Donations help fund Fire-Rescue equipment and training
(LE MARS)–The annual Fund Drive is underway for donations to the Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department.
The equipment and training costs from the fund serve both the needs of city and rural areas.
Services provided by Le Mars Fire Rescue include fire-rescue; extrication; E-M-S, fire prevention-education; summer and winter storm duty, search and rescue, HazMat; fire safety inspections; fire investigations; sports events; city and chamber events; Plymouth County Fair and assisting other Public Safety agencies.
Funeral businesses announce merger
(LE MARS)–Two businesses providing funeral-related services have merged.
The Carlsen Funeral Home and Feuerstein Funeral Home made the announcement.
As of July 1, the Feuerstein Funeral Home has become part of the Carlsen Funeral Home family.
In a news release, Bob Feuerstein of the Feuerstein Funeral Home said, “By joining with the Carlsen Funeral Home, we will continue to assist those who call on us, while being better able to adapt to the changing needs of those we serve.”
The Carlsen Funeral Home was founded in 2001 by Doug and Karen Carlsen. In addition to the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars, Doug and Karen Carlsen and partners Dan and Lori Rexwinkel also operate the Carlsen Funeral Home-Schroeder Chapel in Akron.
According to Doug Carlsen, “by incorporating the Feuerstein Funeral Home into the business and by welcoming Bob Feuerstein to our staff, we will continue to provide the best service available to those who place their trust in us.”
The two funeral businesses will be operating from the Carlsen Funeral Home at 107 12th Street Southeast in Le Mars and will operate together as the Carlsen Home.
Carlsen, Feuerstein and Rexwinkel say they welcome questions.
Santana headlines 20th Saturday in the Park
(SIOUX CITY)–Santana and Steve Winwood are among the performers for the 20th anniversary of Saturday in the Park in Sioux City.
The event at Sioux City’s Grandview Park opens at noon tomorrow with Ron Emory. The Winwood Act is at 6:45 tomorrow night following by headiner Santana at 8:45 Saturday night.
The event is promoted as the Upper Midwest’s Premiere Music Festival and is free due to sponsorships.
Park and ride shuttles are offered from the Tyson Events Center
Jurors don’t report Tuesday
(LE MARS)–July jurors in Plymouth County do not have to report on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Jurors are asked to call after 3 p-m on Monday, July 12th to find out whether to report on Tuesday, July 13, 2010.
Des Moines Levee springs small leak; no evacuation
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Authorities are inspecting a leak in a vulnerable levee that protects a Des Moines’ Birdland neighborhood from a swollen river that swamped the downtown area two years ago.
Officials spotted the leak late Thursday, but declined to order residents of the neighborhood to leave their homes. It’s in the same part of the levee that gave way in 2008 and was repaired.
Des Moines Public Works Director Bill Stowe characterized it as seepage, saying there is no hole.
Crews were at the levee overnight, and were taking a closer look Friday morning.
Tom Heinold with the Army Corps of Engineers says levees tend to seep, and water has found a path. Heinold says the situation didn’t worsened overnight and it appears the leak has “stabilized.”
14 Iowa beaches at parks get bacteria warning
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Warnings about fecal bacteria have been posted at 14 beaches at state parks in Iowa just in time for the Fourth of July weekend.
Rain tends to make the readings go up.
Bacteria counts above state standards can lead to issues for swimmers, including stomach aches, diarrhea and skin infections.
The very young, the very old and those with immune deficiencies are particularly vulnerable. State health officials recommend swimmers avoid swallowing lake water and bathe immediately after swimming.
The warnings are up at Backbone, Beed’s Lake, Big Creek, Blue Lake, Brushy Creek, Gull Point, Lake Ahquabi, Lake Keomah, Lake of Three Fires, Prairie Rose, Rock Creek, Springbrook, Union Grove and Viking Lake.
Gas grill causes Oxford house fire
OXFORD, Iowa (AP) A gas grill is being blamed for a fire that tore through a home in Oxford.
Fire Chief Al Thomas says no one was injured in the fire. A neighbor helped the woman who lives there to escape.
Two dogs were taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. There was no immediate word on their conditions.
Fire officials say a passer-by called firefighters at about 9 p.m. Thursday.
Thomas says it took five fire departments several hours to snuff out the stubborn blaze.
The fire appears to have started in the kitchen.
Resident Lindsay Schulte says she was inside her house when she heard a “huge, huge first pop,” followed by a second one.
Thomas says an investigation into the fire will continue.
Iowa teen dies after being trapped under boat
BRITT, Iowa (AP) A 16-year-old northern Iowa boy who became trapped under a dry-docked pontoon boat last weekend has died of his injuries.
Friends and family say Cody Schmit of Britt was helping to lift the boat and put wheels underneath it when it fell on top of him on Saturday. He died Thursday.
Schmit is being remembered as a car enthusiast who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
Schmit’s father says that willingness to help will continue even after Cody’s death because he was an organ donor.
A Cody Schmit Scholarship fund has also been set up. Donations can be made at the First State Bank in Britt.
Funeral Services are scheduled for Tuesday at West Hancock High School.
Hundreds of solar panels installed at UNI
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) Officials at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls say 900 solar panels are being installed at a new parking garage.
University officials say the panels will generate enough energy to power the garage. The center will also use a geothermal heating and cooling system.
The university also plans to install a flat panel television that will display information about the solar panels.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Submit your news release, confidential news tip or news idea by email klemnews@lemarscomm.net, by calling 712.546.4121 or 712.546.9672 fax.
