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Pioneer: Atlantic FFA Chapter named to Top 15 in Pioneer® Brand A-Series Soybeans Big A Challenge

Ag/Outdoor

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with Pioneer seeds report the Atlantic Chapter of the FFA demonstrated a great amount of creativity in the Pioneer® brand A-Series soybeans Big A Challenge. The chapter’s final masterpiece will be one of 15 featured during 2019 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill.

A judging panel selected the top 15 chapters in the collaboration between Pioneer and FFA that focuses on the next generation of soybean varieties and the next generation of growers. Each chapter will bring a unique perspective to decorating a seven-foot-tall Big A statue, highlighting A-Series soybeans’ cutting-edge science and game-changing yield potential while celebrating local communities.

“We are impressed by the creativity from the next generation,” says John Schartman, Pioneer Soybean Category Lead, Corteva Agriscience™, Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. “The FFA chapters brought their ‘A’ game to the first round of competition. We’re excited to see how they will tie together A-Series soybeans, the Pioneer spirit and their local community in the final designs.”

FFA chapters were selected based on an essay highlighting how A-Series soybeans benefit farmers and a sample design of their Big A statue. Chapters will decorate the Big A statues through May, with the top three winners awarded prize money — $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place — at the 2019 Farm Progress Show. The public also will vote for their favorites on the Pioneer Facebook and Twitter pages, with the winning chapter receiving the People’s Choice Award and a special prize for its members.

The Big A Challenge premiered at 2018 Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, with seven Big A statues promoting A-Series soybeans placed around the grounds. Follow #FFAseries on Facebook and Twitter to see the creativity of these FFA chapters.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Ag Coffees to begin brewing in Montgomery County

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Montgomery County Extension and Outreach will be starting off the year with their new Ag Coffee’s.  The Ag Coffee’s will be a free monthly gathering to learn about topics in that affect the Ag world and feature conversation with area producers. January’s Ag Coffee will be on Farm Succession Planning, sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America.  By attending, you’ll learn a bit about the importance of transition planning and minimizing legal difficulties and confusion for your family during farm transition.

Join the Montgomery County Extension for their Ag Coffee, on January 23rd at 9:30-a.m., at the Montgomery County Extension Office. The coffee will be hot and rolls will be ready!  Reservations are appreciated, but not required. For more information or to pre-register, contact the Montgomery County Extension Office, at 712-623-2592.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

SWIPCO seeks applicants for Griswold and Walnut homeowners interest in a home rehab program

News

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The cities of Griswold and Walnut are seeking pre-applications from homeowners interested in participating in the Community Development Block Grant home rehabilitation program.  Both cities, with the assistance of Southwest Iowa Planning Council (SWIPCO), are submitting applications to the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in April for the housing CDBG program. If awarded, the program will provide funding to income qualified owner occupied homes within the target area. The homes will be brought up to the Iowa Minimum Housing Rehabilitation Standards, which may include items such as furnaces, water heaters, windows, doors, roofing, siding, foundation, etc.

All pre-applications are due by Friday March 29. If the cities are awarded a CDBG grant, all pre-applicants within the target area will be contacted to complete a full application. If you are interested in pre-applying please contact the respective city hall’s in Griswold and Walnut, or SWIPCO at 866-279-4720 for the application.

Southwest Iowa Planning Council is the council of government serving the eight counties of southwest Iowa with public transit, housing rehabilitation, and community and economic development. SWIPCO is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.

Posted in News |

Iowa State jumps into Men’s AP Top 25 1/7/2019

Sports

January 7th, 2019 by admin

The top 25 teams in The Associated Press’ college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, records through Jan. 6, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last week’s ranking:

Record Pts Prv
1. Duke (37) 12-1 1535 1
2. Michigan (9) 15-0 1499 2
3. Tennessee (13) 12-1 1481 3
4. Virginia (5) 13-0 1471 4
5. Gonzaga 14-2 1319 7
6. Michigan St. 13-2 1291 8
7. Kansas 12-2 1159 5
8. Texas Tech 13-1 1109 11
9. Virginia Tech 13-1 1093 10
10. Nevada 14-1 920 6
11. Auburn 11-2 919 12
12. North Carolina 11-3 889 15
13. Florida St. 12-2 879 9
14. Mississippi St. 12-1 683 17
15. N.C. State 13-1 674 18
16. Ohio St. 12-2 620 14
17. Houston 15-0 565 19
18. Kentucky 10-3 520 13
19. Buffalo 13-1 434 20
20. Iowa St. 12-2 344 —
21. Marquette 12-3 340 16
22. Indiana 12-3 245 21
23. Oklahoma 12-2 243 23
24. St. John’s 14-1 221 —
25. TCU 12-1 99 —

Others receiving votes: Villanova 56, Wisconsin 45, Iowa 40, Minnesota 23, Purdue 20, Nebraska 15, Maryland 14, Seton Hall 14, Alabama 7, UCF 6, Louisville 3, Texas 2, Arizona St. 1, Florida 1, North Texas 1.

