Train Derails Near Le Mars
(Le Mars) — A Union Pacific train derailed Monday morning at about 9:10 a.m. about three miles northeast of Le Mars, along HIghway 60. The train had 21 cars jump the tracks. Plymouth County Sheriff, Mike Van Otterloo was one of the first people on the scene. He offers an explanation as to what may have caused the derailment.
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There were no injuries associated with the derailment, and traffic on Hwy 60 is not being affected by the train mishap. Van Otterloo says there was no danger to the public as a result of the derailment.
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Fortunately, the train, consisted of only barge grain cars, that were all empty at the time of the derailment. An investigation will take place by Union Pacific officials to determine the cause of the derailment.
Le Mars To Flush Water Mains
(Le Mars) — The City of Le Mars will be flushing water mains beginning Tuesday. City Water officials will begin on the northeast part of town. Superintendent, Gayle Sitzmann says the procedure will take about two days to complete. On Thursday, water flushing will occur on the northwest portion of town. Next week, city officials will work on the southwest part of town. Sitzmann says businesses and residences may experience discolored water and should refrain from washing clothes during flushing in your area. If people experience discolored water, they should try not to use hot water. Sitzmann says this will prevent the discolored water from entering your hot water heater.
King Prepares For Next Debate
(Le Mars) — Republican Congressman Steve King and Democratic challenger Christie Vilsack are scheduled to appear together Tuesday evening from Morningside College in Sioux City for another round of debates. King, says he doesn’t plan on altering his strategy. KLEM news spoke to King this morning. He says he will continue to address the issues.
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King says he has been attacked by Vilsack and many Political Action Committees, on what he claims have been a distortion of his record. King says he is confident the voters of the new 4th District will see through the attacks.
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Cedar Rapids May Get Casino
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Linn County supervisors are on board with a plan that could bring a casino to Cedar Rapids – as long as backers meet several conditions.
Supervisors on Monday approved a memorandum of understanding with the nonprofit Linn County Gaming Association and the Cedar Rapids Development Group, a private company, to support their bid
for a gambling license.
Under state law, a nonprofit group holds the gaming license while the private company operates the casino.
Under the agreement, supervisors will commit to supporting the proposal if the association and backers can get a license, voters approve gambling in a referendum next year and state gambling
regulators decide to issue a license.
Judge Wiggins Has Political World Watching
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Supreme Court Justice David Wiggins isn’t well known outside the legal community of his state, but whether he should keep his job has become one of the most fiercely
contested judicial issues on the Nov. 6 ballot because of what he symbolizes in the debate over gay marriage.
Wiggins and six colleagues ruled in 2009 that Iowa’s law banning gay marriage was unconstitutional, making it the third state to recognize same-sex unions. The decision outraged conservatives, who
mounted a campaign a year later to defeat three justices.
Wiggins’ future is sparking an even bigger battle as liberals and lawyers shocked by 2010 fight back. The race is seen as a barometer of the changing attitudes toward gay marriage and a message for judges who might take up similar cases.
