Reynolds Says Trump Will Make Major Announcement Regarding Ethanol Production This Week
(Spencer) — Governor Kim Reynolds is predicting President Trump will announce new ethanol production guidelines this week.
Reynolds flew to Washington, D.C. last Thursday for a meeting at the White House to discuss how to increase the federal ethanol production mandate.
President Trump in August gave the green light to waivers so 31 oil refineries do not have to blend ethanol into gasoline. Trump has said he had to save those refineries “from certain closing” — but he’s promised a “giant package” will be unveiled to boost corn-based ethanol. Reynolds says she “feels really good” about last week’s White House meeting with Trump and farm-state senators.
The governor says the ethanol waivers granted to the oil industry erased any gains from President Trump’s June announcement that gasoline with a higher 15-percent blend of ethanol could be sold year-round. She says that message has been delivered.
Reynolds made her comments at the Clay County Fair in Spencer during an interview with K-I-C-D Radio. The Des Moines Register is reporting the Siouxland Energy Cooperative in Sioux Center has quit producing ethanol — the second ethanol plant in Iowa to close down this fall. Plymouth Energy at Merrill was the first ethanol plant to shut down production operations.
Flooding Likely For Missouri River
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – More flooding is likely along the Missouri River after heavy rains and flooding upstream in South Dakota.
The National Weather Service says some moderate flooding is likely this week along the river between Sioux City, Iowa, and Rulo, Nebraska. Some parts of South Dakota received as much as 7 inches of rain over two days.
The Missouri River is expected to crest later this week after rising
significantly. The floodwaters may even cover parts of Interstates 680 and 29 and force some road closures.
The flooding may be worse because several levees that were damaged by flooding in the spring haven’t been repaired yet.
In western Iowa, Pottawattamie County emergency manager Doug Reed says everyone living near the river should prepare now and monitor conditions this week.
$8.5 Million Placed On Sports Bets During First Month
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – More than $8.5 million was wagered at 13 participating casinos in Iowa’s first month of sports betting.
Ames station WOI reports that figures release by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission show the state reaped nearly $146,000 in tax revenue from the wagers on sports events.
The report shows Prairie Meadows in Altoona topped Ameristar II in Council Bluffs, with more than $3.4 million in sports handle – or money placed on bets – and nearly $2.9 million paid out to betters.
On Aug. 15, Iowa became the 11th in the nation and first in the
Midwest to allow such wagering. Iowa’s law allows betting on-site or through a mobile app, but requires mobile betting to be done within the borders of the state. Betting software includes precision geofencing technology that nullifies bets made outside of Iowa.
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Apples Are Now In Season Ready For Picking
(Le Mars) — A sure sign of autumn are when apples are in season and ready for picking. One apple orchard owner says this year should be a good year for apples. Nick Harms of Le Mars owns an apple orchard on the south side of Le Mars.
Harms says his orchard has 28 different varieties of apples, all ready for harvest. Harms tells of some of the characteristics of the apple varieties.
Harms says you can pick your own apples, or if you choose, apples will be available that have already been picked.
Harm’s apple orchard is open from 3:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on weekends.
National Farm Safety Week
(Ames) — This is National Farm Safety Week and an Iowa State University expert says tractor rides for kids are one cause of accidents that can be avoided. Professor Charles Schwab says tractors are a draw for kids — but they create dangerous situations.
The National Children’s Center estimates one child dies about every three days in an agriculture-related incident. He says it’s not any safer to give kids rides on lawn tractors and it is actually often more dangerous because of an increased danger of rolling over.
Schwab says adults need to be strong and avoid the desire of the kids to get into these dangerous situations.
He says you can still share the farm experience with the kids without putting them in danger.
Schwab says there are a variety of other farm accidents this time of year.
He says everyone has the responsibility of helping
farmers prevent accidents.
He says farmers must understand the dangers while
they are out on the road too.
This year’s national theme is “Shift Farm Safety Into High Gear.”
Judge Orders Mental Competency For Woman
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has ordered a mental competency evaluation for a woman accused of injuring an Iowa City police officer with BB gun fire. The woman herself was injured when the officer returned fire with his service weapon.
Officer Michael Clark and 25-year-old Cierra Lewis were both
hospitalized after the July 29 shootout in south Iowa City as officers investigated a shoplifting report.
Lewis’ attorney, Quint Meyerdirk, tells the Press-Citizen that he
doesn’t believe she is mentally fit enough to participate in her own defense. She’s charged with assault and willful injury.
Lewis will be evaluated by a psychologist at the Iowa Medical and
Classification Center in Coralville.
Clark’s involvement is being reviewed by the Johnson County
Attorney’s Office.
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