Le Mars City Council Discuss Removing Some Stop Signs
(Le Mars) — The topic of removing stop signs was discussed during the recent City Council meeting. Le Mars City Administrator Scott Langel says as a city grows, often times the traffic pattern will change making some stop signs no longer needed. Langel says the city is seeking comment regarding the removal of some stop signs. Langel explains which stop signs would definitely remain.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Langel stop signs1.mp3{/audio}
Langel says before the decision is made to remove any stop sign, city officials will
examine the safety issue. Langel says the city’s savings on the removal of the stop signs
will be minimal.
Firefighters Conduct Training Session Wednesday evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department had a busy Wednesday evening. For two hours, the
fire department conducted training exercises at 126 4th Avenue Northwest, simulating a
house full of smoke and conducting search and rescues. The training session drew the
attention of several neighbors as they watched the fire fighters drop hoses, extend the
aerial ladder truck, and enter the house filled with smoke.
Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the first part of the training focused on the first truck to
arrive at a scene and the procedures taken by the fire department.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Schipper1.mp3{/audio}
Schipper says the second part of the initial training session also involved performing a
rescue.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Schipper2.mp3{/audio}
The Le Mars Fire Chief says he was pleased with how well the fire fighters responded to the
simulated scenarios, and he says having a training sessions like last evening helps the
fire crew be better prepared for an actual emergency.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Schipper3.mp3{/audio}
After the training session had concluded, the local fire department had to investigate an
illegal burning located at the 7 Linden Armel Acres Trailer Court. The call came in at
9:36 p.m. Later in the evening, at 1:20 a.m. the fire department responded to a call at 32
Second Avenue SW, where there was a report of the smell of smoke.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Schipper4.mp3{/audio}
It was determined an electronic component connected to the television had gotten too
warm. Fire officials were on the scene for about 20 minutes.
Iowa State Fair Promotes New Foods
(Des Moines) — The Iowa State Fair got started today (Thursday) and among the thrills,
exhibits, judging, and other entertainment, people often look forward to the various types
of foods that are introduced at the state fair. Many people agree… food on a stick always
taste better at the fair. State Fair Manager Gary Slater says the different, and sometimes
exotic foods, serve as an attraction. Slater says the fair will feature the traditional
favorites of funnel cakes, corn dogs, and a pork chop on a stick, but he says a contest was
held to see what other foods would be introduced at the fair.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Slater4.mp3{/audio}
Those may be the top three, but Slater says there are several other foods to be introduced
at the Iowa State Fair.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Slater5.mp3{/audio}
And then there is the new “Cowboy Cone” featured at the Rib Shack.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Slater6.mp3{/audio}
Speaking about food, Slater says fairs across the country have a commitment to contribute
20 million pounds of food to food banks across the nation. The Iowa State Fair wanted to
help, so thousands of volunteers and donors were busy creating meals on opening day.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/August 2013/Slater7.mp3{/audio}
Fired D-C-I Agent Files Lawsuit For Wrongful Dismissal
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A fired criminal investigator has filed a lawsuit alleging Iowa Department of Public Safety officials retaliated against him for complaining about Gov. Terry Branstad’s speeding state vehicle and other misconduct.
Former Division of Criminal Investigation agent Larry Hedlund filed the wrongful
termination lawsuit Thursday. His lawsuit names DPS Commissioner Brian London, DCI Director
Chari Paulson and assistant DCI director Gerard Meyers.
The department has denied retaliation, saying Hedlund was fired for writing disrespectful e-mails about Paulson’s leadership and other unbecoming conduct. The lawsuit
doesn’t name Branstad, who appointed London to run the department last year.
Hedlund is also seeking an injunction to hold state officials in contempt for sharing
a confidential 500-page disciplinary report with former Iowa Chief Justice Louis Lavorato,
who was appointed by Branstad to review Hedlund’s firing.
Monona County Auditor Pleads Not Guilty To Drug Charges
ONAWA, Iowa (AP) – The Monona County auditor has pleaded not guilty to drug possession charges.
Brooke Kuhlmann entered the plea Tuesday in Monona County District Court. Kuhlmann faces a serious misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance and a simple misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Iowa Department of Public Safety says Kuhlmann scheduled a methamphetamine buy and pickup from an undercover Iowa State Patrol officer in late July. She was later arrested during a traffic stop.
Kuhlmann’s attorney declined to comment on behalf of his client.
Iowa GED Program To Change
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa is shifting to a new high school equivalency diploma test.
The state Department of Education announced Thursday it would replace the GED with a test developed by the nonprofit ETS.
The agency says the nonprofit’s test, called HiSET, will be aligned with statewide standards for Iowa students and will be cheaper.
Iowa officials begin considering moving to a new test after GED Testing Service shifted from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization in 2012. That move prompted other assessment vendors to being offering services.
A selection committee comprised of officials at community colleges and the Iowa Department of Education chose the new test.
The new test will cost $50 and can be taken in a paper or online format.
