Westfield Woman Arrested For Methamphetamine Possession
(Le Mars) — On Friday morning at approximately 12:07 a.m., the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the area of Highway 12 and K18 N.
The driver, Abby Jean Bringman, age 29 of Westfield, Iowa was found to have a suspended Iowa driver’s license. Bringman was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Bringman was
arrested and charged with driving while suspended, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bringman was booked into the Plymouth County Jail and held on bond.
Sheriff’s Office Investigating Farm Auction Theft
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a theft from a farm auction. In early February, an farm auction was held at the Mike Wiener farm at 32502 Marble Avenue, Hinton, Iowa. An individual at the auction purchased over $7,000 worth of items using a fraudulent bidding number. Those items were a snowblower attachment for a skidloader, a post hole auger attachment for a skidloader, a Chicago portable generator, a large green tool cabinet, a tractor dual tire safety rack, and a meat slicer. The suspect is unknown at this
time.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is asking for assistance in identifying this suspect. If you or someone you know was at this sale and have any information that would help identify this suspect, please contact Deputy Leusink at the
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office at 712-546-8191.
Sheriff’s Office Warns People Of Phone Scams
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office wants to warn people of possible phone scams. Recently, the Sheriff’s Office investigated a theft by deception case. A victim from Plymouth County reported that they received a phone call from someone who said that they were the victim’s grandson. The
grandson claimed to be in trouble and requested the victim send bail money to get out of jail. The grandson was assisted by another individual who claimed to be a Miami Police officer. The victim sent $9,000 in two different transactions to
the suspects.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone of this common scam that has been around for quite some time. The perpetrators may use social media or other means to gather specific information to use to trick the victim.
Many times, they know the grandchild’s name and other personal information which adds to the believability of the scam. Please use extreme caution before giving money over the phone or through wire transfer or gift cards. Always ask questions to test the truthfulness of the person on the other end of the phone.
Plywood Conservation Board Says “No” To Plywood Trail
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Obstacles have arisen in the path of a proposed recreation trail between Le Mars and Sioux City.
The Plymouth County Conservation Board has declined ownership and maintenance responsibilities. Also, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors has told the PlyWood Trail Advisory Board that the county favors the project but only if no county property tax dollars will be sought for construction and maintenance.
PlyWood Trail leaders say that if Plymouth County officials don’t reverse their decisions, the trail leaders will approach the city councils in Le Mars and Sioux City about each city taking possession of segments of the trail closest to their respective boundaries.
The PlyWood name is derived from the first few letters of the neighboring counties of Plymouth and Woodbury.
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Former Branstad Budget Director Hopes Lawmakers Change IPERS Pension
(Des Moines) — One of Governor Branstad’s former budget directors says she hopes Iowa lawmakers tackle pension reform soon.
That’s Gretchen Tegeler (TEHG-ler, rhymes with “peg her”), who served as Branstad’s budget director in the 1990s. She is now president of the Taxpayers Association of Central Iowa. Branstad has indicated he wants Tegeler to be part of a review of public worker pensions.
While some public worker pension systems in other states are teetering toward insolvency, Iowa’s system was recently ranked as the 10th best positioned pension system in the country. There are four main systems for public worker pensions in Iowa, but by far the largest is the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, commonly called IPERS (EYE-perz). It covers more than 325-thousand current, former and retired employees of the state, counties, cities and school districts. Critics say new workers should no long be promised a defined pension, but instead should invest money in accounts similar to the 401-K programs in the private sector. The Republican leader in the Iowa Seante expressed support for that move three years ago. Tegeler made her comments during an appearance on Iowa Public Televions’s “Iowa Press” program.
Drive By Shootings Happen At Ames’ Campustown
(Ames) — Four men are jailed after a drive-by shooting in the Campustown area of Ames.
Officers were called to the area at 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning in reference to a fight. A short time later, a red passenger car stopped in the 200 block of Welch Avenue. Shots were fired into the crowd from the vehicle. Officers responded by firing into the suspect vehicle. The assailants then fled northbound on Welch Avenue and then west on Lincoln Way. Three victims were treated for gunshot wounds at the scene. One of the victims was taken to a Des Moines hospital and the other two to Mary Greeley Medical Center for treatment. It is believed that none of the injuries were life threatening. The names of those wounded have not been released. In a news release, Ames Police reported that 20-year-old Terrion Maxfield and 19-year-old Desmon Siner both of Milwaukee, Wisconsin were arrested by Fort Dodge Police for attempted murder. Both men were located at a Fort Dodge hospital with the suspect vehicle also located in Fort Dodge. Two other men, 20-year-old Charles Smith and 21-year-old Traveion D. Henry, both of Milwaukee were also arrested in Fort Dodge and charged with attempted murder-aiding and abetting. All four men are in the Story County Jail in Nevada. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is assisting the Ames Police Department in the investigation. The officers involved in the shooting will be placed on administrative leave pending a review by Ames Police.
FFA Chapters To Celebrate National FFA Week
(Des Moines) — Today marks the start of F-F-A Week in Iowa. Scott Johnson, executive secretary for the Iowa F-F-A Association, says the theme for the week-long observance is “Transform: Purpose to Action.” The week signals not only the 70th annual F-F-A Week but another special date for the program.
That laid the foundation for creation of the F-F-A just 11 years later. Johnson says there will be special events statewide to honor of F-F-A Week, including Drive Your Tractor to School Day in some areas.
Iowa has 232 chapters of F-F-A and last year counted 14-thousand-700 members statewide.