Posted in Sports |

Iowa State’s Montgomery declares for the NFL draft

Sports

January 7th, 2019 by admin

Iowa State junior running back David Montgomery announced Monday morning that he will forgo his final year of eligibility at Iowa State and enter the NFL draft. Montgomery posted a statement on twitter Monday morning.

Montgomery leaves Iowa State as one of the most accomplished backs in school history. Montgomery finished his career with 2,925 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. He also grabbed 71 receptions for 582 career yards. Montgomery also lead the nation in forced missed tackles in 2017 with 109, the most ever recorded since the stat began being tracked in 2014.

Montgomery is considered by most draft analysts as one of the top two backs in this year’s class. He has been projected as a first round pick by some media outlets.

Posted in Sports |

Plea hearing set for 2 charged with murder in 2013 robbery

News

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A plea hearing has been scheduled Friday for two men charged with first-degree murder following the death of a Des Moines resident who was severely beaten in 2013. Polk County District Court records say 21-year-olds Terrance Cheeks and Leshaun Murray pleaded not guilty in July after the charges were filed. Prosecutors say the two were 15 when they attacked Mike Wasike during a carjacking. He died last January after years in care centers.

Court records say prosecutors have extended a plea deal to Cheeks that includes reducing the charge to second-degree murder. The records don’t show whether a similar offer has been made to Murray.

Posted in News |

ARNOLD “ARNIE” L. KRAUEL, 77, of Audubon (Svcs. 1/12/2019)

Obituaries

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

ARNOLD “ARNIE” L. KRAUEL, 77, of Audubon, died Sunday, Jan. 6th, at Select Specialty Hospital, in Omaha. Funeral services for ARNIE KRAUEL will be held 2-p.m. Saturday, Jan. 12th, at the First Presbyterian Church on Audubon. Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Audubon has the arrangements.

Visitation with the family will be held from Noon until 2-p.m. Saturday (Prior to the service), at the 1st Presbyterian Church, in Audubon.; Online condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com.

Burial will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon.

ARNIE KRAUEL is survived by:

His daughters – Jennifer Krauel, of Omaha, and Jeanette “Jean” Krauel, of Carter Lake.

His brother – Norman “Norm” Krauel (& his significant other, Mary Ann), both of Omaha.

7 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Posted in Obituaries |

Iowa State sweeps Big 12 Player of the Week Awards

Sports

January 7th, 2019 by admin

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State has swept the Big 12 weekly awards following a 2-0 start to the conference season. Marial Shayok took home Big 12 Player of the Week honors, while Tyrese Haliburton captured his second Big 12 Newcomer of the Week award this season.

Shayok, a senior, averaged 20.5 points and 5.5 rebounds as the Cyclones swept Oklahoma State and then-No. 5 Kansas. The Ottawa, Ontario native followed a 17-point performance at OSU with one of the best performances of his career against KU. Shayok was nearly perfect against the Jayhawks, scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting. He connected on all five of his 3-point attempts, tying the Iowa State single-game record for 3-point percentage.

The freshman Haliburton continues to shine in his first season in Ames. Haliburton averaged 13.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in ISU’s two victories. The Oshkosh, Wisconsin native started the week with 12 points against Oklahoma State, connecting on 4-of-6 three-pointers.

Haliburton was even better against Kansas, scoring 14 points and making 4-of-5 three-pointers to improve to 8-for-11 three-point shooting against conference foes this season. He also had three assists and matched his career high with four steals against the Jayhawks.

The Cyclones are back in action Tuesday night at Baylor. The game will be televised on ESPNEWS starting at 6 p.m.

Posted in Sports |

Meat lockers disappearing from many of Iowa’s small towns

Ag/Outdoor, News

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa continues to lose meat lockers in the state’s smaller towns. Brandi Janssen, who runs the Iowa Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, says without these processors, small-scale farmers will lose customers.  “Well, if you don’t have access to a market you don’t have much reason to farm,” Janssen says. “It’s just sort of a necessary chain. And then you need to make calculations about…how far is it economically feasible and humane to transport animals?”

Iowa State University researchers estimate Iowa has about a third as many small meat plants today as in 1965. “They’re critical for a healthy local food system,” Janssen says. “A small producer is not going to be able to access a giant, federally-inspected processing facility for products that he or she is going to sell to their local community.”

A long-time meat locker in eastern Iowa closed its doors at the end of December. The Holy Cross Meat Locker was famous for its smoked sausage, before it shut down after 72 years. Market watchers say Iowa is losing a lot of these small meat processors. The shops, sometimes run by just a handful of family members, generally butcher a limited number of cattle and hogs for retail or farmers’ markets.

(Thanks to Kate Payne, Iowa Public Radio)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

NE man arrested on Mills County Burglary warrant

News

January 7th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The Mills County Sheriff’s Office reports 25-year old Caleb Joseph Proctor, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested late Friday morning at the Mills County Sheriff’s Office. Proctor was taken into custody on a warrant for Burglary, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $8,000. And, 43-year old Joshua Adam Miller, of Bellevue, NE., was arrested just before 1-a.m. Sunday, for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.

Posted in News |