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Police are looking for a LaGrange man accused of using a space heater to try to electrocute and strangle his neighbor early Saturday. At around 5:50 a.m., LaGrange police said Alexis Dewayne Owens kicked in the door of his neighbors’ Ashton Street apartment. Inside were Owens’ two neighbors, a man and woman. Owens began hitting his male neighbor with a space heater and told him he was going to have to fight for his life. The man then tried to electrocute the male victim with the heater’s cord. When that didn’t work, police said he tied the cord in a...

NEW YORK — Two hundred and eighty tons of American history were on the move Saturday in Harlem. The home of Alexander Hamilton, who conceived the country's banking system and was killed in a duel with a political rival, rolled inch by inch down a Harlem hillside to its new location overlooking a park. "This was the only home Hamilton ever owned," said Steve Laise, a National Park Service official dressed in a vest, tie and pants typical of the 1800's. "It represented the consummation of Hamilton's lifelong dream — a successful social position for a man who came to...

A local farmer talks about the price of fertilizer to members of the Nahia City Council at the General Culture Center in Iskandariyah, Iraq, April 29, 2006. Farmers requested the meeting in an effort to speed-up the process of standing up a new farmer’s union program in the area so farmers would be able to resource off of each other and boost the economy. U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Michael Molinaro Iraqi Farmers Use Democracy to Voice Concerns The farmers expressed a desire to the Ministry of Agriculture to sustain them in their quest for newer farm equipment, an...

But the true story of Iraq is far different than what some would have the American public believe. It is story of enormous sacrifice, commitment, political, and military success, and a desire for freedom on the part of the Iraqi people that in many ways parallels our own War of Independence, 230 years ago. What about America’s military successes and victories in Iraq? They are in many ways, immeasurable: A reality of the overall global war on terror. What is known is that the war — in Iraq and elsewhere — is being waged and won by the U.S. and...

October 04, 2004, 8:16 a.m. The Samarra Crush “The Big Red One” mopping-up after launching a major offensive. By W. Thomas Smith Jr. In the 1980 film, The Big Red One, iconic actor Lee Marvin leads a motley band of American riflemen — including actors Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, and Bobby Di Cicco — against some of the toughest diehards in the German army. A somewhat-romanticized chronicling of the experiences of an infantry unit from North Africa to Czechoslovakia, the movie celebrates the combat prowess of the famed 1st Infantry Division — the oldest active division in the U.S. Army,...

National Grange has Dedication Ceremony for New Plaque on Grange BuildingWashington April 4, 2004 - The National Grange recently hosted a dedication ceremony to unveil a new plaque featuring the Grange's motto - In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity. National Grange Master William Steel read the Grange's Declaration of Purpose to those in attendance before unveiling the plaque. The 20-pound bronze plaque was donated by the Junior Grange, which raised $500 to purchase the plague through a variety of fundraising activities. The plague is visible from the outside of the 11-story, white marble-faced National Grange...

Fly-in Focuses On Grassroots Advocacy By Julie Clausen, Executive Director The Eighth Annual Fly-In hosted by the National Grange in May was attended by Grange members from 16 states. Items on the agenda included sessions on Grassroots Legislative Programs, Transportation Policy for Rural America, Addressing the Needs of Rural Victims of Crime; The National Victim Services in Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program, and Pending Legislation to Reform Federal Health Care Programs and their Impact on Rural America. Jerry Hagstrom, Senior Agricultural Reporter for the National Journal spoke on The Politics of Agriculture Today in Washington, D.C. State Master Leo Bergeron,...

Local Empowerment Key In Fighting Federal And State Bureaucracy"We want to keep what rightfully belongs to the people from coming under the command and control of the federal government,” stated Ric Costales in introducing the Grange-sponsored Western Lands Use Conference (WLUC) in Klamath Falls, Oregon. For two days, February 22 and 23, those attending the WLUC were shown case law, U.S. Supreme Court rulings, and Constitutional guarantees that make local government the lead agency in any federal or state projects, including environmental regulations or land takings. Ric Costales and Kathy Van Tuyl at a planning session. They are the Master...

We Hope War with Iraq Will Be Resolved As Quickly As Possible! The National Grange National President, Kermit Richardson, sent a letter to President Bush Regarding Grange’s position on the war with Iraq. His letter is as follows:------------ March 27, 2003 The Honorable George W. Bush Executive Office of the President 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Bush: When we last contacted you in January regarding your State of the Union Address, the National Grange expressed support for whatever actions you deemed necessary to meet the threat of an impending war with Iraq. Although it has been...

National Grange Responds to State of the Union Address The National Grange sent a letter to President George W. Bush commending him for his recent State of the Union Address. This provided the National Grange an opportunity to express their support to the President while making suggestions regarding the ways in which the objectives outlined in the State of the Union Address can be expanded and applied to meet the needs of rural Americans. One of the concerns shared by Grange members and discussed by the President was the issue of tax reform. To ensure the viability of American agriculture,...

