No Paper Collection Scheduled For Today
(Le Mars) — Just a quick reminder that the Le Mars Elementary paper drive at the O’Toole Park has been cancelled for today, They hope to resume the paper recycling collection next month. There will be no collection of old newspapers, magazines, and other paper products.
Children’s Lighted Parade Scheduled For Saturday Evening
(Le Mars) — Tonight, Central Avenue will come alive with the annual Children’s Lighted Parade. The parade featuring different floats, and other exhibits with Christmas lights twinkling will start at 8th Street SE. Parade entries are asked to be in place by 5:30 p.m. with the parade to begin at 6:00 p.m. The parade will follow Central Avenue heading north to the downtown region. The Le Mars Arts Center will be open prior to the start of the Children’s Lighted Parade offering Cocoa and Carols. The public is invited to attend and sing Christmas Carols, as well as warm up with hot chocolate and other refreshments.
Following the parade, Pioneer Village at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds will be open for the Pioneer Village Christmas. A live nativity scene, along with more than 50 Christmas trees that are decorated, plus entertainment at Century Hall from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Pioneer Village Christmas will also feature fire pits for roasting marshmellows, horse-drawn wagon rides, and of course Santa Claus will appear.
Two Vehicle Roll-over Accident Near Hinton On Friday
(Hinton) — A two-vehicle roll-over collision occurred this morning on the southbound lanes of U-S Highway 75, about a mile and a half south of Hinton. The accident happened shortly after 7:00 a.m. Apparently, Kim Kosierowski, 44, of Merrill was in the process of passing a vehicle driven by Emily McCallister of Orange City, when some type of mechancial failure happened to the Kosierowski vehicle causing her to make contact with the McCallister vehicle. Both vehicles entered the west ditch and rolled. The Kosierowski vehicle came to a rest on its top, the McCallister vehicle was on its side. The Hinton Fire and Rescue Department assisted both drivers from their vehicles. Both women were transported to Unity Point, St. Lukes in Sioux City with non-life threatening injuries. However, both vehicles was listed as a total loss. The collison was investigated by the Iowa State Patrol with assistance from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, Hinton Fire and Rescue and EMS and the Hinton Police Department.
Audit Shows City Of Sloan With Missing Deposits
SLOAN, Iowa (AP) – State auditors say more than $13,000 was not properly deposited in the city of Sloan’s bank account from customer utility bills.
Officials in Sloan, a city of 1,000 people about 23 miles south of Sioux City, sought a state audit after they became concerned about some deposits made by Laurie Kubly, the city’s former utility billing clerk .
Kubly was placed on administrative leave on March 13 and resigned a week later.
Auditors say some of the city’s largest utility customers including a local bank and a car wash were overbilled. Some of the extra money collected from them was used to pay bills for other customers who were not billed for utilities. Auditors also say cash payments appear to be missing.
No charges have been filed.
Attorney Discrimination Lawsuit Trial Continues
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A former prosecutor who alleges she was discriminated against by a U.S. attorney says she never had serious health problems until being ordered to move from Sioux City to Cedar Rapids.
The Sioux City Journal reports Martha Fagg testified Friday that after receiving a written order to temporarily move, she felt dizzy, her heart pounded and her arm hurt. A colleague drove her to a hospital, where doctors prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.
Fagg alleges then-U.S. Attorney Stephanie Rose discriminated against her because of her mental and physical conditions. She also alleges Rose discriminated against older employees.
Rose is now a federal judge.
Fagg later was permanently transferred to Cedar Rapids. Soon after, she had a heated argument with her supervisor and then was fired.
—
17 Year Old Boy Asked To Undergo Mental Evaluation
LOGAN, Iowa (AP) – A 17-year-old boy accused of killing his 5-year-old foster brother will undergo a mental evaluation to determine if he is competent to stand trial.
Assistant Public Defender Michael Williams of Sioux City filed a motion to have Cody Metzker-Madsen tested for mental competency at the Iowa Medical Classification Center in Coralville. A judge approved the request Friday.
The Council Bluffs Nonpareil reports a court date is scheduled on April 21st to review if Metzker-Madsen can proceed to a trial.
Metzker-Madsen is accused of killing Dominic Elkins. The child’s body was found August 31st at the bottom of a rural Harrison County ravine. Both boys were living with a foster family.
Metzker-Madsen remains at the Harrison County Jail. A message left for Williams was not immediately returned Friday.
Iowa Still Having Drought Conditions
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa enters the cold weather season with about a fifth of the state still in severe drought.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says November was drier than normal with the average precipitation for the state at 1.6 inches compared with the 30-year normal of just over 2 inches.
A small area of the state that was rated in extreme drought in October has improved and is now in severe drought.
The area of the state in severe drought has fallen to 20 percent from 35 percent at the start of November.
Little change is anticipated in soil moisture levels over the winter as soils are likely be frozen statewide by now, and are unlikely to thaw until spring.
