Home News KLEM News AM Update July 7, 2010

KLEM News AM Update July 7, 2010

(LE MARS)–A consultant for Wells’ Dairy will evaluate a building after an outside wall collapsed and caved-in in downtown Le Mars injured three people at noon Tuesday.

Workers from Larry Timmins Construction of Le Mars are remodeling the historic George Pew building on Central Avenue for Wells’ Dairy. The business plans to relocate its Ice Cream Parlor and Museum from Business Highway 75 next year.

Wells’ Dairy Spokesman Dave Smetter explains workers were in the second level when the top portion of the north wall collapsed.

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Le Mars Fire Rescue Chief David Schipper says firefighters were told there were up to four people trapped on the second floor of the building when they were called.

Three people were injured including one man who was freed from under debris and removed by stretcher with the use of the Le Mars Aerial ladder fire truck through a second floor window on the front east side. Schipper reports the other two were assisted down by the aerial ladder, but were considered “walking wounded and able to use their own power to get out with assistance.” They were taken to Floyd Valley Hospital by Le Mars Ambulance.

The fire chief reports the wall that collapsed was on the second floor between the building being renovated for the Ice Cream Parlor and Timmy’s Catering Service. Part of the outside wall did fall onto the Timmy’s building, collapsing part of the roof in the back of Timmy’s building as well. No employees or management of the catering business were injured at the time of the collapse.

Both gas and electric services were shut off to both buildings until damages can be assessed and safely repaired.

Smetter says Wells’ is thankful the injuries were not more serious. According to Smetter, the building’s structural soundness had been evaluated prior to renovation.

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1917 is the date on the building facade, but researchers for the Le Mars Historic Preservation Commission believe it was initially constructed between 1907 and 1913.

Le Mars Police, Ambulance and Street Departments as well as the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and Communication Center and MidAmerican Energy assisted firefighters.

Plymouth County 4-H numbers pass the 500 mark

(Plymouth County-LeMars) Area 4-H club members are not just busy getting ready for the Plymouth County Fair coming up at the end of July. They’re also celebrating the 500 member mark. County Extension Education Director, Carol Schneider, said that it was 2 years ago that the challenge of growing to 500 was put out to the Plymouth County clubs. Accomplishing the goal took some outreach.

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Schneider also said that adding members was really about having more opportunities to enrich young people’s lives through 4-H.

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Area 4-H-ers and support staff will celebrate exceeding the 500 member mark with a party Wednesday night at the LeMars Convention Center. Ann Schoenrock is the county youth coordinator. (News report by Angela Drake)

Burglars target tools in Plymouth, Cherokee and O’Brien Counties

(LE MARS)–A reward is being offered for information about rural burglaries in three Northwest Iowa counties.

Plymouth, Cherokee and O’Brien County sheriff’s offices are investigating burglaries where a number of items, mainly tools, have been stolen.

Up to $2,200 is available to any individual or group for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

Authorities ask that any suspicious vehicles, especially larger vehicles like pickup trucks or vans, be reported. The sheriff’s offices would like a detailed description of the vehicle, including license plate, color, make, model and a description of anyone in the suspicious vehicle.

Anyone who believes a burglary is taking place is asked to call 911 immediately.

On track for Relay for Life in Remsen July 9-10

(REMSEN)–Dozens of teams, including elected officials and staff in county and state offices at the Plymouth County Courthouse–TEAM Plymouth, are on track for the American Cancer Society’s 2010 Relay for Life in Plymouth County.

The event is July 9-10 at the Remsen City Track to honor and remember those who have battled cancer and raise money for research and education. Event co-chairs are Stacey Kliever and Shelly Clay.

Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. Friday, July 9th with the Luminaria Ceremony at 10 p.m.

Live music and entertainment, a Kiss the Pig contest, and wacky-themed walks around the track are part of the activities. Friday evening fun for kids includes rides on the Remsen Fire Department truck and games provided by the Remsen-Union Student Council.

Remsen E-M-T’s provide a pancake breakfast at the Remsen Pool Shelterhouse Saturday morning.  

