Le Mars Ambulance To Receive Gift From Dean Foods
(Le Mars) — Dean Foods of Le Mars is announcing they intend to give a gift to the Le Mars Ambulance Association. The presentation is scheduled for today at 9:00 a.m. this morning at the Dean Foods facility. Le Mars Ambulance staff members will be on hand for that presentation.
Chamber To Hold Second “Cash Mob” Today
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Chamber of Commerce will hold its second “cash mob” today(Tuesday) beginning at 12:00 noon in front of the Chamber offices. Once again, mayor Dick Kirchoff will draw a name of a Chamber member business and people are encouraged to then visit that store and spend at least $20. Mary Reynolds, the Le Mars Mainstreet Coordinator tells how this “cash mob” will be somewhat different from the first one.
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Reynolds says the first cash mob sponsored by the Chamber proved to be both a fun and a successful event. She hopes the second cash mob will be equally successful.
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The concept of a cash mob is still relatively new according to Reynolds.
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Planning and Zoning Commission Look At Comprehensive Land Use Meeting
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Planning and Zoning Commission held an informational meeting last evening to review the county’s overall comprehensive plan. The consulting firm of J-E-O was on hand leading the discussion. Jeff Ray of J-E-O explains the purpose of a comprehensive plan.
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This was the first of what may be a series of meetings reviewing the status of the county in terms of population distribution and projected growth, education, health services, and employment opportunities. Those in attendance were asked to assess the county’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The group identified Plymouth County’s agricultural base as a strength, as well as the employment opportunities such as Wells Enterprises, Incorporated and the many businesses that have been developed as a result of Wells, including but not limited to Dean Foods, BoDeans Bakery, and I-M-L Containers. A perceived threat was identified as not having a specific plan in place for what could be unexpected circumstances.
Branstad To Speak At School Choice Event
(Sioux City) — Governor Terry Branstad will serve as the speaker for tonight’s gathering of the Catholic School Foundation of the Diocese of Sioux City to honor Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Foundation supporters. The special event is made possible by the generosity of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. The Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Foundation is one of 11 state tuition organizations in Iowa. Created in 2006 when the Educational Opportunities Act was signed into law, the monsignor Lafferty tuition foundation allows Iowa taxpayers who make a gift to a STO to receive an Iowa tax credit equal to 65 percent of the total amount of their gift. The total donation also qualifies for federal deductibility. The Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Foundation raised $1.92 million in 2011 and has a goal of $2.2 million for 2012. The funds raised assist families who demonstrate a financial need for tuition assistance. Over 12,000 students in the Sioux City Diocese school system have received $9.2 million of tuition assistance since 2007. Tonight’s event will take place at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center in Sioux City and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Gehlen Catholic, Remsen St. Mary’s, Granville Spalding, and St. Catherines Elementary school at Oyens are all part of the Sioux City Diocese.
Supervisors Scheduled To Meet
(Le Mars) –– Plymouth County Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet this morning at the County Courthouse. They are expected to appoint a member to the County Judicial Magistrate committee, and review and approve the county’s semi annual settlement of cash report from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012. The county supervisors are also expected to approve a three-way minor subdivision in Preston township. County engineer, Tom Rohe will appear before the supervisors to update the various road construction projects.
Drought Continues To Hurt Crops
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The proportion of the corn crop in Iowa that is now in poor or very poor condition has gone up to 46 percent in the last week.
Even with some rain over last week and last weekend, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the drought is taking a heavy toll in the state’s agricultural economy.
Last week, 40 percent of the corn crop was considered in poor or very poor condition.
The USDA says in Monday’s report that 34 percent of Iowa’s soybeans are in poor to very poor condition. Last week, it was 30 percent.
Thunderstorms hit on Wednesday and over the weekend, with a statewide average of .70 inches. But Audubon hasn’t had any measurable rain in 36 days.
The high temperature for the week was 107 degrees in Donnellson, Fairfield and Keokuk.
Iowa State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says July could be the third hottest and fifth driest July among 140 years of state records.
West Nile Virus Found In Lyon County
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities have confirmed 2012’s first reported human case of West Nile virus in Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Public Health said in a news release Monday that the victim is a woman older than 60 who is from Lyon County in northwest Iowa. The department says she is recovering.
The department medical director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, says the case is a reminder that the virus “is still out there and Iowans should take precautions.”
West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of a mosquito. Officials say the best way for people to combat the disease is to eliminate mosquito breeding areas and to use insect repellent when outdoors.
Last year nine human cases of West Nile virus were confirmed in Iowa and two deaths.
Landfill Clean Up Begins After Fire
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Cleanup is slated to begin after a landfill fire in Iowa City.
The city says the work will start on Tuesday, and could take about two months to complete. It includes uncovering and disposing of ash and debris. Officials say the work could produce smoke since
materials in the landfill could still be burning.
Officials say any smoldering materials will be extinguished once uncovered.
The fire began May 26 on roughly 7 1/2 acres in the 200-acre landfill, primarily in an unused portion. Initial efforts to contain it were unsuccessful, and the fire spread to a layer of shredded tires used for drainage. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.
