Firefighters Respond To Semi Truck Fire
(Le Mars) — Firefighters from Le Mars and Merrill were directed to a semi truck that had caught on fire. The alarm came in today, shortly after 12:00 noon. The truck was located on county road C-38, just west of county road K22, or about seven miles west of Le Mars.
Apparently, the semi truck was hauling corn. The semi truck was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived on the scene. No word as to why that semi truck had caught on fire.
Fire Department Respond To Smoke Alarm At Floyd Valley Apartments
(Le Mars) — Earlier this morning, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to the Floyd Valley Apartments for a report of smoke inside one of the apartments. It is not known as to what created the smoke.
Firefighters were on that scene for just a few minutes.
Sheriff’s Office Identifies Motorcycle Accident Victim
(Oyens) — A Sunday afternoon motorcycle ride turned tragic. Members of the First Reformed Church of Boyden were on their second annual “Motorcycle Sunday Ride” traveling from Boyden to Le Mars when one of their members lost control of his motorcycle on county road K-64 about a mile and a half north
of Oyens. The accident happened at about 12:25 p.m. Witnesses say the motorcyclist, 67-year old David Poppen apparently got too close to the edge of the pavement highway when his motorcycle dropped off the pavement, causing him to lose control. Responding the accident were the Oyens Fire
Department and Ambulance, along with the Le Mars Ambulance Service and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Iowa State Patrol, and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office. The driver of the motorcycle suffered severe injuries, and was airlifted by Mercy One AirCare helicopter to Mercy One in Sioux City. A member of the group says nearly 15 to 20 motorcycles, along with
family members following in cars, were on their way to Le Mars to visit the Wells Visitor’s Center and Ice Cream Parlor to enjoy ice cream. Poppen remains in critical condition. There is no word on whether the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.
County Road K-49 To Close For New Asphalt Surface
(Le Mars) — Road construction on county road K-49 is set to start on Tuesday. Plymouth County Engineer Tom Rohe says a stretch of highway measuring eight miles is set to have a new layer of asphalt.
In addition to placing a layer of asphalt, contractors will also widen the road.
County road K-49 is now the second north-south road under construction as repairs are also being made to Highway 75, making it even more difficult to travel from south to north or vise versa. Rohe explains the detours that have been established during the anticipated two months of construction.
Rohe anticipates the construction project to be completed in late September.
Veterans Complain About No Smoking Policy
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Some veterans are complaining about a new, more restrictive policy regarding smoking at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. The Times-Republican reports that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has required the Iowa home to implement VA policy limiting
where residents can smoke. The hospital commandant, Timon Oujiri, says the policy is aimed at ensuring the safety of residents who smoke as well as the safety of staffers and other residents.
Iowa State University Settles Lawsuit With Sculptor
CORALVILLE, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State University is dropping claims of wrongdoing against a former employee and paying her $225,000 to resolve a legal dispute over its popular outdoor sculptures made from Legos.
As part of the settlement, Iowa State has also taken several steps to restore the reputation of Teresa McLaughlin. Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen has written her a glowing letter of recommendation calling her an honest, innovative employee.
The school also will dedicate a bench for McLaughlin in Reiman
Gardens, the campus landmark that McLaughlin spent most of her career building as its director.
Those steps will resolve a contentious three-year legal dispute that derailed Nature Connects, the traveling Lego art program conceived by McLaughlin.
McLaughlin had accused the university of failing to pay her
commissions. The university accused her of working with the artist to market competing exhibits.
