Home News Wednesday News, April 10th

Wednesday News, April 10th

Iowa Food Group Shuts Down Operations In Cherokee

(Cherokee) — Questions are circulating concerning the future of the Iowa Food Group meat processing plant in Cherokee. Speculation indicates the former Tyson meat plant has closed. Numerous attempts were made to visit with the Iowa Food Group plant management, but there has not been any reply
to our attempts. Several times the phone would not be answered. After several attempts, an individual with Iowa Food Group answered our call, and referred us to the corporate attorney. Iowa Food Group did issue a news release
Tuesday afternoon. The news release contained only two small paragraphs. It reads as follows: “Iowa Food Group is proud to have taken the Cherokee plant from shut-down for four years to completely operational with full USDA approval within 120 days. The plant passed its GMP Food Safety Audit – Good Manufacturing Practices with an A+ score on April 4, 2019.” The news release continues to state: “Having now achieved each of these milestones and readied the plant to scale up production, IFG will be pausing production temporarily in order to recapitalize the company in preparation for the next stage of
operations and growth.”


There was no mention in the news release as to how long the plant would be shut down. Iowa Food Group had announced in September of 2018 that they would acquire the meat plant and process beef, pork, poultry, and lamb. At that time, Iowa Food Group indicated they would employ at least 100 people at
the start of operations.

 

 

Le Mars Rotary Honors “Josh’s Ride” As Its “Citizen Of The Year”

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Rotary organization celebrated its 100th anniversary by holding a banquet last evening. The local Rotary club acknowledged the efforts of four women who have started a charity entitled: “Josh’s Ride” by honoring them with their “Citizen of the Year” award. Josh’s Ride provides
for special built and equipped adapted bicycles for handicapped individuals, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to ride a bicycle. Beth Meyer says the program is now in its fourth year. Meyer talks about how “Josh’s Ride” got its start.

Since giving that initial bike, the group has grown, and this coming Friday will be awarding its 50th bicycle.

Meyer talks about how the bicycles are created for handicapped children.

The Le Mars Rotary helped Josh’s Ride by donating money for a bicycle that was given to a youngster at Franklin Elementary. Meyer thanked the local Rotary for their generous contribution, but also for providing a platform allowing Josh’s Ride to become better known throughout the community.

Besides Meyer, the three other women that comprise of Josh’s Ride include Deb Parmalee, Kim Koons, and Chelsi Hector. Meyer says the group has now expanded beyond Le Mars to also include all of Plymouth County.

Meyer says when a bicycle is given to a family with a handicapped child, the event becomes emotional for everyone.

Meyer says the four women don’t necessarily want to expand beyond Plymouth County, but Meyer urges other individuals from other counties to create their own “Josh’s Ride” and performing a similar mission and naming the organization for a handicapped child living in their county.

 

 

Total Motors Ready To Open Operations In Orange City

Orange City, IA – Total Motors is set to open the doors of their new Sales & Service Center in Orange City, Iowa on Monday, April 15th. At this new location you can expect to find close to 50-75 pre-owned vehicles, available financing, trained vehicle specialist, and their Limited Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on all their eligible vehicles. They will be open Monday thru Saturday in both their Sales and Service Departments.
In their Service Department, trained technicians can perform
both major and minor repairs including but not limited to: Alignments, Parts & Accessories, Tire Sales/Services, General Repair & Maintenance, Tune-ups, Brakes, Electrical, Electronics, Engine Repairs, Radiators, Heating & Cooling, Steering & Suspension, and more for all makes & models. You can take
advantage a comfortable waiting room, shuttle services and local pick-up and delivery.
Total Motors is excited to bring their services and expertise to the town of Orange City, Iowa.

 

 

Midwest States Need To Prepare For Another Winter Storm And Additional Flooding

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Plains and Midwest states are bracing for another massive winter storm and the prospect of renewed flooding. The National Weather Service says the storm moving east out of the northern Rockies Wednesday and Thursday will pack heavy snow and strong winds. It brings the specter of renewed flooding to a part of the country where massive flooding
over the past month has caused billions of dollars in damage, though rivers aren’t likely to rise as much as they did last month.

 

 

Iowa State University Farm Management Specialist Believes Grain Prices May Increase Slightly For A Spring Rally

(Le Mars) — Many farmers are still holding on to last year’s harvested grain waiting to see if the markets may rise, due to the flooding, and the threat that thousands of acres may encounter delayed planting. However, persistent trade disputes with China, Mexico, and other nations of the world, have
farmers wondering if there may not be a bump in commodity prices. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Farm Management Specialist Steve Johnson believes there could be a slight uptick in the market prices.

Johnson says the speculative position for the futures markets are net short on corn, soybeans, and even wheat at what he says are near record levels.

Johnson says he believes corn may actually show a rally sometime within the next few weeks.

The Iowa State University Extension Farm Management Specialist advises farmers to take advantage of the potential rise in markets when the opportunity presents itself.

 

 

Des Moines Woman Could Face 35 Years In Prison For Hitting A Pedestrian

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman faces up to 35 years in prison when she’s sentenced in May for hitting and killing a pedestrian while she was driving drunk.
The Des Moines Register reports that 23-year-old Oleaf Teoh was found guilty Friday of vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated and vehicular homicide by reckless driving in the February 2018 death of 33-year-old Matthew Otto, of Des Moines.
Police say Teoh’s sport utility vehicle hit Otto from behind just
south of the Veterans Affairs Hospital. Police say she fled the scene and was stopped by officers minutes later, when she admitted she was involved in the crash. Prosecutors say her blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit to drive.
Teoh will be sentenced May 16.

 

 

Democrats Try To Attract Younger Voters

GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) – Young voters, many of whom reside in delegate-rich areas of the state and can be powerful multiplying forces if they’re engaged enough to convince friends and family members to show up and support their candidates, could be a major force in this cycle’s Iowa caucuses. So the Democratic presidential candidates are already making an early effort to
court this voting bloc and get students to turn out to caucus this fall.

 

 

Officials Investigate Plane Crash

MONTICELLO, Iowa (AP) – Federal investigators still aren’t certain what caused a small plane to crash near an eastern Iowa airport, killing the pilot. Station KCRG reports that the final National Transportation Safety Board report says the plane was in good working order before crashing near the Monticello airport in June 2017. The report says 90-year-old Jerry Naylor died in the crash.