Reynolds Talks About State Revenue Estimates
(Le Mars) — Iowa is expected to grow its revenue by about $33 million for the next fiscal year as projected earlier this month by the state’s revenue estimating commission. However, for the last couple of years the state revenue fell short of projections, causing the state legislature and Governor Reynolds to
borrow money from the state’s financial reserves. Governor Kim Reynolds stopped by the KLEM offices on Friday afternoon as part of her western Iowa campaign tour. The governor was asked if a portion of the expected revenue should be put
aside into the reserves?
Reynolds says each state agency was informed of the small revenue growth, and to
be prepared to scale back on their budget requests.
The state of Kansas, under the direction of Governor Sam Brownback implemented many of the same programs Reynolds has proposed, however, Kansas found themselves in financial trouble. Reynolds was asked how does Iowa’s situation differ from Kansas?
The Republican governor offers an explanation about the proposed revenue programs.
The entire interview with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds can be heard by clicking on the KLEM website at www.klem1410.com
Le Mars Police Investigates Stolen Vehicle Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department is investigating a report of a stolen vehicle that occurred sometime during the overnight hours of March 14th at the Well’s south ice cream plant. Well’s security notified the Le Mars Police Department. Crystal Rizzo of Sioux City had reported to security that her 2004
Ford F-150 pick-up truck was stolen from the west parking lot. Rizzo reported last seeing the vehicle on March 14th at about 10:15 p.m. After concluding her work day on the morning of March 15th, Rizzo returned to where the truck had been
parked, only to realize the truck was now stolen. The incident remains under investigation.
Le Mars Police Arrest Two People For Domestic Assault
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police responded to an incident involving domestic assault on Thursday evening, March 15th at about 10:15 p.m. The Le Mars Police was dispatched to 9 Orchard Street in reference to a past tense domestic violence
assault. During the investigation, officers learned the initial incident took place on March 13th. From that incident, the juvenile male needed to seek medical attention for his injuries. The juvenile was treated and released from Floyd Valley Healthcare. On March 15th, the two individuals once again were
involved in an additional domestic dispute incident. As a result of the investigation, both subjects were arrested for their participation in the the two separate incidents. Arrested were 18 year old Priscella Caro and the 17 year old juvenile male. Caro was transported to the Plymouth County jail for serious
domestic assault, and the juvenile male was charged with simple domestic assault and was released to his parents.
Tulip Festival To Hold Dutch Costume Sale
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The annual Tulip Festival Dutch Costume Exchange is set for Wednesday, April 4. The event will take place from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at Stadscentrum, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Second Street North in Orange City.
Individuals interested in selling Dutch costumes can bring them to the Tulip Festival office, located at 509 8th Street SE, on Monday, April 2 or Tuesday, April 3.
Sellers should determine the price of their costumes, and are asked to print and fill out the seller’s form found on the festival website, www.octulipfestival.com. Please note that the Tulip Festival Steering Committee only accepts authentic Dutch costumes for the exchange.
Individuals interested in purchasing Dutch costumes don’t need to have an authentic Dutch costume to sell, and individuals interested in selling authentic Dutch costumes don’t need to purchase others.
Parents Accused of Starving Daughter to Death Wants Trial To Be Moved
ADEL, Iowa (AP) – The adoptive parents of a 16-year-old girl who weighed only 56 pounds (25 kilograms) when she died want their trials moved out of Dallas County in central Iowa.
Court records say lawyers for 41-year-old Misty Ray filed a motion Friday mostly matching one filed earlier this month for her husband, 42-year-old Marc Ray. Both have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, child endangerment
resulting in death, and other crimes.
The motions say the Rays can’t get fair trials in Dallas County because of extensive publicity. Misty Ray’s mother has made the same argument in her bid for a new trial location. Sixty-three-year-old Carla Bousman has pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting child endangerment and other crimes.
An April 25 hearing has been scheduled on all three motions.
