(LE MARS)–Volunteers helping Le Mars area residents show their support for troops serving their country say they’re thrilled with the donations for care packages.
According to one of the volunteers, Pat Warner of Le Mars, the people of Le Mars have been wonderful and especially the school kids. She says the volunteers are so thankful for the response.
Last month, boxes to collect specific items were placed by volunteers at 15 businesses, churches and schools. Collection of the filled boxes began October 8th.
Donations are being still being accepted in an account at Primebank to cover the cost of postage. The amount needed to send the packages for the holiday season is 12-hundred dollars. The postage fund account has already received donations of $700. Warner says volunteers are so grateful to have gotten as much as they have for postage with everyone also buying items to send.
Plymouth County Extension features access ideas at Health Fair
(LE MARS)–Ideas to make home living easier for anyone with short or long-term needs to improve access will be offered at the “Well Aware” Health Fair next week.
I-S-U Extension of Plymouth County is one of the more than 50 exhibitors for the “Well Aware” Health Fair hosted by Floyd Valley Hospital and Wells’ Dairy. The free fair is October 20th from 2-6:30 p-m. Extension education coordinator Carol Schneider says the universal design trailer will be accessible at the entrance to the Le Mars Convention Center on the upper level during the Health Fair.
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As an example, the toilet tissue holder is designed for someone, who for example, might have the use of one arm. Rather than being spring-loaded, the roll holder swings out.
Schneider also points to 30 ideas for daily living displayed in the trailer, including an alternative to traditional potholders–a silicone pot holder.
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A specialist in access will staff the trailer.
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In addition to individuals, Schneider says contractors may be interested in what Iowa State University research found to be some of the most practical ways for families or individuals to receive help. The trailer has a ramp entrance.
Driver arrested after vehicle strikes house
(LE MARS)–A Le Mars man was charged after police investigated damage to a house Saturday morning.
According to a Le Mars Police report, 33-year-old Cory Schrick was reported to be traveling south on Sixth Avenue Southeast at a high rate of speed. The mini-van Schrick was driving left the roadway at Sixth Street and Sixth Avenue Southeast and continued southeast. The vehicle struck the front entry and deck areas of a home at 604 Sixth Street Southeast.
Damage to the property of Regan Feller was estimated at two-thousand dollars.
The report lists Schrick’s injuries as possible. He was taken to Floyd Valley Hospital by Le Mars Ambulance.
Schrick was charged with operating while under the influence, reckless driving and driving while his license was suspended.
Newton man accused of killing girlfriend
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) A Newton man charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend remains in the Jasper County jail.
Forty-two-year-old Jay Mack is accused of killing 43-year-old Angelina Ancer at the couple’s home Saturday night.
Police told The Des Moines Register that Mack allegedly retrieved a gun from the garage and shot Ancer several times.
The sheriff’s office on Monday says Mack remains in jail on $850,000 bond. Officials did not know if he had an attorney.
Police looks for clues in shooting in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Des Moines police are looking for leads in the shooting of a man found in a car.
Police spokesman Sgt. Jeff Edwards says 36-year-old Pius Koskei, of Adel, was shot early Saturday in the Drake Park neighborhood. The Des Moines Register says two witnesses told police they found him the driver’s side of a car around 2:30 a.m.
Police say the car was still in drive and running when officers arrived at the scene. A bullet apparently pierced the driver’s side of the car’s windshield.
Edwards said Sunday that Koskei was shot in the forehead, and remained in critical condition at Mercy Medical Center.
Police say no arrests have been made.
Debate over Iowa City’s bar age
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A debate is scheduled on the pros and cons of Iowa City’s 21-and-older bar law.
The law will be on the Nov. 2 ballot. Voters are being asked whether they want to repeal the ordinance, which prevents those younger than 21 from being in a bar after 10 p.m. The age limit had been 19.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen says Monday night’s debate is hosted by the Hawkeye Area Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and the League of Women Voters of Johnson County.
The debate, at the Iowa City Public Library, features Jim Mondanaro and Matt Pfalzgraf, opponents of the measure, and proponents Tom Rocklin and Nick Westergaard.
New Waterloo boathouse nearly completed
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) Work on a new city boathouse in Waterloo to replace the one destroyed in the floods of 2008 is almost finished.
Architect Larry Kurtz of AHTS Architects says the building in Cedar River-Exchange Park will be a popular spot. There’s not much flash, but large windows and a deck overlook the river with views stretching downstream.
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier says the $900,000 project is almost done, but it may take another six weeks before it’s ready for guests.
Kurtz says the building is designed to weather a flood.
The poured concrete wall is 28 inches thick at the base. Vents would allow floodwater to flow through the building, while sensors would trigger overhead doors to open when water enters the ground floor.
UI and Iowa City team up on homeownership program
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The University of Iowa and Iowa City have teamed up for a program to increase homeownership to a wider base of buyers.
The program, UniverCity Neighborhood Partnership, is renovating houses near downtown.
The Gazette says the program buys former rental houses, puts about $50,000 of renovations into each, and then sells them at the purchase price to lower income buyers. For example, with $100,000, you can buy a house that’s worth $150,000.
For University of Iowa employees, the university pays $5,000 toward the down payment.
Iowa City receives special financing from local lenders to buy houses in designated areas and pays for renovations with a $1.2 million state grant.
If the buyer stays in the house for five years, the renovation costs are not passed on.
First ‘Mother Road Marathon’ considered a success
JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) More than 1,600 people got their kicks on Route 66 during the weekend.
Organizers of the first-ever Mother Road Marathon say 1,645 contestants ran in one of three races on Sunday.
The full marathon ran from Commerce, Okla., to Joplin. Others took part in a one-mile race in Joplin and a half-marathon between Baxter Springs, Kan., and Joplin.
All three races ran along Route 66, the historic highway that stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif.
Ryan Kramer of Des Moines, Iowa, won the marathon with a time of 2:51:57. The top female finisher was Katie Kramer, of Oklahoma City, Okla.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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