Autopsy Report Released For Le Mars Man Found Dead In Home
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s office has released the findings of an autopsy that was conducted on 57 year old John Koley of Le Mars. According to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Ankeny, There was no evidence of blunt force, trauma, gunshot or knife wounds. The cause and manner of death is therefore pending waiting for toxicology results. It is anticipated that some of those results will be known in 10 to 14 days. The Plymouth and Woodbury County Crime Scene Team did finish processing the residence late yesterday afternoon. The Plymouth County Sheriff is still continuing to treat the death as suspicious and continues to follow up on information that has been received.
Kingsley Concerned About Its Water Quality
(Le Mars) — Water quality was on the minds of Kingsley residents when they gathered for a meeting held Thursday morning. Kingsley mayor Rick Bohle says the south eastern Plymouth County community is concerned about its water quality
since it has some shallow wells that have had nitrates detected.
Bohle says Kingsley uses three wells to acquire its water, two of which are shallow wells.
The Kingsley mayor says he would have liked to see more farmers and landowners at Thursday’s meeting, but he says those that attended are supportive of implementing methods on their land within the drainage area to help protect the
community’s water quality. Bohle says the community hopes to get some grant money to assist with the project, but he says the project’s plan will be delivered to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources by June.
Bohle says another meeting will be held in January to further discuss the Kingsley water quality project with the community.
American Legion Wasmer Post #241 To Participate In “Wreaths Across America”
(Le Mars) — The American Legion Wasmer Post #241 of Le Mars will participate in the Wreaths Across America on Saturday morning at the Veterans Memorial Park in Le Mars. Post Commander Wayne Schipper says this marks the 25th year for
Wreaths Across America, but the fifth year the local Legion club to participate.
Schipper says seven holiday wreaths will be placed at the Plymouth County Veterans Park beginning at 11:00 a.m. to coinside with the ceremony held at the Arlington National Cemetery at Washington D.C.
Schipper says the program began at the Arlington National Cemetery, and it has grown over the years to spread across the nation.
Photos from December, 2016 event.
The post commander says the general public is welcomed to attend the short ceremony. He says all the wreaths used across the nation for Wreaths Across
America originated from the same location in Maine. Schipper says not just Legion groups and Veterans of Foreign Wars are placing the wreaths to honor
those who sacrificed their lives for this nation, but thousands of volunteers will also participate in the placement of wreaths at cemeteries and memorials.
State Parks Face Staffing Shortages
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa parks are facing staffing shortages after years of declining funding to the state Department of Natural Resources.
The Dubuque Telegraph Herald reports that department officials announced layoffs and the dissolution of the forestry bureau in July.
The Iowa Legislative Services Agency recorded that of the 68 state parks or recreation areas managed by the natural resource department, only 24 percent have two or more full-time employees.
Department spokesman Alex Murphy says they have 101 vacancies statewide, but that they don’t plan to fill 80 of them due to lack of funding. He says the department’s budget is almost half of what it used to be in 2009, so there’s a trickle-down effect in limiting services.
Local supporters of the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area in Dubuque say resources are going to waste.
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Man Charged With Assault When He Pushed Victim On Burning Couch
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa City man is facing a felony assault charge after police say he pushed another man onto a burning couch during a fight last month.
The Press-Citizen reports that the victim suffered second- and third-degree burns on his lower back and buttocks after allegedly being pushed Nov. 4 by 21-year-old Timothy Peiffer. Police say the men were fighting in a courtyard in Iowa City, and that someone had set the couch on fire before the fight.
Peiffer is charged with assault causing serious injury. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted. He was arrested Friday morning and could not be reached for comment.
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Parolee Accused Of Killing Bondsman
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa parolee charged with killing an Iowa City bail bondsman has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case.
Cedar Rapids television station KGAN reports that 41-year-old Curtis Jones entered the written plea Thursday.
A criminal complaint accuses Jones of shooting 34-year-old Jonathan Wieseler in the head while committing a robbery on April 22. Police say Jones was seen on security video near the crime scene and that Wieseler’s DNA was found in Jones’ vehicle.
Jones is also charged with the June murder of Iowa City cab driver Ricky Lillie. He has pleaded not guilty in that case.
The Iowa Board of Parole released Jones from prison years early in November 2016 in an armed robbery case, even though he’d been deemed a high risk to reoffend.
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