Pickup Truck and Trailer Submerged in Big Sioux
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office along with the Rescue and Recovery Diving Team had to do a little unusual fishing on Wednesday afternoon at the Big Sioux River. At about 2:30 p.m. deputies responded to a call to the area of 180th Street and the Big Sioux River. When they arrived, they saw a 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck and a trailer were submerged in the river. Thomas Vermulm from Hawarden is the owner of the pickup truck and trailer. It is believed that the vehicle and trailer had been backed in to remove the boat from the river when apparently Vermulm had left the vehicle in gear when he exited the vehicle. The pickup truck and trailer then rolled into the river. There were no injuries and no vehicle fluids were released into the river. Northside Towing from Hawarden was called to assist with the retrival of the vehicle from the river.
Roll-over Accident On Highway 75
(Le Mars) — A roll-over auto accident that happened at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday on Highway 75 is being investigated by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office. 17 year old Trenton Cother of North Sioux City, South Dakota was driving his car when he became distracted by the actions of his passengers riding in the car. The vehicle swerved across both lanes of southbound traffic, entered the east ditch, then struck a bridge guardrail, entered back up on the highway and rolled three times. Injured in the mishap were 17 year old Lois Bauler also of North Sioux City and 19 year old Christopher Janes of Le Mars. Both victims were transported to St. Lukes Medical Center in Sioux City.
Governor & Lt. Governor Hit Deer
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds are OK after their SUV hit a deer on Interstate 35 in central Iowa.
Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht says Branstad, Reynolds and longtime aide Margaret Hough (huff) were returning to Des Moines from an event in Eldora Wednesday afternoon when the accident happened north of Story City.
Albrecht says two deer ran in front of the Iowa State Patrol vehicle, and the driver, Sgt. Dan O’Connell, hit the brakes. A third deer then hit the driver’s side corner.
Albrecht says the SUV, a Chevy Tahoe, was damaged, and the driver’s door can’t be open.
Albrecht says everyone was “startled,” but they’re OK. He says the deer died.
Patrol spokesman Sgt. Scott Bright estimates damage to the SUV at $8,000.
Legislators Agree On Education Spending Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Legislative leaders say an agreement has been reached on education spending and a bill could be ready for debate as early as Monday.
Most state lawmakers took the day off Wednesday as conference committees continue to work in closed-door meetings on the major state budget bills.
The education bill is one of the largest portions of the state budget, spending more than $850 million.
Another is the $1.6 billion Health and Human Services budget. Those conference committee members also are meeting. Sen. Jack Hatch says the group plans to return Thursday.
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen says once agreement is reached on those two areas of spending the remaining budget pieces should fall into place quickly.
Other budget areas assigned to committees include administration and regulation, justice, and economic development.
Warning Light Forces US Airline Flight To Return to Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A U.S. Airways flight has safely returned to the Des Moines International Airport after a warning light indicated a wheel problem.
Airport officials told The Des Moines Register that Flight 2747 left Des Moines for Phoenix Wednesday afternoon but returned after its nose steering indicator light came on.
Airport spokesman Kenneth McCoy says the plane circled the airport for about 30 minutes to burn off some fuel before it was able to land.
McCoy says the flight, which had 54 people on board, including the crew, landed safely and taxied to the gate without issue.
Officials think the problem may have been with the warning system, not the actual landing gear.
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