City Water Officials To Flush Water Mains
(Le Mars) — City water officials have announced they will conduct flushing of hydrants within the coming days. The water department will start flushing the NE part of town on Wednesday 10/8/2014 and the NW part of town this Thursday 10/9/2014. Flushing will start at 8:00 AM through 3:30 PM. Customers need to monitor their water for clarity during that time. If discolored water is noticed please use the outside hose bib and when it is clear the home or business should clear up shortly. If discolored water is noticed please refrain from using hot water till the cold hard water has cleared up. This will help to keep the discolored water into the water heater. The city will continue flushing next week in the southwest part of town. City water superintendent, Gayle Sitzmann says perhaps later this month, the city will be installing the new booster station online. He says this will change the flow of the pressure zone coming from the corner of 4th Ave & 12th street SE to 7th Ave or K-49 and 200th street SE.
Plymouth County 4-H Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week
(Le Mars) — This week is National 4-H Week and in Plymouth County the youth organization has played a huge role in shaping the lives of many Plymouth County youth. Ann Schroenrock serves as the County 4-H and Youth Director, as well as co-program coodinator for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for Plymouth County. She says over the years, 4-H has evolved.
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Schroenrock says it can be quite intimidating and frightening for a fourth grader to step on a stage, face an audience, and give an educational presentation for the first time. But, she says 4-H helps youth grow in terms of developing confidence, through communication and leadership skills, traits, she says that last a lifetime.
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The 4-H and Youth Director says 4-H is keeping up with the trends of social media by selecting the theme: # “I am 4-H”. She says local 4-H members have taken several “selfie” photos and distributed them to their friends through facebook and twitter, emphasizing their involvement with the youth organization. Schroenrock speaks highly of her youth council, saying when they are together, they act as one unit putting aside school rivalaries.
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She says 4-H offers the opportunity to meet new friends, but often times, those early developed friendships last a lifetime.
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Alons Diagnosed With Cancer, But Says He Will Continue In Legislature
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – State Rep. Dwayne Alons says he has been diagnosed with renal cancer but plans to continue to serve in the Legislature.
Alons, a Republican from Hull, announced his diagnosis in a news release Tuesday. He says he had cancer in his left kidney and will undergo treatment in the fall. He thanked his family for their support and expressed a desire to continue working on behalf of Sioux County.
Alons is running unopposed for a ninth term. He is a retired farmer and former Iowa Air National Guard brigadier general.
Sioux City City Council To Insure Water Lines
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The City Council has agreed to help an insurer market coverage for damage from frozen water and sewer pipes in Sioux City.
On Monday the council approved an agreement with HomeServe USA. Mayor Bob Scott says he hopes people can start signing up on Nov. 1, because there’s a 30-day waiting period before the coverage begins.
The voluntary program lets property owners receive water line coverage for $4.49 per month and sewer line coverage for $7.99 a month. People already can insure their water lines through other private firms, but city leaders say they negotiated lower-than-average rates.
City officials have estimated that more than 50 homeowners had to pay for line repairs last winter, at an average of $4,000 for water lines and $5,000 to $7,000 for sewer lines.
Owners Of Templeton Rye Defending Marketing Of Whiskey
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The owners of whiskey maker Templeton Rye are defending their marketing as the company faces several lawsuits over allegations of consumer deception.
Co-founder Keith Kerkhoff says the Iowa-based company is able to claim the whiskey is made in the state because they add their own ingredients to it at their Templeton facility.
The company has been under scrutiny after revealing they use a stock rye whiskey from an Indiana distillery before blending it with more ingredients in Iowa. At least three lawsuits claiming the company deceived customers are pending.
Kerkhoff says federal officials have approved the company’s labels and completed audits without mentioning any concerns about consumer fraud.
The company announced in August that it will change its labels to show it’s distilled in Indiana.
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