Le Mars and Oyens Fire Departments Fight Field Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars and Oyens Fire Departments responded to a field fire that happened Thursday afternoon at about 4:40 p.m. Smoke could be seen for several miles as the fire was just to the north-northeast of town.
Fire Chief Dave Schipper describes the fire as a “controlled fire that got out of control.”
Schipper says it was fortunate for the firefighters the corn had already been harvested.
Firefighters were on the scene for nearly 45 minutes before being able to extinguish the blaze. Schipper says the fire had spread quickly across the field before it was able to be contained.
Schipper says firefighters used the grass pickup rig from Le Mars as well as Oyens Fire Department assisted with their pickup grass rig. They had two tankers to help, and according to Schipper they used nearly 4,000 gallons of water to contain and kill the fire.
Odd-Even Parking Goes Into Effect Today
(Le Mars) — Today is the first day of November which means the city’s odd/even parking ordinance will go into effect. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says regardless of having snow or not, the parking requirements will be enforced.
The police chief says officers will begin by issuing warning citations, until the first measurable snowfall.
Vande Vegte says officers begin checking for vehicles at midnight.
City Water Department To Flush Water Mains And Hydrants
(Le Mars) — City of Le Mars Water Department will flushing hydrants in the North section of the City starting, Monday Nov. 4th though the end of the week. The week of Nov.11th we will be flushing the Southwest side of town and the week of Nov. 18th we will be flushing the Southeast side of town.
Residents can expect lower pressures and discolored water while flushing is occurring. If your home still has discolored water, the next days after flushing, please Call the Water Department at 546-5555.
Le Mars Community Theater Presents “A Gentlemen’s Guide To Love And Murder”
Sioux City Council Delays Action On Ban Of Pit Bull Dogs
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The proposal to end Sioux City’s ban on pit bulls has been delayed.
The third and final vote on the proposal was expected to be held at the coming Monday meeting. It’s been put off until animal control chapters of the city code have been reviewed and revised. A date for the third vote hasn’t been set.
The proposal would remove the ban adopted in September 2008. It came after pit bulls or mixes accounted for a high number of dogs in the city that had been declared vicious or at risk.
The current ordinance describes a pit bull as an American pit bull
terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier or any dog that looks like or has characteristics of being one of those breeds.
City staff research says animal control regulations across the country are moving away from breed specific provisions.
Dordt University To Offer Masters In Social Work
(Sioux Center) — Dordt University is pleased to announce that they have launched a Master of Social Work (MSW) program and are accepting applications for the fall 2020 semester. Dordt’s MSW program offers a Christ-centered social work education with courses that are 100% online.
With three tracks, clinical, community practice and administration, and generalists—students can pick a specialization that best fits their needs.
Economy Shows Slight Up Tick
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A new report says an October survey of business supply managers suggests a bump occurred in economic growth for nine Midwest and Plains states.
The report issued Friday says the Mid-America Business Conditions index rebounded to 52.6, compared with 49.1 in September. The August figure was 49.3. 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 slowed regional growth.
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.
Day Care Provider Pleads Guilty To Embezzelment
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – A former Tama County day care director has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $5,000 in federal funds.
The Gazette reports that 48-year-old Kristine Daniel, of Grinnell,
entered the plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. The charge: federal program theft. The court records say Daniel took more than $5,000 from Tama County Day Care Inc./Kids’ Corner between December 2009 and April 2016. Kids’ Corner was receiving federal money at the time.
Daniel already has pleaded not guilty to state charges of theft and other crimes.
The state auditor’s office says auditors identified nearly $279,000 in improper and unsupported spending, undeposited collections and forgone grant revenue involved in the finances of Kids’ Corner. The audit covered December 2009 through May 31, 2016, when Daniel was working for Kids’ Corner.
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Authorities Identify Moravia Woman Who Died During Oxygen Explosion
MORAVIA, Iowa (AP) – Law enforcement officials in southern Iowa have identified a woman who died following an explosion in a home involving an oxygen tank.
The Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Thursday that 58-year-old Diane Golos died in the incident. Officials say the cause and manner of her death are still under investigation.
Firefighters and medics were called to a home in Morovia shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday for a report of an unresponsive woman, later identified as Golos.
Officials say Golos was found on the kitchen floor and pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators say she had been using an oxygen machine for medical purposes when an unknown ignition source caused an explosion and fire.
