Sheriff Says: “Everybody Get Home, And Stay Home”
(Le Mars) — Today’s winter storm has caused several schools and businesses to close, and conditions are deteriorating as the day progresses. The weather forecast for Le Mars is calling for up to a possibility of six inches of snow, along with some freezing drizzle to occur later this afternoon. Plymouth County Sheriff Mike Van Otterloo advises motorists to stay off the roadways. Van Otterloo says, so far, many motorists have heed
the warnings about low visibility and bad road conditions.
Van Otterloo is telling his deputies, that are on rural patrol, to stay put.
The Plymouth County Sheriff says the winter storm is also playing a factor on a towing company’s decision on how they conduct business.
The National Weather Services has issued a Winter Storm Warning and a Blizzard Warning for Plymouth County through Saturday evening.
Chamber Awards Banquet Scheduled For Thursday Evening
(Le Mars) — Preparations are being made for the Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards program scheduled for next Thursday, January 23rd. The annual event will be held in the upper level at the Le Mars Convention Center. Neal Adler is the executive director with the Le Mars Chamber. He says this year’s program will feature a key-note speaker.
Adler wants to thank those businesses that have helped make it possible for the speaker’s appearance.
The Chamber Banquet and Awards program is when the community recognizes its “Citizen of the Year” as well as the “Business of the Year.” Adler says there were a number of nominations submitted for both categories.
In addition to naming of the “Citizen of the Year” and “Business of the Year”, the event will also acknowledge and recognize those individuals that were given the “Employee of the Month” and “Boss of the Quarter” honors during 2019.
In the past, a favorite among the attendees would be the various videos that would feature many of the community leaders, and towns people. Adler says this year, since the program will feature a speaker, there won’t be as many videos.
Tickets are selling for $50. Hy Vee will be catering the evening meal which Adler says will consist of roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn, and a variety of pies. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with the program and dinner to start at 6:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by contacting the Chamber of
Commerce office at 546-8821.
Sioux City Man Admits Fault With Fatal Accident
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Sioux City man acknowledged he ran a stop sign and caused a fatal crash last summer. Julian Espinoza pleaded guilty Thursday to vehicular homicide by driving recklessly, causing a crash that killed Ronald
Hacker, of Sioux City. The charge carries a 10-year prison sentence. The Sioux City Journal reports Espinoza will be sentenced March 16 in Woodbury County District Court. He remains free on bond. As part of a plea agreement,
an initial charge of vehicular driving while intoxicated was changed. The crash happened when the 32-year-old Espinoza drove his pickup through a stop sign in Sioux City. He collided with a vehicle driven by Hacker, who died three days later.
Ernst Comments On Senate Impeachment Trial
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa is dismissing as moot a U.S. Government Accountability Office report that found President Donald Trump’s administration violated federal law by withholding aid to Ukraine last year.
In a call Thursday with reporters, Ernst was asked if the GAO report released earlier in the day justified calls for witnesses to appear for the impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate, which begins next week. Ernst, a Republican and strong Trump supporter, said since the president eventually provided the aid Congress had approved, the point is “moot.” She says based
on that she doesn’t believe additional witnesses are needed.
Elected City Council Member Refuses To Serve
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa (AP) – A northern Iowa community will hold a special election to fill a City Council seat after the man who was elected to the position refused to serve. The Fort Dodge Messenger reports the Eagle Grove City Council last week agreed to hold an election March 3 after Gary Lalor Jr. declined to take the position. Lalor filed to run for the seat but then missed a deadline to remove his name from the ballot after deciding he
didn’t want to join the council. Eagle Grove is a city of 3,400, about 20 miles northeast of Fort Dodge.
