Fatal Auto Accident Claims Life Of Ireton Man
(Akron) — A fatal car accident happened over the weekend near Akron. Early Monday morning at about 5:00 a.m. a passing motorist noticed debris on a Plymouth County road. The motorist contacted the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office, and when a deputy arrived at the scene, he discovered that a vehicle had struck the bridge railing and the vehicle was on its top in the creek. The Akron Fire Department and Ambulance Service were dispatched, and upon further investigation it was determined that there was one subject still in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, has been identified as 49 year old Kevin Fant of Ireton. He was deceased and recovery efforts were successful in removing the subject from the vehicle. Fant was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare by the Akron Ambulance where a preliminary exam was conducted by Plymouth County Medical Examiner, Dr. Sheila Holcomb. Investigators were able to determine that the vehicle, a 2005 Ford Van, was northbound on county road K-18 when it approached a curve in the road and the driver failed to maneuver the curve and left the roadway, striking a guardrail, which sent the vehicle airborne and striking the creek embankment on the north side. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Akron Fire and Ambulance, Hawarden Police Department, and the Plymouth County Secondary Road Department.
County Road C-60 Closed For Construction Project
(Le Mars) — Beginning today, (Wednesday) the Plymouth County roads department will close county road C-60 from C-66 to Noble Avenue for reconstruction of 3 1/4 miles. County road C-60 will have detours and is expected to remain closed until November 15th.
Le Mars City Council Approves $1.6 Million Road Project On Business Hwy 75
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council approved a $1.6 million dollar construction project that will involve what is known as “white-topping” Business highway 75. Construction is scheduled to begin in early August and will continue through mid-November. Pat Bickett with the Schlotfeldt engineering firm of Le Mars appeared before the city council to discuss the details. Bickett explains the approved construction project.
Bickett says the white topping construction project will cover nearly 9200 feet of Business Highway 75.
The construction engineer explains the project will be done in four separate phases.
Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff asked if the water main installation project that is currently taking place on Business Highway 75 will be completed prior to the start of the white-topping project?
City administrator Scott Langel says the city has conducted white-topping projects on the streets by the Plymouth County courthouse.
A public hearing on the project has been scheduled for July 19th with contractor bids to be opened on August 2nd.
Municipal Park And Campground Meeting Scheduled For Tonight
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials want to know the ideas of campers, or those people that often use the city municipal park. City officials are holding an informational meeting scheduled for this evening at the Willow Creek campgrounds beginning at 5:30 p.m. City code enforcement officer Greg Smidt says the idea to hold a meeting about the municipal park was brought forward by a frequent camper. He says they want the ideas of those who frequently use the park’s camping facilities.
The city has been moving ahead on some improvement projects concerning the municipal park, including the dredging of the north beach pond. Smidt offers the details of tonight’s meeting.
Hot Temperatures And High Humidity Levels Add Stress To Cattle
(Le Mars) — During these summer days with extreme hot temperatures and high humidity levels, cattle producers need to keep monitoring the performance of their feedlot herds. Iowa State University Extension Beef Specialist Beth Doran says during these hot days, cattle performance will drop. Doran suggests cattle producers to make certain the herds have adequate access to water, and quantities of water. She says producers may want to place their cattle under some shade, or they may need to water down their cattle.
Prestage Foods To Build Pork Processing Plant In Wright County
(Mason City) — A North Carolina company announced Tuesday morning it will build a large pork processing plant in north-central Iowa’s Wright County.
Prestage Foods is heading to Wright County for its new, state of the art pork processing facility. Wright County Economic Development Director Bryce Davis says the county is excited to work with the company in constructing the $240 million pork processing plant, saying it will be a $43 million boost to the payroll of Wright County, and will have economic benefits to the surrounding counties as well. Davis says agriculture is important to Wright County and they welcome the more than 900 new jobs to the area. Prestage has been looking at sites ever since the City Council in Mason City failed to approve a development agreement with the company. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, pending the finalization of county and state approvals, with first-shift operations starting in the middle of 2018. Prestage hopes to slaughter up to 10-thousand animals per day once the plant is fully operational.
Lawsuits Against University Of Iowa Settled
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two lawsuits against the University of Iowa have been settled.
The lawsuits from people injured on the campus were settled Tuesday for $125,000 in separate agreements.
The first involved a man injured while using a climbing wall at the university. Spencer Bean, a former student, had said in a lawsuit that the school failed to properly supervise or monitor nearly 53-foot wall, leading him to fall off it in November 2012. The Iowa Appeal Board agreed to a $75,000 settlement to resolve that lawsuit.
The board also approved a $50,000 settlement to Elizabeth Lester, who was struck in a crosswalk by a bus that is part of the schools public transportation system in March 2012.
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Mega Millions Jackpot Climbs To Over $500 Million
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A lottery official says no jackpot-winning ticket was sold in Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing.
Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty tells The Associated Press that means the jackpot for the next drawing on Friday will be an estimated $508 million.
Tuesday’s was worth an estimated $454 million. It marks the 34th time the jackpot has rolled over without a winner. The previous record was 22 rolls.
With slightly better odds than the Powerball game, it’s rare that nearly four months passes without someone winning a Mega Millions jackpot.
Airline Makes Emergency Landing At Mason City
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A regional airline jet on its way from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Chicago has made an emergency landing in northern Iowa because of a report of smoke inside it.
The American Eagle jet made an unplanned stop at the Mason City Municipal Airport around 1 p.m. Tuesday. A statement from American Airlines, which operates American Eagle, says 45 passengers and three crew members left the plane safely following the landing.
Mason City Fire Chief Doug Janssen says the emergency call from the plane reported smoke in the cockpit.
Another plane was being sent to pick up passenger to take them on to Chicago.
