Iowa State Patrol Releases Information Regarding Accident
(Le Mars) — The Iowa State Patrol has released information and a traffic accident
report with regards to the accident that happened Tuesday afternoon at the
intersection of county road C-38 and K-22, west of Le Mars. According to the
accident report, the Oldsmobile car that was being driven by 19 year old Lucas
Johnson of Swea City, Iowa was traveling northbound on K-22 and was followed by 42
year old Dustin Tschampel of Merrill who was driving a semi-truck pulling a grain
trailer. Johnson was told by a passenger of the car to turn left on C-38 when
Johnson actually had turned right. Johnson then reversed his turn and began
turning and moving west and struck the front right side of the semi truck in the
intersection. Johnson was evaluated at the scene and was found to be under the
influence of drugs. Johnson refused to participate in a chemical testing program.
Johnson, and his two passengers, 19 year old Donald Haegeman of Ceylon, Minnesota,
and 21 year old Khalil Whitefield also of Ceylon, Minnesota suffered what was
determined to be non-life threatening injuries and were transported by the Le Mars
Ambulance to a hospital. Tschampel, the driver of the semi truck was not injured
during the incident. Tschampel’s saddle fuel tank had been punctured causing
diesel fuel to leak, until such time emergency workers and crew members from a tow
company were able to transfer the remaining fuel to another tank. The Le Mars
Ambulance, Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office,
and the Iowa State Patrol all responded to the accident scene.
Plymouth County Authorities Investigate Roll-Over Accident
(Remsen) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was called to the intersection of
C38 and Polk Avenue in rural Plymouth County Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. for a
single vehicle rollover accident. After arriving, it was determined that 23 year
old Sheena Brandow from Sioux City, IA was headed westbound on C38 when she lost
control of her vehicle and entered the north ditch where the vehicle rolled
approximately four times before coming to rest on its wheels in a farm field.
Sheena was the sole occupant and was transported to Mercy Hospital with non life-
threatening injuries. Remsen Ambulance, Remsen Fire and the Remsen Police
Department assisted with the accident.
Water Back On And Boil Order Lifted
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city water department is announcing the three businesses
that had their water shut off on Tuesday due to the installation of a new fire
hydrant at the intersection of Plymouth Street and Central Avenue, now have water
again. Gayle Sitzmann, the city water department superintendent, says the work
has been completed, and the water has been tested. Sitzmann says the water
samples do not contain any bacteria, and therefore the boil order for the three
businesses has been lifted, and the three affected businesses no longer need to
boil their water.
Central Avenue Being Prepared For Asphalt Covering
(Le Mars) — Motorists traveling on Central Avenue during the past couple of days
may have noticed some rough spots. Scott Kneip, the city Public Works Department
Superintendent says Barkley Asphalt company has been grinding some spots on
Central Avenue between 6th Street and 12th Street. Kneip says the road will be
rough in places, and he ask motorists to use caution since the work will continue
through today, without closing Central Avenue. Kneip says Barkley Asphalt will
soon begin placing a layer of asphalt on Central Avenue.
Le Mars Betterment Foundation Getting Closer To Financial Goal
(Le Mars) — Earlier this week the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation had
announced two donations amounting to $10,000 each from the Steve Ohm family and
also from the Le Mars Hy Vee supermarket. Mike Donlin serves as the president of
the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation. He says the community is making great
strides in achieving the over all goal of $3.5 million dollars.
Donlin says the Le Mars Area Betterment Foundation has submitted the first two
allocations of funds that will be used for the Royal 3 cinema theater and the
Municipal Park, Camp grounds, beach, and shelter house.
Donlin says in the near future, Le Mars residents will receive a brochure in their mailboxes, requesting people to consider contributing to the Community Betterment Foundation.
Denison Man Shoots Himself On Hunting Expedition
DENISON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 51-year-old man accidentally shot himself
on his way into a western Iowa field to hunt deer with his wife.
The shooting occurred around 5 p.m. Monday in southern Crawford County. The
Iowa Natural Resources Department says Daniel Gehling, of Denison, was adjusting
the handgun in his waistband when it went off. The bullet struck one of his
thighs. The department says his wife, Carolyn, called for help and applied
pressure on the wound to stanch the bleeding.
Daniel Gehling was taken to Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison for
treatment and then flown to an Omaha, Nebraska, hospital for surgery.
One Person Suspected Of Lottery Fraud Will Not Face Trial
STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) – One of three people charged in an Iowa Lottery ticket
fraud case won’t be going to trial.
Prosecutors have determined they don’t have enough evidence to convict Sally Bosler. The charge of aiding and abetting was dismissed Monday.
Her daughter, Ashley Bosler, and Ashley’s boyfriend, Johnny Long Jr., have
pleaded not guilty to charges of theft of a lottery ticket or share.
Prosecutors have said Ashley Bosler was working at a convenience store when
she found the winning ticket by scratching off a corner and scanning the bar code
that confirmed it was a winner of a $250,000 prize. Prosecutors say she was 20 at
the time – too young to play the game – so Long tried to claim it for her.
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Grassley And Judge Hold First Senate Debate
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Incumbent U.S. Senate Republican Chuck Grassley and
Democratic challenger Patty Judge sparred over the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy
during their Sioux City debate. Among other criticisms Judge leveled at Grassley
and his GOP colleagues on Wednesday night, she cited Grassley’s refusal to hold
Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the president’s high court nominee.
Grassley disagreed, saying voters should play a role in such matters when they
select the next president.
Regents Requests An Audit On Leath’s Use Of Iowa State University Airplane
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Board of Regents has ordered an audit of every
flight that Iowa State University President Steven Leath has taken on the school’s
two airplanes, citing possible misuse.
Board President Bruce Rastetter said Thursday that he’s extremely
disappointed that Leath has used the planes on multiple occasions in ways that
appear “questionable at best.”
He says Leath has been a successful president but the board must take
seriously any questions about the potential misuse of university resources.
The board’s audit committee voted to order its internal auditor to review
Leath’s flights on university planes during his five-year tenure. He said the
report must be detailed and answer all questions about the trips.
A pilot, Leath has repeatedly flown to and from North Carolina, where he owns
a mountain home.
