Le Mars Civil Service Commission To Hold Hearing On Police Officer Dismissal
(Le Mars) — The city of Le Mars Civil Service Commission is scheduled to convene this morning at 9:00 a.m. at the Le Mars City Council Chambers. The commission will hold a hearing regarding the dismissal from service regarding former Le Mars Police Officer, Jeremy Singer. Singer was let go of his duties following allegations of posting negative and derogatory comments on social media.
Plymouth County Burn Ban Now Lifted
(Des Moines) — As a result of the weekend snowfall, State Fire Marshal, Dan Wood has lifted the fire ban that had been in effect for Plymouth County. In a news release, Wood says pursuant to Chapter 100.40 of the Iowa Code, and at the request of Plymouth County fire departments, the open burning ban for
Plymouth County will be lifted effective Tuesday, October 27th at 8:00 a.m.
County Supervisors To Hear Veterans Affairs Annual Report
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Board of Supervisors have a light agenda for today’s scheduled meeting. The county supervisors are expected to appoint Jon Moeller to replace Stanley Krosch as Elkhorn Township trustee. They will approve Homestead, Military and Disabled Veteran Credit applications, and they will review R-C-F survey and set public hearing date for declaring land
surplus. The county governing board will hear an annual report from Jim Jones, the Plymouth County Veterans Affairs Director. Travis Bultman will appear before the county board of supervisors seeking approval of Bultman Addition in Grant Township. County Engineer, Tom Rohe will also appear
before the supervisors for the letting of three construction projects, as well as submitting construction permits for tile crossings in Fredonia and Remsen townships, and granting work permits to both Northwest REC and Southern Sioux Rural Water Association.
County Fairs Eligible For CARES Act Relief Funding
DES MOINES –- Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)have announced the launch of the new Iowa County Fairs Relief Program. The program will provide short-term relief to eligible county and
district fairs for the purpose of continuing or resuming operations in the context of the public health emergency.
“Every single year, Iowans who attend their local county fair get to see, taste, and experience the positive impact Iowa agriculture has on our communities,” said Gov. Reynolds. “The economic and social impact is immeasurable and it’s critical they have our support to continue operations in preparation for next year.”
The state has allocated up to $6?million?of federal CARES Act funds for the Iowa County Fairs Relief Program. This statewide program, an extension of the Small Business Relief Grant program, is offered through the IEDA in collaboration with the Association of Iowa Fairs (AIF). There are three funding levels: $25,000, $50,000, and $75,000. Award amounts will be
determined based on demonstrated revenue loss for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 as compared with the corresponding period for the previous year.
To be eligible for a grant, the applicant must demonstrate that it:
Is a “Fair” as defined at Iowa Code section 174.1.
Has continuously held membership in the AIF since at least March 17, 2020.
Conducted a “fair event” as defined at Iowa Code section 174.1 (“Fair Event”) in Iowa in Calendar Year 2019.
Held a Fair Event after March 17, 2020 but was subject to limitations or restrictions described in a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by Governor Reynolds on or after March 9, 2020 or it canceled a Fair Event scheduled to be held in Iowa between March 17, 2020 and the submission date
of the application for assistance through the Fund.
Experienced a revenue loss for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020 as compared with the corresponding period for the previous year.
For a full list of eligibility requirements, additional information and to apply, visit iowabusinessrecovery.com. Applications are currently being accepted via email or mail until 5 p.m. on November 16, 2020. Application questions can be directed to the AIF by emailing tsb@iowafairs.com or calling 563-547-4996.
U-S Pork Exports On The Rise
(Le Mars) — We continue our series focusing on the pork industry during this October Pork Month. Several of Iowa Pork Producer leaders, including Plymouth County pork producer, and past state president Bill Tentinger, have participated in trade industry tours to foreign nations. Tentinger, who now
serves as Iowa’s representative to the National Pork Board has gone to Japan, Columbia, Panama, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Tentinger says participating on trade industry tours is important to establish relationships with potential buyers of U-S pork products.
Tentinger points to Japan as an example of how U-S pork exports have increased over the years as a result of business relations through trade missions.
It was only a few years ago that one of every 20 head of hogs raised in the United States was slated for export purposes. Today, that number has jumped to one of every four head of hogs is destined to a foreign market.
The Plymouth County pork producer says our international buyers of pork products certainly are familiar with northwest Iowa.
Tentinger talks about the growth and increases with U-S pork exports.
In our final report focusing on the pork industry, we will learn about the efforts of the producer invested pork check-off, and how the collected money is responsible for the promotion, education, market development and research of hogs and pork products.
Harvest Slowed By Weather
(Undated) — Farmers were slowed by snow and rain — but still made some progress in the harvest in the past week. The crop report from the U-S Department of Agriculture shows more than three-quarters of Iowa’s corn has been harvested — which is more than three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of average. Farmers in south-central Iowa still have more than
50 percent of their corn to be harvested. The report shows 94 percent of the soybeans have been harvested. Many of those beans are in the southern one-third of the state — where at least 14 percent of the soybeans remain in the field.
Grassley Presides Over Barrett Vote
(Washington, DC) — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley praised the Senate’s confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be an associate justice on the U-S Supreme Court after voting in favor of the nomination. The Republican Grassley says Judge Barrett “clearly respects precedent, and she practices judicial restraint. Her fair-minded and independent approach to the Judiciary
demonstrates a humility and conviction that the role of a judge is to apply the law and Constitution as written; not to blur the separation of powers by legislating from the bench.” Grassley presided over the vote as the Senate President pro tempore Iowa’s other Senator, Republican Joni Ernst also voted
in favor of Barrett’s nomination — which was approved in 52-48 vote.
UNI President Overturns Student Body Decision On Pro-Life Group
(Cedar Falls, IA) — University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook has overruled a decision by the school’s student government and supreme court that denied a registration request to a campus chapter of the national Students for Life of America. President Nook’s ruling says the student government’s decision in the case was not “content-neutral and if not overturned would violate the group’s First Amendment rights.” The ruling says U-N-I Students for Life had met all the criteria to become a registered student organization when the student senate denied their request on October 7th. The student government denied the group registration that would allow
them access to student funding — saying it is a “hate group.” The group’s organizer says the school’s own rules say that viewpoint discrimination is not acceptable, student government leaders attacked fellow students for their pro-life views and denied a request for a new club based on their “personal
support of abortion.”
Body Found In Wooded Area Of Clive Identified
(Clive, IA) — Clive Police say the man’s body found in a wooded area October 17th has been identified as a 27-year-old man who had been reported missing. Police say Joel Francis Moots didn’t have a permanent address.
Family members say he was last seen May 31st and was reported missing in June. Clive detectives worked to locate Moots at the time but weren’t able to find him. Authorities say the cause of death hasn’t been determined yet, but foul play isn’t suspected. The remains were identified through the use
of dental records.
