Water Department To Flush Hydrants
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Water Department wants to inform residents and businesses that the Le Mars Fire Department will be preforming pump test on
their fire trucks next week. So, on Monday morning August 20th at 8:00 a.m. the Water Department will be flushing the main in front of Fire Station #2 at 25 12th St SE. Officials say this could cause the area around the fire station to have discolored water for a short time Monday morning.
Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau To Step Up Enforcement Efforts During Labor Day Weekend
(Des Moines) — It is August in Iowa… State Fair excitement, schools beginning a new year, and then, right around the corner will be Labor Day – the traditional end of summer. This is one of the busiest travel times of the year as many people try and squeeze in one more vacation destination.
Others will host or attend end-of-summer social events where alcohol will be served. However you decide to observe the end of summer, remember this: it is NEVER okay to drink and drive! If your plans include activities where alcohol will be served make sure you have a plan before you arrive on how you will be getting home. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau reminds motorists that Labor Day Holiday is often times a dangerous weekend for traffic deaths.
Last Labor Day’s three-day weekend resulted in 10 fatalities in Iowa. That was the highest Labor Day fatality count since 1995. Four of those 10 fatalities were alcohol related. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that during the 2016 holiday (the last year data is available) there were 433 crash fatalities nationwide with 36% involving drivers who were drunk. Almost one in five children (14 and younger) killed
in traffic crashes were killed in drunk-driving crashes and 54% of the time, it was the child’s own driver who was drunk.
To combat end-of-summer alcohol related fatalities law enforcement agencies in Iowa and across the nation will be stepping up enforcement from August 17 – September 3, 2018. They will especially be watching for impaired and unbelted drivers and there will be zero tolerance to non compliant drivers. The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau remind you that drinking and driving is a choice, and it is a choice that should not be made.
Crop Conditions Look Good – Maturity On Pace
(Le Mars) — With a few exceptions to those areas hit by flooding, northwest Iowa’s crop conditions are looking good. Iowa State University Extension Crop Specialist Joel DeJong says area crops are making great progress, and are on pace for a normal maturity rate.
Despite last year’s early season dry spell, DeJong says last year’s yield proved to be better than expected, mainly because of low stress conditions from late July on through harvest. Although he expects to see good yields for this year, DeJong says this year’s top corn yield may be a bit lower than last year.
The Iowa State University crops specialist says soybeans are currently at the pod-filling stage. He says farmers have not had to worry much this year about pests invading their soybean fields.
DeJong says soybeans often require the same amount of moisture as does corn, but fortunately, that moisture requirement needs comes later than corn. He says the
weather from this point forward will help determine the size of the bean.
Investigators Concentrate On Five Areas To Locate Missing Student
BROOKLYN, Iowa (AP) – Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Iowa college student are focusing on five areas in and near her hometown.
Twenty-year-old Mollie Tibbetts was last seen July 18, jogging in
Brooklyn in central Iowa.
The areas of interest are: her boyfriend’s home in Brooklyn; a carwash; a truck stop; a farm more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from downtown Brooklyn; and another farm more than 6 miles (10 kilometers) away.
Special agent Rick Rahn of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation says officials hope mentioning those areas will jog residents’ memories.
Investigators have asked anyone who was in any of those five areas when Tibbetts disappeared to remember that evening and leave tips on a website .
Crime Stoppers of Central Iowa says a reward fund has grown to more than $366,000.
State Park To Re-open
MAQUOKETA, Iowa (AP) – Officials say Maquoketa (muh-KOH’-keh-tuh) Caves State Park will reopen Aug. 24.
The eastern Iowa park’s been closed for more than three months while undergoing extensive renovations.
The renovations include resurfacing the road through the park, new trail boardwalks and upgraded electric service at campsites.
Teacher Union Sets Up Educational Supply Store
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A teachers’ union is operating a makeshift store in Davenport offering new teachers free or discounted classroom supplies ahead of the new school year.
The Quad-City Times reports the Davenport Education Association has stocked the “teacher re-store” at the Lincoln Fundamental School with donations from retired teachers, community members and agencies. Some of the supplies and teaching materials are purchased with grant money.
About 20 teachers and some mentors visited the store Tuesday.
Association President Cari Johnson says the average Davenport teacher spends $400 in personal funds for classroom supplies.
Graham Latchaw is a new teacher at Children’s Village West. Latchaw says he’d be searching yard sales for resources without the makeshift store.
The store will open again for new teachers in September. Experienced teachers will be invited to shop later.
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Webster County Buys Old FAA Tower
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Webster County has acquired an old Federal Aviation Administration tower that the county will use to improve radio coverage for emergency responders in the southern half of the county.
The Messenger reports that the 340-foot-tall (104 meters) tower near Harcourt was bought Tuesday for $1 from the federal government, and the nearly 6 acres (2.5 hectares) of land under it cost $46,000.
Sheriff Jim Stubbs says a new tower would have cost $300,000, plus the cost of the land.
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