Friday, December 28
(Le Mars) The Remsen Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for their annual dinner,
scheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2013. The Remsen Chamber is taking applications for Citizen of
the Year and Business of the Year. Applications can be obtained from Karen Harnack at
Thompson, Phipps & Thompson.
(Le Mars) The Le Mars Police Department is asking for help in solving several business
burglaries in Le Mars over the past month. Taco Johns Restaurant, Bobs Drive Inn and
Northwest Iowa Auto Center all had break-ins in December. Other northwest Iowa communities
had similar robberies, including Remsen, Akron, Orange City and Storm Lake. Anyone that has
information is asked to contact local law enforcement agencies or Crime Stoppers at
548-4968. Up to one-thousand dollars for information leading to an arrest and conviction is
available for any felony crime.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man has been sentenced to more than
four years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in
western Iowa.
Antonio Lara-Pantoja of Denison was sentenced in Sioux City last
week after pleading guilty in August to a drug conspiracy charge.
Officers found nearly 4 grams of meth in Lara-Pantoja’s vehicle
when he was arrested in March 2011. Investigators say he sold more
than 100 grams of meth in Denison from January through March of
last year.
Authorities say he obtained the drug in Omaha, Neb.
(Le Mars) Over a month before the tragic events in Connecticut, Le Mars Community Schools in
cooperation with Le Mars Police and Fire Departments had made arrangements to conduct
a training drill at Clark Elementary School on Wednesday, January 2nd. Similar exercersizes
have been held at various school buildings in the district in the past. Le Mars Superintendent
Dr. Todd Wendt notes that there is no school on January 2nd when the training session will
be held. The event is important for emergency personnel to practice their response to
various scenarios at different school buildings.
(Linn Grove) Two people were arrested Christmas Eve on controlled substance charges. A Buena Vista County Sheriff’s deputy conducted an evening bar check at Bobby’s Sand Bar in Linn Grove.
Robert D. Wiese, age 60, the bar owner, and Debra R. Chapman, 59, both of Greeneville,
were arrested on charges of drug paraphernalia and suspicion of a controlled substance.
Both subjects were transported to the Buena Vista County jail. The investigation is
continuing.
(Alta) A December 22nd traffic stop in Alta, Iowa, resulted in drug paraphernalia and possession charges against 24-year-old Martin Hernandaz Jr. A Buena Vista County sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle operating without license plates. A routine search of the vehicle revealed a substance
believed be marijuana located in the back of the vehicle. Hernandez was transported to the
Buena Vista County jail. Four other occupants in the car were released without being charged.
(Washington) — U-S Senator Chuck Grassley says he is getting frustrated, both as a farmer and as a Senator, over the fact that the House of Representatives have not passed a farm bill as of yet.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/December 2012/Grassley farm bill.mp3{/audio}
The Republican Senator is also disappointed that Speaker Boehner and President Obama have not been able to reach an agreement with the pending spending cuts and tax increases. He says one area that should be included are tax credits for wind energy.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/December 2012/Grassley wind.mp3{/audio}
Grassley says the wind tax credits could use the ethanol industry as its example. He says ethanol is now a mature industry and it no longer receives government subsidies in the form of tax credits. Grassley believes the wind industry needs a chance to grow, and he believes it could serve as a viable alternative energy source.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/December 2012/Grassley wind2.mp3{/audio}
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – A trade group representing Iowa’s liquid
renewable fuels industry says drivers in the state could save a lot
of money if they switch to an ethanol-based fuel when buying gas.
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association says drivers could have
saved $69 million in 2012 if they switched to E15, a fuel blend
containing 15 percent ethanol. They calculated the savings based on
data from the state Department of Revenue.
The group says Iowans who drive 2001 and newer vehicles can use
E15. They say E15 averages 5 cents per gallon lower than E10, a
fuel blend with more gasoline.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An F-16 plane in the middle of a
training exercise landed at a Des Moines airport after its engine
sensor detected a malfunction.
The Des Moines Register (https://dmreg.co/WKAKLh ) reports the
plane landed Thursday afternoon at Des Moines International
Airport. It flew around the area beforehand to burn off excess
fuel.
Five emergency vehicles responded to the runway after the plane
landed. No one was injured in the incident.
The newspaper reports the Iowa Air National Guard says the
plane’s engine problem does not appear to be significant.
—
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police say a man suspected of stealing
narcotics from several Iowa pharmacies has been arrested following
a high speed chase.
The Des Moines Register (https://dmreg.co/12S4Foi ) reports Devan
Parsons walked into a Medicap pharmacy in Altoona Thursday with a
note demanding narcotics. The store’s cashier alerted police after
saying he recognized Parsons’ clothing from a Nov. 20 robbery.
Police say Parsons left the store and stole narcotics from a
Medicap in Ankeny. He then led police on a high speed chase into
Des Moines that included hitting four police squad cars.
The chase ended when Parsons ran a red light and slammed into a
truck. The truck driver was unhurt.
Parsons has been charged with eluding, two counts of assault
with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of robbery.
—
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A 90-year-old man who was injured in
a fire at his Council Bluffs home has died.
Council Bluffs Fire Chief Alan Byers says Robert Kissel Sr. died
Tuesday. Kissel died at a burn center in Lincoln, Neb.
Firefighters had found Kissel in his bedroom after they
responded to the blaze early Sunday morning. Kissel’s daughter,
59-year-old Robin Krause, escaped to safety through a basement
window.
Krause told firefighters she’d tried to reach her father but
couldn’t because the staircase was in flames.
