Home News Thursday News, August 11th

Thursday News, August 11th

Plymouth Energy Tells Of Ethanol Export Market

(Merrill) — Plymouth Energy of Merrill, the local corn-based ethanol producer,
held a customer appreciation event on Wednesday evening. During the event, various
officials reported on the financial condition and outlook for the ethanol industry.
Plymouth Energy’s C-E-O Emmin Byrne (Burn) informed the gathering that despite the
low prices, the local ethanol producer has been able to capitalize on exporting
ethanol. Many people may be surprised to learn that more than 80 percent of the ethanol produced at the Merrill facility is exported to all points around the world.

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Byrne believes there is a bright future for the ethanol industry, especially when you look at the potential of additional ethanol exports. He says ethanol exports may have the potential to double in size within a few years. Byrne says a huge market may be to our neighbors to the south.

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Mike Blackford, a grain and ethanol marketer with F.C. Stone from West Des Moines echoed Byrne’s comments.

Byrne also reported the new trans-loading and storage facility located in Le Mars is now operational.

 

New Principal Settles Into Position

(Le Mars) — In just two weeks from today, (Thursday) school will resume, and
students attending either Franklin or Clark Elementary schools will see a new face
sitting behind the principal’s desk. Pat Kruger will assume the duties that were
vacated by Floyd Athey. Kruger is originally from Minnesota and is familiar with
the area since she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College in
Orange City. Her most recent position was that of Associate Principal in Colorado.
She says the position of being principal was one reason why she was attracted to Le
Mars.

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The new elementary school principal says knowing a little about the town of Le Mars
also prompted her to pursue the position.

 

Iowa State Fair Begins Today

(Des Moines) — Thursday marks the start of the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the state fair, with its annual attendance of above one million people, serves as a great educational tool for people without any other connection to agriculture.

Northey photo

 

26 New Foods Introduced At This Year’s Iowa State Fair

(Des Moines) — One of the highlights to the Iowa State Fair is seeing and eating all the new foods that are being introduced during the eleven-day run of the fair. Gary Slater is the manager of the Iowa State Fair. He says this year, attendees will have the opportunity to eat 26 new foods. Slater says he’s had the chance to sample some of the new food items, and they meet with his approval.

Gary Slater - Iowa State Fair

 

 

 

 

(Photo contributed)

The State Fair manager continues to talk about other new foods found at this year’s state fair.

 

Sioux City Man Charged With Arson

EAGLE GROVE, Iowa (AP) – A 21-year-old Sioux City man has been accused of setting a fire that injured at least 11 people in Eagle Grove.
Online court records say Luis Huerta-Valadez is charged with felony arson in Wright County. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney.
Police say the house fire started about 1:15 a.m. Tuesday. Two police officers and one firefighter were among the 11 people taken to hospitals. Police helped some people to escape out second-story windows.

 

Governor Branstad Consults With Trump On Rural And Agriculture Issues

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An aide says Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is acting as an adviser to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on agricultural issues.
Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes released a statement Wednesday saying, “Gov. Branstad was asked to advise Mr. Trump in an unofficial role on agricultural and rural issues. He will be offering his advice on important issues to Iowa, none more important than renewable fuels.”
Hammes issued the statement after media reports about Branstad’s role as an adviser.
Even as some Republicans nationally have been hesitant to back Trump, Branstad has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican nominee and has joined him at campaign stops in Iowa.
Branstad’s son, Eric Branstad, is the director of Trump’s campaign in Iowa.

 

Iowa DNR Approves New Rule Changes

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa agency has approved changes to administrative rules regarding water pollution that two groups say will weaken environmental protections.
The Environmental Law & Policy Center and the Iowa Environmental Council say the Iowa Department of Natural Resources scaled back protections to Iowa’s waterways by changing its anti-degradation standards on Wednesday. Those standards help regulate when new pollution is added to Iowa waters. It guides businesses that propose adding or expanding operations.
A DNR commission met and voted to implement changes that guide how to balance the potential costs of a proposed project with its environmental impact. It goes into effect Friday.
The environmental groups say the tweak in language eliminates consideration of the environment. Groups supporting the changes disagree. A DNR spokesman says it will clarify the process.