Emergency Crews Respond To Two-Vehicle Accident
(Le Mars) — Emergency crews were at the scene of a two vehicle accident at the intersection of county roads K-22 and C-38 The collision happened at about 9:15 a.m. this Friday morning. Little is known about the accident at this time.
Officials indicate there was considerable damage to both vehicles. What we do know is the accident involved four injuries, but all are considered to be minor injuries. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Le Mars Ambulance Services, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.
Firefighters Respond To Natural Gas Odor
(Le Mars) — Prior to responding to the accident scene, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department were called at about 8:15 a.m. to an apartment complex for a detection of natural gas odors. The odor of natural gas was located at 114 2nd Ave Southwest, Apartment 5. Upon entering the apartment, fire officials say gas
monitors indicated a heavy presence of gas within the structure, and the monitors showed the volume of gas detected would be considered to be in the explosive range. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper said the apartment complex residents were evacuated, while firefighters used fans to ventilate the building and worked to resolve the source of the gas. Chief Schipper says the
presence of gas was due to a burner from a stove that was left on overnight, but not burning. During the course of the evening, the apartment filled with natural gas. Schipper says they were fortunate there was no explosion. He says even a light switch being flipped on could have been enough of a spark to create
an explosion. The apartment residents were able to return to their homes at about 9:10 a.m.
Grassley Comments On Washington Shooting
(Washington) — Following this week’s shooting incident of Republican Louisiana Congressman and U-S House Whip, Steve Scalise, some members of Congress and the
U-S Senate are concerned about making public appearances, for fear of being shot. During his weekly news conference with reporters, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says government officials need to keep thinking about the possibility
of encountering angry people that may resort to using violent actions.
Grassley says there isn’t any possibility of providing security for every member of Congress and the U-S Senate. He believes that sometimes the added security that does follow leadership positions, may actually call more attention to the
political figure.
A lot of media attention has focused on President Trump’s recent firing of F-B-I Director James Comey. Grassley told reporters that it is Trump’s privilege to hire and fire the FBI director. Grassley says the issue has created additional
problems for the Trump administration.
Governors Share Concern About Health Care Plan
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A group of Republican and Democratic governors are echoing President Donald Trump’s criticism of a House GOP health care bill as “mean” to the most vulnerable and are pleading with Senate leaders to work together on an overhaul.
In a letter provided to The Associated Press, seven governors on Friday asked the Senate to focus on stabilizing the market for individual insurance coverage, give states flexibility and ensure affordable coverage.
The GOP-controlled Senate is divided over dismantling and replacing major provisions of former President Barack Obama’s 2010 law.
Trump privately told Senate Republicans this week that the House bill was “mean.” The governors say the House bill “calls into question coverage for the vulnerable and fails to provide the necessary resources to ensure that no
one is left out.”
Autopsies Getting Back-logged
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Low staff and a growing number of deaths that require autopsies have created a backlog at the Iowa Medical Examiner’s Office.
KWWL-TV (https://bit.ly/2s8DXw ) reports the backup means some families have to wait up to two weeks for a relative’s remains to be returned.
The medical examiner’s office notified the Iowa Funeral Directors
Association on Wednesday that the backlog is estimated to last through June 23.
Every unattended death currently goes to the state’s medical examiner’s office. The office says the cases involve both violent and non-violent deaths.
County medical examiners, county attorneys and the state medical examiner are obligated to request a forensic autopsy in cases where the death is suspected to be caused by violent, suspicious or unexpected circumstances.
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