Firefighters Respond To Barn Fire
(Le Mars) — Firefighters were called to 13167 Nickel Road this morning at about 10:49 a.m. for a report of a barn on fire. The fire was about a half mile from the intersection of Highway 60 and county road C-16. According to Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper, the fire was a result of cardboard boxes being burnt from a burn pile, and the southerly winds carried some burning embers to two nearby structures. Upon arrival, a smaller structure was fully on fire. When the small shed had fallen, the fire had spread to the larger barn and had just started to
catch on fire. Firefighters attacked the fire on the larger barn structure first, and were able to quickly extinguish the blaze on the larger barn, and within minutes were able to control the fire. The smaller structure was listed as a total loss. The fire was reported by a passer-by traveling on highway 60 and noticed the smoke. The resident of the homestead was initially unaware of
the structures that had caught on fire. Orange City Fire Department was called upon as a back-up, and to assist with supplying sufficient amounts of water for the fire. 3000 gallons of water was used to suppress the fire. Firefighters were on the scene for approximately an hour. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was also at the scene.
Akron Prepares For 17th Annual Great Scarecrow Contest On Saturday
(Le Mars) — Akron’s Friendship and Service Club will again be hosting the annual Great Akron Scarecrow Festival this coming Saturday at the Akron city park.
LeAnn Phillips is assisting with the organization of the festival. She talks about how the annual event got its start 17 years ago.
Philips says the festival will feature many arts and craft vendors, as well as fun games for children, and lots of food, including a bake sale.
Philips says anyone can enter the scarecrow contest. Entries need to be in place at the city park between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. Philips says there is no registration fee for scarecrow entries. She says the judging will begin at 10:00 a.m. with the auction of the scarecrows to start at 2:00 p.m. Philips talks about some of the most memorable scarecrow entries from the past years.
photos from 2016 Scarecrow Festival
Following the 2016 scarecrow festival, more than $10,000 were donated to about 25 projects and programs in the Akron and Westfield area. The theme for the 2017 festival is “Dive Into Fall” highlighting the start of the autumn season and the
Akron community’s efforts to raise funds for improvements to the community swimming pool.
Judge Rules That Woman Defendant Can’t Use “Stand Your Ground” As Defense
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A judge won’t let a Des Moines woman use Iowa’s new “stand your ground” defense against charges that she killed her stepfather. The law says a person doesn’t have to retreat before using deadly force if the person thinks his or her life is being threatened. Sera Alexander’s lawyer had argued that Alexander should be allowed to use the law although it took effect July 1, nearly two months after Anthony
Hartmann was slain May 8. Alexander is accused of shooting to death Hartmann in the basement of her family’s Des Moines home. Judge Robert Blink said in his ruling issued Tuesday that Alexander could not use the defense “because that law was prospective in nature.” Police have said Hartmann didn’t threaten or hurt Alexander immediately before he was shot.
FEMA Says Repairs To Nature Trail Will Need To Wait
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Repairs to a nature trail in Iowa have been delayed after the Federal Emergency Management Agency put a hold on a funding request. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that FEMA’s decision to halt the $380,000 request comes in the wake of severe hurricane damage in Texas and Florida. Blackhawk County conservation director Mike Hendrickson says the county was notified of the hold on Friday. Portions of the Cedar Valley Nature Trail were damaged when the Cedar River overflowed in September 2016. An area near Gilbertville has been closed due to flood damage, while a portion in La Porte City is closed because of an unsafe bridge. The trail runs 52 miles (84 kilometers) from Evansdale to northern Cedar
Rapids. It’s jointly maintained by Black Hawk and Linn counties. Conservation staff plans to discuss trail repair options Monday. —
16 Year Old Cedar Falls Teen Faces Charges For Taking Nude Photos of Girl
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – A 16-year-old Cedar Falls boy faces charges after police say he took photos of a younger teen changing clothes. The Courier reports that the boy was charged last Friday with dissemination of obscene material to minors and exploitation of a minor, both misdemeanors. The case was referred to juvenile court. Police say the incident took place last year when a 13-year-old girl was photographed with an electronic device while changing. Police said the images
were then shared electronically with others. —
