Fire Destroys Hay Shed
(Kingsley) — A Wednesday afternoon structure fire destroyed more than 100 tons of hay, cornstalks, feed products, a hay shed and feed bunker. Also lost in the fire were three small grain bins, and some farm equipment including a hay grinder and a flatbed trailer. The fire was reported at 31582 county road K-64, or about five miles northwest of Kingsley. Fire broke out shortly after 12:30 Wednesday afternoon, and both the Kingsley Fire Department and the Moville Fire Department responded to the blaze. Owner Rick Plendl believes a bad bearing on his hay grinder may have been responsible for the fire.
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Plendl says almost immediately the hay shed and its contents were on fire due to the strong south winds that helped fan the flames. Fire officials had some difficulty in getting the fire under control because of the strong winds. Plendl estimates the losses may add up to more than $50-thousand dollars.
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Plendl admits to being fortunate that the fire was situated on the eastern edge of his homestead, and none of his other buildings were in danger. Plendl and several hired hands helped move grain trailers, tractors, and other farm equipment allowing fire fighters better access to the fire, and protecting his equipment from also catching on fire. One concern for fire officials was a 1000 gallon fuel tank that was situated next to the flames. Fire fighters kept spraying water on the fuel tank in order to keep it cool. Once fire officials were able to get the fire under control, then construction equipment including a back hoe and a payloader were brought in to the scene to help fire officials gain better access. Fire fighters were on the scene for several hours.
Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary Awards Scholarships
(Le Mars) — Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary awarded two $1,000 scholarships to area students during the Chamber Coffee Wednesday morning. The scholarships will go to Chantel Cockburn of Le Mars and Abby Van Den Top of Hospers. Cockburn attends Le Mars Community and plans to pursue a nursing career with emphasis in pediatrics. Cockburn is the daughter of Jamie and Steve Cockburn, and she plans to attend South Dakota State University. Abby Van Den Top is a senior at Remsen St. Mary’s. She intends to pursue a degree in Radiology at Wayne State College. Abby is the daughter of Michael and Tricia Van Den Top. Nancy Augustine serves as the co-chair for the hospital auxiliary scholarship program. She says the scholarship program has been active for at least 20 years.
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Augustine says eligible applicants must pursue a career in the health profession.
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The hospital auxiliary volunteer explains how the organization raises the money for the scholarships.
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Augustine says seven different people review the scholarship applications before the finalists are selected.
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The scholarship committee chair says each scholarship judge has their own criteria in determining a worthy candidate.
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The Floyd Valley Hospital Auxiliary also donated $1,000 to the Floyd Valley Hospital Education Department to be used for hospital staff training. Floyd Valley Hospital Education Coordinator, Marlys Van Otterloo, explains.
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Gehlen Catholic To Hold Awards Program
(Le Mars) — Gehlen Catholic High School will hold its student awards and scholarship program this morning beginning at 9:30 a.m.to be held in the Kellen Memorial Gymnasium. 51 Gehlen High School seniors will be recognized, as well as the naming of the class valedictorian and salutatorians. Honors will be bestowed upon the senior class for their academic achievements.
Judge Increases Bail On Sioux City Man For Death Of Four Month Old Daughter
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – A judge has increased the bail for a Sioux City man who was granted a new trial in the death of his 4-month-old daughter.
Bail was raised from $50,000 to $100,000 for 25-year-old Paul Hill, who is charged with child endangerment causing the February 2009 death of Tryniti Jo Hill. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Prosecutors requested the increase, saying Hill might leave the area if released from custody. Hill’s attorneys argued his bail shouldn’t change because he had attended all his hearings prior to his original trial.
Body Found At Sioux City Marina
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – Investigators are working to identify a body recovered from a marina in Sioux City.
The Sioux City Police Department says the body pulled from the MlrTym Landing marina around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday is that of a male. Police say employees spotted him floating in the water.
Sgt. Scott Hatting says that no cause of death has been determined. He says the body has been handed over to the Woodbury County Medical Examiner, who will perform an autopsy.
No further information has been released.
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House Approves Health Services Budget
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Republican-led Iowa House has approved a $1.84 billion spending plan for health and human services departments, offering less funding than Gov. Terry Branstad or the Democratic-controlled Senate.
In a 56-40 vote, the House approved the plan Wednesday. It’s less than the $1.9 billion budget backed by the Senate. Both sides now must work out a compromise deal for the budget bill, which includes funding for Medicaid, public health programs and veterans.
The House plan includes a strategy backed by Branstad and the Department of Human Services to keep two state-run mental health facilities open through Dec. 15. Earlier plans called for closing the facilities sooner.
Republican House members also want to change the funding source for a family planning program, seeking to block abortion providers from offering care.
