Sunday Afternoon Motorcycle Accident Happens North Of OyensÂ
(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 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. The name of the motorcycle driver and his condition are being withheld at this time. There is no word on whether
the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.
Strong Winds Topple Tents And Overturn Livestock Trailer
(Le Mars) — Strong winds hit Plymouth County Saturday morning at about 9:35 a.m. causing tents to tumble, tree limbs and power lines to fall, and a semi-truck and trailer to overturn. The winds came on quickly from the north. Dust and debris was seen blowing as the winds swept across Le Mars.
Insulation panels at the new Le Mars Community Football Stadium were seen blowing across the street. At the Le Mars Farmer’s Market tents were tipped over having the vendors to move quickly to salvage their tents and sale goods.
The Oyens and the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to three different calls within a few minutes. There were two separate reports of power lines being down causing small fires. Oyens Fire Department responded to a semi truck and livestock trailer that had overturned on county road K-64 about a half mile south of Highway 3. There were no livestock in the trailer at the time it had overturned, and the driver was able to escape with minor injuries.
The National Weather Services of Sioux Falls says wind gusts were reported blowing at speeds of excess of 50 mph. throughout northwest Iowa, with some reports near the Iowa Great Lakes of winds above 60 mph.
Sioux county authorities report no structural damage, but several tree limbs are down in Orange City. Downed power lines were reported south of Remsen, north of Oyens, and here in Le Mars near 9th Street Southeast and 4th Avenue Southeast.
Le Mars Community Theater To Present “Rumors”
(Le Mars) — Get ready for Rumors, Le Mars Community Theater’s third production for its 50th anniversary year. Reservations begin Wednesday, August 2nd. Performance dates are scheduled for August 8th through August
18th. Rumors is a comedy from popular playwright Neil Simon. At a large, tastefully-appointed Sneden’s Landing townhouse, the Deputy Mayor of New York has just shot himself. Though only a flesh wound, four couples are about to experience a severe attack of Farce. Gathering for their tenth wedding anniversary, the host lies bleeding in the other room, and his wife is
nowhere in sight. His lawyer, Ken, and wife Chris, must get “the story” straight before the other guests arrive. As the confusions and mis-communications mount, the evening spins off into classic farcical hilarity.
Four Children Have Died In Over-crowed Day Care Centers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – At least four Iowa children have died in the past 18 months at day care centers that had been warned about caring for too many children.
The Des Moines Register reports that criminal charges have been filed in two of the deaths, and prosecutors are considering charges in a third case.
Often, state or local officials know about providers that are caring for too many children, but don’t tell prosecutors or take other action to stop them.
The state has 4,300 regulated day care centers, but home day cares are not regulated.
Drowned Man Now Identified
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have identified a man believed to have drowned while swimming at Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon in eastern Iowa.
The Linn County Sheriff’s Office identified him as 31-year-old Jairo Mejia Jimenez, of Cedar Rapids.
A search began Saturday night after it was reported that a man
swimming near the dam went under and didn’t resurface. The search continued Sunday along the Cedar River.
Des Moines Man Dies After Trying To Jump On Train
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A 26-year-old Des Moines man has died after he tried to jump aboard a train.
The Des Moines Register reports that Des Moines Police say Ian
Pfeifer tried to jump aboard the train early Saturday.
Police Sgt. Paul Parizek says Pfeifer was dragged about 60 feet by the train after he tried to jump aboard.
Parizek says Pfeifer had told friends he planned to jump on a train before the incident.
Eastern Iowa Man Threatens To Shoot Police And Others
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa man has been charged after police say he threatened to shoot people in his home, including children, as well as police officers.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that 54-year-old Alan Dale Rieken was arrested Thursday evening at his home.
Police say he told others in his home, “I’m going to shoot some cops and then you.”
Police say a woman attempted to intervene and was pushed to the ground without injury. Officers who arrived at the home say Rieken refused to comply with officers’ orders and was eventually arrested. The officers took a handgun from his waistband.
He’s charged with harassment, four counts of endangerment, one count of interference with official acts, one count of domestic abuse assault and one count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon.
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Hamburg Middle School Students To Build Home For Flood Victims
(Hamburg) — Middle school students from the Hamburg Community School District will be hard at work this fall building a new home for a family impacted by this year’s Missouri River flooding. Hamburg Superintendent Mike Wells says the project involves students building a house in a donated lot across from Marnie Simons Elementary School.
While middle school students would handle most of the work, Wells says jobs would also be available for elementary students. Wells says students are already learning some building trades skills as part of the district’s “maker space” activities, and that building a house will allow students to gain more skills.
Donations for flood victims are collected and handed out at a school gym. Eighth grader Hailee Barrett says that’s made an impact on them and she’s really looking forward to helping build the house.
Hailee’s sister, eighth grader Emma Barrett, says the housing project means a lot to not only the school district, but to her family as well.
Superintendent Wells says the 13-hundred square foot ranch style home will be three-bedroom with a garage, kitchen, and dining room. Once the application process is finished and the student interview committee makes its selection, the home is set to sell to the selected family for 60-thousand dollars payable over a 20-year period. Wells says the funds will be used to build another home in the future as the school hopes to make the housing project an annual event. The current timeline of the project calls for basement digging to begin in early August with the home finished by late December. Wells says the school district will gladly accept donations for the project, and that 2-thousand dollars in cash has already been raised.
