Student Arrested For Making Bomb Threat On Remsen-Union School
(Remsen) — A student has been arrested for making a December 2nd bomb threat to the Remsen-Union school. The Remsen-Union Community school student was arrested Tuesday, according to Ken Howard, the superintendent for Remsen-Union schools. The student, who is not being named, is accused of making the bomb threat to the district’s school on the morning of December 2nd. Bomb sniffing dogs were brought in from the Omaha Police Department, but no bomb was found. Students were not harmed. Howard wouldn’t release the details about the charges or any discipline the student may face.
County Compensation Board To Meet Friday
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Compensation Board is scheduled to meet this afternoon to discuss salaries and benefits for county elected employees for the coming year. The Compensation Board will listen and review the requested salary proposals from the Auditor, Attorney, Sheriff, Recorder, Treasurer, and the Supervisors. That meeting is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Plymouth County Courthouse Boardroom.
Daycare Provider Charged With Murder To Appear At Hearing Friday
(Orange City) — The daycare provider from Orange City accused of murdering a three year old girl under her supervision is scheduled to appear in court this afternoon for a hearing. 33 year old Rochelle Sapp has been charged with murder after three-year old Autumn Elgersma suffered brain trauma injuries resulting in her death. Sapp will appear at the Sioux county Courthouse. The hearing is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Landvalues Increase Statewide, But Decline In Northwest Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The 2013 Iowa Land Value Survey says farmland values rose 5.1 percent from last year, setting another record.
The new survey shows farmland values rose to more than $8,700 an acre. It was the fourth year in a row that farmland values rose in the Iowa State University survey of nearly 500 real estate experts. Mike Duffy, an ag economist with Iowa State University and author of the research study comments on the latest survey.
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Last year’s figure was nearly $8,300 an acre. However, Duffy, says northwest Iowa actually saw a decrease in land values.
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Duffy says there is still demand for good quality land.
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The ISU Ag Economist says it is primarily farmers that are purchasing land.
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Although northwest Iowa, as a region showed some decline in land values, Duffy says Plymouth County had an average land value of $11,366 which was slightly higher than last year.
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Land demand could slow because Iowa farmers are concerned about lower commodity prices and a proposed rollback in the mandate for corn-based ethanol. There’s also uncertainty over interest rates and over the prospects for a new farm bill. Scott County located in east central Iowa had the highest value of land at $12,413 and Decatur County, located in southern Iowa had the lowest land value at $3,628.
A Christmas Carol To Be Presented At Postal Playhouse
(Le Mars) — Most everyone is familiar with the novel by Charles Dickens of A Christmas Carol about the story of Ebeneezer Scrooge who is against Christmas, then is visited by three spirits and has a change of attitude about Christmas, becoming more generous. The Le Mars Public Library and the Le Mars Community Theater are teaming together to present “A Christmas Carol” this Saturday evening at the Le Mars Postal Playhouse. Sue Kroese is the librarian for the Le Mars Public Library. She says the play will feature the professional actor Duffy Hudson as he performs a one-man play of A Christmas Carol.
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Kroese says the collaboration between the library and the community theater started as a result of both being guests on a radio program.
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The Le Mars Librarian says during the holiday season she sees an increase interest in Christmas related themed stories being checked out from the library’s bookshelves.
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A Christmas Carol performed by Duffy Hudson is scheduled for this Saturday at the Le Mars Postal Playhouse. Advance tickets are $10, and at the door they sell for $12. Social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the show to start at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased at the Le Mars Public Library.
Governor, And Congressional Delegation Want EPA To Hold Ethanol Hearing In Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s governor and the state’s entire congressional delegation are asking the Obama administration to hold a hearing in Iowa to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to reduce ethanol production in 2014.
Iowa is the nation’s leading producer of ethanol, a fuel additive primarily made from corn that produces lower carbon emissions than gasoline. The EPA in November proposed cutting production to 2012 levels, prompting outcry by political leaders from both parties who claimed such a move would devastate Iowa’s economy.
The EPA stated in its November report that the additive had become less necessary in light of fuel-efficient engines and lower fuel demand.
An Iowa State University economist says the economic impact elected officials claim is overstated.
The EPA is taking public comment for 60 days on its recommendation.
Florida Man Charged In Stealing Corn Traits For China
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal authorities in Iowa have charged a Florida man working for a Chinese company with conspiracy to steal patented corn seed trade secrets from two leading U.S. seed developers.
U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt announced Thursday that Mo Hailong, also known as Robert Mo, is in custody.
He is alleged to have taken corn from fields in Iowa and Illinois with five other men working for a subsidiary of Chinese-based DBN Group. Authorities are searching for the others.
Klinefeldt says the theft of a parent seed could cost a U.S. company many years of research time and up to $40 million.
The FBI began investigating when DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto reported suspicious activity in cornfields.
Healthcare Deal Has Been Reached Between Iowa And Federal Government
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he has reached a deal with federal authorities to expand low income health care.
Branstad announced Thursday that he had an agreement with officials from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Iowa sought a waiver enabling the state to receive more federal Medicaid money for the proposed Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.
State officials said they had reached a compromise on one sticking point in the negotiations. The state wanted to charge small monthly premiums to some plan participants.
Initially, federal authorities said the state could only charge those with incomes over 100 percent of the federal poverty line. But under the compromise, the state could charge those with lower incomes, but couldn’t deny benefits for not paying.
Boone Judge Selected As Chief Judge For Appeals Court
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa Court of Appeals judge from Boone has been elected chief judge of the court.
David Danilson is the eighth chief judge since the Legislature established the appeals court in 1976. He replaces Chief Judge Larry Eisenhauer who recently retired.
Danilson has served on the court since 2009.
The chief judge supervises the business of the court, presides when present at a session of the court, and serves on the judicial council. Danilson will also continue to write opinions.
The Iowa Court of Appeals reviews appeals from trial court sent to it by the Iowa Supreme Court. Last year the appeals court issued 1,071 opinions.
