Shed Destroyed By Fire
(Merrill) — A shop located about three miles west of Merrill caught on fire Friday evening. The Merrill, Le Mars, and Hinton Fire Departments were all called to respond to the blaze. The alarm was sounded at about 10:35 p.m. at 25872 County Road C-44. Justin Herbst lives at the residence and describes what he saw.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Herbst1.mp3{/audio}
Merrill Fire Chief Jacob Conley says an orange glow could be seen in the horizon once the Merrill Fire Department left town.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Conley1.mp3{/audio}
The entire shed and its contents were destroyed by the fire. Conley estimates the damage to exceed $200,000.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Conley2.mp3{/audio}
In addition to the two tractors that were lost, a skid loader was also destroyed. The shed contained various oils, lubicants, and rubber tires, which Conley says posed an additional danger.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Conley3.mp3{/audio}
The fire remains under investigation. Conley is not certain as to what was the cause of the fire. Herbst say he doesn’t have a clue as to what started the blaze.
Listen to
{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Herbst2.mp3{/audio}
Firefighters remained on the scene until 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The Merrill Fire Department had to return at about 8:30 a.m. in order to extinguish some hot spots.
New Year’s Baby Born At Floyd Valley Hospital
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Hospital has announced the first baby of the new year was born in Le Mars on January 2nd at 5:41 p.m. Lakin Renae Schultze weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces and is 18 inches in length. Lakin Renae is the proud daughter of Mindi Nelson and Mitchell Schultze of Le Mars. Dr. Paul Parmelee was the attending physician. Lakin Renae will be welcomed by an older brother Taylon Michael Schultze
Hospital officials informed KLEM news that the New Year’s Baby born 14 years ago, was born on the same day, and also had the name Lakin.
Elk Horn Finding It Difficult To Repair Historic Windmill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – An old Danish windmill is the pride of Elk Horn, Iowa, but decades after it was moved from Denmark, residents are struggling to pay for repairs to get the structure’s blades turning again.
Windmill manager Lisa Riggs noticed last spring that something was wrong with the 168-year-old windmill, dismantled in Denmark and reassembled in 1975.
An inspection determined the harsh weather had caused some of the mechanics that attach to the giant sails to shift, forcing the blades to be stopped.
Despite its popularity, Riggs says it’s tough for a little town to raise the $25,000 to $100,000 needed for repairs.
Mayor Stan Jens says the windmill has given Elk Horn a huge lift, and it’s essential to get the blades turning again.
