Home News Monday Afternoon News, June 5th

Monday Afternoon News, June 5th

Fire Department Responds To Backhoe Excavator That Caught On Fire

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to 16036 county road K-22 this afternoon at about 12:30 p.m. for a backhoe excavator that had caught on fire. The operator says the machine stopped running, and moments
later, caught on fire. There was a nearby pile of trees that were on fire, but the operator claims the machine did not catch on fire as a result of the burn pile. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Wise says the Komatzu Excavator was a total loss and estimates the value at $80,000. Firefighters used a fire retardant foam
to help extinguish the blaze on both the backhoe excavator and the tree pile.
Firefighters were on the scene for nearly two hours.

 

 

Eagle Sculpture Now Positioned Above Former Westar College 

(Le Mars) — A new sculpture is located on the grounds of the former Westmar College, near Veterans Memorial Park. It is a flying eagle in honor of the college that once educated thousands of students. The eagle was the brainchild of Al Mazer. Mazer organized a group to discuss the feasibility of erecting an
eagle sculpture. Barb Wernli-Collins, who is a direct descendant of Jacob Wernli, the founder of Western-Union and later Westmar College wanted to be included with the organization. Barb says she remembers family members would talk fondly about Jacob Wernli at family picnics and family reunions.

Barb is a 1973 graduate of Westmar College, and has fond memories of the former college.

The eagle sculpture is to be dedicated in honor of Jacob Wernli, since the former dormitory hall named after Wernli has been torn down. Barb Collins says others would ask her why there wasn’t something in place recognizing the efforts of Jacob Wernli.

Barb Collins says her great-grandfather used his own funds to build what would later be known as Westmar College. Barb and Steve Collins say the entire appearance of the eagle was left to local sculptor Terry Utesch.

Both Barb and Steve Collins say they are pleased with the final appearance of the eagle sculpture, and they believe it will help draw additional tourism to the city of Le Mars. Steve Collins says a majority of the donations came from past Westmar alumni.

Steve Collins wants to remind others that this was a local project with people from Le Mars serving on the committee, and the sculpture being created by Le Mars resident Terry Utesch, and Gus Pech serving as the place to construct and create the eagle sculpture.

The sculpture weighs more than 1,400 pounds. The eagle’s dimensions include a wing-span of 14 feet, and measures five feet tall from talon to wingtip. Steve Collins says there are more than 4,000 individual steel feathers that make up the sculpture. Next to the eagle is a small park with benches. There is a “W”
within the bricks beneath the eagle sculpture to indicate the connection to Westmar College. A dedication ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 10th at 4:00 p.m. The small park will now be known as Wernli Plaza in honor of its founder Jacob Wernli.

 

 

Le Mars City Council Approves To Authorize Ply-Wood Trail

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) – City officials in Le Mars are moving forward with a proposed trail connecting the community with Sioux City after the $10 million project was delayed amid liability and maintenance concerns.
The Le Mars City Council voted to serve as the contracting authority for developing and constructing the 16-mile trail.
Plans for the project hit a roadblock over which entity would own the segment in unincorporated areas of Plymouth County.
The City Council will work with two smaller towns along the route – Merrill and Hinton – to create an agreement over ownership and maintenance of the trail.
The PlyWood trail will run within Plymouth County and Woodbury County. Construction could begin in late 2018, after financing is finalized and easements settled.

 

 

Reynolds Concerned About State Revenue Not Meeting Expectations

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she’s monitoring a decline in state revenue for the current budget year but didn’t specify what she’ll do if there is a shortfall.
Reynolds told reporters Monday she will meet soon with budget officials within her administration to discuss options regarding the budget year that ends this month.
The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency released a report recently that indicated Iowa’s revenue growth rate is below projections. If it continues, it could mean a shortfall of about $100 million in the roughly $7.2 billion state
budget.
Lawmakers made reductions to state agencies in response to shortfalls reported late last year and in March. The state also dipped into a rainy day fund.
Reynolds says the state’s incoming revenue receipts fluctuate and no decision has been made.

 

 

Governor Reynolds Defends Use Of Lobbyist Private Plane

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is defending her use of a jet owned by a wealthy businessman who is lobbying the state to build a casino, and Reynolds said she might do it again.
Reynolds said Monday that asking businessman Gary Kirke for use of his private airplane was legal. The Republican governor said she’d seek such travel arrangements on a case-by-case basis.
Kirke helps oversee Wild Rose Entertainment, which is competing for a state license to build a casino in Cedar Rapids.
Reynolds says the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which will decide this year whether to grant a license, is independent from her office. Reynolds will make at least two appointments next year to the five-member commission, which also regulates Kirke’s other casinos.
Reynolds also defended that people linked to the casino will host a private fundraiser for her this month.