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Culver defends I-JOBS, asks if Branstad would “hold a bake sale”

June 2, 2010 By

Governor Chet Culver is defending one of the centerpieces of his administration – the I-JOBS bonding program. His Republican opponents have blasted the program saying they oppose borrowing tens of millions of dollars.

Culver was in Coralville today for the groundbreaking ceremony for a big flood protection project. He said I-JOBS is coming to the rescue of flood-stricken communities. “We plan on winning on November 2 and one reason we’re going to win is we have stepped up and fought for flood victims,” Culver said. “We have fought for flood impacted communities like Coralville and Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Oakville, Palo…a long list.”

One of Culver’s Republican challengers, former Governor Terry Branstad, was quoted this week using the word “folly” to describe I-JOBS. Culver fired back today. “I say it’s our duty. I-JOBS is a duty we owe the citizens of this state,” Culver said. “There are 78 different projects in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and Johnson County alone. What does he want us to do? Have a bake sale?” Culver repeated his charge that Branstad also approved the borrowing of tens of millions of dollars while he was in office. Culver called Branstad “out of touch.”

The two other Republican candidates for governor have also criticized Culver for putting the state in debt through the I-JOBS program.

Filed Under: Politics & Government Tagged With:

Canadian company seeking to take over Casey’s stores

June 2, 2010 By

A Canadian company is attempting a hostile takeover of the Ankeny-based Casey’s convenience store chain. The Casey’s General Stores board of directors announced in April that it had reviewed an unsolicited proposal received from Couche-Tard on March 9 to acquire Casey’s for $36 a share in cash and unanimously determined that the proposal was not in the best interests of the corporation. 
www.caseys.com/pdf/Press_Release-Couche_Tard_with_logo.pdf

The Canadian company followed that with an offer today to Casey’s stockholders to buy their stock for the same price. Casey’s issued an advisory to shareholders to not take any action regarding the offer. The advisory says Casey’s will consult with its financial and legal advisors and the Casey’s board will make a recommendation to shareholders within 10 business days.
www.caseys.com/pdf/Press_Release-June_2,_2010.pdf

Casey’s also said it has noted Couche-Tard’s announcement of its intention to nominate a slate of candidates to stand for election to Casey’s board of directors at the company’s annual meeting, and if that happens Casey’s will evaluate the submission and candidates consistent with the company’s bylaws.

A spokesperson for the company says they will not give any other comment on the issue. There are some 15-hundred corporate-owned Casey’s stores.

Filed Under: Business

Creighton survey points to growing economy

June 2, 2010 By

A new survey of business leaders and supply managers across Iowa and eight other Midwestern states finds a sixth straight month of improving conditions. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the May financial report points to a solid, growing economy in the months ahead.

“That leading economic indicator went to its highest level in more than four years,” Goss says. “The job picture is looking much better, although we’ve got a lot of territory to cover if we want to get back all of those jobs that the nine states have lost.”

In particular, he says Iowa’s economy has begun adding jobs. Since the beginning of the recession, Iowa has lost more than 51,000 jobs and he says the state won’t likely see those numbers fully restored until September of 2012.

“There have been a heck of a lot of job losses,” Goss says. “It’s going to take a couple years to get back all of those jobs that were lost but we’re still certainly well on our way. The May survey was very good.” Goss says the financial turmoil in Europe is a threat to the American Midwest’s economic expansion. It’s raised the value of the dollar, which he says is making U.S.-made goods and farm products less competitive abroad.

“We survey those manufacturers, those businesses that serve the agricultural sector and there, I’ve got some concerns,” Goss says, “but not enough of a concern to push me to be more pessimistic about the economy. The economy’s looking good right now. The tail winds are much better than the head winds.”

Goss says business leaders across Iowa and the eight other states were asked how the European economic problems are affecting their firms. Almost 21% of respondents reported negative impacts for their firm from Europe’s turmoil. The remaining 79% indicated little or no impact to date.

Filed Under: Business Tagged With:

Thief in Black Hawk County leaves big clue behind

June 2, 2010 By

Black Hawk County authorities say a weekend burglary case was an easy crime to solve because of what the suspect left at the scene – his wallet. According to sheriff’s officials, a deputy patrolling a rural road near Cedar Falls on Saturday was flagged down by a man who reported that his vehicle had been broken into.

The man reported that a cell phone and T-shirt were taken. He also reported finding a wallet in the vehicle that wasn’t his. Authorities later contacted the wallet’s owner, 20-year-old Zachory Yezek of Waterloo, and had him come to the sheriff’s office for an interview.

Sheriff’s officials say while questioning Yezek, he admitted to taking the items and unknowingly dropping his wallet in the victim’s vehicle. Yezek told investigators he got rid of the stolen property. Yezek is being held in the Black Hawk County jail on a charge of third-degree burglary.

By Elwin Huffman, KOEL, Oelwein/Waterloo

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Cedar River named one of America’s “most endangered”

June 2, 2010 By

The 300-mile long Cedar River that runs through Cedar Rapids and ends near Columbus Junction has been named one of America’s “most endangered” rivers by an environmental group. Shana Udvardy is director of flood management policy for the “American Rivers” group.

“The Cedar River is a special place for its habitat and recreational opportunities,” Udvardy says. The primary reason the Cedar River has been designated as the fifth most endangered river in the country is because of “outdated flood management.” The Cedar River flooded nearly two years ago, swamping 10-square miles of Cedar Rapids.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation

Guns taken from western Iowa shop

June 2, 2010 By

Authorities aren’t saying how many weapons were stolen when a western Iowa gun shop was burglarized over the Memorial Day weekend. Crawford County Sheriff Jim Steinkuehler says Pete’s Gun Shop in Vail was broken into sometime during the holiday.

Sheriff Steinkuehler says the person, or persons, got in through a vent at the back of the building and took “several handguns and rifles.” He says they’re asking for the public’s help in solving the case.

A reward of $4,000 is being offered, which includes money from both the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives in Kansas City and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the ATF’s tip line at 1-800-ATF-GUNS, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 263-2146, or the Crawford County CrimeStoppers at (712) 263-4050.

Callers can remain anonymous.

By Michael Earl, KDSN, Denison

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Class 1A: Kelcie Bormann, Preston

June 2, 2010 By

The junior pitcher was a perfect 6-0 on the mound and in 38 innings of work gave up only one earned run, eight hits and struck out 79 batters. Bormann opened the season by tossing a no-hitter with 15 strikeouts in a victory over East Central and was also a big factor on offense. She batte .381 and scored nine runs.

Filed Under: INS Player of the Week, Sports
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