Grain Bin Accident Becomes Deadly And Claims Life
(Le Mars) — A grain bin accident turned deadly resulting in a fatality Tuesday morning at 38557 180th Street, about five miles east of Le Mars. Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies confirmed the fatality of a 65 year old male that had been inside the grain bin loosening stuck corn. The individual had safety measures in place, but was still pulled into the corn when the crust had broke. Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department along with Oyens and Remsen Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene that was reported at about 9:47 a.m. Joining in with the recovery efforts were the Le Mars Ambulance Services and the Remsen Ambulance, as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol. Upon arrival of the fire units, a rescue operation was started, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The body of the victim was recovered at 10:50 a.m. Rescuers needed to empty the corn that was being stored in the grain bin to assist with the recovery efforts. Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department used its aerial truck with the recovery. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident scene. The name of the victim is not being released at this time pending family notifications.
DOT Worker Killed On Highway
(Orange City) — An Iowa D-O-T worker was killed Tuesday morning during an accident that happened on Highway 18 one and a half miles west of Boyden. Sioux County Sheriff’s Office reports that 64-year old Lynn Roder of Ashton was standing in the westbound lane with a traffic sign singnaling for westbound traffic to stop of slow down ahead of a road construction area when he was hit by a 2017 Chevrolet Equinox being driven by 94-year old William Plantage of Sheldon who was driving westbound. Plantage struck Roder on the roadway. Roder was transported by the Boyden Ambulance to Sanford Sheldon Medical Center wherehe was pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. Plantage’s vehicle sustained approximately $4,000 in damage. The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Boyden Ambulance and the Iowa State Patrol. The accident remains under investigation.
Le Mars Police Department Gets New Officer
(Le Mars) — Prior to the start of the Le Mars City Council meeting, a new police officer was sworn into duty of the Le Mars Police Department. Jacob Bergman of Akron was given the oath of office by Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff.
Following the oath of office, Bergman’s father then pinned the badge to his uniform. Family members then gathered for photo opportunities. Bergman began his patrol duties yesterday. He was with Assistant Police Chief Justin Daale attending a YMCA day camp activity Tuesday morning, in which, according to Daale, many students inquired as to why Bergman at that time, was not wearing a badge. Several members of the Le Mars Police Department were on hand to witness the oath of office and badge pinning ceremony.
Le Mars TestIowa Site Remains Busy
(Le Mars) — The TestIowa site at Floyd Valley Healthcare in Le Mars has had a couple of busy days. The new testing site got started on Monday, and already 50 people have been tested. The test site is a test clinic operated with Floyd Valley Healthcare personnel. The tests are sent to the State Hygienic Lab for analysis. People wanting to be tested for the COVID-19 virus must first complete an on-line assessment. The TestIowa site is open from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and officials are capable of testing 25 people each day.
4-H And FFA Members Will Be Allowed To Exhibit Projects
(Le Mars) — Although the Plymouth County Fair has been postponed this year, local 4-H and FFA members will still have the opportunity to have their project exhibits judged. Janelle Johnson is the County Director for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for Plymouth County and says there will be what is known as the “Clover and Gold Classic”. She says officials still wanted to offer local 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to showcase their projects.
Johnson says judging activities will begin on Monday, July 27th and be spread out throughout the entire week.
Johnson says because of the COVID-19 virus, other than the immediate family members, the general public is not allowed to attend the judging events, or be on the grounds. However, Johnson says officials are creating a “You-Tube” channel on social media, and the judging will be downloaded on-line for the public’s viewing.
The county extension director says the week will kick off with the 4-H and FFA swine show on Monday.
On Tuesday the focus will be to judge only the static exhibits, and no livestock entries will be judged. Johnson says they will follow what is known as the “state fair” model when judging the static displays.
Johnson says the remaining week will have rabbits judged on Wednesday, as well as at noon Wednesday will be a virtual clothing style show featured on the extension office’s Facebook page. Thursday will be the horse show, as well as the sheep judging, meat goat show, and the Educational Presentations. Friday morning will feature both the beef show and the dog show. Friday afternoon will have the dairy judging contest. Friday afternoon will also be the working demonstration exhibits. Saturday, August 1st will be the poultry show, along with the Share-the-Fun exhibits, and the cat and pet show. Johnson says hand sanitizers will be available throughout the fairgrounds, and face coverings or masks are encouraged to be worn.
(photos are from 2019 Plymouth County Fair)
Iowa City Requires Every Person To Wear Face Covering While In Public
(Iowa City, IA) — Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague (TEEG) issued a proclamation Tuesday requiring every person in the city to wear a face-covering when in a public place. Teague says with more than 30-thousand college students set to return to Iowa City in August, the time for acting is now. The proclamation defies Governor Kim Reynolds and the Attorney General — who said the state emergency order the governor issued does not allow cities to require face coverings. Teague says he has the authority to issue the mask requirement under home rule.
Rural Iowans Will Be Surveyed About COVID-19
(Ames, IA) — Thousands of Iowans in 70 rural communities will be contacted by mail as part of a survey about how COVID-19 has affected their lives. The survey will be conducted by researchers at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. David Peters, an ISU sociology professor, says there’s been much focus on the big metro areas, but very little discussion about Iowa’s plentiful rural communities. “How has isolation, job losses and the economic impacts of the pandemic, coupled with a long-term decline in the farm economy the last three, four, five years, how is that really impacting rural America?” The surveys should be mailed out within the next few weeks and Peters anticipates the data will be coming back in by early September. Le Mars is one of the communities that will participate in that COVID-19 survey. Others from the region include: Cherokee, Correctionville, George, Hartley, Hospers, and Sibley.
State, County Officials Work Madison County Death Investigation Together
(Madison County, IA) — The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is working with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on a suspected homicide. Authorities received a call Tuesday afternoon about a person lying in a rural intersection. Deputies found the body when they arrived. The man hasn’t been identified and investigators aren’t saying how he died. Authorities say there is no apparent threat to the safety of the general public at this time.
Summer Bash At River Farm Recreation Gets “Out Of Hand”
(Jefferson, IA) — The Greene County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a two-day weekend event at River Farm Recreation that the owner says “got out of hand.” Authorities have been told 11 people were drugged, three young women were sexually assaulted and one man was arrested for threatening others with a gun. Hundreds of people were at the location along the Raccoon River for the “Summer Bash.” The event included a slip-and-slide, live bands and all-night parties. Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams says too many underage drinkers were allowed to attend. Another two-day event is on the schedule for August and the sheriff says security will be much tighter.
