County Road C-60 Paving Project
(Le Mars) — A construction project involving paving county road C-60 has begun and is scheduled to continue until for the next few months. Plymouth County engineer Tom Rohe says contractors are removing a couple of bridges in preparation for the paving project.
Rohe discusses the timetable for the paving project.
Rohe says it will be awhile before traffic will be allowed back on county road C-60.
The county engineer talks about the price tag to the county for the paving project.
Rohe says also scheduled for this week is the start to a bridge replacement project.
Plymouth County Authorities Investigate Accident
(Le Mars) — On Friday evening at 6:59pm, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office investigated a personal injury accident on C-60 1 mile east of K18S in SW Plymouth County. The vehicle was a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado traveling west on C-60. The driver lost control on the gravel and entered the south ditch. The
vehicle rolled and came to a rest on its wheels. Akron ambulance, Akron Fire Department, and Siouxland Paramedics responded to the scene. The driver, James Peterson age 41 of Sioux City, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was
transported to Mercy Medical in Sioux City. The accident is under investigation. Alcohol and excessive speed appear to be a factor in the accident.
Governor Reynolds To Lead Trade Mission To China
(Des Moines) — Governor Kim Reynolds will be in China in July, along with representatives of nine groups that represent Iowa farmers.
Former Governor Terry Branstad should be in residence at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Beijing by then. The trip is also timed to coincide with the expected end of the Chinese embargo against U.S. beef that’s been in effect for 13 years.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association C-E-O Matt Deppe (DEHP-ee) will also go on the trade mission to China.
Deppe says it appears the Chinese are interested in cuts of beef like chuck roast that are popular in the U.S. as well as cuts that don’t sell well here, like beef tongue.
Leaders of the Iowa Pork Producers, the Iowa Corn Growers, the Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau will be on the trip, along with commodity groups representing Iowa’s poultry and dairy industries. The trade mission starts July 19th and the group plans to return on July 28th. The Iowa delegation
will stop in three Chinese cities — Beijing, Shanghai and Xian (SEE-yen).
Reynolds led several trade missions over the past six years as lieutenant governor and this will be her sixth trip to China.
Iowa Soybean Association C-E-O Kirk Leeds (like the word “leads”) says China imports about 60 percent of the soybeans that are grown in the world.
The Iowa Soybean Association has invested about a million dollars in a “fish farm” in China and the Iowa group will visit the facility during their trade trip.
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Jury Selection Begins For Beef Products, Inc. Lawsuit Against ABC News
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Jury selection is set to start in a defamation case over ABC news reports on a South Dakota meat producer’s lean, finely textured beef product, which critics dubbed “pink slime.” Dakota Dunes-based Beef Products Inc. sued the TV network in 2012. It says ABC misled consumers into
believing the product is unsafe, leading to layoffs and plant closures. ABC says it accurately presented views and information on a matter of public interest. Jury selection begins Wednesday.
Woman Walking Along I-29 Is Hit By Semi Truck
NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (AP) – There’s more information about the body of a woman found along the interstate near North Sioux City.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the woman was walking along Interstate 29 in the dark when she was struck by a semi. Her body was found early Sunday.
She has not been identified.
Authorities have talked to the semi driver, but no charges are pending.
Sioux City Man Charged With Choking Son
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man has been accused of punching and choking his 12-year-old son and assaulting other members of his family.
Court records say 35-year-old JT Ring is charged with child endangerment causing serious injury, two counts of assault, one count of domestic abuse assault and with violation of parole. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.
Ring was arrested Monday evening after getting into an argument with his son and others at a Sioux City home. Police say Ring was angered when his son took away his alcohol, so he punched him and started to choke him. Police say Ring also pushed his mother and punched his 11-year-old niece.
Ring is due in court Tuesday.
State Senator Whitver Denies Security Detail
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Now second in Iowa’s line of succession, Senate President Jack Whitver is declining to receive a security detail that is customarily provided to the top two state officials.
Iowa State Patrol spokesman Scott Bright confirmed Tuesday the agency offered “executive protection” to Whitver when he became Iowa’s second-highest ranking official last week. Such protection is normally provided by troopers who travel with the governor, first lady and lieutenant governor.
Gov. Terry Branstad resigned last week to become U.S. ambassador to China.
That made Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds the governor and Whitver, an Ankeny Republican, next in line should Reynolds leave office before January 2019. Whitver, a 36- year-old married father of three, declined the patrol’s offer.
Reynolds has appointed Adam Gregg as acting lieutenant governor, but he won’t receive a security detail since he’s not in the line of succession.
Ernst and Grassley Say “Obamacare” Not Likely To Be Repealed By U-S Senate
ALTOONA, Iowa (AP) – Two Iowa Republican senators say the long-promised repeal of “Obamacare” is unlikely, and any final agreement with the Republican- controlled House is uncertain.
The comments Tuesday by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst come as the Republican-controlled Senate moves forward on its work to dismantle the 2010 health care bill. They are facing conflicting demands within their own party and lockstep Democratic opposition. Both senators are active players in the
health care debate.
It was a frank admission from loyal conservatives representing a state Republican Donald Trump carried in November.
Authorities Identify Fatal Fire Victims From Des Moines Apartment Fire
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police have identified three of four people killed last week following a Des Moines apartment fire.
Des Moines police said in a news release Tuesday that 57-year-old Rosetta Toole, 71-year-old Henry Ellis, and 32-year-old Christopher Lander all died from injuries suffered in Thursday’s fire at the Eddy Apartments, about two miles west of downtown Des Moines.
Police say Toole and Ellis died at local hospitals, while Lander died at a hospital in Iowa City.
Police say the fourth victims’ identity had not yet been confirmed by Tuesday. Police have said that one person killed in the fire will have to be identified through DNA testing.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
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