National Grange Legislative Action Alert 2003A special update of timely issues for e-mail subscribers to"View from the Hill" 2/26/2003 Oliver H. Kelley Farm in Minnesota Should Stay Open! Under the 15% Funding Cut of the budget of the Minnesota Historical Society in the MN Governor Tim Pawlenty’s Proposed FY 2004-2005 Budget, Oliver H. Kelley Farm Will be Closed on June 30, 2003. Since 1962 The National Grange Has Worked with the Minnesota Historical Society to Develop and Maintain the Kelley Farm as an Educational Living History Farm that Celebrates Grange Heritage. Please Contact the Members of the MN House of...

National Grange Unveils It's "Blueprint for Rural America 2003" For over a century, the National Grange has served as a political advocate for the rural community. Every January, the National Grange releases a priority issues document that helps focus the Grange's political advocacy efforts for the coming year. The "Blueprint for Rural America" consists of a ten-point plan that outlines for Granges key issues on which to base grassroots activity. With each passing year, the "Blueprint" is updated to reflect those changes that have occurred over the previous year while maintaining objectives that are still relevant. 1. Return Prosperity to...

National Grange Influences FCC Decision to Block Merger That Ensures Consumer Choice For Rural America Washington, DC- The defeat of the proposed merger between Hughes Electronics Corp. and EchoStar Communications Corp. is a major victory for the National Grange's nearly 300,000 members and for all rural consumers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted 4-0 against this merger, which would have combined the two major Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) service providers into a single monopoly. "Without competition, rural Americans would be faced with higher prices, reduced services and less choice in programming which in effect gives rural Americans the...

Oregon Ag Director Predicts Bright Future for Agriculture – National Grange Still to Play Key Role in Solving Rural Issues Portland, Ore. – In an address at the National Grange’s 136th Annual Convention’s “Salute to Agriculture” breakfast, Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Phillip C. Ward said that “despite a bumpy ride,” the future of agriculture looks bright. Ward, a former vocational agriculture teacher and director since 1999, outlined a number of challenges facing the agriculture industry over the next few years and told National Grange members they will continue to play a key role agriculture and rural America. “We can’t...

National Grange Adopts Resolutions Supporting Homeland Security Department and Trade with CubaPortland, Ore. – Delegates to the 136th National Grange Annual Convention adopted several resolutions on issues of national significance in support of a Homeland Security Department and trade with Cuba, and went on record about the recent corporate scandals. Delegates to the annual convention, held this year in Portland, Ore., unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a Homeland Security Department and sent postcards to their U.S. Senators urging them to pass the Homeland Security bill. The National Grange also encouraged such an agency to develop educational information...

National Grange President Highlights Legislative Successes in Annual Convention Remarks Carried Live on Radio Portland, Ore. – National Grange President Kermit W. Richardson said in his annual keynote address given at the 136th Annual National Grange Convention in Portland, that the Grange remains a highly influential advocacy leader for rural America today, as it did when it was founded in 1867. The Grange’s legislative effectiveness on issues such as the 2002 Farm Bill, tax reform, Medicare prescription drug benefits for senior and issues on telecommunications shows the Grange—the oldest grassroots advocacy organization in the nation—is still the grassroots organization rural...

CALIFORNIA STATE GRANGE OPPOSES PROPOSITION 50 October 11, 2002 - Bakersfield: The California State Grange at its 130th Annual Convention being held in Bakersfield this week has voted to oppose Proposition #50, the Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects, Coastal Wetlands Purchase and Protection bonds initiative statute. The Grangers said that proponents of the issue are trying to pass it off as a “clean drinking water initiative,” but what the measure really does is dole out bond funds to pet projects of those environmental groups that paid to put it on the ballot. They noted that the measure...

Grange A Major Player In The Sawgrass RebellionThe California State Grange is positioning itself as a major participant in the Property Rights war between preservationists and conservationists. State President Leo Bergeron has stated that the Grange must be true to its roots, and to do that, it must once again be ready to fight the forces that would curtail the rights of the individual to own and to utilize their property as guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution. "The Grange was formed 135 years ago to preserve agriculture in this country," he said.. "Today, the Grange is taking steps to...

Agriculture To Congress: Don't Make Ag A Cash Cow For Class Action Lawsuits Group Calls for Passage of the Class Action Fairness Act Leaders from the agriculture sector, including California State Grange Master Leo Bergeron, went to Washington to call on Congress to pass class action lawsuit reform. With literally a “cash cow” in tow, representatives of America’s food chain, including hog farmers, tomato growers, food processors and a major grocery store chain, gathered on the Mall to ask the U.S. Senate to pass S. 1712, the Class Action Fairness Act. ‘There has been a dramatic increase in the number...

Report on Legislative Fly-In By George Dupray, Legislative Chairman The National Grange Legislative Fly in June 9 through 12 was very productive. Chief Lobbyist, George Dupray and Brothers Joe Victorine Tulelake Grange # 468 and Tim Connors, an Oregon Grange cattleman, both victims of the Klammath Basin water crisis last year, represented our State Grange. Since Monday is always a travel day for our congressional delegates, several informational programs were presented by the National Grange Legislative Director, Leroy Watson. Beginning Sunday, June 9, representatives from the State Granges were divided into two groups. Group A participated in a workshop titled...