MEAT PACKER SANCTIONS
Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says it’s time for the U-S Justice Department to take real steps to sanction the four companies that control 80 percent of the U.S. the beef packing industry. Feenstra cites the amount one of those companies is paying to settle a lawsuit filed by grocery stores and wholesalers.
The lawsuit filed against J-B-S as well as Tyson, Cargill and National Beef accused the packers of working together to intentionally suppress the number of cattle slaughtered, to drive up beef prices.
Feenstra is a Republican from Hull. He made his comments during a short speech on the floor of the U.S. House. The Department of Justice opened an investigation of meatpackers two years ago, but has not indicated publicly what its findings may be or if a lawsuit is pending. The Biden Administration is providing a billion dollars in grants to expand processing capacity in small packing plants. In February, the U-S-D-A unveiled an online portal for livestock producers to report allegations of price fixing. The four major companies in the beef packing industry say the prices they pay for cattle — and the prices consumers pay for meat — are driven by supply and demand.
SUSPECT CHARGED
BOND HAS BEEN SET AT $31,000 FOR A COLORADO WOMAN WHO IS A SUSPECT IN THE BURGLARY OF SIOUX CITY FORD EARLY WEDNESDAY.
35-YEAR-OLD AMY CRUZ IS CHARGED WITH 3RD DEGREE BURGLARY, TWO COUNTS OF 1ST DEGREE THEFT, TWO COUNTS OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, ELUDING AND FAILURE TO AFFIX A DRUG TAX STAMP.
COURT DOCUMENTS ALLEGE THAT CRUZ AND A MALE ACCOMPLICE IDENTIFIED AS ESEQUIEL GOMEZ, COMMITTED A BURGLARY AT SIOUX CITY FORD AND STOLE SEVERAL POWER TOOLS AND A 2021 FORD F-350 TRUCK THAT WAS INSIDE A SECURED GARAGE BAY.
THE SUSPECTS WERE APPREHENDED WHEN THE STOLEN TRUCK SHE WAS A PASSENGER IN CRASHED IN LE MARS FOLLOWING A PURSUIT BY AUTHORITIES.
APPROXIMATELY 150 POUNDS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE MARIJUANA AND A POUND OF METHAMPHETAMINE WERE ALSO LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE.
GOMEZ REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AT MERCYONE WITH INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. . THE TRUCK WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND IS ESTIMATED TO BE A LOSS IN EXCESS OF $40,000.
THE ADULT-MALE ACCOMPLICE REMAINS HOSPITALIZED AT MERCYONE WITH INJURIES HE SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH.
HIS NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.
DRUG TAKE BACK
Iowans who are doing some spring cleaning this weekend can plunk all of their bottles of unused prescription medications into a bag and drop it off on Saturday for safe, anonymous disposal. Dale Woolery, director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy, says it’s an easy process, plus, it may save a life.
The one-day take back events are held twice a year. The collection in October of 2021 netted more than six-thousand pounds of prescription meds statewide. Woolery says it’s a quick search to find a location.
The Le Mars drop-off site is at the Le Mars Police Department. These take back events are a responsible way to dispose of prescription drugs, he says, while protecting the environment from improper disposal and preventing the dangerous misuse of opioid pain relievers and other prescription drugs.
Although Iowa ranks relatively low in rates of illicit drug use and overdose deaths, studies show opioid-involved overdoses claimed the lives of 258 Iowans last year, that’s up 64% over the last two years. National data show teen overdose deaths nearly doubled during that same period.
ZOO ON THE BALLOT
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is selected again this year as a contender in the USA Today Ten Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Henry Doorly has been nominated in the Best Zoo and Best Zoo Exhibit categories, while the Simmons Wildlife Safari Park has been nominated for Best Safari Park in America. Voting is open until May 23rd. Everyone can vote once per day per category.
