Northwest Iowa Under Blizzard Warning
(Le Mars) — Northwest Iowa is under a Blizzard Warning until tonight at midnight. Many schools and businesses have decided to close for today in anticipation of the winter snow storm. Weather officials say Le Mars could see up to as much as a foot of snow before the storm passes. Iowa Highway Patrol trooper, John Farley says to stay off the roads.
Farley says there have been a few motorists that have been in the ditch, but not as many as you would expect. He says most people have made the decision to stay at home.
The Iowa State Patrol trooper says state DOT trucks are trying to stay ahead of the predicted heavy snow, and have clearing the roadways.
Semi Truck Catches On Fire
(Merrill) –– The Merrill and Le Mars Fire Departments were called late Saturday evening to the Midwest Feed located on county road C-38 for a truck that had caught on fire. When firefighters arrived on scene, the semi truck was fully
engulfed. For a short while, firefighters were concerned about what was inside the tanker. Placards on the tanker indicated the cargo was crude oil, but instead, it was hauling corn oil, and featured the wrong placards. The truck was listed as a total loss. It is not certain as to what caused the truck to catch on fire.
photo contributed.
Plymouth County Democrats To Hold Congressional Forum
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Democrats are hosting a 4th District Congressional Forum scheduled for Thursday, January 25th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The forum will be held at the meeting room of the Le Mars Public Library. The forum is open to the public, and will feature all three Democratic candidates seeking to unseat Steve King. Candidates J.D. Scholten of Sioux City, Leann Jacobsen of Spencer, and Dr. John Paschen of Ames will introduce themselves and answer questions from the audience. The following morning on Friday, January 26th, Dr. John Paschen will appear at the Family Table Restaurant at 511 Hawkeye Avenue Southwest in Le Mars at 8:30 a.m. to hold a discussion on mental health.
The public is invited to attend the event and provide input so our country can move forward on this important issue.
Sioux Center Company Awarded Tax Benefits From Iowa Economic Development
(Des Moines) — A Sioux Center company is to be the recipient of a tax incentive package as awarded by the Iowa Economic Development Board. Interstates, based in Sioux Center since its inception in 1953, has grown into the electrical construction, engineering, instrumentation and factory automation and controls market on a national level. The company is planning to design a campus headquarters location in Sioux Center. This project includes the initial phase of this plan, which includes the construction of two office buildings on a new site to the northeast of the company’s current manufacturing and engineering building. This phase also includes an addition to a current facility which will accommodate the regional office and training facilities. The board awarded the company $375,000 in direct financial assistance, as well as tax benefits for this $14 million capital investment. The project is expected to create 50 jobs at a qualifying wage of $19.85 per hour.
Republicans Concern About Governor Reynolds Wanting To Cut the Medicaid Budget
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Republicans are wading through the hard realities of mid-year budget cuts, and some are expressing reservations about a proposal from Gov. Kim Reynolds to reduce $10 million from the state’s Medicaid
program.
Reynolds’ staff claims the cut won’t impact the health care program’s services for the poor and disabled, but the governor still must convince members of her party. Many Republicans already appear wary of removing money from a program under scrutiny for reports of reduced services under privatization.
The Iowa Department of Human Services says a decline in Medicaid enrollment means less financial need. The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency says while enrollment is down, it’s too early to know the implications of a reduction.
Iowa’s roughly $4 billion Medicaid program is funded through the federal government and the state. Iowa’s share is expected to be about $1.6 billion.
Man Shot By Northeast Iowa Authorities Now Identified
NASHUA, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials have identified a man shot by police earlier this week in northeast Iowa as a Minneapolis resident. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation said late Friday that 29-year-old Jihad Merrick died after being shot on Highway 218 in Bremer County in a standoff with police and
after he had hit an officer with his car. The names of the officers involved haven’t been released.
DNR Budget Cuts Now Affecting Services
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A commission has told lawmakers that repeated cuts to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources threatened its ability to protect
the state’s air and water as the reductions have forced the agency to leave more than 100 positions vacant. The Des Moines Register reports an Environmental Protection Commission report noted the Iowa DNR’s budget had been cut from $22 million in 2009 to $11.17 million in the current budget year. The cuts have come amid rising concerns about Iowa’s polluted waterways.
