WATERLOO, Iowa (KCRG) – John Deere says it will callback 275 employees to its Waterloo operations and hire another 400 people across its factories. Deere did not give a timeline for the callbacks and hirings, only saying they will be in “coming months.” Deere had laid off numerous employees in recent years as the farm equipment industry experienced lower demand.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – There is still no timeline for production to resume at the Quaker Oats plant in Cedar Rapids following Saturday’s explosion and fire, according to a PepsiCo spokesperson. The company said it is continuing to assess the damage and working to get the facility operational as soon as it is safe. “That timeline will be informed by the ongoing assessments,” the spokesperson said. Albert Ratner, a University of Iowa mechanical engineering professor who studies combustion, said recovering from an industrial fire depends on how a facility is built and how long the fire burns. Speaking generally, Ratner said fine organic powders, including grain dust, can burn easily because the particles are so small. His comments were not an assessment of what caused the Quaker Oats explosion or the damage at the plant. Ratner said some structural repairs may be relatively straightforward, but replacing damaged equipment can pose additional challenges. “If you have a fire that sustains for a while then generally it’ll damage a bunch of other stuff and then the problem becomes, well even if I can demo all the damaged stuff, getting replacements is a lot harder,” Ratner said. “Because if you have motors, electrical lines, these days it takes a while to get those ordered and obviously have good professionals come in and install them.” The union representing Quaker Oats workers declined to comment. PepsiCo said it will communicate directly with employees about when production will resume and how they will be affected as soon as that information is available.
OELWEIN, Iowa (KCRG) – Two people from Oelwein were charged after Oelwein police searched a residence on 6th Avenue Northeast. Ruben DeJesus, 39, of Oelwein, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, third or later offense, a Class D felony; possession of marijuana, third or later offense, a Class D felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Candice Lynn Carrol, 42, of Oelwein, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, first offense, a serious misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, first offense, a serious misdemeanor; unlawful possession of prescription drugs, a serious misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office helped Oelwein police.
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (KCRG) – Buchanan County voters will pick two supervisors Tuesday. There are four candidates on the ballot, and two of them, from opposing parties, are campaigning together. Incumbent Republican Dawn Vogel and Democrat Rick Wulfekuhle, a newcomer, are running as a pair. “It just came together like naturally. We’ve served on boards and commissions before together,” Vogel said. “I have not seen a candidate promise out there yet that they won’t work together with both parties after they get elected. We just chose to do it, and prove it before we get elected, and we’ve done that,” Wulfekuhle said. The decision has drawn backlash. The Buchanan County Republican Party censured Vogel in September and pulled its endorsement. “They have decided to do what’s best, what they think is best for the party. The Central Community Committee did, and I am choosing to do what I think is best for our community,” Vogel said. Vogel said she thinks voters want a bipartisan approach. She is continuing the strategy despite the county Republican Party rescinding its backing. The party posted the following on social media: “The Buchanan County Republican Central Committee formally censured Buchanan County Supervisor and Republican candidate Dawn Kress Vogel and withdrawn its endorsement and official support for her. The censure was based on documented public activity that the Committee determined demonstrated support for and political alignment with the Democratic candidate for Buchanan County Supervisor. The Committee emphasized that its action was based on specific public conduct and statements, not speculation about Vogel’s motives or future political intentions. The Committee also formally revoked any current or future endorsement, recommendation, or official support for Vogel and stated that she and her campaign are not authorized to represent the Buchanan County Republican Central Committee or imply its endorsement.”
