(LE MARS) Damage assessments begin today (Tuesday) in the aftermath of a storm that packed wind gusts estimated at 65 miles an hour in Plymouth County Monday night.
The brunt of the storm was in the Kingsley and Remsen area. A tornado warning was issued for northeastern Plymouth County between 9:30 and ten. That followed a severe thunderstorm warning for KLEMland, including Plymouth County.
Storm spotters and law enforcement offered information to the National Weather Service, the Plymouth County Storm Center and Plymouth County Communication Center as the storm moved northeast.
The mayor of Brunsville requested the town’s sirens be sounded due to the forecast of high winds.
Sirens were sounded in Remsen where a vehicle was damaged by a tree limb that fell on the car.
Rainfall in Le Mars as of 10:15pm was seven-tenths of an inch. Flash flooding was reported at the intersection of Highways 75 and Three in Le Mars.
Structure damage in Union Township, south of Remsen, included a hog confinement. Power was also out in that area following the storm. If you have storm photos, email them to klemnews@lemarscomm.net
Financing may be refinanced
(LE MARS)–Plymouth County Supervisors will consider refunding general obligation bonds issued six years ago.
The money was borrowed for Wells Enterprises Corporate Campus.
The agenda for the board’s weekly meeting also includes time with Engineer Tom Rohe and paperwork for accounting requirements of local governments.
The public meeting begins at 9:30 this morning in the board room on the lower level of the Courthouse.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
9:30 AMJim Henrich, Plymouth County Board Chairman
1.Call meeting to order
2.Approve this agenda (Action)
3.Approval of prior Board meeting minutes (Action)
4.Approval of claims and payroll (Signatures)
5.Committee Reports (Discussion)
6. Old Business
A. Discuss refunding 2005 G.O.Bonds (Discussion and possible action)
7. New Business
A. Approve GASB 54 policy by resolution (Action)
8. Open public forum
10:00 AMTom Rohe, Plymouth County Engineer
(Action Items)
None
(Discussion Items)
Questions/Discussion of the Secondary Road Department
(Informational Items)
Update on construction projects
Source: www.co.plymouth.ia.us
Red, white and blue Fourth of July set for Le Mars
(LE MARS)–A patriotic Fourth of July in Le Mars will feature a parade and Plymouth County Veteran’s Memorial Park program.
Volunteers from Wasmer Post 241 of the American Legion in Le Mars are organizing the annual July 4th events.
Legion volunteer Don Law says the parade line up at Le Mars Community High School is at nine in the morning. The parade route is east on Eighth Street and south on Third Avenue Southeast to Plymouth County Veterans Memorial Park. The parade begins at 10 a-m.
A past tradition of patriotic red, white and blue-themed entries for the parade will be followed. Candy throwing is not allowed. There is no pre-registration for the parade.
The July 4th program follows the parade. The guest speaker is the Chaplain with the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Air Force Lt. Col. Merrill Mueller.
The fourth of July will be marked by an addition to the park, a ship’s anchor.
A lunch for a freewill offering will follow in the Le Mars Convention Center.
The Plymouth County Historical Museum’s 15th annual Antique Flea Market is also on the fourth of July with a watermelon feed in the afternoon on the Museum’s grounds.
The Le Mars Municipal Band presents a concert at Foster Park beginning at 8 p.m.
Sky Show 2011 at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds begins about 10 p.m. featuring a musical salute during the fireworks display.
Council considers wages, wards
(LE MARS)–Wards and wages are before the Le Mars City Council during a public meeting that begins at noon in the Council Chambers.
The Council will also be asked to approve bids for the Airport snow removal equipment building. Senator Chuck Grassley Monday announced federal funds of 194-thousand 252 dollars for the building.
Three of the five Council members are elected from specific areas of the city which are called wards. A proposal to move to all at-large Council members will be discussed.
Council members are weighing options to repair a downtown Le Mars intersection. The Streetscape design project features brick pavers that have broken. They now have a map of what three repairs ranging from asphalt paving to colored Portland Cement concrete would look like. Cost estimates are to be presented at the Council meeting.
Four agenda items are to be discussed in portions of the meeting closed to the public. They include performance reviews of the city administrator, assistant city administrator and city attorney as well as the purchase of real estate.
The Council Agenda indicates the pay is to be set in an open meeting after the closed sessions.
NOTE: AGENDA ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE
LE MARS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2011, 12:00 P.M.
