Police Investigate Wednesday Central Avenue Accident
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police are investigating an auto accident that happened early Wednesday evening near Central Avenue and 4th Street southwest. The accident occurred at about 6:40 p.m. As a result of the investigation of the accident, 53 year old Debra Reichle of Le Mars was found to be intoxicated.
Reichle was taken into custody and transported to the Plymouth County Jail for a second offense for Operating While Intoxicated. Also responding to the accident scene were the Le Mars Ambulance Services and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department.
Congressman King Calls For “Conclusion and Adoption” For Flood Relief Funding
Washington, D.C.- Congressman Steve King, (Iowa 4th District) is urging the House and Senate to
“get to a conclusion and adoption” of a disaster relief package that contains funding to assist communities in Iowa affected by recent flooding. In his remarks on the House floor, King described the impact that recent flooding has had on Midwestern states, and he stressed the need for timely action
as he says “we need the relief, and we need it very soon.”
The House of Representatives is currently scheduled to vote on the disaster relief legislation tomorrow.
Davenport Officials Say Recent Flooding Could Cost $2.5 Million Per Month
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – A downtown business group says the economic toll from Mississippi River flooding could run as high as $2.5 million a month.
The Quad-City Times reports that the economic impact statement from the Downtown Davenport Partnership doesn’t include property damage. The statement is part of an application sent to state and federal officials for assistance.
Factors include sales statistics, lost wages and business activity because of inaccessibility.
A temporary flood barrier failed April 30, allow floodwaters to cover several downtown blocks.
The organization’s director, Kyle Carter, says federal emergency
officials asked the group to “look at the bigger picture, because there’s just no way to know instantaneously what that impact is.”
Scott County officials are still waiting for federal officials to
declare the area a disaster zone.
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El Nino Could Mean A Continuation Of Cool And Wet Conditions
(Des Moines) — This spring has been cooler and wetter than usual in Iowa and that combination may be sticking around for a while. Meteorologist Dennis Todey (TODD-ee), director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says the El Nino weather pattern was slow to develop in recent months but it’s
definitely in place now and it’s likely the impact will be felt for several more months to come.
Many thousands of acres of Iowa farmland were swamped by flooding in recent months, and this week’s heavy rain is raising fears of a repeat. Todey says if the weather stays cooler and wetter through summer, that lack of heat could be a critical problem for farmers by harvest season.
An El Nino occurs when Pacific Ocean temperatures rise and cause weather impacts all across North America. Typically, an El Nino also brings a winter that is -warmer- than normal.
Convenient Stores To Fight Human Trafficking
(Des Moines) — Two competing Iowa-based convenience store chains are working together to raise awareness about human trafficking. Casey’s General Stores and Kum-and-Go are training their 25-hundred employees through “C-SAT,” Convenience Stores Against Trafficking. Casey’s spokesman Mike Richardson says workers in the industry’s stores, which are open round-the-clock, are in a unique position to help.
Des Moines-based Kum & Go has almost 400 stores in 11 states while Casey’s, headquartered in Ankeny, has 21-hundred stores in 16 states.
Mountain Lion Spotted In Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials are investigating a report of a mountain lion being sighted near downtown Des Moines.
Police said Thursday morning that they’re poring over video from the area near Interstate 235 and 31st Street to see whether the report can be confirmed. Snapshots taken from the video appear to show a mountain lion near some steps and a park bench.
People are being advised to be cautious with children and animals and to call 911 if they sight the animal.
Mountain lions have been inside the city before. Police fatally shot one on the city’s north side in October 2012.
