Fire Reported At Orange City Aviation Manufacturing Plant
(Orange City) — Fire broke out yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at the Aim Aerospace manufacturing plant located within the southeast corner of Orange City. Employees were evacuated. The fire was reported at around 3:20 p.m. Orange City Fire Chief Denny Vander Wel says because of the size and the expansion
of the building he wanted to call in some reinforcements from Alton, Sioux Center, and Le Mars.
Vander Wel explains what created the fire that produced the smoke that had filled the manufacturing facility.
The Orange City Fire Chief doesn’t believe there was much actual damage to the facility. The second shift was able to continue production last evening, but industrial fans were used to help ventilate the smoke.
Firefighters were on the scene for approximately an hour and fifteen minutes.
Nominations Being Accepted For “Business and Citizen Of The Year
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for both Citizen of the Year, and for recognition of the Business of the Year. All Chamber member businesses are eligible regardless of size or type to nominate a business. Recognition will be awarded based on one or more of
the following criteria: community involvement, job creation, innovative practices, employee benefits, major expansion or overcoming an adversity.
Businesses can self-nominate, or can be nominated. Nomination forms may be picked up at the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce office, or call 546-8821 to receive a nomination form via email. Nominations must be completed and returned no later than November 22nd at 5:00 p.m. The award presentation
will take place at the Chamber Annual Dinner on Thursday, January 23rd, 2020 at the Le Mars Convention Center, upper level.
In addition to seeking a “Business of the Year”, the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce is also looking nominations for the “Citizen of the Year.” Similar to the “Business of the Year” nominations, entries must be submitted to the Chamber office no later than November 22nd at 5:00 p.m. Any information that
would acquaint the committee with the nominee’s qualifications is confidential. The “Citizen of the Year” will be selected by a committee from the Chamber and will be based on the individual’s record of dedication and service to the community. The award will be presented during the Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner scheduled on Thursday, January 23rd, 2020
at the upper level of the Le Mars Convention Center.
Le Mars Building Owner Benefits From Another Iowa Economic Development Authority Challenge Grant
(Des Moines) — The Iowa Economic Development Authority has awarded a challenge grant amounting to $75,000 to a Le Mars building owner for the purpose of renovating the facility to accommodate an upper level apartment complex, and for remodeling and upgrades needed for the first story level
business. Chris Ward is the owner of the downtown building that is used for Ho-topp Jewelry and Gifts. Dave and Robin Grosenheider lease the building and own the business. Several other Le Mars buildings have benefited from the state’s challenge grants for renovation purposes including the American
Legion Hall, Claussen’s, Central Avenue Event Center, and the Le Mars Beauty College. Ward and Main Street official, Rich Ziettlow, attended an awards presentation ceremony held Thursday at Des Moines by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. A total of 14 Iowa communities have received
more than a million dollars in challenge grant awards at the presentation ceremony.
Second Class Completes Le Mars Police Citizen Academy
(Le Mars) — Ten people graduated last evening from the second Le Mars Police Department’s Citizen Academy. The class have had eight sessions over the course of a month learning about the job responsibilities of a Le Mars Police Officer. The class learned about traffic stops, identifying drugs, crime investigations, weapons, CERT tactical movements, and even domestic
assaults. Curt Allen who is employed with the city’s water department says he enjoyed the course, and learned something new about our local police department. During the seminar, Allen had volunteered to be tased.
Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte and Assistant Chief Justin Daale served as the instructors for the course. During our 10:00 a.m. news update, we will hear comments from others who participated in the Police Citizens Academy.
Klobuchar To Bring Presidential Campaign To Le Mars
(Le Mars) — Minnesota Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar has scheduled a “meet and greet” stop for Le Mars for this coming Saturday, November 9th. Klobuchar will appear at Lally’s Eastside Restaurant at 11:00 a.m. The public is welcomed to attend the gathering.
Moville Farm Family Awarded The “Good Neighbor” Award
(Moville) — A Woodbury County farm family was presented the “Gary Wergin – Good Neighbor” award during a luncheon presentation held today at Moville.
Eric and Carol Nelson were given the recognition. The award is sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers along with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The award is named after a radio farm broadcaster and recognizes those farm families involved with livestock
production and are conscientious about their surroundings and the environment. Brian Waddingham is the executive director with the Coalition to Support Iowa Farmers.
Waddingham says in making their selection, the committee, looks at how active the farm family is within their community. Carol Nelson says they have five children, of which each are active with agriculture, and various community organizations.
The Nelsons have a diversified farming operation that stretches from near Moville in Woodbury County to Marcus in Cherokee County. Eric Nelson says he is humbled by the honor.
Nelson talks about his farming operation and his philosophy of farming.
Nelson says the Loess Hills of Woodbury County provide for good windbreaks for his cow-calf stock herd. The Nelsons also have cattle feedlot operations at both locations. Nelson says he continues the tradition established by his grandfather by selling seed.
