Authorities Investigate Payloader Roll-over Accident
(Remsen) — Plymouth County authorities are investigating an accident involving a payloader tractor that had rolled over on its top. The accident happened Monday morning at about 9:28 a.m. at 47746 180th Street, about three miles east of Remsen and a half mile west of county road L-22. A male victim was transported to Floyd Valley Healthcare by the Remsen Ambulance, and subsequently, transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City via the Mercy Air Care helicopter. Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies believed the injuries were non-life threatening. The Remsen Fire Department also responded to the
scene to assist the victim from the over-turned payloader tractor. The victim was not pinned, but could not escape from the cab of the payloader tractor.
Apparently, the driver of the tractor got too close to the shoulder of the roadway, and with the recent weekend rains, the gravel road shoulder was soft, which gave way, causing the payloader tractor to roll into the north ditch. The front-end loader bucket was empty at the time of the accident.
Secondary Roads Department Closes Two Roads For Installation of Culverts
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department have closed two separate roads beginning today. Kestrel Avenue from 250th Street to 260th street is closed due to the replacement of a bridge with a box culvert. 150th street
between Shamrock Avenue and Sunset Avenue will also be closed for the replacement of a bridge with a pre-cast box culvert. 150th Street is expected to remain closed until October 13th, and Kestrel Avenue is expected to be closed through October 20th.
Fire and Rescue Department Issues September Monthly Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has issued its September monthly report. During the month of September, the local fire and rescue department responded to eleven fire calls, four rescues, seven investigations,
and had 17 requests for services, for a total of 39 calls. Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports that 22 firefighters attended an all-day Hazardous Materials Identification class on Saturday, September 23rd. The fire and rescue department trained for two days with members of Wells Enterprises on a rope rescue and closed confinement spaces rescue. During the month of September, nine firefighters attended the annual firefighter’s convention held in Forest City, Iowa.
Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department Teaches Students About Fire Safety
(Le Mars) — October brings to mind fire prevention month, and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department has already been busy visiting pre-schools and elementary classrooms to teach youngsters the importance of fire safety. By the time all
the classes are conducted, more than 500 students will know to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency, and they will know to leave a burning structure and don’t return to a burning or smoke-filled building once they are safely outside. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says this year’s theme for fire prevention is “Every Second
Counts…Know Two Ways Out.”
The Le Mars Fire Department has already started teaching students about fire safety.
Perhaps the greatest message local fire officials share with children is to be safe around fire, and not to play with matches, lighters, or candles.
The Le Mars Fire Chief encourages parents to visit with their children about the dangers of fire, and to rehearse a home fire drill.
Iowa College Aged Students Taking Advantage Of South Dakota’s In-state Tuition Rates
VERMILLION, S.D. (AP) – Many northwest Iowa students have hoped to save several thousand dollars by enrolling at the University of South Dakota over the past two years.
The South Dakota Board of Regents began extending in-state tuition to new Iowa freshman and transfer students attending one of the state’s four public universities in the 2016-17 school year.
The University of South Dakota’s in-state tuition and fees is about $8,700 for the 2017-18 year, which is about $3,200 less than out-of-state tuition.
The university says the incentive has led to a nearly 70 percent increase in Iowa residents attending the university, with more than 300 students attending this academic year.
The university also offers the in-state tuition rate to the children of alumni.
State Legislators Want To Tackle Iowa’s Opioid Abuse Problem
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Some Iowa lawmakers are turning their attention to opioid abuse in the state, though it’s unclear what action they may take next legislative session.
A committee will meet at the state Capitol this month to discuss the issue, including a new report from the University of Iowa with recommendations to reduce opioid overdoses and deaths.
Opioids include both prescription pain relievers like oxycodone and illegal substances such as heroin. Data shows a surge around the country in recent years of overdoses and deaths related to opioids.
Such overdoses and deaths in Iowa remain low compared to other states, though data shows a significant increase in reported cases over the past 20 years.
Rep. David Heaton, a Mount Pleasant Republican leading the committee, says he expects bipartisan support next year for opioid-related legislation.
Woman Pleads Not Guilty To Killing Truck Driver
MARENGO, Iowa (AP) – A woman accused of killing a trucker at an Iowa rest stop along Interstate 80 has pleaded not guilty.
Forty-three-year-old Mariana Lesnic entered the written plea Monday in Iowa County. She’s charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 6 shooting death of 60-year-old Ernest Kummer, who lived in Monroe. Kummer was an employee of Fridley, Minnesota-based Copeland Trucking, where he had worked since 2010.
Authorities have not said publicly what they think led to the shooting.
