Fire Departments Respond to Barn Fire
(Sioux Center) — Several fires were reported within the area over the weekend. Sioux Center, Hull, and the Maurice fire departments responded to a barn fire on Saturday evening at about 9:17 p.m. The fire was at the east edge of Sioux Center’s city limits at 1768 13th Avenue South East. Although the barn was listed as a total loss, eight horses were able to be saved from the barn by residents and their friends at the farm. No report of injuries and at this time, the cause of the fire is undetermined.
Le Mars Fire Department Fights House Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department responded to a house fire Sunday afternoon at about 2:00 p.m. The fire was located at 620 7th Avenue South East. The house is owned and occupied by Efrain Esparza and family. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire on the back exterior side of the double attached garage of the home. The fire had extended into the attic of the garage and the house. Firefighters cooled the outside of the garage and house and then made entry into the attic of the garage and house. The fire was stopped in the attic area of the home and garage. The cause of the fire was determined to be from ashes and remains from a recreational fire pit that were placed in a garbage can that was next to the house. The fire pit debris rekindled and ignited material in the plastic garbage can as well as the can itself. The fire then spread to the structure. Damage is estimated at $50,000. Firefighters were on the scene for three hours.
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department also had to put out a field fire on Saturday evening. At about 11:00 p.m. fire officials were called to 32177 County Road C-16. When they arrived at the scene, a fence line was on fire and had burnt aproximately one-half mile. It was determined the fire started as a result of a controll burn on a tree stump that ignited the surrounding grass.
Bridge Repairs Closes C-38
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department is announcing that county road C-38 from Juniper Avenue to Kestrel Avenue will be closed beginning today (Monday) and will remain closed until perhaps late October. Two bridges are being replaced on C-38. Detour will be from Highway 75 and C-38 intersection traveling south on Highway 75 to Merrill, then north from Merrill on K-42 to C-38.
School Board to Consider New Chemistry Textbook
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community School Board is scheduled to meet this evening, and they will hear from Mrs. Anna Chenowith, the high school chemistry teacher. Chenowith will present her research regarding a new chemistry text book. It is expected the board will act upon Chenowith’s recommendations. The local school board will act on the resignation of Kellie Bork as the 8th grade girls’ assistant basketball coach, and they are expected to approve the contracts for Rachel Harris, as an elementary teacher and assistant girls’ basketball coach. Randy Benton is expected to be extended a contract for teaching summer band lessons. The school board will act on the anticipated classification changes for 2012-2013. They will revise board policy and adopt revisions to the elementary student handbook, and they will review the school fees as being proposed for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
Life Skills To Hold Annual Meeting
(Le Mars) — Life Skills Training Center, Incorporated will hold its annual meeting and banquet this evening at the Presbyterian United Church of Christ. Recognition of board members, foundation board members, volunteers, clients, and staff will take place. Don Nore is the executive director for Life Skills. He says tonight’s festivities is to share fellowship with the families and clients.
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The Client Achievement Award will also be presented. Life Skills presently have 73 clients, and Nore says he is concerned that budget cuts may jeopardize some of the programs and services offered by Life Skills.
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Nore says one of those challenges will be the new regional system that is being proposed. The Life Skills annual meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Police Warn Citizens Not to Ride ATV’s on Public Streets
(Sioux City) — The Sioux City Police Department is reminding people that it is unlawful to operate an ATV on public roadways within the city limits. The Police is issuing the reminder following a weekend accident involving an ATV. An adult male, who’s name has not been released by police officials, apparently suffered severe injuries when he was traveling eastbound on West 31st street. The operator appears to have been traveling too fast to make the turn where West 31st street turns 90 degrees onto Blair Street. The ATV slid off the roadway into an embankment. The operator was thrown from the ATV and hit a utility pole. He was not wearing a helmet. Police believe alcohol may also be a factor in the crash. The operator of the ATV was transported to a local hospital with severe head injuries.
Soderberg Favors TIF
(Le Mars) — The use of Tax Increment Financing, or better known simply as TIF came under some scrutiny during this past legislative session. TIF has been used by communities and counties as a way to offer incentives to attract businesses. However, the reason it was under fire from some legislators is what happened in Johnson County. Coralville officials used TIF dollars to lure away businesses that were previously established in Iowa City. Le Mars state Representative Chuck Soderberg wanted to see some reform take place, but he generally favors the use of TIF dollars, saying it has benefitted several rural counties including Plymouth County.
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As chairman of the House Commerce Committee, Soderberg says the TIF reform bill was the one bill that he devoted the most of his time.
Popular Baby Names of 2011
WASHINGTON (AP) – Sophia is the new most popular baby name for girls, while Jacob is the top name for baby boys for the 13th straight year.
The Social Security Administration released the top 1,000 baby
names of 2011 on Monday. Isabella, which had been the top girl name
for two years, dropped to second place. Emma, Olivia and Ava
rounded out the top five.
Mason jumped 10 spots to become the second most popular name for
newborn boys last year, knocking Michael out of the top five for
the first time in 63 years. Rounding out the top five boys’ names:
William, Jayden and Noah.
Michael came in sixth, his lowest ranking since 1948.
Top baby names of 2011
Eds: With BC-US–Baby Names.
By The Associated Press
The top 20 baby names of 2011.
—
Girls
1. Sophia
2. Isabella
3. Emma
4. Olivia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Abigail
8. Madison
9. Mia
10. Chloe
11. Elizabeth
12. Ella
13. Addison
14. Natalie
15. Lily
16. Grace
17. Samantha
18. Avery
19. Sofia
20. Aubrey
—
Boys
1. Jacob
2. Mason
3. William
4. Jayden
5. Noah
6. Michael
7. Ethan
8. Alexander
9. Aiden
10. Daniel
11. Anthony
12. Matthew
13. Elijah
14. Joshua
15. Liam
16. Andrew
17. James
18. David
19. Benjamin
20. Logan
—
Source: Social Security Administration.
