The Humane Society of the United States and Westland/Hallmark Meat Company have reached a settlement in the abuse case leading to the biggest meat recall in U.S. history in 2008. The 500-million dollar settlement is a first of its kind lawsuit regarding farm animals – according to HSUS Chief Counsel for Animal Protection Litigation Jonathan Lovvorn. HSUS filed a civil complaint with a District Court in 2009 – referencing an undercover video showing downer cows being abused in a slaughter facility – going against the federal contract for the National School Lunch Program the company signed promising to provide humane treatment of animals sent there for slaughter – according to HSUS. The Company is bankrupt and will not be paying the settlement amount due to that fact.
Author: Micheal Clements
Ground broken for $1.4B Iowa fertilizer plant
WEVER, Iowa (AP) — State and local officials dug in deep as they broke ground for a $1.4 billion fertilizer plant in southeastern Iowa.
The ceremonial shovels were wielded Monday near the Lee County town of Wever.
Egypt-based Orascom Construction Industries and its subsidiary, the Iowa Fertilizer Co., acquired nearly three-quarters of a square mile of farmland just off U.S. Highway 61 for the factory.
When completed by summer of 2015, the plant is expected to employ about 165 full-time workers who will produce up to 2,200 tons of anhydrous ammonia a day.
The state offered $110 million worth of tax breaks, loans, job training funds and transportation improvements to get the company to build in Iowa. Lee County approved a property tax incentive that is worth about $130 million over 20 years.
Champion horse dies after winning event at Royal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — American Royal officials say a horse collapsed and died moments after winning a competition in Kansas City.
American Royal officials say the horse, CH The Attache Orchid, collapsed and died Thursday after taking a victory lap for winning the Three-Gaited Pony Class.
The competition’s horse show veterinarian says the horse suffered a ruptured aorta.
Royal officials say the mare, which was about 16 years old, belonged to Steven Chancellor of Evansville, Ind. It had been shown Thursday by his 17-year-old daughter, Hunter. She was not hurt.
The horse’s remains will be transported to Indiana for burial on the family’s farm.
The horse was a seven-time winner at the American Royal-United Professional Horsemen’s Association National Championship show in Kansas City.
Corps action could reduce Mississippi up to 3 feet
ST. LOUIS (AP) — A top Corps of Engineers official has ordered the release of water from an upper Mississippi River reservoir in an effort to avoid closure of the river at St. Louis.
Corps Major General John Peabody says the release from a reservoir in Minnesota will eventually add 3-6 inches of depth at St. Louis. However, that will fall well short of offsetting the projected drop of up to 3 feet when the corps reduces the flow of the Missouri River starting next week.
The drought has left both the Missouri and Mississippi dangerously low. Barge traffic at St. Louis could come to a halt starting next month. Businesses that work and ship on the Mississippi are seeking a presidential declaration to stop the corps from cutting the Missouri River flow.
Draft wording similar to farm bureau publications
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The draft of a state report detailing how agencies should regulate pollution from farms and sewage treatment plants includes passages apparently taken from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation publications.
At least two passages in the draft report appeared to be largely lifted from farm bureau publications.
Those passages dealt with a preference for voluntary approaches to prevent runoff pollution and the amount of pollution found in wells.
Some Iowa Department of Natural Resources staffers have objected to parts of the report about agricultural runoff.
The draft report dated Oct. 8 hasn’t been released, but the Register obtained a copy.
Gov. Terry Branstad, Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Environmental Protection Agency regional administrator Karl Brooks couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday or Thursday.
November 17th, 2012
Alice F. Anderson
1920-2012
Alice F. Anderson, 92, St. Joseph, went home to be with our Lord Thursday, November 15, 2012 at a local care center.
Alice was born January 30, 1920 to Nora and Austin Krumme. She married Howard R. Anderson on February 5, 1939. She was a member of Faucett Baptist Church.
Alice worked for Big Smith, was a manager of the Deli at Green Hills on South 22nd, and also managed the lunch bar at Townsend and Wall. She was also a homemaker for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard; son, Ronnie; and grandson, Lance Anderson.
Survivors: sons, James Anderson (Linda Jo), Faucett, Missouri, John Anderson (Angi), St. Joseph, Missouri; grandchildren, Stacy Anderson, Ronny Jo Cotton (Mark), John Paul Anderson (Janaha), Ryann Anderson, Tyler Anderson (Lauren), Adam and Brycen McCollum; great-grandchildren, John Dean, Jacob, Jordan Anderson, Austin and Amber Anderson, Alexis Cotton, Kyleigh Mitchell, Conner Jarrett, Kamryn Anderson, Isabella and Hailey Anderson.
Services: 10:00 A.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. Sunday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial gifts to Saxton-Riverside Care Center or Faucett Baptist Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
Dora Tillie (Cordova) March
1917-2012
Dora Tillie (Cordova) March, 95, St. Joseph, Missouri died Friday, November 16, 2012 at her residence.
