(Des Moines) — Twin brothers from Hinton were honored Friday at the Iowa State Fair for their heroism involving an accident on Highway 75. Cameron Pierce was presented the Lifesaving Award from Iowa Governor Terry Branstad during ceremonies held Friday. The Pierce brothers were traveling on Highway 75 south of Hinton last November when they witnessed an accident between a semi truck and a payloader.
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The brothers also provided aid to the driver of the pay loader. The semi driver, a man from Texas, survived the fiery crash and Cameron said he received a note from the man’s wife days later.
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Cameron said. His brother, Riley, was unable to attend the awards ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. The traffic accident last November may’ve been a sample of what’s to come for Cameron. The 20-year-old hopes to be a firefighter. Cameron recently graduated from Western Iowa Tech Community College with a degree in Fire Science.
Iowa Man Farming in Zimbabwe
(Le Mars) — Even though they farm their ground November through April, most of the principles are they same. Iowa native Larry Kies is the technical advisor for the farm at Africa University in Zimbabwe Africa. He spent time this week visiting United Methodist churches in Northwest Iowa, educating and talking with the people that support his ministry. Kies has been living portions of his life in Africa since 1976, after he graduated with a biology degree from Iowa State, and has been employed at Africa University since 2002. The student population is around 1,200, with 100 in the school of agriculture. On the schools farm they raise: corn, wheat, a little cotton, milks 14 cows, raises a few hogs and harvest 3,000 broaster chickens monthly. His farm operates at about the size of a small scale commercial farm in Zimbabwe.
When it comes to corn, Kies says Zimbabwe isn’t behind the eight ball, but they haven’t fully embraced the technology that’s available either.
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Kies added that Pioneer is one company that has been allowed in Zimbabwe.
Farms tend to be smaller in Zimbabwe than here in Iowa. A resource poor farm may be as small as 1 to 10 acres. Large commercial farms can be as big as 600 acres. The owning of land is not a right that the people of Zimbabwe have. Kies explains.
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One of the current needs of Larry’s ministry is a different tractor to replace 2 tractors with low horse power that don’t work very well. Half of the money of the $32,000 needed, has been raised for the equipment. At the school, and throughout Zimbabwe, Kies says most of the farmers use 4 row equipment.
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In the time that Larry has lived in Zimbabwe, much has changed concerning the economy. He tells about the most common denominations of money in 2008.
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Now, Zimbabwe deals in US dollars, and $1 will buy you a decent loaf of bread.
To learn more about Larry Kies work, visit: https://www.umcmission.org/Explore-Our-Work/Missionaries-in-Service/Missionary-Profiles/Kies-Larry
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Department of Natural Resources says
the release of orange, iron-laden cooling water has killed an
unknown number of fish in Mason City.
The agency reported Friday that the water came from a Golden
Grain plant, where investigators determined too much sulfuric acid
was added to a cooling system. That caused rust from a piping
system to taint the water, which was released to Cheslea Creek on
the south side of Mason City.
The DNR couldn’t count how many fish were killed because the
water remained so discolored. It appears the fish killed were
species of minnow.
The plant has diverted about 600,000 gallons of iron-laden water
to a pond, where it will be stored and then processed.
The DNR may later seek restitution for the dead fish.
ST. LOUIS (AP) – The federal government says U.S. corn growers
could end up with their lowest average yield in 17 years as the
drought continues to take its toll.
The U.S. Agriculture Department is slashing its projected U.S.
corn production to 10.8 billion bushels. That’s down from its
forecast last month of close to 13 billion bushels and 13 percent
lower than last year. That also would be the lowest production
since 2006.
The USDA says it expects corn growers to average 123.4 bushels
per acre, down 24 bushels from last year. That would be the lowest
average yield since 1995.
Soybean production is now forecast at 2.69 billion bushels, a 12
percent decline from last year. Expected yields on average of 36.1
bushels per acre would be the lowest since 2003.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – During a summer of drought, Iowa’s corn crop likely will plunge
19 percent below last year’s production.
The crop is forecast at nearly 1.92 billion bushels, based on
Aug. 1 conditions.
A USDA report released Friday says the yield is forecast at 141
bushels an acre, which would be the lowest figure since 1997.
Soybean production is forecast at 406 million bushels, which
would be nearly 13 percent under last year’s figure.
Soybean yield is forecast at 43 bushels an acre, which would be
7.5 bushels under last year.
(Ames) — Democratic 4th District Congressional candidate, Christie Vilsack has announced she will conduct a two-day “Value of Hard Work Tour” beginning Tuesday, August 14th. Vilsack says she will discuss her plans to create layers of economic opportunity in rural America and support middle class families across the district. Vilsack will make stops at Templeton, Holstein, Crystal Lake, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Fort Dodge and Storm Lake.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Division of Criminal
Investigation agent has been assigned to a two-year term in
Secretary of State Matt Schultz’s office to look into cases of
potential voter fraud.
County auditors told The Associated Press they were surprised
when they were introduced to Special Agent Daniel Dawson during a
meeting Wednesday in Cedar Rapids.
Auditors say Dawson told them that he was looking into 2,000 or
more voters already.
Schultz’s spokesman wouldn’t confirm that number, noting many of
them would turn out to be data errors. The Republican has vowed to
prove that voter fraud exists in Iowa as he pushes for a voter
identification law.
Schultz’s aides have used data to look for people who voted in
two states, noncitizens who voted illegally and deceased people who
remain registered.
