Le Mars Police Investigate Armed Robbery
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department received a complaint of a home armed robbery that occurred on Friday evening at about 10:30 p.m. The incident apparently took place at the 100 block of Central Avenue northeast in Le Mars.
According to a news release issued by the Le Mars Police Department, the reporting party victim was at home when suspects forced entry into the apartment and threatened the victim with a firearm demanding cash. The suspects quickly
fled the area. Le Mars Police have reason to believe there is no danger to the general public. The investigation is ongoing as more information is obtained and developed. Anyone who may have information regarding this incident is encouraged
to contact the Le Mars Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Kingsley Fire Department Responds To Shed Fire
(Kingsley) — The Kingsley Fire Department responded to a small shed that caught on fire at around 1:15 Monday morning. According to Kingsley Fire Chief, Paul Huth, the fire was reported at 213 Rutland Street and no other buildings were in
danger since the shed was at least 200 feet away from the home.
Huth says the Kingsley Fire Department was on the scene for nearly an hour and a half. Huth says the fire is still under investigation, but he is not certain as to the cause of the fire.
The Kingsley Fire Chief says the owner had intented to tear down the shed later next spring. Huth says the building was destroyed, but the shed did not contain any contents, and was used only as a storage facility.
Plymouth County Authorities Release Information Regarding Three Vehicle Accident From Thursday
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has released information about an accident that took place on Thursday, August 24th at about 5:12 p.m. The accident happened at the junction of county road K-22 and county road C-12,
northeast of Le Mars approximately 14 miles northwest of Le Mars and three miles west of Craig. According to the accident report, the accident involved three vehicles: a concrete cement mixer truck, a semi truck and trailer, and a mini van. The concrete cement mixer truck was owned by G-C-C of Orange City and was being driven by 40 year old, Brimer Francis of Le Mars. The cement concrete mixer truck was heading eastbound on county road C-12 at the stop sign at K-22.
The cement truck turned right or to the south on to K-22. The semi truck and trailer, was owned by J and D Farms of Ireton, and was driven by 54 year old Jeffrey Statema of Le Mars. The semi truck was heading southbound on K-22, but was north of the intersection. The cement truck failed to see the south bound
semi truck, or misjudged the distance and made his turn in front of the semi.
Statema says he applied his brakes and was going to swerve into the north bound lane to avoid hitting the cement truck. A mini van was heading northbound on K-22, but was initially south of the intersection. Statema says he then saw the mini van being driven by 38 year old Michael Bandstra of Rock Valley, and knew he couldn’t swerve into the northbound lane of travel. Statema then hit the rear of the cement truck, causing it to lose control, and roll into the ditch. The
driver of the mini van saw the accident, and was about to back up when the rear tag axle of the cement truck had hit the minivan. The Ireton Ambulance transported both Statema and Francis to the Hawarden Hospital.
National Traditional Country Music Association Returns To Le Mars
(Le Mars) — The sounds of old time country and gospel music can be heard from the Plymouth County Fairgrounds all this week, as the National Traditional Country Music Association holds its 42nd annual conference. This year marks the ninth year the music association has held its convention at Le Mars and the
Plymouth County Fair grounds. The music festival features at least ten different stages with hundreds of performers scheduled to appear. Admission to the music festival is $20 per day Monday through Thursday, and $25 per person for the weekend Friday through Sunday.
Northwestern College Named “College of Distinction”
ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Northwestern College has been named one of the nation’s Colleges of Distinction in acknowledgment of its continued dedication to high-impact educational practices.
Northwestern’s first-year seminars, service-learning programs, Spring Service Partnerships, intensive writing courses, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research, capstone projects, study abroad programs, internships and Honors Program are among the factors that led to the Colleges of Distinction recognition.
“We are honored to name Northwestern College as a 2017–18 College of Distinction for its continued commitment to student success,” says Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. “Colleges of Distinction applauds
Northwestern for pushing the envelope with its up-to-date curriculum, enriching the college experience with high-impact educational practices, and providing every student with an education that stretches far beyond what’s typically
required from an academic major.”
The annual process of selecting the nation’s Colleges of Distinction requires that institutions adhere to the organization’s four distinctions—engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes. This process
also includes a review of each institution’s freshman experience, as well as its general education program, strategic plan, alumni success, satisfaction measures and more.
Northwestern College is one of only two Iowa institutions to be named Christian Colleges of Distinction and one of nine selected as Iowa Colleges of Distinction.
Siouxland Chapter of American Red Cross Asking For Donations For Hurricane Harvey Victims
(Sioux City) — At least two volunteers from the Siouxland Chapter of the American Red Cross are on their way to Texas to assist with relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey and now Tropical Storm Harvey has hit the Texas Gulf coast region. Tammy Lee serves as the Executive Director of the Siouxland Chapter of
the American Red Cross. She says the organization is seeking volunteers to help with the relief efforts.
Lee says in terms of wide spread devastation and damages, and people adversely affected by the tropical storm, she says Harvey is similar to Hurricane Katrina that hit New Orleans and the delta region back in August of 2005.
The American Red Cross official says perhaps the best thing anyone can do immediately is to donate money.
Lee says it takes about $1800 to send a voluteer and vehicle to the flooded region.
Lee explains how people can donate money to the Hurricane Harvey relief fund.
Lee says the 1-800 toll free number will also allow people to check on family and friends within the hurricane zone to inquire about their whereabouts and safety.
Reynolds Says She Disagrees With Trump Over Transgender Military Personnel
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she disagrees with President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender individuals joining the military.
The Republican governor told reporters Monday that anyone who signs up for military service deserves appreciation and respect. She didn’t elaborate on any possible action in response. A message to her office wasn’t immediately returned.
Trump directed the Pentagon on Friday to implement the ban and gave the agency authority to decide the future of openly transgender people already serving.
It’s unclear how man transgender Iowans serve in the military. An Iowa National Guard spokesman says no one has openly declared their status as transgender. Among Iowans serving in the federal armed forces, at least one transgender Army reservist told The Des Moines Register in July that he hopes to
have a full military career.
Judge Rules Against IDOT Employees From Issuing Speeding Tickets
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Another judge has ruled that Iowa Department of Transportation officers didn’t have authority to issue speeding tickets to drivers of noncommercial vehicles.
The Des Moines Register reports Scott County District Associate Judge Christine Dalton says if officers had the authority to give tickets prior to a law change in May, an amendment wouldn’t have been necessary.
The new law gave department officers the authority to ticket drivers of noncommercial vehicles until July 2018.
The ruling comes only weeks before another court takes up the broader issue of whether the agency acted illegally before the state law change.
State officials say the department could lose millions of dollars in federal money without the authority to ticket drivers of all types of vehicles.
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