1 Front Volume 141 No. 30
Friday, July 3, 2015
Single Copy Cost 50¢
A storm on the farming community Farmers and their gamble with Mother Nature By Zita Henneberry Shaw Media Service
The recent rainfall has taken the fields by storm. Severe rain and excessive thunderstorms have put a stop to field activity and even some crop growth. “It has definitely put a stop to any field activities,” said Jim Stetson of AgView
FS. “Anytime fields are saturated to the point where they have been recently, some level of nitrogen loss can be expected.” Working with the AgView FS team, Stetson said he has had to work with farmers on finding a sufficient course of action to take care of any remaining field work. “There was a little bit of corn spraying that was yet to be done, also some nitrogen sidedress that still needed to be applied for some when the rains
came,” he said. This, the corn growing and rows closing up, along with the heat which followed the rain, have caused some trouble for farmers throughout the area. The general state of farming operations are all over the board at this point due to the halt of activity and problems caused by this weather, said Matt Denton, an independent seed sales representative for Pioneer and a fourth-generation farmer
from the Illinois Valley. “It’s a very interesting and trying time for farms in the area, ours included,” said Denton. Possible low crop yields caused by the recent storms and the low price of corn are causing for a rough time in the farming community, he added. He explained the cost of corn is lower than it Shaw Media Service photo/Zita Henneberry has been in a long time. With the costs of corn so The storm clouds rolled in over the Illinois Valley Monday, low, farmers are having to June 22. The fields have recently been hit with substan-
tial quantities of rain causing some pooling and potential trouble in many fields.
Farming Page 2
Saving the pollinators You can help in your own backyard By Goldie Currie news@tonicanews.com
Recently, many joined in to help spread awareness of Pollinator Week and all it represents. While there is only one week dedicated to bringing awareness to the pollinator issues around the country, there are those whose efforts year-round are applauded who work to reverse and prevent pollinator declines caused by loss of habitat, disease, pesticides, parasites and other interconnected assaults on pollinator populations. Ellen Starr is an area biologist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and serves 38 counties in Northern Illinois. She confirmed populations of native pollinators are decreasing at an alarming pace. Pollinators include bees, bats, butterflies and hummingbirds. There are a number of factors behind the decline in population including
lack of habitat and lack of awareness that pollinators are imperial. Urbanization, expansion of population, the growing size of agricultural land and new farming practices including the use of insecticides have also been linked to the decline. “Insecticides are hard on the insects. Certain types of insecticides that have been developed lately are very toxic to the bees,” Starr said. “Crops have also eliminated weeds, especially the milkweeds, which are beneficial for the insects, especially Monarchs and their larvae which feed strictly on milkweed.” Starr explained it’s important to recognize the issues because every one in three bites of food and drink consumed is a result of a flower being pollinated by insects. “That most important part of our diet is by pollination of insects — which would be fruits and vegetables,” she said. Starr said honey bees are losing 30 percent of their hives each year.
Pollinators Page 3
Tonica News photo/Zita Henneberry
A main street tradition Randy Bare (right) of Ottawa said he has been coming to Marion’s Barber Shop nearly all his life. Bare travels the 30-minute drive to Lostant to keep the tradition going. Marion Naas of Marion’s Barber Shop has been keeping the barber shop tradition alive for more than 50 years in his shop.
‘Thunder on the Illinois’
A preview of Hennepin’s Fourth of July celebration By Dave Cook
news@tonicanews.com
HENNEPIN—This
vil-
lage along the river may be small, but it has a reputation for being the place to be on July 4. This year’s
celebration promises to be bigger and better than ever and to drive home the point, the village has named the event “Thunder on the Illinois.” “Front Street is 100 feet above the river, so the fireworks are basically
eye level. Spectators get to experience the echoing, flashes and constant streaming of the fireworks,” said Teresa Clausen, a member of the Hennepin Village Board. “In Hennepin, you feel the fireworks as much as
see them. They’re the best fireworks you’ll ever see in the area,” said Quentin Buffington, a village board member. After every Fourth of July celebration, the committee of 12 who are responsible for the celebration take
Hennepin Page 2
Don’t Sweat It
Vol. 141 No. 30 Two Section - 20 Pages
Get your A/C checked today Factory authorized
Plumbing • Heating • Electrical
© The Tonica News
a well-deserved month off. Then, every September sees the beginning of the planning for next year’s festivities. “We’re always looking to see what we can do to
24 Hours A Day/7 Days A Week • Always FREE Estimates
dealer
815-442-3415
www.towncountryservices.com
Serving the Illinois Valley for Over 90 Years