Snow Storm Expected To Hit Iowa
(Des Moines) — The National Weather Service is warning snow will fall in much of Iowa this afternoon and “dangerously cold conditions” will arrive by Tuesday morning. Meteorologist Jim Lee of the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Des Moines posted a video online describing the forecast.
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The National Weather Service predicts wind speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour and perhaps even higher in some areas as the snow is falling.
Following the snow, Lee says the temperatures will take a dive.
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Snow fell across much of Iowa as Saturday night turned into Sunday morning.
Floyd Valley Hospital Welcomes New Year Baby
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Hospital has announced the arrival of the first baby born in 2015. Lakin Renae Schultze came into the world on Friday, January 2nd at 5:41 p.m. Lakin weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 18 inches in length. Lakin is the proud daughter of Mom, Mindi Nelson and Dad Mitchell Schultze of Le Mars. Mindi says she was ready to deliver the baby following a long labor.
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Nelson says the name Lakin was selected by 4 year old older brother Tavian.
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Floyd Valley Hospital officials informed KLEM news that 14 years ago the New Year’s baby was born the same day, and also was named Lakin.
Auditions Scheduled For Next Le Mars Community Play
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Theater is getting prepared for its next production entitled: “Boeing Boeing”. This 1960’s French farce adapted for the English-speaking stage features self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German, and American fiancées, each beautiful airline hostesses with frequent “layovers”. He keeps “one up, one down and one pending” until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris and Bernard’s apartment at the same time. The play will be directed by Larry Brangwin. The cast requires two men and four women. Auditions are scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday January 12th and 13th at 7:00 p.m. at the Postal Playhouse.
Small Towns Struggle With Sewage Upgrade Costs
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Many small Iowa towns are struggling to afford required costly upgrades to their sewage systems to limit pollution.
Some towns are considering unincorporating to avoid the cost of installing a centralized sewage system.
In the central Iowa town of Luther, the dispute over a proposed $1.4 million plumbing system for about 120 residents prompted several top officials to resign.
Residents worry that the cost of implementing these expensive systems could worsen population loss.
Mount Union Mayor John Marek says his town is looking at filing bankruptcy and unincorporating because of the sewer costs.
Kevin Baskins with the state Department of Natural Resources says he understands the challenges towns face, but there concerns about pollution from people who live downstream.
Many Communities Close Down Sledding Hills Due To Liability Costs
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Part of the fun of sledding is the risk that comes with flying down a steep hill.
But that risk leaves cities open to potential bills from sledding injuries, and some have opted to close hills rather than risk large liability claims.
No one tracks how many cities have banned or limited sledding, but the list grows every year. One of the latest is in Dubuque, Iowa where officials are moving ahead with a plan to ban sledding in all but two of its 50 parks.
Parks manager Marie Ware says Dubuque is hilly and the risk is too prevalent.
In meetings leading up to the ban, City Council members lamented the move but say it’s the only responsible choice given liability concerns and demands from Dubuque’s insurance carrier.
Glenwood Teacher Accused Of Sexual Abuse
GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) – A former Glenwood teacher accused of having a sexual relationship with a student and of giving alcohol to a minor has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge as part of a plea deal.
39-year-old Russell Crouch was arrested and charged in May with sexual exploitation by a school employee and supplying alcohol to a minor.
Crouch was given deferred judgment, meaning if he successfully completes a year of probation, the charge of misdemeanor aggravated assault will be removed from his record. A district court judge has ordered him to complete counseling and therapy.
Crouch taught at Glenwood High School before he resigned. He had been a teacher in the district since 2006 and taught in Hyannis and Ansley, Nebraska.
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Rand Paul May Run For President
WASHINGTON (AP) – He may only yet be a candidate for re-election to his seat in Congress, but Rand Paul is sprinting toward the race for president.
The libertarian-minded Republican senator from Kentucky is set to visit several Western states this month before reintroducing himself to voters in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
Aides insist the first-term senator and son of former Texas Congressman Ron Paul hasn’t finalized his 2016 plans. Yet his aggressive steps leave little doubt about his ambitions.
Paul’s road to the White House won’t be easy.
There are questions about his father’s legacy, Rand Paul’s apparent contradictions on key positions and a Kentucky law that says he can’t run for president and the Senate at the same time.
