(LeMars) — Members of the Special Response Team from LeMars Police, Plymouth County Sheriff’s, and Sioux County Sheriff’s office were training yesterday afternoon in a simulated situation where they would enter a home that was completely dark and filled with smoke. The law enforcement officers were using a semi trailer donated by Well’s Blue Bunny and normally used for fire rescue training. The trailer has been converted to feature many furnishings found in a typical home. Each officer was equipped with an oxygen tank and mask, and they were required to enter the dark and smoke-filled trailer and find their way, using only their hands to guide them. The purpose of the training was to duplicate a possible scenerio involving a home that perhaps has been turned into a methamphetamine lab, or some type of gas. LeMars Police officer Kevin Vande Vegte describes the scene.
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Vande Vegte says the trailer featured many obstacles that presented an extra challenge.
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The LeMars Fire Department assisted with that training excercise.
(Des Moines) — Twelve Iowa communities, including LeMars, have been awarded loans from the Iowa Finance Authority amounting to $2.2 million in no-interest planning and design loans to assist with project preparation costs for drinking water or wastewater facilities. LeMars is to receive $600,000 to be used for drinking water infrastructure costs. The loan can be used for engineering fees, archaeological surveys, environmental or geological studies, and costs related to project plan preparation.
(LeMars) — The Plymouth County Secondary Road Department has finished their work on Nature Avenue. That road is now open to the public. The county roads department conducted some ditch cleaning and grading to the area on Nature Avenue between 270th and 280th streets.
(Des Moines) — Next weekend is the start of pheasant hunting season for Iowa, and according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the pheasant population has dropped significantly in recent years. Just a few years ago, the pheasant population would exceed one million birds. Today, DNR officials claim Iowa has only 200,000 birds. The DNR has released an economic study showing with the decrease in birds, so goes a decrease in hunters and a decrease in the state’s economic impact. The state agency says in 1997 there were more than 205,000 hunters that spent more than $80 million. Last year, slightly more than 60,000 hunters had gotten their licenses and they spent only $24 million.
(Hinton) — The Plymouth County chapter of Pheasants Forever are wanting to help youngsters take an interest in pheasant hunting, and so this coming weekend they are setting up a mentoring program for youth 12-15 years old. Youth will be paired up with a Pheasants Forever members and volunteers for a day of hunting on private and public lands. Victoria De Vos, Plymouth County Naturalist explains the program.
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Students need to have completed a hunters safety course in order to participate. What about shotguns? Will Pheasants Forever provide shotguns for the youth to use?
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For more information about the pheasant hunting mentoring program you can contact the Plymouth County Conservation office at 947-4270.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A new aircraft maintenance company has announced plans to lease space at the Sioux Gateway Airport, creating as many as 50 jobs in the Sioux City area.
The newly formed Iowa company plans to lease space in a hangar at the airport and hire aviation mechanics to serve regional and commuter passenger jets. Local leaders say the company, Aviation Consultant Expert Solutions, will offer good wages. The company expects to begin operations by December 1. Sioux City Economic Development Director Marty Dougherty calls the company a “great fit” for the community. The city council is scheduled to take action on the lease agreement next Monday.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s largest energy company say thieves have attempted to steal copper at several substations in the Des Moines area in recent weeks.
MidAmerican Energy Co. on Wednesday asked customers to report any suspicious activity they see around power poles or other MidAmerican property, including individuals damaging poles, entering substations or carrying coiled wire when there are no MidAmerican vehicles in the area.
MidAmerican warned that thieves are in danger of suffering from serious electric contact and can put workers at risk and disrupt customer service. The utility noted that anyone caught stealing
copper could face felony charges under an Iowa utility trespassing law.
Des Moines-based MidAmerican provides electric and natural gas service to customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota.
