Tobacco

Merrill industry is model for Iowa's future, Judge says (03/09/10)
If Iowa is going to recover from the recession that has plagued the nation, recovery is going to come from the ground up. That's what Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said Monday during a visit to the Plymouth Oil, a food-grade corn oil plant just north of Merrill...

From field to table: Plymouth Oil begins production (02/22/10)
The food-grade corn oil plant just north of Merrill is making liquid gold. After weather and financial delays, the $30 million Plymouth Oil plant is completely constructed and pumping out gallons of crude corn oil, according to Dave Hoffman, chairman of the Plymouth Oil Company board...

Local bright stars catch Food Network's eye (02/10/10)
It was lights, camera, action at the Le Mars Dairy Queen Tuesday. The Food Network was in town tracing the story of StarKiss Bars, a frozen treat at Dairy Queen. "The Food Network approached us and said they wanted to come to Le Mars to shoot a show on how StarKiss Bars are made," said Dean A. Peters, director of communications for the American Dairy Queen Corporation...

Job training program revision, could limit local businesses (01/28/10)
One-half million dollars for Plymouth County business could be at stake as the State of Iowa discusses adjustments in funding to the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training Program. Plymouth County businesses that received job training funding in 2009 were Plymouth Energy - $250,612, Plymouth Oil - $153,000, Wells Dairy - $25,000 and Bodeans Baking Company - $63,403...

Extension staff settling in at new offices (01/05/10)
Freezing rain and snow didn't stop the Plymouth County Iowa State University (ISU) Extension Office staff from moving to its new office at the Le Mars Convention Center lower level just before Christmas. "We were ready to go," said Ann Schoenrock, 4-H County Youth Coordinator last Wednesday as she gave a quick tour of the new office space. It is in what was formerly known as the Vanilla and Chocolate Rooms, previously occupied by Wells' Dairy Inc...

Rewind 2009: The worst of times and the best of times (12/31/09)

Local grocery stores feed the hungry (11/17/09)
Local grocery stores are working to bring food to the tables of those who can't afford to buy it. At the Le Mars Wal-Mart, twice a week, a truck from the Food Bank of Siouxland pulls up to the back of the store. When it drives away, it's loaded with about 15 boxes of food to distribute to regional agencies helping people in need...

China to lift ban, pork industry sighs in relief (11/02/09)
Last week officials from China announced plans to lift a six-month ban on pork imports from the United States -- news that could be a shot in the arm for a suffering pork industry. The ban has yet to be lifted, but National Pork Board president Tim Bierman, of Larrabee, Iowa, has no doubt this will have a widespread positive impact on the pork industry...

Faber's hobby wine earns high rank (10/28/09)
A Le Mars man's wine, made from grapes grown in his backyard and fermented in his basement, was picked champion in its class last weekend. Wayne Faber entered his dry red wine in the Schleswig Wine and Bier Contest last weekend, an annual event for Schleswig, 45 miles south of Cherokee...

Locally-made cottage cheese sweeps national competition (10/22/09)
Cottage cheese manufactured at Dean Foods in Le Mars rose to the top in the 2009 U.S. Championship Cheese Contest. In fact, the three entries from Le Mars, labeled under the Old Home Foods name, took first, second and third in their category, in a field of 11 entries from competitors like Kraft Foods and Westby Co-op Creamery...

Former teacher turned author returns to Hinton (09/21/09)
Jane Kauzlarich wrote her book "Quack," then she published it and began selling it and now she's written a song about it. Kauzlarich, a retired Hinton Community School teacher, will be reading "Quack" and singing with pre-kindergarten through fifth graders Wednesday at the school...

Wells' Dairy helps region rank high in food processing (09/14/09)
Plymouth County's largest employer helped push the Sioux City metro region to the top of the list for food processing industry growth in a New Jersey magazine. Sioux City, along with the surrounding area, was picked as the Top Metro for Food Processing Industry Growth in the August issue of "Business Facilities." It is, the magazine said, the leading growth center for food processing, food products and agribusiness...

Judge emphasizes design, gain in swine winners (08/03/09)
The term "design" came into play frequently Saturday as exhibitors in the Fair's Swine Show maneuvered their entries before Show Judge Dr. Tom Baas, Ph.D. Baas, a professor in the Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, explained that while the design of a pig "has always been very important" the design of the pig -- its structure and "how it's put together" -- is receiving added emphasis today in light of modern-day options for pork production...

