Iowa State Patrol Releases Names From Merrill Accident
(Merrill) — The Iowa State Patrol has released the names of the fatal two- vehicle accident that occurred Monday evening on Highway 75 near Merrill.
The driver of the first vehicle was 38 year old Mohamed Abdullahi-Mohamud of Sioux City. Abdullahi-Mohamud was driving a Nissan Rogue heading southbound when his vehicle dropped off the travel portion onto the west shoulder.
Abdullahi-Mohamud then over-corrected and lost control, crossing two southbound lanes and a center turn lane. He then collided nearly head-on with a Dodge Dakota pickup truck, driven by 33 year old Sarah Landsness of Le Mars. Abdullahi-Mohamud suffered life threatening injuries. His vehicle had three other passengers. Six-year old Ayaan Ibrahn was killed during the
accident. Eight month old Rayan Arab suffered serious injuries, and 34 year old Hawo Arab had non life threatening injuries. Landsness also suffered serious injuries.
City Council Approves Grant Request For Plywood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city council approved a measure to proceed with writing of a grant to obtain state revenue to be applied for the proposed Plywood Recreational Bicycle Trail between Le Mars and Merrill. The Plywood Recreational Trail is a proposed trail that would ultimately connect Le Mars to Sioux City by way of joining Merrill and Hinton. Brian Dougherty from
McClure Engineering informed the city council about the grant.
Dougherty says the state will split the money among many grant requests, but he says the Plywood Trail may stand a good chance to receive some of the money.
If approved, the grant money would be used for Phase 1 of the Plywood Trail which begins at Le Mars and would join up with Merrill.
The engineering technician informed the city council they still have options available as to whether or not they accept the grant money from the state.
Leslie Bartholomew is a member of the Plywood Trail committee. She also appeared before the city council to inform them of the plans the trail committee has to raise additional funding.
The city council approved the measure on a 5-0 vote.
National Farm Safety Week
(Le Mars) — This week is National Farm Safety Week. It is designed to call attention to the dangers of farming, especially during harvest season.
During this National Farm Safety Week, and every week, farmers are reminded to slow down and be cautious. Iowa State University Extension Agricultural Engineer and Safety Specialist Chuck Schwab says agriculture ranks as one of
the most dangerous and deadliest occupations
He says one reason for agriculture to be listed high with injuries and deaths is because so many people from a wide age range are involved with agriculture.
The Iowa State University Safety Specialist says the same is true with the younger generation.
Schwab says the best thing a farmer can do is to make good decisions, and to take a break from the action and have a moment of rest.
Iowa Allowed To Join Federal Lawsuit Against The Waters of the United States Ruling
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A federal judge in North Dakota has handed Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds a victory in temporarily halting enforcement of a Barack Obama administration clean water rule in the state.
The Waters of the United States rule is disliked by conservative
groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Farm Bureau Federation which claim it’s classic government over-regulation.
It was challenged in court in June 2015 by a dozen states seeking to halt its implementation.
The rule, supported by environmental groups, provides a definition for which rivers, lakes and other water bodies may be regulated by federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency.
Iowa was not one of the original states in the lawsuit, but Reynolds had asked the court to allow the state to join in. That would mean Iowa also could halt enforcement of the clean water rule until the issue is fully litigated in the courts.
On Tuesday Judge Daniel Hovland granted Reynolds’ request.
Reynolds says in a statement that “Iowa farmers and small business owners will not be burdened by this federal overreach while we continue fighting to permanently end the WOTUS Rule.”
Finance Authority Approves Interview With Past Employee
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Finance Authority Board voted Tuesday to allow an attorney investigating the conduct of the state agency’s fired director to interview a lawyer who once worked there but is now in private practice.
The board approved a resolution Tuesday to allow James Smith to discuss the behavior of fired IFA Director Dave Jamison. Female employees who worked for Jamison say he talked about sex and often made lewd and suggestive comments to women in the workplace.
Prominent white-collar attorney Mark Weinhardt is leading an
investigation into Jamison’s actions and the agency’s response. Weinhardt requested an interview with Smith, now a partner in a Des Moines law firm.
Jamison, a long-time political ally of Gov. Kim Reynolds was fired
by her in March after women complained to her office.
IFA Interim Executive Director Carolann Jensen says Weinardt is
expected to file the final report on his investigation by the end of this month.
An audit of the agency ordered by the Iowa Legislature going back to the beginning of Jamison’s tenure in 2011 is expected to be completed by mid-November.
