Home News Thursday News, March 23rd

Thursday News, March 23rd

Akron and Hawarden Fire Departments Battle Machine Shed Fire

(Akron) — Akron and Hawarden Fire Departments responded to a structure fire yesterday. Akron’s fire chief Shane Coyle says the fire started in the late afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. in the 1800 block of county road K-13. Coyle explains a machine shed was totally destroyed as a result of the fire.

Coyle says the fire started from a burn barrel.

Firefighters were on the scene of the fire for nearly six hours, watching for any hot spots to re-appear. Coyle says more than 40 big round hay bales were destroyed from the fire, and the machine shed, which was totally destroyed measured approximately 50 feet by 100 feet. While battling the blaze at the
machine shed, Coyle says firefighters were concerned about a nearby fuel storage tank.

Coyle estimates the loss at more than $50,000.

 

 

North West Rural Electric Cooperative Holds Annual Meeting

(Le Mars) — Members of the North West Rural Electical Cooperative held its annual meeting and banquet last evening at the Le Mars High School. Lyle Korver serves as the Executive Director and General Manager with the North West Electrical Cooperative, and says last year was a good year for the power utility cooperative.

Korver says some of the environmental regulations that were put in place for utility companies under the Obama administration are now showing signs of relaxing under the Trump administration.

Korver highlighted some of the economic development projects in which the electricl cooperative has been involved. He says although the local R-E-C has fewer farms to serve, they have been able to increase their wattage through some
of the economic development avenues such as commercial livestock operations, and ethanol processing plants as some examples.

 

Extension To Hold Wildlife Management Seminar

(Le Mars) — Are you having problems with wildlife eating your garden, or interfering in some way with your property? Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Plymouth County will be hosting a seminar entitled: “Managing Property for Wildlife”. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday evening beginning
at 6:30 p.m. at the Plymouth County Extension offices. Extension Program Coordinator Janelle Johnson offers an explanation about the program.

Johnson,Janelle-X2

Johnson says the seminar will deal with specific tactics on how to deal with wildlife.

Johnson says if you have an interest in attending the wildlife seminar you should notify the Plymouth County Extension offices at (712) 546-7835.

 

Iowa Senate Discusses Traffic Cameras

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate has approved a bill that would impose new rules for traffic enforcement cameras, but lawmakers rejected a proposed ban on the devices.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2ngjeo5 ) the Senate approved the bill Wednesday night after amending it to retain the cameras and impose the new rules.
Sen. Brad Zaun of Urbandale had sought to end use of the cameras but senators on a bipartisan vote decided to change the bill.
The cameras are used in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Muscatine, Davenport, Windsor Heights, Fort Dodge and Polk County.
The new rules would require officials to justify use of the cameras, and money generated from tickets would only go toward road construction or public safety.
The measure heads to the House.

 

Senate Committe Says No To Raising Minimum Wage And Overrides Counties Minimum Wage Increases

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Senate committee has approved a bill that would ban local governments from raising the minimum hourly wage in Iowa, effectively causing pay cuts for some workers.
The 9-6 vote Wednesday by the Senate State Government Committee means the bill is now available for debate in the full Republican-controlled chamber, where it has support.
The GOP-led House passed the bill this month. The pending vote in the Senate would be the final legislative action on the bill before it’s sent to Gov. Terry Branstad. The Republican governor has indicated he backs the legislation.
The bill would prohibit cities or counties from adopting or enforcing ordinances that raise the minimum hourly wage above the state level of $7.25.
That would override wage increases approved in Polk, Johnson, Linn and Wapello counties.

 

Iowa House Acts On Domestic Violence Bill

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa House is considering a bill to establish mandatory minimum sentences for some people convicted of domestic abuse. The Republican-controlled House is expected to vote on the legislation Thursday. It would create mandatory minimums for some abuse, harassment and
stalking convictions.  Individuals convicted of domestic abuse three or more times would be required to serve 20 percent of the maximum sentence before eligibility for parole. The bill also requires risk assessments for some individuals before
release and expands GPS tracking. Supporters of the legislation say it would reassure abuse survivors.
Groups opposing the bill say lengthening prison sentences will only increase Iowa’s incarceration rate and not address roots of domestic violence.The House voted Monday in favor of sentencing reform for non-violent drug crimes to reduce prison crowding.