Home News Thursday Afternoon News, August 16th

Thursday Afternoon News, August 16th

Plymouth County Farms Recognized As Century Farms

(Le Mars) — Four families from Plymouth County are being recognized today during a ceremony held at the Iowa State Fair for having Century Farms.
Century Farms are those farms that have remained in the same family for at least 100 years. The families with century farms include: Chase Breitbarth of Le Mars. The farm is located at 17053 Granite Avenue and was first settled in 1890. Frank and Don Hirschman, owners of Hillcrest Pork of Kingsley was also honored with a century farm plaque. The farm is located at
29548 Roosevelt Avenue, and was founded in 1906. Dean and Linda Schroeder of Remsen with their farm located at 41174 county road C-38 was also honored.
The Schroeder farm began in 1912. The last recipient of a Century Farm award from Plymouth County was Gary and Jane Warnock of Merrill. Their farm is located at 24726 Juniper Avenue and was started in 1908. Plymouth County did
not have any Heritage Farms honored. A Heritage Farm is defined as a farm that has been owned and operated by the same family for a period of at least 150 years.

 

 

Montana Governor Visits Iowa For Early Exploration Of Presidential Bid

(Des Moines) — Montana’s Democratic governor is in Iowa talking up his ability to win in Trump country, but he is still deflecting questions about a 2020 presidential run.
Gov. Steve Bullock spoke Thursday at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soapbox at the Iowa State Fair as he explores a potential presidential campaign.
Bullock told the audience that he won as a Democrat in 2016 in a state that President Donald Trump won by 20 percentage points because he engages and listens to people.
One person asked when he’ll decide whether to run for president.
Bullock answered that he has a story to tell about how to bring people together, but added: “Right now what I’m doing is listening and, honestly, that’s as far as it goes.”
He is scheduled to visit another early voting state, New Hampshire, next weekend.

 

 

Janitor Sentenced To 60 Years For Video Recording School Staff In Restroom

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former janitor accused of video recording people in a northern Iowa school staff restroom has been given 60 days in jail.
Cerro Gordo County records say 47-year-old David Bemis, of Mason City, also was sentenced Wednesday to a year of probation and fined $1,260. He must register as a sex offender for 10 years. Bemis pleaded guilty to four counts of invasion of privacy.
Investigators say Bemis was working at Clear Creek Elementary in Clear Lake in May 2013 when he hid a camera in the restroom and recorded four school employees in varying degrees of nudity. He no longer works for the district.
The Clear Lake superintendent has said no students were recorded.

 

 

Trial Set For Caretaker Accused Of Sexual Abuse Of Clients

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A trial has been scheduled for a Mason City caretaker accused of sexually assaulting two of his clients.
Cerro Gordo County Court records say 19-year-old Wasfie Alshara has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of sexual abuse. His trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 11.
The records say Alshara raped one of his clients on Nov. 21 and sexually assaulted the other in a group home on June 8.
The records also say Alshara worked for an unidentified company that provides caretaking services.

 

 

Mason City Man Accused Of Stabbing Five People Says His Defense Is He Was Intoxicated

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Mason City man accused of stabbing five people at a downtown bar intends to rely on defenses of intoxication and diminished responsibility.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that 39-year-old Raul Millares Arias faces five felony counts of willful injury and one felony count of going armed with intent.
Police say Millares Arias had been asked to leave the bar July 4 before stabbing four men and one woman and attempting to stab a sixth person. Police say Millares Arias was chased out of the bar by a customer and then held for police by witnesses.
His attorney has asked for a psychiatrist or psychologist to examine Millares Arias “for any mental disease” present that day. The trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 11, but the attorney is seeking to delay it.

 

 

Waterloo Art Pieces To Be Reinstalled

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Two unsanctioned art pieces previously removed from Waterloo parks will be reinstalled.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reports that the Waterloo Leisure Services Commission voted unanimously this week to allow the panels created by local artist Bret Miller to return to Liberty and Leavitt parks.
The move comes after the public art committee endorsed the works through the Waterloo Center for the Arts, and members of the Liberty Park Neighborhood Association pushed for their return.
The commission notes that the city wouldn’t be responsible for
maintaining or replacing the pieces if they become weathered or damaged.
Commissioners also say that future works should be brought for approval first.
Miller says he’s been displaying his stencil-and-spray paint pieces in city parks for several years without seeking permission.