Kass Elected As Chairman Of County Supervisors
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s meeting of the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors, Don Kass of Remsen was elected to serve as the county governing board’s chairman, and Craig Anderson of Merrill was elected as the vice chairman. The supervisors also made committee assignments. The supervisors heard from representatives of the Pride Group as they informed the board about the need for replacement windows at one of its facilities. No action was taken during the meeting, but it was decided to advertise for bids for the project. The supervisors also discussed whether it would be feasible to break up the project and the costs over the course of two fiscal years. The supervisors also
confirmed several appointments to county commissions.
Gary Horton of Akron was sworn in and attended his initial county supervisor meeting as the newest member of the county governing board.
Christmas Trees Can Be Disposed At City Tree Dump Site
(Le Mars) — The City of Le Mars will have the grass and twig site at Riverview West of town open this Friday, Jan. 6th and Saturday the 7th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for anyone that still needs to dispose of their Christmas tree. All trees must have all the lights, garland, tinsel and stands removed from the tree before its dropped off . If anyone has questions, please call the Street Dept. at 546-5314
Le Mars New Housing Construction Remains Steady
(Le Mars) — The city council heard a report from Code Enforcement Officer Greg Smidt during the meeting held Tuesday. During that report, Smidt talked about the growth in housing for Le Mars.
As for commercial construction, Smidt reports that has also been on an increase trend.
Smidt reported the city collected nearly $91 thousand dollars in construction fees with construction cost at over $20 million dollars. Residential fees were at $33 thousand dollars, which was an increase of more than three thousand dollars from 2015. Commercial construction fees jumped from 17,000 in 2015 to
nearly 47 thousand dollars in 2016.
Parishioners Pay Off Church Building Ahead Of Schedule
(Le Mars) — In just four short years after construction was completed, the parishioners of the All Saints Parish, St. Joseph Catholic church of Le Mars have been able to pay off their loan, and the total construction costs of $10.5 million. Father Kevin Richter, the parish priest says the last payment was able
to be made on December 29th.
Construction of the new church building began in 2011. A dedication mass was celebrated by Bishop Walker Nickless on October 21, 2012. Total construction cost for the new church, including the demolition of the old St. Joseph building, new student parking lot, architectural fees, and construction contract
was more than $10.5 million dollars. Father Richter says the diocese and the church’s directors required that a substantial amount of that money be raised before construction would begin.
When construction was completed, the amount of the parish loan was only $2.3 million dollars, and continued over the years to be paid off ahead of schedule.
Father Richter says there were people in the parish that had their doubts as to whether the parishioners could absorb the debt, along with the church’s other financial obligations.
Father Kevin Richter believes the loan was able to be paid off early, partly due because so many of the people enjoy the finished product, noting the new church building held on to many of the traditional artifacts from the previous St. Joseph church and other Catholic churches within the region.
The Catholic priest says Primebank was the financial bank that extended the loan to the church. He says now the debt is resolved, it calls for a celebration.
On Sunday, January 8th at 1:30 p.m. everyone who has given so generously of their time, energy, and financial resources are invited to a loan burning ceremony.
Following the ceremony, cake and ice cream and champagne will be served.
Dakota Farm Show Begins Today
(Vermillion,SD) — The 34th Annual Dakota Farm Show is scheduled to begin on Wednesday of this week and will continue through Friday. The farm trade show will again be held at the Dakota Dome in Vermillion, South Dakota, and according
to Penny Swank, the show’s manager, it will feature a large array of exhibitors.
Swank says new at the farm show will be several seminars scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday as hosted by South Dakota State University southeast research
center.
She says the initial seminar to be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. will feature Iowa State University Extension Climatologist Elwynn Taylor as he discusses weather patterns and its relationship to crop production.Despite the fact the farm economy is down with falling commodity prices, Swank
expects to see a good attendance at the annual farm show, and she says farmers and ranchers are interested in seeing the equipment.
There is no admission charge for the Dakota Farm Show, and the hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday’s hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Branstad Suggests Voters Show An ID
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad says it “makes sense” for Iowa to consider legislation that would require voters to show identification when casting an election ballot.
The Republican governor told reporters Tuesday that such a requirement would ensure voters are valid and aren’t voting in more than one state. State officials do not track voter fraud statewide, but cases of fraudulent voting are exceedingly rare in Iowa.
Branstad says the state Secretary of State’s Office is working with members of the Iowa Legislature to introduce legislation that could make changes to Iowa’s voting system, though details are still being sorted out. Branstad says the goal is voter integrity, though it’s still unclear if voter identification
will be included in any proposed legislation.
The new GOP-majority Legislature convenes Monday.
Video Of Patrol Trooper Striking Suspect Released
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police video shows an Iowa trooper jammed the barrel of his loaded rifle into the shoulder of a suspect at the end of a police chase, leaving the man injured.
The Associated Press obtained the video through an Iowa open records law request. It shows suspect Shanne Arre reacting in pain after Iowa State Patrol officer Jeremy Probasco strikes him with the weapon.
Arre admits he was on drugs when he fled from officers trying to stop him for speeding on June 21, 2015. He eventually crashed in a ditch.
Video shows officers using flashlights to search for Arre in tall grass before one spots him. Probasco directs him to put his hands “in the small of your back.” Probasco stuck the barrel of his rifle into Arre’s shoulder blade.
That incident happened in Plymouth County.
Flu Strikes Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials are reporting outbreaks of two wintertime viruses, norovirus and the flu.
Experts say flu and norovirus are often mistaken for each other even though their symptoms differ. Flu viruses tend to cause coughing, sneezing, body aches and fevers. Noroviruses tend to cause vomiting and diarrhea.
The Iowa Public Health Department also says a second confirmed flu victim has been reported – an elderly man with underlying health conditions in central Iowa. The state’s first confirmed flu death this season was recorded Dec. 19.
The department’s medical director, Patricia Quinlisk, says that she’s particularly concerned because of a rare occurrence this flu season: All four main flu strains are circulating in
the state.
Quinlisk says it’s not too late to get a flu shot.
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Ames Man That Fell Off A Cliff Has Been Identified
BOONE, Iowa (AP) – A man who died after a fall at a central Iowa state park has been identified as an Ames resident.
The state Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday identified the fall victim as 63-year-old Danny Dean Carlile.
Carlile was among about 100 people who joined for a New Year’s Day hike Sunday morning at Ledges State Park, south of Boone.
Carlile had left a trail to take photos at an overlook known as Solstice Rock when he lost his footing and fell about 60 feet.
He was flown to a Des Moines hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Des Moines Man Charged With Murder Following Stabbing Death
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have charged a man with murder in the stabbing death of a man at a Des Moines home.
Des Moines police say detectives arrested 69-year-old Milton Leak and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of 55-year-old Andrea (ahn- dray) Brown.
Officers were called to investigate a stabbing Monday afternoon on the east side of Des Moines. Medics took Brown to a hospital, where he died about an hour later.
Leak was being held Tuesday in the Polk County Jail.
Online court records didn’t indicate whether Leak has an attorney who could comment on the charges against him.
