(LE MARS)–A Plymouth County Supervisor says there’s very good news for the county in changes in federal funds for roads.
Supervisor Don Kass serves on a regional board involved in decisions about federal transportation funds. Kass says the federal government added money for the fiscal year 2011 projects.
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Kass says the county got an extra one-point-three million dollars.
Kass credits County Engineer Tom Rohe for his spirit of cooperation.
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He also says the city of Le Mars will receive 240-thousand in federal funds for the estimated three-million dollar price tag for Lake Avenue Southwest turning lanes.
10 seek seat on Siouxland bench
(SIOUX CITY) Ten attorneys are interested in a district court judge’s appointment in northwest Iowa.
They include Plymouth County Attorney Darin Raymond of Le Mars, Sioux County attorney Coleman McAllister of Orange City and Ida County attorney Kristal Phillips of Holstein.
Others are Michael Frey of Sergeant Bluff; Buliamin Oyadare of Sioux City, Patrick Parry of Sioux City; Jeffrey Poulson of Sioux City; Julie Schumacher of Schleswig; Frank Tenuta of Sioux City; and Patrick Tott of Sioux City.
The opening due to a retirement is for a six-year term.
District Court administrator Leesa McNeil says the ten attorneys will be interviewed individually by a Judicial Nominating Commission on November 1st. The commission submits the names of two of the 10 attorneys to Governor Culver who makes the appointment of a judge.
Mayrose is ‘shining star” for hospital auxiliary
(LE MARS) A Le Mars woman is being honored as a “Shining Star” for her decades of service to the Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary and other hospital-related volunteer work
Helen Mayrose of Le Mars was surprised with the Iowa Hospital Association’s “Shining Star” paperweight when she went to “work” as a volunteer at Park Place Estates Thursday. Seven of her eight children and two of their spouses joined the surprise by being with Mayrose when she was honored.
According to Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary President Kathy Bartelli, Mayrose has been an auxiliary volunteer for more than 40 years–since the auxiliary began. She has been an active auxiliary board member and just resigned from the board in July.
Many know Mayrose as a blood donor who called others to encourage them to donate to the Siouxland Community Blood Bank and assisted donors at the hospital when they were there to donate blood.
She’s recruited others for auxilary events, and been involved in the Fair Auxilary booth, the Gift Shop at Floyd Valley hospital and at the cafeteria and Park Place Estates as a volunteer.
The nomination for Mayrose as an Iowa Hospital Association “Shining Star” stated her outgoing personality, her consideration for others and her consistent willingness to step up to the plate to help the auxiliary will be missed.
Towns of yesterday remembered at Museum program today
(LE MARS)–A decade of ghost town lore is presented by a Kingsley couple at the Plymouth County Historical Museum today (Saturday).
Glen and Judy Hayworth will offer information and a video on Plymouth County ghost towns. The Hayworths are being assisted by the Northwest Iowa Genealogy Society.
The program and displays at two this afternoon are in the newly renovated Study Hall on the museum’s fourth floor.
A reception follows the program to honor a new staff member, Mary Holub of Le Mars who is the registrar-exhibit manager. Holub is in charge of accessioning artifacts, storing and displaying artifacts and preserving the history of the county for future generations.
Man escapes injury in train collision at Merrill
(MERRILL) A Dakota Dunes man whose car collided with a train in Merrill late Friday morning was not injured.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office reports 86-year-old James Haritage was traveling south on Highway 75 when the red flashing railroad warning lights were activated at the crossing in Merrill.
The sheriff’s office reports Haritage entered the crossing area and began to back up as the train neared. The crossing arms went down as he was backing and Haritage began traveling forward, colliding with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train engine.
The conductor of the train was 50-year-old Dan Graves.
Merrill Ambulance responded to the accident, but did not transport anyone.
Auditor’s office open for voters today
(LE MARS)–The Plymouth County Auditor’s Office will be open (today) Saturday for voters
According to Auditor and Election Commissioner Stacey Feldman, hours today are from 8 am until 5 pm to register to vote and to vote absentee for the November 2nd General Election.
Voters are asked to enter through the north lower level entrance of the Courthouse at 215 4th Ave. SE, Le Mars.
