Le Mars Receives 1.9 Inches of Rain, But No Storm Damage Reported
(Le Mars) — Although Le Mars did receive nearly two inches of rain, and a few tree limbs are scattered about after last evening’s storm, both the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office say they did not receive any reports of storm damage from last night’s thunderstorms that rolled into the area. There were some radar reports that
an area along the Plymouth County and Sioux County border had some hail, but that hasn’t been confirmed, nor was it reported as to the size of hail. At KLEM radio offices, we received 1.9 inches of rain.
Plymouth County Historical Museum Hosts “Woofstock”
(Le Mars) — Dog lovers are getting set for the tenth annual “Woofstock” scheduled for Saturday at the Plymouth County Historical Museum. “Woofstock” begins with a “Poochi Parade” at 10:00 a.m. as owners and their dogs take a walk around the museum. The event serves as a major fund raiser for the
museum, and Judy Bowman administrator for the museum says it was started as a means to attract children to the museum.
Bowman says “Woofstock” is a celebration of dogs and pets.
This year’s “Woofstock” will have a trade show featuring many items for purchase for dogs of all sizes. Bowman says one highlight of the annual celebration for dogs is to show the various types of service dogs that can assist their owners. She says if people are looking for a dog to adopt, two
entities will be on hand with dogs, along with many other vendors.
There will also be a silent auction for the Woofstock celebration with two quilts made with Woofstock t-shirts and created by Judy Hawkins.
Jill Miller To Sing During Primebank’s Ice Cream Social
Le Mars, IA — Primebank will host its 50th Annual Ice Cream Social, Thursday, June 14th at Primebank in Le Mars. Jill Miller
and her band will be the musical entertainment for this year’s event. Miller is a well-known, local artist that displays a genuine warmth, engaging smile and joyful energy that is contagious. While attending one of her concerts it is not uncommon for concert goers to feel as if she is singing and speaking for you alone. You can expect her performance to feel like
spending a perfect summer evening on the back porch with your best friend.
The singer/songwriter and her band will be performing original songs, as well as a variety of classic country and rock favorites.
In addition to the concert, Primebank staff will be scooping up free ice cream sundaes, offering cookies, and drinks. As well as some special additions that will help commemorate the 50th Ice Cream Social. It will be an evening of fun for the entire family. Once, again, the 50th Annual Primebank Ice Cream Social will take place Thursday, June 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
at the Primebank office located at 37 First Avenue in Le Mars.
Grassley Speaks About E-15 During Le Mars Town Hall Meeting
(Le Mars) — There is a lot of concern with the Environmental Protection Agency and the implementation of the Renewable Fuels Standard as set by Congress. Yesterday, U-S Republican Senator Chuck Grassley informed a group of around 30 people at an early morning town hall meeting held at Le Mars
that he believes Director Pruitt will follow President Trump’s wishes and set the Renewable Fuels Standard at the Congressional approved 14 billion gallon annual production rate. However, there is still some uncertainty with regards to E-15.
However, Grassley did express concern with many petroleum refineries that are claiming hardships, and have been granted a waiver from blending ethanol with gasoline.
Grassley says an example of how oil refineries are abusing the program is with Marathon Oil, one of the largest oil refineries, has asked for a hardship waiver.
That town hall meeting was held at the Agri-Vision John Deere dealership. Following the town hall meeting, Grassley then toured the facilities and spoke with the farm equipment company employees.
Governor Reynolds Signs Budget Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has given final approval to a roughly $7.4 billion state budget and issued a handful of vetoes to conclude this year’s legislative action.
The Republican governor announced Friday afternoon she signed the bills making up the state budget, which goes into effect on July 1. The GOP- controlled Legislature was forced to make mid-year spending cuts the past two years. Legislators hope next year’s budget avoids a similar fate, even as the state cuts income tax rates starting next year.
Reynolds vetoed a proposal to immediately halt a pilot program for pretrial assessments, which will conclude this winter. She also vetoed a bill that would have allowed self-employed workers to qualify for small-group health insurance coverage, which she said would “further destabilize” Iowa’s health insurance market.
