(LE MARS)–City leaders in Le Mars are proud of the latest Census figures showing growth. A meeting Thursday with housing developers and builders was the latest city move to build on the growth momentum.
City Administrator Scott Langel says housing construction incentives and increasing new home starts were discussed.
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Langel says getting people to move to Le Mars to continue the population growth is also part of the planning.
MidAmerican plans for potential flooding at Port Neal
(DES MOINES)–MidAmerican Energy is making plans to protect the Port Neal power plant near Salix from potential flooding
MidAmerican Energy spokesperson Tina Potthoff does NOT expect customers to lose power if flooding occurs at Port Neal.
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Potthoff says flood water may reach the Neal facilities and access to the plant by traditional transportation may be limited. But she adds, MidAmerican is working through plans for that.
MidAmerican has other sources of power.
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Customers who have concerns may phone the Customer Call Center at 1-888-427-5632. There’s also information on the company’s web page www.midamericaenergy.com
Recycle paper for schools today
LE MARS)–Today (Saturday) is a day to recycle paper for school projects in Le Mars and Remsen.
The Le Mars Community Elementary Schools paper recycling project is this morning. Paper may be dropped off at O’Toole Park in Le Mars from 8-10 a-m. Other pickup sites are at the Struble and Craig Banks and the Brunsville Bank corner from 8-9 a-m.
The Remsen-Union Family Connection and St. Mary’s School Board collect paper from 8-11 a-m at the Marion Street location.
“Woof-stock” offers pet information, training, adoption
(LE MARS)–The third annual “Woof-stock” in Le Mars may be a way for some pets to find a new home.
The Plymouth County Historical Museum sponsors the annual “Woof-stock” (today) Saturday beginning at 10 in the morning.
The focus of the annual event is homeless and disabled dogs.
Noah’s Hope is bringing several dogs for adoption this year. Predicted flooding along the Missouri River has intensified the number of canines the group needs to place in foster homes.
In addition to adoption, micro chipping for identification will be featured at the Noah’s Hope booth. The non-profit dog rescue group is also looking for volunteers and will have sign-up sheets available.
A new feature at Woof-stock is a demonstration of teaching dogs tricks. Ann Wonder of Ida Grove, a dog trainer in Sioux City and longtime worker in California shelters, will teach dog tricks.
In addition to Noah’s Hope, the museum event features numerous pet-related individuals and businesses with displays.
“Woof-Stock,” begins with a Poochi parade twice around the Museum’s block, weather permitting. The parade is the Museum’s effort to promote good health for pets and people.
Third grade winners of the museum’s “Woof-stock” poster will be announced at noon along with a Poochi Promenade on the “Old Central Gym” stage.
Maggie, a German Shepherd mix, is disabled after being hit by a car. Joe and Dodie Hook of Akron have Maggie who will be one of two honorary co-chair dogs.
Maggie, a German Shepherd mix, is disabled after being hit by a car. Joe and Dodie Hook of Akron have Maggie who will be one of two honorary co-chair dogs.
The other co-chair is Shadow who was adopted at the 2010 “Woof-stock.” The owner is Glada Koerselman of Le Mars. Noah’s Hope had rescued Shadow.
In addition to homeless dogs and disabled dogs, “Woof-stock” focuses on dogs suffering form cancer and heart diseases. Admission is free.
Cain speaks at Presidential Lecture Series site
(SIOUX CENTER)–The next speaker in the Family Leader series will visit Dordt College Monday.
Businessman Herman Cain’s presentation in Sioux Center is part of the Presidential Lecture Series hosted by the Family Leader.
Cain, a Republican, is a former C-E-O of Godfather’s Pizza who hosts a radio show.
Dordt announced Cain’s visit Monday morning at 10 a-m. He’ll speak in the Campus Center.
The Family Leader series appearances for Cain also includes stops in Pella and Iowa City later Monday.
