House panel hopes to lift Cuba travel ban
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted June 30 to lift the ban on American travel to Cuba, the latest in a string of attempts to ease restrictions against the island.
The House Agriculture Committee voted 25-20 to allow travel to Cuba and make it easier to sell U.S. agricultural exports there. Farm-state members of Congress have long supported expanding opportunities to sell food to the island.
The House Foreign Relations Committee may also consider the legislation before it moves to the House floor. A State Department spokesman would not say whether the administration will support the legislation. President Obama has relaxed restrictions on family travel to Cuba but has said he will not support lifting general sanctions until the Cuban government improves human rights and political freedoms. Officials say Lacina died of hypothermia at ISU DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The state medical examiner’s office said Iowa State University student Jon Lacina likely died from hypothermia.
Officials announced the results of its investigation into Lacina’s death June 30, classifying it as accidental. ISU Police Chief Jerry Stewart said evidence indicates Lacina fell down a flight of stairs in a building on the old university dairy farm in April.
The 22-year-old Lacina was reported missing Jan. 30. He was last seen leaving a gathering of friends Jan. 22. Stewart said Lacina was not wearing a jacket and had his shirt sleeves rolled up. He said Lacina also suffered cuts to his hands from broken glass in a door. His wallet, keys and cell phone were found on him.
Stewart said it appears Lacina walked to the building on his own but the reason wasn’t known.
Sheriff says boy driver, 13, was speeding when killed JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — An investigation has concluded speed and inexperience contributed to a traffic crash that killed a 13-year-old driver in West Tennessee.
Madison County Sheriff David Woolfork said Anthony Barnes of the Beech Bluff community was driving a Honda Accord about 77 mph in a 55-mph zone when he hit a farm tractor June 9. The boy was fatally injured and the Jackson Sun reported a 44-year-old man remained in critical condition June 29 at the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.
A 17-year-old passenger in the Honda and the driver of the tractor were not seriously hurt. The Sun reported family members have said the boy took the car keys without permission and that his passengers jumped into the car as he was driving away. The investigation continues.
Oldham County prosecutor Fendley dies of horse kick LA GRANGE, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky prosecutor has died after a horse kicked him in the head.
Oldham County Attorney John Fendley died June 28. The 64-year-old Fendley had been county attorney for 21 years and was running for reelection. He won the Republican primary in May.
Julie Petroski, Fendley’s office manager, told The Courier-Journal that he was on his farm in Buckner when a mare kicked him June 27. He was taken to University of Louisville Hospital, where he died the next afternoon.
Petroski remembered Fendley as a “very kind, gentle, caring, humble man.” Fendley is survived by his wife, Barbara, and four sons.
Horses removed from Iowa farm on alleged neglect FREDERICKSBURG, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have removed a herd of horses from a farm in Chickasaw County because of allegations of neglect.
The sheriff’s office said 13 horses and a mule were loaded into trailers on June 29 after neighbors complained they weren’t being fed and were ill. Karl Sibert with the Iowa Equine Rescue and Awareness League wouldn’t disclose where the animals were taken.
Sheriff Marty Larsen said he’ll consult with the Chickasaw County attorney’s about possible charges.
Ohio farmer to pay fine for feed spill, fish kill
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio farmer has agreed to pay for a spill of pig feed that killed fish in a creek.
William Ringler pled guilty June 30 to a violation of the Clean Water Act. According to federal court documents, a tank of liquid whey feed leaked twice during June 2007 at Ringler’s Steamtown Farm.
Authorities said the feed found its way into Alum Creek, depleting oxygen in the waterway and killing more than 36,700 fish and aquatic animals such as crawfish. Federal prosecutors said Ringler agreed to pay a $51,750 fine and $17,250 in restitution as part of a plea deal. He has already paid $11,310 to cover the dead fish and the cost of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources investigation.
FSA reporting deadlines quickly approaching WASHINGTON, D.C. — The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that reporting deadlines are approaching.
The final date to report all cropland acreage to FSA is July 15. Failure to report all crop acreage to FSA by this date directly affects the producer’s eligibility for FSA program payments. Information on FSA programs is available at www.fsa.usda.gov |
