Car Hits Hinton House
(Hinton) — Authorities were called to 1523 Mercury Drive in Hinton last night to investigate a vehicle hitting a home. 32 year old Emily Beschorner of Hinton, was driving her Honda Pilot to her residence at the end of a cul-de-sac when she became disoriented as she approached the driveway of her residence. Beschorner apparently accelerated and ran the vehicle through the northeast corner of the attached garage causing the east wall to detach from the garage. Beschorner was not trapped in the vehicle. She was transported to St. Luke’s Unity Point Hospital in Sioux City by the Hinton Ambulance with minor injuries, and possible other medical issues. The Hinton Fire and Rescue Department was dispatched to the scene, where they used temporary jacks to hold up the corner of the home, and to make it safe. The vehicle sustained approximately $8,000 in damage, and the garage and house sustained approximately $10,000 in damages. The house is owned by Mike Klemmensen. No citations were issued in this incident. Assisting at the scene were the Hinton Fire and Rescue Department, Hinton Ambulance, Merrill Police, and MidAmerican Energy. The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation.
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Check Forgery Case
(Le Mars) — Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of forged checks. Last Monday, Steve Lehner, who owns rental property in Kingsley, called the Plymouth County Sheriff’s office and reported that a subject that he is renting to had issued two forged checks on a Sandra Henry bank account. Information was gathered and warrants were issued. 38 year old Brian Mouw of Kingsley was arrested on two counts of forgery, a class D felony, and one count of theft in the 4th degree, a serious misdemeanor on December 1st. Mouw was transported to the Plymouth County Jail where bond was set at $5,000. This is part of an ongoing case of forged checks from the rural Kingsley address and more charges maybe pending.
City Reports An Increase in New Homes And Commercial Property Construction
(Le Mars) — A sure sign of a community’s growth is to look at the number of building permits issued during the year. During the Le Mars City Council meeting held Tuesday, city code enforcement officer, Jason Vacera offered to city officials a review of the number and the construction costs. Vacera says there were 25 new homes that have been built in Le Mars during this past year, which is higher than the previous year.
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Vacera says the city also saw an increase in the new and renovated industrial and commercial properties.
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Vacera says city officials are always hopeful existing businesses and industries choose to expand, rather than move from Le Mars. He says city leaders try to encourage new employees at those expanding businesses to settle in Le Mars.
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Plymouth County Farm Couple Wins Farm Bureau Award
(Des Moines) — A rural Plymouth County farm couple has won a prestigious honor with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Ben and Janelle Johnson of attended the 97th annual Iowa Farm Bureau Federation convention that concluded yesterday in Des Moines. Johnson says discussion at the conference focused on Iowa’s water quality, and urging the state legislature to approve additional funding for more conservation methods. The Plymouth County couple were honored as being selected as the state’s Young Farmer Achievement Award.
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In addition to their involvement with Farm Bureau, the Johnsons remain active with other agricultural related organizations. Janelle is the co-coordinator with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach with Plymouth County. She is also a member of the Le Mars Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee. Ben serves as a board member to both the Plymouth County Pork Producers and the Plymouth County Fair. He says the judges take into consideration the level of involvement with other organizations.
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Johnson explains why he chose to join the state’s largest farm organization.
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The Young Farmer says through the Farm Bureau organization, he has taken on a more of an active role visiting with government leaders about issues important to agriculture.
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Iowa Legislator Says The State Will Need To Make Deep Budget Cuts
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A House Republican leader says Iowa lawmakers will need to make deep cuts to the budget next year, but he did not elaborate.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Grassley of New Hartford says Wednesday that Republicans will base their budget priorities for the fiscal year beginning in July on roughly $7.35 billion in current revenue projections estimated by state experts. He says that’s about $175 million in new revenue.
Grassley says his data show Iowa is facing hundreds of millions of dollars in expected new costs, so “tough decisions” will be needed. He says he can’t elaborate on potential cuts until a final revenue projection is issued.
Lawmakers are expected to debate again over supplemental aid for K through 12 schools. Grassley says Republicans are still meeting over what amount to support.
University Of Iowa Children’s Hospital Now To Have Name Of Donor
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) – The University of Iowa’s governing board has abruptly renamed the school’s 96-year-old children’s hospital to honor a top donor who played a role in the recent presidential search.
The Board of Regents voted Wednesday to name the UI Children’s Hospital the “Stead Family University of Iowa Children’s Hospital” after businessman Jerre Stead and his wife, Mary Joy.
The name will take effect when the new $360 million hospital is dedicated next year. The plan was unveiled publicly hours before Wednesday’s 9-0 board vote.
The Steads have pledged $53.9 million to support children’s medicine and the business school. Jerre Stead is CEO of IHS, a business information provider.
Jerre Stead was on the search committee that recruited businessman Bruce Harreld for the UI presidency. Harreld has called him a mentor.
