Home News Wednesday News, June 27th

Wednesday News, June 27th

Derailed Train Cars Now Removed and Track Is Open

DOON, Iowa (AP) – BNSF Railway says it’s reopened a track where 32 tank cars derailed, spilling thousands of gallons of crude oil in northwest Iowa.
Spokesman Andy Williams says a train ran down the repaired line near Doon around 10 p.m. Monday.
An estimated 230,000 gallons (870,619 liters) of crude oil spilled
Saturday into floodwaters of the Little Rock River from 14 of the cars. He says much of the oil spilled is contained to a small triangular area between the track and two nearby roads. Hazardous materials and environmental experts are using skimmers to recover additional oil.
City and water district officials downstream in Iowa and Nebraska have been assured by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that the oil will be contained before reaching the Missouri River at Sioux City, Iowa.

 

 

Floyd River Is Flooded Again

(Le Mars) — The Floyd River again flooded out of its banks Tuesday afternoon. Late last week the Floyd River at Le Mars had flooded, but then over the weekend and on Monday it began to recede. However, additional heavy rains up north has caused the local river to once again flood. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says it may stay flooded for a few days.

The recreational biking and hiking trail is closed in Le Mars due to the flood waters covering the trail. Schipper advises people to stay away from the rising waters.

Schipper offers an update on the Floyd River status as of Wednesday, June 27th at 7:30 a.m.

 

 

Farmers Concerned With Submerged Crops

(Le Mars) — Many farmers with corn and soybeans under water are wondering if those crops will be able to survive the flood damage. Iowa State University Extension Crops Specialist Joel DeJong says it all depends upon how long those crops were submerged.

“DeJong, Joel”

DeJong says due to the excessive rains, the crops roots have not had the opportunity to penetrate the subsoil levels as much as farmers would prefer.

The Extension Crops Specialist believes there is enough available moisture right now to sustain crop development all the way through pollination.

DeJong says we may see some of the earlier planted corn begin to tassel within the next week.

 

 

Vande Vegte Reminds Le Mars Residents Of Fireworks Rules

(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vander Vegte appeared before the Le Mars City Council Tuesday to offer an update with regards to the sale and discharge of fireworks within Le Mars.

The Le Mars Police Chief reminds the public that fireworks need to be discharged only from private property.

During the Le Mars City Council meeting, council members approved the second reading of the proposed zoning ordinances involving child care and facilities to handle child care. The council also waived the third reading of the new ordinance.

 

 

Woman Rescued From Car Entering A Pond

WAUKEE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a woman was pulled unconscious from her car after it ran into a pond near a vehicle dealership in central Iowa.
Police and firefighters were sent to the scene in Waukee around 1:50 p.m. Tuesday. The rescuers broke a window in the submerged vehicle and got the 39-year-old woman out. She was taken to a Des Moines hospital. Her name hasn’t been released.
Waukee fire Capt. Tomme Tysdal says the woman may have suffered a medical problem before her car went into the pond, which is believed to be about 8 feet deep (less than 3 meters) in the middle.

 

 

Ottumwa Teacher Arrested For Sexual Exploitation Of A Minor

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – Police have arrested a southeastern Iowa sixth-grade teacher accused of sending sexually-charged messages and pictures to a 13- year-old former student.
The Ottumwa Courier reports that police arrested 35-year-old Zachary Barr, of Ottumwa, on Monday. Barr is a sixth-grade teacher at Evans Middle School, but school district officials said Tuesday he had been place on administrative leave.
Police received a complaint June 8 from a woman who said her daughter had received inappropriate messages via social media from Barr, a former teacher to the girl. Police then contacted Barr pretending to be the girl and say he asked her to send him nude photos. Police say he also sent photos of his genitals.
Barr is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual
exploitation by a school employee and dissemination and exhibition of obscene materials to a minor. He faces more than 30 years in prison if convicted.

 

 

Waverly Bridge Now Listed On National Historic Registry

WAVERLY, Iowa (AP) – A long-closed century-old bridge in the northeast Iowa city of Waverly has been added the National Register of Historic Places.
The State Historic Preservation Office announced the move Monday. The Courier says that office oversees the National Register of Historic Places program in Iowa in conjunction with the National Park Service.
Built in 1917, the bridge spans the Cedar River in southeast Waverly.
The 363-foot steel bridge is an eight-panel, riveted Pratt truss design, invented in 1844 by Thomas and Caleb Pratt.
It is one of only three surviving bridges installed in Iowa by the
Illinois Steel Bridge Company of Jacksonville, Illinois.
The bridge was painted green in 1962 and became known thereafter as the “green bridge.”
It’s been closed since February 2015, after inspectors found
corrosion on vital parts.