A Case Of Cyclosporisas Reported In Plymouth County
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County is reporting a case of cyclosporisas, according to Plymouth County Public Health Director, Deb Steffen. One person has been identified yesterday with having the intestinal illness. Steffen says statewide there are now more than 100 cases. The Pubic Health director explains the common symptoms associated with cyclosporiasas.
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Steffen says the symptoms can be much like other food-borne illnesses and she emphasizes if you have any of the symptoms to see a doctor immediately.
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Steffen says public health officials are trying to find the common link as to why so many cases have been reported this summer. She says Iowa would normally have only a few cases reported. Steffen says cyclospora can cause diarrhea for up to 57 days.
Merrill To Have Periodic Water Outages
(Merrill) — Merrill city officials say there will be periodic water outages beginning the week of July 22 in and around the 5th Street project, including side streets in Merrill.
Animal Exhibits Increase For The Plymouth County Fair
(Le Mars) — Attendees of the Plymouth County Fair will notice a few more animals being exhibited. Ann Schoenrock, Plymouth County Extension 4-H and Youth Director says livestock entries are a bit higher.
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The Plymouth County 4-H official says a swine derby show has been added to this year’s Plymouth County fair.
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Schoenrock says the judges that are hired to evaluate the 4-H projects are brought in from all parts of the midwest.
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4-H and FFA livestock and small animal projects will be entered on Wednesday morning of the fair. The Plymouth County fair begins on Wednesday, July 24 and continues through Sunday, July 28th.
Deadline Approaches For School Board Nominations
(Le Mars) — Candidates seeking a position on the Le Mars Community School District Board of Education have just two weeks to submit their petition papers. This year the positions for District 1, 2, 3, and 4 are up for election. So far, three candidates have filed. They include incumbents Brenda Phelan running for District 4, and Mark Hemmingson and Chris Collins seeking a position for District 3. Due to re-redistricting, Collins and Hemmingson are now both residing in the same district. Nomination papers are due no later than 5:00 p.m. August 1st. A total of 50 signatures are required for nomination, along with living within the Le Mars Community School District.
Construction Of Sioux City Hard Rock Casino On Schedule
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Organizers behind a Hard-Rock themed casino in Sioux City say they’re on schedule with construction.
Sioux City Entertainment said in a news release Thursday that they soon plan to demolish an old pub and video store to make way for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City. Excavation will follow
to prepare the site for the building foundations.
An official groundbreaking ceremony is planned for mid-August. The new $120 million casino is expected to open next summer.
Sioux City Entertainment was awarded a gambling license in April over several bids to replace the Argosy riverboat casino. Penn National Gaming Co. has criticized the decision.
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Spencer Attorney Overcharging For Service Fees
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State auditors say a Spencer attorney working under contract as a public defender overbilled the state more than $177,000 claiming he worked more than 24 hours in a
single day for 80 days in a 3 1/2 year period.
The auditors say Ney McDaniel also improperly claimed more than $6,000 in mileage.
McDaniel isn’t commenting and is referring calls to his attorney, who didn’t immediately return a call.
The audit report released Thursday shows McDaniel took in $1.1 million from 2005 through March of 2011 when his contract was terminated. He mostly represented clients charged with crimes who
couldn’t afford an attorney.
Clay County Attorney Michael Houchins found McDaniel was billing significantly more than other public defenders and sought an audit.
The Iowa Attorney General’s office is considering criminal charges.
Branstad Calls Firing Of DCI Investigator As “Fair And Just”
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says the firing of a veteran criminal investigator was a “fair and just” decision that had nothing to do with his complaint about Branstad’s speeding
vehicle.
Branstad on Thursday blasted Larry Hedlund for making what he called “false accusations” of retaliation. Speaking at a news conference, the governor said Hedlund’s attorney should release a
500-page investigative report so the public can know the full story of his firing.
Hedlund was fired Wednesday by the Iowa Department of Public Safety after a 25-year career over what the department called disrespectful behavior, which included negative comments about
bosses to subordinates.
Hedlund had been placed on paid administrative leave May 1, days after he filed a complaint about a high-speed pursuit involving Branstad’s SUV traveling 90 mph.
Florida Murder Suspect May Be In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a man sought in a double Florida slaying could be in central Iowa.
Police in Clearwater, Fla., said Thursday that they think 33-year-old Gilberto Juarez-Hernandez is in Des Moines because he has family and friends in the area.
Juarez-Hernandez was named in two first-degree murder warrants in October in connection with the July 2003 deaths of Petra Martin and her 2-year-old son, Uriel. Martin and the boy were found
stabbed to death in their Clearwater home.
Police say Juarez-Hernandez is a suspect in the case because of a bloody fingerprint collected as evidence.
Drunk And Naked Man Accused Of Damaging Vehicles
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A man has been accused of damaging several cars in Iowa City while he was naked and drunk.
Iowa City police say 42-year-old Sean C. Flaherty was found early Wednesday morning near several cars that had broken tail lights.
The Iowa City Press-Citizen says Flaherty told officers he was breaking the red portion of the tail lights because he believed red meant danger. Damage to the cars was estimated at $600.
Flaherty was arrested and later blew a .083 in a breathalyzer test.
Flaherty has been charged with third-degree criminal mischief and a serious misdemeanor count for an alcohol violation. Court records do not list an attorney.
Branstad To Travel To India
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is heading to India on a trade mission in September.
Branstad’s office says Thursday that Branstad will lead a group of business leaders on the six-day venture. Branstad says the trip is an opportunity to promote Iowa as a U.S. headquarters for Indian
companies.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority is organizing the trip, which will feature stops in several cities to meet with business and government leaders.
Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will join Branstad on the trip.
Authority spokeswoman Tina Hoffman says they don’t have a cost estimate for Branstad and Durham’s travel. She says Branstad’s travel will be paid for by a foundation associated with the Iowa
Economic Development Authority. Durham’s travel will be paid for through the authority’s budget using state dollars.