Crime Stoppers offers reward for ag equipment, tire vandalism

(LE MARS)–The newest Plymouth County Crime Stoppers reward is being offered for damage to ag equipment in Le Mars between July 4 and July 6.

Authorities report a sharp object was used to puncture two tires on a John Deere sprayer at 224 Second Avenue Northeast. The owner, Le Mars Agri-Center, reported damage to the sprayer was $2,000.

Kindwall Tire at 15 Lincoln Street Southeast had six tires damaged with an estimated value of $600. The damage to the two businesses’ property totalled $2,600

Information may be reported to Le Mars Police at 546-4113 or Crime Stoppers at 548-4968.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for any felony crime. Crime Stoppers calls are confidential. The program is sponsored by the Plymouth County Peace Officers Association.

Drivers escape injuries in Oyens accident

(OYENS)–Two people escaped injury in a two-vehicle accident near Oyens Saturday afternoon.

The accident at the intersection of Highway Three and County Road K-64/Oyens Avenue was reported to the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office at about 5 p-m

The accident investigation report lists the drivers of the vehicles as 52-year-old Joyce Steinkamp of Wall Lake and 89-year-old Robert John Konz of rural Le Mars.

According to the report, Steinkamp was driving a sport utility vehicle east on Highway Three and Konz was driving a car south on K-64. Both Steinkamp and Konz were listed as uninjured.

$150k claim approved in TouchPlay case

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The State Appeal Board has approved a $150,000 claim against the state and the Iowa Lottery Authority over the state’s ban on TouchPlay lottery games in 2006.

The appeal board approved the settlement of a lawsuit filed in Floyd County in 2008 that claimed the state’s decision to ban the video lottery game caused financial harm to businesses and individuals that operated the games.

It was one of several cases seeking about $900 million in damages over the state’s decision to pull the plug on TouchPlay.

The state banned the game after public outrage over its widespread availability. The game, which resembled a slot machine, appeared in about 3,200 bars, restaurants and convenience stores statewide,

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says the settlement saves the state substantial money over its potential liability over TouchPlay.

New foods for Iowa State Fair unveiled

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Organizers of the Iowa State Fair say this year’s fair edition will feature a number of new food items including something called a “Twinkie log.”

As demonstrated at a preview Tuesday, the “Twinkie log” consists of a frozen Twinkie dipped in white chocolate and rolled in crushed cashews.

There also will be “Fair Squares” made of crisped rice cereal and marshmallow. They’ll be available for $2 in either peanut butter or plain flavors.

Other new fair foods will include turtle mousse bars, strawberry cream bars and chocolate covered tiramisu.

The 2010 fair runs from Aug. 12 to Aug. 22.

Lawsuit seeks arbitration in Microsoft case


DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Attorneys representing 23 states involved in a class-action lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. are suing the Iowa attorney who spearheaded a $179.5 million settlement with the software company over attorney fees.

Roxanne Conlin of Des Moines negotiated the 2007 settlement which included $75 million in attorney fees that she split with attorney Richard Hagstrom and the Zelle Hoffmann law firm of Minneapolis.

The lawsuit filed last month in Polk County says Conlin signed an agreement with the Microsoft Litigation Consortium that called for the group to receive 20 percent of attorney fees awarded in the case. The agreement also says disputes were to be resolved through arbitration.

The lawsuit says Conlin has refused to enter into arbitration.

Conlin says in a statement that the lawsuit is without merit.

Police still investigating missing Dubuque toddler

DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) According to court documents filed this week, Dubuque resident Tamelia Harris reportedly told a social worker there was a bad accident involving her young daughter, and said she didn’t have a funeral for the child.

Harris reportedly made the statement to the social worker after police found blood-spattered window blinds, bed sheets and children’s scissors in her home.

Harris is currently being held on a charge of felony neglect or abandonment of a dependent person. Last week, police began a search for Harris’ 20-month-old daughter, Cecelia, after an anonymous tip that the girl was sent to live with someone else. Officers say that while searching for the girl, they discovered what they believe to be the remains of a small child in Harris’ yard. The remains have not been identified.

(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.