Lavon Eblen discusses uses for pumpkin seeds and also talks about the upcoming Harvest Market in Atlantic.
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Lavon Eblen discusses uses for pumpkin seeds and also talks about the upcoming Harvest Market in Atlantic.
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(RALSTON, Iowa) Oct. 29, 2014—West Central’s board of directors today announced their unanimous decision to name Milan Kucerak President and CEO-elect following Jeff Stroburg’s retirement at the end of the fiscal year.
Kucerak, who has served as the company’s Executive Vice President of Dairy and Animal Nutrition since 2006, will be the fourth President/CEO in the cooperative’s more than 80 year history.
“Kucerak has been a trusted manager and proven leader for the producers of this cooperative since he joined West Central in 2006,” said Chairwoman of the West Central board of directors, Sue Tronchetti. “He brings to the organization diverse management experience, a global perspective, and a strong accounting and financial background. “Kucerak is the right choice to lead West Central,” Tronchetti added. “We remain focused on serving our customers and stockholders and engaging our staff.”
She stated Kucerak’s introduction as President and CEO, effective Feb. 1, 2015, is the result of the board’s long-term approach for developing leadership from within the company. Beginning Nov. 1, Jeff Stroburg and Milan Kucerak will begin an operational transition and leadership hand-off. As part of that change, Stroburg will devote his time to the unification study between West Central and Key Cooperative. President/ CEO-elect Kucerak will oversee daily cooperative operations, including executive team management.
Of Stroburg’s retirement, Tronchetti stated, “In his 15 year tenure, this cooperative has grown to 27 locations in twelve counties, become one of the country’s 15 largest grain companies, and established itself as an innovative leader in the biofuels industry. We thank Jeff for his service and wish him well in the future.”
West Central® is a farmer-owned cooperative connecting producers of agricultural products to a global network of processors and end-users. The company manages for success by deliberately pursuing fresh ideas and recognizing value opportunities at every turn. Headquartered in Ralston, Iowa, West Central’s agronomy, animal nutrition and grain businesses span 12 Iowa counties with 27 locations. In 2013, the company was ranked #41 on the USDA’s list for largest farmer-owned cooperatives nationwide based on revenues and assets.
(Press Release)
LARRY DEAN THOMPSON, 70, of Cumberland (& formerly of Grant City, MO), died Mon., Oct. 27th, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic. Funeral services for LARRY THOMPSON will be held 11-a.m. Fri., Oct. 31st, at the Progh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City, MO.
Friends may call after Noon today (Wed., 10/29) at the funeral home. An additional time of visitation will be held from 5-to 7-pm Thursday, as well as a Prayer Service, at the 1st United Methodist Church, in Atlantic.
Burial will be in the Grant City, Mo., Cemetery.
LARRY DEAN THOMPSON is survived by:
His wife – Leta Thompson, of Cumberland.
His daughters – Lisa Luther, of Fontanelle; Lori Mudd, of Atlantic, & Angela Thompson, of Orsborn, MO.
His brothers – Donald Thompson, of LaFeria, TX, & William Thompson, of Englewood, CO.
His sister – JoAnn Boots, of Cedar Rapids.
and 4 grandchildren.
Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and an additional 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. To raise awareness of the disease and its complications, November was named American Diabetes Month. In conjunction with American Diabetes Month, the Cass County Memorial Hospital’s Diabetes Education Center will host a program by Daphne Haselhuhn from the American Diabetes Association on Tuesday, November 11th.
“This is a free program for the public to attend,” says Barbara Petersen, RN, CDE. “We hope to provide the community with information they can use to manage their diabetes while creating and enjoying a healthy lifestyle.”
Haselhuhn will share information about managing diabetes, current statistics, and local ADA activities. The program is free, open to the public, and no pre-registration is necessary. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 2 at Cass County Memorial Hospital. “Anyone impacted by diabetes, whether they have it or are caring for someone with it, is encouraged to attend,” says Petersen. She also urges everyone to know their risk by taking the Diabetes Risk Test at www.diabetes.org.
The CCMH Diabetes Education Center is state certified and has received recognition from the American Diabetes Association for meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Education. Please contact this office for more information at 712-243-7833.
An Atlantic man was arrested Tuesday. 37-year old Cody Ewing was arrested for Driving While Barred. Ewing was booked into the Cass County Jail. And, Atlantic Police say no injuries were reported following an accident that took place at around 3:15-p.m., Tuesday.
Officials say Nathalee Gilleland, of Elliott, was issued a warning for Failure to Yield while making a left turn, after the vehicle he was driving struck a vehicle driven by Orest Lechnowsky, of Omaha. The accident happened at the intersection of 7th Street (Highway 6) and Hospital Drive, as Lechnowsky was traveling westbound, and Gilleland, who was traveling eastbound, attempted to turn into the Atlantic Shopping Center parking lot.
Damage from the collision amounted to $3,600.
Jim Field talks about Halloween activities around the area and some other trick or treating tips.
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Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s looking into the federal government’s use of civil forfeiture laws after learning how the IRS seized the bank account of a restaurant owner in northwest Iowa. The Republican served on the IRS Restructuring Commission, which sought to end the agency’s “harassment” of small businesses back in 1998. “Well, here we are 15 years later and we’re still messing around with the same problems,” Grassley says.
In May 2013, the IRS seized almost $33,000 from Carole Hinders, who has operated Mrs. Lady’s Mexican Food in Arnolds Park for 38 years. The restaurant only accepts cash and the IRS used civil forfeiture to seize Hinders’ bank account, claiming by making small deposits, she was evading a federal law that requires banks to report cash deposits greater than $10,000. Officials with the IRS have responded to Grassley’s inquiry about the matter.
“They say that they’re going to reconsider their policy and maybe make some changes,” Grassley says. The Washington, DC-based Institute for Justice is helping Hinders with her case. The law firm reports federal law enforcement agencies — using civil forfeiture — can take cash, cars and other property without charging the property owner with a crime. Grassley says the IRS plays a role in fighting money laundering and other criminal activity, but it should treat business owners fairly.
“Maybe the IRS is smart enough to correct their own silly actions that they’re taking, but whatever the case is, we’ve got to be on top of the IRS once again,” Grassley says. The 67-year-old Hinders, who describes her last year as “Hell,” has borrowed money and used credit cards to pay bills and keep her restaurant in business. The New York Times recently featured a story about Hinders’ plight on its front page.
(Radio Iowa)
The Creston Police Department reports two arrests, Tuesday. 63-year old Donald Barnes, of Creston, was arrested at around 9:15-a.m. for Harassment in the 3rd degree. And, 36-year old Bobbie Jo Wilson, of Creston, was arrested at around 1:30-p.m. at the Union County Law Enforcement Center, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Both were released on a promise to appear later, in court.