WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — John Deere has announced more layoffs at two eastern Iowa plants. Company spokesman Ken Golden said Monday that 115 workers in Waterloo will be laid off effective Sept 23 and 30 in Davenport effective Sept. 30.

UAW Local 838 shop chairman Tim Niedert told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that the layoffs came as no surprise. On Friday the Moline, Illinois-based company announced its 10th consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings declines, citing continuing downturns in the agriculture sector.

Golden says about 870 people are working at the Davenport plant and about 2,930 at the Waterloo plant. Those figures don’t reflect the layoffs. He says the Waterloo plant makes larger farm tractors. The Davenport plant makes construction and forestry equipment,

WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have seized 36 head of neglected cattle from a farm near Winterset in Madison County. The cattle were seized Sunday night and taken away for food, water and medical care. Authorities also found cattle carcasses on the property. No arrests have been reported. The Sheriff’s Office says charges are pending.

Kim Weaver, the Democratic candidate in Iowa’s fourth congressional district, says voters shouldn’t believe her opponent, Republican Congressman Steve King, when he says he’d be able to work with Hillary Clinton if she’s elected president. “He’s the least effective member of congress, so he can’t even work with fellow Republicans,” Weaver says. “How’s he going to work with Hillary?”

Weaver made her comments during a speech this weekend on The Des Moines Register’s Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair. Weaver called for a higher minimum wage, help for student debt and immigration reform. Weaver also supporting legalizing industrial hemp as a way to improve water quality. “We’re not talking pot. We’re not talking marijuana. We’re talking industrial hemp,” Weaver said. “Industrial hemp can be planted in marshy areas. It’s very good at mitigating nitrates as well as because of the way the root system it helps avoid soil erosion.”

Weaver says she’s ready to debate King this fall. King is seeking an eighth term in congress and he has not always agreed to debate his Democratic opponents.

(Radio Iowa)

Harrison County Extension & Outreach will be hosting a free, open to the Public Emerald Ash Borer informational meeting on Wednesday August 24th. This event will be held at the Rand Community Senior Center at 100 S 4th St, Missouri Valley, IA. The presentations will start at 6:30 pm with Mike Kintner from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship talking about hosts, history and current distribution. Followed by Lindsey Barney, area DNR State Forester, speaking on ash tree identification and alternate species to replace the ash tree. Lastly, Dr. Donald Lewis from Iowa State University Extension will speak about Emerald Ash Borer treatment options and if your tree would be a good candidate for treatment. The speakers will be available for questions following the presentations.

w/Denny Heflin.

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The Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District will be accepting application for cover crops till Friday, September 9th, 2016. Cover Crops are used to reduce soil erosion and capture residual nutrients to protect our soil resource and water quality. Producers will be able to sign up for 20 acres maximum at a rate of $20 per acre. Applications will be approved on first come-first serve basis till the funds are exhausted. Producers should stop by the district office located at 503 W. 7th Street, Ste 1, Atlantic, Iowa 50022 to make application.

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced testing at the State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) has confirmed the first human cases of West Nile virus disease in Iowa in 2016. A female child (0-17 years of age) and an adult male (41-60 years of age), both of Sioux County, were hospitalized due to the virus but are now recovering. “West Nile virus season typically lasts from late summer into early autumn,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “These cases serve as a reminder to all Iowans that the West Nile virus is present and it’s important for Iowans to be using insect repellent when outdoors.”

Iowans should take the following steps to reduce the risk of exposure to West Nile virus:

• Use insect repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Always read the repellent label and consult with a health care provider if you have questions when using these types of products for children. For example, DEET should not be used on infants less than 2 months old and oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under 3 years old.
• Avoid outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, shoes, and socks whenever possible outdoors.
• Eliminate standing water around the home because that’s where mosquitoes lay eggs. Empty water from buckets, cans, pool covers and pet water dishes. Change water in bird baths every three to four days.

Approximately 20 percent of people infected with West Nile virus will have mild to moderate symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches and vomiting. Less than one percent of people infected become seriously ill and rarely, someone dies.

Since West Nile first appeared in Iowa in 2002, it has been found in every county in Iowa, either in humans, horses, or birds. In 2015, 14 cases of West Nile virus were reported to IDPH. The last death caused by West Nile virus was in 2010, and there were two deaths that year. For more information about West Nile virus, visit idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

w/Kate Olson.

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• KJAN, Atlantic  .35″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .04″
• 2 miles NW of Atlantic  .39″
• Massena  .32″
• Avoca  .25″
• Neola  .15″
• Logan  .1″
• Audubon  Trace
• Clarinda  .14″
• Underwood  .16″
• Creston  .23″
• Council Bluffs  .25″

The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department Board met Monday night at the City Hall Council Chambers.  During their meeting the board approved a bid contract with Howrey Construction for the Shildberg Recreation Area Lake 2 Trail for $109,000, which was the low bid.  The late start date for construction on the trail surrounding lake 2 will be September 19th.

Atlantic Parks and Rec Director Seth Staashelm also shared some concepts he had received for the possible Sunnyside Pool renovation.  A committee is scheduled to meet on the potential project on August 24th at 5:30pm.  In other pool news the last day that Sunnyside Pool will be open is Wednesday, August 17th and there will be a Doggie Dip day on the 18th from 2:00pm-4:00pm.

The board also discussed the Harl-Holt Basketball Court project, Trevor Fredrickson Field Renovation possibilities, and tree inspection forms that are available at City Hall for trees in the City right of way. Staashelm also informed the board that information and registration for Adult Men’s Flag Football will be going out soon.

The next regular meeting date for the Park and Rec Board will be on September 19th at 5:15pm at City Hall Council Chambers.