Republican Congressman Steve King was a bit more aggressive last night (Tuesday) in the fifth face-to-face debate with Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack. In their first debate, King said he was “surprised” by Vilsack, who had opened that meeting by saying King was guilty of “a lot of talk and no action” in congress. King closed last night’s session with this rap against Vilsack. “I looked at one of the ads of Mrs. Vilsack’s on the way here, through the text of it, and when I drew a line through everything that was a question, or everything that was untrue, the only thing left was: ‘I’m Christie Vilsack and I approved this message,'” King said. “You deserve better than that.”

About half an hour earlier, Vilsack suggested King had failed to vote for bills that provided money earmarked for expanding Highway 20 and Highway 29, key projects for northern Iowa. “I think that he is one person here and a different person in Washington,” Vilsack said. “And I don’t think that’s the kind of person you want representing you, someone who is disingenuous.” The two covered some of the same ground they’ve debated in their four previous meetings, discussing the Farm Bill, immigration and gun rights. Last night’s debate was sponsored by The Sioux City Journal and the A-B-C T-V affiliates in Sioux City and Des Moines.

(Radio Iowa)

The first of four drought workshops organized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture was held Tuesday in Omaha. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said this year’s historic drought has highlighted the “resiliency” of American agriculture and the capacity of farmers to embrace new technologies and new techniques.”One of the reasons why we’re potentially going to see yields a little bit higher than we anticipated is because of our farmers acceptance of new seed technologies, in particular, that have allowed yields to be greater than anticipated because the crops are more resilient,” Vilsack said. “At the same time, our farmers have embraced conservation…and perhaps they’ve been able to retain the moisture more effectively than they have in the past.”

Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, said the lack of new Farm Bill will likely delay the federal response to the drought. He added the drought’s impact extends far beyond the family farm. “I think we learned today there are a lot of implications to this drought that you might think of at first. Just as an example, the impact on tourism, the impact on energy supplies, the impact on water resources for our communities,” Vilsack said. “This extends, obviously, beyond the serious impact it has on our producers.” Many workshop attendees agreed the livestock industry faces the biggest challenges in the months ahead – with tight supplies of feed grains and high prices.

Matt Swantek, an Iowa State University Extension swine program specialist, said pork producers are definitely concerned about cash flow. “What’s it going to take to stay in business and be able to…maintain livestock numbers? When this does turn, it’s going to be a turn for the good, which has always been the case in the past,” Swantek said. “But if we don’t have pigs out there to take advantage of it, there’s not going to be an opportunity (to stay in business) long term.” Three more workshops are scheduled to discuss resources available to assist with drought recovery efforts. Those meetings will be held in Pueblo, Colorado; Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and a site to be determined in Ohio.

(Radio Iowa)

Childcare providers in Cass and area counties have an opportunity to learn strategies and practical skills to provide an allergen-safe and healthy environment, for children in their care. ” Just a Bite: Managing Food Allergies in Childcare,” is a training program sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The training helps providers identify common food allergens for children, understand allergen food labeling laws as well as recognize and treat the signs and symptoms of food allergies. The program will be held October 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at the ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Atlantic. The program will be conducted by ISU Extension Nutrition & Health Program Specialist Barb Fuller.

According to ISU Extension, the prevalence of food allergies among children is rising. Officials say they have increased 18% in the last 10 years. Food allergies are more common among children, affecting 6-8% of children under age 4 whereas 4% of the adult population has food allergies. The highest incidence of food allergies occurs among children under the age of 3. Almost 1 in 5 of children in that age group have food allergies.

According to Fuller, “The prevalence of food allergies in this age group, can create life-threatening situations if a childcare provider is unaware of the management and treatment of food allergies.” She says “It often takes just a bite of the allergen to cause a reaction.” Fuller adds that “There are eight major food allergens that account for 90% of all food allergy reactions. Food allergies can be easily prevented and treated by knowing some basic principles.” Those principles will be the subject of the October 25th meeting in Atlantic. Call Rebecca at 712-243-1132 for more information or to register by October 25th.

The Iowa Finance Authority recently approved a combined total of more than $13 million in water quality loans to assist Bennett, Griswold, Kelley, Kiron, Lake Creek District, Laurens, Le Mars, Liscomb, Lohrville, Melborne, Terril, Walker, Wapello and Winterset. Griswold will receive $1.637-million loan for a Clean Water construction project.

The Construction Loans are a source of low-interest financing for these communities to address pollution of Iowa streams and lakes and the Planning & Design Loans will assist with project expenses. The funding is made available through the State Revolving Fund’s Construction Loan and Planning & Design Loan Programs.

The Iowa Finance Authority has awarded Iowa communities and municipalities more than $1.8 billion in Construction Loans and $120 million through Planning & Design Loans since program inception. The loans are made available as part of the State Revolving Fund. For more information on Planning & Design Loans, as well as other State Revolving Fund programs, visit www.IowaSRF.com.

The Adair County Board of Supervisors will hold a closed session just after they begin their regular session Wednesday morning, in Greenfield. The closed session at 9:05-a.m. is to discuss matters currently in litigation. After they resume their normal meeting, the Board will hear from County Engineer Nick Kauffman, with regard to bids received for a bridge at W-26 Summit. They’ll also award a contract for the project and receive a Secondary Roads Department report on maintenance and activities.

Prior to the conclusion of their meeting, the Board will hear from Chamber Main Street representative Stacie Hull, with regard to a Courtyard Use Permit.

For the second day in a row, firefighters, and farmers with disc implements battled a field fire in the area. The Atlantic Fire Department was called to the scene of a corn field fire just after 11-a.m., at 3484 Falcon Avenue in Audubon County. Also assisting at the scene were the Exira and Brayton Fire Departments. The fire was declared extinguished at around 11:50-a.m.

Monday afternoon, fire crews from Atlantic and Marne were called to a field fire located about one mile north of Highland Road and six miles west of Atlantic.  Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees  said it appears the blaze started with an overheated bearing in an auger, while the machine was unloading grain into a bin. Crews were on the scene for about four-hours, and again later that evening, when some areas rekindled due to strong winds. About 15-to 20 acres of already harvested corn was burned.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says a Villisca teen was arrested today (Tuesday) at around 9-a.m., following an investigation into an incident which allegedly involved felony threats toward another person. 13-year old Cordell Straw was taken into custody and transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Council Bluffs. Additional details concerning the alleged threat were not released.

The Harlan Community School District will lose 31 years of FFA experience at the end of the school year. In a regularly scheduled meeting held Monday, the Harlan Community School Board approved the resignation of High School Ag teacher Dan Leinen. Superintendent Justin Wagner said Leinen has been nationally recognized for his outstanding work in FFA and said it was a privilege and honor to work with Leinen. Leinen has spent the past 31 years working at the Harlan Community School District, with an exception of leaving for a semester a few years ago. He spoke to the board after the resignation approval.

He thanked the Board for the opportunity to work with them and allow him to pursue his passion of working with kids. His retirement brings mixed emotions for him, but he feels that it’s time for someone else to carry on with the tradition of excellence he’s experienced in the Harlan Community School District.

The School Board also approved Leinen’s request for the early retirement benefit package. Wagner said with the exception of the one semester 7 or 8 years ago, Leinen met the criteria for early retirement.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)