In addition, Reynolds vetoed portions of bills dealing with pooling
employee benefits, regulation of the Iowa Insurance Division and a $195,000 appropriation she said could go through a competitive bidding process.
Judge Blocks Iowa Abortion Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A judge will temporarily block the most restrictive abortion law in the country from taking effect in Iowa next month under an agreement between lawyers for the state and abortion rights groups.
Attorneys for the state and Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds agreed Friday to prevent the law from taking effect on July 1 after discussions with the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Planned Parenthood Federation of American and the Emma Goldman Clinic.
The advocacy groups have sued the state to block the law, which bans most abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
An attorney for the state says the goal is to quickly get the case
before a judge to argue the law it’s constitutional.
Judge Michael Huppert said during a court hearing Friday that he’ll issue a temporary injunction later in the day.
Reynolds signed the law May 2, two days after lawmakers approved it.
Reynolds Chief of Staff Resigns
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced the departure of her chief of staff, along with the hiring of a new one.
Reynolds’ office announced Friday in a news release that Jake Ketzner is departing on June 8 as chief of staff “to pursue opportunities outside state government.”
Within minutes of that statement, Reynolds’ office announced that her current chief policy adviser and senior legal counsel, Ryan Koopmans, will assume the chief of staff post on June 9.
Ketzner was a policy adviser to the governor’s office in 2011 and later served as legislative liaison. He was named chief of staff when Reynolds ascended to governor last year after then-Gov. Terry Branstad was appointed U.S. Ambassador to China.
Authorities Look For Connection Between Missing Cousins and Woman Who Was Killed By A Train
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have searched the Belle Plaine home of a woman who killed herself and her 8-year-old son, looking for information on the 2012 killings of two Evansdale girls.
The Des Moines Register reports that detectives recently searched 36 -year-old Teresa Catherine Gerleman’s home, taking several items and a handwritten note.
On May 4, Gerleman pulled 8-year-old Henry Fields onto tracks in the path of a train that killed them both.
Police say in court documents that someone who had counseled Gerleman told investigators that Gerleman claimed to have a six-page letter written by men who admitted involvement in the girls’ deaths.
Ten-year-old Lyric Cook-Morrissey and 8-year-old Elizabeth Collins were taken on July 13, 2012, as they rode their bikes. Their bodies were discovered on Dec. 5, 2012, in Bremer County. No one has been charged in the killings.
It was not clear if any evidence relating to the girls’ deaths was
found in Gerleman’s home.
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Woman Charged With Beating Death Of Former Boyfriend
MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa woman is now charged in the 1992 beating death of an engaged man with whom she allegedly had a sexual relationship.
Annette Dee Cahill made a brief court appearance Friday from the Muscatine County Jail. She’s being held on a $1 million bond.
The 55-year-old woman is charged with first-degree murder in the October 1992 slaying of Corey Lee Wieneke. He was found dead on his bedroom floor in rural West Liberty by his fiancée. Investigators say he was beaten with an aluminum baseball bat.
Cahill didn’t enter a plea Friday. An attorney says he’s talking with Cahill’s family about representing her.
Investigators say a new witness came forward last year claiming
Cahill confessed to the killing. Cahill and Wieneke allegedly argued about “his involvement with another woman” the day he died.
Former Chemical Executive Now In Charge Of EPA Pollution Clean Up
WASHINGTON (AP) – A lawyer tapped to lead a task force at the Environmental Protection Agency overseeing cleanups at the nation’s most polluted places worked until recently for a top chemical and plastics manufacturer potentially responsible for creating some of those toxic sites.
Steven Cook has been named as the new chair of the Superfund Task Force, which EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt created last year to revamp how the agency oversees cleanups at the more than 1,300 toxic sites.
Before beginning work in February as EPA deputy assistant
administrator, Cook served more than 20 years as in-house corporate counsel for LyondellBasell Industries.
EPA records show that LyondellBasell and its subsidiaries are listed as being potentially responsible for at least three dozen Superfund polluted sites.
