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Ernst: Trump tariffs on China are a tax on farm families

News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Sen. Joni Ernst has harsh words for President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods. The Republican senator from Iowa, in a significant parting of ways with Trump, says the tariffs “are nothing more than a tax on Iowa farm families.”

In a statement released Tuesday Ernst said the “escalating trade war is putting the livelihoods of our rural communities in the crosshairs.” She says she supports Trump’s effort to equalize a trade imbalance but the United States should focus on access to new markets and completing new trade deals rather than imposing dangerous tariffs.

Trump says he’ll impose tariffs on an additional $200 billion in goods from China in addition to tariffs announced earlier, which Ernst says puts U.S. producers at risk of permanently losing valuable market access.

Iowa land thriving years after donation

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

THOR, Iowa (AP) — A prairie and wetland in northern Iowa are flourishing a few years after two farming brothers donated the land following their deaths. Palmer Larson, 86, and his brother, Roger Larson, 82, both died in 2012. The brothers donated 150 acres (61 hectares) of their land in Humboldt County to the state, which was turned into the Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area, the Des Moines Register reported .

Bryan Hellyer is a wildlife supervisor with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He said the brothers weren’t openly conservationists, but arranged a meeting with him in 2001. He said they spoke about the goals of the agency, but that he didn’t hear about the donation until after their deaths.

“I nearly fell over,” Hellyer said. “I thought, ‘no way.’ As far as farmland, there is not much better, so this is not the typical type of land the DNR manages.” Farmers in the area were also surprised by the donation.

Hellyer and wildlife technician Rob Patterson have spent five years restoring the land to its native condition. Two portions of the land were seeded with native prairie plants. Patterson has used more than 100 species of grasses and wildflowers.

The remaining 30 acres has food plots for wildlife and a small patch of timber. The area also includes a 33-mile trail. The brothers gave eight other nonprofit agencies their gross estate of $2.6 million, including the Iowa Department of the Blind, the Iowa Radio Reading Information Service and the Humboldt County Historical Museum.

Toddler pulled from Iowa lake dies at hospital

News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

POLK CITY, Iowa (AP) — A toddler pulled from a central Iowa lake over the weekend has died. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says the 2-year-old girl died Tuesday morning at a Des Moines hospital.

The girl was with her family Saturday at Big Creek State Park, just north of Des Moines, when was pulled from Big Creek Lake just before 9 p.m. First responders performed CPR on the girl, who was flown by helicopter to the hospital.

Officials have not released the girl’s name. An investigation into her death continues.

Group asking EPA to oversee Iowa water pollution regulations

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Environmental activists are asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ authority to manage a program designed to limit water pollution.

About 30 members of the group Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement held a state Capitol rally Tuesday. They distributed a letter to the EPA alleging the DNR hasn’t done enough to regulate large hog farms, which can pollute water. The group is asking federal officials to manage water pollution regulations.

The DNR accepted a five-year work plan with the EPA in 2013 to bring its oversight of a pollutant discharge program into compliance with federal regulations. A department spokesman says the DNR is “sufficiently following” the plan.

The EPA will decide on any further action following a final DNR report in August.

Heavy rain, more to come, prompts flood concerns for Iowa

News, Weather

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — With recent heavy rains and more on the way, the National Weather Service says there is a potential for serious flooding in the southern half of Iowa by week’s end. While only some scattered thunderstorms are expected across the state for much of Tuesday, more widespread storms and heavy rain are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday, with some spots possibly getting up to 4 inches.

Rain and storms are expected through Friday over much of Iowa. Consecutive days of rain will likely lead to river flooding in the southern half of Iowa — particularly around the Des Moines and Cedar rivers, National Weather Service meteorologist Allan Curtis said Tuesday. But Curtis says it would take much more rain to see the type of devastating flooding as in 2008.

Heavy rain in central Iowa this week has already prompted flood warnings for the Raccoon River. Nearly 2 inches fell in the Perry area on Monday, causing road and field flooding. The river was more than 2 feet below flood stage Tuesday morning, but was expected to rise above flood stage Wednesday morning and crest nearly 2 feet above flood stage by Thursday evening.

