CHAMBER AG COMMITTEE AGRI-BUSINESS EVENT
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee is planning their 28th annual Agri-Business Luncheon, to take place next month at the Le Mars Convention Center. Janelle Johnson chairs the event…
The Le Mars event is March 18, during National Agriculture Week.
The event begins with a coffee in the morning, followed by a guest speaker.
Awards and scholarships are also part of the morning event.
This year’s keynote speaker is well-known in agriculture circles.
Scott Shellady, billed as The Cow Guy, will address the audience, and then air his television program live from the Le Mars Convention Center.
MAURICE COUPLE FOUND NOT GUILTY
A Maurice couple charged with felony child neglect, and other charges, were found not guilty in a criminal trial in SIoux County District Court. A jury said Caleb and Jill Haverdink were not guilty in a trial which ended Tuesday.
A year ago, the Haverdinks were arrested on seven counts of child neglect, after an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. They were also charged with two counts of failure to report child abuse, and one count of filing a false report.
The Haverdinks were foster parents at the time. They were accused of knowing that a child in their care committed sexual abuse or sexual acts against other children, and took no action to protect the children or mitigate the sexual abuse.
The Sioux County Sheriffs Office conducted an investigation, and concluded that Caleb Haverdink, a former deputy, conducted himself in a manner contrary to the mission of the Sheriffs Office. He was fired in March, 2024.
The jury Tuesday found the couple not guilty of all charges, in their verdict rendered Tuesday;. The charges were then dismissed by the court.
MAN FOUND IN DITCH SOUTH OF SIOUX CENTER IS IDENTIFIED
Authorities have identified a man found in a ditch last weekend, who later died.
The Sioux County Sheriffs Office says he’s Federick Jan Adriaan Haupt, 35, of Sioux Center.
Saturday morning, Haupt was found in a ditch four miles south of Sioux Center. He was the same person who was reported to be kicking at the door of a rural residence earlier that morning. At the time, deputies searched the area, but were unable to find him.
After he was found, Haupt was taken to SIoux Center Health, where he later died.
The case remains under investigation.
SENATORS SEEK REPEAL OF IOWA FUND FOR CONSERVATION, OUTDOOR RECREATION PROJECTS
A proposed constitutional amendment would do away with a voter-approved fund for conservation and outdoor recreation projects — and direct part of any future sales tax increase to property tax relief. Sixty-three percent of Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2010 that created the fund, but it has no money because it’s only to be filled if the state sales tax is raised. Mike Shannon, a biologist with Ducks Unlimited, opposes elimination of the fund.
Brett Hayes, a farmer from Mills County, supports the proposed amendment because it shifts the focus on property taxes.
The proposed constitutional amendment is co-sponsored by 17 of the 34 Republicans in the Iowa Senate. It would have to be approved by the Senate and the House by 2026, and then again sometime in 2027 or 2028 before it could go before voters in 2028.
AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTED IN SAC COUNTY FLOCK
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, Iowa. This is Iowa’s fourth detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds.
If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of bird flu, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture. It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products.
The Centers for Disease Control continues to believe the threat to the public remains low.
FEENSTRA LEADS LETTER TO SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE CALLING FOR ENHANCED RESPONSE TO AVIAN BIRD FLU
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, asking that the U.S. Department of Agriculture strengthen the agency’s effort to resolve the ongoing outbreak of High Path Avian Influenza affecting poultry and dairy producers across the country.
Feenstra, along with 22 other members of Congress, urged the USDA to pursue an aggressive and forward-looking vaccination strategy for affected species, the establishment of an HPAI Strategic Initiative to improve research and methods of response, and movement controls that apply to all animals that present disease risk. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst led the companion letter in the U.S. Senate. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley was also a signee.
NAIA VOLLEYBALL CONTRACT WITH SIOUX CITY EXTENDED
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics has extended its agreement with the Tyson Events Center and the City of Sioux City to continue hosting the NAIA National Women’s Volleyball Championships.
Tournament co-director Corey Westra made the announcement at the City Events Center:
Each year, the championship gathers 24 teams at Tyson Events Center to compete in a seven-day single-elimination tournament,
The crowd’s average around 6,650 attendees from across the region and country.
Events Center general manager Chad Schmidt says that benefits Sioux City in several ways:
Corey Westra says the city’s residents also step up to help the tournament become successful:
Many local businesses sponsor teams and support the tourney in other ways too.
The Tyson Events Center and the City of Sioux City will host the next women’s volleyball national championship from December 3-9, of 2025.
BILL CREATES TAX-FREE CATASTROPHIC SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
A bill is under review by lawmakers which would let you prepare for natural disasters by setting aside money in a tax-free catastrophic savings account. Republican Representative Austin Harris of Montour says from the 2020 derecho to this summer’s tornados and floods, Iowans have had to deal with severe weather damage and this is an opportunity to let Iowans save for the next catastrophe. There would be lifetime limits on how much could be deposited in the accounts. Withdrawals for disaster-related expenses would not be subject to the state income tax.
