City Approves Three-way Real Estate Transaction
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars has agreed to abandon its plans to make the
former Chemical Sanitary Services building located on Hawkeye Avenue southwest, of
Business Highway 75 as its new police headquarters. That’s because Scott Taylor,
owner of Total Sales and Service and Total Motors has extended an offer toto
purchase the former building from the city. The city and Taylor agreed upon a
price of $500,000. The Le Mars City Council approved the transaction during its
regular monthly meeting held on Tuesday. In addition, the city will now acquire
the former Motor Inn building and will look at the feasibility of converting the
once auto sales garage to become the new Le Mars Police headquarters. Mayor Dick
Kirchoff explains how the three-way real estate transaction came about.
Kirchoff says Total Motors is compensating the city for the architecture fees and
the preliminary work that has been started on the former C-S-S building.
Kirchoff says the city then turned around and purchased the former Motor Inn
building.
Mayor Kirchoff says one of the reasons the city was in favor of the proposed
business transaction is because the former Motor Inn building offers more space
than the C-S-S building. He says the city will collect $9500 a month from Total
Motors in a lease agreement, and it is a good economic development plan as Total
Motors will build a new facility and the city will again have an auto dealer able
to sell new Chevrolet vehicles.
City Officials Advise To Pour Water Down Drains
(Le Mars) — City waste water officials want to remind Le Mars residents to run
water in every drain in your home, especially all basement floor drains, at least
once a month to maintain water in the drain traps. City officials say this will
help keep sewer gas from getting into the home. If you should smell sewer gas in
your home, you need to open windows for ventilation and/or operate fans to expel
the sulfur odors. Run water into the drains, and clear all vents of debris such
as leaves, twigs, and bird nests. Residents with questions should contact the
city waste water facility at 546-5003.
Construction On 12th Street Southeast Completed – Street Now Open For Traffic
(Le Mars) — City officials have announced the construction project on 12th Street
southeast is now completed, and the barricades have been removed, and the street is
open for regular traffic.
Iowa Sees Increase In Traffic Fatalities This Year
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Transportation officials say there’s a spike in traffic
fatalities in Iowa this year. Data from the Iowa Department of Transportation show
at least 238 traffic fatalities recorded in the state between the start of the
year and the middle of August. There were 182 traffic fatalities during the same
period last year.
Branstad Named To Trump’s Agricultural Advisory Committee
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has been named to an agricultural
advisory committee that will advise GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The Trump campaign announced Tuesday that Branstad is part of a 64-member
committee that will provide advice on the agricultural industry. It includes
several governors and state lawmakers from around the country.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Bruce Rastetter, president of
the board that oversees Iowa’s three public universities, are also on the
committee.
Media reports last week listed Branstad as a Trump adviser, and Branstad
spokesman Ben Hammes reiterated that the position is unofficial and the Trump
campaign isn’t paying the Republican governor.
Hammes says the committee will meet via phone, though Trump may also
communicate one-on-one with Branstad, who has joined Trump at Iowa campaign stops.
Trump To Appear At Ernst’ “Roast And Ride” Fundraising Event
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Donald Trump is scheduled to headline a key political
event in Iowa hosted by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst.
A political action committee for the Iowa senator announced Tuesday the GOP
nominee for president will attend Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” fundraiser on Aug. 27
in Des Moines. An optional 42-mile motorcycle ride honoring veterans will conclude
with a pork roast at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Tickets are $12 for children and
$20 for adults.
The event is entering its second year. Several presidential hopefuls in the
once-crowded GOP field attended the gathering last year in Boone.
Iowa Republican leaders including U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and Gov. Terry
Branstad are scheduled to attend.
Ernst was considered a possible vice president pick for Trump. She spoke at
the GOP national convention last month.
Ernst Talks About Passing On Being Vice Presidential Nominee
(Des Moines) — Senator Joni Ernst was at the Iowa State Fair on Monday and KLEM news visited with the freshman Senator about being on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s short list as a possible vice president candidate.
Ernst doesn’t believe many people will turn away from Donald Trump based on his often controversial comments. She says Democratic contender and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton cannot be trusted.
