American Legion To Dedicate Flags At Courthouse Lawn
(Le Mars) — Today is Memorial Day and members of the Wasmer Post #241 American Legion of Le Mars will again host the flag dedication ceremonies to be held at the grounds of the Plymouth County Courthouse. This is the 52nd year for the annual flag dedication and the naming of the past honored veterans. Past Post Commander Wayne Schipper says the Memorial Day Parade will begin to form at 9:00 a.m. and will head south on Central Avenue at about 9:30 a.m. with the program to begin at 10:00 a.m.
The American Legionnaire talks about the flags to be dedicated this year.
Schipper says Pat Murphy will again read the 1300-plus names of those being remembered.
Remsen and Oyens To Hold Memorial Day Programs
(Remsen) — The annual Memorial Day program at Remsen and Oyens, sponsored by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, will be held this morning at the Remsen and Oyens cemeteries. Mass will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Mary’s cemetery, followed by the traditional services at the memorial site at the cemetery. The main program is scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Dennis Martens of the Christ Lutheran Church will serve as the speaker for today’s ceremonies. Master of ceremonies will be Bob Gengler. Following the speaker, will be the “Avenue of Flags” roll call, then the wreath presentation and the salute to the colors by the American Legion and V-F-W color guard. The flags of 355 veterans will be flown on the Avenue of Flags on Washington Street Blvd., Happy Sieseta Health Care Center, Bavarian Meadows, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and at the cemetery. Oyens will have its own “Avenue of Flags” with 79 veterans flags located along the driveway at the cemetery of Oyens.
Reynolds Orders Flags To Fly At Half-Staff
(Des Moines) — In honor of Memorial Day, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff between sunrise and 12:00 noon. Flags will be at half-staff on the state capitol building and on flag displays in the capitol complex. All public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
Reynolds Feeling Comfortable With Governor’s Job
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Kim Reynolds acknowledges growing more comfortable with her ascent to Iowa’s job after her mentor’s appointment as U.S. ambassador to China.
Reynolds officially took over Wednesday from Terry Branstad, the nation’s longest-serving governor.
She had been a county official, state senator and lieutenant governor but says that until recently, she’d been reluctant to pursue the governorship. And now in the role of his chosen successor, the groundwork is in place to run for the office herself next year.
Reynolds not only shed her reluctance but acknowledges being somewhat envious watching Branstad sign landmark legislation in the just-ended session. It was the first since 1998 that Republicans controlled the House, Senate and governor’s office.
Des Moines Apartment Fire Claims Fourth Fatality
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A fourth person has died from injuries received in a Des Moines apartment fire.
The Des Moines Register reports that a man being treated at a hospital died Friday from his injuries received in the Thursday fire that killed three others.
Police have not yet released the names of those killed, only that a 57-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man were among the dead. Police say the other person killed will have to be identified using DNA testing.
One other person remains hospitalized.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation.
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Fort Dodge Wants To Remove Dams On Des Moines River
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials hope to improve access to the Des Moines River with a plan that includes the removal of two dams.
The Messenger reports that Fort Dodge city officials and Webster county officials held an open house Wednesday to review the Des Moines River and Lizard Creek Water Trails and Corridor Plan.
Chad Schaeffer is the city’s director of engineering, business affairs and community growth. He says the two dams will be removed in the next two years. He says removal will be funded by about $2 million from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources clean water program and another $2 million from Fort Dodge’s capital improvements plan.
The final report will be reviewed by city council in the coming weeks.
More Memorial Day Traffic May Mean More Auto Accidents
(Le Mars) — Triple A of Iowa is predicting more traffic will be traveling on Iowa roads this Memorial Day weekend than in recent years. That may mean the possibility of additional vehicle accidents. Iowa State Patrol trooper Vince Kurtz says he wants to remind motorists the reason why we have Memorial Day.
Kurtz says law enforcement officials will be watching motorist during the long holiday weekend. The Iowa State Patrol trooper says the number of fatalities are down this year compared to this time last year.
We are all familiar with the term of designated driver, but Kurtz says we may also want to consider having a designated “texter.” He offers some driving tips.
Kurtz says to slow down, allow extra time to reach your destination, buckle up, avoid distractions, and drive defensively. The Iowa Highway Patrol trooper says there was one fatality from last year during the Memorial Day weekend.
