Le Mars Gets High Scores for Business Recruitment
(Le Mars) — The town of Le Mars passed with flying colors. Le Mars city officials were tested on how well they would perform when trying to recruit a new business to town. The program was coordinated by Main Street Iowa as a way to better assist communities when attempting to recruit new businesses. Doug Summers is a consultant, as well as a commercial realtor from Geneva, Illinois. Summers played the role of a potential businessman wanting to look at Le Mars as a possible site for a new women’s fashion store. Summers says Le Mars officials did everything correct from meeting with Mayor Dick Kirchoff to meeting with banking officials, to providing information and important statistical data. The business consultant says he was quite impressed with what he saw in Le Mars.
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Summers was complimentary of the Le Mars downtown district indicating the area is vibrant with the movie theater at one end of the downtown to the ice cream parlor and Habitue’ coffee house at the other end. Summers added, the “cherry on the top” if you will, was the opportunity to visit the ice cream parlor.
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On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, Summers says he would give Le Mars officials a strong nine.
Driver’s License Office Announces Holiday Schedule
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Driver’s License department located at the new courthouse annex building will be closed next Wednesday, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Linda Dobson, Plymouth County Treasurer says the station will be open on Tuesday, July 3rd instead and Thursday, July 5th for the issuance of driver’s licenses and ID’s. The hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dobson urges people to call and make an appointment for all drive tests.
Fatal Accident Near Pierson
(Pierson) — The Iowa State Patrol is investigating a fatal accident that occurred in Woodbury County at about 7:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. A full size van was driving north bound on county road L-25, or Minnesota Avenue, south of 120th Street when apparently the van crossed over the center line and collided head on with a semi truck and trailer. The driver of the semi truck and trailer was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center with what was thought to be non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the van was fatally wounded. Assisting with the investigation are the Woodbury County Sheriff’s office, Woodbury County Emergency Services, the Pierson Fire and Rescue, and the Pierson Ambulance, and Siouxland Paramedics. The names of the accident victims have not been released as of yet.
Insurance Representative Meets With County Supervisors
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors heard from Clarence Hoffman, the chairman of the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool. Hoffman oversees the insurance programs for several towns, counties and county fairs. He says 68 Iowa counties are currently participating with the insurance program.
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The insurance representative says the liability rates on the insurance coverage for counties and communities hasn’t increased in 26 years.
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Hoffman informed the supervisors that the insurance carrier has about $34 million in surplus funds. He says they are reassured up to $53 million.
Corn Specialist Says Moisture Is Needed to Sustain Corn Crop
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Topsoil in more than half of Iowa’s fields still needs more rain to reach adequate levels.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s weekly report that topsoil in 54 percent of Iowa’s field rated very short or short of adequate moisture. The east-central part of the state
was the driest, with 78 percent of the topsoil moisture rated short to very short. Roger Elmore, Iowa State University Corn Specialist, says now is the critical time when the corn needs additional moisture. He says it is likely farmers will see reduced yields if rainfall amounts continue to produce only a tenth of an inch or less.
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Elmore says corn can absorb up to a half an inch of moisture per day during the critical reproduction stage.
The USDA says 68 percent of the corn crop, which is silking in most parts of the state, is in good or excellent condition.
The soybean crop is rated 63 percent good to excellent.
The USDA report says 98 percent of the state’s oat crop has headed, which is nearly three weeks ahead of normal progression.
Heat Wave May Be Stressful For Cattle
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa farmers are being urged to watch their cattle for signs of stress as the heat builds across the Midwest.
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association says cattle could be at risk with temperatures around 100 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. CEO Matte Deppe says cattle rely on respiration more than sweating to cool down, which means producers must also consider other means to keep them comfortable.
Some suggestions from Iowa State University Extension include clean fresh water, shade and using a higher percentage of feed in the afternoon.
If necessary, farmers should begin sprinkling cattle with water if there are signs of heat stress. Officials say producers who use fans or water on their cattle should continue to use the process
until the heat wave breaks.
