Lack Of Rain Places Stress On Crops
(Le Mars) — The latest weekly crop condition report showed some deterioration with Iowa’s crops due to the continued dry weather. The region’s crops are showing signs of stress, and as a result, yields are likely to be lower come harvest time. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crops specialist for northwest Iowa, Joel DeJong says corn may be especially hurt due to the continued dry conditions.
De Jong says any rain will help the crops, but for some corn, it may be too little and too late. DeJong says corn at the pollination and silking stage requires an additional moisture demand.
The Iowa State University crops specialist says the cooler temperatures of this past week have helped reduce the stress on our crops, allowing for less moisture demand, however, rain is still needed. DeJong says the soybean crops are beginning to bloom and some are even setting some pods, but soybeans, although some yield reduction may occur, are able to
hang on a little longer than the corn in waiting for needed rains. DeJong says soybeans high moisture demand comes later than corn.
DeJong says some farmers are looking to begin cutting their corn for silage since little grain has developed on the corn ears.
Authorities Investigate Accident Between Hinton and Kingsley
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident that happened last evening at about 5:49 p.m. on county road C-70 and Nature Avenue.
Two vehicles were involved with the accident. 17 year old Matthew Faith of Hinton was driving a 1998 Subaru Forester and 59 year old Jay Barto of Kingsley was driving a 2007 Nissan Frontier when the two vehicles collided at the intersection. Faith, and his passenger, 15 year old Justin Faith, had both
suffered injuries, as did Barto. All three were transported by ambulance to Unity Healthcare -St. Luke’s in Sioux City. The Faith vehicle sustained $5,000
in damages, and the Barto vehicle’s estimated damage is at $10,000. Responding to the accident were the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Kingsley Police Department, Kingsley Fire Department, and both the Kingsley and
Hinton Ambulances.
Former Sioux City Councilman Faces Fines For Improper Storage and Disposal of Recyclables
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Regulators are seeking tough penalties against a former Sioux City councilman and his electronics recycling company, accusing
them of repeatedly violating environmental law. Iowa Natural Resources Department documents say Recycletronics owner
Aaron Rochester has wrongfully stored lead-containing glass cathode ray tubes at a Sioux City facility and illegally stored or disposed of the material at five more locations. The department says Rochester hasn’t paid more than $75,000 owed
on a state loan used to buy equipment. The department is asking permission from the state Environmental Protection Commission to turn the case over to the state attorney general’s
office, which can seek higher penalties than the department. Rochester says he’s been working with the department to close
Recycletronics. The department also says federal regulators have inspected Recycletronics sites in Nebraska.
Mower Seeks To Run For Secretary of State Post
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former congressional candidate says he’s running to be Iowa’s secretary of state. Democrat Jim Mowrer told The Des Moines Register that he wants to ensure
voter access in Iowa elections and modernize the state’s business filing system. Mowrer also faulted incumbent Republican Secretary Paul Pate’s management of the office, faulting him for an Election Day incident in which more than 5,800 votes were not counted in Dallas County last year. Pate’s office certified the results, which was made by county officials
and didn’t affect the outcome of any race. Pate’s office also caught the error months later. Pate hasn’t formally announced whether he’ll seek another term. Mowrer, of Des Moines, lost bids for Congress in 2014 and 2016. —
Two Teenage Girls Suing Wisconsin Prison For Confinement
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Two Iowa teenagers have filed federal lawsuits alleging they were placed in solitary confinement for months at Wisconsin’s troubled youth prison even after they both tried to kill themselves. The Wisconsin State Journal reports one of the girls alleges a guard helped her hurt herself after she became suicidal in solitary by walking on top of her cot after she placed her head beneath it. The lawsuits are the fourth and fifth lawsuits filed in federal court this year alleging staff at the prison in Irma have been placing inmates in solitary too often and using excessive pepper spray. A judge earlier this year ordered prison staff to dramatically reduce the use of solitary confinement. Department of Corrections spokesman Tristan Cook says the agency is reviewing the new lawsuits.
Gerdin Family Donates $5 Million To University of Iowa
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – University of Iowa officials say the Gerdin family has committed $5 million for renovations and new programming at the athletic learning center that bears the family name.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that center will be getting more study rooms, a commons area and a cafe. The programming will include a life skills and leadership development program.
Work on the center is expected to be finished by spring 2018.
Ann Gerdin and her late husband, Russell, started giving to the university in 1980. They founded the transportation company Heartland Express. The next Gerdin generation has continued the philanthropy.
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New Trial Granted For Suspect Of Stabbing Incident
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A new trial starting date has been granted to a man accused of stabbing to death a Mason City resident.
Court records say the date is Sept. 26 for 20-year-old Braedon Bowers. He’s pleaded not guilty in Cerro Gordo County District Court to a charge of first-degree murder. Authorities say he stabbed 23-year-old Wraymond Todd on May 30.
Todd died June 4.
The records say Bowers’ trial was set to begin Aug. 8. Bowers also lives in
Mason City.
