(LE MARS)–Spring-like weather is moving through KLEMland.
Heavy rain, thunder, lightning and pea-sized hail were first reported about 5:30 this (Sunday) morning with another round of thunder, lighting and hail at 6:45 a.m.
Hail and ice pellets covered sidewalks and streets by 7 this morning.
Listen here
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Rain or freezing rain is in the forecast before mid-afternoon, then rain and snow after five this afternoon. The ice accumulation is forecast to be less than one-tenth of an inch with snow during the day accumulating at less than half an inch. Snow is possible tonight and tomorrow.
Heavier amounts of ice and snow are forecast north of KLEMland.
Fleeing suspect arrested after traffic accident in Le Mars
(LE MARS)–A man being pursued in Le Mars as part of a domestic abuse investigation was arrested this (Sunday) morning after a traffic accident.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s office released written information about the investigation and the arrest of 23-year-old Cruz Garcia of Le Mars.
Le Mars Police responded to a report of a domestic abuse situation about 11:45 last (Saturday) night in the area of 650 Fourth Avenue Northeast. A man left the area in a car. According to the sheriff’s office information, deputies tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled south on Fourth Avenue and then west on 12th Street.
The report states the driver ran several stop signs and, in the area of the 600 block of 12th Street Southwest, the driver tried to strike a sheriff’s patrol car.
The deputy avoided an accident and the vehicle continued west on 12th Street Southwest, losing control as the intersection of 12th and Lincoln Street, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad crossing and business Highway 75. The car struck a passing motorist and a concrete base of a utility box.
The driver, Garcia, was charged with felony eluding, felony assault on a peace officer and numerous traffic violations.
The sheriff’s office was assisted by Le Mars Police, Fire-Rescue and Ambulance. Le Mars Police are investigating the domestic abuse report and the traffic accidents.
February 26th forum planned with lawmakers
(SIOUX CITY)–Siouxland legislators will be part of an forum for sponsored by the Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council and the Sioux City League of Women voters.
The forum open the public is Saturday morning from ten until 11 at the Wilbur Aalfs Library’s Gleeson Room in downtown Sioux City.
Help for those seeking jobs will be offered March 8
(SIOUX CITY)–Unemployed and underemployed Siouxlanders are being offered training at the Sioux City campus of Western Iowa Tech Community College.
The workshop March 8th will include information about unemployment benefits, career readiness, financial aid, training and educational opportunities at Western Iowa Tech and career placement.
Those who attend will be able to have one-on-one sessions with Western Iowa Tech and Iowa Works of Greater Siouxland staff.
More information is available by calling the 712.274.6402.
Choir’s 25th anniversary season includes Dordt concert
(SIOUX CENTER)–Dordt College will host the National Lutheran Choir from Minneapolis/St.Paul, Minnesota Saturday night.
The concert at seven in the B-J Haan Auditorium is part of the choir’s 25th anniversary season series titled, “We Sing with Joy.”
The 64-member choir will also ask the audience to join them in a selection of hymns.
Taxidermists see decline in business
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A decrease in the state’s deer herd is causing a drop in business for taxidermists as they have fewer trophy bucks being brought into their shops.
Jeff Morris of Big River Taxidermy in Lansing says his shop has handled about 100 deer this year, down 50 percent from his record of 200 deer in 2006.
He says the focus on does has been the centerpiece of the state’s strategy for reducing the deer population. The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports there has been a steady decline in deer numbers from more than 150,000 in 2006 to just over 127,000 in the recently completed season.
Joe Meder of Kodiak Ltd. Taxidermy Studios in Solon says his deer numbers are down about 10 percent this year.
Settlement reached in death of missing Iowa boater
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) A settlement has been reached in a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of a missing Iowa boater.
Douglas McMurrin, of Sherrill, went missing after he was thrown from a boat on the Mississippi River near Waupeton in August 2007. The 44-year-old’s body was never found.
His family later sued the boat’s driver, 60-year-old Robin Peterson, also of Sherrill. Peterson pleaded guilty to boating while intoxicated and involuntary manslaughter and served two days in jail.
