Two Vehicles Hit Head On Near Merrill
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s office has released its traffic accident report regarding the accident that happen on Highway 75 on the north side of Merrill, Wednesday morning. According to the traffic accident report, 22 year old Hugo Martin-Morales of Sioux City was driving northbound on Highway 75 and was about to cross the bridge that spans the Floyd River, when he lost control.
The bridge was frost covered and slick at the time of the accident which occurred at about 5:30 a.m. Martin-Morales lost control of his vehicle and crossed the center line going into the south bound lane of travel. 40 year old Josuha Weber of Sheldon was driving in the southbound lane on Highway 75 when
the Martin-Morales vehicle hit head-on with the Weber vehicle. The occupants of the Martin-Morales fled the scene on foot, but were later located about an hour later. Martin-Morales was later found, identified, and arrested for operating a vehicle without a license. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department and the Le
Mars Ambulance Service and the Merrill Fire Department responded to that accident and assisted the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities Search For Suspect Involved With Bank Theft
(Le Mars) — Area law enforcement authorities are looking for a suspect that was involved with numerous bank thefts, and forgery fraud attempts within northwest Iowa. The incidents happened on Tuesday. The suspect apparently tried his scam
at two Sioux County banks in Granville and Alton, as well as the Kingsley State Bank in Le Mars.
Le Mars Police Sargeant Jay King explains the circumstances.
King offers a description of the suspect.
King says no weapons were used, during the incident. The same suspect tried to use the same scam technique with banks in Alton and Granville earlier in the day. Sioux County Sheriff’s Deputy Nate Huizenga talks about those incidents.
Law enforcement officials believe the same suspect tried to use the tactic at a Sioux City bank.
Law enforcement officials are not certain whether the suspect is still within the area. Officials would not say how much money was involved.
Iowa Watercolor Paintings Display Featured At Le Mars Arts Center
(Le Mars) — The Iowa Watercolor Art display will be featured at the Le Mars Arts Center as part of the traveling show for 2016-2017. The traveling display, features 30 paintings from artists across Iowa, from 131 entries that were judged. The exhibit will be on display at the Le Mars Arts Center beginning today, and continuing through January 28th. The traveling display includes five Iowa Watercolor Society’s Awards of Excellence, Best Transparent Watercolor and seven Honorable Mentions. The 30 paintings in the traveling show represent the work of 24 Iowa artists. The I-W-S traveling show is considered to be the best
of the best within the state. The Iowa Watercolor Society is an organization with over 170 members that are beginning, amateur and professional artists. The organization offers the opportunity for watercolorists of all skill levels to
network with artists statewide. The organization’s primary purpose is to promote and support the arts in Iowa with an emphasis on watercolor painting.
The Le Mars Arts Center, located at 200 Central Avenue southeast, will host a Chamber After 5 event scheduled for Thursday, December 8th with two of the artists that have pieces in the traveling exhibition. Jean Wiener of Le Mars
has two pieces and Connie Luhman of Sergeant Bluff has one piece in the art display.
Woman Protester Arrested At Utilities Board Offices
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A woman has been arrested after protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline at the Iowa Utilities Board building in Des Moines and demanding a meeting with the board’s chairwoman.
Jessica Reznicek was arrested Wednesday on a trespassing charge after refusing police orders to leave the building.
Reznicek and other supporters entered the building around 9 a.m. Wednesday. They want the board to revoke construction permits for the Dakota Access oil pipeline in Iowa. Reznicek and another man have been on a hunger strike outside the building.
The $3.8 billion pipeline is designed to carry oil 1,200 miles from North Dakota through South Dakota and Iowa to a shipping point at Patoka, Illinois. Protesters fear it will harm drinking water and cultural sites.
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Public Information Director Quits Job To Become Senate Secretary
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The director of the Iowa Public Information Board has quit so he can become secretary of the Iowa Senate.
Charlie Smithson told the board’s nine members in an email last week that his resignation is effective Thursday.
The board enforces the state’s open records and open meeting laws and began operation in July 2013. Smithson has been its director since Dec. 1, 2014.
Margaret Johnson will be interim director while the board looks for someone to replace Smithson.
Ed Failor Jr. is an aide to Iowa Senate Republican leader Bill Dix, and Failor confirmed Wednesday that Smithson will be named secretary of the Senate when the GOP takes majority control in January.
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Monthly Survey Still Shows Weak Midwestern Economy
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A monthly survey of business supply managers shows improvement but still reflects relatively weak economic conditions in nine Midwest and Plains states. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the Mid-America Business Conditions Index survey, and he said in the survey
report issued Thursday that he expects the overall regional economy will continue to underperform the national economy because of the region’s dependence on agriculture and energy.
Proposed Hotel For Mason City Fails To Meet Deadline
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Plans for a Marriott hotel in downtown Mason City are dead after a developer failed to meet the latest deadline to start construction.
San Diego developer Philip Chodur failed to break ground on Wednesday – the last of three deadlines he missed as he tried to secure financing for the project.
The Courtyard by Marriott hotel was to be built at what now is a parking lot west of City Hall.
The hotel was part of a planned $36.2 million downtown development that includes the hotel, an ice arena, parking ramp and music pavilion.
State financing for the project could fall through now that the hotel plan has failed.
City Administrator Brent Trout says the city is weighing its options.
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