Sioux City Council Supports Proposed Ply-wood Trail
(Sioux City) — The Sioux City council joined Le Mars, Merrill and Hinton city councils by showing their support for the proposed Ply-wood recreational trail.
Ply-wood refers to the acronym of Plymouth and Woodbury Counties. The Ply-wood trail is a proposed recreational trail that would connect Le Mars with the towns of Merrill, Hinton, and Sioux City. The Sioux City council voted 5-0 in favor of the trail Monday afternoon during its weekly council meeting. Some members of the Sioux City council mentioned the proposed trail is needed for Sioux City and would help with economic development, as well as make the tri-state area more attractive for jobs and establish another aspect for improving the quality
of life. Several Le Mars city officials attended yesterday’s Sioux City council meeting to show their support of the project. Among those in attendance were mayor Dick Kirchoff, city administrator Scott Langel, and Chamber of Commerce executive, Neil Adler. They were joined by several members of the Ply-wood Trail Foundation, as well as the Siouxland Trails Association, and other proponents of the proposed trail. Plymouth County Supervisors have not supported the proposed trail due to the costs that has been estimated between $10 million and $25 million dollars. Trail advocates are hoping the trail canbe along Highway 75 as part of the Iowa Department of Transportation’s right-of-way. Iowa D-O-T District 3 transportation planner Dakin Schultz says that would be possible, but the trail would have to meet specific criteria.
An engineering and survey firm has recently been hired to draw up the plans for the trail. Schultz says if the trail is approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation, then landowners with property along the trail would not have to
be notified, or give permission.
Ryan Meyer serves as the chairman of the Ply-wood Trail Foundation. He says since Sioux City approved the measure, it would be similar to the recent actions taken by the Le Mars city council.
Two public meetings have been scheduled to allow people a better opportunity to view the proposal, and to ask questions, and to learn more about the proposed bicycle recreational trail. Meyer says the first public meeting will be held on
Wednesday, August 16th at the Hinton Community Center, and the second meeting is scheduled for the next day, Thursday, August 17th at the Merrill city council chambers. Both meetings will begin at 6:00 p.m. and are scheduled to continue
through 7:30 p.m.
Plymouth County Authorities Arrest Sioux City Man On Drug Charges
(Le Mars) — Following a traffic stop, Plymouth County authorities arrested 56 year old Keith Bursell of Sioux City on Sunday evening at approximately 7:00
p.m. Bursell was placed under arrest for driving while license was suspended, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Bursell was also wanted for two outstanding warrants from Woodbury County. Bursell was transported to the Plymouth County jail where his bond was set at $1,000.
Sioux County Authorities Arrest Sheldon Woman For Outstanding Warrants
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities arrested a 30 year old Sheldon woman Sunday evening for outstanding warrants and resisting an arrest. The arrest was made at about 9:51 p.m when Sioux County deputies went to the Sheldon Motel and
located Crystal Sheriff of Sheldon. Sheriff had multiple arrests warrants from Osceola County. Sioux County deputies found Sheriff, and she was charged with the arrest warrants, as well as with interference with official acts.
School Board Candidates Announced
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Auditor’s office has released the names of people seeking a position with their local public school district board of education. Elections are scheduled for September 12th. At the Akron-Westfield school district, incumbent Nick Schoenfelder will again seek re-election
representing District 1. No one filed nomination papers for District 2. Incumbent candidate Josh Martinsen is seeking re-election for District 3, and Cory Tucker had been appointed previously to fill an earlier vacancy in District 4. Three candidates are seeking two school board at-large positions with the
Hinton Community School District. The candidates include: incumbents James Binneboese and John Reintzel, and Erin Weiland is also seeking the school board position. The Kingsley-Pierson school board election is similar to Hinton’s as
there are three candidates seeking two at-large positions. The candidates include Blake Ladusaw the incumbent, and Kate Pratt and Jason Collins. Remsen-Union has three positions for the at-large school board positions, but only two people have filed papers. Michael Sparr and Robin Weiler are both incumbents
seeking re-election. There are no nomination papers filed for the third position. Remsen-Union voters will also have a public measure on the ballot to decide for the SAVE-revenue purpose statement. The Le Mars Community School Board have three positions to fill. Todd Lancaster is running for re-election
for District 1. He is unopposed, as is Scott Kommes who is running for re-election to the school board for the District 2 director’s position. District 4, at this time has nobody running for the position. According to Le Mars Community School District superintendent, Dr. Steven Webner, candidates may run
as a “write-in” candidate. If no one steps forward prior to the election, then the other school board directors have 30 days until they can appoint a person to fill the vacancy. School Board member, Brenda Phelan had been the representative for District 4, but has chosen not to seek re-election. Webner says all eligible voters are able to vote in the school board election, and can vote for school board candidates regardless whether the candidate represents the voter’s elected district.
Supervisors To Honor County Employee
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will convene this morning for their weekly meeting at the County Courthouse Board Room. Although, the supervisors have a short agenda that includes hearing a construction update from
County Engineer Tom Rohe, the supervisors will also formally recognize and honor a county employee for this life-saving actions. Earlier this spring, an employee of a contracting firm got electrocuted while on the job site. Fortunately, Plymouth County Secondary Roads employee, Mark Marienau was in the
area. Marienau performed C-P-R and chest compressions on the contractor’s employee, until emergency rescue crews were able to get on scene and utilize medical treatment. The contractor employee was transported to a Sioux City hospital. Today that contractor employee has made a full recovery from the
incident.
Madison County Bridge Suspected Arsonist To Face Trial
WINTERSET, Iowa (AP) – Trials have been scheduled for three people charged with arson, accused of burning a covered Iowa bridge featured in the novel “The Bridges of Madison County.”
The bridge destroyed April 15 near Winterset also was featured in the 1995 movie adaptation.
Court records said Tuesday that 19-year-old Alivia Bergmann is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 29 in Winterset. Eighteen-year-old Joel Davis is scheduled to begin trial Sept. 26.
The records also say a 17-year-old defendant is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 29, but he’s trying to move his trial out of Madison County, citing pretrial publicity. His attorney has filed notice the boy will use intoxication and diminished capacity in his defense arguments. The Associated Press generally doesn’t name juveniles accused of crimes.
Grain Elevator Employee Dies In Grain Bin Accident
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a worker has died after being caught in a grain bin in Waterloo.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports crews were called to an East Central Iowa Co-Op elevator about 11:30 a.m. Monday on a report of a worker who was trapped in soybeans.
Firefighters cut holes in the bin and co-op employees used a vacuum to drain the bin as emergency crews entered the elevator to reach the man. Despite the efforts, the man was declared dead.
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Des Moines City Council Votes To Protect YMCA Site From Being Federal Courthouse Site
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Des Moines council members have approved a plan to keep the proposed federal courthouse replacement from being built at the old YMCA site downtown, preserving the property for private development.
The City Council voted Monday for an agreement that would require that Des Moines buy the land from Hubbell Realty Co. for $5.2 million if Hubbell doesn’t develop the land by May 31 next year. Hubbell would withdraw the property from consideration for the courthouse in return.
The federal government’s selection of the YMCA site was a setback for city officials, who want the courthouse built in the Market District, which is transforming from an industrial area into a district of apartment buildings, restaurants and shops.
Courthouse construction is set to begin in 2019.
