Trailer Home Destroyed In Early Morning Fire
(Le Mars) — A trailer home located in Armel Acres on the west side of town was
destroyed by an overnight fire. Fire fighters responded to an alarm at about 1:48
a.m. at trailer number 3 on Oak Street. As fire fighters arrived on the scene, an
orange glow could be seen as the trailer home was fully engulfed.
Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper describes the scene.
The home and all the contents were a total loss. Schipper estimates the damage to
exceed $50,000. Two men were residing in the trailer home, and a third man was
visiting at the time of the fire. All three were able to escape the fire. The
American Red Cross was called to offer assistance since the residents were
displaced. The residents were taken to a nearby motel. Fire fighters used
defensive tactics to protect other trailer homes within the area from catching on
fire. No other trailer homes sustained any fire damage, but fire fighters did use
pressure fans to ventilate the smoke from two neighboring mobile homes. Schipper
says the cause of the fire may have been linked to fumes from a disposed cleaning
chemical.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was on the scene for approximately four
hours. There were no injuries associated with the fire. Assisting the Le Mars
Fire and Rescue Department were the Le Mars Police, Le Mars Ambulance Services,
MidAmerican Energy, and the American Red Cross.
Le Mars Police Department Investigates Two Auto Accidents
(Le Mars) — On Friday, July 1st, at 4:46 p.m. the Le Mars Police Dept responded to
an accident that occurred at Central Ave.
Kyla Peters, age 31 of Le Mars, IA, was eastbound on 1100th block Central Ave in a
2004 GMC Yukon. Robert White, age 55 of Le Mars, was heading south on 1100th block
Central Ave in a 2013 Dodge Avn. As Peters’s was backing out of residential
driveway. White was southbound on Central Ave. Peters’s failed to see White’s
vehicle and, as a result struck White’s front passenger side fender. Peters’s
vehicle had minor damage and White’s vehicle had functional damage.
There were no injuries and both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
Peters’s vehicle sustained approximately $1000.00 damage and White’s vehicle
sustained approximately $5000.00 damage.
Peters was issued a citation for Unsafe Entry onto Sidewalk or Roadway.
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is investigating a one-vehicle accident
that happened on Monday, July 4th at about 10:45 p.m. on Central Avenue.
Brady Hansen, age 16 of Le Mars, was westbound on 18th St SW at Central Ave SW in a
2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. Brady was turning North onto Central Ave SW and was
distracted by his friends lighting off fireworks in the back seat. He then turned
the corner too wide and struck a mailbox belonging to Scott Koopman.
There were no injuries and the driver was wearing his seatbelt.
Brady’s vehicle sustained approximately $1500.00 in damage and Koopman’s mailbox
sustained approximately $150.00 in damage.
Brady was issued a citation for Failure to Maintain Control.
Ethanol Storage Facility Held Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
(Le Mars) — Ribbon cutting ceremonies on the new ethanol trans-loading storage
facility took place Thursday morning. Plymouth Energy of Merrill worked with Le
Mars city officials and Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation to create the
storage facility located within the Le Mars Industrial Park Development Area on the
south side of town. John Becker serves as the president of Plymouth Energy. He
says the local ethanol production plant wanted to expand its markets, and
establishing a transloading and storage facility in Le Mars would allow them access
to additional railroads.
Becker says the Burlington-Northern-Sante Fe railroad serves the ethanol plant in
Merrill. He says the new trans-loading and storage facility in Le Mars will allow
them the immediate access to the the Canadian National railroad, and in the future
they hope to have agreements with the Union Pacific railroad. Becker says by
having a facility located in Le Mars, they will be able to both save money and earn
money.
The new ethanol storage tank will hold up to 300,000 gallons, and Becker says the
goal for Plymouth Energy is to transport between 15 and 20 rail cars each week.
Becker says the ethanol producer has hired a trucking firm to transport the corn-
based fuel from Merrill to Le Mars.
Cindy Berkenpas Honored As July “Employee of the Month”
(Le Mars) — The July Chamber “Employee of the month” award was presented to a
longtime Primebank employee this morning. Cindy Berkenpas has been with Primebank
for over 23 years as a member of the loan servicing staff. The staff of Primebank
nominated Cindy, and they say that she can always be couted on to get the job done.
Regardless of the request, Cindy willingly accepts the task and stays with it until
the task is completed. Working closely with both Primebank’s lending staff and
customers, over the years Cindy Berkenpas has been responsible for accepting loan
payments, verifying collateral insurance and credit life insurance, assisting with
internal and external audits and examinations, delivery of secondary market loans,
and countless other tasks all completed with professionalism and the understanding
that attention to detail is important, regardless of how large or small the
assignment. Before working in the loan servicing area, Cindy worked for
approximately four years in Primebank’s bookkeeping department. Cindy will soon be
retiring, and leaving the daily interaction with our bank family. We wish Cindy
the very best, as she begins this new chapter in her life. Our congratulations go
to Cindy Berkenpas for being honored as the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce July
“Employee of the Month”.
