Firefighters Respond To Hog Barn Fire
(Le Mars) — Firefighters from Le Mars, Oyens, and Hinton were dispatched last evening at about 11:20 p.m. and worked at least four hours into the night at a hog barn that caught on fire. The fire was located at 26491 Noble Avenue, approximately twelve miles south-southeast of Le Mars. The fire was reported by a passerby who was returning home after visiting the Plymouth County Fair. The witness says she saw flames coming from the hog barn. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the barn was totally engulfed with flames shooting from the roof. Chief Dave Schipper describes the scene when firefighters arrived on scene.
The roof of the hog barn building had collapsed shortly after firefighters had arrived at the scene. At the time of the fire, Schipper says there weren’t any hogs inside the facility. Schipper says the owner had recently cleaned the building using a power washer.
Although the investigation as to the cause and origin of the fire is still ongoing, Schipper says the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department have witnessed this same scenario several times during the last five years. Schipper believes the methane gas found in the pits of the hog barns is stirred up after the power washing of the facility, and then is ignited causing some
explosions and ultimately fires. The hog barn is listed as a total loss.
Fair Attendance For The Second Day Holds Steady With Last Year
(Le Mars) — Attendance at the Plymouth County Fair for the second day was holding steady with attendance figures from previous years. Fair officials estimate at least 18,800 people visited the fair on Thursday.
Live Milking Demonstration Featured At Plymouth County Fair
(Le Mars) — A new feature at this year’s Plymouth County Fair is the live milking demonstration trailer classroom. The live milking demonstration is part of the overall “Discover Dairy” exhibit sponsored by the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. Callie Toews is the instructor for the milking demonstration trailer.
Toews says the milking trailer has sparked interest among the Plymouth County fair attendees.
Toews says she focuses on the nutritional benefits of consuming dairy, as well as the life of a cow.
Toews recites some of the more common questions that come from people when viewing the live milking demonstration.
Toews says as more and more people get further removed from a farm, they tend to not know the origins of milk and other dairy products.
The live milking demonstration classroom can be seen just south of the Kiddie Barn with demonstrations scheduled at 3:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and at 7:00 p.m. each day of the fair.
Plymouth County Fair Serves As An Important Venue For Life Skills Training Center
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Fair serves as an important venue for the Life Skills Training Center’s annual fund raising efforts. With three separate events, including the annual quilt auction, the Bossy Cow Chip Bingo, and the Ice House, Shelly Thomson of Life Skills says the events serve an as important function for the Life Skills Training Center.
Thomson says this year’s quilt auction scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Century Hall will include a record number of quilts.
Chances for the Bossy Bingo are still available, and can be purchased for $5 dollars at many of the local banks.
The Bossy Cow-chip Bingo will begin on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.–south of the clock tower.
(photos are from 2018)
Judge Says Man Is Competent To Stand Trial
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has found an Iowa man mentally competent to stand trial in the slaying of a Nebraska man in Sioux City.
Woodbury County District Court records say Judge Patrick Tott said in his ruling issued Tuesday that 31-year-old Daniel Levering may not be willing to assist in his defense but is competent to do so.
Levering has pleaded not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder.
He’s accused of stabbing to death 36-year-old Vincent Walker on July 23, 2017. Walker lived in Winnebago, Nebraska.
A trial starting date hasn’t been set.
Man Pleads Guilty To Tampering With Witness
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man accused of trying to kill someone he thought would provide drug trafficking information to police has pleaded guilty.
The Sioux City Journal reports that 23-year-old Isaac McDonald
pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to several crimes, including tampering with a witness by attempting to kill a person.
Prosecutors say McDonald conspired with three other people to kill John Mercure. Court documents say McDonald used a handgun to shoot Mercure as Mercure was driving down a Sioux City street last Aug. 1. Mercure soon crashed into a tree but survived.
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