(Remsen) — Get ready to polka!
It’s Oktoberfest in Remsen, and Remsenites will be celebrating today with activities steeped
in tradition. If you’re of German heritage and want to find out more about where you come
from, Organizer Angie Galles says you might want to start the day on a low-key note by
taking a look at some pictures and historical documents.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/October 2012/Oktoberfest 1.mp3{/audio}
If you’re more interested in shopping the arts and crafts fair at Old City Hall and the
Avalon Ballroom or the Vendor Fair at RU High School start at 9am and run until
mid-afternoon.
Galles says that the party gets started at 1pm today in Remsen.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/October 2012/Oktoberfest 2.mp3{/audio}
Three young ladies are also competing for the title of Okoberfest Queen. That ceremony
takes place at 5pm.
And if you want to get your polka on, Bruce Bradley and Jim Strehlke will be playing from 3
to 5 and again from 6 till 9.
And finally, some traditional German fare will be served at the top of the hour every hour
from 3-7pm. Galles says it’s the Famous German/Luxembourg/American Feast.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/October 2012/Oktoberfest 3.mp3{/audio}
The tapping of the keg, polka music, childrens costume and dance contest, queen contest, and dinner all take place at St. Mary’s Hight School. Have fun and be safe at the 39th Annual Remsen Oktoberfest!
(Le Mars) — The state fire marshall has lifted the burn ban that was issued for Plymouth
County. As of 8:00 a.m. today, (Saturday) the burn ban is discontinued. Officials believe
conditions are better and they are allowing for open burning to occur. Le Mars Fire Chief
Dave Schipper reminds people to use caution when burning piles. He suggests to make several
small piles when burning, and to make certain the wind is blowing the embers away from any
buildings, and to have a water supply source close to the fire.
(Le Mars) — Iowa counties are finding it more difficult to adequately finance mental health
services, especially when the legislature has reduced some of the tax levy that is used to
pay for mental health services, and the caseload for mental health is on the increase.
Recently, the state has suggested counties form regions so that a group of counties can
share in the growing expense of providing mental health services. Sharon Nieman, Plymouth
County C-P-C director recently met before the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors to inform
them of the latest developments regarding the status of funding mental health services.
Nieman says the counties have found out that in many cases the state has not allocated
funding for mental health services for at least the last three years.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/October 2012/Nieman bills1.mp3{/audio}
Nieman says the state has under-estimated the total costs by several million dollars.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/October 2012/Nieman bills2.mp3{/audio}
The County Supervisors adopted a resolution that gave approval for a letter of intent to
have Plymouth County go in with Sioux, Woodbury, and Cherokee Counties to form a regional
mental health services program.
(Sheldon) — On Wednesday morning, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office investigated a burglary that occurred at a business storage building one half mile south of Sheldon.
Upon further investigation it was discovered that sometime during the overnight hours of October 23 to 24,the Sheldon Cooperative propane service warehouse was burglarized. Entrance was gained by prying open a walk in door. Once inside, unknown person(s) opened an overhead garage door and parked their vehicle inside. Items taken include a variety of copper and brass fittings and pipes. Some of the valves are valued at $300 each. The total value of the stolen items is approximately $5,000.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa City has agreed to work with an engineering firm in a lawsuit filed by a Nebraska company that claims it’s owed over $700,000 from a job after the 2008 flood. The City Council has voted for an agreement with the co-defendant, VJ Engineering of Coralville.
They are being sued by Judds Brothers Construction of Lincoln, Neb., for breach of contract on a $1 million project that involved installing a sewer under the Iowa River. The project was completed
in 2009.
The lawsuit contends, among other issues, that defective design and the failure to disclose the scope of the work led to substantial added costs. The city denies the claim.
John Judds, CEO of the construction company, declined to comment on the lawsuit.