Small portions, big tastes at fair's cooking school (07/29/09)
Ready to try something new in your kitchen and maybe win a prize? Then come out to the cooking school at the Plymouth County Fair at 7 p.m. Friday presented by Wells' Dairy, Inc. culinologist John Kennedy II. What is a culinologist? "It's part chef, part food science," explained Kennedy, admitting he has "one of the coolest jobs in the world."...

Dean Foods ramping up for more volume (06/04/09)
A local dairy plant is adding employees to handle increased production volume. Plant manager Joe Leedom said during a Le Mars City Council meeting he anticipates 15-25 new employees will be hired. "Dean Foods has determined to transfer volume to our plant," Leedom said later. "It's a good-sized addition."...

Oyens to celebrate centennial this weekend (06/03/09)
Oyens will kick off a weekend full of activities Friday to celebrate its 100th anniversary. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with the Tri-State Car Cruisers Show. The Pork Producers will also be grilling pork burgers and brats that night, while Oyens Fire Department will be in charge of the beer garden...

A Hinton vintage: Couple opens winery (06/02/09)
The bundle of 400 grape vines that arrived at Barry and Brenda Dittmer's door nearly six years ago have come to fruit. This weekend, the rural Hinton couple opened the doors to Tucker Hill Winery, complete with seven varieties of wine. Around 300 people visited the winery and vineyard during the weekend grand opening to taste the fruit of the Dittmer's labor...

Man charged with assaulting woman with putty knife (05/11/09)
A Kingsley man was arrested Friday morning at the Wells' Dairy North Ice Cream Plant in Le Mars after he allegedly assaulted a female employee by placing a putty knife against her throat, according to the Le Mars Police. Jeston Abon, 38, also an employee at the plant, was arrested at about 7:39 a.m. after allegedly assaulting both that female and a male employee who came to the aid of the female, according to the police report...

The grass is greener... Are you brutalizing your lawn? Here's how not to (05/05/09)
Lawn care with the best intention can still leave a yard looking abused. That's according to lawn experts Nicholas Peters and Al Vonnahme, of Le Mars. Both own lawn care and landscaping businesses. To grow a green, lush-looking lawn means getting to know your grass, Peters explained...

Dean Foods closes Lincoln plant, plans to relocate production (04/16/09)
A Dean Foods dairy plant in Lincoln is closing this fall, and the corporation may use the Le Mars dairy plant to help pick up the slack. Meadow Gold's downtown Lincoln dairy production plant, which employs 70-100 people, will close in September, according to Dean Foods spokeswoman Marguerite Copel...

Calls to Quitline surge in advance of federal tobacco tax (03/31/09)
Calls to Quitline Iowa (1-800-QUIT-NOW) have surged by 20 percent since the price of cigarettes increased ahead of a new federal tax. With a 62-cent per pack increase in the tax on cigarettes going into effect April 1, Quitline Iowa is braced for even more calls. The sudden increase in calls is one of the most significant spikes since the Quitline began offering free nicotine patches and gum in addition to counseling by trained quit coaches in January 2008...

'A Time to Remember' features West Coast winemakers (03/30/09)
Six winemakers will be represented at the Le Mars Wine and Roses event, "A Time to Remember," this Thursday evening at the Willow Creek Country Club in Le Mars. "A Time to Remember" will benefit Alzheimer's Association programming in Plymouth County and features wine tasting with prestigious winemakers from across the United States...

New tobacco tax leaves retailers, smokers cornered (03/25/09)

Blue Bunny Aspen Bar Acclaimed as Best and Most Innovative New Product (03/11/09)
Blue Bunny's new frozen creation, the Aspen Frozen Yogurt Granola Bar, has been recognized by the grocery and dairy industry as one of the most exciting and innovative new products of 2009. The International Dairy Foods Association recognized the Aspen Bar as Most Innovative Novelty at their Ice Cream Technology Conference, while the National Grocers Association selected the Aspen Bar as one of the top three best new products at their 2009 Convention...

Remsen co-op feeds sheriff's K-9 program (02/25/09)
Sabot, the German shepherd that sniffs out people and drugs for the Plymouth County Sheriff's office is well fed, thanks to Remsen's Farmers Cooperative Company. The co-op has been donating dog food for about three years to the tune of about 40 pounds each month, according to feed department manager Jon Perrizo...

