Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor Announces Major Changes
(Le Mars) — Major changes will soon occur at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor as announced Wednesday, during the Chamber of Commerce coffee. The parlor already attracts more than 230,000 visitors each year. But, in addition to serving ice cream products, the Blue Bunny parlor will soon transform into an interactive tourism attraction. Adam Baumgartner, Wells Vice President of Retail Sales unveiled the plans for the renovation project for the parlor. Baumgartner says the purpose for Wells Enterprises and Blue Bunny Ice Cream is to bring fun and joy to everyone.
Baumgartner talks about the planned renovation as you first enter the parlor.
Baumgartner says the seating capacity will be expanded, and the tables will be more festive.
The Wells official says the soda fountain area will be more interactive featuring video screens. Construction has already began for the meeting rooms to be moved to the lower level of the ice cream parlor inside the former Timmy’s Catering building.
The current meeting room will be converted to a mini theater area.
Baumgartner says the upstairs level will feature an interactive display showcasing how the milk starts at the farm and becomes America’s favorite sweet treat.
Baumgartner believes the “From Farm to Spoon” exhibit may prove to be the most popular attraction within the ice cream parlor. He says it will feature many “hands-on” displays. The ice cream parlor will also feature an outdoor roof-top eating area.
The goal is to complete all the renovation by next year’s Ice Cream Days, and when the town of Le Mars will celebrate its Sesquicentennial 150th anniversary. In order to conduct the construction it was announced the ice cream parlor will be closed between October 1st through November 19th, and again between March 1st and mid-June of 2019. Officials wouldn’t comment on the estimate for the cost of the renovation project.
Kirchoff Praises Wells For Ice Cream Parlor Renovation Project
(Le Mars) — Le Mars mayor, Dick Kirchoff attended the Chamber coffee and listened to the announcement. Kirchoff says he’s pleased to learn about the renovations being planned for the ice cream parlor.
He says the ice cream parlor has already proven itself as a tourist destination, but with the improvements, Kirchoff says it will promote even more tourism to Le Mars.
Donlin Says He’s Retiring From Floyd Valley, But Staying In Le Mars
(Le Mars) — On Tuesday, it was announced Floyd Valley Healthcare Administrator, Mike Donlin, would be retiring from his position at Floyd Valley at the end of November. The announcement had many people wondering what Donlin was planning following his retirement? Specifically, if he, and wife Patty would remain in Le Mars?
Donlin says he plans to continue as the chairman of the Le Mars Community Betterment Foundation, as well as other community commitments.
Donlin says he wants to see Le Mars continue to grow.
Trial Has Been Re-scheduled For Sioux City Fatal Stabbing
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A trial has been rescheduled for a Nebraska resident accused of stabbing to death a woman in northwest Iowa.
Court records show the attorney for 20-year-old Melissa Camargo-Flores, of Dakota City, Nebraska, wanted more time to prepare her defense. The new trial starting date set Tuesday is Sept. 18 in Woodbury County District Court. The former date was July 10.
Camargo-Flores is charged with first-degree murder in the Sioux City slaying of 24-year-old Kenia Alvarez-Flores on April 8. Court documents say Camargo-Flores admitted stabbing Alvarez-Flores and told investigators she’d been involved in a relationship with the victim’s boyfriend.
Authorities say the two women were not related.
Fire Fighter Arrested For Drunk Driving
HUMBOLDT, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have accused a volunteer firefighter of being drunk while driving a fire vehicle in northern Iowa.
Online court records say 42-year-old Jeffrey Feaster, of Dakota City, is charged with operating under the influence, first offense. His attorney didn’t immediately return a call Wednesday from The Associated Press.
The Messenger reports that Feaster was driving a rescue unit early on June 6 while responding to a traffic accident in Humboldt. Court records say he smelled of alcohol that morning and failed two field sobriety tests. His blood alcohol content tested out at more than twice the legal limit.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26
