Sanborn Man Arrested For Drug Charges
(Le Mars) — A Sanborn man was arrested by Plymouth County authorities last week following a traffic stop that led to charges for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 48 year old Micheal Rydstrom was taken into custody after a Plymouth County K-9 dog was used as part of the investigation. The incident occured at the intersection of Highway 75 and County Road C-80.
Supervisors Will Not Meet Today, But Will Convene On Friday
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Board of Supervisors will not be meeting today. However, they will convene at 9:30 at the Courthouse Boardroom on Friday, January 2nd. At that time Supervisors Don Kass and Craig Anderson will begin another term in office after being re-elected in November. Newcomer John Meis will be sworn in under oath. Meis will take over for retiring supervisor Jack Guenthner.
City Will Not Pick Up Christmas Trees
(Le Mars) — The City of Le Mars Public Works Department will not be picking up live Christmas Trees curbside this year. However, beginning December 29th through Friday, January 9th they may be DROPPED OFF at the Public Works Department at 331 1st Street NE. Remove all lights, plastic covers, tinsel, stands and garland.
Le Mars Has Several Achievements
(Le Mars) — Le Mars was able to see several achievements in 2014 according to City Administrator Scott Langel. Langel says many of the expansion projects were a direct result of the city’s growth and development. The city administrator says the new waste water treatment facility, located two miles west of town, probably ranks as the city’s top project.
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Langel offers a listing of some of the other city’s achievements from this year.
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The city official says the expansion of the Floyd Valley Hospital is a major achievement milestone, as is the downtown business facade historical rennovation project.
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The sixth item on Langel’s list will affect the local police department’s future headquarters.
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Number seven on Langel’s list is the second and updated listings of Community Betterment Projects which Langel admits will take on more significance next year. The city official concludes his list by talking about the new short-line railroad agreement.
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Langel cited the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Floyd River as another achievement. The bridge enables people living on the west side of town to safely cross the river without having to share the road with traffic.
Branstad Doing Well After Leg Procedure
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A spokesman for Gov. Terry Branstad says the governor’s outpatient treatment for a minor leg issue went as planned.
A tweet posted Monday from the governor’s official Twitter page says the routine procedure to treat varicose veins in his legs was successful.
Spokesman Jimmy Centers says the governor is expected to need a week of rest and reduced time on his feet. Branstad will be available for calls and meetings and will return to his regular schedule on Jan. 6.
Hearing To Be Held For Online Voting Registration
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The state commission that oversees voting is holding a public hearing on a proposed rule that would start online voter registration in Iowa.
The Iowa Voter Registration Commission is considering a rule that would let anyone with a driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Iowa Department of Transportation to log onto a website and register to vote.
It’s a process used in 17 other states. Commissioner Charlie Smithson says it will benefit 94 percent of the population of Iowa with minimal cost.
Voter rights groups including the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa believe excluding those without a license or photo ID isn’t fair and will push for changes at the hearing set to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Des Moines.
County Courthouse Receives Bomb Threats
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) – A county courthouse in central Iowa was briefly evacuated after authorities say a bomb threat was called in.
The Jasper County Courthouse in Newton was evacuated Monday. Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty says the county treasurer’s office received a threat by phone that a bomb would detonate inside the building at 10 a.m. A similar threat was left on an office voicemail earlier in the morning.
The building was evacuated. Local businesses were notified of the situation and some closed.
Authorities checked the courthouse but found no suspicious devices. It was later reopened.
Halferty says no arrest has been made. The case remains under investigation.
Influenza Is Widespread Across Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Health officials say cases of influenza are spreading across Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Public Health said Monday that its hygienic lab has confirmed cases of the flu in every region of the state. The disease has been categorized as “widespread,”‘ the state’s highest level, following weeks of low to moderate levels.
Officials say there have been at least 130 influenza-related hospitalizations, mostly among elderly people. Several flu outbreaks also have been reported in long-term care facilities.
The flu is a respiratory illness caused by viruses. Symptoms may include fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and body aches.
Doctors are not required to notify Iowa health officials of cases of influenza. State officials rely on a year-round influenza surveillance system to track the disease.
Inmate Fails To Return To Work Release Facility
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Officials say they’re looking for an Iowa inmate who failed to return to a work release facility in Council Bluffs.
The state Department of Corrections says 31-year-old Roger Eugene Madsen was placed on escape status Sunday after he didn’t return from a scheduled program appointment. He was required to check in at a work release facility in Council Bluffs.
Madsen is serving a 20-year sentence on multiple offenses, including first-degree theft and assault. His sentence began in 2009 and he was transferred to work release on Dec. 10.
12 Year Old Girl Dies From Hunting Accident
TRAER, Iowa (AP) – Iowa officials say the victim of a hunting fatality in Tama County over the weekend was a 12-year-old girl.
The state Department of Natural Resources says Liesel Casto died Saturday near Traer after a bullet from a muzzleloader rifle struck her. The girl, also of Traer, was preparing to hunt with others at the time.
Additional information was not released. Officials say the death remains under investigation.
