A parked car left in neutral at an ATM rolled through a parking lot and crashed into another bank Wednesday night.

Police say the vehicle was parked at the Commerce Bank ATM on Frederick when it rolled into the North American Savings Bank on the Belt Highway.

The owner reported the vehicle stolen when she noticed is was gone. That call came into police just moments after a call about a car crashing into the NASB Bank.

The vehicle, while in neutral, traveled through the Apple Market parking lot, down a hill and into the bank. One employee in the bank suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The building was deemed structurally sound with minimal damage.

This week is the first anniversary of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. The organization’s first annual meeting was held in Kansas City this week. The Alliance was begun to give farmers and ranchers a voice in the conversation about where food in America comes from. The Alliance believes, together, we can begin a dialogue with Americans about where their food comes from, the importance of today’s agriculture and our commitment to continuous improvement.

Bart Schott, a farmer from North Dakota, who represents the National Corn Growers Association on the Alliance’s board, was elected vice chairman of USFRA’s Board of Directors. Schott says – it’s a very exciting time when you look back over the past year and see the big advances that have been made in the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. It’s really exciting to be a part of it.

During the annual meeting the board discussed budget issues for the coming year, heard from a public relations firm about plans for 2012, and several breakout sessions into committee and task force meetings.

The American Angus Association’s Certified Angus Beef Colvin Scholarship Fund will award six scholarships in 2012 totaling 20-thousand dollars. The funds will be split among five undergraduate scholarships with a top award of 5-thousand dollars.  College juniors and seniors who have shown commitment to the beef industry, either through coursework or activities, are encouraged to apply by the December 2, 2011 deadline. Applications are evaluated on involvement, scholastic achievement, communication skills and reference letters.

Also, one 5-thousand dollar graduate-level scholarship will also be awarded. This new scholarship will be awarded to a full-time master’s or doctorate student conducting research related to high-quality beef production. Applications for that award are due January 13, 2012.

Additional scholarship information and information on internship with the American Angus Association are available online at: www.angus.org.

Today, about 6.1-million veterans live in rural communities – a higher concentration than anywhere else in the country. In the time-honored tradition of standing with those who have served this nation in uniform, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a number of activities this week to recognize the soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and coastguardsmen who so ably serve. Their selfless and courageous contributions over generations mean that Americans enjoy the freedom and liberty our founders imagined.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says – we can never fully repay our debt of gratitude to the service members who were wounded or died in battle. We can, however, recognize and thank the more than 20-million living American veterans. And we can offer special thanks and acknowledgment to the more than 10-thousand veterans working at USDA.

A Department-wide Veterans Day observance will be held in USDA’s Jefferson Auditorium Thursday, “Honoring All Who Served.” Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan will speak.

America’s farm families have an amazing story to tell – and Monsanto is continuing its “America’s Farmers” campaign to help them tell it. On Thanksgiving Day, Monsanto will launch the next wave of television commercials aimed at illustrating the important role of America’s farm families and modern agriculture in meeting the needs of our growing world. In addition, the America’s Farmers campaign can be heard on the radio and seen on billboards along major U.S. highways. Each farm family in the campaign will also be featured in a behind-the-scenes look at farm life through a series of webisodes at AmericasFarmers.com.

Spokesperson Jessica Simmons says, – this Thanksgiving, as people sit down to enjoy dinner with their family and friends, we hope to encourage them to take a moment and thank those who make it all possible – America’s farm families. According to Simmons, – as an agriculture company, Monsanto is proud to advocate on behalf of America’s farmers as they work tirelessly to provide plentiful food, clothing and energy for our country and the world.

Virginia farmer P.J. Haynie, featured in the new America’s Farmers television commercials, points out that – farmers contribute to the global food supply – food, fiber, textiles, so many things. He says – the products from rural counties are shipped all over the world. It’s an honor and a privilege to be an American farmer.

Other featured farmers are: Kelly Woodrow family of Springerton, Illinois, and Bill Schroeder family of Reynolds, Indiana.