Road Conditions Continue To Deteriorate – More Snow Expected
(Le Mars) — Road conditions are deteriorating fairly quickly as a result of the March snowstorm moving through the area. There have been a few reports of vehicles sliding into the ditch. The Iowa Department of Transportation lists all northwest Iowa roads as either wet or becoming snow and ice covered.
Todd Heitkamp, meteorologist with the National Weather Services of Sioux Falls. He says the amount of snow expected
to fall on Le Mars has increased from earlier estimates.
Vince Kurtz with the Iowa Highway Patrol says the roads are again wet and slushy, which is causing accidents and vehicles to go into the ditch.
Northey Says Good-bye To Iowa Agriculture Department
(Des Moines) — Bill Northey says serving as Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture for the past 11 years has been “the job of a lifetime,” but he’s ready for his new role in the federal government. Northey will be sworn in tomorrow (Tuesday) evening as an undersecretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Northey is resigned his position at 1:30 p.m. today (Monday) and his replacement, Mike Naig was sworn into office at 2:00 p.m. U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is flying to Des Moines tomorrow (Tuesday) evening for the sixth annual ag leaders dinner at the state fairgrounds. That’s where a ceremony will be staged for Northey to take his oath to serve a top administrator in the U-S-D-A. Northey says Perdue has made it clear improving “customer service” within the U-S-D-A is the priority.
Northey’s title will be undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services. He’ll oversee a staff of 20-thousand. Northey held a news conference this (Monday) morning to discuss the challenges he faced as Iowa’s ag secretary and what may be ahead for him in D.C.
Northey held a news conference in Des Moines this morning, steps away from his office in the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Northey’s deputy, Mike Naig (NEGG, rhymes with “egg”), will be sworn in as Northey’s replacement at 2 p.m. Northey did not endorse Naig, who is seeking a full-term in the job. Naig will face a handful of other Republicans. Northey hinted to reporters he’ll endorse Naig, though, later. Northey indicated it will happen when he’s not speaking in his official capacity as state ag secretary OR as a federal official.
Police Take Sledge Hammers To Knock Down Walls For New Headquarters
(Le Mars) — With sledge hammers and battling rams in hand, members of the Le Mars Police Department, along with city leaders began knocking down walls to the former Motor Inn and Total Motors car dealership, in preparation for the new police headquarters. It is expected the police will make the old car dealership its new home sometime in November.
Pictured from left are Sgt. Lenny Flack, Mayor Dick Kirchoff, Council member Steve Wick, Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte, Councilman Rex Knapp, and Assistant Police Chief Jay King.
