Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department Receives $1,000 Grant
(Le Mars) — The City of Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department has received $1000.00 grant from the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool (ICAP), the City’s property and casualty coverage provider.
The ICAP Grant, a special initiative in celebration of the Pool’s 30th Anniversary, provides up to $1000.00 per member for the purchase of select loss control or risk management items.
The City of Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department submitted an application for the grant in October, and was recently awarded $1000.00 from the Pool. The Fire-Rescue Department used the funds to purchase a drone. This item can and will be used to search for missing people in a field, river, or other tough access locations. It will be used for large field fire size-ups, roof top visual assessments, train derailments, etc.
Le Mars Police Chief Has Concerns About Parade Practices
(Le Mars) — Changes may need to occur with regards to Le Mars parades, that according to Le Mars Police Chief Stewart Dekkenga. Dekkenga spoke before the city council on Tuesday and informed council members of an incident that
occurred during the recent Christmas Lighted parade that could have had serious consequences.
Dekkenga says additional dangers are present during the Christmas Lighted parade because it is dark.
The Le Mars Police Chief told the city council that his staff will be working on possible solutions, some of which may prove to be unpopular with parade attendees. Dekkenga informed council members that in the future an ordinance may need to be passed to “put some teeth into our decisions”.
Dekkenga offered some suggestions that may need to be considered for future parades.
The police chief is also concerned with parked cars along the parade route.
Dekkenga also mentioned he is concerned as to how close people were parking near the railroad tracks.
Hull Man Arrested For Stabbing Roommate
(Orange City) — Sioux County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Hull man for stabbing his roommate, and for providing false identification. The arrest of 42 year old Jose Estrada-Martinez occurred late Monday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies discovered that Estrada-Martinez stabbed his roommate with a knife
sharpening steel rod. The victim sustained minor injuries from the stabbing. The investigation also revealed that Estrada-Martinez provided a false name and a false Minnesota identification card, and had been working at B and M Concrete
in Hull under someone else’s identity. Estrada-Martinez had been arrested on three other occasions in Sioux County and had provided false identification during those arrests. Estrada-Martinez was arrested for assault with intent to do injury, obstructing prosecution, providing false information, possession of false identification, forgery, and identity theft.
Trump Aides Confirm Branstad Will Be Appointed China Ambassador
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The likely departure of the nation’s longest-serving governor to accept an appointment as U.S. ambassador to China means Iowa could be led by its first female governor.
An aide to President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday that Trump has offered to nominate Republican Gov. Terry Branstad for the ambassadorship, and that the governor is expected to accept.
If Branstad accepts and is confirmed by the Senate, Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds would become Iowa’s governor. She would hold the position until Branstad’s term ends in January 2019, and she could run for governor in 2018.
The 57-year-old Reynolds was a first-term state senator when Branstad chose her to run for election as his lieutenant governor. Reynolds has focused on economic development and education during her six years as lieutenant governor.
Farm Groups Speak Favorably Of Branstad Being Appointed As China Ambassador
(Des Moines) — In a speech to Iowa Farm Bureau members on Wednesday morning, U-S Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, himself, a former Iowa governor says if Governor Terry Branstad accepts the position as U-S Ambassador to China, it would mean good news to American agriculture.
Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Hill says Branstad’s appointment would be positive for farmers.
The Iowa Soybean Association says “Iowa and U.S. agriculture will be among the many beneficiaries of Gov. Terry Branstad’s selection as U.S. ambassador to China”.
“His enduring relationship with the leaders and people of China, forged over many years of conversation and joint participation in activities here at home and abroad, will advance strong China-U.S. relations at a critical time for both countries.
“The governor and Iowa soybean farmers have long recognized the strategic and significant role China plays for U.S. agriculture. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people purchases nearly 60 percent of global soybean production. About one of every three rows of soybeans grown in Iowa are destined for China. Food is essential for life and trade relations forged with the people of China by Branstad and soybean farmers will serve both countries well.
It is widely speculated that Trump will announce Branstad’s appointment when Trump visits Iowa on Thursday.
(Thanks to Ken Anderson for assistance with this story).
Woodbury County Wants To Adopt 24/7 Sobriety Program
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Woodbury County officials are asking lawmakers to allow people convicted of drunken driving to stay out of jail if they pass twice-daily Breathalyzer tests.
The program would allow people convicted of alcohol-related offenses to continue living with their families and go to work. Participants would pay for the tests, and the sheriff’s office would administer them.
Democratic Rep. Dave Dawson of Sioux City introduced legislation in 2014 and in 2015 specifying that sobriety testing would meet the standard of probation.
Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeremy Taylor says the program has a better chance of passing in 2017, because the governor plans to make the fight against impaired driving a priority during the next legislative session.
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