Home News Wednesday News, April 26th

Wednesday News, April 26th

Le Mars Resident Addresses City Council About Dog Control

(Le Mars) — Does Le Mars have a problem with unrestrained dogs? During last week’s city council meeting, Sally Smith of 227 5th Ave Southeast appeared before the council to inform them she has had many recent encounters with dogs
that were not on a lease or confined. Smith encouraged the city council to consider a ban on pit bulls, claiming many other communities have already placed a ban on the breed of dog. She told council members about two pit bull dogs that
were close to her home that have attacked her dog.

Smith claims there are two pit bull dogs at the same residence.

City councilman Clark Goodchild said he would like the city to re-visit its code regarding dogs. Le Mars Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga informed the council that the police department did a follow up investigation and spoke to the owners of the pit bull dogs. Dekkenga says the owners have agreed to re-locate the dog to a residence outside the city limits. City code enforcement officer Greg Smidt says the city doesn’t have any breed specific ordinance. He spoke to the city council and re-iterated the city’s code regarding vicious dogs.

Smidt, a former Le Mars Police Officer, says he can’t recall any particular breed of dog being more troublesome than other breeds.

Councilman Goodchild says he would like the city to hire someone for animal control. He believes the problem isn’t necessarily with the dogs, as it is with the dog owners.

 

Le Mars Community School Foundation Banquet Scheduled For Tonight

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School District Foundation and the Le Mars Community School Alumni Association will be holding their annual banquet this evening in the lower level of the Le Mars Convention Center. During the banquet, retiring Middle School Social Studies teacher Mark Vonnahme will be
presented the “Crystal Bell Award” acknowledging him as the “Teacher of the Year.” Keith Renken will be presented the “Distinguished Alumnus Award,” and the top five percent of the Senior class will be recognized. In addition, the banquet will also honor those faculty and staff members from Le Mars Community
School District who were awarded the “Employee of the Month.” Faculty and staff that have been employed with the Le Mars Community School District for 25 years will also be formally recognized.

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Future Uncertain For the Badgerow Building In Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A California-based developer has defaulted on a $6 million bond agreement, raising questions about the future of the Badgerow Building, a 12-story art deco structure built in 1933 that has fallen into disrepair in Sioux City.

The Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust filed for foreclosure on the building earlier this month, saying Mako One Corp., its managing partner Bruce DeBolt and two other limitedliability companies owe more than $4.4 million in principal, interest and
advances.

Officials with the bank say the default puts the issuance of state and federal tax credits in jeopardy, leaving it at risk of losing “a significant portion” of collateral.

The bank has asked a judge to appoint a receiver to take over the property.

DeBolt didn’t immediately return the Associated Press’ messages seeking comment.

 

 

Governor Branstad To Appear Before Senate Committee For Confirmation To Be Ambassador To China

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A U.S. Senate committee has scheduled a hearing to consider Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s nomination as ambassador to China.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced Tuesday it will hold a hearing May 2 to discuss Branstad’s nomination. A spokesman for the Republican governor says it’s unclear if the committee will vote that day. Branstad will also need approval from the full Senate.
Branstad is scheduled to be in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday for meetings related to his confirmation.
Branstad has served as Iowa’s governor for 23 years, making him the longest-serving governor in U.S. history. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to become governor if Branstad is confirmed to the diplomatic post.

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Cool, Wet Weather Delay Plantings

(Le Mars) — This past week has been both a blessing and a curse for area farmers. The good news was that we did have a nice warm weekend that allowed farmers to finally get into their fields. However, the bad news is the constant cool temperatures and wet conditions continue to persist, pushing farmers even further behind normal planting schedules. Farmers appreciate rains, but not if it prevents them from doing their fieldwork.

According to the latest weekly crop condition report, Iowa farmers have only been able to plant eight percent of the state’s corn crop. Compared to a year ago, farmers this year are nine days behind last year’s pace and three days behind the five-year average.

Nebraska farmers are in a better position with nearly 17 percent of the state’s corn crop having been planted. South Dakota farmers have only had three percent of the corn acreage planted.

 

As far as soil moisture levels are concerned, they are actually in good shape for the state of Iowa. Topsoil moisture levels were rated as zero percent as very short, one percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated nearly the same with one percent very short, three percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. As for soil temperatures, in most locations within northwest Iowa, the four-inch soil temperatures have been holding at 50 degrees. Agriculture officials would like to see the soil temperatures higher than 50 degrees for ideal crop development.

Agriculture officials say farmers are still within the window of opportunity before we would notice any significant yield reduction. However, if the cool and wet conditions continue, corn planted after May 5th could start to see a potential yield lost of a few bushels.

 

 

Bachelor Star Arrested After Leaving The Scene Of A Fatal Accident  

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa authorities have arrested former “The Bachelor” star Chris Soules, alleging that he fled the scene of a deadly traffic accident.
The Iowa State Patrol reports that a pickup truck rear-ended a tractor on a highway in Buchanan County on Monday night, sending both vehicles into a ditch and killing the tractor driver, whose name wasn’t released.
The crash happened on County Highway 45, about 15 miles south of Soules’ farm in Arlington, which is about 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of Iowa City.
The county jail says the 35-year-old Soules was booked early Tuesday on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
Court records show that Soules was convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in 2006.
He starred on season 19 of the ABC reality show in 2015.