Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she has some concerns over the budget deal that was announced in the early morning hours Monday. The Republican from Red Oak says the bill could hurt farmers. “What I have looked at so far I am extremely disappointed in. The first is the crop insurance issue, which hits hard at rural America. Not just Iowa, but others that come from farming communities and farming states,” Ernst says. She says it would hit the program again.

“We just went through this several years ago with the federal Farm Bill, and cuts were made to crop insurance at that time. Now we are facing three billion dollars in cuts,” Ernst says. “The very concerning issue is that the Agricultural Committee — those who serve on the committee — were not even consulted about this particular cut.” Ernst says she doesn’t like plans for the money cut out of crop insurance and other programs.

“Instead of applying those cuts, those savings to our deficit and our debt, we use it on additional spending. I don’t think this is what Iowans want. I don’t think this is what Americans want,” according to Ernst. Ernst says she wants to see spending cut. “I am very disappointed in this deal, I probably will not be supporting this budget deal,” Ernst says. With the timing of the release of the bill, Ernst isn’t sure yet what other senators are thinking about it and whether there will be enough votes to move it ahead.

Ernst says it may move ahead, but she isn’t sure yet without hearing other feedback from those who might be undecided. “Especially when we take into consideration the crop insurance and that we are spending much more in this bill than what was laid out in our original budget earlier this year,” Ernst says. Ernst made her comments during her weekly call with reporters.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Glenwood report just one recent arrest. On Tuesday, 21-year old Lucas Bird,  of Glenwood, was arrested for OWI 1st offense. His bond was set at $1000 cash.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Wednesday), released additional details about an accident that happened west of Marne, Saturday morning. Officials say just before 6-a.m., deputies responded to a report of a vehicle that struck a bridge near Marne.

A 2012 Nissan Versa driven by 31-year old Jason Daniel Hammond, of Walnut,  was westbound on Highway 83 when he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle that was partially in his lane. As he did so, his car hit the bridge rail. The oncoming vehicle did not stop and was not located.

Hammond was transported to CCMH via Medivac. Damage to his vehicle was estimated at $3,000.

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American Red Cross blood and platelet donors can now help save lives in less time by using the new Red Cross RapidPass online health history system. Officials say RapidPass streamlines the donation experience by allowing donors to complete pre-donation reading and health history questions online from the convenience of a computer at home or work. It became available to donors locally on Oct. 26 and is expected to reduce the time donors with a RapidPass spend at blood drives by up to 15 minutes.

Katie Marshall, External Communications Manager for the Midwest Blood Services Region, says “When people come to donate, they are giving more than blood or platelets – they are also generously giving their time. RapidPass is a simple, convenient way for Red Cross donors to make the most of their time while helping save lives.”

To get a RapidPass on the day of a blood donation, donors should visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass, complete all of the questions, then print their RapidPass or show it on a mobile device when they come to donate. Though an appointment isn’t needed to use RapidPass, donors are encouraged to make an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS to further expedite their donation.

Police in Red Oak say no injuries were reported following a collision Tuesday afternoon, at the intersection of 3rd and Corning Streets. Officials say a 1990 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by 65-year old Francis Nicholson, of Red Oak, stopped at the controlled intersection heading south on 3rd Street at around 3:35-p.m., but left too soon to turn east. The front end of his car sideswiped a 2005 Nissan sedan driven by 25-year old Maricela Ramos De Vera, of Red Oak, causing about $2,000 damage to her vehicle. Nicholson’s car sustained about $300 damage. There were no citations issued.

Iowa, compared to other states, has a high percentage of old homes that were painted with lead-based paint. That puts children in Iowa at a much greater risk for lead poisoning and a variety of health problems. There are programs around the state to help homeowners reduce lead hazards. Jennifer and Bryan Minney, of Cedar Rapids, learned their home, built in the 1950s, had lead paint. Their own children and some foster children were put at risk.

“Most kids, you know, they like to be out playing in the grass with their shoes off. They could get really sick just by having the paint chips touching their feet,” Jennifer said. The Minney’s learned about a local “Hazard Hunters” grant program and had the lead paint removed from the exterior of their home. “They covered the whole cost and because the window wells had lead paint as well, they replaced our windows that were affected by lead paint too,” Jennifer said.

The Linn County Hazard Hunters program is federally funded. The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the prevalence of lead poisoning among children in Iowa under the age of six is seven-percent. That’s more than four times the national average. Lead poisoning is usually caused by lead-based paint found in homes built before 1960. About 45-percent of the homes in Iowa were built before 1960.

This week is designated as National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says she isn’t too swayed by a report from the World Health Organization (W-H-O) that claims people raise their risk of getting colorectal cancer by eating processed meats, such as hot dogs, ham. “There are a number of other products too — they have said that bacon is a cancer-causing agent, baby powder is a cancer-causing agent. If you are a carpenter or if you a barber, evidently according to the same organization, it causes cancer,” Ernst says. Ernst says she still loves bacon.

“I had it this morning for breakfast and probably will continue to eat bacon,” Ernst says. Ernst is a Republican from Red Oak.

(Radio Iowa)

Twenty weeks of Produce in the Park came to an end, October 15th, in Atlantic. A follow-up meeting designed to summarize the season and make plans for next year, will be held 4-p.m. October 29th, at the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce’ meeting room. Vendors, volunteers and anyone interested in Produce in the Park are invited to attend.

Hundreds of shoppers enjoyed fresh local produce, homemade baked goods, crafts and personal care products. There were 12 vendors on opening day June 4. The number increased to 21.

Produce in the Park is made possible by support and work by many individuals, businesses and organizations. Food demonstrations, activities for kids, education spaces and entertainment were provided each of the 20 weeks which equals 80 activities.

Shoppers were asked to complete a simple survey. They reported that they attended Produce in the Park for the obvious reasons of buying produce, baked goods, crafts and other products. They also came to eat their evening meals. They liked the atmosphere, the music and the opportunity to spend time with family members.

Produce in the Park vendors, producers from other farmers markets and homemade craftsmen will be offering their products at Harvest Market. It is scheduled for Monday, November 23, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cass County Community Center. It was a big success last year when it was held for the first time.