Authorities Investigate Rear-end Accident On Highway 75
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office along with the Le Mars Police Department are investigating an auto accident that happened this morning on Highway 75, just past the county road C-38 intersection, in front of the NIPCO offices. The accident was reported at about 10:15 a.m. Apparently, a car had
pulled out in front of pick-up truck, pulling a trailer. The car was unable to get up to traffic speed when the pick-up truck had rear-ended the car. A lady was driving a car, and suffered minor injuries. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department along with the Le Mars Ambulance also responded to the accident scene.
City Leaders Seek Public Input On Comprehensive Plan
(Le Mars) — Le Mars city officials are asking the public to review the draft copy of the City Comprehensive Plan. SIMPCO officials assisted with the compilation and gathering of data and information. The comprehensive plan looked at many different areas involving the city, such as transportation needs, land-
usage, housing, facilities, and etc. City Administrator, Scott Langel encourages people to review the draft proposal.
Langel says the comprehensive plan will give community and civic leaders some direction and focus for the next couple of decades.
Langel says there are some deadlines which the city council has imposed for the review of the draft copy of the comprehensive plan.
Copies of the draft comprehensive plan have been placed at several locations within the city of Le Mars, including the public library, the city offices, Floyd Valley Healthcare’s waiting lobby, Hy Vee, and at Well’s Enterprises. Langel says residents can also view the comprehensive report on line.
Again, the deadline to submit comments for the city comprehensive plan is February 8th.
Legislators Listen To Constituent’s Concerns At Forums
(Remsen) — State legislators Bill Anderson of Pierson and Chuck Holz of Le Mars held four legislative forums in four different communities on Saturday morning.
During the forum held at Remsen, 21 people attended to inquire about various bills that are being introduced in the state legislature. Anderson says each of the four forums had attendance of a dozen to 21 people with Remsen having the
largest gathering. The topics of discussion ranged from education spending for community colleges to standards for home schooling. State Senator Anderson explains red-light cameras, and water quality, along with tax coupling were some
of the other topics that were discussed during the forums.
Last Thursday afternoon, the State Senate passed the measure that will again balance the fiscal budget from last year. The state’s budget was estimated to be a shortfall by as much as $117 million dollars. The state House of Representatives is expected to act on the budget measure today. Anderson says
the vote was divided along political party lines.
Anderson talks about the next agenda item for the state senate as they will look at regulations and the impact on society.
Branstad Says He Won’t “Second Guess” Trump’s Position On Immigration
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he won’t “second guess” President Donald Trump’s travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries despite growing criticism on its rollout.
Branstad declined to answer questions Monday on whether he supported the ban or its weekend implementation. It caused confusion at airports around the country and involved the detainment of individuals with legal documentation to enter the
country.
The ban affects travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
Branstad, expected to be the next U.S. ambassador to China, says those countries have “significant instability” and he supports additional vetting. He declined to address the fact that some affected individuals already undergo a lengthy vetting process and that the travel ban excludes countries with ties to U.S. terror attacks.
Iowa State Told To Re-hire Counselor
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University will rescind the 2015 firing of its longtime student counseling director, who alleged he was let go after warning about potentially dangerous shortages in mental health services.
An agreement signed by ISU President Steven Leath this month resolves allegations of whistleblower retaliation, defamation and age discrimination that Terry Mason had made.
The settlement changes Mason’s dismissal to a retirement, which makes him eligible for medical benefits and a payout for unused sick leave.
The settlement says Iowa State disputes the allegations made by Mason, who’d been director of the ISU Student Counseling Service since 1993 and was an assistant vice president.
Mason’s complaint says he warned in 2012 that it was only a matter of time before a “mental health-related disaster would occur on campus” due to a shortage of counselors. The complaint alleged his requests for more resources were largely ignored.
Waukee Students Charged With Extortion
WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) – Police say two students have been charged with extorting $1,350 from an assistant principal at Waukee High School who has resigned.
Police say 40-year-old Josh Smith on Wednesday reported the students’ attempts. Police have not released the 17-year-olds’ names. Waukee Police Sgt. Jeremy Long declined to say Monday whether the money had exchanged hands. A public phone listing for Smith couldn’t be found Monday.
Waukee school district officials reported Friday that Smith resigned following an internal investigation. A district spokeswoman wouldn’t say whether Smith was asked to quit or how long the investigation had been underway. He’d worked for the district since 2015
A posting on the district’s Facebook page says the district can’t publicly share details about personnel disciplinary action, because the information is confidential.
