Iowa State Bank Presents Bullet-proof Vest To Le Mars Police Department
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department received a gift from the Iowa State Bank Thursday afternoon. The bank presented Chief Kevin Vande Vegte and officer Brandon Cabney with a new bullet-proof vest. Police Chief Vande Vegte says representatives of the Iowa State Bank approached the police department to inquire if there is a way the bank could assist the local police department.
Officer Brandon Cabney is the officer to be wearing the new vest. Vande Vegte says the new type of bullet-proof vest can be worn on the outside of the uniform and is more comfortable to wear.
Chief Vande Vegte says the cost for a new bullet-proof vest is about $1200 each. He says the vests can be used for a period of time equalling about five years.
Vande Vegte says the police department replaces all the officer’s vests at the same time, and he says this coming October each of the officer’s will have a new vests.
Vande Vegte says former police chief Stuart Dekkenga established the policy that all officers are required to wear the bullet-proof vest while on duty.
Dreckman says Le Mars is fortunate to be the sixth safest community in Iowa, and he credits the police force. The bank manager says the Iowa State Bank wanted to offer assistance to the local police department.
Dreckman says the purchase of the bullet-proof vest is an insurance payment for the police and the community.
Plymouth County Conservation Parks Ready For Campers
(Le Mars) — It is now the start of camping season, and officials with the Plymouth County Conservation Parks wants everyone to know they are prepared for those people wanting to “get away from it all.” Nick Beeck, the executive director of the Plymouth County Conservation Board says the county has two parks that are fully equipped to handle park visitors.
Beeck says all the county parks are in good condition. He says River’s Bend is located near the Big Sioux River, but was not affected by the March flooding.
Beeck says the new park, River’s Bend, has ten camp sites with both electrical and water hook-ups. He says the 20 acre lake has been stocked with fish. Beeck says the Hillview Recreational Park, located west of Hinton, has canoes and kayaks that can be rented. He says Hillview offers three different camping sites.
Beeck talks about Hillview’s other camp ground sites.
The Conservation officer says Hillview Recreational Area also offers several trails to explore.
Beeck says the camping sites are already beginning to fill up with
reservations.
Camping rates for the two Plymouth County Parks are reasonable, ranging from
$15 to $20 per night with discounts available for week-long reservations.
Man and Wife Couple Killed In Traffic Accident
LE GRAND, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say man and wife were killed when their van collided with a semitrailer in central Iowa.
The crash occurred around 2 p.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 30 in Le Grand. The Iowa State Patrol says the van was struck as it crossed the eastbound highway lanes.
The patrol identified the dead couple as 79-year-old Delbert Eakins and his wife, 77-year-old Geneva Eakins. They lived in Le Grand.
The truck driver was identified as 50-year-old Michael See, of
Swisher. He was treated at a hospital and released.
The accident is being investigated.
Investigation Into Police Shooting Burglary Victim
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Police say a suspect has been shot after officers responded to a report of a business burglary in Iowa City.
The Press-Citizen reports that the shooting happened around 2:30 a.m. Thursday, when officers responded to a break-in alarm at a consignment store.
Police say two officers fired their service weapons and injured a
suspect, who remained hospitalized Thursday afternoon. Police have not released details of what led to the shooting and have declined to say whether
the injured suspect was armed when he was shot. Neither the names of the officers nor the suspect have been released.
The suspect’s medical condition was not known Thursday afternoon.
The store’s co-owner says a cash register and cash are missing and that a window was broken in the incident.
—
Convenient Stores Team Up 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.
King Calls For House and Senate To Pass Flood Disaster Relief Bill
Washington, D.C.- Iowa’s 4th District Republican Congressman Steve King 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 stressed the need for timely action, and described the impact that recent flooding has had on Midwestern states.
The House of Representatives is currently scheduled to vote on the disaster relief legislation on Friday.
Idaho Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Fraud Investment Scheme
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – An Idaho man has pleaded guilty to trying to influence a victim of his brother’s investment scheme.
U.S. District Court records say David Emerson Smith, of Pocatello, Idaho, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled.
Smith’s brother, Darrell Smith, of Forest City, Iowa, was sentenced in October to 14 years and seven months in prison. He’d pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft in connection with the investment of clients’ money into an ethanol plant in Hopkinton.
Prosecutors say Darrell Smith had David Smith contact a woman who lost nearly $162,000 in his brother’s scheme and offered her money, tax credits and shares in an energy company if she’d stop complaining to authorities about the amount of her loss.
Mountain Lion Sighting Confirmed in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa wildlife officials have confirmed the sighting of a mountain lion near downtown Des Moines.
Police said Thursday morning that they’re poring over video from the area near Interstate 235 and 31st Street. Snapshots taken from the video appear to show a mountain lion near some steps and a park bench.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources biologist Vince Evelsizer (EH’-vihl-seye-zur) says the animal is indeed a mountain lion and that the department is confident the video came from a legitimate source. Police have not said who provided the video or where or when it was taken.
Police fatally shot a mountain lion on the city’s north side in October 2012.
Police say they’re working with the Animal Rescue League and Blank Park Zoo to safely resolve the situation.
