Fire Department Releases November Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, they have released their November monthly report. During November, the local fire department responded to a total of 23 calls. There were five fire calls, three calls for rescues, twelve times the fire department was called for accident clean-ups, odor investigations, illegal burning, or other investigations. The fire department also had three request for services. Fire Chief Dave Schipper reports that all members of the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department are certified in CPR, and 22 members attended a train car hazzard materials educational seminar in Sioux City. Schipper says there were three calls in November which lasted four hours or more.
Akron Fire Department Responds To Vehicle Fire
(Akron) — The Akron Fire Department responded to a car that had caught on fire this morning. Shortly after 7:30 a.m. the Akron Fire Department was called to South Dakota on Highway 48 to extinguish the blaze. Firefighters were on the scene for more than 45 minutes.
Le Mars Man Arrested For Possession Of Marijuana
(Le Mars) — A Le Mars man has been arrested by Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies for possession of marijuana and driving while under the influence of marijuana. 23 year old Alan Rave was stopped on Highway 75 north of Hinton last Wednesday evening. Deputies had stopped Rave’s vehicle because he did not have license plates. Rave was jailed at the Plymouth County Jail with bond set at $1,000.
Pierson To Vote For Council Members And Mayor In Special Election
PIERSON, Iowa (AP) – Voters in the small town of Pierson will fill the empty city council and mayoral seats. The Woodbury County town lost its mayor and three council members when they resigned in September, leaving only two council members. The November 4th election ballots had already been printed for early voting, so the special election was delayed until tomorrow.
Ernst Submits Formal Resignation For Iowa Senate
(Des Moines) — Senator-elect Joni Ernst, a Republican, submitted her formal resignation from the Iowa State Senate. Ernst, who was elected to the United States Senate, delivered the letter of resignation to Governor Terry Branstad. Branstad has ordered a special election for Iowa State Senate District 12 to be held on Tuesday, December 30th. Senate District 12 includes Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, and Taylor counties.
Consider Donating To Area Charities On “Giving Tuesday”
(Le Mars) — We have “Grey Thursday”, “Black Friday”, “Small Business Saturday”, “Cyber Monday” and also “Giving Tuesday”. Each of the first four days are focused on bargain shopping for the holidays. However, the purpose of Giving Tuesday is to offer items to local charities. This time of year food banks and charitable thrift organizations are in need of food and clothing. Barb Waltz serves as the coordinator for the Christian Needs Center in Le Mars. She says she is hopeful that people will be generous to donate items of need.
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Waltz says Le Mars has always been a generous community.
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This year, Waltz says the Christian Needs Center distributed its Christmas baskets a little differently than from previous years.
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The Christian Needs Center serves Plymouth County residents, but Waltz says the center will not turn its back on anyone in need.
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The Christian Needs Center is open Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:00 noon and again from 1:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Mid-Sioux Opportunity Collects Donations For Mittens
(Remsen) — Another local organization assisting the under priviledged is Mid-Sioux Opportunity of Remsen. For the past six years Mid-Sioux has collected mittens and gloves that are distributed to needy families within five counties of northwest Iowa. People can purchase a “mitten” at area businesses for a dollar donation. Mid-Sioux then collects the money to purchase mittens, scarfs, gloves and other necessity items for people living in Plymouth, Sioux, O’Brien, Cherokee, and Ida Counties. In Remsen, you may purchase a mitten at Mid-Sioux, Opportunity, Mrs. B’s Convenience store, Iowa State Bank, and American Bank. In Akron, you can purchase a mitten at Maynard’s grocery store.
NIPCO Helps Sponsor “Coats For Kids” Campaign
(Le Mars) — Local power utility cooperative NIPCO is a sponsor of the “Coats for Kids” campaign and Angela Catten says it has been a successful campaign for the last five years.
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Cattan explains why NIPCO and its member affiliate Rural Electric Cooperatives have joined in with the Coats for KIds campaign.
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The utility spokesperson explains besides the Le Mars NIPCO offices, there are several other locations where people can donate a slightly used coat.
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Alcohol Sales Increased In Iowa
DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) – A new report shows sales of wholesale liquor in Iowa increased by $7.7 million in the last fiscal year.
The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division’s annual report also shows alcohol revenue topped $300 million in the state. That includes totals from beer tax revenue, license fees and wine taxes.
The report’s numbers on wholesale liquor shows flavored liquor and craft beer helped drive sales. Still, well-known brands also sold very well.
The total alcohol revenue was a 3 percent jump from the previous fiscal year, which was substantially less than the 9.5 percent increase seen in the fiscal year that ended in 2012. Division Administrator Stephen Larson says he expects modest percentage increases in revenue in the future.
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Iowa City Hosts Ferguson Protest
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – More than 60 University of Iowa students and community members are joining protests over a police officer’s shooting of a black Missouri teenager.
The crowd gathered at noon Monday on campus as part of a nationwide series of protests to show solidarity with protesters in Ferguson.
University of Iowa senior Reginald Ross led the crowd in chants that included “Hands Up, don’t shoot” and “Hey hey, ho, ho, these racist cops have got to go.”
Ross says he’s happy with the turnout, which included a diverse mix of ages and races. He says the group wants justice for 18-year-old Michael Brown and to “start a conversation” with authorities about how minorities are treated by police.
A grand jury decided last week not to charge officer Darren Wilson in Brown’s shooting.
