Fire Department Soliciting For Donations
(Le Mars) — Within a few days residents of Le Mars will find an envelope in their mailbox from the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department. The local fire brigade is again raising money. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says the private contributions are greatly appreciated and beneficial to maintaining an adequately equipped and trained fire department.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Schipper donations1.MP3{/audio}
Schipper says none of the donated funds are used for any luxury items, strictly for business.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Schipper donations2.MP3{/audio}
The Le Mars Fire Chief says the fire officals and their spouses stuffed approximately 6000 envelopes which will be sent to both urban and rural residents. Schipper explains the equipment that was able to be purchased from last year’s donations.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/June 2014/Schipper donations3.MP3{/audio}
Police Department Releases Quarterly Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Police Department has issued its quarterly report for the 4th quarter. According to chief Stuart Dekkenga, the police department investigated 268 complaints, had just over 1300 calls for service, issued 450 traffic citations along with 322 warnings, made 90 arrests, and investigated 50 traffic accidents.
Judge Rules Argosy Casino To Stay Open An Extra 10 Days
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has granted a temporary reprieve to the Argosy riverboat casino in Sioux City by delaying its closing.
Polk County District Court Judge Eliza Ovrom ruled Thursday to keep the floating casino open at least through July 10th. A hearing is scheduled on that date for final arguments in the Argosy’s appeal of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission’s decision to close it.
The Argosy was scheduled to close Tuesday. The commission recently refused to halt its order for the casino to close.
The Argosy’s operator, Penn National Gaming Company, lost its bid last year to operate a land-based casino in Sioux City. A Hard Rock casino and hotel by another developer is scheduled to open later this summer.
More Than 2000 People Tour Plymouth Dairy
(Le Mars) — An estimated 2000 plus people enjoyed a cheesburger, hotdog, milk and ice cream as they toured Plymouth Dairy Farm last evening. The farm held an open house inviting the public to tour the dairy farm. Plymouth Dairy has 2300 cows that are milked three times daily. Guests were invited to watch the milking procedure in the milking parlor, as well as tour the barns, and see new born calves. The guests were shown the different types of feeds that are fed to the cows, consisting of corn and hay silage, soybean meal, distilled dried grains derived from ethanol, and even cottonseed. A rain shower briefly interupted the evening’s festivities and sent many to seek shelter under tents. The Western Iowa Dairy Alliance hosted the event. In addition to the dairy association, many other commodity groups were present sharing information with the many guests, and handing out informational and educational coloring books to the children.
State Parks Now Open After Flooding
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say some Iowa state parks affected by recent flooding are open for visitors.
The state Department of Natural Resources says George Wyth State Park will reopen Friday. Backbone State Park’s lower road will open Friday, though the campground was not affected by flooding and is open. Yellow River State Forest’s campgrounds are also open.
The main road through Dolliver State Park is still flooded, and its campground and family cabins remain closed. However, the south lodge and group camp are open. Parts of Lake State Park, Ledges State Park and Wapsipinicon State Park remain closed, though their campgrounds were not affected and are open.
DNR Warns Of Swimmer’s Itch
CRYSTAL LAKE, Iowa (AP) – Officials are warning people visiting some of Iowa’s natural lakes about a condition called swimmer’s itch.
The state Department of Natural Resources says reports of swimmer’s itch have come in from Crystal Lake and Black Hawk Lake. The condition is caused by a parasite that can burrow into human skin before dying.
The DNR says the condition can create welts and itching and last for several days.
People visiting beaches and natural lakes should avoid swimming in areas with aquatic plants. Swimmers should also reduce their amount of time in the water, and dry off quickly after getting out of the water.
Missing Ottumwa Swimmer Found In River
OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say they have found the body of a swimmer missing in the Des Moines River near Ottumwa.
Searchers found the body of 25-year-old Michael Chrisman on Thursday morning, about a mile downstream from where he jumped into the water Monday evening. A searcher in an Eldon Fire Department boat spotted the body along the bank of the river.
Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Don Phillips says searchers in four or five boats were searching when the body was located.
Authorities say Chrisman was using a rope to swing over the river Monday evening. Friends saw him enter the water, but he didn’t resurface.
The river has been running high due to weekend rains.
Blind Student Sues Chiropractic School
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to say Friday whether eyesight can be a requirement to graduate from one of the nation’s leading chiropractic schools.
The National Federation of the Blind says blind individuals have been chiropractors for decades but could be excluded from the profession if the court were to allow Palmer College’s policy to stand.
Davenport-based Palmer argues that students must be able to see X-rays and other medical images on their own – not with the help of assistants who can see.
A blind student who was forced to drop out from the college as a result of the policy has sued, arguing it is discriminatory. A lower court judge has ruled in favor of Palmer, saying that vision is an essential part of chiropractic education.
Facial Recgonition Technology Helps Apprehend Fugitive
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Investigators in Iowa are crediting facial recognition technology with helping them capture an armed robber who escaped from a North Carolina prison in 1973.
Authorities say 69-year-old Ronald Carnes was living in northeastern Iowa under the identities of two 5-year-old boys who died in the 1940s. He appeared in federal court in Iowa on Thursday to face weapons, identity theft and Social Security fraud charges.
Carnes escaped from a now-closed prison in Huntersville, North Carolina in August 1973.
Authorities in Iowa launched an investigation earlier this year after a man was accused of applying for Iowa driver’s licenses for both of his assumed identities. Facial recognition software used by the Iowa Department of Transportation suggested the license photos were of the same person, later identified as Carnes.
Eagle To Have Surgery
DECORAH, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a young eagle in Decorah is being prepped for surgery to treat a broken wing.
The Raptor Resource Project says the bird’s wing will be repaired in surgery Friday. The eagle is expected to recover and be released back into the wild, but the reintroduction process could take more than a year.
Director Bob Anderson says the eagle, along with others, has kept away from its nest. Officials think it’s linked to a gnat infestation that could stress the birds.
The Raptor Resource Project is a nonprofit group that helps preserve various birds including falcons and eagles.
—
