Firefighters Respond To Early Morning House Fire
(Le Mars) — Firefighters responded to an early morning house fire that was reported at about 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. The fire was reported at 35665 Muskrat Drive, about three miles east of Le Mars. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Oyens Fire Department, Remsen Fire Department all responded to the blaze. Additional help was requested by both the Merrill Fire Department and the Hinton Fire Department in terms of hauling and supplying water. Orange City fire department was requested to provide additional manpower. Firefighters noticed an orange glow along with a large cloud of smoke. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper describes the house fire as they approached the scene.
Schipper says the house would be considered as a total loss.
Schipper says firefighters will continue to investigate the cause and origin of the fire, but he offers an idea of how the fire may have gotten started.
Schipper says the family’s insurance agency has already been on the scene to help with the displaced family. Firefighters were on the scene until nearly 9:45 a.m. this morning.
Carlin and Jeneary Hold Meet and Greet To Discuss Political Issues
(Le Mars) — Republican candidates Jim Carlin and Dr. Tom Jeneary held a Meet and Greet session Monday evening at the Four Brothers Bar and Grill.
About a dozen people had attended the session. One question was asked of State Senator Jim Carlin about his position wanting to have a freeze on property tax rates for senior citizens collecting social security.
There was also some discussion relating to tax incentives given to attract businesses to the state of Iowa. Dr. Jeneary, who is seeking a House seat commented on that issue.
Another issue that was discussed was the state retirement pension IPERS. Jeneary says there is no proposal to change the state’s employee retirement plan, and it remains as one of the most solvent retirement programs in the nation.
Iowa Secretary of State Pate Says Votes Will Be Safe and Secure
(Le Mars) — Iowa’s Secretary of State Paul Pate met with local media today to give some reassurance that Iowans votes count, and are safe and secure. Pate tells of the steps taken by both the state, and at the county level to make certain votes are not to be jeopardized.
Pate says he wants to emphasize four areas of attention with this year’s elections.
Pate says the new photo voter identification law is moving along smoothly.
Dordt College Fires Band Instructor
(Sioux Center) — Dordt College in Sioux Center says the school’s Board of Trustees has fired their band director, who has been on leave for nearly two weeks following accusations of inappropriate contact with students. Dordt Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing, Brandon Huisman, made the
announcement.
Information surfaced beginning October 8th regarding Miedema’s
inappropriate solicitation and elicit contact with students. Huisman says the investigation continues.
Huisman says the school takes the events seriously and says they and are committed to the health of their students and faculty by providing care and counseling for everyone involved. He says Dordt remains committed to finding healing, while remaining centered on their mission to equip students, alumni, and the broader community to work effectively towards
Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. The college asks if anyone has information that may be relevant to the investigation, to contact either Howard Wilson, Chief Administrative Officer or Robert Taylor, Dean of Students.
Authorities Off Reward For Information About Two Brothers Murders
FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) – Authorities are investigating the shooting deaths of two brothers whose bodies were found in an alley just north of downtown Fort Dodge.
Officers sent to check a shooting report found the bodies at 12:03 a.m. Monday. The two were identified as 37-year-old Marion Rhodes and 34- year-old Eldominic Rhodes. They lived in Fort Dodge.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is aiding Fort Dodge
investigators. Fort Dodge Police Capt. Ryan Gruenberg says investigators are trying to determine whether the slayings are gang-related. No arrests have been reported.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for information.
Reynolds and Hubbell To Launce Campaign Bus Tours
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and her challenger Democrat Fred Hubbell are taking to the road in the closing two weeks of the campaign.
Both candidates have announced bus tours.
Hubbell is rallying supporters Tuesday near the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines before departing on a first-day swing to Nevada, Ames, Cedar Rapids and DeWitt.
Reynolds plans to begin her tour on Wednesday in West Des Moines before traveling to Boone, Ames, Marshalltown and Iowa Falls the first day.
The most recent reports indicate Hubbell has set a fundraising record for an Iowa governor’s race.
Hubbell has raised nearly $18 million including $6.4 million of his own money. His total beat the previous record of nearly $10 million raised by former Gov. Terry Branstad in 2014.
Reynolds has raised nearly $12 million for the campaign.
Clark County Attorney Drunk While In Courtroom
OSCEOLA, Iowa (AP) – A county attorney in southern Iowa who’s accused of being drunk in a courtroom has apologized and has asked voters to let her continue her work.
Clarke County court documents say 42-year-old Michelle Rivera is charged with public intoxication. A sheriff’s deputy says in a criminal complaint that he noticed Rivera “slurring her words and stumbling on her feet” in the Osceola courtroom last Thursday afternoon. He arrested her after she refused to take a breath test.
Rivera, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican Adam Ramsey on Nov. 6. She issued a statement in which she said she’s “taking every step necessary to get help, to fix this problem and to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
She apologized for what happened Thursday and said she hopes voters “will afford me the opportunity to continue this endeavor next term.”
