Merrill Fire Department Responds To Truck Roll Over Accident
(Merrill) — The Merrill Fire Department responded to an overturned semi truck on its side last evening at about 8:00 p.m. The accident occurred on Highway 75 near 273rd street. Fire fighters were on the scene for about a half an hour.
Kingsley Fire Department Responds To Accident
(Kingsley) — The Kingsley Fire Department also responded to a roll-over accident that occurred last evening at about 11:20 p.m. That accident was reported to have happen on County road C-70, just east of K-64.
Supervisors To Hold Budget Hearing
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing today at 10:00 a.m. regarding the county budget. Supervisors will solicit comments from the public. That hearing will be held at the Plymouth County Board room at the County courthouse. The supervisors will also hear a report from Jeff Peters of Williams and Company to review the fiscal year 2012-2013 annual financial report. The supervisors are expected to fill a vacancy for the Local Options Sales Tax Advisory Board. County engineer Tom Rohe will discuss current and future construction projects, as well as discuss a motor grader purchase with the supervisors.
Frontier Airlines To Again Fly Into Sioux City Airport
(Sioux City) — A second airline will soon begin flying out of Sioux Gateway Airport. Frontier Airlines has announced it will add three non-stop flights per week from its primary hub in Denver, Colorado to Sioux City in June. Airport director, Curt Miller, says you can start booking flights to Denver today.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/February 2014/Miller1.MP3{/audio}
Miller says Frontier will provide a larger 138-seat aircraft, which offers five rows of stretch seating with an additional six inches of leg room.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/February 2014/Miller2.MP3{/audio}
To celebrate the new service, Frontier is Offering introductory fares as low as $49 each way through Wednesday, February 26th. In addition to non-stop service to Denver, customers flying from Sioux City can easily connect through Denver to 15 destinations, including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Frontier previously provided air service to Sioux City in 2007 and 2008.
Defense Secretary Proposes To Cut National Guard Numbers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A proposal by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to shrink the Army National Guard by 20,000 soldiers and the Army reserve by 10,000 over the next few years has Iowa soldiers worried for their jobs.
The Iowa Army National Guard has 7,200 soldiers statewide.
Spokesman Col. Gregory Hapgood Jr. says the worst-case scenario would mean a loss of 500 to 600 soldiers. Or there could be no cuts. He says the state’s commanders are preparing for possible scenarios.
Gov. Terry Branstad, who commands the soldiers in peacetime, says Democratic and Republican governors are telling federal government not to cut the National Guard.
When not fighting war guard troops respond to natural disasters, such as floods and tornadoes.
—
Investigator Reports Possible 80 Cases Of Voter Fraud
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A supervisor overseeing Iowa’s criminal investigation into potential voter fraud says more than 80 cases are still being reviewed by local prosecutors.
Adam DeCamp, a special agent in charge with the Division of Criminal Investigation, said Monday that agents completed 245 investigations since September, resulting in 15 felony cases.
He says the DCI has referred findings in more than 80 additional cases to county attorneys’ offices, and is awaiting decisions on whether more charges will be filed.
DeCamp says the investigation ended February 13th, but agents will help see through any prosecutions that are pending.
Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz said earlier this month that 26 people have been charged during the controversial two-year investigation. He said he’ll issue a report next month detailing the findings.
Senate Approves Bill For Stun Gun Training For Law Enforcement
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate says Iowa law enforcement officers should go through standardized training before being allowed to use stun guns.
The Senate unanimously approved a bill Monday to regulate usage of the devices. The legislation now goes to the House.
The bill would require the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy to establish rules for the use of stun guns and develop a safety course. It also would require law enforcement agencies to conduct an annual review of stun gun use. There currently is no uniform training for the devices.
Senator Thomas Courtney, a Democrat from Burlington, sponsored the bill. He says the measure is not intended to take stun guns away from law enforcement officers, but rather to ensure that they are being used safely.
State Senate Establishes Rules For Pregnant Women Inmates
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Senate has passed a bill requiring rules on the use of restraints on pregnant women in prisons and jails to be uniform and to be made public.
The Senate unanimously voted in favor of the measure Monday to limit the use of restraints on pregnant women, except during certain circumstances. The legislation now goes to the House.
The bill would require the Iowa Department of Corrections to develop rules clarifying limitations for restraint use on pregnant inmates. It would also allow birth plans for inmates, and require the report of all instances of restraint use to the Legislature each year.
Restraint policies are currently determined by individual facilities and are typically not disclosed.
Democratic Sen. Janet Petersen, who sponsored the bill, says she isn’t comfortable with such privacy.
Pets Will Be Better Protected Under Abuse Bill Passed By Senate
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Pets would be better protected in domestic abuse cases under a bill approved by the Iowa Senate.
The Senate unanimously voted Monday to approve the measure that would allow the inclusion of pets in domestic abuse protective orders. By including pets in such orders, the hope is that victims would be more likely to escape an abusive situation without the fear that a family pet would be abused as a result. The legislation now goes to the House.
Democratic Senator Janet Petersen, who sponsored the bill, says the bill would protect pets while also encouraging domestic abuse victims to leave dangerous situations more quickly.
