SIOUX CITY CAB DRIVER RUNS FROM GUN, LOSES CAR
A SIOUX CITY CAB DRIVER WAS HELD AT GUNPOINT THIS MORNING BEFORE HIS CAB WAS STOLEN.
SIOUX CITY POLICE REPORT THE DRIVER STOPPED AT THE SERGEANT BLUFF REST STOP AT 2:20 A.M. WHEN A MAN APPROACHED HIM WITH A GUN.
THE DRIVER JUMPED OUT OF THE CAB AND FLED THE SCENE, WHILE THE GUNMAN STOLE THE VEHICLE AND HEADED SOUTH ALONG I-29.
WOODBURY AND MONONA COUNTY AUTHORITIES PURSUED THE VEHICLE AND DEPLOYED STOP STICKS NEAR WHITING.
38 YEAR OLD LEROY MCNAUGHTON OF WATERBURY, NEBRASKA WAS ARRESTED.
NO ADDITIONAL DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME.
West Le Mars House Fire
On Saturday August 13, 2016 at 11:35am the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was called to 30405 Hwy 3 which is west of Le Mars for a house fire. The house is owned by Judy Lang of Le Mars and rented by Tim and Kari Tomlinson. No one was home at the time of the fire. The fire was called in by a passerby on Hwy 3.
Upon arrival firefighters encountered heavy fire showing from a double garage which was attached to a two story home with a breezeway. This home is located next to Central Valley Ag of West Le Mars. There were three propane delivery trucks on the east side of the home’s property. Firefighters attacked the fire defensively from the outside initially putting out a nearby pull camper that had caught fire and also watering down the three propane trucks until they were moved away from the scene to a safe area. The fire had extended from the garage through the attached breezeway and into the house. Firefighters after slowing the fire made entry into the home and stopped the fire coming through the attic of the two story house.
The origin for the fire was determined to be on the north wall of the double attached garage. The cause for the fire has been determined to be accidental with the most probable cause being an electrical equipment malfunction. An extension cord reel box failed that was suppling power to a camper and outdoor swimming pool pump. The camper was just plugged in this morning and the air conditioner turned on. The fire spread from the north wall of this garage through the breezeway and into the roof area of the home.
Damage is estimated to be over $110,000.00. The home is not able to be occupied. There were no injuries, but several firefighters were rehabbed at the scene by the Le Mars Ambulance Crew do to the hot temperatures.
The Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department was assisted at the scene by the Merrill, Hinton, Akron, and Orange City Fire Departments, Le Mars Ambulance Service, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, American Red Cross, and MidAmerican Energy.
IA Advocacy Group Launches Effort to Inform Teachers About Union Rights
DES MOINES – Americans for Prosperity-Iowa is beginning National Economic Freedom Week (NEFW) with a reminder to teachers in Iowa that they have the option not to join the Teachers Union. The effort is part of National Employee Freedom Week (NEFW), an annual national campaign that informs union members about their workplace rights, specifically their right to leave their union. NEFW runs Sunday, August 14th through Saturday, August 20th and consists of over 100 organizations in 35 states.
A poll conducted for NEFW found that just 23 percent of Iowa’s union households were aware they could resign union membership and stop paying dues without losing their job.
Iowa Moving Forward With Mental Health Initiatives
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa is moving forward with initiatives aimed at improving children’s mental health and well-being, but officials say they won’t be able to estimate the potential cost of the effort until it’s developed more fully.
The Iowa Department of Human Services and other state agencies have been working together to formally tackle components of a long-term goal to change how children in Iowa access services related to their mental health and well-being. Officials contend services can be more effective if the two issues are addressed together.
State officials began soliciting outside work this month to help develop children’s mental health crisis services. Additional bidding will be available soon for so-called learning labs that could help improve children’s well-being.
The Iowa Legislature approved at least $300,000 last session toward the planning efforts.
POLICE INVESTIGATING DES MOINES HOMICIDE
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police say they’re investigating a man’s death as a homicide.
Officers sent to a home found the body inside around 11:20 a.m. Sunday. Someone had called 911 to say a man had been shot.
The victim’s name and other details about his death have not been released. No arrest has been reported.
Police say the slaying was Des Moines’ ninth homicide this year.
