Fire and Rescue Department Train For Trench Rescues
(Le Mars) — Imagine these scenarios…an earth moving construction crew is digging a trench to install a sewer line into a new development area, or city water department crews are needing to repair a broken water main, or perhaps a contractor is removing dirt creating a basement for a new home. Any one of these examples, and several others, could possibly lead to the collapse of the dirt wall causing a person to be buried in a trench. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department spent the better part of the weekend, a total of 11 hours, conducting training for such a trench rescue scenario. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says Le Mars had a lot of construction in 2016, and 2017 will have even more construction, creating the possible danger. Schipper says its not “if” a trench collapses, but perhaps “when” it happens. The Le Mars Fire Chief says its important for the community to have the members of the fire
and rescue department be adequately trained for the scenario. Don Ashenfelter was one of the instructors conducting the trench rescue training. He says there were 56 trench rescues reported last year, which was doubled from the previous year. Ashenfelter explains the training process with the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department.
The trench rescue instructor explains before a rescue can take place, its vitally important to make certain the scenario is stabilized.
Ashenfelter says when trench rescues are performed, one of the most important factors to consider is the air quality.
Ashenfelter says most people have the false belief that if a trench collapses, then the danger is over, and the rescue can begin without any further thought of additional danger. However, he says that is not the case.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department were able to conduct their trench rescue training from a specially made trailer.
Bibler Trial Delayed Until February
(Le Mars) — Trial for the Le Mars man accused of stabbing his sister to death has been delayed. Judge Jeff Neary has delayed the trial for Thomas Bibler until February 14th. Bibler is currently being evaluated psychologically and the evaluation is not yet complete.
Board Of Adjustment And Zoning To Consider Three Requests
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Adjustment will meet today to decide on three requests. Fiber Comm of Sioux City is requesting a conditional use permit to build and operate a 80 feet tall communications tower to be located on property in Perry township. Higman Land Company of Vermillion, South Dakota is requesting a conditional use permit for building and operating a campground using small cabins on stilts. This is being proposed for Westfield Township, and the third issue involves Cyd Fleckenstein of Hinton is requesting a half
acre variance to split a 2.9 acre lot into two separate lots in order to construct a home. This property is located in Hungerford township. The county board of adjustment and zoning will hold their meeting in the basement of the
Courthouse Annex building beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Vandals Strike Mason City Church Sign
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police are investigating after a church sign in Mason City that promoted God’s unconditional love was vandalized with spray paint.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports this is the second time in the past year that the sign outside the First Congregational United Church of Christ was vandalized.
Someone painted over the word gay when the sign declared, “We are a sanctuary for the least, lost, gay & straight, female, Muslim.For all! God’s love wins!”
In March, someone painted the sign when a message was posted promoting a performance by the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus.
Pastor Chuck Kelsey says he hopes to be able to move past this and maybe even talk with the person responsible.
It will likely cost between $200 and $300 to repair the sign.
—
Woman Places Infant Son’s Hand In Hot Coffee
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a Council Bluffs woman placed one of her 10-month-old son’s hands in a mug of coffee to prove to him that the coffee was hot. Police say Rebecca Brahier is charged with willful injury and child endangerment. Court records don’t list an attorney for her. Investigators were told the child tried to touch Brahier’s hot coffee several times before she placed one of his hands in the mug.
Police Seize 100 Pounds Of Marijuana
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say officers have seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana from the home of a man in Davenport. Online court records say Nathan Hall is scheduled to be arraigned Dec. 8 on two felony drug charges. His attorney declined to comment for him Monday.
Des Moines Suburb Upset About Sidewalk Ordinance
WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) – When the Des Moines suburb of Windsor Heights began considering installing sidewalks, officials were surprised their plans prompted packed meetings and protest signs. At a time when cities are encouraging active lifestyles for residents, intense opposition to sidewalks may seem surprising, but similar disputes are raging across the country in suburban neighborhoods built in the 1950s and 1960s. They were designed to be different from larger cities and many residents want to keep it that way.
Investigators Look Again At 15 Year Old Shooting Incident
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are re-examining a 15-year-old shooting because an Iowa man wounded in the incident recently died from complications related to the gunshot wounds. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports police have reclassified the unsolved case as a homicide instead of an assault. Shawn Michael North died Aug. 30 at age 45.
