Plymouth County Burn Ban Lifted
(Des Moines) — As a result of the weekend snowfall, State Fire Marshal, Dan Wood has lifted the fire ban that had been in effect for Plymouth County. In a news release issued Monday, Wood says pursuant to Chapter 100.40 of the Iowa Code, and at
the request of Plymouth County fire departments, the open burning ban for Plymouth County will be lifted effective Tuesday, October 27th at 8:00 a.m.
County Fairs Eligible For CARES Act Funding
DES MOINES– Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today announced the launch of the new Iowa County Fairs Relief Program. The program will provide short-term relief to eligible county
and district fairs for the purpose of continuing or resuming operations in the context of the public health emergency.
“Every single year, Iowans who attend their local county fair get to see, taste, and experience the positive impact Iowa agriculture has on our communities,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The economic and social impact is immeasurable and it’s critical they have our support to continue operations in preparation for next year.”
The state has allocated up to $6 million of federal CARES Act funds for the Iowa County Fairs Relief Program. This statewide program, an extension of the Small Business Relief Grant program, is offered through the IEDA in collaboration with the Association of Iowa Fairs (AIF). There are three funding levels: $25,000, $50,000, and $75,000. Award amounts will be
determined based on demonstrated revenue loss for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 as compared with the corresponding period for the previous year.
To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must demonstrate that it:
- Is a “Fair” as defined at Iowa Code section 174.1.
- Has continuously held membership in the AIF since at least March 17, 2020.
- Conducted a “fair event” as defined at Iowa Code section 174.1 (“Fair Event”) in Iowa in Calendar Year 2019.
- Held a Fair Event after March 17, 2020 but was subject to limitations or restrictions described in a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by Governor Reynolds on or after March 9, 2020 or it canceled a Fair Event scheduled to be held in Iowa between March 17, 2020 and the submission date
of the application for assistance through the Fund. - Experienced a revenue loss for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 as compared with the corresponding period for the previous year.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, additional information and to apply, visit iowabusinessrecovery.com. Applications are currently being accepted via email or mail until 5 p.m. on November 16, 2020. Application questions can be directed to the AIF by emailing tsb@iowafairs.com or calling
563-547-4996.
U-S Pork Exports Are On The Rise
(Le Mars) — We continue our series focusing on the pork industry during this October Pork Month. Several of Iowa Pork Producer leaders, including Plymouth County pork producer, and past state president Bill Tentinger, have participated in trade industry tours to foreign nations. Tentinger, who now
serves as Iowa’s representative to the National Pork Board, has gone to Japan, Columbia, Panama, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Tentinger says participating on trade industry tours is important to establish relationships with potential buyers of U-S pork products.
Tentinger points to Japan as an example of how U-S pork exports have increased over the years as a result of business relations through trade missions.
It was only a couple of decades ago that one of every 20 head of hogs raised in the United States was slated for export purposes. Today, that number has jumped to one of every four head of hogs is destined to a foreign market.
The Plymouth County pork producer says our international buyers of pork products certainly are familiar with northwest Iowa.
Tentinger talks about the growth and increases with U-S pork exports.
In our final report focusing on the pork industry, we will learn about the efforts of the producer invested pork check-off, and how the collected money is responsible for the promotion, education, market development and research of hogs and pork products.
US Department Of Labor Ending Extended Unemployment Benefits
(Des Moines, IA) — The U-S Department of Labor points to Iowa’s economic recovery as the reason for its decision to end the extended unemployment benefits for the state. Iowa’s unemployment rate has averaged below five percent for the last 13 weeks. The last payable week will end Saturday, October 31st. Any person losing the benefits is eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and can apply online.
[https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/pua-information]
Early Voting Continues To Increase
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Secretary of State’s website shows nearly 916-thousand Iowans have requested an absentee ballot either through the mail or at their county auditor’s office. And 751-thousand Iowans have sent ballots back. That’s more early votes than were cast in 2012. It’s also far more than
were cast by this point in the 2016 election. Eight days out from Election Night four years ago, just under 400-thousand Iowans had voted early. The Secretary of State’s website tracks early voting data for each of Iowa’s 99 counties. It shows 112-thousand have already voted in Polk County, Iowa’s
largest county. In Linn County, with the Cedar Rapids-Marion metro, 63-thousand have voted early. Scott County, with the Quad Cities, has had 46-thousand votes already. Johnson County’s Auditor has received 47-thousand early votes.
Vice President Coming Back To Des Moines
(Des Moines, IA) — Vice President Mike Pence will hold a rally at the Des Moines Airport Thursday. President Donald Trump held a similar rally at the Des Moines airport earlier this month. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she and other senators will follow public health guidelines and keep their distance from the Vice President if he has to cast a vote for tonight’s Supreme Court
Judge confirmation. Republicans do have enough votes to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, but Pence says he doesn’t want to miss being present for the historic vote. Five of his aides have tested positive for Covid.
Atlantic Student Injured In Accident
(Atlantic, IA) — A high school student from western Iowa’s Cass County in critical condition with a severe head injury, after he fell out of the back of a moving pickup truck. The family of 17-year-old Steele McLaren, from Atlantic, says the injured teen was transported to a trauma center in Omaha, where he has had surgery and was being sedated for several days due to the
severity of his injuries. Steele is a Senior at the Atlantic High School, and a member of the Trojan Football team. There has been an outpouring of support and prayers from the community, as well as other football teams from around Iowa. Students at the Atlantic High School were asked to honor Steele by
dressing like “Steele Day,” with gray pants, gray shirt, and flannel.
Davenport Police Charge Woman In Chuckie Cheese Shooting
(Davenport, IA) — Davenport police have charged a local woman in a shooting death at a Chuckie Cheese restaurant. Police say their investigation, led to a first-degree murder charge against Treshonda Pollion in the Sunday shooting
death of 29-year-old Eloise Chairs of Davenport. Police were called to the restaurant Sunday at 7:38 and found Chairs unresponsive. She later died at the hospital. No other information has been released on what may have led to
the shooting.
