Today Is The Deadline To Sign Up For Legislative Luncheon
(Le Mars) — Today is the deadline to register for the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Legislative luncheon scheduled for Wednesday. The luncheon will feature State Representative Chuck Soderberg and State Senator Bill Anderson. Both are expected to inform the gathering of what the legislative priorities will be for the upcoming general assembly session. The luncheon costs $15 and will be held at the American Bank in Le Mars.
Hinton Man Rolls Over UTV
(Hinton) — The Hinton Fire and Rescue Department responded to a four wheeler rollover accident on Sunday evening. The accident happened just prior to 8:00 p.m. at Hillside Drive and County road K-30. 38 year old Darrel Peters was driving the Polaris Ranger side by side utv. Peters is a paraplegic and was testing the new hand controls on the utv. Peters says the braking system didn’t work when he went to turn around. He entered the ditch and rolled the utv on its driver’s side. Peters was trapped inside the utv and was unable to get out due to his disability. Hinton Fire and Rescue removed the door and top of the utv to remove Peters. Peters suffered minor injuries to his hand. He was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
Le Mars Fire And Rescue Department Responds To Accident
(Le Mars) — Saturday evening at about 8:00 p.m. the Le Mars Fire and Rescue squad responded to an automobile accident that happened at the intersection of county roads C-16 and K-42. No further details are known about that accident at this time.
Holidays Is Time To Think About Fire Safety
(Le Mars) — Now that Thanksgiving is over, our attention now turns to Christmas, and with the holidays, there is a need to be reminded of holiday fire safety. Candles was the number one cause for home fires two years ago, and Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says people need to constantly think safety when using candles. Schipper says candles are not the only safety concern for winter months. Furnaces, fire places, and wood burning stoves also can be a hazzard. The Le Mars Fire Chief says space heaters have also caused many household fires within the past few years in Le Mars. If you plan to have a real Christmas tree as part of your holiday celebration, Schipper reminds you to keep the tree watered.
Developer Files Lawsuit Against Architech For Unexpected Renovation Costs
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A developer has filed a lawsuit alleging he was misled about the cost of renovations for a historic landmark in downtown Sioux City.
Mako One Developer Bruce DeBolt is seeking $50 million in damages from the project’s Sioux City-based architect, M Plus Architects.
DeBolt says he bought the Badgerow Building six years ago, with a plan to turn it into a high-tech data center. The plan required reinforcing the building’s floors, footings and foundations. DeBolt alleges he was misled to believe the upgrade would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but it’s now expected to cost between $3 million and $5 million.
Architect Dale McKinney denies any negligence, saying his company has done hundreds of projects over the years with no difficulties.
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Des Moines Man Starts Fire From Cigarette Smoking Near Oxygen
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Des Moines Fire Department says a man was injured when he lit a cigarette while using an oxygen tank, sparking a fire.
The fire happened Saturday afternoon when the man lit a cigarette while wearing an oxygen mask.
The man, whose name wasn’t released, was able to get away and waited in a garage until firefighters arrived. Another person called 911.
The man was taken to a Des Moines hospital and treated for minor injuries.
Percy Coleman, of the fire department, says fires caused by smoking while on oxygen happen several times a year in Des Moines. Oxygen can greatly enhance the intensity of fires and officials recommend that people not smoke anywhere near people using oxygen.
Spokesman Brian O’Keefe says the fire caused about $40,000 in damage.
Two People Drowned In Farm Pond
CORNING, Iowa (AP) – Two people drowned in a southwest Iowa pond over the weekend, and authorities are investigating the deaths.
Corning Fire Chief Don Willett says two people drowned Saturday in a rural Adams County pond.
The Adams County Sheriff’s office is investigating the deaths that happened near Corning.
The two victims weren’t immediately identified.
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Man Fled Police Chase Shot By State Trooper
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – A man who fled police in western Iowa at speeds up to 100 mph is recovering after being shot at by a state trooper in Council Bluffs.
Iowa officials say the incident began around 7 a.m. Sunday when a state trooper tried to pull over a man driving a stolen vehicle.
During the chase, the trooper ‘s car went into a ditch on U.S. Highway 275 northeast of Lake Manawa. Officials say the trooper fired when the suspect drove at the trooper.
The suspect’s SUV rolled onto its side, and he was arrested and taken to an Omaha hospital. Authorities say the suspect had a warrant out for his arrest.
The trooper was not hurt in the incident, but he will remain on paid leave while it is investigated.
Speeding Drivers Likely To Get A Ticket In Five Iowa Counties On I-80
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Drivers are more likely to be stopped by the Iowa State Patrol in one of five counties that are home to busy stretches of Interstate 80.
The Des Moines Register analyzed five years of reports (https://dmreg.co/1eMyugd ) to determine the Patrol’s interdiction team writes the most tickets in Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Cass, Iowa and Dallas counties.
The records show that more than 17,000 tickets or warnings were issued in those counties from 2008 to 2012. About 22,000 tickets and warnings were issued by the team in that time.
The busiest location for traffic stops in Iowa was near mile marker 5 on I-80 not far from the Nebraska border. The specially trained troopers issued 785 tickets and warnings there.
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State DOT Wants To Raise Vehicle Registration Fees
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Car and truck dealers are planning to fight a possible fee increase suggested by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
The department has suggested increasing the fee to 6 percent for vehicle registrations. The current 5 percent fee is applied every time a customer buys a new or used car or truck.
The DOT says the higher fee would keep pace with the state’s current 6 percent sales tax. It would generate an estimated $60 million more each year for road construction projects. Iowa does not impose a sales tax on car and truck purchases.
The Iowa Automobile Dealer Association’s 13-member board has voted unanimously to lobby lawmakers against the increase. The associated represents about 400 Iowa dealers.
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Manager Of Taco John’s Restaurant Loses Job After Mowing Lawn
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The manager of an Iowa fast food restaurant lost her job after a customer posted pictures of the woman making food in the kitchen while sweaty and barefoot from mowing the lawn.
31-year-old Melinda Halvorsen was fired from the Taco John’s restaurant in Charles City in August.
Halvorsen recently lost her appeal to collect unemployment benefits because officials ruled she violated health codes and hurt the restaurant’s business.
Franchise owner Linda Johnson says business has declined more than 25 percent since the Aug. 8 incident.
The customer’s photo showed Halvorsen came right into the kitchen after mowing the lawn and prepared food. Johnson says security footage showed that Halvorsen also didn’t’ pay for the food she made for herself and her friends that day.
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