Early Morning Storms Create Down Trees And Power Outages
(Le Mars) — Le Mars Fire Department were at the 600 block of 4th Street Southwest, near the truck stop, where apparently a tree was on fire, after strong winds had blown the branches into the power line. Fire Chief Dave Schipper says a blast of strong winds passed through the area causing the tree to touch the electrical highline. Power was interrupted for a few minutes. Traffic lights near the Dairy Queen were also out for a while this morning. MidAmerican Energy officials have been notified and are expected to arrive at the scene shortly. Strong winds have also created some downed trees and power lines in an area east of Highway 75 near county road C-12, as a storm passed through the region. Plymouth County Sheriff’s office is reporting several reports of downed power lines and trees at various locations within the county.
Ice Cream Days Declared A Success
(Le Mars) — By all accounts, the Le Mars Ice Cream Days can be considered a success. Thousands of people had lined both sides of Central Avenue to view the big parade. The parade lasted slightly over an hour, with over 80 floats and exhibits. Many of the ice cream days activities drew significant crowds during the four-day festival. To view the different activities from ice cream days, you can visit the KLEM website at www.klem1410.com. There, you will find more than 200 photos of the various events and activities, including the Ice Cream Days parade.
Le Mars Community School Board To Meet This Evening
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Community Board of Education will meet this evening, but they have a fairly short agenda. The school board will discuss the Iowa Association of School Boards fiscal management conference. The school board will also discuss the IASB legislative priorities for 2016. The school board will discuss superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt’s progress on the goals established as part of the superintendent’s evaluation process. The school board will also discuss the goals and plan of action for the next few years.
Restaurants Finding It Difficult To Locate Eggs
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Restaurants are struggling to deal with higher egg prices and an inability to get enough eggs in the midst of a shortage brought about by a bird flu virus that has wiped out millions of chickens on commercial farms.
Some owners are looking at passing the costs along to egg-eating customers, while others have taken especially eggy dishes off the menu.
An Omaha breakfast and lunch eatery owner says his supplier’s inventory has dwindled because of demand and production is down because of federal testing.
The owner of a Des Moines, Iowa, cafe says the rise in prices is costing him $400 to $500 a week.
Egg prices began falling last week, but officials say it could take up to two years to return to normal production.
Ohio Governor May Enter Presidential Race
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio Governor John Kasich (KAY’-sik) is hitting the road again later this week.
The Ohio governor will be making his first trip to Iowa since he began exploring whether to enter the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Kasich has yet to officially announce his decision on the 2016 presidential race.
He recently was in South Carolina, Michigan and New Hampshire.
Kasich’s trip to Iowa on Wednesday will have him making several stops in Des Moines and Council Bluffs.
Report Shows Motorists Don’t Appeal Traffic Citations From Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Data show motorists in Iowa’s largest cities don’t often appeal citations from traffic enforcement cameras.
Just 2.7 percent of motorists in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Sioux City appeal such citations. The city of Davenport doesn’t track the information and officials in Muscatine didn’t provide the data.
The success rate ranges for motorists who appeal citations. In Council Bluffs, 83 percent of motorists who appealed had them dismissed. The rate ranges from 20 to 50 percent for motorists in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Sioux City.
The newspaper reports motorists may not often appeal because the process can require visiting a city department during a weekday.
City officials say the cameras make roads safer by enforcing speed limits.
Two Des Moines Men Jumped Into River After Beer Event
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Police say two men will be charged with public intoxication after jumping into the Des Moines River.
According to authorities, police and rescue crews responded to reports of someone jumping into the river and not resurfacing just after 5 p.m. Saturday. Two men were taken out of the water uninjured.
According to police, the two men had jumped off a ledge near the Riverwalk Hub. The Iowa Craft Beer Festival was just ending in the area, and Iowa Brewers Guild President Dave Ropte said this was the lone incident at the sold-out event.
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Authorities Say 68 Year Old Woman’s Death Ruled As A Homicide
MELCHER-DALLAS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say the death of a 68-year-old woman in Marion County is being investigated as a homicide.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says Shirley Carter was found dead Friday morning in her residence near Melcher-Dallas. Preliminary results from an autopsy report indicate she died from a gunshot wound.
Additional information about the death has not been released. Local and state authorities are investigating.
Palo Woman Dies After Being Struck By Lightning
PALO, Iowa (AP) – State officials say a Hiawatha woman died after she was struck by lightning at a recreation area in eastern Iowa.
The state Department of Natural Resources says 42-year-old Rebecca McCarty was camping with family and friends at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area near Palo when she was struck by lightning shortly after 5:30 p.m. Saturday. She was pronounced dead at a Cedar Rapids hospital.
McCarty had been walking between camping spots at the time.
The National Weather Service says heavy rainfall and strong thunderstorms were recorded Saturday across eastern Iowa.
Des Moines Man Dies Following Stabbing Fight
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 27-year-old man was stabbed to death after a fight broke out at a party in Des Moines.
Police say officers responded to a 911 early Sunday and found the 27-year-old man along with 23-year-old person. Both had stab wounds and were taken to a Des Moines hospital. The 27-year-old man later died from his injuries.
A third person, identified as a man, showed up at a separate hospital with injuries.
Police say the three people were linked to a fight that broke out at a party on the city’s east side and spilled into the street.
The case remains under investigation.
Two Teenagers Injured During Tubing Incident On Lake Panorama
PANORA, Iowa (AP) – Officials say two teenagers were injured while tubing on Lake Panorama in Guthrie County, and one of them was airlifted to a hospital.
The state Department of Natural Resources says 15-year-old Angela Cary and 16-year-old Rachael Anfinson were on a three-person tube being towed by a boat Saturday afternoon when the tube hit a wave. The girls and a 19-year-old woman were thrown into the water.
Cary, of West Des Moines, suffered a head injury and was airlifted to a Des Moines hospital. Anfinson, of Urbandale, also suffered a head injury and was taken by private car to another Des Moines hospital. She received stitches and was released. The 19-year-old woman was not hurt.
Additional information about Cary’s condition is unavailable.
Woman Survives Fall From Cliff
MADRID, Iowa (AP) – Officials say a woman is alive after falling about 40 feet from a cliff at a state park in central Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says 19-year-old Shannon Novak fell Saturday afternoon from a cliff along the Lost Lake Trail at Ledges State Park in Madrid.
Novak was with two friends when she lost her footing. Officials estimate she fell about 40 feet onto a ledge.
Novak was conscious and talking to bystanders when she was rescued. She was taken to a Des Moines hospital for injuries to her back and ankle.
