Two Vehicle Accident Happens At Country Intersection
(Le Mars) — An accident involving two vehicles occurred Sunday afternoon at around 1:15 p.m. at the country intersection of Lynx Avenue and 220th Street, about four miles south of Le Mars. An investigation of the accident indicated 48-year old Charles Hoffman of Le Mars was heading eastbound on 220th Street, driving a 1997 Ford F-250 pickup truck, while at the same time, 33-year old Dustin Poeckes (Peek-us), also of Le Mars, was heading southbound on Lynx Avenue, driving his 2011 Ford Explorer approaching the intersection. Both drivers’ vision was obscured by corn growing in the field northwest of the intersection. Upon entering the intersection, both vehicles collided, causing the Poeckes vehicle to rotate and flip over in the south east ditch. Airbags had deployed on both vehicles, and fortunately, all five occupants of the Ford Explorer, and the only occupant of the Ford F-250 pickup all escaped with only minor injuries. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department and the Le Mars Ambulance Service were both dispatched to the scene and checked on the drivers and the passengers. Everyone was subsequently released at the scene with only minor injuries. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the accident investigation.
325th Street To Be Closed For Three Weeks
(Le Mars) — Beginning today, and for approximately the next few weeks, 325th Street near the Plymouth County-Woodbury County border along Highway 75 will be closed to traffic in order to regrade the intersection in conjunction with the Highway 75 reconstruction project. Work is expected to be completed on Friday, July 24th.
Secondary Road Department To Close 130th Street
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department will close 130th Street for one mile between Kestrel Avenue and Key Avenue. The road closure is scheduled to start today, Monday, July 6th in order for road crews to install a culvert pipe. 130th Street will remain closed until Friday, July 17th.
Hundreds Of People Watch 2020 Skyshow Fireworks Display
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Skyshow fireworks display held at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds Sunday evening was the climax to the holiday weekend. The annual fireworks display, hosted by the city of Le Mars, attracted several visitors to the fairgrounds and surrounding area. The fireworks were colorful and lasted approximately 20 minutes. Several people had tuned their radios to KLEM to listen to patriotic music as a background to the fireworks show. Photos can be viewed on the KLEM website.
Oyens Annual Antique Tractor Parade Held Saturday
(Oyens) — Tractors of all makes, models, colors, and years appeared Saturday during the annual Loutsch family-Oyens Antique Tractor parade. Nearly 50 entries participated in this year’s event, and although the number of entries may have been down than with past years parades, the people that gathered with their lawn chairs still enjoyed seeing the farm equipment from a past era. The annual tractor parade started at 12:00 noon at the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and traveled from street to street winding its way through the town. Parade participants passed out candy to anxiously waiting children, and viewers waved to the participants. Many of the parade entries were attached to an implement, such as a wagon, hay rack, two-row planter, sickle mower, flat-bed trailer, or even a one row corn picker. The antique tractor parade has been an annual July 4th event in Oyens for at least 25 years.
Results Of Business Survey Now Available
(Le Mars) — Last week, the Le Mars Main Street Organization, through the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey asking people for their comments regarding the patronage of businesses as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Mary Reynolds is the coordinator with the Le Mars Main Street Organization. She says the survey was basically to measure the level of comfort for people to go shopping, or dine at a restaurant. Reynolds says there were 214 local people that responded to the online survey.
Reynolds says the survey also shows many people have turned to on-line shopping, as opposed to visiting an actual store building.
Reynolds says as a result of the COVID-19 virus and when many local retail businesses were requested to close for a while, the Le Mars Main Street Organization, along with the Chamber of Commerce have been encouraging local businesses to consider offering many of their goods on-line.
There were questions on the survey that dealt with the specific type of restaurant a shopper would likely visit whether it was a deli, coffee shop, fast-food, sit down restaurant, pizzeria and others. Reynolds says the survey indicated a desire to have an Italian-based food restaurant to be located in Le Mars.
People or businesses interested in seeing the results of the survey can contact the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce office.
Iowa Department Of Public Health Confirms 321 New COVID-19 Cases
(Des Moines, IA) — The Iowa Department of Public Health has confirmed 321 new COVID-19 cases. State health officials say 31-thousand-243 positive cases have been confirmed statewide since the outbreak began earlier this year. The death toll remains at 721 since there were no new deaths through Sunday’s report. So far, 508 of the deaths involved Iowans who had pre-existing health conditions. More than half – 382 – of the deaths were among people at long-term care facilities. Forty-three patients are still in intensive care.
Des Moines Accident Leaves 4 Dead, 1 Seriously Injured
(Des Moines, IA) — Des Moines police say excessive speed was a significant contributing factor to a one-car accident Sunday that has left four people dead and one seriously injured. No names have been released and all of the victims were in their early 20s. Investigators say the vehicle went out of control, crossed the roadway from side-to-side, then slammed into a tree and caught on fire. The accident happened near Water Works Park in Des Moines at about 2:25 a-m. A 22-year-old woman was pulled from the wreckage and is reported to be in serious condition in a Des Moines hospital.
Fireworks Accident Leaves Man With Serious Hand Injuries
(Bloomfield, IA) — The Davis County Sheriff’s Office says a 26-year-old man lit a firework with a short fuse and it exploded, causing extremely serious hand injuries. The man’s name hasn’t been released. He was airlifted to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Emergency responders say the accident happened in the Amish community near Bloomfield. The man was treated for his injuries and has since returned home.
Suspect In May Shooting Incident Arrested In Des Moines
(Corning, IA) — Iowa authorities say an 18-year-old suspect in a fatal shooting incident last May has been taken into custody. Shannon Travion Pope is charged with attempted murder and intimidation with a dangerous weapon. He’s being held on a half-million-dollar bail. A second man, 22-year-old Fabrece Jamar Bower Turner has been in jail for nearly two months for the May 6th shooting. Police say they believe the crime is gang-related. Pope is being held in the Adams County Jail.
ISU Sociologist To Conduct Study Of COVID-19 On Small Towns
(Ames) — An Iowa State sociologist says many rural communities that have not yet seen coronavirus outbreaks could be very susceptible to one. I-S-U professor David Peters modified an existing public health tool to see how susceptible different size communities are to COVID-19. He plans to survey 65 small towns to determine what’s worked best so far in preventing outbreaks.
He says these communities are more susceptible to an outbreak when they have many people living and working in group housing, lots of residents with pre-existing medical conditions, and certain types of employers, like meat plants. Peters says planning ahead for either sheltering in place or dispersing residents in vulnerable situations may go a long way.
Peters says the virus will come to even remote communities. But he’s hoping his work will generate some “best practices” that can be replicated to reduce the severity of any future outbreaks. The National Science Foundation has awarded him 200-thousand dollars for the project.
Lemonade Stands Now Legal In Iowa
(Des Moines) — A new state law that took effect last week ensures Iowa kids have a right to sell lemonade, cookies and other types of food and non-alcoholic drinks. Senator Roby Smith of Davenport says a number of states have enacted similar laws.
Child-run lemonade stands were technically illegal in Iowa before this Wednesday, when the governor signed the new law. Senator Zach Wahls (like “walls”) notes a few cities around the country have cracked down on Girl Scouts selling cookies and the new law makes it clear kids don’t have to get government permits if they want to sell baked goods or beverages.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Iowa is at least the 15th state to waive the government permitting process so kids under the age of 18 may sell food door to door or set up a lemonade stand.
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