Two Vehicle Accident Causes Three To Be Seriously Injured
(Le Mars) — A two vehicle accident happened last evening at about 11:30 p.m. on county road C-38, between Otter Avenue and county road K-64, or about five miles southeast of Le Mars, causing three people to be seriously injured. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s office received a call of a possible intoxicated driver traveling west on C-38 from the Cherokee County line. As deputies were enroute to check on the complaint, they came upon the accident scene. At that time, there was a 2012 Dodge Charger in the traveled portion of the roadway with a male driver inside the vehicle. The other vehicle was a 2011 Chevy Equinox located in the north ditch with both a male person trapped in the vehicle and a female passenger still in the vehicle. The Chevy Equinox was on fire upon the deputy’s arrival. The deputies were able to put out the fire with the use of fire extinguishers.
The Plymouth County Sheriff’s office and the Iowa Highway Patrol are investigating the accident. It appears the Chevy was traveling east on C-38 and the Dodge was traveling west. It is believed that the Chevy crossed the center line and contact was made in the west bound lane of travel. All three people were taken to Floyd Valley Hospital and then transferred to Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. All the injuries are considered life threatening at this point. Assisting at the scene were the Le Mars and Remsen Police Departments, Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department, Oyens Fire Department, Remsen Fire Department, Le Mars Ambulance, Oyens Ambulance, and the Remsen Ambulance, along with the Iowa Highway Patrol. The accident scene remains under investigation, and the names of the injured victims are being withheld until family members have been notified. More information will be released as it becomes available.
Hull Woman Hits School Bus
HULL, Iowa (AP) – A woman has been injured after her vehicle struck a school bus in Hull.
According to the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, 58-year-old Pam Van Sloten was traveling southeast of Hull Wednesday morning when she lost control of her vehicle, slid sideways and struck a bus traveling in the opposite direction.
Van Sloten was transported to Sioux Center Community Hospital and later flown to Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. She is listed as being in fair condition.
According to police, the school bus driver and the children on board were not injured in the crash.
An investigation is ongoing.
“Bodacious Babes Of Buzzard Bend” To Be Presented Tonight
(Le Mars) — This evening will be the scheduled performance of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce mystery dinner theater “The Bodacious Babes of Buzzard Bend.” Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with the dinner to start at 7:00 p.m. and the play to follow. That event will take place at the Le Mars Convention Center.
Puetz Family Honored For Environmental Stewardship
DES MOINES – A Plymouth County farming family was recently recognized at a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair for environmental stewardship. Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp presented 95 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award during a ceremony at the Iowa State Fair. Receiving recognition for their soil and water conservation measures were Bob and Lisa Puetz of Le Mars, along with their son, Cory, and his wife Kari. The Puetz family have implemented several conservation measures for their farming operation, including no-till farming, terraces, grass waterways, buffer strips, and windbreaks around his pork production buildings. The Puetz family is active with the Pheasants Forever Chapter and have helped establish wildlife habitat. Earlier this spring, the Puetz family hosted Governor Branstad as he signed the proclamation acknowledging Soil and Water Conservation Week. The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is a joint effort between the Governor, Lt. Governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. It seeks to recognize the exemplary voluntary actions of farmers that improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state while also encouraging other farmers to follow in their footsteps by building success upon success.
This is the fourth year for the award program and to date more than 300 families have received recognition.
Sioux City Man Arrested For Arson
(Sioux City) — Sioux City police have arrested a 51 year old male suspected of setting at least five fires within close proximity to each other in the area of Hamilton Blvd. and Tri View Avenue. The Sioux City Fire and Rescue crews responded to all four fires. Jeffrey Rosenbaum was located in the area of the fires and questioned by law enforcement officers. Rosenbaum has been charged with one count of Arson in the first degree, and four counts of Arson in the second degree. On Friday evening, the first fire was reported at about 1:05 a.m. in a construction size dumpster located at 1501 Tri View Avenue. The second fire was reported just before 3:00 a.m. along the railroad tracks in the area of 1100 Tri View Avenue. The third fire was near a motel located at 1401 Zenith Drive, and it was reported at approximately 4:20 a.m. When it was reported, fire officials thought the motel itself was on fire. But fortunately, the fire was in a construction dumpster within five feet of the motel. The motel was occupied at the time of the fire by a large number of guests, but the fire was extinguished without any damage to the building, and none of the guests were displaced from their rooms because of the fire. A fourth fire was found at approximately 4:30 a.m. at 1515 Zenith Drive. This fire was spotted by Sioux City Fire Department personnel as they were putting out the fire at 1401 Zenith Drive. Again, another dumpster was set on fire at that location. Then on Tuesday evening at about 8:50 p.m. a fire was reported north of the railroad tracks in the 1100 block of Tri View Avenue. A joint investigation between the Sioux City Police Department and the Sioux City Fire Marshal’s office has determined that all of the fires were intentionally set believed to be related. Police arrested Rosenbaum at about 10:17 p.m. Tuesday evening.
Regents Agree To Spring Semester Tuition Increase
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – The governing board for Iowa’s three public universities has approved a roughly $100 tuition increase for students at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University.
The Iowa Board of Regents voted 7-2 Wednesday for the increase, which will exempt students at the University of Iowa.
The mid-year increase at UNI and Iowa State ends a tuition freeze for in-state undergraduate students that went into effect several years ago.
The board originally intended to raise tuition at all three schools. The proposal was amended after the president of UI’s student government asked board members to consider the extra tuition’s financial impact on some students.
Student representatives for UNI and Iowa State said the additional money would help offset rapid student population growth and inadequate state funding.
State Universities Have Increased Enrollment
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa (AP) – Representatives for Iowa’s three public universities say student enrollment numbers are up, and they include some records.
Iowa State University had just over 36,000 students enrolled for the fall 2015 semester, making it the largest enrollment in school history.
The University of Iowa, which had more than 32,000 students enrolled for the same semester, also had more than 5,200 students for its class of 2019. School officials say it’s the university’s largest class.
Officials for the University of Northern Iowa say its total fall enrollment is more than 11,900. It’s the third consecutive year of enrollment growth for the Cedar Falls school.
The numbers were discussed during the Iowa Board of Regents’ meeting on Wednesday.
Des Moines Airport Looking At Private/Public Partnership To Finance Terminal
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A public-private partnership is being explored as a way to pay for a new terminal at Des Moines International Airport.
The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/1XOUw99 ) that financing consultants discussed the possibilities at Tuesday’s meeting of the Airport Authority Board.
David Fisher, a retired corporate executive hired by the airport to find funding for the terminal, says there could be tremendous savings.
Airport executive director Kevin Foley says the potential benefits merited further research, but he is against privatizing the construction or operation of facilities outside the terminal such as parking garages, which generate a profit for the airport.
Airport officials say the old terminal is too small, becoming costly to maintain and isn’t configured for modern security and passenger needs.
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Former Lottery Official Sentenced To Prison
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A former lottery security official has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for rigging a computerized Hot Lotto game in 2010 in an attempt to win a $14 million jackpot in Iowa.
Eddie Tipton, of Norwalk, never got any of the money, but a jury convicted him in July on two counts of fraud. The 52-year-old also was accused of trying to get acquaintances to cash the prize for him without revealing his identity.
During a sentencing hearing Wednesday, Judge Jeffrey Farrell told Tipton his violation of trust was the biggest factor in him receiving the maximum sentence on each count.
Prosecutors say Tipton inserted a stealth program into the computer that picks numbers for the game and then bought tickets.
Tipton is appealing and remains free on bond.