She was born in Ft. Collins, Colorado on April 28, 1917 to Edward and Evita (Peño) Cordova.
Dora married Vernon March and was a homemaker who lived her life centered around her family.
Mrs. March was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one child.
Survivors: nine children; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and one sister.
The family suggests memorial gifts to American Cancer Society. Care provided by Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
1918-2012
Luella W. Harr died peacefully on November 17, 2012 at Vintage Gardens North, her home for the past two years. Luella was born October 21, 1918 to Walter W. and Sophia A. Vogel on a farm near Clarksdale, Missouri. At her insistence, she began school at Beauchamp Elementary at age 4, going on to graduate from Central High School, St. Joseph Junior College and training courses at Warrensburg State College. She taught for several years in rural one room schools and pursued a lifelong love of learning.
Luella married Nelson H. Harr of Cosby, Missouri on May 3, 1941 and spent the next 55 years on his family’s dairy farm. She was a member of Cosby Zion Evangelical Church, now Zion United Methodist Church, from birth and was its oldest member and unofficial historian. She taught Sunday School and served as church organist. For many years she taught piano lessons and tutored local students in a variety of subjects. Luella was a member of the St. Joseph Area Music Teachers’ Association for many years. Following Nelson’s death in 1996, she moved to St. Joseph where she cared for her youngest daughter, Helen, during a long struggle with multiple sclerosis.
Luella was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Clarence; husband, Nelson; daughter, Helen; and granddaughter, Mari Stookesberry. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Stookesberry (Bob); grandson, Mark Stookesberry (Wendy); and great-grandsons Felix and Griffin, all of Denver, Colorado.
Services: 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, Cosby Zion United Methodist Church. Interment Cosby Zion Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Mrs. Harr will be removed from Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory to arrive at the church one hour prior to the service. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Cosby Zion Cemetery, 20545 County Road 279, Cosby, MO 64436. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.
‘Twilight’ Screening Threat Leads to Charges in Southwest Mo.
A southwest Missouri man faces charges for planning to shoot up a movie theater screening of the final “Twilight” film.
20-year-old of Bolivar was charged Friday morning with first-degree assault, making a terroristic threat and armed criminal action.
He was being held on $500,000 bond. No attorney is listed for him in online court records.
Bolivar police wrote in the probable cause statement that Lammers’ mother contacted authorities Thursday. She was concerned that her son had purchased weapons similar to the ones used in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting.
Lammers told authorities he intended to shoot people at a Sunday “Twilight” screening and a Walmart store. Police say he bought a movie ticket, two assault rifles and 400 rounds of ammunition.
ACE praises EPA for denying RFS waiver requests
Sioux Falls, SD (November 16, 2012) – The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today applauded the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for denying a request from a handful of states to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
“Despite millions of dollars spent by Big Oil and Big Food to shamelessly attack American-made ethanol, it comes as no surprise EPA denied the requests to waive the RFS because the facts are on our side,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “EPA considered the flexibility built-into the RFS, precedent established in 2008, and data which proved waiving the RFS wouldn’t remedy the harm of the drought in making the right decision.”
Jennings says that comments submitted by ethanol supporters were a factor in the EPA’s decision.
“In a strong demonstration of grassroots support for ethanol, more than 130 unique comments were submitted by ACE
members from 15 different states making the case for the RFS,” said Jennings. “Given the battle we anticipate over the RFS in Congress next year, we encourage ethanol supporters to stay engaged. One way to remain actively involved is to join ACE for our annual ‘Biofuels Beltway March’ fly-in scheduled for March 13-14 on Capitol Hill.”
ACE members will tell the story of how the RFS benefits America during the fly-in and why it is necessary to enable consumers to have meaningful fuel choice at the pump. For more information on ACE’s 2013 fly-in, click here.
EPA Declines RFS Waiver
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency has denied requests from several governors to waive production requirements for corn-based ethanol.
A renewable fuels law requires that 13.2 billion gallons of ethanol be produced this year.
That’s good for corn farmers, but it’s angered poultry, hog and cattle farmers. They say they’ve seen big jumps in corn-based feed costs as corn is diverted to make ethanol vehicle fuel.
States requesting the waiver say reduced corn production due to this year’s drought has made the problem even worse.
The EPA says it studied the effect of waiving the requirement and believes it would have had little impact on corn prices.
Among the states asking for help are Arkansas and North Carolina.
Report: Raters, regulators failed MF Global
WASHINGTON (AP) — A House panel says credit rating agencies and federal regulators contributed to MF Global’s collapse last year. But it pinned most of the blame on ex-CEO Jon Corzine.
A report from the House Financial Services subcommittee found Corzine’s risky strategies caused the failure, reiterating a statement released by the committee’s Republicans Wednesday. The brokerage firm was forced to seek bankruptcy protection last year. More than $1 billion in customer money was lost.
Still, the report says Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s failed to identify the biggest risk: MF Global’s $6.3 billion bet on European countries’ debt.
The report also says the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission failed to share important information about the firm with each other. The two have oversight authority for MF Global.