Snow Storm Causes Fatal Accident Near Salix
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A spring storm that brought a mix of rain, sleet and snow is being blamed for numerous crashes and one traffic death in Woodbury County.
The fatal crash happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday on Interstate 29 near Salix, when a northbound vehicle towing a flatbed trailer crossed the median and hit a southbound vehicle. The crash killed a passenger in the northbound vehicle and sent the driver to a Sioux City hospital. Authorities have not released their names.
Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says the biggest contributing factors in Thursday’s crashes were accumulated slush on roads and vehicles going too fast for road conditions.
Le Mars Man Charged For Burglary And Theft
(Orange City) — Sioux County authorities have charged a Le Mars man with burglary and theft stemming from an incident that occurred on March 7th near Alton. Chad Braun, age 36, was charged with third degree burglary and fourth degree theft. An investigation revealed that Braun was found to be in possession of stolen property taken from the residence. Braun is currently being detained in the Plymouth County jail on other charges including burglary, theft, and possession of a controlled substance. The charges are a result of a joint investigation between the Sioux, Plymouth, and Buena Vista County Sheriff’s offices.
Merrill Man Arrested For Assault With Dangerous Weapon
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County law authorities on Wednesday arrested 22 year old Zachery Port of Merrill. A warrant was issued for Port for assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. He is being held in the Plymouth County jail on a $2,000 bond.
Remsen Holds “Then Feed Just One” Meal Packaging Program
(Remsen) — Students from Remsen St. Mary’s, Remsen-Union, and other volunteers from the Remsen community are packing meals today for the “Then Feed Just One” program. Tom Kockler is coordinating the event. Kockler says this marks the first time Remsen has hosted the meal packaging program and he says more than 500 volunteers are helping package the meals, making it a true “community event.”
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Kockler says Remsen stepped up to the open opportunity after Granville Spalding and Gehlen had merged their high schools.
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The “Then Feed Just One” coodinator says Remsen has set a goal for 120,000 meals to be packaged today. He says the snow and the late start for the schools did not interrupt the process or the goal.
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The packaged meals consist of rice, dried vegetables, dried soy protein, and minerals and vitamins. When water is added to the mixture, each packet can feed up to nine people. The meals will go to Honduras and other foreign nations. Norine Harvey serves as the public relations director for the Remsen “then feed just one” program. She says she is pleased at the volunteer turnout.
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Harvey says most of the Remsen community were already familiar with the “Then Feed Just One” program which made volunteer recruitment easier.
Floyd Valley Hospital Auxillary to Host Omlet Breakfast
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Hospital Auxillary will hold their annual omlet breakfast brunch Sunday at the Knights of Columbus hall. Terry Pauling is coordinating the event.
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Nancy Augustine, also with Floyd Valley Auxillary, says more than 75 people from the community are volunteering to prepare the omlets with noteable community leaders breaking the eggs.
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Augustine explains the money raised from the Sunday omlet brunch will help finance scholarships.
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Terry Pauling says Floyd Valley Hospital has more than 195 auxillary members, all of who volunteer their time for the local hospital, including operating the gift shop.
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On Wednesday, Floyd Valley Hospital will honor their many voluntees with a luncheon to be held at Willow Creek country club.
Vilsack Expects Agricultural Economy To Remain Strong
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says he’s confident the agricultural economy will remain strong despite an expected drop in farm income next year as corn prices lag and a pig virus reduces herds.
Vilsack, in an interview Friday for “Iowa Press,” the Iowa Public Television program, says this year’s farm income is expected to be slightly under last year’s record but significantly above the 10-year average.
He says another record year of exports for beef, poultry and pork products will help keep the farm economy strong.
Challenges include the pig virus, which can be deadly for new-born pigs. Vilsack says it is worrisome but efforts are underway to come up with a vaccine, and the department is working with farmers to minimize losses through herd management.
Vilsack Says There Were No Secret Settlements While He Was Governor
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack says there was no money paid to anyone during his administration to keep quiet and he’s unconvinced there were confidential settlements with workers.
Vilsack, now U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, told reporters Friday after being interviewed for “Iowa Press,” the Iowa Public Television program, he knows of no secret agreements despite testimony this week by Iowa Department of Administrative Services administrators that they’ve found five.
Vilsack says he’d be happy to review documents but people he’s talked with from his administration say they’re unaware of such agreements.
The issue has embroiled Gov. Terry Branstad’s administration in controversy over $500,000 paid in settlement agreements with state employees, some who say they were offered money to keep quiet about the agreements.
