(LE MARS)–A crown that led to travels to every corner of the state will leave an Ireton teen’s head tonight.
Since mid-June, Caine Westergard, Plymouth County’s Fair Queen and the Iowa State Fair Queen is filling her summer days with appearances at county fairs and by riding in parades.
She is the daughter of Carl and Colleen Westergard.
She recalls being in thousands of pictures every day at the State Fair after being crowned last July in Plymouth County and going on to win the state contest.
The Johnson Juniors 4-H Club member uses the word “incredible” to describe the differences in fairs across Iowa.
Westergard is honing her pitching arm. She’s set a goal of exceeding the efforts of an Iowa Olympian who threw a less than record setter for the I-Cubs.
She will attend Iowa State University this fall majoring in apparel merchandising and design and International Business or International Studies.
Petersen joins Le Mars Y staff
(LE MARS)–A Le Mars native is the new program director at City of Le Mars YMCA.
Allie Petersen begins her work at the city of Le Mars YMCA on Monday. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.
According to Todd Lancaster of the Le Mars YMCA, Petersen has worked for Y’s and non profits , including YMCA groups in Waterloo, Sioux City and Le Mars and was previously with the Girl Scouts in Sioux City.
He says Petersen’s background make her a good fit for the Y’s job opening.
Mark Jacobsen left his work as program director to accept employment in eastern Iowa.
Bridge work closes Highway 39
(CHEROKEE)–A portion of a state highway in northwest Iowa will be closed during bridge maintenance work.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, Highway 39, east of Kiron, between Sac County Roads M-35 and D-59 will be closed beginning August 9th.
The bridge maintenance work, weather permitting, will be completed by October 15th.
Governor tours flood area
(LAKE DELHI, Iowa (AP) Iowa Gov. Chet Culver will visit the Lake Delhi area to talk to residents about the state’s plans for helping flood victims get back on their feet.
Culver will meet with residents at the Lake Delhi Association building. It’s near the site of the dam that gave way under the rapidly rising Maquoketa (muh-KO’-kuh-tuh) River on Saturday, draining the nine-mile-long lake and sending a torrent of water rushing downstream.
The governor will then visit three farms in the area, where he will talk to farmers about requesting federal money for thousands of acres of flooded farmland that could be a complete loss. Man dies after shooting in Des Moines park
One dead after shooting
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Des Moines police say one of two men who were shot near a city park has died.
Sgt. Lori Lavorato says Darly Kinchelow, of Des Moines, was shot in the chest early Wednesday near Evelyn Davis Park on the city’s north side. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Lavorato says 18-year-old Jacolby Wright, also of Des Moines, was shot in the leg. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.
Lavorato says investigators are questioning witnesses. No arrests have been made.
Police have been called to the area dozens of times in the past year. Two people were shot and wounded in May. Police also have investigated fights, assaults and vandalism.
No charges against Iowa woman who stabbed husband
MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) Muscatine County prosecutors say no charges will be filed against a woman who police believe stabbed her husband to death because she believed she was saving her sister’s life.
Alishia Taylor was accused of stabbing her husband, Michael Monegro-Reyes, on June 15 as he was hitting her sister.
Assistant Muscatine County Attorney Alan Ostergren says while there is evidence that Monegro-Reyes had dropped a knife and was only punching the sister, Taylor had every reason to believe her husband still had the knife and was stabbing her sister.
Although prosecutors believe Taylor stabbed her husband, Ostergren says no charges will be filed because he believes no jury would find Taylor guilty.
There was no telephone listing for Taylor in the Muscatine area.
Trial delayed for Iowa man accused in wife’s death
WASHINGTON, Iowa (AP) The trial of an eastern Iowa man accused of killing his wife has been delayed.
Seventy-year-old James Blum, of Washington, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 67-year-old Patricia Blum in January.
Online court records for Washington County show his trial, which had been scheduled for Aug. 24, is now set for Oct. 5.
Investigators say Blum allegedly smothered his wife on a couch in their home after she backed their car into a garage door.
Iowan to use insanity defense in embezzlement case
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A woman accused of embezzling nearly $6 million from West Des Moines insurer Aviva USA will use an insanity defense.
Phyllis Stevens’ attorney, William Kutmus, gave notice in court documents filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Des Moines.
Stevens is charged in a 20-count indictment with fraud, money laundering and other charges. A judge ruled earlier this month that Stevens was competent to stand trial.
Her partner, Marla Stevens, is also charged in the case. Marla Stevens’ attorney, Trever Hook, on Tuesday asked that she be tried separately.
Lawyers for both women have sought a delay in the Aug. 16 trial to permit Marla Stevens to recover from cancer surgery and treatment.
Cedar Rapids OKs backyard chickens
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Backyard chickens are coming to Cedar Rapids.
The City Council on Tuesday gave the final OK for residents to raise up to six hens on their property.
The ordinance says chickens must be in a fenced area at least 10 feet from property lines and 25 feet from any adjacent home, church, school or business. Odors can’t be “perceptible” beyond the boundaries of the yard.
Councilman Chuck Swore says the council can repeal the ordinance if the things some fear may happen actually happen.
Resident Audrey Rahn noted that raccoons love chickens, and backyard chickens could mean more raccoons. She wondered if the city would need a bow hunt of raccoons.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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