HALLOWEEN ACTIVITIES AT OLSON CULTURAL EVENT CENTER TODAY
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating Halloween today with both pumpkin races and trick and treat activities at the Olson Cultural Event Center. The pumpkin races are open to any child between pre-school and
the fifth grade.
The event is new to Le Mars, and it is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. The pumpkin races have been compared to a pinewood derby, only with a pumpkin on wheels.
Immediately, following the pumpkin races, at about 11:00 a.m. little ghosts and goblins, superheros, animated characters, and others dressed in costume will collect candy from downtown businesses.
Trick and treaters are also encouraged to watch a free movie at the Royal 3 Cinema. Doors will open at 1:00 p.m. with the free movie to start at 2:00 p.m.
44TH ANNUAL OCTOBERFEST IS TODAY
(Remsen) — Celebrating their German and Luxemborg heritage, the town of Remsen will hold the 44th annual Oktoberfest today. The festival will be held at the St. Mary’s High School beginning with the tapping of the Golden Keg at 1:00 p.m.
The Beer Garden will be open from 1:00 until 9:00 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. will be the Children’s Bavarian Costume and Dance contest to determine the Little Luxemborg Prince and Princess. The traditional family style dinner featuring German and American entree’s will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s cafeteria.
The sounds of polka music will be entertaining the attendees at Oktoberfest with two polka bands scheduled to perform. Alpersterne will play from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the Polka Police will perform from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Oktoberfest tickets are $12 for adults, and $6 for children 10 and under.
ACCIDENT INVOLVING OVERTURNED ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TANKS NEAR OWENS
(Oyens) — The Oyens and Remsen Fire Departments responded to an accident involving overturned Anhydrous Ammonia tanks. The call was received at about 5:15 p.m. Friday afternoon with the accident at the intersection of 160th Street and Pioneer Avenue, one mile east of Oyens.
Oyens Fire Chief Tim Bolton says the overturned tanks were full of nearly 2,000 gallons of Anhydrous.
Bolton says the overturned tanks were leaking some Anhydrous Ammonia when firefighters arrived at the scene.
The Oyens Fire Chief says there was no immediate danger to the surrounding area of the accident.
The Anhydrous Ammonia tanks were the property of Central Valley Ag Co-op based at Oyens. Firefighters were on the scene for two hours.
MILLER TO SEEK 10TH TERM AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says he will seek a 10th term next year.
The 73-year-old Miller, a Democrat, was initially elected to the statewide office in 1978.
Except for a four-year stretch in the early 1990s after he made an unsuccessful run for governor, Miller has been the state’s top prosecutor since, making him the longest serving state attorney general in the country.
Miller is a Dubuque native and Harvard Law School graduate.
He says he wants to keep serving because “there is a lot of unfinished business for us to work on: opioids, for-profit colleges, and other areas.”
NEBRASKA REVENUE FORECAST DROPS DOWNWARD
Nebraska lawmakers and Gov. Pete Ricketts will continue to face budget problems in next year’s session, based on new estimates of state tax collections.
The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board revised its forecast downward on Friday by $217.2 million, essentially lowering the amount of money available for the 2018 legislative session.
Under the new estimates, lawmakers will face a projected shortfall of roughly $195 million in the current two-year budget cycle.
State officials caution that the numbers could change dramatically, especially if President Donald Trump and Congress pass a major tax overhaul.
Nebraska’s tax system is closely linked to the federal system, so changes at the federal level can influence state revenue.
