Schmitz and Kessenich Crowned Fair Royalty
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Fair crowned its royalty last evening during aceremony held at the Pioneer Village stage. Emcee Dave Grosenheider of KLEM radio announced the name of the new king.
Daniel Kessenich was selected as the 2017 Plymouth County Fair King. Kessenich is the son of Susy and Mark Kessenich. He will enter his senior year in high school this fall at Gehlen Catholic High School. Next was the announcement of the Plymouth County Queen. 13 women competed for the title of Plymouth County Queen. Here again is Dave Grosenheider.
Schmitz is the 17 year old daughter of Patrick and Sheryl Schmitz. James Kellen was selected as “Mr. Personality”, and the two princes were Ote Albright and Jack Ruhland. The first runner-up was James Kellen. The title of “Miss Congeniality” was awarded to Sarah Benton, and as for the princesses, Mattie Tucker and Callie Henrich. The new queen, Kara Schmitz, explains why she had a desire to become the Plymouth County Fair queen.
Daniel Kessenich talks about what the title of Plymouth County Fair King will mean to him.
Tom Britt and Jerome and Eileen Dreckman Inducted Into Fair Hall of Fame
(Le Mars) — Fair officials were pleased with the first day’s attendance, although it was estimated to be slightly lower than last year’s Wednesday attendance. 17,500 people passed through the gates of the Plymouth County Fair. A year ago, fair officials estimated the attendance at more than 18,000. Visitors to the fair didn’t seem to mind the early morning showers that dropped seven tenths of an inch of rain on the fairgrounds. The Plymouth County Fair Board awarded two Hall of Fame awards, they were presented to Tom Britt of Le Mars, and Jerome and Eileen Dreckman of Le Mars.
Prior to the presentation of the Plymouth County Fair Hall of Fame awards, the Plymouth County 4-H Foundation Board awarded former fair board member, and now board member of the Iowa State Fair, Dave and Mary Kay Hoffman.
Sioux City Police Arrest Suspect In Fatal Stabbing Incident
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have arrested a suspect in the Sioux City stabbing death of a Nebraska man.
Sioux City television station KTIV reports (https://bit.ly/2w2Lyvt ) that the 29-year-old suspect was found and taken into custody around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday in Sioux City. Online court records don’t show that he’s been formally
charged.
Police say 36-year-old Vincent Walker was confronted late Sunday afternoon and then assaulted by several people. He died later at a Sioux City hospital.
Authorities say Walker lived in Winnebago, Nebraska.
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Briar Cliff President To Leave
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The president of Briar Cliff University in Sioux City intends to leave his position at the end of the upcoming fall semester after serving less than two years.
Hamid Shirvani said in a college news release Wednesday that the decision “is a result of a combination of family, personal and professional considerations.” The university board of trustees will begin its search in the next few months for a new president.
Shirvani began his Briar Cliff stay on June 1 last year, replacing Bev Wharton, who led the private Sioux City college for 15 years. Shirvani left a position as senior fellow at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities in Washington, D.C., to join Briar Cliff.
The fall semester student count showed a student enrollment more than 1,300 students.
Woman Charged With Murder Takes “Stand Your Ground” Defense
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines woman charged with murder is seeking a
judge’s approval to use a “stand your ground” defense despite the law taking effect nearly two months after she allegedly shot and killed her stepfather. The Des Moines Register reports defense attorney Montgomery Brown argues the law should apply because 29-year-old Sera Alexander’s case will go to
trial after the law took effect July 1. The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if they think their life is being threatened. Assistant Polk County Attorney Kevin Hathaway says prosecutors believe they have enough evidence to prove a first-degree murder case against Alexander
even if the law applies. District Court Judge Robert Blink has asked attorneys to write additional briefs before making a final decision.
Businessman Charged With Wire Fraud
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Prosecutors say a northeast Iowa businessman already CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Prosecutors say a northeast Iowa businessman already convicted of failing to pay employment taxes has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an ethanol plant scam. Darrell Smith, of Forest City, entered the pleas Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids to charges of wire fraud and identity theft.
Smith was sentenced in December to 13 months for payroll tax fraud. Federal officials say the fraud and ID theft charges are related to Smith’s investment of clients’ money into a now-defunct ethanol plant in Hopkinton. Officials say that on several occasions, Smith transferred money from clients’ accounts – against their will and without their knowledge – into his
bioenergy fund. Investigators say he used either pre-signed, blank authorization forms or forged his clients’ signatures. His sentencing hasn’t been scheduled.
Salmonella Outbreak Detected
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. health officials are investigating a salmonella DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U.S. health officials are investigating a salmonella
outbreak linked to papayas from Mexico that has killed a person in New York City
and sickened another 46 people in 12 states. The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that 12 people had been
hospitalized. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FDA are
investigating and believe the cause to be salmonella contamination from Maradol
papayas. The FDA says consumers should avoid all Caribena brand Maradol papayas. New York has reported 13 cases and New Jersey has had 12. Another six
have been registered in Virginia, five in Maryland and four in Pennsylvania.
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas and Utah each have
had one reported case.
