Home News Wednesday News, July 18th

Wednesday News, July 18th

Fatal Grain Bin Accident On Remsen Farm

(Remsen) — A grain bin accident turned deadly Tuesday evening for a Plymouth County farmer. Fire and rescue units from Remsen, Kingsley, Marcus, and Le Mars were summoned to 44797 230th Street, about six miles south of Remsen at
about 7:20 p.m. last evening. The initial call said a subject was stuck in a grain bin, however, when emergency units arrived at the scene, the farmer was determined to have already been deceased. Rescue workers worked for more than three hours on the recovery effort. The male subject was inside a 40 foot
grain bin filled with corn. A firefighter was sent to the hospital for heat exhaustion. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is withholding the name of the farmer pending family notification.

 

 

 

Fire Department Responds To Truck Tire Fire

(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department was called to the scene of a semi- truck with a tire that caught on fire. The incident happened early this morning at about 3:20 a.m. on the Highway 75 and 3 by-pass.

 

 

Volunteers Honored By Governor’s Office

Le Mars, IA – A group of Floyd Valley Volunteers received Governor’s Volunteer Awards from Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held Monday, July 16th in Storm Lake.
Norma Schuster was selected for a Length of Service award and Nancy Augustine, Dianne Baack, Patti Donlin and Terri Pauling were nominated for individual awards by Floyd Valley Healthcare for their many hours given to various activities in support of the mission of the hospital.
Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor’s Volunteer Award program-now in its 35th year­ recognizes the dedicated people who volunteer their time and talent to help fulfill the missions of Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities. The program provides an easy way for these organizations to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.
More than 500 awards are being presented this year during ceremonies held at several locations around the state with 67 awarded in Storm Lake. It is estimated that more than 20,000 hours of service, with an economic impact of nearly $500,000, were served by this year’s honorees during the past twelve
months.

 

 

Local Road Construction Projects Behind Schedule

(Le Mars) — Summer is now half over, but road construction projects are running behind schedule, mainly due to the frequent rains and flooding from June. Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe tells the situation facing Plymouth County’s road construction projects.

Rohe points to the paving project involving county road C-38 as an example of the construction delays.

The Plymouth County engineer says Plymouth County has a number of road construction projects scheduled for this summer.

Rohe says the grading on 150th Street near the county landfill is actually preparations for next year.

Rohe says when the paving takes place next year, it will cover approximately one and a half miles.

 

 

Life Skills Looks At Fund Raising Opportunities During The Plymouth County Fair

(Le Mars) — Yesterday, we informed you about the annual quilt auction held during the Plymouth County Fair that serves as a fund raiser for Life Skills Training Center. However, the annual quilt auction is only one of the ways Life Skills raises money during the fair. The Bossy Bingo, or also known as
the Cow-chip Bingo, is another way Life Skills raises money. Shelly Thomson says the event has become very popular with Plymouth County residents. She says chances are selling for five dollars.

If you are unfamiliar with Bossy Bingo, Thomson offers an explaination.

Thomson says the purchase of those “parcels of land” will go quickly.
The other fundraiser Life Skills conducts at the Plymouth County Fair is the Ice House, located at Pioneer Village where you can purchase a cool crushed flavored ice cone.

 

 

Castana Woman’s Body Identified

CASTANA, Iowa (AP) – Iowa law enforcement officials have identified a woman whose body was found in western Iowa last month.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says an autopsy has
confirmed the body is that of 66-year-old Cheryl Stowe.
Stowe’s body was found June 27 in a rural area about 1.5 miles from her home northwest of Castana. The discovery was made a day after Monona County sheriff’s deputies and Iowa state troopers were sent to her home on a welfare
check. Officials did not find her at the home.
Authorities did not release how Stowe died or other details. Officials say there is no danger to the public, but that a criminal investigation into her death is ongoing.

 

 

Democrats Raise More Money Than Republicans

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – New data shows Democrats recently outraised Republicans in two closely watched Iowa congressional races, though those GOP incumbents have more available cash to spend.
Fundraising totals released this week for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District in northeast Iowa shows Democrat Abby Finkenauer raised more than $605,000 between May 17 and June 30. U.S. GOP Rep. Rod Blum raised about $266,000 during that period.
Blum has more than $1.6 million cash-on-hand compared to Finkenauer’s $839,000.
In Iowa’s 3rd District in central and southwest Iowa, Democrat Cindy Axne raised more than $528,000 for the same period. U.S. Republican Rep. David Young collected $489,000, but he had $1.4 million cash-on-hand compared
to Axne’s $465,000.
The general election will be Nov. 6.
U.S. Republican Rep. Steve King and U.S. Democratic Rep. David Loebsack are also seeking re-election and face challengers.

 

 

 

Ethics Board Says Political Candidates Cannot Use Contributions For Personal Expenses Including Child Care

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa board that oversees campaign ethics has issued a ruling that keeps Iowa candidates from using campaign money to pay for child care.
The Des Moines Register reports that the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board ruled Friday on a request by Reyma McCoy McDeid, a single mother who ran as a Democrat for a seat in the Iowa House that includes parts of northern Polk County. She lost the June 5 primary to Heather Matson.
McCoy McDeid had requested permission in May to use money she had raised for her race to pay for child care expenses while she campaigned.
State law says candidates can’t use campaign money for personal expenses. In Friday’s ruling, the ethics board said child care costs could be considered either personal or campaign expenses and that Iowa Legislature should clarify the law.