(LeMars) — The dry and windy conditions have made for a busy couple of days for the area fire departments.
At least ten fires have broken out in the past few days in Plymouth County, many were grass or field fires, or combine harvester fires. Akron, Kingsley, Remsen, and the LeMars Fire Departments have all had to respond to two fires in one day. Clay County sheriff, Randy Krukow reports a fire near the Clay County-O’Brien county line involved five different fire departments. Hartley Fire Chief, Curt Stoltz describes that fire.
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Krukow says three other fires broke out yesterday afternoon that required at least three fire departments to bring under control. Krukow is asking farmers to stop their harvest activity until the winds die down. A farmer in neighboring Palo Alto County, Neal Heldt, lost a combine when it burst into flames.
He says he was harvesting soybeans when something sparked and suddenly he was surrounded by flames. Fires also were reported near Langdon, Emmetsburg, Fostoria and
Hartley. Much of northern and eastern Iowa were under a high wind advisory Thursday, warning of winds higher than 60 mph.
Cherokee… O’Brien… and Sioux Counties have also reported numerous fires within the last few days. Sioux County reports having five fires on Thursday. LeMars Fire Chief, Dave Schipper recommends farmers to have a five pound fire extinguisher with them while harvesting.
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He also is suggesting people refrain from open burning until the time we receive some rain.
(Orange City) — Sioux County attorney Coleman McAllister has announced that Nathan Stienstra, age 26, of Orange City was sentenced on Tuesday in Sioux County District Court for the crimes of forgery and theft of lottery tickets, class D felony. In November of 2010, the Orange City Casey’s store discovered that 15 lottery scratch-off tickets were missing from their store. It was later discovered the missing lottery tickets were redeemed at the Dutch Mart in Orange City in December of 2010. An investigation showed the lottery tickets were presented to a third party as a repayment on a debt. The third party said he had received the lottery tickets from Stienstra. Police was able to determine Stienstra was an employee at Casey’s General Store at the time of the theft was reported, and that he stole the lottery tickets from the store’s safe.
Stienstra was sentenced to five years in prison on the Forgery and theft charge of the lottery tickets, and 30 days in jail on the theft charge. His prision term was suspended, but Stienstra must serve the 30 days in jail. Stienstra was ordered to pay restitution costs to Casey’s General Store and the Iowa Lottery.
(LeMars) — Big Brothers and Big Sisters of LeMars along with the LeMars HyVee store are hosting a “Tailgate With a Chef” classes on Saturday. Celebrity chef, Robert Hesse of the Fox television series, Hell’s Kitchen will be on hand to offer cooking instructions to interested people. Classes are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with tickets at $5 for each show. Jared Peterson is the Assistant Store Manager for the LeMars HyVee, and gives us a glimse as to what we can expect for Saturday’s activities.
(LeMars) — Big Brothers and Big Sisters of LeMars along with the LeMars HyVee store are hosting a “Tailgate With a Chef” classes on Saturday. Celebrity chef, Robert Hesse of the Fox television series, Hell’s Kitchen will be on hand to offer cooking instructions to interested people. Classes are scheduled at 11:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. with tickets at $5 for each show. Jared Peterson is the Assistant Store Manager for the LeMars HyVee, and gives us a glimse as to what we can expect for Saturday’s activities.
Listen here
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In addition, HyVee will hold a chili cook-off at noon and they are encouraging contestants to submit their best chili. Contestants can also compete in the sweets judging contest.
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Judging of the sweets will take place at 2:30 p.m. All the events will be held at the LeMars HyVee store. Hesse will be signing books, doing autographs and answering questions between shows.
(LeMars) — The LeMars Diabetic Support Group will meet at Floyd Valley Hospital on Monday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level Conference Center room. Diane Baack, Floyd Valley Hospital SHIP representative will present “Medicare Changes and How They Affect You.” There is no charge to participate and everyone is welcome.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa has been awarded a $1 million grant from the Department of Commerce to focus on green energy. The funding will go to Iowa State University and the Iowa
Department of Economic Development to develop innovative proof of concept centers that will accelerate the launch of new firms, spur job growth and developing resources for testing energy efficient solutions.
The funding was announced Thursday by Sen. Tom Harkin. Harkin says developing green energy jobs will boost economic development and create needed jobs in Iowa. He says it will also provide long-term energy efficient products for the future.
