Le Mars Is Becoming A Tourist Destination
(Le Mars) — Le Mars is becoming a tourist destination, that according to Le Mars mayor Dick Kirchoff. Near the conclusion of Tuesday’s city council meeting, Kirchoff reported to the city council the success the city has witnessed by attracting tour buses to “the Ice Cream Capital of the World”. He
says initially, buses would stop in Le Mars and enjoy ice cream at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor, but that would be the extent of their visit to Le Mars.
Kirchoff says the Brown musical family started attracting additional tourists to their Century Theater. But Kirchoff says shortly there after, several community leaders and volunteers, along with Jessica Brownmiller, the Le Mars Visitors and Convention Bureau Director teamed up to offer attractive tourist
packages to various banking institutions. Mayor Kirchoff says the group wanted to show-off the many other interesting sites in Le Mars.
Kirchoff says the Le Mars group reached out to several banks within the Midwest in hopes to attract them to Le Mars for a tour.
Kirchoff explained to the council of some of the local attractions that are featured during a Le Mars tour.
Mayor Kirchoff says other attractions include the Brown Century Theater, the Le Mars Arts Center, and the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor. Kirchoff says another added feature is a stop at the Plymouth County Dairy Farm.
The Le Mars mayor says buses full of tourists have come to Le Mars from many different regions within the Midwest.
Northwestern College To Hold Christmas Vespers Service
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—The Northwestern College music department will present its annual Christmas Vespers service on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. in Christ Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
“This year’s Vespers program is delivering the story of the Jesus
child,” says Jaeeun Kim, instructor in music at Northwestern College and director of the A cappella Choir. “A variety of pieces will usher the audience into this miraculous event, including the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, the procession of shepherds and wise men to the manger, and the virgin birth.”
The concert will include performances by the Brass Choir, Women’s Choir, A cappella Choir and Chamber Orchestra, in addition to Scripture readings by members of the college’s campus ministry team.Doors open 35 minutes before each concert. After Sunday’s performance, the poinsettia plants adorning the Christ Chapel stage will be available for
purchase for $10 each.
Grain Outlook May Present Some Price Rallies
(Le Mars) — Since harvest is nearing completion with record yields being predicted for both corn and soybeans, the question becomes, will commodity grain prices continue to slide due to the large surplus. Iowa State University Extension Grain Marketing Specialist Chad Hart says although the grain marketing outlook does appear to be dismal, he says there could be some opportunities for a small price rally.
Hart says based on past trends, he believes a price rally could occur during the spring of 2017.
Hart says the recent political atmosphere with Donald Trump as being elected as the next president may also trigger some grain buying action from our trading partners.
The grain marketing economist says many countries may worry if their trade
agreement with the U-S may be one subject to re-negotiation.
The Iowa State agricultural economist has been visiting several sites within the state offering his perspective on the grain marketing outlook. Hart says there is another possible factor for a price rally, and that is the long-term weather
forecast calling for drier conditions in the southeast.
Hart suggests farmers and grain merchandisers to closely watch the grain markets and to act quickly if a rally should occur. He says if they wait, they may lose out on the opportunity.
Republicans Select Leadership For State House
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republicans in control of the Iowa House have chosen the same top leaders to run the chamber for the next two years.
The GOP announced Wednesday that Rep. Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake will continue as House speaker. Rep. Chris Hagenow of Windsor Heights will serve as majority leader. The appointments will be official when the next legislative
session begins in January.
Upmeyer became Iowa’s first female House speaker in 2015 after the previous leader, Rep. Kraig Paulsen, relinquished the position. Hagenow also became majority leader last year.
Republicans have a 59-41 majority in the chamber. The party also has a 29- 19 majority in the Senate, which also has one independent and one open seat.
Fire Fighters Rescue Man From Industrial Chimney
GRANDVIEW, Iowa (AP) – Firefighters in southeastern Iowa have rescued a worker from more than 200 feet up inside a 620-foot industrial chimney at a MidAmerican Energy plant.
The Muscatine Journal reports (https://bit.ly/2fib2NA ) that rescue workers were called to the Louisa Generating Station in Grandview late Tuesday afternoon to save an employee trapped 230 feet up. The Muscatine Fire Department says it
was the first time its team conducted a high-angle rescue outside of training events.
To reach the trapped employee, the team made its way up interior ladders and skywalks and used a system of ropes to lower the employee down in extreme
heat and low visibility inside the chimney. The rescue effort took six hours, and the employee was safely removed. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the rescue.
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Former Carter Lake Clerk Files Suit Against City
CARTER LAKE, Iowa (AP) – The former Carter Lake city clerk has filed a lawsuit challenging her firing earlier this year and complaining that the city failed to honor her severance agreement.
The Daily Nonpareil reports Doreen Mowery filed the lawsuit seeking her $108,809.56 severance and other damages.
Carter Lake officials have not yet responded to Mowery’s lawsuit. Mowery says she believes she was fired improperly in January because of her stance that city council member Mary Schomer couldn’t continue working for the city’s library and serve on the council.
Mowery, who worked for the city for 24 years, says she believes previous disagreements with Mayor Gerald Waltrip contributed to her firing.
Freight Train Derails In Central Iowa
CALLENDER, Iowa (AP) – No one was injured when a freight train derailed near the small Webster County city of Callender.
The Fort Dodge Messenger reports (https://bit.ly/2f3Lfrw ) the Union Pacific train derailed about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, less than two miles north of Callender.
Officials say 14 cars left the tracks and two more were leaning off the track.
Union Pacific spokeswoman Calli Hite says there were no injuries and that the cause of the derailment is being investigated.
The train included hopper and tank cars. Nothing appeared to have spilled from the cars.
Callender is about 11 miles south of Fort Dodge.
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