AGENDA
A. CALL TO ORDER – MAYOR
ROLL CALL – CITY CLERK
COUNCILMEMBERS: NELSON_____, KNAPP_____ REXWINKEL_____,
LEONARD______, IHRKE_______
B. GENERAL DISCUSSION
1.Citizens
2. “Thumbs Up” Award
C.CONSENT ITEMS
All items listed under “Consent” Agenda will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion on those items unless a request is made prior to the time the Council votes on the motion.
1.Approval of June 7, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes
2.List of Bills for Period Ending 6/17/11
3.Monthly Financial Statement for May 2011
4.Interfund Transfer Resolution
5.Fire and Ambulance Personnel Salary Adjustments for FY 2012
6.Resolution Granting Cigarette Permits
7.Certified List of Qualified Civil Service Examinees
8.Renewal of Liquor License/Outdoor Service Area (Louie’s Place, Mr. P’s)
D. ACTION ITEMS
1.Airport Snow Removal Equipment Building
2.Intersection of Central Avenue and Plymouth Street
3.IA 3 West Trail
4.Amending Wards and Precincts
5.Abolish Wards
E.DISCUSSION
1.Council/Mayor
2.City Administrator/Public Works Director
3.Assistant City Administrator
F. CLOSED SESSION
1.Purchase of Real Estate
2.City Attorney – Performance Review
3. Assistant City Administrator – Performance Review
4. City Administrator – Performance Review
G.ADJOURNMENT
Next Resolution No. 11-18
Next Ordinance No. 894
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ConsentREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
List of Bills for Period Ending 6/17/11
Item No.
C-2
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Approval of bills for the period
ending 6/17/11.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Monthly Financial Statement for May 2011
Item No.
C-3
Attached is the monthly Financial Statement for May 2011.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion acknowledging receipt of monthly
Financial Statement for May 2011.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Interfund Transfer Resolution
Item No.
C-4
Information:
A resolution making certain interfund transfers from one fund to another is needed for the 2010-2011 budget year and will be available at the meeting.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council approval.
Financial Impact:
These transfers will account for the expenditures properly and within the appropriate fund.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. _______ making certain interfund transfers for the
2010-2011 fiscal year.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2010
Description:
Fire and Ambulance Personnel Salary Adjustments for FY 2012
Item No.
C-5
Attached are Fire and Ambulance Personnel recommended salary adjustments.
These adjustments are recommendations made by the Fire Chief and the Ambulance Director.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving the FY 2011-2012
Fire and Ambulance Personnel salary adjustments.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Resolution Granting Cigarette Permits
Item No.
C-6
Information:
Attached is a copy of a Resolution granting cigarette permits to businesses for the period July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. All have completed the application and paid the $75.00 fee.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion adopting Resolution No. ______ granting cigarette permits for the period
July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Certified List of Qualified Civil Service Examinees
Item No.
C-7
The Civil Service Commission will meet on Monday, June 20, 2011 and certify applicants from the Police Officer Examination given May 26, 2011 for purposes of having a current list for the Patrolman position on the Le Mars Police Department. The list of certified applicants will be available at the meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion accepting the Civil Service Commission’s Certified List of Qualified Civil Service Examinees dated June 20, 2011.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Consent
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Renewal of Liquor License/Outdoor Service Area
(Louie’s Place, Mr. P’s)Item No.
C-8
Applications have been received from Louie’s Place for renewal of their Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service Area and Mr. P’s for renewal of their Class C Liquor License. Approved by Police Department and Fire Chief.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion (approving) (denying) renewal of Class C Liquor License and Outdoor Service to Louie’s Place and Class C Liquor License to Mr. P’s.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Airport Snow Removal Equipment Building
Item No.
D-1
Information:
Bolton & Menk has prepared technical specifications for the airport snow removal equipment building and bids were received and opened on June 1, 2011 and are attached. Also attached is an email from Matthew Ferrier. At the June 7, 2011 meeting Council tabled action pending the Buy American Certification and Congressional funding.
The remaining schedule is as follows:
June 1Open Bids
June 7Council to review / award bids to lowest approved bidder or table consideration, if FAA funding not confirmed
June 21Council to review / award bids to lowest approved bidder or table consideration, if FAA funding not confirmed
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommendation will be available at the meeting.