The service says a flood warning also is continuing until Friday for the Wapsipinicon River near DeWitt in eastern Iowa. Moderate flooding already is occurring at less than a foot above flood stage and could imperil residences between Calamus and Wheatland if the water were to reach a foot above flood stage.

Harlan Police report (6/19)

News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, released their most recent report on arrests and incidents. Authorities say two people were arrested Monday. 56-year old Melanie Marie Mogensen, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop near 7th and Baldwin.  Mogensen was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating while intoxicated 2nd, failure to yield right of way, and open container. Also arrested Monday, was 34-year old Andrew Jacob Smith, of Harlan. Following a traffic stop, Smith was found to have had an active warrant out of Pottawattamie County.  He was transported to the Shelby County Jail where, in addition to his warrant, he was charged with driving while suspended, operating a non-registered vehicle, and failure to prove security against liability.

On Sunday, 61-year old Cindy Jo Cassidy, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about an unwanted person on the premises in the 1100 block of Chatburn Avenue.  Cassidy was cited for trespass in the 2nd degree. Last Saturday, 29-year old Dustin Allen Delgado, of Harlan, was arrested following a call about a reckless driver in the 1000 block of Chatburn Avenue.  Delgado was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was charged with operating while intoxicated.

And, on June 9th, 37-year old Chantel Rea Andersen, of Defiance, was arrested on an active Crawford County warrant.  She was transported to the Crawford County Jail.

Harlan Police also investigated separate accidents occurring on June 6th, 14th, 15th and 16th. None of which resulted in any injuries.

JASON “FREDDY” AARON FRIEDRICHSEN, 41, of Wall Lake (6-22-2018)

Obituaries

June 19th, 2018 by Jim Field

JASON “FREDDY” AARON FRIEDRICHSEN, 41, of Wall Lake died Monday, June 18th.  Memorial services for JASON “FREDDY” AARON FRIEDRICHSEN will be held on Friday, June 22nd at 11:00 am at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake.  Farber and Otteman Funeral Home in Wall Lake has the arrangements.

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Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake.

Burial in the Wall Lake Cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to the family in Freddy’s memory.

Woman arrested in Pott. County after a stolen vehicle chase

News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Council Bluffs Police, at around 10-a.m. Tuesday, located a stolen vehicle in the area of S. 9th and 2nd Avenue. When officers attempted to stop the 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup, the vehicle took off. At S.16th and 2nd Avenue, a Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy picked up the pursuit. The vehicle continued to flee from officers until it went out of control, drove through a fence and into the yard of 820 9th Avenue.

Kimberly Golden

The driver of the stolen vehicle, 28-year old Kimberly Golden, of Coin, was placed under arrest for Theft 2nd degree (for possession of a stolen vehicle) and eluding. She was also wanted on an outstanding warrant. A 20-year old passenger was identified and released, because there were no active charges on her.

Shambaugh man arrested on Adams Co. warrant

News

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Page County Sheriff’s Office reports 46-year old Tadd Quincy Madden, of Shambaugh, was arrested at around 9:45-a.m. today (Tuesday), on a warrant out of Adams County. The warrant was for OWI 1st Offense.

Madden was transported to the Page County Jail where he posted a $1,000 cash bond, and was released.

MARY J. SPRINGMAN, 74, of Portsmouth (Mass of Christian Burial 6/23/18)

Obituaries

June 19th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

MARY J. SPRINGMAN, 74, of Portsmouth, died Monday, June 18th, at the Elm Crest Assisted Living facility. A Mass of Christian Burial for MARY SPRINGMAN will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, June 23rd, at St. Mary/Our Lady of Fatima Church in Portsmouth. Pauley-Jones Funeral Home in Harlan has the arrangements.

Visitation at St. Mary’s will be from 9-a.m. until 11-a.m. Saturday, prior to the Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery at Portsmouth.

MARY J. SPRINGMAN is survived by:

Her husband – Donald Springman, of Harlan.

Her son – Kenneth (Dawn) Fitzgerald, of Indianola.

Her daughter – Debroah Fitzgerald, of West Des Moines.

Her step-sons: Timothy Springman and Daniel Springman, both of Portsmouth, and Dennis “Pat” (Diane) Springman, of Exeter, CA

Her brother – Eugene Frueh (& Christine Aultman), of Barnum.

and 3 grandchildren.