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Federal officials prep drought response with meeting in Omaha

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

October 10th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

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)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

MARY ANN BROWN, 82, of Greenfield (Svcs. 10-13-12)

Obituaries

October 10th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

MARY ANN BROWN, 82, of Greenfield, died Tue., Oct. 9th,  at Regency Rehab Skilled Nursing, in Council Bluffs. Funeral services for MARY ANN BROWN will be held 11-a.m. Sat., Oct. 13th, at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church, in Bridgewater. Steen Funeral Home in Greenfield has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the Cutler-O’Neil Funeral Home in Council Bluffs on Friday, from 5-to 7-pm, and at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church one-hour prior to the service, on Saturday.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.steenfunerals.com.

Memorials may be directed to the Mary Ann Brown Memorial Fund, to be established by the family.

Burial will be in the Garner Cemetery, in Bridgewater.

MARY ANN BROWN is survived by:

Loren Brown, Jr., (Bud) and wife Ruth Ann of Brighton, Il.; Evon (Ray) McKim, along with Kathy Snyder, Steven Brown, Jackie (Tom) Kruse, and Terri Merchen, all of Council Bluffs;  Howard Bebout, of Layton UT, and Patty Worley of Montgomery, Alabama.

Her sister – Evelyn Ridout, of Lorimor, IA.

and 17 grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Carter Lake soldier killed in TX shooting

News

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

KILLEEN, Texas (AP) — Central Texas police are still investigating a shooting that left a western Iowa soldier serving at Fort Hood dead, and another injured. Police say 22-year old Specialist Jamie Lee Schnider, of Carter Lake, died Thursday night during a fight outside a Killeen home near the Central Texas Army post. A 21-year-old Fort Hood soldier whose name wasn’t released also was shot. It’s unclear if he remains hospitalized. Killeen police spokeswoman Carroll Smith says a man was taken into custody, questioned and released.

Fort Hood officials say Schnider entered active-duty service in 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood since late 2008. Schnider served in Iraq in 2009 and again in 2011.

Posted in News |

Without Strasburg, Nats turn to Jackson for Game 3

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Nationals are carrying on without their acknowledged ace, Stephen Strasburg, and the St. Louis Cardinals are counting on their returning ace, Chris Carpenter. Strasburg has been shut down for a month. Carpenter has pitched only 17 innings all year because of surgery, and he’ll be on the mound Wednesday for Game 3 of the NL division series between the Nationals and Cardinals. The best-of-five series is tied 1-1.

The Nationals counter with Edwin Jackson, their only starter with postseason experience: He was on the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series champions. Carpenter went 4-0 during that run, including winning Game 7 against Texas. That success, Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman says, “isn’t going to do anything” for Carpenter on Wednesday.

Posted in Sports |

Chiefs waive DB Thorpe, re-sign OL Mattison

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs waived Neiko Thorpe on Monday and re-signed offensive lineman Bryan Mattison, who had been waived just last week to make room for the rookie defensive back. The Chiefs wanted Thorpe available to help on special teams and provide some help in the defensive backfield in Sunday’s 9-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. They waived Mattison, who has played 15 games over two seasons in St. Louis and Baltimore, to clear roster space for him. Injured backup defensive back Jalil Brown is expected back at practice this week, and the Chiefs brought back Mattison to provide depth along the offensive line.

Posted in Sports |

Food Allergies in Children on the Rise: Extension Offers Childcare Provider Training

News

October 9th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

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.

Posted in News |

Redskins Cut Struggling Kicker Billy Cundiff

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have released struggling kicker Billy Cundiff and replaced him with free agent Kai Forbath.

Forbath emerged as the winner in a tryout at Redskins Park on Tuesday. He won the Lou Groza Award with UCLA in 2009 as the top kicker in college football, but he has yet to play in the NFL.

Cundiff was signed late in preseason after he was waived by the Baltimore Ravens. He has been the worst kicker in the league this year, making only seven of 12 field goal attempts. Two of his misses have been from inside 40 yards, including a 31-yard misfire in Sunday’s 24-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

Posted in Sports |

Ailing LHP Garcia Removed from Cardinals’ Roster

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

WASHINGTON (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals left-handed starter Jaime Garcia has been removed from the team’s playoff roster due to a strained rotator cuff and inflammation in his throwing shoulder.

Manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that Garcia will be replaced on the NL division series roster by rookie right-hander Shelby Miller.

Garcia pitched only two innings in the Cardinals’ 12-4 victory Monday in St. Louis before leaving with a shoulder problem. An MRI exam diagnosed the injury, and he was scheduled to get a second opinion later Tuesday.

Garcia also missed two months this season with shoulder fatigue before returning in mid-August.

Miller appeared in six games this season, pitching 13 2-3 innings with a 1.32 ERA.

Game 3 is Wednesday in Washington.

Posted in Sports |

Spartans Eager to Shed the Slow Starts

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State heads into Saturday’s game against Iowa eager to start fast for a change.

The unranked Spartans (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) have had to rally for three of their four victories and have been outscored 34-20 in the first quarter. The Spartans have allowed just 23 points in the second half all season.

Coach Mark Dantonio said he was disappointed with the slow start against Indiana last week. The Spartans have not won back to back games against Iowa (3-2, 1-0) in 34 years.

Posted in Sports |

Pachall Leaving TCU, to Enter In-Patient Rehab

Sports

October 9th, 2012 by Jim Field

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Suspended TCU quarterback Casey Pachall (PAW’-hall) is leaving school for the rest of the semester and enrolling at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

Coach Gary Patterson made the announcement Tuesday, five days after the junior starter was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving near campus. That came eight months after Pachall admitted to police that he smoked marijuana and failed a team-administered drug test.

Patterson said most of the inpatient programs like the one Pachall will enter are 30 to 60 days. The coach said that keeps the door open for Pachall re-enrolling at TCU next spring.

Redshirt freshman Trevone Boykin threw for 270 yards and had three interceptions Saturday as Iowa State beat TCU 37-23. The Horned Frogs (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) will face Baylor (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday.

Posted in Sports |