Wells' Dairy expands nationwide voluntary recall due to possible health risk (02/24/09)
In response to the ongoing investigations of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and its Texas facility, Wells' Dairy, Inc., is expanding its recall and response to include a nationwide recall of select Blue Bunny, Great Value, Hy-Vee, Sysco, Fastco, Shurfresh, and Country Rich ice cream products because they may contain peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella...

Nor-Am finalizes purchase of Harker's plant (02/18/09)
Nor-Am Cold Storage is the new owner of the former Harker's plant in Le Mars. Greg Brandt, Nor-Am president and CEO, said today (Wednesday) the company will be using the plant to repackage and manufacture some products serving area food companies. Opening day is not far for the new Nor-Am facility...

Cattleman's banquet planned for March (02/17/09)
The Plymouth County Cattlemen's Annual Banquet will be held Saturday, March 21, at the Le Mars Convention Center. Entertainment this year includes rancher Trent Loos, host of "Loos Tales" and "Rural Route" radio shows, public speaker and founder of Faces of Agriculture, which puts the human element back into food production...

Wells' Dairy builds new station to monitor pH (02/16/09)
A $550,000 pH monitoring station is going up at 910 Prospect Street south of Wells' Dairy's south ice cream plant. The station will help prevent highly acidic or highly alkaline water from flowing into the City of Le Mars' wastewater plant. "If the pH swings too far, it could wreak havoc on the plant," said Le Mars Wastewater Superintendent Ron Kayser. "It could eat pipes, eat away cement and actually be a safety concern"...

Le Mars United Way Campaign exceeds $85,000 goal (02/11/09)
The Le Mars United Way annual campaign has exceeded their goal this year by raising $92,200. "We are extremely happy with the community support we have been given. After raising nearly $70,000 last year we are thrilled to have raised $92,200 in a year filled with economic challenges," stated Kathy Bartelli, Le Mars United Way Board Chair. "This goes to show the true commitment of the Le Mars community."...

Milk by any other name... Dean Foods heads into logo change (01/12/09)
The bunny is disappearing from the milk coolers in the grocery stores. Blue Bunny logos on milk and cultured dairy products from the Le Mars milk plant are being phased out. Dean Foods purchased the milk plant in January 2008 from Wells' Dairy, Inc. Wells' Dairy officials chose not to sell the Blue Bunny logo, however...

More smokers calling it quits (01/02/09)
Tobacco users who want to start out the New Year right by kicking the habit can now call the Quitline Iowa number and receive four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy. Northwest Iowa smokers who are resolving to quit smoking for the New Year will be joining a growing group. They'll also have more resources than ever to end their costly habit...

2008 in review: Hellos and goodbyes (12/31/08)
Editor's note: This is the second of two stories recapping 2008's top stories in the Daily Sentinel. 5. Iowa begins Smokefree Air Act Indoor smoking, except in people's homes, became a rarity after the Smokefree Air Act went into effect in Iowa July 1. ...

A year to remember: Top stories of 2008 (12/30/08)
Editor's note: This is the first of two stories recapping 2008's top stories in the Daily Sentinel. 10. O'Keefe stabs, kills a man A butcher knife to the chest led to the death of Sam Toliver, 32, Jan. 24, 2008. Jody O'Keefe, 35, most recently of Le Mars, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. ...

Legislators predict budget crunching, right-to-work laws to top session (12/12/08)

Le Mars United Way welcomes new employee campaigns (12/09/08)
The Le Mars United Way has announced three new employee campaigns which are contributing to the community's fundraising success this year. Dean Foods and Schuster Co. held their first United Way employee campaigns in November; while Wells' Dairy has become more involved with creative employee fundraising, according to Kathy Bartelli, board chair of the Le Mars United Way...

Hospital Auxiliary candy makers, volunteers ready for Goodie Sale (12/04/08)
Needs some Christmas candy or cookies to serve the family or guests and no time to prepare it? Then come out to the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary's 22nd annual Holiday Goodie Sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 6, in the hospital's lower level Conference Center...

Great American Smokeout - an opportunity to quit (11/20/08)
There may be a few less cigarettes lit today. That's because today, Nov. 20, is the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout, a day designated by the American Cancer Society as a time to quit smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking cigarettes tops the list as the most preventable major risk factor of the nation's number one killer --heart and blood vessel disease...

