School Board To Elect Officers
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education is scheduled to meet this evening, and on the agenda will be the election of officers. The school board will also hear from Angela Hurd of the Le Mars Parent-Teacher Organization as it is expected she will present a contribution toward the recently completed Project Playground. The school board will hear the Superintendent’s annual report from Dr. Todd Wendt, as well as receive the proposed district learning goals for 2014-2015.
Hickory Avenue Closed For Culvert Repair
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Secondary Roads Department has announced the closing of Hickory Avenue from county road C-12 to 100 street. That road will be closed for the next two and a half weeks beginning today, for a bridge replacement with a culvert.
Library Board To Discuss Hours Of Operation
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Public Library will hold its monthy meeting late this afternoon at the library. Items on the agenda include discussion concerning the computer/internet usage policy, along with the website contracting fee. The library board will also discuss the hours of operation to the public.
Wayne Marty Competes In Le Mars Sprint Triathalon
(Le Mars) — On Saturday, the Le Mars YMCA hosted its annual Sprint Triathalon. Among the 97 participants from Iowa and neighboring midwestern states was Le Mars resident Wayne Marty. Marty, a former Biology professor at Westmar College, is 82 years young and was the event’s oldest participant. Saturday marked Marty’s eighth Sprint Triathalon, having competed in each year the event has been held. The Sprint Triathalon consists of a 300 yard swim, followed by a 15 mile bicycle ride, and then a three mile run. Marty recalls how he got started eight years ago.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/September 2014/Marty1.mp3{/audio}
Mary was asked if he had a particular favorite segment of the sprint triathalon.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/September 2014/Marty2.mp3{/audio}
The 82 year old Le Mars resident says his body felt good after completing the three segment endurance athletic competition.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/September 2014/Marty3.mp3{/audio}
The former Westmar Biology professor says he doesn’t follow a strict regiment when it comes to running, only that he enjoys doing it.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/September 2014/Marty4.mp3{/audio}
Marty says he originally would run three miles per day, but now he has cut back a bit, and he doesn’t refer to it as running.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/September 2014/Marty5.mp3{/audio}
Marty competed with his brother in last year’s inaugural Mud Run, and says he hasn’t yet decided if he will compete in this year’s event. As for next year’s Sprint Triathalon, Marty says he’ll have to see when the time comes.
Hard Rock Casino Earns $7 Million In First Month
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The new Hard Rock Casino in Sioux City reported $7.2 million in revenue during its first month of operation.
State regulators said Friday the new Hard Rock easily surpassed its predecessor’s typical August results.
In the past 10 Augusts, the former Argosy Sioux City casino reported revenue between $3.9 million and $5.3 million.
Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission administrator Brain Ohorilko says the increase is similar to what other communities experienced after older riverboat casinos were replaced with land-based casinos. The newer facilities offer larger gaming floors and more amenities.
The early success is good news for the Missouri River Historical Development nonprofit, which distributes 4.25 percent of the Hard Rock’s revenue to local charities. That translates to $304,000 for August.
Ernst And Braley Both Promote Ethanol Production
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Ethanol production has become a key issue in Iowa’s closely matched U.S. Senate race, with both candidates pledging support for an industry that is important to the state’s corn-powered agricultural economy.
Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Joni Ernst have both sought to assure voters they oppose a proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency that would reduce the amounts of ethanol and other biofuels that must be blended into gasoline.
Braley is touting his efforts to halt the changes. Ernst argues she supports maintaining the existing standard – known as the Renewable Fuel Standard – though she has taken questions over statements that she is she is opposed to subsidies from a “philosophical standpoint.”
The Iowa Farm Bureau’s political committee endorsed Ernst, while the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC backed Braley.
Oil Pipeline Proposed For Iowa
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Iowa landowners want to see the details of a proposed oil pipeline that would carry crude oil from North Dakota across the state to Illinois.
Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners has said the 1,100-mile pipeline would likely cross 17 counties as it crosses from northwest to southeast Iowa.
Energy Transfer Partners spokeswoman Vicki Granado says public meetings will take place across Iowa in December.
Landowner Don Kreber agreed to let the company survey some of his farmland in O’Brien County, but he still hasn’t heard many details yet.
Crop Dusting Helicopter Crashes In Southwestern Iowa
MACEDONIA, Iowa (AP) – The pilot of a crop-dusting helicopter is being treated for injuries after crashing in western Iowa this weekend.
The helicopter crashed in a field near Macedonia after hitting a power line on Saturday afternoon.
Treynor Fire Chief Russ Maguire says the male pilot was out of the wreckage and conscious when paramedics arrived.
The pilot was taken to CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska for treatment. Authorities say his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Federal authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the crash.
