Good Weather With Mild Temperatures Aid Fair Attendance
(Le Mars) — Mild temperatures have helped in securing good attendance for the
Plymouth County Fair. An estimated 18,500 people attended the fair on Thursday.
Fair officials say the unusual cooler temperatures have allowed people to visit the
fair without worries of getting too hot and dehydrated.
Fair Recognizes Extension Personnel
(Le Mars) — As part of the celebration of the Plymouth County Fair’s 75th
anniversary, the fair is honoring special groups of people, who through the years
have contributed to the success of the fair. On Thursday, special recognition was
given to past and present Iowa State University Extension personnel that have
worked at the Plymouth County Extension Office. Jack Frus and Allan Plath are
former Extension directors for Plymouth County. Frus began his tenure at Plymouth
County Extension in 1986 and continued until 2002. He says his memories of the
fair during those years were the positive changes that occurred.
Frus comments on the reasons he believes are the factors that make the Plymouth
County Fair, a successful fair.
The famous round barn has become the iconic landmark structure associated with the
Plymouth County Fair, and today the round barn serves as the marketing brand that
people immediately think of when thinking about the Plymouth County fair. However,
as Allan Plath recalls, it was a controversial piece of conversation around town
during the time the proposal was discussed to move the round barn to the
fairgrounds.
Plath served as the Extension director between the years of 1979 to 1986. Plath
says the many volunteers that contribute in some way are all responsible for the
success of the Plymouth County Fair.
Frus, who is now retired, still resides in Le Mars. He says he also recalls that
without fail, nearly every year while he would be working during the fair with
complete focus on the many details that would need to be covered, some one would
bring a weed with them to the fair, and interrupt Frus’s train of thought by asking
him to identify the mystery weed, and what type of herbicide should be used to
exterminate the weed from either their garden or field. Frus says he feels as
though only since retirement has he been able to truly enjoy the fair.
Le Mars Police Investigate Auto Accident
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department responded to an accident that happened
Wednesday afternoon at about 4:07 p.m. The accident occurred at the intersection
of Highway 75 and County road C-38. 55 year old Mary Livermore of Le Mars was
stopped at the stop sign at C-38 and Highway 75, facing eastbound. 31 year old
Tana Reed of Sioux City was heading westbound a C-38 and Highway 75. A vehicle was
stopped at the stop sign in the cross-over facing eastbound. Livermore did not
wait for the vehicle to leave the stop sign and proceeded across Highway 75 into
the cross-over to the right side of the vehicle that was sitting at the stop sign.
Reed proceeded to travel westbound into the cross-over at which time Livermore
proceeded to make a left hand turn, not seeing Reed, at which time Livermore’s
vehicle hit the Reed vehicle. No injuries were reported and both drivers were
wearing their seat belts. Livermore was cited for failure to yield upon left turn.
The Livermore vehicle sustained approximately $5,000 in damages, and the Reed
vehicle sustained approximately $2,000 in damages.
Des Moines Police Report Drive-by Shootings Have Increased
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A review of Des Moines Police Department data shows the
city has seen an increase in drive-by shootings this year. The Des Moines Register
reports that 31 drive-by shootings were reported in the city through the end of
June. Police say 22 drive-by shootings were reported during the same time period
last year. Sixteen drive-by shootings were reported for the same period in 2014,
and 22 were reported the year before. Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek says
there isn’t one cause for the shootings.
Mystery Chemical Identified As Fungicide
MARION, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say the chemical that rained down on a northeast
Marion neighborhood was a fungicide.
Several people called 911 Tuesday night after noticing a white substance on
vehicles and houses. The Marion Fire Department said in a news release Thursday
that tests show the substance has components commonly found in a field treatment
used by farmers. Iowa public health officials say that after 12 hours, lawns or vegetation
exposed to the fungicide weren’t expected to pose health risks to people. Officials
say exposed hard surfaces should be cleaned with soapy water, and all clothes and
bare skin that were covered by the substance should be washed.
The incident is still being investigated.
Woman Charged With Injuring Boy
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – An Avoca woman has been accused of injuring a little
boy.
23-year-old Tanisha Pallaya has been charged with felony child endangerment causing injury. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a call Friday from The Associated Press.
A court record says the child, who was born in 2012, was taken to an Omaha
hospital in May. Doctors say the child’s bruises and abrasions on his back,
abdomen, head, arms and elsewhere on his body appeared to have been caused by blunt
force and didn’t appear to have been the results of an accident or accidents.
Pallaya’s next court date is set for Aug. 5.
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