City Reminds Residents To Properly Dispose Of Limbs and Leaves
(Le Mars) — Autumn is upon us which means the leaves are changing colors and falling from the trees. The city of Le Mars along with the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department wants to remind residents that burning of leaves and tree limbs is not allowed within the city limits. Residents are to dispose their
yard waste and leaves to the city disposal site on the west side of town near the Gehlen Catholic ballparks. The tree disposal site is open on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says even if residents have an approved fire pit,
leaves are still not allowed to be burned.
IDOT to Construct Communications Tower In Plymouth County
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved a plan on Tuesday for the Iowa Department of Transportation to utilize a small portion of ground used by the Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department in order to construct a 300 foot communications tower. Plymouth County IT director Shawn Olson presented the plan to the supervisor’s attention.
Olson says the new communications tower is currently being constructed, and it will be located at Highway 3 and county road K-22. Olson says there will not any cost directed toward Plymouth County for the construction of the
communications tower.
However, commercial entities, such as cellular telephone companies and other private communications companies will not be allowed to utilize the tower. Olson believes the new communications tower may be in operation with in the next 30 to 90 days.
Sioux City Police Believe They Know The Car In The Missouri River
(Sioux City) — Sioux City Police say that it is likely that a car witnesses saw submerge in the Missouri River Monday afternoon belongs to a local family of three that were last seen earlier that day.
Captain Mark Kirkpatrick gave an update on the investigation late Thursday morning:
Kirkpatrick says the family members, 51-year-old Salomon Medina, his 41-year-old wife Angelica Medina-Gonzales and their 17-year-old daughter Vanessa Medina Gonzales, were last seen at a Wal-Mart Monday about an hour or so before the accident:
Divers have not been able to reach the vehicle to inspect it because it’s located in a portion of the river with dangerous currents.
Kirkpatrick says planss are being developed to bring in equipment needed to go into water where divers will operate by feel because of zero visibility in the murky waters of the Missouri:
Authorities sent two boats out on the river again Thursday to do a surface search for evidence that could lead to the identification of the car and missing people.
Senate Agriculture Committee Approves Northey’s Nomination
(Washington) — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is one step closer to taking a Deputy Secretary position with the U-S Department of Agriculture. The Senate Agriculture Committee today voted unanimously in favor for his confirmation. Sources with the Senate Agriculture Committee says there was no
one from the Senate Agriculture Committee that had opposed Nothey. Northey has been nominated by the Trump Administration to be the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation, which will over see the Farm
Farm Services Agency, Risk Management, and Soil and Water Conservation Services.
Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, who is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee says “Mr. Northey has an innate understanding of our agricultural community and the obstacles our farmers and ranchers face. At his confirmation hearing, Mr. Northey illustrated his extensive knowledge and
experience. I’m pleased that our committee sees what a qualified and fitting candidate he is for this position, and I look forward to his full consideration in the Senate.” Iowa’s other U-S Senator, Chuck Grassley, also a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced Northey to the Senate Agriculture
Committee back on October 5th during the confirmation hearing. In a tweet, Grassley said, “five minutes ago, Bill Northey was unanimously approved by agriculture committee. He will make a fine under secretary at USDA. Now to get
him through the Senate.” No date has been set for the full Senate vote.
Iowa’s State Budget Shows Continuation of Downward Trend
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say projections for Iowa’s budget are down again, and could force spending cuts when lawmakers return in January.
A three-person panel concluded Thursday that the $7.2 billion budget in effect since July is down by about $130 million. The panel says Iowa’s economy is growing more slowly than expected.
Iowa Department of Management Director David Roederer says it’s too early to know the impact on the current budget but midyear reductions may be necessary.
The news comes months after the GOP-controlled Legislature cut agency budgets and borrowed money to offset reduced projections released earlier this year and last.
Democrats and Republicans blamed each other for poor budget priorities. GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds is seeking bipartisan support for tax cuts and skilled jobs training.
The revenue panel meets again in December.
Backyard Chickens Causing Increase In Salmonella Poisoning
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The trend of raising backyard chickens is causing a soaring number of illnesses from poultry-related diseases. Since January, nearly 1,000 people have contracted salmonella poisoning from chickens and ducks in 48 states. More than 200 were hospitalized and one person died. The Centers for Disease Control says that toll was four times
higher than in 2015. Experts say a big factor is people who treat their birds like pets by kissing or snuggling them and letting them walk around indoors. Poultry can carry salmonella bacteria in their intestines that can be shed in their feces. The bacteria can attach to feathers and dust and brush off on shoes or clothing. But the CDC says illnesses can be prevented with proper handling, including washing hands after handling the birds.