Financial Impact:
Le Mars is a recipient of the FAA grant for this building at 95/5 grant; however, Congress has not yet appropriated funds.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving Resolution No. _________ awarding the contract for the Snow Removal Equipment Building – Le Mars Municipal Airport to _______________ in the amount of $_______________, subject to FAA concurrence.
(Roll Call)
Or
Motion to table bids for consideration after FAA funding is confirmed.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Intersection of Central Avenue and Plymouth Street
Item No.
D-2
Information:
Council requested a map of options 3, 5 and 7.
This item is placed on the agenda to discuss the Council’s opinion of the various repair options for the intersection of Central Avenue and Plymouth Street, as follows:
Option 1. Repair damaged brick pavers with brick pavers and seal all contraction joints.
2. Remove central diamond bricks and replace with asphalt and seal all contraction joints.
3. Remove all bricks and replace all with asphalt and seal all contraction joints.
4. Same as 2; however, replace by milling for depth and replace with colored PCC overlay.
5. Same as 3; however, replace by milling for depth and replace with colored PCC overlay.
6. Overlay entire intersection with asphalt after proper prep of existing surface.
7. Overlay entire intersection with whitetopping after proper prep of existing surface.
8. Some combination of the above?
Estimate of costs for each option will be available at the meeting.
Staff Recommendation:
Recommendation will be available at the meeting.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
As desired.
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
ActionREQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
IA 3 West Trail
Item No.
D-3
Information:
City Staff has evaluated other options for this project which will be discussed with Council at the meeting.
DGR has completed the Preliminary Design Phase of the IA 3 West – Trail including the FEMA/DNR required “No-Rise” analysis of Floyd River down stream of the IA 3 Vehicle Bridge. The Pedestrian Bridge would need to be 285 Feet south of IA 3. Attached is an email from Bryan Wells of DGR and a Preliminary Cost Estimate.
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends Council proceed with a small scope for the project through final design and bid letting. Also, recommend using Public Works Department to grade the route and install salvaged to lower the total cost of the project.
Financial Impact:
80% Federal Enhancement Funding
20% City through Le Mars Urban Renewal/TIF
Engineering by City through Le Mars Urban Renewal/TIF
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving the Preliminary Concept for a smaller project of the IA 3 West – Trail and authorizing project to proceed to final design and bid letting.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Amending Wards and Precincts
Item No.
D-4
Information
At its last meeting the Council held a public hearing and approved the first reading of an ordinance amending wards/precincts.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the second reading of the ordinance.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving the second reading of Ordinance No.______ amending Wards & Precincts.
(Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Action
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Abolish Wards
Item No.
D-5
Information
Council requested information on City’s ability to abolish Wards, see attached Section 372.4 of Iowa Code.
Yes, City can abolish Wards.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends to abolish Wards and do it following this schedule:
June 21, 2011Approve concept to abolish Wards and set date/time for Public Hearing
July 5, 2011Hold Public Hearing
Approve or deny First Reading
July 19, 2011Approve or deny Second Reading
August 2, 2011Approve or deny Third Reading
Adopt Ordinance if applicable
August 5, 2011Publish Ordinance (effective)
Mid-AugustCandidates allowed to take out papers for upcoming election
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion approving concept to Abolish Wards and establish July 5, 2011 at 12:00 PM for Public Hearing on proposed Ordinance to Abolish Wards.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Closed Session – Purchase of Real Estate
Item No.
F-1
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss the purchase of real estate.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter Closed Session
under Iowa Code Section 21.5j
where the disclosure of the
discussion to purchase real estate
would be to the disadvantage
of the City.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of Closed Session.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Closed
Session
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Performance Review – City Attorney
Item No.
F-2
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss the City Attorney’s performance and the City Attorney has requested the Closed Session.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5i to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of closed session.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Closed
Session
REQUEST FOR ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
Assistant City Administrator – Performance Review
Item No.
F-3
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss the Assistant City Administrator’s performance and the Assistant City Administrator has requested the Closed Session.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5i to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of Closed Session.
(No Roll Call)
Potential Action After Closed Session:
Motion (approving) (denying) Assistant City Administrator’s salary level of $_______ plus mileage for City business at the approved City (IRS) rate for FY ’12.
(No Roll Call)
CITY OF LE MARS, IOWA
Closed
Session
REQUEST FOR ACTION
Date:
June 21, 2011
Description:
City Administrator – Performance Review
Item No.