Supervisors give stamp of a approval to Merrill urban renewal (11/19/08)
An urban renewal area around and in Merrill became a reality Tuesday. Following a public hearing, the Plymouth County Supervisors approved an urban renewal district to encompass the entire city of Merrill and around Plymouth Energy ethanol plant, Plymouth Oil, a food-grade oil plant and Midwest PMS, the liquid cattle feed mill...

Decision remains "pending" on solutions to parking problems (11/05/08)
Le Mars City Council members Tuesday tabled a request by City Administrator Scott Langel to restrict parking near the Wells' Dairy north ice cream plant to alleviate continued traffic and parking congestion in the area. Langel had asked certain streets in the area be posted as "no parking," namely along Second Street Southeast. ...

Not just a wash: Groomer gives dogs the royal treatment (10/01/08)
She knows what kind of shampoo works well for your dog. She knows how to make doggie toothpaste from scratch. And she's even trained in pet CPR. Meet Monica Nilles. The Le Mars woman is the new dog groomer on Central Avenue, part of the Bow Wow Pet Shop and Bakery's new addition: Bow Wow Grooming and Day Spa...

Wells' Dairy pays back $1.2 million to state (09/29/08)
Wells' Dairy has been asked to pay back $1.25 million of a nearly $3 million state award after they missed a job creation and retention goal by about 150 jobs. The debt to the state has already been paid, according to a statement from the Le Mars ice cream and frozen novelty producer's CEO Mike Wells...

Steam locomotive to stop in Le Mars (09/25/08)
Union Pacific's "Challenger" No. 3985 will steam into Le Mars next Wednesday for a brief visit The visit comes during the 1940s locomotive's round trip tour from Cheyenne, Wyo. to St. Paul, Minn., and back. People can take a look at the restored train engine during its half-hour stop Oct. 1 along Lincoln Street near the south Wells Dairy ice cream plant at Eighth Street Southwest...

Students use five senses on area farm tour (09/23/08)
They came by the busload. Students from area schools experienced fun on the farm last week during the annual Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Tour. Children from Le Mars Community, Gehlen Catholic, Remsen-Union and Remsen St. Mary's had a chance to visit four farms to learn about agriculture in Plymouth County. The students were from the third or fourth grades, depending on which school they attend. They were divided into four groups that traveled from one farm to the next...

Vintage harvest: Dittmers' vineyard produces juicy crop (09/22/08)
With a juicy plop, a bunch of grapes falls into a heaping pail of the purple fruit. All around, people are talking, laughing, and clipping away at loaded branches of grape vines. It's Sunday and it's harvest time at Barry and Brenda Dittmers' vineyard in Hinton...

Negotiations begin on new Wells' Dairy labor contract (09/22/08)
Negotiations are underway on a contract that impacts about 1,400 hourly manufacturing employees at Wells' Dairy in Le Mars. "A corporate team is sitting down and meeting with an employee team," said Dave Smetter, spokesman for the ice cream and novelty company...

Smoking law leaves city with cigarette clean up (09/17/08)
Le Mars Councilman Rex Knapp suggested the main entrance of the Le Mars Convention Center can, come weekends, resemble a pig sty. "It looks hideous, terrible," Knapp said during Tuesday's city council session describing what he said was the littering of the area with cigarette butts left by the weekend crowds...

Harker's closes after 100 years in Le Mars (08/27/08)
A century-old Le Mars establishment is folding. Harker's, a food service company that began with a meat market started by George Harker in 1906, will have its last day Friday, according to Harker's president Jim Harker. Cardboard boxes fill the front lawn of the Le Mars corporate headquarters building at 801 Sixth St. S.W...

Get ready to 'Scoop da Loop' (08/18/08)
For those who like classic cars, trucks and cycles, downtown Le Mars is the place to be Wednesday evening for the annual Scoop da Loop fun. People may gather at Olson Cultural Event Center at the corner of First Avenue and First Street Northeast for some good food starting at 6 p.m...

Branching out: Hinton couple goes vintage with planned winery (07/31/08)
Tuscany. Napa Valley. Hinton? If Barry and Brenda Dittmer have their way, yes -- their sloping vineyard on a Plymouth County hillside will be not only an agricultural plot but a destination winery. An Iowa winery isn't as surprising as people think, Barry pointed out...

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