Home News KLEM News PM Update July 6, 2010

KLEM News PM Update July 6, 2010

(LE MARS)–Three people were injured when  a portion of an outside wall collapsed  in a downtown Le Mars building today, (Tuesday, July 6, 2010). 

A contractor for Wells’ Dairy, Larry Timmons Construction of Le Mars, is remodeling the building for the new location of the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. Wells’ Spokesman Dave Smetter explains what happened around noon.

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Le Mars Fire-Rescue Chief David Schipper reports firefighters found three people injured. One man was freed from under debris and remvoed by stretcher with the use of the Le Mars Aerial ladder fire truck. 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.

Smetter says Wells’ is thankful that no one was injured more seriously than they were.

One lane of the street in front of the building on Central Avenue is blocked off from traffic and the area is marked with yellow police tape. 

Le Mars Ambulance, Street and Police Departments  the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office, Plymouth County Communication Center and MidAmerican Energy assisted Fire-Rescue.

Drake joins KLEM staff

(LE MARS)– There’s a new kid in town… Angela Drake has joined the staff at KLEM as a part-time news reporter. Angela is a new to Iowa and recently moved to Alton from Madison, Wisconsin. Her husband’s job brought her to the area.

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Angela is excited to get to know the people in LeMars and the surrounding area, and also looks forward to being involved in the community. She grew up on a dairy farm and is excited to be living in a more close knit community again. (News report by Angela Drake)

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Angela Drake has over 10 years of radio experience under her belt including on-air work, news, and advertising sales.

Speakers focus on patriotism and freedom

(LE MARS)–The meaning of independence was the focus of speakers at the Plymouth County Veterans Memorial Park in Le Mars Monday

This was the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff reflected on freedom.

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A Struble native, retired Brigadier General Jack Nicholson traced many events in the nation’s history on the Fourth of July.

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Plymouth County Supervisors’ Chair Jim Henrich said patriotism is alive and well in the area.

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A name plate to honor a veteran in a display at the park can be purchased for $250. The funds are set aside for perpetual care of the Veterans Memorial Park. Information is available by contacting Don Law.

Host families needed for International students

(LE MARS)–Area families may provide an international experience for high school students.

Sharon Dorr of Le Mars is looking for host families.

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Examples of countries students may be from include Brazil, Germany, China, Korea, Columbia, France, Indonesia, Serbia, Mexico, Latvia and Venezuela

Dorr has been involved in the host program for international students for 30 years and says she’s never been an empty nester.

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Saying goodbye at the end of the school year is the worst experience Dorr expects a host family to have.
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She has openings for two students at Le Mars Community, and is open for host families in Akron, Marcus, Kingsley, Remsen, Sioux City and Moville.

Students have their own health insurance, lunch money and spending money. Anyone who’d like to host a student or learn more may contact Dorr at 546-4911. She hopes to have homes for the students no later than July 23rd so visas can be issued for their travel in time for school.

Meitz joins Yankton group

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) The Missouri National Recreational River headquartered in Yankton has a new superintendent.

Steven Mietz (METZ) will begin his new duties on Aug. 15.

He had been the deputy chief of science and resource management at Grand Canyon National Park.

Mietz succeeds Mike Madell, who transferred to Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi last winter.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Military says Iowa Air Force pilot saved lives

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The Department of Defense says a U.S. Air Force helicopter pilot from Iowa who died after a battle in Afghanistan is credited with saving many lives

Capt. David Wisniewski, formerly of Moville, died last Friday at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md. He was flying an Air Force Black Hawk helicopter on June 9 when it crashed.

The Defense Department on Saturday said during his eight-year career, Wisniewski had logged more than 1,500 flight hours, flown 289 combat hours and saved numerous lives, including several during his most recent deployment to Afghanistan.

Wisniewski was stationed at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada.

The department says a memorial service will be held at Nellis Air Force Base, with burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Flood worries move downriver from Des Moines

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa’s flood concerns are moving downriver from Des Moines, where officials have been watching the levees along the Des Moines River for a week.

Tom Heinold with the Army Corps of Engineers says the critical moment for a levee protecting the Birdland neighborhood passed on Monday. The river is expected to fall below flood stage on Wednesday.

The river is sweeping flood headaches downriver into southern Iowa.

In Ottumwa, a mobile home park was evacuated on Monday when the river spilled out of its banks. In Eddyville, some residents awoke to untreated sewage in basements when overnight storms overtaxed underground city pipes.

The National Weather Service says more storms are expected Tuesday night into Wednesday. Southeast Iowa could get up to 2 inches of rain.

Horses dragged driver as he tried to stop rampage

BELLEVUE, Iowa (AP) The family of a buggy driver whose horses trampled spectators during Bellevue’s Fourth of July parade say he tried desperately to stop the rampage.

Mardell Steines was in the buggy with his wife, his daughter-in-law and two grandchildren when the horses bolted, injuring 24 people and killing his wife, Janet.

Ken Walsh, whose daughter was in the buggy, says Steines was trying to get the horses under control. The buggy hit a combine in the parade and a road sign. Janet Steines was thrown out and struck a concrete driveway.

Walsh says the hitch came undone and the carriage separated from the horses, running over Steines as he held onto the reins.

Police say most victims were released from the hospital on Monday.

Former Iowa judge sent back to prison

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) A former Muscatine County judge convicted of drunken driving three times is back in prison for violating his parole again.

James Weaver was ordered back to prison last week.

The Iowa Board of Parole will determine how long he will remain in custody.

Weaver was arrested June 16 at his home in Davenport. Officers were sent to his home for a safety check, and they found him intoxicated.

Weaver had been paroled on June 9, and his parole conditions prohibit drinking alcohol.

It was the second time Weaver has violated his parole since he pleaded guilty in August 2009 to a third offense of drunken driving.

Weaver’s other convictions were in 2002 and 2004. He was an associate judge from 1982 to 2004.

(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.