F-4
It is recommended that the Council enter Closed Session to discuss the City Administrator’s performance and the City Administrator has requested the Closed Session.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED
Motion to enter closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5i to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
(Roll Call)
Motion to move out of Closed Session.
(No Roll Call)
Potential Action After Closed Session:
Motion (approving) (denying) City Administrator’s salary level of $_______ plus mileage for City business at the approved City (IRS) rate for FY ’12.
(No Roll Call)
Driver injured after accident northwest of Brunsville
(LE MARS)–A Sioux City man was injured in a one-vehicle accident nine miles east of Akron Friday afternoon.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office reports 20-year-old David Lee Nuttall was driving north on County Road K-22 and reached to the back of the vehicle to adjust audio equipment.
The car Nuttall was driving drifted to the west side of K-22 and then into the ditch striking a field driveway.
Nuttall was taken to Floyd Valley Hospital by Le Mars Ambulance. A passenger was not injured.
The accident was reported about four Friday afternoon.
Outfield Restaurant burglary information sought by Sioux County Sheriff
(ORANGE CITY)–The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for any information about a business burglary.
The Outfield Restaurant, a business in Granville on Highway 10, was burglarized sometime after nine Friday night and before eight Saturday morning.
Cash as taken from the business which was entered through an unlocked window.
The burglary was reported to the Sheriff’s Office Saturday morning.
King asks President to approve Governor’s request
(WASHINGTON)–Governor Terry Branstad’s request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration is being backed by Iowa’s Congressional Delegation.
Congressman Steve King sent the letter to President Barack Obama noting the governor is asking for a major disaster declaration. The request was made after the governor determined the Missouri River flooding exceeds the ability of the state and local governments to respond.
King says the flood is consuming homes, businesses, farmland and infrastructure from Sioux City to Hamburg and the damage will continue to mount as the water remains over the summer.
The disaster help is being requested for Woodbury, Monona and four other counties.
Mother, son injured in NW Iowa house explosion
DICKENS, Iowa (AP) A northwest Iowa woman and her son are hospitalized after her house exploded in a blast witnesses say was heard and felt a mile away.
Pat Sorenson’s home in Dickens, just east of Spencer, was leveled in the explosion Saturday afternoon.
Authorities say Sorenson’s son Jon was working on a water heater when a gas leak caused the explosion.
Pat Sorenson was just walking in the door when her house exploded.
Sorenson and her son were flown to the Nebraska Medical Center Burn Unit in Omaha, Neb. Both are listed in fair condition.
The explosion happened nearly a year after Pat Sorenson’s husband, Doug, died when he fell into a grain bin.
(COPYRIGHT 2011 BY ASSOCIATED PRESS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED)
Fishery reports no major problems from rising river levels
YANKTON, S.D. (AP) Officials at the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery report no major problems from the rising Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake at Yankton.
Spokesman Marc Jackson said water being drawn out of the lake for the hatchery is carrying more sediment.
He told the Press Dakotan newspaper that if the intake pipes become plugged, the hatchery would have to switch to backup well water. Water from the well would be cooler, which could slow down the spawning process at the hatchery.
Jackson said officials also are monitoring the hatchery’s discharge pipes to make sure water doesn’t start backing up into rearing ponds or buildings.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Jury set for man accused of killing Iowa clerk
CARROLL, Iowa (AP) Attorneys have agreed to a jury for the first-degree murder trial of a Minnesota man accused of killing an Iowa convenience store clerk in Humboldt.
The Des Moines Register reports it took lawyers about five hours Monday to agree to the eight-woman, six-man jury for the trial, which was moved from Humboldt County to Carroll County in western Iowa because of pre-trial publicity.
This is the first of two trials for 18-year-old Michael Richard Swanson, of St. Louis Park, Minn., who also is accused of killing a store clerk in Algona. Both killings occurred on Nov. 15, 2010.
If Swanson is convicted on the murder charge, he would face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
Swanson’s trial for the Algona slaying is scheduled for July 27 in Lyon County.
Iowa GOP co-chairman backs Pawlenty for president
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa Republican Party co-chairman Jim Kurtenbach is stepping down from his state GOP post to support Tim Pawlenty’s presidential campaign.
Kurtenbach is the latest in a series of Iowa Republican leaders to throw their support to the former Minnesota governor. Pawlenty is tapping Kurtenbach to be an Iowa campaign co-chairman.