Pictured from left to right: Kevin Eekhoff representing Le Mars Chamber of Commerce, Cindy Berkenpas, and Primebank president, Matt Ahlers.
Representatives From Mission Honduras Visit Iowa
(Le Mars) — Mission Honduras from Le Mars and other communities have traveled to
the South American nation each year for the past 15 years, consisting of a total of
37 missionary trips. Now, two representatives from Honduras are visiting Iowa and
other midwestern states. Marta Sosa and her daughter Andrea assist with the
coordination of Mission Honduras Le Mars and the “Then Feed Just One” programs.
Sosa says the Honduran people enjoy seeing Americans, and are very appreciative of
their generosity.
Sosa says she knows her nation’s reputation is that it is the murder capital.
However, she says you need to see the people up close and personal, and go beyond
the news headlines.
The Honduran Mission representative says Americans have no idea of how much the
Honduran people look forward to the arrival of a missionary group.
The “Then Feed Just One” program has packaged over one million meals with Honduras
as the final destination. Andrea says like the mission trips, the people of
Honduras, and especially the children, look forward to the arrival of the packaged
meals consisting of rice and dried vegetables.
Many people who have participated on the Mission Honduras journeys are surprised
when they witness some poverty stricken children pass on food being offered, simply
because the children say it is not their day or turn to eat, but rather they share
it with their siblings or friends. Andrea says even as poor as they are, they know
the good feeling of sharing.
Dredging Of Municipal Park Pond Nearing Completion
(Le Mars) –For the past couple of months contracted workers have been busy
dredging the Municipal Park pond. City Administrator Scott Langel says although
the dredging work at the north pond of the Municipal park and campground has been
at a standstill for a while, he says work should be finishing within the next few
weeks.
Since the bottom of the Municipal park pond was thought to be at different depths,
city officials requested the Plymouth County Dive team to look under water and
offer a better perspective.
Langel believes the city will need to gather additional sand and soil to be able to
completely fill up the south pond area, which will eventually be turned into
additional camping spots. Langel believes the pond will open sometime yet this
summer, allowing people to use it for recreational purposes, such as swimming,
fishing, or boating.
During the next few days KLEM news will feature City Administrator Scott Langel as
he offers updates on the various construction projects located within Le Mars.
Auditions For “Dixie Swim Club” Play Scheduled For July 19th & 20th
(Le Mars) — Auditions for the next play to be held at the Le Mars Community
Theatre’s Postal Playhouse are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, July 19th and
20th beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Dixie Swim Club features five women whose
friendships began many years ago on their college swim team. Every August, they
set aside a long weekend to recharge those relationships. Free from husbands,
kids, and jobs, they meet at the same beach cottage in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
to catch up, laugh, and meddle in each other’s lives. The Dixie Swim Club focuses
on four of those weekends and spans a period of 33 years. The play calls for a
cast of five women. If you have questions, or would like to review a script in
advance, you can contact the play’s director, Audrey Scholten at (712) 540-5001.
Iowa State University Student Falls Off Roof Of Sorority
AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa State University student was critically hurt when he
fell from the roof of a sorority house on campus.
Ames Police Commander Jason Tuttle tells KCCI (https://bit.ly/29CNxjW ) that
officers were investigating a report of several people on the roof of the Delta
Delta Delta sorority house around 11:15 p.m. Saturday when 21-year-old Matthew Beth
fell.
Beth sustained a severe head injury and was flown to a Des Moines hospital for
treatment.
Police believe Beth was under the influence of alcohol when he fell.
Mega Millions Passes $500 Million Jackpot
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Mega Millions jackpot has increased to $540 million,
as brisk ticket sales fuel the estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing.
Paula Otto is executive director of the Virginia Lottery and lead director for
Mega Millions. She says sales leading up to Friday’s drawing have exceeded
expectations resulting in the jackpot adjustment.
Friday’s drawing will be the 35th since Mega Millions had a winner – the
longest rollover stretch in the game’s history. Otto says that since the last
winner in March, Mega Millions ticket sales have exceeded $1 billion.
Sales prior to the last drawing on Tuesday night also were higher than
expected, at around $107 million. Sales were anticipated to hit $80 million.
Tickets are sold in 45 jurisdictions including 43 states plus the District of
Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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