Le Mars Main Street Organization To Kick Off Fundraising Campaign
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce Main Street program will kick-off a fundraising campaign on Tuesday, July 9th. The campaign hopes to raise a goal of $10,000 for two projects, the Ally Art Public Art Project and the State of Iowa Main Street workshop scheduled for November that will take place in Le Mars. Le Mars Mainstreet Coordinator, Mary Reynolds says the fund drive will help in many ways. Reynolds says with the Alley Art project, the money raised will be used to purchase primer paint and caulk to prep surfaces in the alley, pay for paint that the artists will use in doing their art work, pay for artist’s fees, help purchase banners, sculptures and other art pieces. The Alley Art project is the second joint public art project between the city of Le Mars, the Le Mars Arts Center, and the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Main Street program. Reynolds says the backside of Hotopp Jewelry and Gifts will be the first to receive the Alley Art project. The alley art mural will have an outdoor garden theme with flowers, trees, and birds. The mural will measure 13 feet by 25 feet.
Le Mars has been chosen by the State of Iowa Mainstreet program to host the November workshop with representatives from 49 cities and communities from across the state visiting the “Ice Cream Capital of the World.” Reynolds says funds are needed for various responsibilities the host city is asked to provide. The workshop will be held for two days.
Details Released On Motorcycle Accident
(Le Mars) — Details are now known on a motorcycle accident that occurred on Saturday afternoon. According to a report by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, two motorcycles were participating on a poker run heading northbound on Highway 12 toward Akron when apparently 46 year old Scott Eastman of Brunsville had lost some items from his motorcycle. Eastman had braked and slowed down and was about to turn around to retrieve the items when a second motorcycle being driven by 56 year old Patrick Hansen of Le Mars failed to notice the Eastman cycle slowing down. Hansen braked rapidly but was unable to avoid colliding with the Eastman motorcycle. Both cycles fell on their right sides causing Eastman and Hansen and Hansen’s passenger, 53 year old Jean Hansen, to fall to the pavement. The Hansens were taken to a hospital by a private vehicle.
Albert City Man Dies From Auto Accident
(Albert City) — An auto accident has claimed the life of an Albert City man. Buena Vista County authorities report a two vehicle accident occurred on Monday at the intersection of 235th Avenue and 500th Street. The accident was between a pick up truck being driven by 32 year old Patrick McGuire of Fort Dodge, and the passenger car which was driven by 87 year old Clyde Larsen of Albert City. The vehicles collided at an intersection. Larsen was trapped in his car and needed to be extricated by the Albert City Fire Department. Larsen was transported to the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City. Larsen later died as a result of the injuries suffered from the accident. McGuire suffered only minor injuries in the accident.
ISU Crops Specialist Says Warmer, Drier Weather Allows Roots To Develop
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Warmer and mostly drier weather is helping Iowa farmers near completion of corn and soybean planting and improving crop conditions.
The Department of Agriculture says 99 percent of the corn crop is in the ground as of Sunday and 96 percent of the crop has emerged, which is three weeks behind normal. Joel DeJong, Iowa State University Extension Crops Specialist says the warm and drier weather has helped the corn crop finally have its root system develop.
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Warm humid days helped corn improve. The good to excellent rating increased 3 percentage points with 57 percent of the crop now rated in those two categories and 29 percent is fair. Fourteen
percent is poor or very poor. DeJong says northwest Iowa may actually have the best looking crops found in the state. The crop specialist says most corn in this area should reach the height of “knee high by the 4th of July”
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Ninety-six percent of the soybean crop has been planted, about two weeks later than normal. Eighty-nine percent of the soybean crop has emerged, eight percentage points behind the five-year
average.
The condition of soybeans also improved slightly.
Environmental Group Hopes To Set Nitrate Standards
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An environmental group is hoping to pressure lawmakers into considering legislation that would limit runoff of fertilizer from farm fields by setting state standards.
Environment Iowa is rallying at the Capitol Tuesday to deliver a petition with 5,000 signatures to Sen. Dick Dearden, a Des Moines Democrat who chairs the Senate Natural Resources Committee.
The group says city water treatment plants can’t keep up with the record levels of nitrate flowing into rivers from farm fields.
Farm groups oppose standards or strict enforcement saying managing runoff on each farm is different.
The state recently rolled out a new nutrient management policy supported by state agriculture and natural resources officials and Gov. Terry Branstad that relies on voluntary farmer compliance.
Environmental groups say that approach won’t work.
Braley Raises $1.5 Million For Senate Campaign
(Des Moines) — U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley says he raised $1.25 million for his Senate bid during the second three months of the year.
The Iowa Democrat announced Tuesday that he raised the money between April 1 and June 30, with contributions coming from more than 2,800 state residents. Braley says his next financial report
will show that he has over $2 million in cash on hand.
Braley, of Waterloo, is the only Democrat running for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.
Republican candidates include former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, Sioux City talk show host Sam Clovis, attorney Paul Lunde and David Young, a former aide to Sen. Chuck Grassley. Businessman
Mark Jacobs has formed an exploratory committee and state Sen. Joni Ernst is also considering a run.
