolds said. “He was an individual willing to reach across the aisle on many issues to make Iowa a better place. My prayers are with his family, friends and Iowans impacted by his legacy.”

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

State board reprimands Davenport school superintendent

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Board of Educational Examiners has reprimanded the Davenport school superintendent for spending more than the state allows districts to spend. The board’s order issued earlier this month says Art Tate’s conduct “constitutes a violation of the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics governing the teaching profession.” Tate and the board staff negotiated the reprimand to settle the state’s complaint.

The Iowa Education Department filed the ethics complaint in December 2016, saying the district broke state law by using money in a reserve account to pay for ongoing programming. Davenport officials have said some districts can spend up to $175 more than Davenport per pupil, so the district used reserve funds to make up that difference. Tate announced in 2015 that he intended to violate the state law for the district’s 2016-17 budget.

Pott. County Sheriff’s report (8/20)

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports a man was arrested on an assault charge Saturday afternoon, in Carson. A Deputy responding to a disturbance call arrested 41-year old Steven Edward Messerli, of Carson, for Domestic Assault with Injury, in a connection with an incident involving his 39-year old girlfriend, who suffered apparent, minor injuries. A woman from Missouri Valley was arrested Saturday evening, following a disturbance involving a gun, at a residence in the 33-thousand block of Old Lincoln Highway. 70-year old Tammy Kay Anderson faces a charge of Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon charge, in connection to an incident that involved a 61-year old woman who was also from Missouri Valley.

A call from the Pottawattamie Council Jail early Sunday morning, resulted in the arrest of a woman on drug charges. Jail personnel called 911 for a welfare check on the lot of the Sheriff’s Office. While speaking with 44-year old Heidi Ann Hill, of Council Bluffs, a Deputy noticed drug paraphernalia in plain view in the woman’s vehicle. A search conducted on the vehicle resulted in additional paraphernalia. Hill was arrested for Possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Seized into evidence was a bag containing 1.1-grams of meth, and two pipes used for smoking meth.

And, a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle at around 2:45-a.m. Sunday in Council Bluffs, resulted in the arrest of 27-year old Kyle James Hartigan, from Treynor. Hartigan showed signs of being impaired and was placed under arrest for OWI/2nd offense.

Mills County Sheriff’s report (8/20)

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest on Friday, of 43-year old Timothy Patrick Vanscoyk, from Council Bluffs. He was taken into custody at the Pottawattamie County Jail on a Mills County warrant for Pre-trial Revocation. Bond was set at $10,000.

Adair County Board of Supervisors meeting set for Tue. morning

News

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Adair County Board of Supervisors are set to meet Tuesday morning this week, instead of Wednesday. On the agenda for their 9-a.m. session at the courthouse in Greenfield, is discussion and/or action on the Final Officials Statement pertaining to General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018, an IPAC agreement for FY 2019 and FY2018 Financial report, and at 9:15-a.m., continued discussion with regard to the Adair County wind farms.

Farmland Leasing Meetings in late August

Ag/Outdoor

August 20th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is conducting farmland leasing meetings across 4 different sites in Southwest Iowa during late August. Meeting sites include Carson, Shenandoah, Mount Ayr and Humeston and are coordinated by county ISU Extension and Outreach offices. The discussion will focus on various methods to determine a fair 2019 cash rental rate and the importance of good tenant/landlord communications. Also, a brief economic outlook will be presented along with a look at farmland prices. According the Cash Rental Rates for Iowa – 2018 Survey released in mid-May, the average 2018 cash rent statewide is $222 per tillable acre, a 1.4 percent increase as compared to 2017. Average cash rents statewide stabilized in 2018 after a decline of nearly 19 percent from the 2013 peak.

The Page County meeting site will be Thursday, Aug. 23, beginning at 1:30 pm. with doors open at 1 pm. The meeting will be held at the Shenandoah Public Library located at 201 S Elm St. The meeting will last approximately three hours and will be facilitated by Charles Brown, Farm Management Specialist, with ISU Extension and Outreach. Pre-registration is required at least two days before the meeting and a $20 per individual or $30 per couple fee is payable at the door. Participants will receive a 100-page booklet and meeting handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements.

Contact the Page County Extension office at 712-542-5171 with your questions or to pre-register on or before August 21, 2018 at 4:30 pm