Home News Wednesday Afternoon News, January 13

Wednesday Afternoon News, January 13

Trailer Home Catches On Fire

(Le Mars)– The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a fire at Armel Acres trailer court that was reported at about 2:06 this Wednesday afternoon.  The fire was inside trailer number 12 on Orchard Street.  According to Fire Chief Dave Schipper, the home owner was using a heat gun to attempt to thaw his water pipes from underneath the bathroom’s vanity when the paneling on the wall under the vanity had caught on fire, spreading quickly up the wall behind the bathroom’s vanity and mirror. Fire personnel were able to contain the fire and extinguish it before it had spread beyond the bathroom wall.  Fire officials removed burnt pieces of paneling and insulation from the trailer home.  Fire officials used pressure fans to help ventilate the smoke from within the trailer.  Fire officials were on the scene for about 45 minutes.

 

 

 

Authorities Investigate Three-Vehicle Accident On Highway 75 (updated)

(Merrill) — Authorities are investigating a three-vehicle accident that happened Tuesday evening on Highway 75 near Merrill.  The accident had occurred at about 7:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes. The collision was the result of a chain reaction accident.  The first two vehicles were stopped at a railroad crossing, and waiting for the train to pass, when a third vehicle failed to see the first two vehicles had stopped for the train and had rammed the rear of the second vehicle, causing the second vehicle to hit the first vehicle.  The first vehicle was driven by 46 year old Teresa Nemmers of Le Mars.  The second vehicle was a van and was being driven by 33 year old Tiffany Strickland of Le Mars. In addition to Strickland, the van had four other passengers, her husband Jim Strickland who was a passenger in the front seat, and three children who were in the back seat.   James Strickland and one of the children were transported to the hospital for what is believed to be minor injuries. 28 year old Ali Hassan of LeMars was driving the third vehicle.  He admitted to accident investigators that he was distracted, and was unaware the vehicles ahead of him had stopped. A passenger riding with Hassan, 19 year old Andrew Barron of Le Mars, was transported with Hassan to the hospital. Both victims suffered what was thought of as minor injuries.  Both the Hassan vehicle and the Strickland van had extensive damage that both vehicles were towed.  The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.

 

 

 

Supreme Court Justice Cady Delivers The “Condition Of The Justice” Report To Lawmakers

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court says the state is making progress in addressing racial disparity in its criminal justice system.
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady says more than 700 judges, magistrates and other judicial branch staffers received training last year that helps them recognize implicit biases that may contribute to racial disparity. He says three Iowa counties are working on pilot projects that try to eliminate racial disparity in the juvenile justice system.
Cady spoke to the Iowa General Assembly on Wednesday during the annual Condition of the Judiciary address.
The Judicial Branch is seeking more than $190 million in funding for the fiscal year that begins in July, a 4 percent increase. Gov. Terry Branstad recommended that request in his budget proposal released Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

Mumps Detected At Indianola Schools

INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) – Seven students at Indianola High School have been diagnosed with mumps or a similar illness since the end of December. 
The first case was discovered just before Christmas break. Since then three other lab-confirmed cases have been reported along with three probable cases. 
Authorities say two of the seven students were not vaccinated. Students are required to be vaccinated with two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, although exceptions may be made through a medical or religious waiver.  
Teachers have been instructed to disinfect their rooms before each class period, and custodians have been wiping down water fountains and other commonly used areas.

 

 

 

 

More Cities And Counties Allowing All Terrain Vehicles On Roads

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – All-terrain vehicles are supposed to be banned from roads in many states, but small communities across the nation are increasingly bending the rules under pressure from riders who want to go wherever they please.
The trend is opposed by ATV manufacturers, who warn that the vehicles are unstable on flat terrain, and by public health officials concerned about the accidents on roads that kill more than 300 riders each year.
Riders of the buzzy, open-air vehicles acknowledge the dangers of not driving ATVs properly. But they say the risks are overstated.
Thirty-five states allow communities to authorize ATVs on some roads or road shoulders, according to the Consumer Federation of American.
Many models have a high center of gravity that makes them prone to toppling over at high speed.  Just last week, the Le Mars City Council passed an ordinance allowing ATV’s to operate on many of the city’s streets