Neunaber To Have Pre-trial Hearing
(Le Mars) — A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for Jonathon Neunaber for Monday at 9:15 a.m. Neunaber is accused of killing his mother Esther Neunaber last July at a rural Akron farm. Both his mother and father were found dead inside the home. It is expected the attorneys and judge will schedule a trial date.
Three People Arrested For Marijuana Possession
(Le Mars) — Three people have been arrested by Plymouth County authorities for drug charges. A Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a vehicle for speeding at Highway 75 and County road C-38, south of Le Mars. As a result of the traffic stop, Eva Jefferson, age 21, of Peterson, Iowa; 26 year old Jayme Harrington of Spencer, and 24 year old Whitney Werts also of Spencer, Iowa were arrested on drug charges. Jefferson was charged with possession of marijuana on a second offense which is a serious misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor. Both Harrington and Werts were charged with possession of marijuana on a first offense and bond was set at $1,000 for all three. The three were taken to the Plymouth County jail.
Christmas Music Featured At Pioneer Village Christmas
(Le Mars) — Tonight, Pioneer Village will come alive with hundreds of Christmas lights, 53 different decorated Christmas trees, and Christmas music to help put everyone in the Christmas spirit. Performing this evening inside Century Hall include a group of musicians from Hawarden including Terry Durr on drums, Ramona Ludwigs playing a piano, Don Christy on the lead guitar, Jerry Toff with an accordian and harmonica. Other performers will include Howard and Judy Craig from Paullina and Jim and Marcia Singer from Merrill with guitars and vocals, Don Thoms playing a harmonica, Richard Kommes with a guitar and vocals, Paul and Colette Burnett will also be providing music using a guitar and vocals. Tom Mullally will sing tonight inside Century Hall.
Sertoma Club To Offer Prizes For Christmas Lighted Parade
(Le Mars) — The Christmas Lighted Parade is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. this evening. Terry Claussen, president of the Le Mars Sertoma Club, who is supervising the parade says the club decided to offer prizes for this year’s participants.
Listen to
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The parade will begin from 8th Street Blvd and will head north on Central Avenue. Claussen says anyone can participate in the Christmas lighted parade, and there isn’t any registration. Claussen says this marks the 17th year for the Le Mars Christmas Parade.
Listen to
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New Water Booster Station To Start Operations
(Le Mars) — City water officials have announced the new water booster station located at the 500 block of 24th Street southwest, will start up on Thursday, December 11th at 10:00 a.m. The booster station will replace the present booster built in the 1960’s. Gayle Sitzmann, city water superintendent, says since the two booster stations are over a mile a part, it is conceived that some scouring may occur from changing the flow direction in the main feed pipeline. City water officials will monitor the pressure in several spots in the boosted area, before, during, and after the switch over. Sitzmann says the area most likely to be affected will be south of 12th Street and east of Central Avenue.
Hard Rock Casino Revenue Drops
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Revenue at a new casino in Sioux City is down from when it opened last summer, but an official says the drop was expected and the center is doing well.
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sioux City had revenue of $5.8 million in November. That’s down from $7.2 million in adjusted gross revenue in August, when the casino opened.
Revenue in September and October was about $6 million each month.
The $128 million gambling and entertainment center replaced the former Argosy Sioux City riverboat.
Mark Monson, the president of a nonprofit group that holds the Hard Rock’s state gambling license, says the lower revenue was expected during the winter. He maintains the center is meeting expectations, saying “they’re going great guns down there.”
Ralston Postal Office Catches On Fire
RALSTON, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Postal Service is offering up to $5,000 for information related to an arson fire at a post office in the western Iowa community of Ralston.
The fire began shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday.
Firefighters from Ralston and Glidden put out the fire quickly, but it caused extensive damaged inside the building.
The U.S. Postal Inspector Service is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of those who set the fire.
Ralston, a city of less than 100 people, is about 15 miles east of Carroll.
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Branstad To Travel To New York To Promote Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Governor Terry Branstad will travel to New York City next week to try to convince companies to invest in Iowa.
Branstad announced Friday that he’ll be in the city from Tuesday through Thursday. Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham will also be on the trip, along with Branstad’s wife and some staffers.
Economic Development Authority spokeswoman Tina Hoffman says Branstad will host a luncheon for insurance companies and a dinner for experts who advise businesses on where to locate new facilities. There will also be some private meetings that Hoffman would not detail.
Hoffman says state dollars will be used to pay the travel costs for Durham, Hoffman and another staffer. Branstad, his wife and another aide will be paid for through a foundation associated with the authority.
Food Company Representatives Charged With Fraud
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – Two Iowa-based companies that supply and certify food products for observant Muslims and two executives have been indicted on fraud charges.
Federal prosecutors announced a 92-count indictment Friday against the Midamar Corporation, Islamic Services of America and corporate officers Jalel Aossey and William “Yahya” Aossey.
Each defendant is charged with making false statements on export applications, wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to sell misbranded meat, among others.
Their father and founder of both Cedar Rapids-based companies, Bill Aossey Junior was indicted in October, accused of shipping beef to Malaysia and Indonesia that didn’t meet those countries’ import requirements. He’s pleaded not guilty.
Midamar, a leading halal food supplier, ships meat products around the world. Islamic Services of America certifies food processors to ensure halal standards are met.
