Dry Conditions Continue In Plymouth County
(Le Mars) — Warm temperatures and dry conditions have dominated the weather pattern for the last few weeks, causing farmers to be concerned as crops are nearing the critical pollination stage. The recent dry conditions is also a
concern for area fire officials as they contemplate whether or not to impose a county-wide burn band. Several grass and ditch fires have been reported during the last couple of weeks, some were caused by the misuse of firecrackers.
Although Le Mars has received trace amounts of precipitation, including sprinkles that fell Saturday morning, you need to go back to May 20th since the “Ice Cream Capital” received a substantial amount of rain. At that date, KLEM recorded eight tenths of an inch had fallen in the rain gauge. Since that
time, Le Mars has received rainfall amounts of only about a tenth or two tenths of an inch. According to information provided by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Le Mars is currently running at about the same level for received precipitation compared to 2012, the last time the area had a dry spell.
Normally for this time of year, this region would receive nearly 7 1/2 inches of rain since May 1st. So far, Le Mars has received only about five inches of rain. The U-S Drought Monitor says 50 percent of Iowa is now considered at least “abnormally dry” and about nine percent falls into the “moderate dry” category. Most of northwest Iowa, including Plymouth County, falls into the
“abnormally dry” region. Reports of hit and miss rains have occurred throughout the region. When visiting with area farmers, some will say they received a couple of tenths of rain, while neighbors living a short distance away say they received nothing.
Cherokee Authorities Involved With Stand-off Incident
(Cherokee) — Cherokee Sheriff’s Office was involved with a stand-off incident that occurred Friday evening at about 10:40 p.m. The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office received a call from a citizen saying that 42-year old Todd Brown was fighting with another person in the street near the citizen’s residence. Upon arrival at 209 West Grace Street in Cleghorn, officers were confronted by Brown with an AR-15 assault rifle. Brown refused officer’s commands to drop his weapon. Brown made several threatening statements towards the officers. Brown had retreated to his back yard and continued refusing orders from officers to drop the weapon. After a perimeter was setup a short standoff occurred. Brown surrendered his weapon and was taken into custody without any further incident at around 12:38 a.m. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, Aurelia Police Department, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, Ida County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Police Department, Cherokee Regional Medical Center Ambulance, Cleghorn Fire Department, Meriden Fire Department, and the Cherokee County Emergency Management.
Girl Shot After Finding Handgun
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines police say a 4-year-old girl was shot in one of her legs after she found a handgun under her parents’ bed.
Police say the shooting happened Thursday night in the girl’s home. The preschooler was hospitalized and is expected to recover.
Investigators say the parents told police the girl had been playing in the house, found the case that holds the gun and took it to her room. She then apparently opened the case, found the gun and accidentally shot herself in the thigh.
Sgt. Paul Parizek says the parents could face charges in the case.
The shooting remains under investigation.
13 Year Old Boy Found In Water
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police in Des Moines say the body of a 13-year-old boy has been pulled from the Birdland Marina off the Des Moines River.
Police say officers and Des Moines rescue crews were called to the marina just before 7 p.m. Friday for a report of a body in the water. Workers found the boy’s body minutes later.
Police said in a news release Saturday that the death does not appear to be the result of a crime.
Detectives continue to investigate.
Police have not yet released the name of the boy.
Waverly Officials Consider Replacing Historic Bridge With Pedestrian Bridge
WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) – Leaders of the northeastern Iowa city of Waverly are considering replacing an historic bridge with a pedestrian bridge.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports (https://bit.ly/2sGCNu8 ) that the City Council recently heard from city engineer Mike Cherry about two basic pedestrian bridge options. Cherry says a concrete beam option would run between $500,000 and $900,000, while a prefabricated truss bridge would cost between $1 million and $1.2 million.
In a split 4-3 vote earlier this year, the council opted not to spend nearly $2.5 million to repair the narrow bridge, known as the “green bridge” for the color of the metal truss span.
The bridge has been closed since February 2015 after inspectors found corrosion on vital parts of the structure.
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Des Moines To Host Midwestern Legislators Conference
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa will host the Midwest’s largest annual gathering of state legislators this month.
The Midwestern Legislative Conference of The Council of State Governments will meet Sunday in Des Moines. More than 500 lawmakers, staff, private sector representatives and guests representing 11 Midwestern states and four Canadian provinces are expected. The conference runs through Wednesday and will be held at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.
Featured speakers include Kenneth Quinn, former U.S. ambassador and president of the World Food Prize, Isabel Wilkerson, author of the best-selling, award-winning “The Warmth of Other Suns,” and Harry Enten, senior political writer and analyst for FiveThirtyEight.
