Fire Department Having To Respond To Two Calls At Nearly The Same Time
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had a busy evening last night, having to respond to two calls at the same time. Both calls happened at about 8:00 p.m. The first call was at a residence near Foster Park when fire officials were called to a home that had its electrical power lines down as a result of the heavy snowfall. MidAmerican Energy officials also came to the scene to help with the downed power lines. The second call involved a one vehicle accident on Highway 75 just a short distance south of Fedder’s Marine and RV. The vehicle lost control on the slick icy roads and left the roadway, rolling down a steep embankment. The people in the car were using seat belts and child restraint seats, and as a result, they did not encounter any major injuries. The Le Mars Ambulance and the Le Mars Police Department also responded to the accident scene.
Fire And Rescue Department Issues November Report
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department responded to a total of 38 calls in November. In its monthly report, the fire department answered 15 fire related calls, seven rescues, seven investigations, and six mutual aid calls to Merrill, Sioux Center, and Orange City. Three times, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department had requests for services.
Sheriff’s Deputies Respond To Assault Incident
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County deputies were called to a rural Remsen address on Friday for a reported assault that had just occurred there. The reporting party, Douglas Stoos, age 58, reported that he had been physically assaulted by his daughter, Lauren Christal Goss, age 21. It was reported that during the physical assault, Goss also displayed a kitchen hatchet as well as a steak knife in a threatening manner. Goss was charged with Aggravated Domestic Assault, an aggravated misdemeanor. Goss was held with no bond and is required to see a judge before being released.
Goss also had an outstanding warrant from Sioux County for Failure to Appear for Operating While Intoxicated 1st Offense with a bond of $2,000.00.
City Council Formally Approves Name Change For Floyd Valley Hospital
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council formally approved of the name change for Floyd Valley Hospital to its new name Floyd Valley Healthcare. Since the medical facility is a municipality and owned by the city, the city council was required to act on the measure. The city council completed its third and final reading of the new name during Tuesday’s council meeting. The city’s governing board had to revise an ordinance for the new name. Floyd Valley’s administrator Mike Donlin says the staff will start a transition process beginning January 1st. He says the staff will begin answering the telephone identifying themselves as “Floyd Valley Healthcare”. Donlin also stated the office stationery will begin to incorporate the new name. The administrator says the main reason to act on the name change now is to have the signs ready for when the staff moves into the new addition. Donlin says the company producing those signs require at least a three-month lead time. Donlin says the name change was adopted to better reflect all of the medical services provided at the facility.
City Council Approves 2016 List Of Capital Improvement Projects
(Le Mars) — The Le Mars City Council approved a list of 15 capital improvement projects that are to be started in 2016. Many of the improvement projects would require tax increment financing, or TIF funding. Councilman Rex Knapp informed his colleagues that not all projects may be completed, and many of the projects may be more expensive than the given cost estimate. However, Knapp says, in order for the capital improvement projects to qualify for TIF funding, the city must show there is a plan in place prior to the expiration of the Le Mars Urban Renewal Area. Three of the 15 proposed projects have already received council approval. Some of those 15 projects include : a water main replacement for residents and businesses along Business Highway 75, Airport terminal renovations, 18th Street southwest Union Pacific Railroad Crossing safety gates and lights, Business Highway 75 resurfacing, 6th Avenue and 6th Street and Business Highway 75 intersection reconfiguration, widening of Lincoln Street, miscellaneous water and sewer system improvements, miscellaneous street improvements, and miscellaneous industrial park improvements.
City Council Continue To Discuss ATVs And Snowmobiles On City Streets
(Le Mars) — All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles operating on city streets was discussed again during the Le Mars city council meeting held on Tuesday. The council was still debating whether the city should implement a registration process and fee which would allow such recreational vehicles on the streets of Le Mars. Captain Tim Hopp of the Le Mars Police Department indicated to the city council, that the department has not had many complaints about such vehicles. He urged the council to waive any registration procedures, stating the department does not have the sufficient staff to executive a registration program. Councilman Clark Goodchild says he would like to see police officers inspect the recreational vehicles to make certain they comply with city ordinance codes. City administrator Scott Langel asked the council “What is the purpose for more registration, and what are we trying to regulate, and why?” The city council moved ahead and passed the first of three readings of the proposed new ordinance. Councilman Knapp indicated the council would have to hold two more readings and the ordinance code could be amended during those readings of the proposed code. The council was split on the issue voting 3-2 in favor.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Holding Annual Conference
(Des Moines) — “Growing for the Greater Good” is the chosen theme for this year’s 97th annual Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Convention now happening at Des Moines. Farm Bureau members will hear from Iowa Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director, Debi Durham will share how state agencies are working together with farmers and local communities on projects that benefit the state. The state’s water quality issues will be discussed as Iowa State University Agronomy Associate Professor, Michael Castellano and Iowa State University Biosystems Engineer, Matt Helmers “bust the myths with real science” as they discuss the science behind water quality in Iowa. Iowa Farm Bureau President, Craig Hill will deliver his annual address to members today. Spokeswoman, Lauri John offers a preview to Hill’s address.
Listen to
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Plymouth County’s own Ben and Janelle Johnson are among the finalists for the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award.
Ernst Retires From Iowa National Guard
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – U. S. Sen. Joni Ernst has retired from the Iowa Army National Guard.
Calling her time in the military one of her “greatest honors,” Ernst announced Tuesday that she had retired from the role.
In a statement, she said she was focusing on her work as a senator and spending time with her family.
A lieutenant colonel, Ernst served more than 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and Iowa Army National Guard. Ernst served as company commander in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Her retirement was effective Nov. 30.
Ernst is currently serving her first term in the U.S. Senate. She was elected in 2014 after a campaign that emphasized her military experience.
University Presidents Ask For Additional Funding
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The presidents of two public universities in Iowa say they want more state dollars to add faculty and increase salaries.
University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld says he’s requesting more than $5 million in additional funds for the upcoming fiscal year to help increase the salaries of some faculty. He told Gov. Terry Branstad during a presentation Tuesday that the money would keep the university competitive.
Iowa State University President Steven Leath says part of his request for $8.2 million in additional funds would be used to hire more faculty and lower the school’s student-to-faculty ratio. He says ISU’s enrollment has increased by more than 10,000 over 10 years.
Iowa’s three public universities request state funds annually. The University of Northern Iowa wants more than $7.6 million in additional dollars.
