Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, October 11th

Wednesday Afternoon News, October 11th

Packaged Meals From Le Mars Head To Puerto Rico

(Le Mars) — An effort to provide meals to the hurricane-stricken victims of Puerto Rico has gotten under way.  On Tuesday, 30,000 packaged meals consisting of rice, dried vegetables, soy textured protein, powdered chicken with vitamins and minerals left a Le Mars warehouse to go to Des Moines, where they will then be transported to Puerto Rico.  Dick Sievert and Carolyn Bickford, both of Le Mars, known for leading Mission Honduras and the “Then Feed Just One” feeding program organization, stepped up to offer relief assistance.  Sievert says he was contacted by friends and asked if could help.

Carolyn Bickford helped transport the meals to a Des Moines warehouse.

Sievert says the meals will be combined in a container, and due to leave Iowa, and destined to Puerto Rico sometime later this month.

Sievert and Bickford say its nice to be able to help people who are in need. Even though they have traditionally focused on Honduras, both Bickford and Sievert say their organizations have, and are, ready to help others.

The two were asked if they thought about leading a delegation of volunteers and missionaries to the Gulf region this year, to assist with recovery efforts, instead of going to Honduras?  Sievert and Bickford both say they would like to help the hurricane victims, but it would require additional time, and contacts,
to properly organize a meaningful and successful mission.

Sievert echoed and expanded on Bickford’s comments why Honduras is better suited for their mission trip.

Sievert says it is a good feeling to know they have contributed in a small way to the recovery efforts for the people in Puerto Rico.

 

 

Pork Producers Implement “We Care” Campaign To Communicate With Consumers

(Des Moines) — October is recognized as National Pork Month, and the reason is because traditionally at this time of year there would be a large inventory of hogs going to market, and retailers were faced with a large supply of pork.
Retailers then, decided to designate October as Pork Month as a way to feature special sales on pork, with the hopes they would generate additional consumer demand, and sell more pork products. The pork industry wants consumers to know
and understand they are trying to do the right thing when it comes to producing pork.  Because of that objective, pork producers have adopted what’s known as the “We Care” campaign.  Cindy Cunningham is the Assistant Vice President of
Communications with the National Pork Board.  She says the “We Care” campaign was started, so pork producers could tell their story to consumers.


Cunningham says pork producers are reaching out to urban consumers who perhaps never been to a hog farm, or have never seen any pictures of a pork production facility, but who may have questions regarding the pork product.   The pork
board official says pork producers just want to share their story.

The pork board official says pork producers have been able to inform consumers about pork products through the pork check-off program, which collects money from producers to help fund research, education, and promotion.

Cunningham says the pork check-off is a tool created by pork producers to help promote their own industry.  She says it is built on the foundation of continuous improvement of an industry.

 

 

Iowa Has Set Up Text To 9-1-1 System

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has set up a Text-to-911 system for wireless phones.
Officials say 94 of Iowa’s 113 emergency calls centers can accept text messages from at least one wireless phone carrier. The remaining centers are expected to have that capability by the end of 2017.
The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management oversees Iowa’s 911 program, working with local public safety agencies and wireless carriers to build a statewide network and make Text-to-911 technology possible.
Six wireless carriers can or soon will provide customers with the ability to text 911. The carriers are: AT&T, iWireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.
More information on the Text-to-911 program is available at
homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.

 

 

Iowa State University Interviews Four Finalists For President

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say the fourth finalist in the search for the next Iowa State University president is already on campus.
Dean Wendy Wintersteen of Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is scheduled to meet Thursday with staff, students and community members. Her curriculum vitae and interview schedule are available on Iowa State’s presidential search website, presidentsearch.iastate.edu.
The first finalist, Sonny Ramaswamy, visited Ames on Monday. He’s director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in Washington, D.C. The second finalist, Pamela Whitten, was on campus Tuesday. She’s senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Georgia, Athens. The third finalist, Dale
Whittaker, is scheduled to visit the Ames campus Wednesday. He’s executive vice president at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

 

 

King Says Illegal Immigrants Should Return To Home Country To Give An Economic Boost To The Homeland Nation. 

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republican Rep. Steve King says young immigrants brought to the United States as children and now here illegally would generate an economic lift for Mexico and other Central American nations if they were to
return.
The Iowa congressman says “maybe the best thing we could do for our neighbors to the South is give them back their talent and restore our rule of law.”
King is opposed to a program under former President Barack Obama that granted a deportation reprieve to about 800,000 young immigrants.
President Donald Trump is phasing out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, but gave Congress six months to act before recipients’ work permits begin to expire.
House and Senate leaders say they want a legislative solution to extend protections, but prospects are uncertain.