Remsen Fire Department Responds To Tractor Fire
(Remsen) — The Remsen Fire and Rescue Department responded to a tractor that had caught on fire. The call was made at about 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Fire officials went to a field between 200th Street and County road C-38. Todd Tentinger, the fire chief for the Remsen Fire Department describes the scene when fire fighters had arrived.
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Tentinger says given the fact the tractor was hitched to a pair of anhydrous ammonia tanks gave fire fighters reason to be even more concerned, but fortunately, Tentinger says the winds were in the right direction pushing the flames away from the anhydrous ammonia tanks.
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The Remsen fire chief says the fire fighters were not able to unhook the anhydrous ammonia tanks until after the fire was extinguished. He says the tractor is a total loss. Tentinger says he is uncertain as to what caused the tractor to start on fire, but an investigation is continuing.
Le Mars FFA Chapter Celebrates 75th Anniversary
(Le Mars) — Nearly 270 people filled the Carey gymnasium at the Le Mars Community High School to attend the 75th anniversary celebration honoring the Le Mars F-F-A chapter on Saturday evening. The group consisted of school administrators, current members and their parents, and a large group of Le Mars FFA alumni. A slide presentation reviewing the past 75 years was presented by high school senior, and current Le Mars FFA chapter treasurer, Jacob Holck. Holck detailed the historical aspects of the chapter, recognizing the previous advisors, past chapter alumni, and the many accomplishments by the chapter and members of the Le Mars FFA chapter. Special recognition was given to the attending charter member, Cliff Tonsfeldt, as well to those families that have had four generations involved with FFA. Following the banquet and program, past FFA members gathered by decades to have their pictures taken, as well as past presidents, state degree honorees, and American degree recipients. Advisor Brett Oetken encouraged all attendees to visit with their friends, neighbors, grandchildren, and children to become active in agriculture. Oetken says agriculture is an ever-changing and growing industry that offers many opportunities, and today’s youth should take a serious look at agriculture for future careers.
Legislature Still Trying To Decide Which Programs To Receive Funding
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Legislature has taken another step toward adjournment by agreeing to budget spending targets, but lawmakers still must decide details over what areas of state government will actually get some of the limited new dollars available.
It’s unclear whether the split Legislature will reach consensus in time for an adjournment scheduled on April 19th, but some legislative leaders believe it’s possible. It will come down to a set of budget groups that must allocate funding based on the spending targets. Many areas of state government will receive little new money.
Lawmakers agree there is about $7.34 billion to spend on the state budget that takes effect in July.
It’s also unclear whether lawmakers will pass legislation before the session wraps up that addresses water quality initiatives or medical marijuana.
Iowa Republican Delegates Pledge Support For Ted Cruz
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Eleven of the 12 Iowa GOP delegates chosen at the state party’s four district conventions held across the state on Saturday have pledged their support to Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
Cruz, a U.S. senator from Texas, bested the rest of the GOP field in the Iowa caucus back in February.
Cruz’s successes on Saturday came at the expense of Trump, the Republican front-runner whose campaign had vocal groups of supporters at each convention. None of the delegate selected Saturday pledged support to Trump.
The lone delegate not pledging to support Cruz is Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a former official in Governor Terry Branstad’s administration and a former congressional candidate. She declined to commit to any candidate on Saturday.
Private Company Sells Grain Elevators To West Bend Cooperative
WEST BEND, Iowa (AP) – A group of seven northwest Iowa grain elevators are being sold to a farmers cooperative in the area.
MaxYield Cooperative in West Bend, Iowa, is buying the elevators in Superior, Gruver, Milford, Everly, Spencer, Langdon and Greenville, Iowa. The deal also includes an LP gas storage facility in Royal.
Agribusiness company The Andersons is selling the grain elevators to MaxYield after owning them since 2012.
The purchase price was not disclosed. The deal is expected to close by May 1st.
Sac, Buena Vista, and Calhoun Counties Collect $900,000 For Lawsuit
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The three northern Iowa counties being sued by a Des Moines water utility have received $900,000 in donations to cover most of their legal bills, but officials won’t identify the donors.
Sac, Buena Vista and Calhoun counties released released about 260 pages of legal records.
One of Calhoun County’s attorneys, David Wollenzien, says the counties are trying to get permission from donors to share more, but they don’t believe they’re required to identify them because state law exempts donations from foundations that support government.
The lawsuit filed last year by Des Moines Water Works alleges the three counties that oversee 10 agricultural drainage districts should be required to obtain federal water pollution discharge permits because they release pollutants into rivers much like regulated factories.
