Car Hits House
(Le Mars) — Early Sunday evening, at around 6:30 p.m. neighbors around the 4th Street SW and Lincoln Avenue SW were startled when they heard a loud crashing noise. A car heading northeast on Lincoln Avenue S.W. had failed to
stop at the intersection and instead crossed the street, jumped the curb, and hit a house located at 301 4th Street SW. Le Mars Fire Chief, Dave Schipper describes the scene.
Major structural damage was done to the home, as the car hit the west side and northwest corner of the home. Schipper says MidAmerican Energy Company was called to the scene, and the cut both the power and the natural gas to the home. Schipper says the home has been “red tagged” and considered not
safe for living. According to Le Mars Police officers investigating the scene, the vehicle had only a male driver. He was transported by private vehicle to Floyd Valley Healthcare. Two people were inside the home at the time of the accident, but escaped injury. Because of the accident, officials needed to stop the trains for a period of time, while rescue workers were at
the scene. Several neighbors from the surrounding area had gathered at the scene while firefighters were stabilizing the home and removing some debris.
The Le Mars Police has not released the names involved with the accident, and they are continuing their investigation.
Secondary Roads Department To Close 160th Street
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department has announced they intend on closing 160th Street between county road L-14 to Shamrock Avenue beginning today, Monday, May 18th. The stretch of road is expected to be closed until Friday, May 29th in order for county road crews to replace a
culvert pipe. The stretch of road is located just to the northeast of Remsen.
YMCA Is Now Open, But Many Programs Had To Be Cancelled (Part 2 in 2-part Series)
(Le Mars) — On Friday of last week we shared with you about the Le Mars Community Wellness Center, also known as the Le Mars YMCA, as it has re-opened for business, although with several restrictions. Today, we continue our conversation with Todd Lancaster, the executive director with the Le Mars
YMCA. The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has had a negative impact upon many businesses and their bottom-line financial position, since businesses were asked to close their doors. In addition, events, meetings, seminars, have all either been cancelled or postponed due to the virus. At the YMCA,
Lancaster says the coronavirus has had a significant negative impact on its finances and programs.
Lancaster says their fitness classes have been adversely affected since those classes are forbidden to share equipment, and the need to limit the number of people participating due to social distancing and gathering requirements.
Lancaster says all equipment must be sanitized both before and after each use.
Earlier in the month, officials with the annual Ice Cream Days announced they would cancel the events associated with the Le Mars hometown celebration, and Lancaster says that also includes the YMCA’s annual 3-on-3 youth basketball tournament.
The Le Mars YMCA executive says members have started to return to the local facility for their workout routine. Because of the construction taking place at the YMCA, members enter through the west doors. Lancaster says signs have
been posted instructing the members of the requirements. He says all members are asked to help sanitize the equipment before and after its use. Lancaster says, fortunately, the participating members have done an excellent job of
assisting the YMCA staff by keeping the place clean and sanitized.
Lancaster says during this time of year the usage of the YMCA facilities tends to drop off somewhat, but he says attendance is down from normal years.
Lancaster says members have appreciated the re-opening of the YMCA, and he says for many, exercise routines are not only good for a person’s physical well-being, but it also acts as a stress reliever.
Schools Still Waiting To Hear From State Athletic Officials Regarding Baseball And Softball
(Le Mars) — Many people are wondering whether or not there will be high school baseball and softball games held this summer. Le Mars Community School Superintendent Dr. Steve Webner says the schools are waiting to hear from both the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and the Iowa Girls High
School Athletic Union, who they are both waiting to hear from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Public Health.
Webner says the school district is already making preparations for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. He says one thing that will be different is the student registration, which will be held on-line.
The school superintendent says the school district was already planning to implement such a program, but he says the Iowa Department of Education is making it a requirement of all schools.
Steve King Votes No On House Proxy Voting Measure
(Washington DC) – – Congressman Steve King announces that he has voted NO on two proposals put forward for consideration by House Democrats today. King voted against HR. 6800, a $3 trillion wish list of liberal policy priorities put together behind closed doors by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. King also voted against House Democrats’ proposal to unilaterally change House Rules to allow for Proxy Voting despite the Constitution’s requirement that a quorum be present for business to be conducted. HR 6800 passed the House tonight on a vote of 208-199 (King voted No) and the Proxy Voting proposal passed on a vote of 217-189 (King voted No).
“President Trump is correct to oppose this legislation, and I am pleased that he has done so publicly, said King. “There is a saying, popular among some members on the other side of the aisle, that ‘one should never let a crisis go to waste.’ In my opinion, Speaker Pelosi’s $3 Trillion wish-list is her latest attempt to use the terrible COVID-19 pandemic to radically restructure American society by advancing a bill that was drafted in secret and behind closed doors while Congress was out of town. I voted against this ‘socialist wish list,’ and I will support President Trump should he ever need to veto this legislation.”
Iowa Death Toll From COVID-19 Reaches 351
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health reports five new deaths from COVID-19 Sunday run the state’s total to 351. State health officials say 323 new positive cases raise Missouri’s total to 14-thousand-651. So far, more than 100 thousand Iowans have been tested for coronavirus.
The I-D-P-H reports there have been 37 outbreaks at long-term care facilities in 15 counties, resulting in nearly 14 hundred positive test results.
Governor Reynolds Defends Decision To Reopen
(Des Moines, IA) — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is defending her decision to re-open the state despite a surge of coronavirus deaths which followed it.
Reynolds says a continued lockdown would come at what she calls a “social cost.” Fitness centers, hair salons, restaurants and barbershops are open again for the first time in two months. Local officials have said Reynolds took the step too soon, especially in areas that have a high number of cases.
Citizens are being urged to use caution in determining whether to visit a business – and to wear facial coverings in public.
Woman Arrested At West Des Moines Hotel For Using Stun Device On Victim
(West Des Moines, IA) — West Des Moines police say a burglary suspect was obviously intoxicated when they took her into custody Saturday. They say 31-year-old Allia Janning was barely able to stand. Janning is accused of barging into a guest room at the Sheraton without permission and using a stun
device on a victim. That victim hasn’t been identified. Police say the person didn’t have any physical injuries – other than pain at the contact point. The device was in Janning’s possession when she was arrested. Police say her blood alcohol content was measured at point-219.
Iowa Man Arrested In Nebraska When Crash Endes Pursuit
(Cass County, NE) — Authorities in southeastern Nebraska say their pursuit of a fleeing Iowa driver reached speeds up to 130 miles-an-hour last week before he wrecked his car. The incident happened in Cass County, southeast of Omaha. The 55-year-old Council Bluffs man’s name hasn’t been released yet. A deputy pulled him over Friday morning, but he took off again. The
chase finally ended when the man exited U-S Highway 75 without slowing down and there was a crash. The man was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, fleeing to avoid arrest, reckless driving and several additional charges.
