Tyson Foods To Close Cherokee Plant
(Cherokee) — Tyson Foods Incorporated has announced it plans to shut down operations at its Cherokee plant. In a news release, issued on Friday, company spokesman, Gary Michelson says “as part of ongoing efforts to improve the performance of its prepared foods business, Tyson Foods Incorporated plans to discontinue operations at three facilities. The closings will enable the company to use more of the available production capacity at some of its other prepared foods plants.” Tyson Foods will close the Cherokee facility effective September 27th. The decision to close will mean 450 people will lose their jobs. Tyson officials say the decision to close the Cherokee plant was based upon the age of the plant, and that it has been struggling financially. The Cherokee plant has been producing processed meats since 1965. It currently makes deli meats, hams, Canadian bacon and hot dogs.
Hinton Fire Department Responds To Personal Injury Accident
(Hinton) — The Hinton Fire and Rescue Department responded to a personal injury accident that happen early Saturday morning. The call came in at about 2:00 a.m. as an accident was reported at the intersection of Wren Road and Highway 75. Little information is known at this time about the accident. The Hinton Fire Department was on the scene for more than an hour and a half.
Hinton And Merrill Fire Department Called To Electrical Fire
(Merrill) — Both the Hinton and Merrill Fire Departments were called to an electrical fire located in a barn at 32065 260th Street. The alarm was sounded at about 3:10 p.m. Fire officials were able cut the power to the building and extinguished the fire within a few minutes.
Northey Visits Plymouth County Fair
(Le Mars) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey made a stop in Le Mars today to visit the Plymouth County Fair. Northey was given a tour of the fair and the famous round barn by members of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee and directors of the Plymouth County Fair. Northey says he is impressed with the Plymouth County Fair.
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Northey says he has had the opportunity to visit many of Iowa’s county fairs, but admits Plymouth is unique.
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The Agriculture Secretary says he applauds the efforts of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee and the Fairboard for educating the public about the importance of agriculture.
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Northey says fairs of the past have been about farm families, learning and growing through projects, but today, he says, they are about reaching out to non-farm families and teaching them about the history of agriculture, as well as the future of agriculture.
Today’s Schedule For The Plymouth County Fair
(Le Mars) — Today at the fair, the day begins with the Plymouth County Fair Tractor Ride followed by the judging of the 4-H and FFA swine show at 8:30 a.m. The Open Class Draft Horse and Mule Show will be held at the Horse arena. At 9:00 a.m. will be the 4-H and FFA poultry show. At 10:00 a.m. will the open class sheep show. This afternoon will be the 4-H and FFA cat judging show. As for the entertainment this evening, at the grandstand will the exciting demolition derby. Pioneer Village will feature the musical group 7 Bridges, which is an Eagles tribute band. Also on hand at the Pioneer Village Stage is the hypnotist Mr. Wunder. At 9:30 p.m. this evening country-western fans will want to catch the LoCash Cowboys.
Jimmie Johnson To Feature Le Mars Community School Logo On Helmet
(Le Mars) — When Nascar driver Jimmie Johnson is racing this weekend at Indianapolis, he will be wearing a helmet that will feature the logo of the Le Mars Community School Foundation. Its part of the Helmet For Hope Campaign in which Le Mars Community School Foundation was one of five educational agencies to receive $25,000 from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. Wells Blue Bunny, along with the Jimmie Johnson Foundation are co-sponsors of the Helmet for Hope campaign.
Supreme Court Tells Argosy Casino To Close July 30th
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled a Sioux City riverboat casino must close by Wednesday, rejecting a request that the operation be allowed to remain open while its owners pursue court action.
A three-member panel of justices Friday denied a request by Penn National Gaming Co. to stay open while appealing a ruling by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. Penn owns the Argosy Sioux City riverboat casino.
The court had previously granted a temporary stay to an order requiring the riverboat casino to close by July 22.
In April, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission ordered the casino to close because it doesn’t meet license requirements.
The riverboat casino’s closure was part of a move to open the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Congressman King At Texas To Look At Immigration Situation
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Congressman Steve King is visiting Texas this weekend to learn more about a surge in unaccompanied children from other countries who are entering the U.S.
King is on the trip with Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. Their stops include Brownsville, McAllen and Laredo, where they will meet with border patrol authorities and other officials.
They will return Monday.
More than 57,000 minors have arrived at the border since October. Most are from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Branstad Calls EPA To Maintain Ethanol Levels
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is renewing a call to maintain the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply, after a report that the Environmental Protection Agency may scale back proposed cuts to renewable fuel production.
Branstad issued his statement Friday. An EPA proposal for renewable fuel standards would reduce by almost 3 billion gallons the amounts of ethanol and other biofuels blended into gasoline in 2014 than the law requires.
The governor’s comments came after Minnesota Sen. Al Franken said a discussion with a White House official led him to believe the EPA will reduce the cuts. He still expects an overall drop in renewable fuel quotas.
Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of ethanol, a fuel additive primarily made from corn that produces lower carbon emissions than gasoline.
July Has Been Cooler Than Normal
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Even though the beginning of the week seemed unusually hot even for an Iowa summer, the month of July as a whole has been unusually cool.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources in its bi-weekly water summary update says this month will likely rank among the 10 coolest Julys on record.
Temperatures were below normal for all but two days of the last two weeks.
The hottest and most humid day of the year so far came on Monday with actual temperatures peaking at 98 degrees at Sidney. The coolest reading of the last two weeks was 44 on the morning of the July 16.
The report released Thursday says the statewide average rainfall for the last two weeks was less than half the normal of 2.05 inches.
