Plymouth County Authorities Identify Fatal Accident Victim
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County authorities have identified the victims from Tuesday’s fatal accident that occurred on Highway 3 about two miles east of Le Mars. The accident happened at about 12:35 p.m. 89 year old Therese Freking of Le Mars was fatally wounded as a result of the accident. Freking was driving a
2000 Buick heading westbound when she lost control of her vehicle from the snow and ice, and moved into the path of a Chevy Traverse going eastbound on Highway
3, and driven by Susan Sievers of Remsen. Sievers was unable to avoid the Freking vehicle and struck the right side of the Buick. Sievers was injured during the accident, and was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare. The investigation is continuing by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State
Patrol, and the Plymouth County Medical Examiner. Road and weather conditions were a factor in the accident.
Boss Loses Court Appeal
(Sioux City) — A Remsen man convicted of first degree murder in 2002 has been denied a second appeal in his case from the Iowa District Court for Plymouth County.
Donald Boss had raised numerous claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and argued that district court incorrectly dismissed his post conviction relief application due to untimeliness.
The Iowa Court of Appeals denied his latest appeal because he filed the application more than three years after the statute of limitations expired on that type of appeal.
Boss was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of his 10 year old son Timothy in 2002.
Boss then buried the boy’s body beneath the family’s home in Remsen. He is serving life in prison for the crime.
Ebert Changes Plea
(Le Mars) — The woman accused of purposly wrecking her vehicle into another on-coming car, and injuring her passenger, herself, and the other driver has now changed her plea. Melissa Ebert was originally scheduled to face her sentencing hearing after presenting an Alford plea. An Alford plea doesen’t admit guilt or innocence, but is used when a defendant realizes the prosecutor may have evidence that would count against a person. Ebert, of Cherokee, has now said she wants to plead not guilty. Trial is set for February 13th.
Fire Academy Official Charged With Misconduct
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former Iowa fire academy manager has been charged with making up scores on tests that were used to improperly certify more than 1,700 firefighters and emergency responders.
A criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday alleges that former Fire Services Training Bureau certification manager John McPhee assigned “random scores to exams” without properly checking or correcting them.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety revealed that the bureau issued nearly 2,300 improper certifications to 1,706 firefighters and emergency personnel between 2012 and 2016. In each case, they were told that they had scored high enough to pass exams when they had not. Many departments require their firefighters to have certification, although it isn’t state-mandated.
Advocates for firefighters said Wednesday they fear the impact will be significant, undermining trust in their profession and requiring hundreds to retake tests they thought they’d passed long ago.
McPhee was arrested Tuesday on charges of misconduct in office and tampering with records. He didn’t immediately return a message left with his wife.
Legislative Committee Considering Banning Soda Drinks Purchases With Food Stamps
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Members of a legislative panel say they need more information before taking action on a bill that would prohibit people from using food stamps to buy soda or other carbonated beverages.
The bill introduced by Sen. Amy Sinclair, a Republican from Wayne, would prohibit people from using food stamps to buy carbonated beverages. Such efforts have been launched elsewhere to prevent food stamp recipients from buying soda or
other junk food, but legislators say the Iowa proposal was intended to stop the purchase of containers that could be returned for a recycling deposit.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa called the legislation an overreach by the government to control purchases by low-income Iowa families.
The three-member panel opted Wednesday to review more information before taking action on the proposal.
Pork Producers Gather in Des Moines For Iowa Pork Congress
(Des Moines) — Pork producers from across the state and the Midwest are gathering in Des Moines this week for the annual Iowa Pork Congress. Ron Birkenholz, Communications Director with the Iowa Pork Producers Association says
discussion will focus on the low market prices and expansion within the pork industry.
Birkenholz says producers are anxiously awaiting for two new pork processing plants to start operations. One to be located in north-central Iowa, and the other is being constructed in Sioux City.
The Iowa Pork Producers spokesman says despite the large surplus of pork supplies, consumer demand has been holding strong.
