The American Farm Bureau says food prices went up in their latest quarterlysurvey. Dave Kelley tracks the average prices paid for sixteen items in thebureau survey.The price of the items increase 87-cents over the second quarter to anaverage of 32-dollars and 92-cents. Kelley says the increase is typical offor this time of year as supplies of some items run near the end of thesummer.Kelley says the historic low prices for farm comodities aren’t a factor inthe cost of the groceries.Prices dropped 82-cents in the second quarter of this year. Kelley says it’shard to say where prices will go next.If he were to predict, Kelley thinks it will cost you less to buy the itemsin the coming months.Eleven of the 16 items in the survey increased in price in the third quarter.The largest increases: Potatoes jumped 33-cents to one-dollar andninety-one-cents for a five-pound bag and eggs jumped 15-cents to one dollara dozen.
Tire recycling system unveiled
Owners of a new system for grinding up old car and truck tires held a publicdemonstration today. Mel Pins of the state’s waste tire reduction programsays the “crumb-rubber” producing machine in Des Moines is the only one ofits kind in Iowa.Pins says the company, U-T Tires, received about half-a-million dollars instate grants and loans last year to start the ball rolling.Pins says Iowans are doing a great job in recycling old tires.Pins and other Department of Natural Resources officials along with U-T Tireworkers escorted the public through their Des Moines facility today.
State awarded money for traffic prevention programs
The U-S Department of Transportation is giving Iowa over 730-thousanddollars for two programs designed to make state roadways safer. ShellyDeForest with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau says a 560-thousanddollar grant will help counties target drunk drivers.DeForest says the money goes to the 22 counties that show the biggest need.The other program received 164-thousand dollars to help small towns increase seatbelt use. DeForest says the state requested 500-thousand dollars for the seat beltprogram, so they’ll have to scale it back.DeForest says the state had to show they’re making progress in decreasingthe number of drunk drivers and increasing seatbelt usage to be eligible forthe grants.
Churches push for end to Titan strike
Members of several churches gathered in Des Moines today to once againchampion the cause of the striking Titan Tire workers. Gill Dawes is amember of the Iowa Faith and Labor Committe.Dawes says now is a good time to find a way to end the 17-month strike.He says the Titan Tire strike is just one example of the problems todaybetween labor and management.Dawes says the two-tiered society is made up of the rich bosses and workersstruggeling to make due. Representatives from the Catholic, Lutheran,Methodist, Quaker and United Church of Christ are part of the Iowa Faith andLabor Committee.
State university presidents back tuition increase
The State Board of Regents discussed a four-point-three percent proposedtuition increase at their meeting today in Cedar Falls. Tuition for Iowa residents would total of just over 29-hundred dollars ifthe increase is approved. The presidents of the three state universities allvoiced their support for the increase. University of Northern Iowa PresidentRobert Koob says the increase is needed in the face of increasedenrollments.Student leaders at the meeting say they want to study the issue more to besure all students understand the impact of the tutition increase. This wasthe first discussion of the proposed increase, the board will take action atits next meeting.
B-V meets Wartburg in Iowa Conference Showdown
One of two Iowa Conference football showdowns this weekend will be in StormLake where Buena Vista hosts Wartburg. In posting a 2-0 start, Buena Vistahas averaged 234 yards per game on the ground and coach Joe Hadachek says ayoung offensive line has made tremendous progress.Hadachek says this a chance for B-V to join the elite in the IowaConference.Hadachek says the Wartburg offense does a good job of keeping the defensehonest.Wartburg coach Rick Willis says this is a big game for both teams.Willis says slowing down B-V’s ground game is a key.Willis says he can tell in practice that a big game looms.
