Snow Bank Helps Le Mars Police Apprehend Wanted Felon
(Le Mars) — A snow bank assisted the Le Mars Police Department in the arrest of a wanted man. Le Mars police were made aware of Jose Adrian Murillo Gaytan, also known as Jose Murillo or Adrian Murillo. Murillo had several outstanding warrants from Plymouth, Woodbury, and Sioux Counties.
At about 11:00 p.m. Thursday evening, officers observed 31-year old Murillo arrive at the West Floyd Park driving a Chevy Malibu. Several officers approached Murillo to take him into custody. Murillo then attempted to flee in the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed through a parking lot where
he purposely slammed the vehicle into and over a large snow pile. Murillo was able to clear the first snow pile, even though his vehicle sustained some damage. Murillo then tried to flee by driving through or over a second snow pile to gain access to a separate parking lot attempting to escape.
Murillo’s vehicle got hung up in the second snow pile. Murillo then exited his vehicle and tried to flee on foot, but was quickly taken into custody by several officers, including the Le Mars Police K-9 dog. Police found a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine on Murillo. He was charged with various drug
and drug paraphernalia possession charges. Among other charges, Murillo was arrested for outstanding warrants for second degree kidnapping, assault, stalking, and domestic abuse, all while in possession of a dangerous weapon and while being a habitual felon.
World Day Of Prayer Scheduled For Friday
(Le Mars) – Today (Friday) is scheduled as the World Day of Prayer. The Le Mars event acknowledging World Day of Prayer is scheduled for the Rejoice Community Church beginning at 1:30 p.m. Mary Laughton of Le Mars is assisting with the event. She says World Day of Prayer got started more than a century ago, as a way to ask for peace.
Laughton says everyone is welcome to attend this afternoon’s program. She says it will feature prayers, music, and a special speaker.
The event is free, however, there will be a free-will offering.
Plymouth County Pheasants Forever To Hold Annual Banquet On Saturday
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Pheasants Forever chapter is getting set for its annual banquet scheduled for Saturday evening at the Le Mars Convention Center. Bob Puetz is the president of the local chapter of Pheasants Forever. He says Saturday’s event marks the 34th time Plymouth County
Pheasants Forever has held a banquet.
Puetz says the event will feature several different games, raffles, and a silent and live auction featuring several prints of wildlife, along with some unique and distinctive shotguns and rifles.
The Plymouth County Pheasants Forever president says the annual banquet proves to be a lot of fun for everyone in the family. He says they pay particular attention to the youth, and offer several games to capture their attention.
As is characteristic with the Pheasants Forever banquet are several hunting and fishing trip excursions to be auctioned. Puetz says this year’s banquet will feature several interesting vacations at resorts from Canada to the Carribean.
Plymouth County Pheasants Forever organization is among one of the top chapters across the nation. Puetz says the local chapter recently purchased some ground to be used as a public hunting preserve.
Puetz says during the past few years, there have been an increase of pheasant numbers in Plymouth County and throughout northwest Iowa. However, Puetz admits this year’s harsh winter with the snow and extreme cold temperatures may be hurt the pheasant count.
Doors will open beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the banquet meal to be served at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 for the banquet along with a membership fee and $20 for the spouse.
Fire and Rescue Department Releases February Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department released its monthly report for February. The fire department reports a total of 39 calls were acted upon during February. The breakdown shows they had ten fire calls and ten rescues, and ten requests for services. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department conducted six investigations or accident clean ups. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department offered mutual aid on three separate occasions, each with the Merrill Fire Department. Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports firefighters cleared snow away from 81 fire hydrants. Nine members of the fire department had staffed the fire station for five hours during the
blizzard warning. Battalion Chief Steve Schwarz has become certified as a national fire instructor.
Secretary of State Pompeo To Visit Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning to attend events in the Des Moines area next week.
The State Department announced Friday that Pompeo would be in the Des Moines area on Sunday and Monday to discuss agriculture issue and about how the agency serves U.S. interests by promoting American exports.
Pompeo plans to speak at a Future Farmers of America event, tour an agriculture research center and attend an event at the World Food Prize headquarters in Des Moines. He also will meet with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The State Department says former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, now the ambassador to China, will accompany Pompeo.
The department is expected to provide more details about the visit later.
Des Moines Man Accepts Plea Deal On Son’s Death To Avoid Murder Charges
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A man accused of setting his stepson aflame in Des Moines has taken a plea deal and avoided a murder trial.
The Des Moines Register reports that 42-year-old Randy Miles Jr.
pleaded guilty Friday to involuntary manslaughter and fleeing the state to avoid prosecution. Prosecutors dropped charges of arson and first-degree murder in return for Miles’ pleas. Prosecutors say he’ll be sentenced later this month to up to 30 years in prison.
Authorities say Miles fled to Grand Forks , North Dakota, following his confrontation with 26-year-old Christopher Lenhart on Aug. 25, 2017.
Witnesses told police that Miles had argued with Lenhart and then threw gas on him while Lenhart was inside a vehicle. The gas then ignited. Lenhart died two days later at an Iowa City hospital.
—
State Senate Sub-committee Votes To Use Education Spending For Private and Home Schools
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Senate subcommittee has advanced a measure that would use public education money for private schools and home schooling.
The Des Moines Register reports the committee voted 2-1 for the measure Wednesday, with the two Republicans in support and Democratic member opposed.
Sen. Jerry Behn, a Boone Republican who sponsored the bill, says the measure would provide parents opportunities for more involvement in their children’s education. He also says it would encourage competition among schools and lead to improvement.
West Des Moines Democratic Sen. Claire Celsi says schools aren’t
businesses and don’t compete with one another.
The bill would provide students in grades K-12 “education savings grants” to pay for a nonpublic school or “competent private instruction,”
more commonly known as home schooling. The grant would equal the average per-student amount the state pays each year for students at public schools.
—
