Le Mars Fire Department Responds To Alarm At “The Abbey”
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department was called to “The Abbey” at 320 1st Avenue Southeast last evening at about 9:35 for a fire alarm. Fortunately, there was no fire and the residents were safe.
New Waste Water Treatment Plant To Hold Open House
(Le Mars) — Le Mars residents and the general public is invited to attend an open house scheduled for Thursday afternoon at the new waste water treatment facility, located about two miles west of town at 17505 Key Avenue. Le Mars mayor, Dick Kirchoff, says this is a one-time opportunity to see the new plant.
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Kirchoff offers some interesting statistics about the new waste water treatment facility.
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The Le Mars mayor says the new facility was needed to accommodate the expansion and growth of the city and its industries. He explains the facility was financed in part by Wells Enterprises and Dean’s Foods.
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Parking may become a concern during Thursday’s open house, and the Le Mars mayor suggests people park at the Little League ball park, then be shuttled to the new waste water plant.
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Third Grade Students To Visit Plymouth County Farms
(Le Mars) — Third grade students from Le Mars Community, Gehlen Catholic, Remsen-Union, and Remsen St. Mary’s will leave their classrooms today, and instead have their class as part of a field trip located on different Plymouth County farms. It’s all part of an effort to teach the youngsters about agriculture. The students will visit a sheep, swine, dairy, and beef farms. Farmers will serve as teachers today as they discuss with the students where food originates as they discuss their own farming operations. Following the farm tours, the students will go to Cleavland Park where the County Pork and Cattle Producers will grill pork burgers and hamburgers to serve. The event is being sponsored by the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee.
Hospital Construction Project Encounters Delays
(Le Mars) — Recent rains and other complications have slowed down the construction timetable for the Floyd Valley Hospital’s new north addition expansion project. Hospital Administrator Mike Donlin comments on the situation.
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Donlin says the leak forced contractors to essentially start over with the geothermal heating system.
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Repairs to the geothermal heating system is nearing completion, and with it, Phase 1 of the construction will also be complete. Donlin says Phase 2 of the project will consists of the actual structural skeleton of the building and he hopes the weather will cooperate allowing contractors to enclose the facility before winter arrives.
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When does Donlin expect to see Phase 2 started?
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The hospital administrator says the construction delays may be frustrating at times, but he is pleased to see the project is still under budget.
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U-S Senate Race Tightens
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The race for Iowa’s open Senate seat could be dubbed the Resume vs. the Personality.
Democrat Bruce Braley is focusing on policy in his bid to win the contest and his recent television ads have featured others talking about the four-term congressman’s record. He doesn’t appear in the ads himself. His Republican opponent Joni Ernst has built her campaign around telling voters her story as a down-home farm girl and military veteran.
A poll of likely Iowa voters released Wednesday by Quinnipiac University showed Ernst leading Braley 50 percent to 44 percent. The poll – which had a margin of error of 2.9 percentage points – was the first recent survey to show Ernst with such a lead. Other recent polling has shown the two closely locked.
High School Principal Can Return To Work After Arrested For Public Intoxication
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – A high school principal who was arrested on suspicion of drunkenness at a University of Iowa football game will return to work on Monday.
The district school board voted Monday to let Adel DeSoto Minburn High School principal Lee Griebel resume his duties next week. Griebel was suspended after his arrest Sept. 6 in Iowa City.
Griebel was found at the stadium sitting near a garbage can with vomit on his shorts and a pile of vomit near him, according to a University of Iowa news release. Police said he had an unsteady balance and failed a breath test for intoxication.
Court records do not list an attorney for Griebel.
District Superintendent Greg Dufoe said in a news release that, “Mr. Griebel made a serious mistake, and he accepts full responsibility for his actions.”
Actress Shirley Jones Returns To Mason City For “Music Man” Performance
MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – Actress Shirley Jones signed autographs and toured downtown Mason City on Tuesday during a stay highlighted by her performance in a concert version of “The Music Man.”
The Globe Gazette reports Jones signed album covers, books and other items for people at an event at The Music Man Square.
It was the Academy Award winner’s fourth visit to Mason City, starting with a 1962 stop for the premiere of the movie version of “The Music Man.” Jones played Marian the librarian in the film.
This time, Jones is in Mason City as part of a seven-state tour with her son Patrick Cassidy, who is playing con man Harold Hill. Jones and Cassidy are producing “The Music Man in Concert,” and Jones is portraying Mrs. Paroo, Marian’s mother.
The show premiers Thursday at the North Iowa Community Auditorium.
Among those getting Jones’ autograph was Ken Anderson, of St. Ansgar, who was a driver for Jones when she visited Mason City in 1962. Back then, Jones signed a paperback book of “The Music Man” for Anderson, and Tuesday she signed it again.
