Firefighters Respond To Vehicle Fire
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire this morning at shortly after 7:00 a.m. The vehicle, an SUV, caught on fire when the front tire broke off from the axle causing the wheel to scrape the pavement, which ignited the vehicle. Fire fighters were able to extinguish the fire using an extinguisher. The fire occured on county road C-30 on the southeast corner of town. Fire officials were at the scene for less than 15 minutes.
Change Batteries In Smoke Detectors
(Le Mars) — Daylight savings time begins later tonight, and in addition to moving your clocks one hour ahead, fire officials say this is an opportune time to change your batteries in your smoke detectors. Fire officials also suggest you take and remove any dust or cobwebs that may have formed on your smoke detector, and to test your detector to be certain it is in proper working condition.
Sanborn Man Arrested For Drugs
(Orange City) — A Sanborn man has been arrested as a result of a traffic stop that led to the discovery of drugs. 48 year old Michael Rydstrom was stopped by Sioux County Sheriff’s officials on Highway 60, two miles south of Alton, on Thursday. Upon further investigation, deputies discovered a controlled substance in Rydstrom’s possession. Rydstrom was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and a third offense of possession of a controlled substance. K9 units of the Sioux County Sheriff’s office and Plymouth County Sheriff’s office assisted in the investigation.
Deere And Company To Retain Workers
WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) – John Deere has cancelled layoffs for several workers at the company’s Waterloo manufacturing factory.
54 employees will keep their jobs at John Deere Waterloo Works. The announcement comes after the Moline, Illinois-based company announced two rounds of layoffs in the past six months.
Deere spokesman Ken Golden on Friday confirmed the cancellation of the layoffs in Waterloo, saying labor needs have changed since the company’s initial layoff announcement.
In January, Deere announced the layoff of 940 workers at five locations in Iowa and Illinois, citing reduced demand for farming equipment as the reason. Of that number, 556 Deere employees in Waterloo were slated for layoff, in addition to 460 who were indefinitely laid off in October.
Potential Presidential Candidates Attend Iowa Agriculture Summit
(Des Moines) — Republican party contributer and Iowa Regent Bruce Rastetter is hosting the first Iowa Agriculture Summit today at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Several potential Republican candidates for U-S president has accepted the invitation to come to Iowa and answer questions about their thoughts as it relates to agriculture, ethanol and other renewable fuels, and environmental issues. Among the politicians and other notable people that have agreed to speak at the Iowa Agriculture Summit include Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Former Texas Governor Rick Perry, Former Pennslyvania Senator Rick Santorum, Businessman Donald Trump, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and Former New York Governor George Pataki. Many people believe the forum will serve as a kick start for the candidates seeking the position of president.
Bush Stands By His Decision On Core Education
URBANDALE, Iowa (AP) – Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is standing by his support for a set of statewide school standards, called Common Core, even though it puts him at odds with some in his party.
Speaking at a congressional fundraiser Friday night in suburban Des Moines, Iowa, Bush tells Republicans that he’s “not going to back down.”
Common Core’s voluntary goals in reading, language arts and math were designed by a bipartisan team and put in place in more than 40 states.
Some possible Republican presidential candidates such as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie once supported Common Core but have backed away from the standards. A segment of Republicans view Common Core as a federal mandate.
Bush’s visit Friday to Iowa is his first as a presidential prospect.
Iowa Couple Pleads Not Guilty To Sex Trafficing
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – An Iowa couple arrested in Virginia with a 20-year-old woman in their recreational vehicle have pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking charges.
Thirty-six-year-old Aldair Hodza and 31-year-old Laura Sorensen of Clive, entered their pleas Friday in U.S. District Court in Richmond. They also pleaded not guilty to a charge of transportation of a person for prostitution.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that a June 22nd trial date was scheduled.
Hodza and Sorensen were arrested January 6th in New Kent County after a trucker saw the alleged victim inside their RV parked at a truck stop.
Investigators say Hodza and Sorensen threatened to kill the victim and her family and forced her into an online prostitution scheme as they traveled to Virginia.
