Le Mars Fire Department Issues May Monthly Report
(Le Mars) — Fortunately, for the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department the month of May was much quieter in terms of number of calls than the three previous months. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue department responded to a total of 26 calls in May. The previous three months averaged more than one call per day with February having 30 calls, March with 42, and April with a total of 48 calls. The Le Mars Fire and Rescue squad responded to six fire calls, two rescues, eight investigations, and ten times the fire department had a request for service. Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports that 26 members of the fire department are certified for hazardous materials.
Highway Patrol Investigates Sunday Afternoon Rollover Accident
(Le Mars) — The Iowa Highway Patrol is investigating a one car accident that occurred Sunday afternoon at about 2:25 p.m. on Highway 60 near the intersection of 60 and U-S Highway 75. 16 year old Andrew Miller of Sioux City was travelling southbound when he lost control of the vehicle and went into the north ditch, causing his vehicle to roll. Miller was able to free himself from the overturned vehicle, but was transported to the Floyd Valley Hospital by the Le Mars Ambulance. The Iowa Highway Patrol has listed the vehicle as a total loss. The surface of the highway was wet and it had been raining during the time of the accident.
Rockwell City To Name Park In Honor Of Slain Police Officer
ROCKWELL CITY, Iowa (AP) – A part of Rockwell City has been renamed in honor of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty last fall.
An area north of the Rockwell City park will now be known as Jamie Buenting Memorial Park. Dozens of people attended an event Sunday afternoon to celebrate the change.
Buenting was killed in September 2013 during an early morning standoff. Corey Trott has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case.
The newly named area includes a renovated duck pond, new shelter on the bank and donated benches. Mayor Phil Heinlin says organizers want to put an illuminated flag on a pole in the middle of the pond.
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Utility Officials Say Prices Will Rise Due To President Obama’s Plan To Cut Carbon Emissions
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Iowa utility officials say the Obama administration’s ambitious plan to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants is likely to increase costs.
The plan announced Monday calls for carbon emissions to be cut by 30 percent by 2030 when compared to 2005 levels. But utilities and state officials say they’ll have to review the details before they know how Iowa will be affected.
Regi Goodale with the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives says it’s just a question of how much electric bills will increase because of the new regulations.
Iowa utilities invested heavily in wind power over the past decade and improved the efficiency of existing power plants. Mark Douglas with the Iowa Utilities Association says the state may be in a good position because of those past efforts.
DeKoster Agrees To Six Million Dollar Fine For Tainted Eggs
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa company has agreed to pay $6.8 million in fines for crimes that include selling the tainted eggs that caused a nationwide salmonella outbreak in 2010.
A plea agreement filed Monday by federal prosecutors calls for Quality Egg to plead guilty Tuesday to charges of bribery, selling misbranded eggs and introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce.
The company is admitting that, between 2006 and 2010, it intentionally sold eggs to customers in Arizona, California and elsewhere with false labels that disguised how old they were.
The company says its employees twice bribed a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector in 2010 to approve eggs that didn’t meet federal quality standards.
Company owners Austin and Peter DeCoster are expected to plead guilty Tuesday to introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce.