Dyersville Man Pleas Not Guilty To Vandalism To “Field of Dreams” Ballpark
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A 20-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he drove onto and damaged the Iowa baseball field made famous by the 1989 “Field of Dreams” movie.
The Telegraph Herald reports that Austin Pape, of Dyersville, entered a written plea before his arraignment scheduled for Monday in Dubuque.
Investigators say Pape has acknowledged driving onto the field Jan. 22, and his attorney has said Pape will work with prosecutors on a resolution.
Court records say the owner estimated the damage at more than $5,500. The vehicle left deep gashes in the field and damaged sprinklers.
The field sits 2 miles (3 kilometers) outside Dyersville – 142 miles (228 kilometers) northeast of Des Moines. Thousands of people visit the property, running around the bases and walking to the surrounding cornfields.
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Cedar Rapids Body Found
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a man’s body has been found on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids.
The body was found around 2:45 p.m. Sunday outside an empty commercial building that is used to handle overflows from a homeless shelter.
Officials are investigating what they say is an unattended death.
Investigators identified the man as 77-year-old Joseph Botello.
An autopsy was ordered.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Name Top 10 Burgers
AMES, Iowa – Iowans submitted nearly 9,200 nominations between February 12 – March 12 to kick off the quest to find the best burger in Iowa. Nominations were accepted online by the the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The number of votes each restaurant received determined the 2018 Top Ten restaurants. The restaurants making the Top Ten list (in alphabetical order) include:
BurgerFiend, Cedar Rapids
Cafe Beaudelaire, Ames
The IowaStater Restaurant, Ames
Moo’s BBQ, Newton
Morgan’s Corner, Ottumwa
Rides Bar & Grill, Fort Dodge
Robin’s Nest Cafe, Clarinda (formerly Vaughn’s Cafe and Bakery)
Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids
The Twisted Tail Steakhouse, Logan (BeeBeeTown)
Wrangling Grace Cafe, Bancroft
“Iowa has over 27,000 beef producers, and this contest is a great way to celebrate the beef they produce and the impact they have on Iowa,” says Katie Olthoff, Director of Communications for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
To qualify, the burger must be a 100% beef patty or patties, although other ingredients may be added such as spices, and served on a bun or bread product. Burgers may include any combination of condiments, sauces, cheese or toppings.
“We moved all of the voting to online this year and set a new record with over 700 restaurants receiving at least one nomination,” comments Brooke German, Director of Marketing for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. “In total, we had over 300 towns and cities across Iowa represented which proves that there are a lot of great tasting burgers all across the state.”
Seven restaurants are new to the contest’s Top 10 list and include: BurgerFiend, Cedar Rapids; Cafe Beaudelaire, Ames; Iowa Stater Restaurant, Ames; Moo’s BBQ, Newton; Morgan’s Corner, Ottumwa; The Twisted Tail Steakhouse, Logan; and Wrangling Grace Cafe, Bancroft.
Returning contestants include: Ride’s Bar and Grill, Fort Dodge; Robin’s Nest Cafe, Clarinda (formerly Vaughn’s Cafe and Bakery); and Saucy Focaccia, Cedar Rapids.
Last year’s winning burger entry was the Hereford B-B-Q located at Storm Lake.
Lake To Be Refillled
OXFORD, Iowa (AP) – Re-digging has begun at a popular eastern Iowa lake that was drained last year due to bacteria and algae blooms.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that Kent Park drained its lake as part of a $2.9 million restoration project seven years in the making.
Issues that contributed to the lake draining included runoff from livestock operations upstream; built up phosphorus from row crops and livestock in the park’s catch basins; and waste from geese.
Johnson County Conservation Department Director Larry Gullett says the “park is literally torn apart right now.”
Reversing the damage requires a major overhaul to the park. New catch basins have been built and the depths of the lake are being remade.
Park officials say it will be at least another year before the lake is
refilled and open for public use.
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