12th Street SW Railroad Crossing Is Closed
(Le Mars) — City officials have closed the railroad crossing on 12th Street SW, near HyVee due to a safety issue with the crossing arms. Railroad officials hope to have the repairs made by Sunday afternoon, and then the railroad crossing will again open.
Winter Storm Causes Businesses To Close
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A winter storm dropping several inches of snow and sleet and also bringing in high winds lead to cancellations of classes, activities and services across Iowa on Friday. About half of flights from
the Des Moines International Airport, where more than 4 inches of snow fell by midday Friday, were canceled or delayed. More cancellations were likely as the National Weather Service issued winter weather and storm advisories for most of the state. The northwestern corner of Iowa, including Sioux City and Storm Lake, was under a blizzard warning through Saturday.
Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet Scheduled For Thursday
(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.
Overturned Semi Trailer Causes Some Piglets To Die
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – More than 100 piglets died when a semi-trailer carrying about 1,700 of the animals overturned on a freeway just north of Des Moines. Tom Colvin, chief executive officer of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, says about 100 piglets were found dead at the crash site. Crews had to euthanize another 17 that were injured. Colvin told The Des Moines Register “they were suffering.” The crash happened Thursday afternoon when a livestock trailer overturned on a ramp to Interstate 35. The surviving animals were loaded onto other trucks and driven to a livestock operation.
Jeneary Reflects On First Week Of State Legislature
(Des Moines) — The Iowa state legislature returned to work this week and Republican State Representative Dr. Tom Jeneary of Le Mars, who represents the fifth district, says for the most part, the week consisted of ceremonial activities. Governor Kim Reynolds addressed the lawmakers on Tuesday, Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins of the Iowa Supreme Court spoke to the legislators on Wednesday, then the state legislature were given an update on Thursday about the readiness of the State’s National Guard. Jeneary says he was impressed with the Governor’s “Condition of the State” but he wonders if the state has the money to implement all her items on her wish list.
Jeneary says Acting Chief Justice David Wiggins gave the speech that the late Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady was preparing to deliver.
Major General Ben Corell, the Adjutant General delivered the Condition of the Guard address on Thursday to the joint session. Jeneary says the General has a family tradition with the military.
Jeneary says, according to the General, the Iowa National Guard is due for major upgrades.
One of the requests made by the General is to have members of the Guard not having to pay income taxes on wages earned from Guard duty.
Senator Ernst Dismisses GOA Report For 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.
Iowa Democrats Don’t Show Any Reaction To Warren and Sanders Feud
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A dispute between Democratic presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders has caused days of hand-wringing among activists about how it might change the race. But it seems to have landed
with a thud among Iowa progressives. In interviews across the state, Democrats wearily described it as somewhere between “not a big deal” and “a contrived kerfuffle.” Few said it would stick with them come caucus day. The response, or lack of, echoes an undercurrent that has run throughout the race, perhaps especially in earnest Iowa: Democrats aren’t in the mood for a throw-down intra-party fight.
