HOEGEMEYER: 2024 WILL BE A YEAR OF HISTORIC CHANGE
An Agriculture Day speaker told a Le Mars audience that the year 2024 will be seen as a year of historic change. Erik Hoegemeyer, an assistant professor of agri-business and economics at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska.
The bad news is that the current political and economic order is ending quickly.
Hoegemeyer predicts the focus of the U.S. military will change.
Evidence for this change can be seen in recent elections.
Another indicator is the flow of capital around the world.
While the economy will struggle, Hoegemeyer says the good news is that U.S. economic problems, including debt, are solvable. Hoegemeyer says as the U.S. economy rebuilds, U.S. agriculture will remain an economic base on which to build.
Hoegemeyer describes who is going to be driving this change.
Hoegemeyer spoke at the annual Le Mars Chamber Ag Committee event held this week.
STOP LIGHT CONSULTANT
The city of LeMars has hired a consultant to help with plans for modernizing three downtown traffic signals. The city council passed a motion to approve a supplemental agreement with Stanley Consultants, Inc,. for the project. This is an amendment to the original agreement approved in September, 2024. Plans for the project will be presented at the next city council meeting on April 1. The firm’s fee will not exceed 37,-thousand dollars, and will be funded through the city’s local option sales tax..
IOWA SENATE APPROVES 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT
A bill that’s passed the Iowa Senate would raise the speed limit to 60 miles per hour on two-lane state highways. Senator Kerry Gruenhagen of Walcott is the bill’s sponsor.
Those were the only comments in favor of the bill, which got the support of 36 senators. Senator Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames, is one of the 12 no votes. He says most drivers are going above the posted limit now.
The State Police Officers Council has registered its opposition to the bill. Five years ago, a bill that would have raised the speed limit by five miles per hour on Iowa’s interstates as well as state highways was tabled in the Iowa House. Lawmakers cited concerns about speeding and safety as well as the more than two-million dollar cost of replacing speed limit signs.
STORM DOES BIG DAMAGE TO POWER LINES
Thousands of people lost power as the blizzard swept into the state Wednesday. MidAmerican Energy spokesman Geoff Greenwood says the extremely high sustained winds and wind gusts pummeled overhead lines. The winds also took down trees and tree debris knocked down overhead lines. On top of that, blocked roads made it hard, if not impossible for crews to get to where they needed to go. Most of the damage was in northwest Iowa. MidAmerican Energy’s web site says there are 253 power outages reported in Woodbury, and Ida counties, and in Sioux City this morning. Travel was not advised in Plymouth County Wednesday, due to snow, strong winds, and poor visibility. Road conditions improved quickly as the storm moved east. Greenwood said ice has been an issue in other areas. He says the ice builds up on an overhead line, and changes the airflow on that line, causing it to bounce. Greenwood says that led to some situations where there was a cascading effect with pole after pole after pole taken down.
POLICE DEPARTMENT WAGES
Police Department wages were approved by the Le Mars city council Tuesday. Administration and police staff agreed to a one dollar per hour plus 5% pay raise. This covers those employees not part of the collective bargaining agreement, and it matches that of the members of the collective bargaining unit. The raises take effect in the new fiscal year. The agreement affects 12 employees, including staff and some of the police officers.
LE MARS LABORSHED STUDY
State officials have launched a study of the Le Mars laborshed. The Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation, Iowa Workforce Development, and the Iowa Economic Development Authority will complete the Laborshed employment study for the Le Mars area. This will define which communities contribute to the Le Mars workforce. The purpose of the Laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Le Mars area workers. Letters will be sent to Le Mars employers, asking that they provide a count of their employees’ residential ZIP codes. The results of the study will help economic development officials and employers better understand the Le Mars labor market, and make expansion and site selection decisions.
HOEGEMEYER SAYS 2024 WILL BE A YEAR OF HISTORIC CHANGE
An Agriculture Day speaker told a Le Mars audience that the year 2024 will be seen as a year of historic change. Erik Hoegemeyer, an assistant professor of agri-business and economics at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. He says the bad news is that the current political and economic order is ending quickly.
Hoegemeyer says that includes a change of focus for the U.S. military.
While the economy will struggle, Hoegemeyer says the good news is that U.S. economic problems, including debt, are solvable. Hoegemeyer says as the U.S. economy rebuilds, U.S. agriculture will remain an economic powerhouse on which to build.
TOP 10 FINALISTS NAMED IN BEST BURGER CONTEST
Iowa Beef Industry Council spokesperson Kylie Peterson says they have narrowed down the more than six-thousand nominations into their “Best Burger” contest to a final group. Peterson says the top ten includes eateries across the state. The ten include the Roadhouse in Orange city, and Burger and Company in Spirit Lake. Peterson says the only requirement is that the burger must feature a 100 percent real beef patty served on a bun or bread product. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is teaming up with the Beef Industry Council in the contest.
IOWA SENATE VOTES FOR 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON STATE HIGHWAYS
The Iowa Senate has voted to raise the speed limit from 55 to 60 miles an hour on two-lane state highways. The bill passed on a 36 to 12 vote and now moves to the House for consideration. A bill that would have raised the speed limit by five miles per hour on Iowa’s interstates as well as state highways was tabled in the Iowa House five years ago. Lawmakers cited concerns about speeding and safety as well as the more than two-million dollar cost of replacing speed limit signs.
