Secondary Roads Department To Close Pioneer Avenue For Installation Of A New Culvert
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department will close Pioneer Avenue between county road C-70 going north to 320th Street in order to replace a small wooden bridge with a culvert pipe. That road closure will
begin today and is expected to remain closed until July 30th.
Magistrate Refuses To Dismiss Case Against Orange City Man
ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) – A magistrate has refused to dismiss a criminal mischief charge against an Iowa religious activist accused of burning four LGBTQ children’s books that he checked out of a library.
Prosecutors say 63-year-old Paul Dorr posted a video on Facebook in October in which he denounced the Orange City library for having the books and threw them into a burning barrel.
He argued in his motion for dismissal that he was singled out for
prosecution because of the message he was sending.
Sioux County District Court records show that Magistrate Lisa Mazurek said in her ruling issued Monday that Dorr didn’t prove his assertions and that the only message being sent to him is “that he cannot burn books that do not belong to him.”
His trial’s set for Aug. 6.
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Sioux County Sheriff’s Office Warns Of New Scam
(Orange City) — The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office is warning people of a new texting scam.
There is a report of a scam involving people who have received text messages from someone claiming to be a local church pastor. The texter, claiming to be the pastor, states they have a friend in the hospital ill with cancer, and the texter requests you to purchase gift cards and send them the gift card numbers. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office says this is a scam, and do not respond to these texts, or provide any information.
Discover Dairy At The Round Barn Agricultural Education Exhibit
(Le Mars) — Attendees of the Plymouth County Fair at Le Mars, scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th through Sunday, July 28th will have the opportunity to view aspects of the dairy industry when visiting the famous Tonsfeldt Round Barn agricultural educational exhibit. Once again, the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee will feature an agricultural education exhibit inside the round barn.
This marks the sixth year the Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee has focused on displaying an agricultural exhibit. Jordan Sitzmann, the Vice President for the Chamber of Commerce – Agriculture Division says the committee decided to feature the many aspects of the local dairy industry.
“Discover Dairy” is the theme for the exhibit as part of the overall continuous theme of “aROUND the farm in the BARN”.
Sitzmann says, “Since Le Mars is known as the “Ice Cream Capital of the World” it seemed only appropriate to showcase the region’s dairy processors, and dairy producers.” Sitzmann continued to add, “Unfortunately, even here in Le Mars, many people may not know the origins of their dairy products such as milk, ice cream, cheese, butter, and yogurt. Too many people just think those products come from their local grocery store, or supermarket. We want to make the connection with consumers that their favorite dairy foods go all the way back to the cow.”
“The dairy industry plays an important economic role for Le Mars, Plymouth County, and across northwest Iowa”, said Sitzmann. The local dairy industry is responsible for thousands of people being employed at such places like Wells’ Enterprises, Dean Foods, Agropur, and AMPI. Each dairy milking cow contributes more than $23,000 to the local and state economy,” added Sitzmann. “The employment goes beyond the region’s dairy processors. Think about all the employees on the dairy farm, the truck drivers, the feed people, those at a grain storage elevator, the veterinarian, even those employees at the grocery store and supermarkets that stock the dairy products, and operate the cash registers. Each one of them have a connection to the dairy industry.”
Des Moines Man Accused Of Stealing From Disabled Relative
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A Des Moines man is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a disabled relative.
Polk County court records say 29-year-old Steven Baker is charged with theft and dependent adult abuse. The records don’t list the name of an attorney who could comment for him. Baker’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19.
The Des Moines Register reports that police say Baker moved into his bank account nearly $48,000 of his relative’s money, using $12,500 for payment on a car and spending more of the money on himself.
Authorities say the money had come from the Social Security
Administration, and Baker told authorities that he’d gotten Social Security permission to buy the car because it would be used to transport his relative.
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Iowa Department Of Human Services Agrees To Pay $356 Million To Health Care Insurers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Department of Human Services says it has agreed to pay an additional $386 million to two insurance companies that will provide Medicaid services for the 2020 fiscal year.
The 8.6% increase announced Wednesday will include $115 million in additional state funding, with the federal government paying for the remaining portion.
The $5 billion Medicaid program serves about 600,000 poor and disabled people.
DHS says the rates include changes made by the Iowa Legislature, which account for about 2 percent of the increase.
Last year the agency approved a $344 million increase over the previous year.
The state privatized the Medicaid program in 2016 with then-Gov. Terry Branstad promising cost savings and improved care. Democrats say neither goal has been accomplished amid turmoil that included two insurers dropping out and last month’s sudden resignation of DHS Director Jerry Foxhoven.
Authorities Say Recovered Body From Creek Was An Accident
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Johnson County authorities say an accident killed a 26-year-old man whose body was found in an Iowa City creek.
The medical examiner’s office says Jonathan Guerrero died of blunt force head injuries and likely drowning. His body was found in Ralston Creek the morning of July 1. Police say evidence supports the medical examiner’s preliminary results.
Authorities are still investigating the death of 45-year-old Eric
Riskedahl, whose body was found under a U.S. Highway 6 bridge in Iowa City later on July 1. Police say the investigations so far don’t find any connection between the two deaths and say crimes are not suspected in either of them.
Waterloo School Bus Driver Fired After Student Was Left On Bus
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say one bus driver was fired and another placed on administrative after incidents involving students in Waterloo.
The fired driver for Durham School Services failed to check the bus Tuesday and left 6-year-old boy alone for nearly two hours inside the bus at the bus yard as the summer temperatures rose outside. The boy had misunderstood instructions and had gotten onto the bus at the Boys and Girls Club so he could be taken home. A company employee found the boy sleeping on
the bus after frantic calls from his mother.
In the other incident, a 9-year-old girl with autism was taken from a school program to her home Monday instead being taken to a YWCA for day care.
The girl then crossed two busy streets as she walked to a store, where she was found in an aisle, playing with toys.
The Waterloo school district says it is working with Durham School Services to prevent any similar incidents in the future.
Charles City Police Investigating Police K-9 Attack
CHARLES CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Charles City Police Department has confirmed it’s investigating a report of its police dog attacking someone at the home where the dog lives.
The Mason City Globe Gazette reports that the department issued a news release Monday saying the incident happened on June 25 involving the dog named “Jordy” and a person at the house. The dog was not on duty at the time.
It’s common practice for a K-9 to live in the home of its officer
handler.
Police have not given details of the attack, other than to say the
person attacked was treated for minor injuries.
Police continue to investigate and say there is no risk to the
public.
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