FARMERS MARKET DOWNTOWN
Today marks a new location for the Le Mars farmers market – the Olson Cultural Center. Rob Scheitler says he began receiving calls earlier this summer from city and Chamber of Commerce officials about moving to the new location. Hours for the farmers market are from 9 to noon each Saturday, and Scheitler says the vendors look forward to being at this location through the remainder of the summer, and into next year. The market includes not only produce, but also items like fresh-baked pies. Today’s market also features live music.
CITIES REVIEW FEMA’S BUYOUT PROGRAM
Iowa communities hit by this spring’s flooding are evaluating whether — and how — FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program could work in their area. The grants may be used to buy homes that are damaged or destroyed by flooding — at pre-flood market prices — and the land is cleared. Kevin Robinson is the deputy city manager in Spencer.
FEMA typically pays 75 percent of the cost of these projects, with state and local governments being responsible for the rest.
The program was used previously in Cherokee, where nearly 190 homes were either demolished or moved — clearing about 67 acres along the Little Sioux River.
GROUP SEEKING CHANGE POINTS CITES IOWA TAX CREDIT FOR JOHN DEERE
Iowans for Tax Relief president Chris Hagenow is optimistic Iowa lawmakers will be open to making changes in a state tax break for big corporations. It’s called the “research activities” tax credit — it’s refundable — and the state is required to cut the corporation a check for any amount above what the company owes in taxes. Hagenow says the latest data from the state of Iowa shows John Deere received over 19 million dollars in tax credits for research activities last year — the most of any corporation — and he says Iowans may find that worrisome given recent layoffs at Deere facilities in Iowa, as well as the company’s plan to build a plant in Mexico. In tax year 2023, about 350 corporations filed for the state research activities tax credit — with claims totaling 77 million dollars. Backers of the credit say it keeps companies in Iowa that are doing high value research — with highly paid staff.
RARE MUSTANGS TO BE TEMPORARILY CORRALLED IN IOWA
The Mustang Club of America’s National Mustang Show is being held this weekend in Des Moines and some 300 gleaming cars will be on display. Greg Huyser of Indianola adores all incarnations of Ford’s famous coupe and he’s thrilled the Mustang Club of Central Iowa is hosting this event as the Mustang celebrates its 60th year. The cars on display will include a unique prototype of a 1971 Boss 3-0-2 that never went into production, as well as several Boss 4-29s, which typically sell at auction for more than a quarter-million dollars. The show runs Friday through Sunday at the Holiday Inn Airport in Des Moines. Admission is free.
TWINS AND MORE IN STATE FAIR COMPETITION
There are “multiple” sightings at the Iowa State Fair Thursday. Hundreds of twins and triplets of all ages have entered in the annual competition. Twenty-six-year Macey Mitchell and her twin sister Morgan are from Winterset — and Macey has three-year-old twins named Magnolia and Kimber. Macey spoke for her quad — all clothed in pale purple.
According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, women who are fraternal twins have a one in 60 chance of having twins. The chance is even greater for an identical twin.
Morgan says she notices her nieces have the same kind of connection she and her twin did when they were young.
This year’s blue ribbon twin babies at the State Fair are Edith and Ida, the children of Barbara Rodriguez and her husband Andrew. The twins are wearing matching outfits and head scarves today (Thursday).
There are two types of winners in the State Fair competition for multiples — for those who do not look much alike AND for those who do. Edith and Ida are identical twins.
The twins will turn one in a few weeks.
