Fire Destroys Farm Home
(Le Mars) — Fire destroyed a two-story farm house Sunday afternoon located at 23804 county road C-16, about 14 miles to the northwest of Le Mars.
Firefighters from Le Mars, Ireton, Akron, Hawarden, Sioux Center, and Maurice responded to the blaze that was reported at about 5:45 p.m. Fire fighters had to contend with strong southerly winds that helped drive the fire to the main
portion of the home. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper explains the scene.
The home is owned by Melvin Plueger, who with his wife were able to escape the burning structure. Schipper says the fire started as a result of embers blowing from a nearby burn pile.
The Le Mars Fire Chief explains the path of the fire and how it had quickly spread.
Schipper says crews from Ireton and Le Mars attacked the fire from both outside and inside the home.
The old house is a total loss, and Schipper estimates the loss at nearly $250,000. There were no injuries associated with the fire. The American Red Cross has arrived to help the displaced family members. Also responding the to the fire were crews from the North West Rural Electric Cooperative, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Office Reports Family Has Heard From Kyle Sitzmann
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is reporting they have received information from a family member regarding Kyle Sitzmann of Hinton.
The 28-year old was reported as missing last Tuesday, April 18th. The family member reported that Kyle Sitzmann made contact with them and he is fine.
Meyers And Richter Presented “Spirit of Gehlen” Award
(Le Mars) — Friends of the Gehlen Ball were able to raise more than $265,000 during Saturday evening’s fund raising event. Specially, $265,858.40 will go to help the Catholic school with its expenses. Over the course of the 30 years of the existence of the Gehlen Ball, more than four million dollars has gone to the
school. During the Gehlen Ball, two recipients were awarded the prestigious “Spirit of the Peter J. Gehlen Award.” Stan and Bonnie Meyer of rural Ireton was presented with the honor by Father Kevin Richter. The Meyers received a thunderous applause and standing ovation when their names were mentioned as the
recipients. After Father Richter presented the award to the Meyers, Gehlen Ball co-chair Jeff Arens informed the gathering of a second deserving recipient for the annual award. It was apparent to everyone in the upper level of the Le Mars
Convention Center shortly after Jeff Arens began explaining the many accomplishments achieved by the individual that he was speaking of the popular priest and Gehlen Catholic president, Father Kevin Richter. Both the Meyers and Richter were surprised by the recognition and honor, and all were humbled.
Bonnie Myer explains what the award means to her.
In accepting the award, Bonnie Meyer told the crowd that “prayers really do work.” The Meyers have been supportive of many of Gehlen activities, but mostly have remained “behind the scenes” and are the unsung heroes of Gehlen Catholic.
The Meyers have volunteered to sell Football Mania raffle tickets, work in the concession stands, making telephone calls for the Gehlen Ball, prom, and more, as well as their continued service in the parish and community. The Meyers have
had a challenging year as their daughter Emily, currently a sophomore at Iowa State University, was a victim of a tragic auto accident that happened in June of 2016. Immediately, following the accident, Emily was unable to walk, but
with the thanks of prayers, hard work, and determination with her physical therapy, today, Emily is able to walk unassisted.
Father Richter said there will always be a special place in his heart for Gehlen Catholic, and the town of Le Mars. He spoke of wearing a green colored jacket with the Gehlen logo featured, and was approached by an individual and asked if he would be getting rid of the jacket, now that he will be moving to Carroll,
Iowa, and will be associated with Carroll Kemper Catholic School. Father Richter informed that individual and told the gathering at the Gehlen Ball, “Absolutely Not!”
Father Richter was joined on stage with his sisters and brothers, and their families.
Iowa Legislature Adjourns General Session
(Des Moines) — The 2017 General Session of the Iowa Legislature is now finally over.
That’s the state House of representatives as the gavel pounded marking the end of the session at about 6:10 a.m. this Saturday morning. Moments later, the State Senate finished with their work.
Once the session had ended, KLEM news visited with Republican State Representative Chuck Holz of Le Mars to get his assessment of this year’s legislative session.
The one issue that remained unresolved was funding water quality initiatives.
The Iowa Legislature failed to approve legislation that would have designated more funding for water quality initiatives.
The chambers bounced measures back and forth this week that proposed using existing state money for the effort. Lawmakers in the House couldn’t agree with a Senate plan to additionally use some gambling money in a few years.
Sen. Ken Rozenboom, an Oskaloosa Republican, said the Senate version of the bill was better. GOP Rep. Chip Baltimore, of Boone, called the lack of compromise disappointing.
Water quality was a top priority last session, but the split-party
Legislature back then was also unable to agree on spending.
The failed action comes as lawmakers finalized a roughly $7.2 billion state budget and adjourned the session.
Le Mars State Representative Chuck Holz says he was a bit disappointed that the lawmakers could not come to an agreement with water quality, but he says the two
sides are getting closer, and he remains optimistic that perhaps in the next session the two sides will come together on water quality.
Holz says the Iowa Department of Agriculture and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will still have some funds allocated to assist with water quality clean up programs.
Former Bakery Now A Micro Brewery
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – A once crumbling bakery in Waterloo that for decades produced Hostess Wonder Bread is now opening as a brewery, restaurant and distribution center.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (https://bit.ly/2oSkv5w ) reports that SingleSpeed Brewing Co. opened Thursday for a soft opening this weekend.
The facility can hold 500 with seating for 300, and will include a full menu to complement 10 beers on tap. An outdoor beer garden scheduled to open this summer can hold an additional 125.
The beer hall will also appeal to children with a large kids zone hosting games, Legos, art supplies, a chalkboard, magnet board and little stools and tables.
SingleSpeed David Morgan decided to decorate the facility with various bicycle-themed accessories.
Morgan said the company has a target of opening to the public next week.
—
Bulldog Selected As Mascot of Drake Relays
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The blue tutu and diamond necklace that Prudence was wearing helped win over the judges at this year’s Beautiful Bulldog contest at Drake University.
The 2 1/2-year-old bulldog owned by Angela and Tom Miller of Des Moines won the contest on Sunday. The tongue-in-cheek contest is the opening event of the
Drake Relays, a prestigious track and field meet to be held at Drake Stadium.
Drake athletic director Sandy Hatfield, who served as a judge, says Prudence is “just gorgeous.”
Student body President Thalia Anguiana was another judge. She says there’s just something about Prudence’s face that made her beautiful.
More than 1,000 people watched the contest as 38 bulldogs competed. Another 4,000 watched live online.
Photo courtesy of the Des Moines Register
