Missing Elderly Woman Now Found And Is Safe
(Le Mars) — An elderly woman from Le Mars who was reported as missing late yesterday afternoon, has now been found. Le Mars Police Department had issued a news release indicating 72-year old Judith McKnight had missed a doctor’s appointment. The police say McKnight suffers from memory loss.
With the help of social media, McKnight was located. She is safe, and will be re-united with family members.
Agri-Center Requests “No Parking Zones” Near Grain Handling Facilities
(Le Mars) –– City council members heard from Brian Harpenau of Agri-Center during Tuesday’s city council meeting requesting the council designate “No Parking Zones” to areas near the grain handling facilities. Harpenau says he is making the request due to the growing number of semi trucks with grain trailers using Agri-Center’s facilities.
Harpenau says he is most interested in having 100 feet starting at the intersection of 4th Street southwest and 2nd Avenue southwest, near the Plymouth County Historical Museum, designated as a “No Parking Zone”.
Councilman Clark Goodchild commented on the situation, saying it is not just during the harvest season, but a problem all year long.
Councilman John Rexwinkle says there is already limited parking available for the museum, and he says there isn’t any other place for the parking when the museum holds events.
Harpenau also made a similar request near the Agri-Center facilities located at 2nd Avenue northeast. The council tabled the request and directed the issue be sent to the Public Safety Committee, and then asked the Public Safety Committee submit a recommendation by the next council meeting.
Have Travel Plans? You Will Need A Real ID Compliant License
(Le Mars) — If you plan to use airline travel, or anticipate visiting a federal building anytime in the future after October 1st of 2020, then the Department of Homeland Security says you must have a “Real ID compliant license.” Plymouth County Treasurer Shelly Sitzmann explains what will be required when traveling.
Sitzmann says a bill from an utility company will work as the second piece of proof of residence.
Sitzmann says people have one year to upgrade their driver’s license showing they possess a “Real ID.” which will allow them to travel. She says the upgrade can be performed at the local motor vehicle driver’s license offices.
The Plymouth County Treasurer says if you don’t get a gold star on your driver’s license, you may find yourself stuck at the airport.
Sitzmann says some of the necessary documents may be obtained at the Plymouth County Recorders Office at the county courthouse. Otherwise, you may need to go back to your residence of record.
The new rule goes into effect one year from now on October 1st, 2020.
Judge Strikes Down New Voting Requirements Law
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa judge has struck down large portions of a 2017 voting reform law, declaring much of it unconstitutional.
The law requires voters to show certain forms of identification when voting, requires voters to provide an identification number on absentee ballot applications and allows county auditors to reject ballots if they believe signatures don’t match a voter signature on record.
Judge Joseph Seidlin says in a ruling Monday the state may require a voter ID but election officials must issue a voter ID card to any voter who requests one. The law prohibited election officials from issuing cards to voters with a driver’s license or state identification card.
He also struck the signature match provisions, saying they violate the Iowa Constitution.
The judge also makes permanent his earlier order that says Iowa
Secretary of Paul Pate cannot require a voter ID number on absentee ballot applications.
The ruling follows a lawsuit filed last year by the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa.
Pate’s office didn’t immediately respond to a message.
Pipeline Protesters To Be Indicted
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two women accused of damaging valves and setting fire to construction equipment along an oil pipeline that crosses Iowa and three other states have been indicted on federal charges in the case.
Federal prosecutors for Iowa said Tuesday that a grand jury on
Sept. 19 indicted Jessica Reznicek and Ruby Montoya on nine counts each, including conspiracy, use of fire in the commission of a felony and malicious use of fire.
The women claimed in a statement they released in 2017 that they had burned construction machinery, cut through pipe valves with a torch and set fires with gasoline, rags and tires along the Dakota Access pipeline route. The $3.8 billion pipeline crosses North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois.
It was not clear whether the women yet have attorneys. Publicly-
listed phone numbers for the women could not be found Tuesday.
Congressman Steve King To Organize Missouri River SummitÂ
Washington D.C.– Congressman Steve King announces that he will be leading a Missouri River Stakeholders Meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd that is expected to focus on improving Missouri River flood management systems.
King organized the meeting at the request of Iowa State Representative Jon Jacobsen, with the purpose of bringing together interested parties to develop a better plan to protect life, limb, and property from the life-altering impacts of continuous flooding along the Missouri River. The
stakeholders meeting will be held in Missouri Valley, Iowa, an area that continues to experience severe flood events. The Missouri River Stakeholders Meeting will be held in the Missouri Valley Public Library from Noon-1:30 PM Central.
Micronesia Complaining To Seaboard Triumph Foods
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The island nation of Micronesia is raising concerns about how some of its citizens working at an Iowa pork processing plant are being treated.
Micronesia recently sent a formal letter to the State Department
asking U.S. officials to investigate possible misconduct at the Seaboard Triumph Foods plant, including verbal abuse, using false Social Security numbers and withholding workers’ passports.
The company denies any wrongdoing.
Micronesia said in its letter that dozens of its citizens have
complained about the way they have been treated while working at the plant.
Seaboard recruited workers from Micronesia.
The State Department didn’t immediately respond Tuesday to
questions about its response to the complaint.
Midwest Business Supply Survey Shows Economic Conditions Slowing Down
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new report says a September survey of business supply manager suggests a slump in economic growth is continuing for nine Midwest and Plains states.
The report issued Tuesday says the Mid-America Business Conditions index fell further below growth neutral, hitting 49.1 last month compared with 49.3 in August. The figure was 52.0 in July. The index had remained above growth neutral for 32 straight months.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the survey, and he says trade disagreements and the global economic slowdown have cut regional growth to about two-thirds that of the U.S.
The survey results are compiled into a collection of indexes
ranging from zero to 100. Survey organizers say any score above 50 suggests growth. A score below that suggests decline.
The survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
