Strong Winds Pass Through Le Mars, Knocking Down Trees
(Le Mars) — Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, strong winds of about 55 mph. struck Le Mars and other Plymouth County communities, knocking down trees and power lines. Fortunately, the strong winds lasted only about 15 minutes.
For a while, city officials had wondered if there was going to be a repeat of the strong wind storm that struck Le Mars last year during Ice Cream Days, that had downed trees on nearly every street. Reports of at least six trees had fallen across streets, blocking traffic, as a result of Tuesday’s wind storm.
Authorities checked out a fallen tree at the 10 block of 3rd Avenue SE where a pick-up truck was caught beneath a fallen tree. The driver was shaken up over the incident, but was uninjured. City crews had to use a pay loader tractor to
remove the tree that was on top of the vehicle. A few households near 1033 6th Avenue SE had lost power due to a tree that had fallen on a power line. Mid- American Energy crews were on the scene by 11:00 p.m. and had quickly restored power to the neighborhood. Trees had fallen on the north side of the Plymouth
County Courthouse on 2nd Street SE, 21 3rd Street SE, 8th Street SW, 2nd Avenue SW, and the 300 Block of 3rd Avenue SW.
City crews will start picking up branches on Wednesday morning, but they ask residents to stack tree limbs next to the curb. The tree dump site, located west of town, will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
City Council Decides To Close Business Highway 75 On Wednesday For Ice Cream Days
(Le Mars) — In a special meeting held Tuesday by the Le Mars City Council, the members voted to approve closing Business Highway 75 on Wednesday during the start of Ice Cream Days. Business Highway 75 or 5th Avenue Southwest will be
closed from Highway 3 heading south to 1st Street Southwest from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The council members approved the street closure after a request was made by Bob’s Drive-Inn. City officials say the Tri-State Cruisers Show featuring antique and classic cars from northwest Iowa has grown to the point
where the street closure is necessary. The classic cars will be parked at the Bob’s Drive-Inn parking lot, as well as on the closed street. Spectators to the Tri-State Classic Car show will be asked to park near the St. James Catholic Church. Casey’s General Store north drive-way entrance along 1st Street
Southwest will be blocked off, however, the south drive-way entrance into Casey’s General Store will be open to allow customers access to the convenience store.
New Flag Pole To Be Dedicated Today As Boy Scout Eagle Project
(Le Mars) — Today, June 14th is Flag Day, a day we honor our red, white, and blue stars and stripes banner. A Le Mars Boy Scout is trying to earn his Eagle Scout badge by installing a new flag pole at the St. Johns Lutheran Church. The completion of the Eagle Scout project will take place today at 12:00 noon with
the first flag raising on the new flag pole. Tucker Heeren is the boy scout that erected the new flag pole.
Kevin Eekhoff To “Go Over The Edge” Today
(Le Mars) — A local banking official is ready to “Go Over The Edge” as part of a fundraiser for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. Kevin Eekhoff of Northwest Bank of Le Mars on Wednesday will go to the roof top of the 12- story Howard Johnson’s Hotel located in downtown Sioux City, and then step to
the edge of the building and repell down the side of the building. Wednesday’s event will mark the second time Eekhoff will have repelled down the building.
Eekhoff was equipped with a harness, helmet, gloves, and a series of ropes, pulleys and rigging units. He says the process of repelling down a building is safe.
Eekhoff says he took his time to descend down the side of the building a year ago. He says in order to participate on the repelling activity, an individual must be able to raise money for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.
The Northwest Bank official is this year’s top fundraiser for the Big Brothers- Big Sisters organization, raising almost $5,000. Eekhoff has been associated with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program for several years.
Eekhoff says he continues the association with his Little Brother through the summer months as well.
The Big Brothers-Big Sisters program is still seeking an additional 40 adults who would be willing to spend time with a youngster and serve as a mentor.
Eekhoff says his time spent with his “Little Brothers” have made a difference in their lives.
Eekhoff encourages others to sign-up with the Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization, and make a difference in someone else’s life. Well’s Blue Bunny is a corporate sponsor of the “Going over the edge” event.