Court documents cited by the Telegraph Herald show notice of a settlement was filed and the judge is preparing to dismiss the case. Details of the settlement have not been disclosed.
Iowa inmate indicted for threats against president
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) An Iowa prison inmate has been indicted for making threats against the president.
Documents unsealed Friday in U.S. District Court in Southern Iowa say 23-year-old Tommy Krueger threatened to kill President Barack Obama and then the Iowa governor after his release. Krueger allegedly made the threats in a December letter to a U.S. marshal in Montgomery, Ala.
The indictment was first reported by KCRG-TV.
Iowa prison records show Krueger has been in the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Coralville since 2009. He is serving a five-year sentence for third-degree burglary but is expected to be released in March.
Court records don’t list Krueger’s attorney.
Donor asked for painting back after rumors of sale
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) The donor of a famed Jackson Pollock painting asked for the piece back in 1963 after hearing rumors that the University of Iowa wanted to auction it off.
In a letter to then-university president Virgal Hancher, Peggy Guggenheim said she’d be upset if “Mural” was sent to London auction house Sotheby’s. She said many museums would love to have the piece in their collections and she would find a new home for it.
Hanchar assured Guggenheim that there were no plans to sell the piece.
Iowa lawmakers are considering a proposal to sell the Pollock piece to fund scholarships. It was valued in 2008 at $140 million.
Current university president Sally Mason has urged lawmakers to reject the proposed sale. A campus rally against the bill is scheduled for Thursday.
Former county attorney pleads guilty in bank scam
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) The former Clarke County attorney has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of making a false statement to a financial institution.
The Des Moines Register reports prosecutors will recommend 69-year-old Ronald Wheeler, of Murray, be given probation. His sentencing is set for May 20.
Court documents say Wheeler conspired with two other men to lie on bank documents about Wheeler’s bank balance and income during the purchase of an Ankeny home in 2006.
Wheeler was county attorney when he was indicted.
Also charged in the case were Russell Blessman and loan officer Robert Beck. Beck has pleaded guilty earlier this month to making a false statement to a financial institution. Blessman is scheduled to enter a plea next week.
Iowa woman whose pets seized faces business woes
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A woman living in a Cedar Rapids home where 35 animals were seized also faces allegations of poor conditions at her pet business.
An inspection report cited by the Cedar Rapids Gazette says there were unsanitary conditions and electrical hazards at The Puppy Pet Shop during a recent inspection. The pet shop, animal shelter and grooming business is owned by 36-year-old Jennifer Wood.
Wood’s home was raided Thursday by animal control officers. Police say 32 dogs were taken, along with two cats and a parrot. No charges have been filed.
Iowa Department of Agriculture spokesman Dustin Vande Hoef says Wood agreed to give up the animals at her business and would only offer grooming services there.
Man’s body pulled from Mississippi River in Iowa
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) Authorities are investigating the death of a man found in the Mississippi River at Davenport.
The body was found Thursday. Police told KWWL-TV that the death is considered suspicious, not a drowning, because of evidence found at the scene. Details were not released.
The man’s name has not been released.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death. Police say he appears to have been in the water for several days.
State asked to probe shooting death of firefighter
SWANSBORO, N.C. (AP) North Carolina state police are investigating the role of an off-duty police officer in the shooting death of a Havelock Fire and Rescue firefighter.
Swansboro Police Chief Ed Parrish told The Daily News of Jacksonville that 27-year-old Austin James Zundel died Thursday after being shot four times. Media outlets said he was a native of Marion, Iowa.
Onslow County prosecutor Ernie Lee said he asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into the role of 44-year-old Adam Stock in the shooting. Stock is a reserve deputy and a civilian police officer at Camp Lejeune.
No one has been charged in the shooting.
SBI spokeswoman Noelle Tally said the results of the agency’s investigation would be turned over to prosecutors. Sheriff Ed Brown said he would not comment until the investigation is complete.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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