Hy Vee Truck Collides With Passenger Car At Business Highway 75 and Highway 3 intersection
(Le Mars) — A collision between a Hy Vee semi truck and trailer and a passenger car happened Monday evening at the intersection of Highway 3 and Business Highway 75 near the Bob’s Drive-Inn. The accident occurred at about 7:20 p.m.
Responding to the accident scene were the Le Mars Ambulance and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, along with the Le Mars Police Department and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. According to witness accounts the Hy Vee semi truck
and trailer was heading west on Highway 3 when it had apparently drove through the stop light hitting a Chrysler 200 car traveling northbound on Business Highway 75. The driver of the semi truck did not sustain any injuries, however,
the Le Mars Ambulance did transport three accident victims from the Chrysler car to the Floyd Valley Healthcare. It is not known the severity of those injuries.
The names of the accident are not known at this time. Police are saying sun glare may have been a contributing factor for that accident. The Le Mars Police Department is investigating the accident.
Le Mars Police Release Information From Friday Morning Accident
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has released additional information regarding the auto accident that happened last Friday morning near the Casey’s General Store. Tracey Lamoreux, age 51 of Le Mars was northbound on Business
Highway 75 in a 2008 Jeep Wrangler. Sondra Pageler, age 49 of Le Mars was turning left from 1st St. SW onto Business Highway 75 in a 2009 Chevy Traverse.
Pageler failed to see Lamoreux due to a vehicle in the inside lane making a right turn onto 1st St. SW.
Pageler was cited for failure to obey stop or yield sign.
Lamoreux and Pageler had complaints of pain/injury but neither was taking to the hospital.
It was unknown if both drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
Lemoreux vehicle had $2,000 in damage to her vehicle.
Pageler’s vehicle had $5,000 in damage to her vehicle.
Fire Department Responds To Excavator Backhoe On Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to 16036 county road K-22 Monday 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.
Supervisors Scheduled To Meet
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet this morning at the County Courthouse Board Room. The county governing board has a light agenda, however, they do intend to discuss a proposed architect renovation
project for the courthouse north lower level entrance. The supervisors are expected to enter an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation. The supervisors will hear from County Engineer, Tom Rohe. Rohe will request the supervisors approve two construction projects involving a bridge replacement
with Dixon Construction of Correctionville, and a culvert installation project with Carlson Contracting, Incorporated of Sac City. Rohe will also submit two permit requests from Megelan Pipeline Company for work to be done in Preston Township, and a permit for Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative to rebuild of
transmission line through Plymouth, Stanton, Union, and Henry townships.
City Council Has Several Items To Consider During Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council is scheduled to meet today at noon. The council will hold hearings regarding the library renovations, rezoning property, an offer to purchase Westmar Second Addition property, and a proposal to grant
easement for MidAmerican Energy Company. As for action items, the city council is expected to approve the Le Mars Housing Implementation plan. The council will consider offering assistance to Prairieland Real Estate and Morrow Lin
Properties. The council will consider a multi-family housing project from Vision Builders. The council will discuss a storm sewer project along Business Highway 75 near the McDonald’s restaurant. The council will discuss an engineering agreement for a proposed recreation trail. The city council is expected to vote on the K-N-S third addition approving a final plat and rezoning.
Le Mars Ambulance to Hold Picnic Fundraising Event
(Le Mars) — On Saturday, June 10th, the Le Mars Ambulance Service (LAS) will be celebrating its 42nd year of service to the Le Mars community with a grill-out at the shelter house of the Le Mars Municipal Park following the Color-Me-Sweet color run. The Le Mars Ambulance Service has served the Le Mars Community since its establishment in 1975. The current crew is composed of twenty-five community members who donate their time and expertise to the crew and the citizens of Le Mars. The crew is made up of 2 full time employees and 23 compensated volunteers. Le Mars Ambulance Service staffs five crew members on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These shifts run from 6am-6pm and 6pm- 6am. Not only does the Le Mars Ambulance Service serve the community of Le Mars, they also serve the communities of Struble, Brunsville, and Seney; they also
assist the ambulance services of Oyens and Merrill as needed.
The anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 10th will feature a meal served from 11-3 by the crew members of LAS. Live music will be provided by the band BLT from noon-3. Events will include a silent auction and a raffle. Free will donations for the meal will be accepted and appreciated. All proceeds from this
event will go to purchase of equipment for the service and to the purchase of a new ambulance.
American Bank To Host Fraud Seminar
(Le Mars) — American Bank will be hosting a coffee and seminar to inform the public on the seriousness of fraud activity that has recently targeted Plymouth County. Guest speakers will include the Le Mars Police Department and an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Actual scams will be discussed,
including telephone calls from/regarding grandchildren, computer virus protection, online dating sites, and others. The seminar is scheduled for Thursday, June 15th beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the lower level amphitheater of American Bank in Le Mars.
BPI vs. ABC News Trial Has Opening Statements
ELK POINT, S.D. (AP) – Opening statements in a more than $1 billion defamation case over ABC news reports on a South Dakota meat producer’s lean, finely textured beef product laid out different versions of the company’s decline.
Beef Products Inc. sued ABC in 2012. The company says the television network’s coverage misled consumers into believing the product is unsafe, is not beef and isn’t nutritious. Critics dubbed the product “pink slime.”
BPI attorney Dan Webb said Monday that BPI’s product was used in most of the country’s ground beef, but that changed after ABC’s reports.
ABC attorney Dane Butswinkas says BPI had been losing clients over concerns about the product beforehand. He says McDonalds, Burger King and Taco Bell stopped using beef with the product before the segments debuted.
Reynolds Says She Is Monitoring State’s Decline In Revenue
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.
Mercy Hospitals Settle Agreement With AmeriHealth
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A contract dispute settlement means the more than 220,000 Iowans covered by the Medicaid managed care company AmeriHealth Caritas can continue to receive coverage for treatment by Mercy Health Network.
The companies announced the settlement Monday but didn’t provide details.
The Mercy network, which includes Des Moines’ Mercy Medical Center and hospitals in 12 other cities, had been wrangling with AmeriHealth over new contract terms. AmeriHealth had said the Mercy system no longer would be an AmeriHealth network provider if a deal weren’t struck by July 1. AmeriHealth is
one of three companies running Iowa’s $4 billion Medicaid program.
Mercy leaders had said AmeriHealth was trying to cut rates in the middle of a contract. AmeriHealth officials said it was seeking to establish a sustainable Medicaid program.
