(LE MARS)–A third party who is neutral about an agreement will try to bring Le Mars City Employees and the City Council together on an agreement later this month.
City administrator Scott Langel says a mediation date is set.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/mediation011711.mp3{/audio}
At the January 4th Council meeting, Mayor Dick Kirchoff said employees did not accept an offer from the Council committee and city staff. Contract talks began in late fall.
Frigid weather will follow moisture
(UNDATED)–Sleet and snow have been flying across much of Iowa on this holiday Monday and forecasters say another round of nasty weather is on the way later today. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of northern, eastern and central Iowa. Frank Boksa, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service, says road conditions will be at dicey at times then the snow will stop, but only temporarily.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/sleet1.mp3{/audio}
Boksa says parts of northeast Iowa got about two inches of snow this morning and they can expect more before the sun sets behind the clouds.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/sleet2.mp3{/audio}
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/sleet3.mp3{/audio}
To learn more about the forecast, visit “www.weather.gov” and to check on road conditions, visit “511ia.org”.
Pork Producers to discuss eight resolutions at “Congress” next week in Des Moines
(DES MOINES) Northwest Iowa pork producers traveling to Des Moines for the Iowa Pork Congress next week will likely have profitability on their minds.
Pork Producers President John Weber of Dysart said one resolution producers will consider is about the availability of corn.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/pigcongress1.mp3{/audio}
Another resolution asks delegates to encourage all producers to negotiate the sales of 20 percent of their production on a monthly basis. Eight resolutions are to be considered.
Weber, an east central Iowa pork producer is completing a year as president of the the state pork group. Weber told KLEM News he believes it’s extremely important to tell the industry’s story to close the gap between consumers and producers. Weber will emphasize involvement in his message at the Pork Producers Congress at the Iowa Events Center.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/pigcongress2.mp3{/audio}
Weber’s travels with Pork Producers have given him insight into issues back on the farm.
Listen here
{audio}images/stories/mp3/January2011/pigcongress3.mp3{/audio}
Information about the Iowa Pork Congress is available from the Iowa Pork Producers Association www.iowaporkcongress.org
Iowa commission says casino revenue rose
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa casino revenue rose slightly in the last six months of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission says the revenue rose just under 1 percent.
That could be encouraging news for Iowa casino operators. The state said in July that casino revenue dropped 3.5 percent for the fiscal year ending June 30, to $1.3 billion. The commission said the drop for fiscal 2010 was a sign the economy was taking a toll on gamblers and casinos.
Commission administrator told The Des Moines Register that it seems the situation for casino operators is “not getting worse.”
Burglar leaves on gas burners at Des Moines church
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A Des Moines church escaped further damage when natural gas from kitchen stove burners didn’t ignite.
Police say somebody who broke into Union Park Baptist Church on Saturday turned on all the burners. It was unclear why the gas didn’t ignite.
According to The Des Moines Register, police say the crook took several cash boxes and vandalized offices, bathrooms and computers.
The amount of cash taken if any was not disclosed.
Former Iowa running back Robinson apologizes
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Former Iowa running back Adam Robinson wants back on the team.
At a news conference in Des Moines on Sunday, Robinson apologized for breaking team rules and Iowa law by possessing marijuana. He pleaded guilty to the possession charge on Thursday and was fined $315 and given a year of probation.
Robinson says he’s resisted offers to play at other colleges and says he intends to prove himself worthy this semester of returning to the Hawkeye backfield.
Robinson rushed for a team-high 941 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010 as the Hawkeyes’ featured back. Coach Kirk Ferentz dismissed Robinson from the team on Jan. 3.
Iowa team spokesmen didn’t immediately return calls and e-mails from The Associated Press on Monday.
Gophers keep Hawkeyes winless in Big Ten play
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Trevor Mbakwe had 16 points and 12 rebounds and Ralph Sampson III matched his career high with seven blocked shots to help Minnesota beat Iowa 69-59 on Sunday night.
Sampson scored 11 points with six rebounds and four assists for the Gophers (14-4, 3-3 Big Ten), who survived some lapses and avoided a costly defeat at home against one of the conference’s few struggling teams. Al Nolen had 13 points and eight rebounds, including two critical 3-pointers in the second half and a 7-for-8 performance at the free-throw line.
Melsahn Basabe led the Hawkeyes (7-10, 0-5) with 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Eric May added 16 points. Matt Gatens finished with 13 points, including a 3-pointer at the 2-minute mark that brought Iowa within 62-55, but the junior guard was 5 for 21 from the field 3 for 10 from behind the arc.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm or by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
