Roll-Over Accident Being Investigated
(Akron) — A roll-over accident occurred Sunday evening at about 10:20 p.m. at 130th Street and County Road K-22 when a vehicle, driven by 16 year old, Alexander Foley of Le Mars failed to stop at an intersection. Foley was then hit by a vehicle driven by 29 year old Erin Rodriguez of Sioux Center. Following the collision, Foley’s car ended in the ditch on its wheels after rolling. Foley was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City by the Akron Ambulance. Rodriguez did not sustain any injuries. Assisting at the scene was the Akron Fire and Rescue Department, Akron Ambulance, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Floyd Valley Board of Trustees To Meet
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet this evening, and on their agenda they will continue to discuss the proposed north addition. The trustees will hear quarterly reports on the Community Health Advisory Board, as well as the Quality Improvement Board. That meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. at the hospital board room.
Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Reconvene
(Le Mars) — After taking off last week for the Independence Day holiday, the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to reconvene today at the courthouse. The supervisors have a relatively light agenda. They will hear from County Recorder JoLynn Goodchild give her quarterly report, and they are scheduled to meet with County Engineer Tom Rohe regarding an update on construction projects.
Applications Being Accepted for Sioux City Land-based Casino
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – State regulators are accepting applications for a land-based casino in Woodbury County.
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission posted the paperwork on its website last week. The commission is expected to talk about the process at Thursday’s meeting in Des Moines.
The board voted last month to allow other operators to submit applications after the two partners in the Sioux City riverboat casino couldn’t agree on a new contract. The next day Penn National accepted a previous offer from nonprofit partner Missouri River Historical Development to extend the current agreement until 2015.
The commission will be asked to ratify the pact Thursday. It may consider a shorter term deal, allowing the boat to stay open while it seeks bids for a land-based casino.
Kiron Waste Entered Otter Creek
KIRON, Iowa (AP) – An electrical problem is being blamed for the release of partially treated sewage near the western Iowa city of Kiron. The Iowa Natural Resources Department says the problem shut
down a pumping station, releasing the wastewater into East Otter Creek. The city expects power to be restored today.
Hot and Dry Weather Causes Crop Conditions to Decline
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Not since 1988… that’s the phrase that is being heard by farmers as they describe the current hot and dry conditions as it is taking a toll on Iowa crops. The condition of corn and soybeans continues to decline. 1988 was the last time Iowa suffered a major state-wide drought.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s weekly report that only 46 percent of the corn is in good to excellent shape. That’s the lowest level for the first week of July since
1993. A week ago, it was 62 percent.
Forty-eight percent of soybeans are in good to excellent condition, down from 59 percent last week.
The USDA says 88 percent of topsoil moisture and 82 percent of subsoil moisture are short or very short. Roger Elmore is the corn specialist for Iowa State University Extension. He says corn yield loss is probalbly at nine percent, and will continue to decline with everyday without moisture.
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Mark Licht serves as an extenion crop specialist. He says farmers can calculate the amount of yield loss by counting the number of hours corn leaves are rolled.
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Iowa had 100-plus temperatures from Wednesday through Saturday. The highest temps so far this year were on Saturday with eight communities reaching 105 degrees. There was no widespread rain.
Williamsburg Shuts Off Water
WILLIAMSBURG, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials have closed a motel, restaurant and waterpark until the water supply can be made safe to drink.
The businesses in Williamsburg include the Clarion Inn, which houses the Wasserbahn Waterpark and Seven Villages Restaurant.
The Gazette says a water test reported to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources showed E. coli bacteria in motel’s well water.
Public health officials say no one has reported being sickened during or after a recent visit to the motel or nearby businesses.
Toxic strains of E. coli can cause severe diarrhea, kidney failure and even death, especially in young children.
DNR officials can’t say yet how the bacteria are entering the water system.
The waterpark manager has declined to comment.
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Branstad Opposes Expansion of Medicaid
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad isn’t wavering in his opposition to expanding the state’s Medicaid program calling it a federal straitjacket that the state and federal government can’t
afford.
The federal Affordable Care Act recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court encourages states to cover more uninsured people. About 150,000 additional Iowans would be covered initially at
federal expense. The state now has 450,000 people on Medicaid.
Branstad says he favors an Iowa-based program that requires everyone to pay something and works with insurers and medical providers to cut costs. He addressed the issue at his Monday news
conference.
Democratic State Senator Jack Hatch says he’ll push the Legislature to expand Medicaid saying it would save those who pay premiums money and help hospitals by providing care for those who cannot afford it. He says the state not only can afford to expand the Medicaid services, but adds it should be done.
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