Emergency Rescue Crews Respond To Roll-over Accident
(Le Mars) — Emergency rescue units responded to a roll-over accident that happened Wednesday morning at about 7:55 a.m. The accident occurred at the intersection of County road C-38 and Kesterel Avenue, about four miles southwest of Le Mars. The Le Mars and Merrill Fire and Rescue Departments had to use
mechanical jaws of life to extract the driver from the overturned Toyota pickup.
Authorities believe the driver, who has since been identified as 86 year old Dr. John Conley of Merrill, lost control due in part to the frosty and slick road. The vehicle was heading east on C-38 and going up a hill when they lost control of the vehicle ending in the south ditch. Conley was transported to
Floyd Valley Healthcare by the Le Mars Ambulance. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and Le Mars Police Department also responded to the accident scene.
Conley was treated and released later in the day. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.
Curry Named Chamber “Employee of the Month”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce presented its “Employee of the Month” award to a school psychologist that assists Gehlen Catholic Schools. The presentation was made during the Gehlen Catholic’s chamber coffee event held this (Wednesday) morning in recognition of “Catholic Schools Week.” Dave Curry has been an employee with the Northwest Area Education Agency since 1983, and has served Gehlen Catholic Schools for more than ten years. In his role as a school psychologist, his support of Gehlen Catholic administration and teachers have helped to develop educational skills to assure that each child succeeds. Dave Curry has also served as external coach for Gehlen Catholic’s Positive Behavioral and Intervention Supports teams from their beginnings. Dave Curry has made an impressive impact on students and staff, offering expertise and encouragement, Gehlen Catholic has been recognized multiple years by the Iowa Department of Education for successful implementation of PBIS. Dave Curry is a vital component of Gehlen Catholic Schools, and is fondly considered a member of the Gehlen Catholic family. He provides assessments to help determine specific needs of TK-12 students. He has been a source of information and data which administration and staff have utilized in serving students’ needs.
Chamber Board Member Kevin Eekhoff, (right) presents the Chamber “Employee of the Month” honor to Dave Curry.
Area Catholic Schools Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
(Le Mars) — Catholic schools around the region, including Gehlen Catholic, Remsen St. Mary’s and Granville Spalding are acknowledging “Catholic Schools Week” this week. Laurie Nussbaum is the elementary principal for Gehlen Catholic schools. She says a Catholic-based education helps develop a student both mentally and spiritually.
Nussbaum says “Catholic Schools Week” allows for catholic educational institutions to open their doors and allow the general community an opportunity to view the educational standards.
At Gehlen Catholic, parents and grandparents of Gehlen students will join them for lunch today for the family picnic that will take place inside both gymnasiums.
Midwest Business Survey Shows Slight Decline
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A report says a business conditions index for nine Midwest and Plains states slipped over the past month but still pointed to continuing improvement in regional economic conditions.
The report released Thursday says the Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped to 57.3 in January from 59.0 in December. The November figure was 57.2.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says manufacturing and other business sectors in the region are adding jobs at a solid pace.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth in that factor. A score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
State Funded Family Planning Program Shows 50 Percent Decline
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Preliminary data on the first three months of a state-funded family planning program in Iowa shows it had a nearly 50 percent drop in enrollment since it switched to a system that excludes abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.
The information from the Iowa Department of Human Services also shows a reduction in health care providers participating in the program and less services being accessed. The Associated Press received the report after a records request.
The data shows about 6,800 people enrolled in Iowa’s new family planning program during its first three months, compared to roughly 13,100 the previous year during the same time. State officials caution that the information won’t be complete until any outstanding claims have been submitted and processed.
The report offers a glimpse at the effects of Republican lawmakers’ decision to create the program, which excluded organizations providing abortions.
Authorities Release Names Of Officers Involved With Shooting Incident
FLOYD, Iowa (AP) – Officials in northeastern Iowa have released the names of all officers and deputies at the scene of the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man, but have refused to say which officers fired their guns.
Bremer County Attorney Kasey Wadding told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier that he was “not ready to disclose” which officers fired their guns or which ones delivered the fatal shot.
Officials say 29-year-old Jihad Merrick died after being shot Jan. 17 on Highway 218. Officials have said two officers fired on Merrick after he hit an officer with his car.
Wadding’s office says the officials involved were Iowa State troopers Nathaniel Miller, Chris Forsyth and Ken Haut; Bremer County Sheriff’s Deputy Glenn Beenblossom; Nashua Police Chief Travis Marvin and Officer Benjamin Scholl; and Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Hanson.
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Casino Owner Steve Wynn’s Name To Be Removed From University of Iowa Building
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa has announced plans to remove casino mogul Steve Wynn’s name from the school’s Institute for Vision Research in light of sexual misconduct allegations against Wynn.
The university in Iowa City announced the move Wednesday in a news release. The plan is subject to the approval of the Iowa Board of Regents. The release says it will be the first time the university has removed a donor name from a building or institute.
The university named the institute for Wynn in 2013 following his $25 million donation to the school to support blindness research.
The Wall Street Journal first reported Friday that a number of women said they were harassed or assaulted by Wynn, with one case leading to a $7.5 million settlement. Wynn has denied the allegations.
Police Believe Woman’s Death Is A Homicide
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Police believe the death of a Waterloo woman whose body was found after she was reported missing was a homicide.
The Courier reports that police have not released details of how 40-year-old Lakisha Williams died. An autopsy was performed earlier this week, but police say the full results are pending.
Williams’ body was found Friday on the ground in a remote area of Garden of Memories cemetery. Her mother reported her missing Jan. 25. She was last seen around 5 p.m. Jan. 20 near her apartment.
Williams’ husband, 27-year-old Fredrick Williams of Waterloo, was found in Minnesota last weekend and arrested on a parole violation. He was returned to Black Hawk County on Tuesday and on Wednesday ordered held without bond pending a parole violation hearing in the coming weeks.
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