MILLSTADT, Ill. (AP) — A southwestern Illinois grain elevator has closed and surrendered its license because it doesn’t have enough assets to meet the state’s grain code.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said the Handy Feed Handyscape, Inc. of Millstadt was closed April 2 after the department discovered the elevator lacked enough assets. The business handed over its license Thursday, allowing the department to liquidate those assets and pay valid grain claims.

The grain deposits are protected because the business is a member of the Illinois Grain Insurance Fund. Handy Feed Handyscape had a grain storage capacity of 153,000 bushels. Department spokesman Jeff Squibb said the effect of the elevator’s closure on creditors will be sorted out during an April 18 meeting at Millstadt’s Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 114 West Oak St., at 6 p.m.

LIMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Authorities said a fire destroyed a 150-year-old wooden barn on a family farm near Ann Arbor, killing about 300 animals.

AnnArbor.com stated the fire broke out April 11 at the farm in Lima Township, about 12 miles west of Ann Arbor. Owner Douglas Welshans said the dead animals include a horse, a steer, about 200 rabbits, 50 hens and 50 chicks.

He said his daughters planned to show some of the rabbits and chickens and the steer at the Washtenaw County 4-H show this summer. The horse was a mare named Tina and was a gift to the girls from another family.

Authorities said approximately 40 firefighters from Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Saline and Scio Township battled the blaze for about an hour.

HINTON, Iowa (AP) — Dozens of cattle are missing from a feedlot in northwestern Iowa.

The Plymouth County sheriff’s office said 56 steers valued at more than $81,000 were reported stolen from the Bio Beef Feed Lot near Hinton two weeks ago. The feedlot said 30 Holstein steers were missing, and a customer reported being short 26 Holstein steers.

Lot operator Roger Ruhland said he suspects someone cut a chain at the main gate and opened several gates to barns, letting cattle run free in the compound. He believes the thefts occurred within the past three weeks.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Amish people in Kentucky will no longer have to use a bright orange reflective triangle on their horse-drawn buggies.

Gov. Steve Beshear signed a law April 11 that lets them use gray or reflective tape instead to make sure other vehicles can see them at night. The law was passed for members of the more conservative Schwartzentruber sect, who claim the triangle violates their religious rules because it represents the Holy Trinity and its flashy color calls attention to them.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa House has approved a measure that would prohibit local schools from beginning classes before the fourth Monday in August.

Backers say the measure approved April 10 takes into account Iowa’s farm-based economy by keeping summer open for activities such as the state fair and farming. Opponents say the state shouldn’t meddle in matters best left to local school officials.

Current law says local schools can’t begin the academic year until after Sept. 1, but they are allowed to seek waivers from that requirement. Many school districts seek the waiver and area allowed to begin earlier.

The measure cleared the House by a 54-44 vote and goes to the Senate.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Beef cattle from Virginia are headed to Canada under a new export deal. Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the first direct shipments of cattle from the state to Canada on Thursday, while traveling on a trade and marketing mission in Quebec.

McDonnell’s office said the export business opens the door for Virginia producers to sell directly to beef cattle operators in eastern Canada without having to ship to middlemen in other states first. Five shipments are part of the new export deal. Officials said at current market prices, the value of each shipment of cattle is in excess of $75,000.

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — When roads through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were constructed, the forests were extensively logged and burned, leaving unobstructed views in every direction.

But 75 years later, the views at many of the park’s scenic overlooks are obscured. Acting Park Facility Manager Charlie Sellars told The Daily Times over the next few months, a contractor will be undertaking the first major vista-clearing initiative in decades.

Sellars said park officials have developed specific guidelines for which trees should be removed and which should be trimmed or thinned. They will leave uncut the low-growing shrubs, like rhododendron and mountain laurel, to shade out and discourage the regrowth of the taller trees.

During the project, the overlooks being cleared will be closed as needed.