A judge has ruled farmers who signed a petition to end the manditory porkcheck-off should NOT have their names disclosed to the public. Under thecheck-off, hog farmers pay 45 cents on every one-hundred dollars worth ofpork they sell. The money is fowarded to the National Pork ProducersCouncil, which went to court, asking for the names of petition-signers. Hugh Espey is a spokesman for the “Campaign for Family Farms.”Espey says the judge sided with their contention that the N-P-P-C wants tointimidate farmers who signed the petition.Nearly 17-thousand farmers signed the petitions, seeking a referendum votewhich could end the pork check-off. The pork check-off has been in effectfor a dozen years. Supporters say N-P-P-C-sponsored ad campaigns boostconsumer demand for pork.
Legislatures maintain stance against ethanol mandate
Republican legislative leaders continue to oppose a statewide mandate thatethanol be the only fuel sold at Iowa gas stations. Secretary ofAgriculture Patty Judge awaits legal advice as to whether she has theauthority to establish an “ethanol-only” rule in Iowa. Senate RepublicanLeader Stewart Iverson of Dows opposes the move.Iverson says America’s economy runs on free-market principles, and mandatingethanol use violates the basic idea of competition among products.
Details released on murder of Davenport three-year old
More information is coming out about last week’s murder of a three-year-oldDavenport girl. According to court documents, the steak knife used to killthree-year-old Breanna Mose was still in her neck when her body was found. The child was taken from her babysitter Monday, September 13th. Her bodywas found seven-and-a-half hours later in a car. The murder suspect is30-year-old Eugene Smith, the former fiance of Breanna’s mother. Smith andBreanna’s mom had an arguement, according to an affadavit, in which Smithtold the woman if he couldn’t have her, he would take her daughter. Smithis in jail in Denver, Colorado, where he was arrested, and will be returnedto the Quad Cities, although officials won’t say when as a number of deaththreats have been made.
Fire damages Iowa City school
An early morning fire heavily damaged the auditorium at City High in IowaCity and school was cancelled. Fire departments got the call at about 5:30this morning. Iowa City Fire lieutenant Tom Lacina was among the first toarrive. Lacina says within moments other fire fighters found a hot doorleading to a storage room. Lacina says a newly-installed sprinkler systemhelped contain the fire.
Enthusiasm high as ISU enters Big 12 at 3-0
The Iowa State Cyclones open Big-12 play at home Saturday against number-15Kansas State. The Cyclones are 3-0 and lead the nation in rushing yardage atmore than 354 yards per game but coach Dan McCarney says improvement by thedefense has also been a major factor in their success.After receiving a vote in the coaches poll this week, the Cyclones may be avictory away from an appearance in the top-25.McCarney says at least going into the game the Cyclones feel much betterabout their chances.Darren Davis is second in the nation in rushing right now and McCarney sayshis performance to this point has rivaled older brother Troy.
ISU signs basketball recruit
Iowa State basketball coach Larry Eustachy has landed another commitment.6-5 small forward Shane Power out of Crown Point, Indiana has announced hewill sign with the Cyclones. Van Coleman of Future Star says Power is a nicecatch for Iowa State.Power is listed as a small forward but Coleman feels he could develop intoan off-guard.Coleman says the Cyclones had been courting Power for some time.Power averaged 25-points per game last season at Andrean high school.
Time to get a flu shot
As summer blurs into fall Iowans focus on the turning leaves and sweatshirtweather, but how about flu season? Assistant State Epidemiologist Dr. CourtLohff (loaf) says the flu contributes to 20-thousand deaths in the UnitedStates every year.Flu season kicks in during November and lasts until April. Lohff sayseveryone is at risk for the flu, but getting a flu shot is the best way toavoid the virus. He says people over 65 should get a flu shot every year as well as peoplewho may spread the flu to others, such as health care workers. Lohff says acommon misconception about the vaccine is that it gives you the flu.He says flu shots become available in October, are inexpensive, and are nowcovered by Medicare. If you want to learn more, contact your doctor.
