The controversy continues as planned parenthood finally decided to open its doors today, and just like this rain, these protesters won’t let up anytime soon.

The disput surrounding Planned Parenthood has been a hot topic in Dubuque this summer.

Executive Assistant at Dubuque County Right to Life Colleen Pasnik says, ”Dubuque is a pro-life community and pro-lifers found out and called us.”

The Center in Dubuque opened it’s doors at 10 o’clock yesterday morning, and after previous secrecy on their location, their presense hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“We’ve been aware of their location for probably a couple weeks now,” says Pasnik.

Members of the Dubuque County Right to Life stood outside the Planned Parenthood Center with signs protesting the new building in Dubuque.

“There’s a large contingent of pro-lifers in Dubuque, and we all want to do something, and so we plan on having a presense here whatever hours they’re open,” adds Pasnik.

While many Dubuquers support the right to life decision, Planned Parenthood Director of Development and Communications Jenifer Vick told From the Boulevard “We are here to provide nonjudgemental information and resourses for women. Our new dbq health center will provide thousands of uninsured and underinsured women the reproductive healthcare services they deserve.”

It’s an argument that will never die, and Dubuque citizens are supporting both sides.

“We’ve had a lot of thumbs up as they drive down the road, and a lot of smiles and waves, we’ve had a couple people who feel the other way and have expressed their opinion, but we’re all about peaceful, prayerful, protests,” says Pasnik.

Members of the Dubuque County Right to Life, and other pro-lifers plan on protesting the Center in Dubuque until they close their doors.

Erin Horst can be reached at Erin.Horst@lctv13.com

Erin Horst
Published: May 9, 2008

DUBUQUE – The 2008 Farm bill is currently being tossed around Congress but that is not the only thing that is holding farmers up this planting season.

It’s that time of year. “Usually I start planting my corn about the twenty eighth of April,” says farmer Gary Lahr.

As the temperatures are rising, the spring planting begins, but for farmers like Gary Lahr.

“I ain’t got a kernel in the ground yet, and it’s the 5th of May,” says Lahr

The planting is on hold for two reasons. The first is a piece of legislation called the 2008 Farm Bill. “Picture trying to plan what you’re going to do for the year,” adds Lahr.

The Farm Bill authorizes subsidies to farmers, federal payments designed to help farmers survive. But, without knowing which crops will be subsidized this year, farmers don’t know what to plant.

“We can’t be waiting for it,” says Lahr

But the Bill isn’t the only thing keeping farmers out of their fields.

“Going to be a lot of fields that is not going to look very pretty from the air this year,” says Lahr

That is because of the drastic weather changes Mother Nature has thrown at us.

“All the snow went instantly to mud,” adds Lahr

Making the fields too wet to start the planting process, and forcing the farmers to work from sun up to sun down.

Although Lahr wishes that both Mother Nature and Congress would be more prompt, he would rather wait than enact bad legislation.

“It’s a good thing, cause they’re not just pushing something through to get it over with,” says Lahr.

While they are waiting for the seeds to be sown at the Capital, farmers will just have to follow their instincts.

Erin Horst can be reached at Erin.Horst@lctv13.com

DUBUQUE – Hot dogs, mac and cheese, and ramen noodles, could you live on these foods week after week? For many people, it is not a question of could you, but can you. Erin Paul, former social worker with Lutheran Services says it is more than just money management.

“It is how to survive really, and how to succeed and thrive in a less than ideal situation,” says Paul.

Something as simple as buying the weekly groceries can present a challenge when you are living below the poverty line.

“They are able to stretch a dollar further than I ever imagined,” adds Paul.

The nation-wide food stamp budget for the average working poor person is just twenty-one dollars a week. That is only three dollars per day. I went into Hy-Vee to see if I could take the challenge.

First I came to the oatmeal aisle. The cheapest brand was Quick Oats for $1.88. The cheapest gallon of milk I could buy was for $3.34. Remember that three dollars is a whole day out of the week.

As I learned, stretching a dollar means buying generic brands, and sticking to the essentials.

When looking at lunch foods, hot dogs were a good option for only sixty-eight cents. I also needed some ketchup and mustard for the hotdogs.

But I need food for the entire week, so that meant buying more than hotdogs. I could also buy a twelve pack of Raman noodles for only $2.29, which will last me at least a week.

In the end I spent $14.46 a full $5.44 under my budget.

Erin Horst can be reached at erin.horst@loras.edu

HONDURAS - Easter parades, beautiful artwork, breathtaking waterfalls, and Spanish masses. These were just a few of the sights and sounds during holy week in Honduras. But these familiar sounds were nothing in comparison to what Loras students would experience in ten days.

“I was expecting kind of a break, and a spiritual kind of renewal, and I definitely got that from this trip,” said Loras senior Alan Dietzenbach.

But it was not all relaxation. 

“It has been a really great feeling,” commented Loras senior Joanna Brady.

Students spent plenty of time working.

“To know that what we do is serve, it is not for ourselves,” adds Joanna.

And this week is all about serving the kids.

“As soon as you see them, and there are ten of them jumping into your arms it just completely changes your day,”

said Loras junior Amanda Stecker.

Loras students spent afternoons reading books, playing soccer, and even swimming.  But behind all this fun is a harsh reality for the kids.

“The kids outside of the mother’s project had to leave their families to get an education,” said trip coordinator and Loras student David Summers.

Children are being forced to leave their homes in order to better their lives. While this separation, though tough to understand is making a difference.

House director, Jerome Cabeen sees beyond the situation.

“The greatest heroes in my life are those little girls between the ages of 5 and 14 years old up at Guadalupe. They have kept me here, and they will keep me here, because they have brought so much joy to my life.”

A Joy that radiates from everything in this country, and even if Loras students can’t change Honduras in ten days what matters the most are the lives they have touched.

Erin Horst can be reached at Erin.Horst@loras.edu