Supervisors Approve Grant Request For Plywood Recreational Trail
(Le Mars) — By a vote of 3 to 2, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors approved signing a grant request for the proposed Plywood Recreational Trail that would extend from Le Mars to Sioux City connecting Merrill and Hinton.
Representatives of McClure Engineering firm appeared Tuesday before the county governing board on behalf of the Plywood Recreational Trail Association seeking the signature to proceed for a $100,000 R.E.A.P foundation grant. Supervisor chair, Don Kass offers some clarification with the approval of the grant application.
Kass says many of the supervisors feel as though they were misled with comments from the Iowa Department of Transportation indicating the IDOT were not planning for a recreational trail to be constructed near Highway 75.
Some of the county supervisors suggested instead of a trail that would run parallel to Highway 75, a better option would be to have county road K-49 be widen to accommodate bicycles, or perhaps to construct a trail that would follow the Floyd River.
Kass says the county supervisors, along with many constituents, have three concerns about the proposed trail. First, the initial cost to construct the trail. Second, the cost to maintain the trail, and third, the safety factor of having a bicycle trail so close to a major highway congested with traffic. Kass says he is troubled by the use of the R.E.A.P. funds for such a project.
Some of the supervisors are concerned a recreational trail, especially, south of Hinton to Sioux City, will make an already bad drainage situation even worse.
City Council Sets August 20th As Public Hearing Date To Discuss Changing Fireworks Ordinance
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s Le Mars city council meeting, city leaders briefly discussed a proposed change to the fireworks ordinance. The city council has established August 22nd as the date for a public hearing. What is being proposed, and approved by the city’s Public Safety Committee, is to shorten the dates for discharging fireworks. Currently, Le Mars follows the
state law, which states that fireworks can be purchased and discharged between June 1st through July 8th. The proposal would change it to have fireworks be discharged only on July 3rd through July 5th, and again between December 31st through January 3rd. State law allows fireworks to be discharged between December 10th and January 3rd. In other action, the city council approved funding the Main Street Facade Program by allocating up to $50,000 for the project. However, on a related topic, the city council decided to table a request of $37,500 for a Main Street Challenge Grant.
The council requested additional information by Le Mars Main Street Director, Mary Reynolds.
Kirchoff To Seek Another Term As Le Mars Mayor
(Le Mars) — At the end of the city council meeting held Tuesday, Mayor Dick Kirchoff made the announcement to the city council that he will pursue re- election of the mayor position. Kirchoff was first elected mayor and assumed the duties January of 2008.
Man Who Burned Library Books Has Been Sentenced
(Orange City) — The man who posted a video of himself burning LBGQT-themed books from the Orange City public library was convicted and sentenced in Sioux County District Court on Tuesday. 63-year old Paul Dorr of Ocheyedan, Iowa was convicted for the crime of Criminal Mischief in the fifth degree, a
simple misdemeanor. The case arose on October 19th of 2018 when Dorr live-streamed a video of himself on social media burning controversial books owned by the Orange City Public Library. The Orange City Police Department charged Dorr with criminal mischief in the fifth degree, alleging he intentionally destroyed another’s property, and Dorr pled not guilty demanding a jury trial. On August 3rd, Dorr waived his right to have the case decided by a jury, and the matter came to trial before Magistrate Lisa Mazurek, who found Dorr guilty and sentenced him to a $65 dollar fine, including a 35 percent surcharge, and $60 court costs.
Tractor Ride Travels From Orange City To Brunsville
(Brunsville) — 28 antique tractors of all sizes, makes, models, colors, and brands rolled on the back roads yesterday making the trek from Orange City to Brunsville. It was all part of the Orange City Tulip Festival Tractor Ride.
Hundreds Enjoy “National Night Out” Activities At Police Station
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department participated in the annual “National Night Out” on Tuesday evening offering visitors a look at the equipment and facilities used by the local police department. People enjoyed the refreshments provided. Visitors met the Le Mars Police Department K-9 dog “Ace”, and had the opportunity to explore the police vehicles used for strategic tactics.
