SmithCo Side Dump Trailer Manufacturing Is Sold
(Le Mars) — SmithCo, the side dump trailer manufacturing company located at C-38 and Highway 75 of Le Mars, has been purchased by a Minnesota Pork Production Company. According to a news release, Christensen Farms, purchased SmithCo. Greg Smith, a native of Lawton, Iowa, founded SmithCo in 1994. SmithCo offers the largest selection of side dump trailers in the
world for a variety of markets including road and building contractors, aggregate producers, agriculture industry, among other industries. Smith retired from his position as SmithCo president and CEO. His successor is Scott Lovell, the former operations manager at SmithCo. The news release
says all current SmithCo management staff will remain in their current roles.
The Christensen organization has been pursuing and acquiring companies over the past two years in a bid to diversify from the family’s core pork business. There was no mention as to the amount involving the financial transaction. SmithCo employs nearly 100 people.
Waterloo Civil Rights Commission Wants Employers Not To Ask Questions About Past Criminal Arrests
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – The Waterloo Commission on Human Rights is pushing for an ordinance that would bar employers from including questions about criminal histories on job applications.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the agency is asking City Council to once again consider the ordinance that is designed to ensure applicants with criminal records get a fair chance at employment.
The commission’s proposal also applies to private employers, which is a less common policy nationally.
Employers would still be allowed to conduct a criminal background check before extending a job offer.
Commission Executive Director Abraham Funchess says the measure seeks to eliminate disparities in the city.
Some council members expressed support for the measure, while others say they want legal input.
The council turned down similar ordinances in 2012 and 2015.
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Powerball Lottery To Hit $625 Million
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Lottery officials say the Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $625 million.
The jackpot on Saturday would be the seventh-largest in U.S. history, with an estimated lump sum payout of $380.6 million before taxes.
The odds of winning are extremely long, at 1 in 292.2 million, but they do get beaten.
The buyers of three tickets shared the country’s largest jackpot: a nearly $1.59 billion Powerball prize drawn on Jan. 13, 2016. A South Carolina purchaser won a $1.54 billion Mega Millions jackpot, which marked the nation’s second-largest lottery prize ever.
