Le Mars Skate Board Park Holds Grand Opening
(Le Mars) — Several hundred people had gathered Sunday afternoon during a nice autumn day at the O’Toole Park to witness extreme sports as the new Le Mars Skate Board Park held a grand opening. Enthusiasts from the very young, to adult age, were excited to try the new skate board park. Exhibits
of jumps, twists, turns, flips, and balancing skills were showcased both by skate board participants, and by BMX bicycle contestants. Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff welcomed the crowd and told of how the skate board park is an example of adding to the quality of life for Le Mars, and how the new skate
board park was financed mainly through the contributions of the Community Betterment Project. Several participants were enjoying the obstacle “Ice Cream Scoop” unique to the Le Mars Skate Board Park. At one point during the afternoon, participants were creating an additional challenge by attempting to jump over a trash receptacle which stood next to the concrete
bowl obstacle, and made for nearly a ten foot vertical jump.
Le Mars Anti-Abortion Advocates Participate In National Chain Life Protest
(Le Mars) — Nearly one hundred anti-abortion advocates were lined up on both sides of Plymouth Street on Sunday afternoon stretching from Business Highway 75, or 5th Avenue north, all the way east to Central Avenue. The people were holding signs and posters showing their support for the Pro-Life position.
It was all part of the National Life Chain. The purpose was to
show a peaceful protest against abortion. Many motorists honked their horns in support of the peaceful protest. National Life Chain was held throughout the United States and Canada and encourages all Christian faiths to participate in the time of public witness, solemn reflection and personal prayer.
Firefighters Honor Fallen Firefighters During Fire Prevention Breakfast
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department served pancakes and sausage to more than 500 people Sunday morning as they officially kicked off Fire Prevention Week.
At 12:00 noon, Fire Chief Dave Schipper gathered the
firefighters outside to their flag pole. Schipper explained to the members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department that on the first day of Fire Prevention Week, fire departments across the nation have their flags at half staff from sunrise until noon as a way to honor those firefighters that have lost their lives.
The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department held a moment of
silence acknowledging the bravery of those who have died during duty, then at 12:03 p.m. they stood at attention while Brigadier Chief Steve Schwartz raised the American flag along with the banner of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department.
During the breakfast, some firefighters were giving
tours to small children by showing off the trucks and equipment used for fighting fires and performing rescues, and reminding them to always be safe.
City Water Department To Work On Water Mains Located On Central Avenue
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars city water department on Monday will be working on disconnecting the 4” water main on Central Ave between 7th St & 12th St south the next 3 to 4 weeks.
City crews will be starting on 7th St & working their way south to 11th St.
They will have the south bound lane of Central Ave blocked on the intersections because that is where the water main is located. The water department crews are planning on working on 2 intersections at one time & having the concrete poured back & then moving to the next 2 intersections.
If you have any questions, you are asked to please give the water department a call at 712-546-5555.
Taylor To Run For State Senate
(Sioux Center) — Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center has declared his candidacy for the District 2 Iowa State Senate seat. The position is currently held by Randy Feenstra, who is vacating it to run for U.S. House. The district includes Sioux County, O’Brien County, Cherokee County, and rural portions of the four eastern-most townships of Plymouth County.
Taylor is professor of political science at Dordt University. Born and raised in Northwest Iowa, he is a native of Spencer. He graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City and then earned a master’s degree at the University of Iowa and a PhD at the University of Missouri. Taylor returned to Sioux County eight years ago to teach at Dordt. He is married to Shirley Taylor, the Director for the Le Mars Public Library. The couple have two children.
Taylor is a constitutional conservative and is consistently pro-life. He describes his six key political values as decentralism, morality, freedom, grassroots, common sense, and community. In 2012, he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Iowa. During the past several years, he
has served as political analyst for KCAU-TV and KLEM radio.
The candidate says, “I look forward to discussing the issues with the people of our district. I believe I have the temperament, understanding, and life experience to be an effective legislator on their behalf. It would be an honor to represent them in Des Moines.”
Taylor’s campaign website is www.taylor4senate.org. The State Senate primary is June 2, 2020.
Farmers Continue To Deal With Wet Crop Conditions
(Le Mars) — Farmers have had to deal with wet conditions ever since the beginning of this crop year, and it continues right up to harvest. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says this year’s crop year can be summed up in one word: “Wet.” Naig offers a statewide summary of the harvest progress.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crops Specialist for northwest Iowa, Joel DeJong says those farmers that were able to plant early have been able to see some decent soybean yields. However, in general, the crops have been slow to mature.
DeJong says mother nature needs to provide some assistance to farmers by providing several dry days in order for the moisture levels in our grain to drop.
DeJong says for several soybean growers, white mold has become a problem, further reducing the yield potential.
The ISU crops specialist says he sees a wide variety of yields and grain quality within his nine-county region.
DeJong says the normal frost date for this region is October 10th. He says much of the area’s corn still needs additional time to mature. He says a light frost may not hurt the crop, but for late planted corn, an early frost could negatively affect crop yields.
DeJong says it is very likely many farmers will need to resort to using artificial drying methods in order to store their corn, which only adds to the cost of the crop.
Indianola To Have Utility Lineman Training Facility
INDIANOLA, Iowa (AP) – Construction has begun in south-central Iowa on a $13.5 million, 50,000 square-foot facility to train utility linemen in several Midwest states. The Des Moines Register reports the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program is building the
facility in Indianola. It will be the primary training center for Missouri Valley contract linemen, traffic-signal and substation technicians from Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Iowa Public Health Department Reports Three Dozen Hospitals Now Longer Delivering Babies
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) – Last month’s closing of the obstetrics unit at Unity Point Hospital in Marshalltown was only the most recent in Iowa. The Iowa Public Health Department says nearly three dozen Iowa community hospitals have stopped delivering babies in the past two decades, and eight
stopped last year – the most yet in one year. Hansen Family Hospital CEO Doug Morse told Iowa Public Radio that the increased expense of labor and delivery care led officials to end deliveries at the Iowa Falls facility in November.
Des Moines Police Investigate Latest Homicide
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police in Des Moines now say they are investigating the overnight death of a man as a homicide. Police responded to a report of a fight at a Des Moines home around 1 a.m. Saturday. Police say arriving officers found a 43-year-old Des Moines man injured at the home. The man, who has not yet been named, was taken to an area hospital,
where he later died. Police did not immediately offer details of what type of injuries the man suffered.