Submit your news release, photo, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm or by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
Mom of slain Iowa airman knew he faced big risks
(Information in the following story is from: The Ottumwa Courier, https://www.ottumwacourier.com)
OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) The mother of a 28-year-old Iowa Air Force sergeant killed in Afghanistan says she knew his job disarming bombs was a dangerous one, so his death was not a total surprise.
Staff. Sgt. Joseph Hamski died May 26 when a bomb exploded.
In an interview Thursday with The Ottumwa Courier, Mary Winston says the news of her son’s death came as a horrible shock, at first.
Winston said her son downplayed the risks he faced, but she knew better, saying, “He did a very dangerous job.”
A funeral Mass for Hamski is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Ottumwa. Burial will be at Ottumwa Cemetery.
Documents outline alleged campaign donation scheme
(Information in the following story is from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com)
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A Davenport attorney and the president of a group seeking a casino in Fort Dodge allegedly took money from Peninsula Gaming LLC and gave it to former Gov. Chet Culver’s campaign, agreeing it wouldn’t look good if the contribution came from the Dubuque-based casino company.
The Des Moines Register is reporting that details of the alleged scheme are outlined in newly filed court documents.
Davenport attorney Curtis Beason and president of Webster County Entertainment Steve Daniel are charged in the case. They are accused of taking a $25,000 payment from Peninsula Gaming and giving to Culver’s campaign. It is illegal in Iowa to make a campaign contribution in another person’s name.
Attorneys for Beason and Daniel say the men deny the allegations.
Snub leads to battle cry of `rural discrimination’
(Information in the following story is from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe is charging that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration discriminated against the town of Fort Kent because of its remote location in extreme northern Maine.
The charge came after community officials in Fort Kent were told their grant for an underage drinking prevention program had been rejected because the community was “WAAAAAAYY off the beaten path,” making it inconvenient for program staff to visit.
Instead, the Traffic Safety Administration chose Mason City, Iowa, and Louisville, Ky., for the $175,000 grants.
Fort Kent is about 290 miles north of Augusta.
Snowe says the transportation agency’s decision to deny Fort Kent’s application because of its location is “wrong” and “unfair.”
The Portland Press Herald says Snowe is asking Traffic Safety Administrator David Strickland to fix the situation immediately.
Sierra Club seeks to block planned highway project
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The Sierra Club has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the construction of a major highway project in Cedar Rapids, saying it would damage the ecosystem of two nature preserves.
The Iowa chapter of the environmental group filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court this week. It argues the state’s environmental impact statement completed in 2008 for the planned extension of Highway 100 was inadequate.
The lawsuit says the highway would run through the Rock Island County Preserve, which would threaten rare and endangered butterflies, turtles and other species.
City leaders see the Highway 100 project as key to its future growth. The plan is estimated to cost more than $163 million and would create a quick link between the western and northeastern part of the city.
Plea hearing set in spraying of Sheffield officer
(Information in the following story is from: Globe Gazette, https://www.globegazette.com/)
SHEFFIELD, Iowa (AP) A 49-year-old Sheffield man accused of using pepper spray on a police officer is expected to change his plea at a hearing later this month.
Court records say Robi Meyer had pleaded not guilty in April to a felony charge of assaulting a police officer. The change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for June 21.
Meyer is accused of spraying Officer Michael Halsne during a confrontation at a Sheffield home on March 20.
The Mason City Globe Gazette says Meyer also faces misdemeanor charges of obstruction of emergency communication, interference with official acts and disorderly conduct.
Clinton man’s house slides into sinkhole
CLINTON, Iowa (AP) A century-old home in Clinton has collapsed into a sinkhole.
WQAD in Moline, Ill., is reporting that Larry Stuart’s home was brought down by the sinkhole last Sunday. Stuart wasn’t home at the time but neighbors say they could hear the house creak, groan and pop as it slid into the hole.
The city’s building and neighborhood official says significant rainfall Sunday morning was probably the primary case. He also says it looks there the house’s foundation could have had problems. When it was built, the city didn’t have building codes.
The house is a total loss.
There was also concern for neighboring homes but for now those residents are staying put.
Stuart is staying with family.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
