Co-workers From Lally’s Eastside Testify At Bibler’s Murder Trial
(Le Mars) — Testimony continued today for the Thomas Bibler trial. Bibler of Le Mars is accused of fatally stabbing his sister Shannon Bogh in June of 2016. The focus from Thursday morning was featuring co-workers of Bibler from his work place at Lally’s Eastside restaurant. Donna Hestermann of Remsen testified saying she has known Thomas Bibler since he began working at the restaurant. Hestermann says she considered Bibler to be a friend, and they would often visit during employee work breaks. Hestermann says she and Bibler would talk about various topics, including Bibler’s sister, Shannon
Bogh. Hesterman noted the day of the stabbing incident, Bibler seemed to be emotionally troubled and upset when he arrived at Lally’s to begin his work shift.
Bibler was once married and has children, but his ex-wife has custody of the children. Hestermann says Bibler was always excited when he talked about his children, and when he would be able to see his children. Based upon conversations with Bibler, Hestermann says Bibler’s ex-wife would often be
manipulative and mean to Bibler.
Hestermann says Bibler would often speak fondly of his sister, and she classified the relationship between Bibler and Bogh as a close relationship.
Hestermann says it was Shannon Bogh who served as a mentor for her brother often times assisting Bibler achieve his goals of becoming more independent, which included moving from a Pride Group housing facility to an apartment, and gaining access to his pickup truck.
Hestermann says from her observations, she believed Bibler and Bogh had a close relationship.
The Lally’s Eastside waitress says it was a hot day on that Saturday in June of 2016. She says the heat outside and inside the kitchen made for uncomfortable conditions. Hestermann says what made it even worse was a co-worker who would bully other employees. She says Bibler was the target of intimidation and harassment during the day in question. Hestermann says
Bibler appeared sad, and ready to cry, since his ex-wife was forbidding him to see his children on Father’s Day. Hestermann says Bibler wasn’t focused on his work that evening, and the co-worker pushed Bibler’s emotional buttons.
Hestermann says Bibler’s reaction to the co-worker’s bullying was he was upset and sad, and didn’t care for the continued comments of ridicule, and he was bothered by the comments that night. Court action has been suspended until Tuesday.
Le Mars Community High School Has A New FFA Advisor
Dickinson County Supervisors Don’t Want Spilled Oil From Train Derailment In Nearby Landfill
ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (AP) – Leaders of a northwest Iowa county want to block the dumping of oil-contaminated soil in a local landfill.
The soil is being removed from fields near where railroad tankers cars derailed and leaked near Doon. BNSF Railway has estimated that around 160,000 gallons (605,648 liters) spilled June 22 into floodwaters of the Little Rock River, contaminating farm fields. The contaminated dirt is being replaced with new topsoil.
The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send letters to the Iowa Natural Resources Department and various officials to share concerns about the soil being dropped in the county landfill east of Arnolds Park.
Supervisor Bill Leupold is hoping for quick responses to the county letters, worrying about the proximity of the landfill to East Lake Okoboji and other waterways.
Trial Date Scheduled For Sioux City Fatal Stabbing
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – An October trial date has been scheduled for an 18- year-old in northwest Iowa accused of stabbing to death his ex-girlfriend and another young man.
Woodbury Country District Court records say prosecution and defense attorneys requested a delay in the trial of Tran Walker. The trial had been set to begin Tuesday. The new starting date is Oct. 16.
Walker’s pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder,
accused of killing 17-year-old Paiten Sullivan and 18-year-old Felipe Negron Jr., who both lived in Sioux City. Police say Walker was in a car with the other two on Jan. 28 when he began to stab Sullivan because he was upset that she had broken up with him. Police say that when Negron tried to intervene,
Walker stabbed him, too.
Iowa State University To Conduct Research On Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University has been selected to establish and lead a new research center into antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The new Institute for Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education announced Thursday will be based at Iowa State’s campus in Ames. The institute is the result of a task force on antibiotic resistance in production agriculture created in 2014 by the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
The two organizations selected Iowa State’s proposal, which included a substantial upgrade of an existing research and education program. Iowa State will partner with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the University of Iowa and the Mayo Clinic, which are all involved with the current program.
Dubuque To House Cancer Center
ANKENY, Iowa (AP) – A state oversight board has approved a Dubuque hospital’s request to buy $5.2 million worth of equipment for a new cancer center.
The State Health Facilities Council voted 3-1 at its meeting Wednesday for the proposal from Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. Mercy plans to start building its $25 million treatment center this year and open it in 2020.
In October the council rejected Mercy’s request. UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital argued at the time that its Wendt Cancer Center already provides the necessary services in Dubuque. The council is charged with preventing unnecessary duplication of medical services.
Ted Townsend is interim president and CEO of UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, and he told the Telegraph Herald after Wednesday’s meeting in Ankeny that his organization is disappointed by the new decision. He says he expects Finley officials will appeal.
Invasive Worm Detected In Iowa
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – An earthworm native to east Asia has been confirmed in Dubuque and Muscatine counties in eastern Iowa.
The Iowa Agriculture Department says they’re usually called jumping worms because of their vigorous wriggling when disturbed. They’re also referred to as crazy worms or Alabama jumpers.
They can grow up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) long and are found closer to the soil surface than other earthworms and found amid leaf litter.
The department says leaf litter protects open areas of land. When the worms consume the litter and soil, the land is subject to compaction, increased water runoff and erosion.
The department recommends against moving compost, mulch and/or topsoil from potentially infested areas and against moving plants from the infested counties.
