Lower Speed Limits Proposed For Business Highway 75
(Le Mars) — During Tuesday’s city council meeting, the council heard the first reading for a new proposed speed limit on Business Highway 75. From Blue Bunny Drive to 4th Street southwest the speed limit is proposed to go from the current 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. Councilman Rex Knapp says the speed limit is being considered to be lowered, not for additional speeding tickets and revenue, but instead for safety considerations. Le Mars Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga shares the number of accidents that have occurred on Business Highway 75.
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Dekkenga says nearly a third of the 74 accidents resulted in personal injuries.
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The Le Mars Police Chief says the efforts of the city council is to make the roadway safer.
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Dekkenga defends the actions of lowering the speed limit and brushes off the criticism
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Remsen Man Dies From Auto Accident
(Spencer) — A 46 year old Remsen man has died as a result of an accident that happened Monday, on Highway 3 about a mile east of Merriden. According to a traffic accident report by the Iowa Highway Patrol, Mark Offerman of Remsen apparently crossed the centerline while driving his Plymouth Neon and hit a semi truck and trailer loaded with hogs and being driven by 21 year old Joseph Meyer of Rock Valley, Iowa. Offerman was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Kuhn Retires From Army And Receives Distinguished Alumna Honor
(Le Mars) — A former Gehlen student recently received a distinguished alumna award from her college after retiring from the U-S Army. Colonel Kimberly Kuhn received the Distinguished Alumna award from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, located in the Twin Cities. The prestigious honor was bestowed upon Colonel Kuhn a month before her announced retirement from the military service. Colonel Kuhn began her 25 military career as a ROTC student. Kuhn pursued a military career focusing on military police. After being promoted to Colonel, she served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for the Criminal Investigation Command, and led a Secretary of the Army appointed Fraud Task Force. The Distinguished Alumna Award honors an alumna who has distinguished herself for her outstanding achievements in her chosen profession, as well as has made a lasting contribution in her field as a role model or leader.
Colonel Kuhn is the daughter of Vincent and Alana Kuhn of Le Mars.
Iowa State Fair Set To Begin
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – When the Iowa State Fair opens its doors for its 11-day run, the ingredients that make it a must-see attraction will be there.
There’s the food, the music and the competition. There’s also the livestock, the rides, and the beloved butter cow.
Some visitors say they’re drawn to the fair by its unique food, many of which involve fried delicacies on a stick.
Others are there for the friendly competition. There are more than 7,500 competitions at the fair that judge everything from the best cornstalk to the top decorative quilt. There are also nearly 50 special event contests that judge titles like the best arm wrestler and the best hog caller.
The Iowa State Fair will be open Thursday through Aug. 17.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Headed to the Iowa State Fair this year? Roughly 1 million visitors are expected during the popular fair’s 11-day run. Here are some things to know to help you save money and enjoy the event.
FIND DISCOUNTED TICKETS
If you didn’t grab advance tickets before the start of the fair, that’s OK. There are other ways to save on that $11 adult ticket and $5 child ticket. If you visit the fair between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, adult tickets are $6 and child tickets are $3. There are other discounts for older fairgoers and people who bring in canned food. Keep track of the schedule for those designated days, among others. And don’t forget: Children under 5 always enter the fair for free.
BYPASS THE PARKING HASSLE
There is some parking available at the fairgrounds for $10, and nearby homeowners tend to offer up their properties at a discounted price. But you’ll get a better deal if you rely on Des Moines’ bus service, also known as DART. It’s free to park at three designated DART locations away from the fairgrounds, and round-trip fares are $2 for adults and $1 for seniors, children 6 to 10 and people with disabilities. Younger children ride free. Advance fair tickets get you a discount on the bus fare, too.
DON’T FORGET THE FOOD
You’re finally inside, so it’s time for food. There will be nearly 200 food stands and nearly 70 delicacies available on a stick. While you try to figure out how to expand your stomach to try them all, there’s at least good news for your wallet. Some new foods on the menu this year are valued-priced, meaning they’ll cost $3. Such items include the Brownie Blitz and the Caprese Salad On-a-Stick (if you want to feel less guilty).
THE COMPETITION IS ON
If you’re looking to bypass the food, maybe it’s time for some friendly competition. There are more than 7,500 competitions at the fair that judge everything from the best cookie decoration to the top doll house. But they involve early registration, so maybe you should try entering one of the nearly 50 special event contests that judge skills like the best hay bale toss and the best grown beard.
BUTTER COW OR BUST
There are certain attractions at the fair that are a must-see. Yes, we’re talking about the butter cow, located at the fairground’s agriculture building. There are variations of it at other fairs, but the Iowa State Fair butter cow and its many incarnations have been on display for more than a century. At any given time, there’s an impressive line to get a glimpse of the cow and its companion sculpture. This year’s piece will be a sculpture celebrating the 25th anniversary of the “Field of Dreams” movie. If you sculpt it, they will come.
Republicans Fundraisers
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The new chairman of the Iowa Republican Party says the organization has raised more than $315,000 since he took the helm just over a month ago.
The party announced the fundraising numbers in a Wednesday news release. Chairman Jeff Kauffman, a former state lawmaker, was selected for the job in late June. At that time, he pledged to raise more than $300,000 during his first three months. The organization had limited funds in the bank when Kauffman took charge.
Kauffman was made chairman after new members were elected to the state central committee with the support of Gov. Terry Branstad.
Branstad wants to unite the party and ensure the future of the state’s leadoff presidential caucuses. The changes came after tension between veteran Republicans and evangelical and libertarian groups.
Regents Tell Universities To Renegotiate Service Contracts
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa’s three public universities are being directed to renegotiate new, master contracts for goods and services as part of a consultant-led effort to cut costs.
The Iowa Board of Regents voted Wednesday to implement a plan requiring the schools to work together to negotiate “more favorable contracts” in areas such as office supplies, furniture, food, and shipping.
If that effort is successful, the regents may call on the universities to renegotiate additional contracts in two additional waves over the next two years.
In all, Deloitte Consulting says the plan could save between $16 million and $40 million if fully implemented.
Regents acknowledged the new approach may make it more difficult for Iowa companies to win contracts. But they said it was their goal to hold down student costs.