Anyone with questions may contact the Plymouth County Auditor’s Office at 712-546-6100.
Le Mars residents can look at designs at the Le Mars Library
(LE MARS)–Three designs with three names are displayed at the Le Mars Public Library and City Hall for planning a new park area in Le Mars.
Thirty-five Iowa State University Landscape Architecture students made the concept drawings after visiting an area south of West Floyd Park. The city property continues south to the Le Mars Airport.
The Park Committee has narrowed the I-S-U students’ options to three choices–Two Waters Landing; Sunset Park, and Westside Mounds.
City administrator Scott Langel says they are not a final design for the future park area.
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According to Langel, the ultimate goal years down the road is to budget funds and make something happen in that area of Southwest Le Mars that is bigger and better than what’s there now. Le Mars residents are being encouraged to look at the designs and offer their preferences.
GOP, Dem leaders make legislative predictions
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) Democratic and Republican legislative leaders predict their parties will make gains in the Nov. 2 election.
Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal says he’s sure Democrats will maintain control of the chamber. But the Democrat from Council Bluffs says his party might lose a seat or two from its current 32-seat Senate majority.
In the House, Republican leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha says the GOP is set for big gains and might take control of the chamber.
Gronstal and Paulsen spoke Friday during a taping of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.
Woman tells attorney: ‘You’re trying to trick me’
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (AP) A woman who says an Oskaloosa chiropractor inappropriately touched her during an appointment has accused his defense attorney of trying to trick her on the stand.
KCCI-TV reports that the 21-year-old woman testified Friday against Jason Ebelsheiser.
Ebelsheiser is charged with third-degree sexual abuse and tampering with records. He was arrested last year after being accused of abusing women, ages 17 to 46.
One woman said Friday that Ebelsheiser put his hand inside her underwear, saying he needed to release her inner thigh muscles.
During cross-examination, Ebelsheiser attorney Leon Spies asked if that was the story she’d told the police.
The woman angrily responded, “I know what I said to the detective. You’re trying to trick me.”
Testimony resumes Monday.
Iowa police find relative of homicide victim
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) Cedar Rapids police say they’ve found the stepson of a woman who died after being assaulted in her apartment last month.
Authorities had been searching for relatives of 68-year-old Doris Bevins since her death.
Police said Friday that her stepson came forward this week after hearing that authorities were looking for family members.
Bevins was attacked and strangled on Sept. 19 and died the next day.
Her neighbor, Jerome Power, is charged with first-degree murder. He’s being held in the Linn County Jail.
Bevins’ body had been held at the state medical examiner’s office in Ankeny.
Williamsburg police arrest suspect in robberies
WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa (AP) Williamsburg police have arrested a 36-year-old man they say is responsible for two recent armed robberies.
Police say authorities arrested Ryan Jack Randles Thursday night at a Des Moines hotel. They say he has no known permanent address.
Police say Randles had money in his possession when he was arrested that they believe came from the robberies.
Randles is charged with robbery and theft for the holdups of a Best Western and a bank.
He’s being held at the Polk County Jail on warrants from several county agencies.
It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney.
Mom convicted in girl’s death faces meth charges
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A Cedar Rapids mother who’s been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with her 2-year-old daughter’s death faces new drug charges.
Twenty-year-old Brianna Volesky was back in court Friday to face nine counts involving the manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine.
On Thursday, she was sentenced in the 2008 death of her daughter, Skyler Inman, who died of blunt force injuries to the stomach.
Volesky was convicted of neglect and involuntary manslaughter.
Her ex-boyfriend was also sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and neglect of a child.
Judge Casey Jones set Volesky’s bond for the drug charges at $32,000. Her preliminmary hearing is set for Nov. 1.
Fire destroys 2 mobile homes in Jesup
JESUP, Iowa (AP) Authorities say a fire has destroyed two mobile homes and damaged a third in the Waterloo-area community of Jesup.
Witnesses say none of the homes were occupied at the time of the fire Friday afternoon at the Midway Trailer Village.
There haven’t been any reports of injuries.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the fire had jumped to any of the other mobile homes in the area. Strong winds sent smoke wafting through town.
At least one vehicle was badly damaged.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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