Kurtenbach is a Republican former state representative from Nevada, Iowa. He was elected the state GOP organization’s No. 2 official in 2009 and re-elected unanimously to a second term in January.
Pawlenty says he needs to win or do very well in the caucuses next year. He has amassed a team of veteran Iowa Republican staff and operatives to advise him.
Kurtenbach joins as co-chairman Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids and Roger Underwood of Ames. Pawlenty was in Iowa Saturday.
CB residents advised to move items from basements
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) Council Bluffs residents are being urged to move valuables out of basements to higher ground because of the threat of heavy rain over the next few days as flooding continues along the Missouri River.
The city said Monday ground saturation levels and stressed storm sewer systems are contributing to wet basements being reported around town. The city says given the rain forecast over the next 36 hours, residents should move valuable items out of the basement.
The city also says workers are monitoring a pumping station, where backup pumps were used last week after two of the three permanent pumps failed. The city says one of the backup pumps failed over the weekend. It was repaired and is operational.
Branstad orders flags lowered for WWII airman
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all state and U.S. flags under state control to be flown at half-staff to honor a World War II airman whose remains will be buried in Iowa after being discovered in Hungary.
Staff Sgt. Marvin Steinford, of Keystone, was part of a crew of a B-17 bomber that was on its way to Berlin when it was shot down over Hungary on March 24, 1945. The rest of the crew parachuted from the plane, but the 22-year-old Steinford was listed as missing in action.
His remains were discovered in a mass grave in Hungary nearly seven years ago.
Memorial services for Steinford will be on Tuesday in Cedar Rapids. Branstad has ordered flags lowered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
Man’s body found in Iowa river search
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) Rescue crews have recovered the body of a man believed to have drowned while helping rescue two children in the Cedar River near Mount Vernon.
The Linn County sheriff’s office says crews recovered a man’s body about 2 p.m. Monday from the river at Palisades-Kepler State Park.
Rescue crews were called to the park Sunday evening after a man disappeared in the river while helping two children who began to have trouble while wading in the water. The children and a woman who also went in to help were rescued.
The man was not seen again and was presumed drowned.
The sheriff’s office did not immediately identify the man but in an earlier release said he was 41-year-old Jonathan Paul Jones of Lisbon.
An autopsy is pending.
2 hurt in personal watercraft crash in E. Iowa
CLINTON, Iowa (AP) Officials say two people were injured and one man was charged after two personal watercrafts collided on South Sabula Lake in Jackson County.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resource says 28-year-old Curtis Wilhelm and another personal watercraft operator, 31-year-old Michael Scott, both of Maquoketa (muh-KO’-kih-tuh), were splashing each other. Wilhelm was approaching Scott from behind when Scott turned left and the watercrafts collided Sunday.
Scott suffered a broken leg. His wife, Kindra, received bruises. They were treated at a Clinton hospital and released.
Wilhelm’s 4-year-old son was on his watercraft at the time.
Everyone was wearing life jackets.
A telephone message left for Wilhelm wasn’t immediately returned.
Small tornado strikes New Sharon
NEW SHARON, Iowa (AP) The National Weather Service says a small tornado hit New Sharon, toppling trees and pulling gravestones from the ground during heavy thunderstorms that moved across the state.
The tornado hit the town of about 1,200 in Mahaska County, just north of Oskaloosa, just after 5 a.m. Monday.
The National Weather Service office in Johnston sent a survey crew to the city and issued a preliminary report that says the tornado reached peak winds of 110 mph and created a path of damage 50 yards wide and a half-mile long.
Weather service officials say trees were knocked down on top of houses, power lines were toppled, cars thrown into a ditch and gravestones were torn from their footings in a local cemetery.
No injuries were reported.
Judge approves settlement over Indian royalties
WASHINGTON (AP) A federal judge has approved a $3.4 billion settlement over mismanaged Indian royalties that represents the largest claim ever made against the U.S. government.
The plaintiffs, including Elouise Cobell of Montana, claimed in the 15-year-old suit that the individual accounts of hundreds of thousands of Indians were mismanaged by the government for more than a century, costing them billions of dollars in oil, timber and other royalties. The two sides settled in 2009 after years of court battles. Congress approved the settlement at the end of last year.
Under the settlement approved Monday, $1.5 billion would go to the Indian account holders. Another $1.9 billion would go to the government to buy back tribal land. An additional $60 million would go to a scholarship fund for Indian students.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, photos, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm or by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
