85 Year Old Wayne Marty To Participate on Sprint Tri-athon
(Le Mars) — Competitors from several states will converge on Le Mars this morning for the eleventh annual Sprint Tri-athon consisting of a 300 yard swim, a 15 mile out and back bicycle ride and a 5k run. One of those planning to participate is 85 year old Wayne Marty of Le Mars. Marty, a retired biology professor from Westmar College, has participated, including this year, in ten of the eleven Sprint Tri-athons. This year, Marty says he
will participate as a team, joining his daughter and grand-daughter.
Up until last year, Marty had participated on all three aspects of the Sprint Triathon. Marty is, if not the oldest participant, certainly one of the oldest to compete in the athletic event. Marty offered an interesting answer, when asked what he has been doing to prepare himself for this year’s competition.
Marty says he hopes to complete the 15 mile bicycle run in about an hour and a half, but he adds he is not as much interested in having a good time as listed on the clock, as he is as having an enjoyable time.
So how many more years does Marty believe he will continue to participate on the Le Mars YMCA’s Sprint Tri-athon?
The elder athlete says the younger generation of athletes constantly encourages him, and cheer for him while he participates on the Sprint Tri-athon. Marty reflects on what first got him interested in competing in the Sprint Tri-athon, and says it has evolved into a family participation event.
What keeps the 85 year old Le Mars man healthy and capable of participating in the Sprint Triathon?
The Sprint Tri-athon will begin from the Le Mars YMCA at 9:00 a.m. with the swimming portion kicking off the competition at the outdoor pool, followed by the bicycle ride, and finishing with the run through the southern residential neighborhood. YMCA officials ask that motorists stay away from county roads C-30 and K-64 between 9:30 and 12:00 noon on Saturday
because bicyclists will be using both lanes of travel.
Loaded Gun Detected At Sioux Gateway Airport Checkpoint
(Sioux City) — Sioux City Police were called to Sioux Gateway Airport Friday morning after the Transportation Security Administration discovered a loaded firearm at the security screening checkpoint. Captain Marti Reilly of the Sioux City Police says the .45 caliber Smith and Wesson was detected
in a carry-on bag during checkpoint x-ray screening. A police officer took the weapon and interviewed the passenger, who was from South Carolina.
Reilly says there does not appear to be any criminal intent by the man.
And that fine could be costly for the passenger. T-S-A has the authority to levy a civil penalty of up to $11,000 against a passenger who brings a firearm to the checkpoint. The T-S-A says the average penalty for a loaded firearm is $3,000, and the average for an unloaded gun at the airport checkpoint is $1,500. This incident was the first firearm found at the Sioux Gateway Airport checkpoint this calendar year.
New State Fire Marshal Named
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Public Safety has chosen a new leader for the state fire marshal’s office.
The department says Dan Wood began his duties Friday as state fire marshal. He’s been acting special agent in charge of the Fire Service Training Bureau.
The 42-year-old Wood has served many roles in the Public Safety Department and has worked as an officer for the Capitol Police and has been an Iowa state trooper and an Iowa fire inspector. He lives in Waukee.
The department says Wood is a certified firefighter, emergency medical technician and peace officer.
Wood is replacing Jeff Quigle, who retired July 17.
Boarding School Owner Charged With Sexual Abuse
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Investigators say the former owner of an Iowa boarding school used his position to coerce one teenager into a sexual relationship and others to undress for his arousal. Former Midwest Academy owner Benjamin Trane is charged with third-degree sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a counselor and child endangerment. He turned himself in Thursday after a 19-month investigation into abuse allegations at the private, for-profit boarding school Trane operated in Keokuk. The school, which had about 100 students from mostly well-off families, closed in January 2016. Investigators allege that Trane coerced one student to engage in sex acts in order to advance in the program and be allowed to contact relatives.
Trane also allegedly had others undress for “body image therapy” sessions he led, and kept students in isolation for extended periods.
Creston High School Students That Dressed As Ku Klux Klan Members Have Been Kicked Off Football Team
CRESTON, Iowa (AP) – A southern Iowa high school football coach says five players who appeared in a photo on social media wearing white hoods and waving a Confederate flag next to a burning cross have been kicked off the team. Creston/Orient-Macksburg football coach Brian Morrison tells the Des Moines Register that the Creston High School team is scheduled to play
Friday night, but without the five students. Morrison also says lawyers are now involved, but that he can’t provide details about whom the lawyers are representing or what they advocate. Principal Bill Messerole has said the students involved have been
disciplined, but would not say what that discipline entailed, citing student confidentiality. —
Grain Elevator Fined For Death Of Worker
WINTHROP, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa grain storage facility has been fined $4,000 following the death of a worker in May.
The Courier reports that the Iowa Occupational Health and Safety Administration cited the Viafield co-op facility in Winthrop for a serious violation, saying employees weren’t properly trained in safety procedures for clearing jammed spouts.
OSHA officials say the company paid the penalty and has taken
corrective measures.
The fine came after 74-year-old James “Jim” Schweitzer was buried while moving soybeans in a grain cart on May 16.
Investigators concluded Schweitzer became trapped when he attempted to clear a jam using a metal rod.
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