Captain Tim Hop To Retire From Le Mars Police Department
(Le Mars) — A longtime Le Mars police officer will put away his badge at the end of the month as he enters retirement. Captain Tim Hop has been affiliated with the Le Mars Police Department since April 1st of 1985. For the past 32 years Hop has served as a patrol officer, captain, and even the interim chief when former Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga was recovering from a health issue, and during the time between Chief Dekkenga’s retirement and the naming of Kevin Vande Vegt as the new chief. Captain Hop reflects back on his 32 year career as a Le Mars Police officer.
Hop says there are some certain cases, most notably, the homicides that will be a part of his memories as he looks back on his police officer career.
Hop says he never had to go undercover as part of his investigations, but he recalls some occasions when he would use covert means. Hop says he will miss working with his co-workers.
The Le Mars Police captain says he has had his share of what you may refer to as “odd calls.”
Hop says he will always remember the lessons he learned while patrolling the streets of Le Mars, and he has former chief Stuart Dekkenga to thank as his mentor.
Captain Hop’s last day on the force will be Saturday, September 30th.
BPI Establishes Fund To Assist Former Employees
(Dakota Dunes) — The Roth family that owns Beef Products Incorporated has announced they are establishing a $10 million dollar fund to benefit former employees of the BPI companies and communities that were negatively affected by
plant closures in 2012.
Chris McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce, says it’s an incredible commitment to the communities affected five years ago:
BPI was forced to lay off approximately 750 employees and close three production facilities in Amarillo, Texas, Garden City, Kansas, and Waterloo, Iowa at that
time after national news reports disparaged the company’s Lean Finely Textured Beef.
BPI founder Eldon Roth released a statement that the company is pleased to finally be able to re-connect with those former employees and see what we can do to help them continue to recover.”
McGowan says the Chamber will assist BPI in the review of applications for assistance from former employees;
BPI filed suit against ABC News in 2012 after the network ran a month long disinformation campaign targeting Lean Finely Textured Beef, the companies’ core product.
The case went to trial in June of 2017 with a settlement announced on June 28th.
USDA To Issue Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report – Analysts Say Look For Continued Expansion
(Le Mars) — The U-S Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release its Hogs and Pigs Quarterly Report Thursday afternoon. Pork producers probably can expect to see a continuation of expansion of hog herds in every listed category. Lee Schultz, Iowa State University Extension
Livestock Economist says analysts believe moderate increases will occur with all hogs, farrowings, and marketings.
Schultz says in order for pork producers to make money, exports of pork products will have to remain strong.
Schultz says producers have been current with their marketings, and there have not been heavier hogs going to market compared to past years. He says its important to watch the upcoming quarter to see if producers will remain current.
Schultz says Iowa leads the nation in pork production with nearly 33 percent of the total number of hogs produced.
Reynolds To Visit Plymouth County To Promote Rural Broadband Access
(Orange City) – Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg will be participating in an event to celebrate N.E.T. Broadband’s continued deployment
of broadband wireless Internet service in rural northwest Iowa. The event will be held on Friday morning, October 6, at 8:00 a.m. at the Farmers Cooperative Company of Craig, Iowa.
N.E.T. Broadband is a partnership that was created by Evertek and North West REC to connect rural areas with broadband services and technologies. N.E.T. has recently expanded its service area to include Craig and other northwest Iowa
rural areas. Roxanne White, CEO of Evertek says, “Evertek has a long history of providing advanced telecommunications services in northwest Iowa. We are pleased to partner with North West REC to expand our coverage area and to deliver quality broadband wireless Internet,” said . Lyle Korver, CEO of
North West REC says, “We understand the growing importance of broadband and we want to ensure that our rural electric members have access to this important service. It is key to our farmers being able to utilize the latest technologies; to provide work from home opportunities and to keep more of our
young people in rural northwest Iowa.”
The services that N.E.T. provides tie in well with Governor Reynolds’ “Connect Every Iowan” initiative to increase the access, adoption and use of broadband
technology.
Reynolds Comments On NFL Players Behavior During National Anthem
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is highlighting her criticism of football players who kneel during the national anthem to raise money for her gubernatorial race.
The Republican governor’s campaign sent an email Tuesday that summarizes comments she made one day earlier about National Football League players. She told reporters that players who take the knee are “so disrespectful” because the American flag represents respect for veterans.
Reynolds’ campaign email on Tuesday reemphasizes that the American flag symbolizes respect for veterans. She then links to her website, which encourages donations.
President Donald Trump said recently that NFL players who kneel during the anthem should be fired. Some athletes had made the gesture to protest the treatment of blacks by police.
Many players, owners and commissioners have since chastised Trump for his remarks.
Teachers To Maintain Ties With Union For Collective Bargaining
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Members of 13 teacher bargaining units have voted to maintain their union affiliations under Iowa’s new collective bargaining laws.
Iowa Public Employment Relations Board staff counted the votes Tuesday. The Des Moines Register reports that of the nearly 1,300 eligible voters, more than 1,100 voted to maintain their units.
The new collective bargaining laws require public-sector unions to re-certify every time they face a new contract negotiation. Previously they elections if one of their members petitioned for de-certification.
Republicans say the new laws give local governments more budget flexibility and ensure that unions are held accountable to all their members. Labor leaders say the new laws are designed to reduce the number of unions and weaken their influence.
All of Iowa’s 1,200 public bargaining units will face re-certification elections.
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Northeast Iowa Farmer Dies In Grain Bin Accident
LUANA, Iowa (AP) – Authorities said a northeastern Iowa man has died after being trapped in a grain bin in Clayton County.
The Telegraph Herald reports that 88-year-old Duane Walter, of McGregor, died Monday after entering the bin near Luana to break up some corn. Officials say Walter was completely covered by the corn in the incident reported around 1:40 p.m. Monday.
It took rescue crews about an hour to find and remove Walter from the bin.
He was pronounced dead at Central Community Hospital in Elkader.
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