Neunaber To Face Mental Competency Hearing Today
(Le Mars) — A mental competency hearing for an Akron, Iowa man accused of first degree murder in the death of his mother is scheduled for Friday.
The hearing for Jonathan Neunaber will take place at 9am in Plymouth County District Court.
Neunaber has been evaluated by both a state appointed expert as well as a licensed psychologist chosen by the defendant.
Because it is a medical hearing the proceedings are closed to the public and the media.
Neunaber remains held at the Plymouth County Jail charged with the July, 2014 death of his mother, Esther Neunaber at her rural Akron home. An autopsy report indicated she died from blunt trauma to the head. Her husband, Donald Neunaber’s body, was also found in the residence. The coroner ruled he died of natural causes.
Fire Department Suggests To Keep Space Heaters Away From Combustibles
(Le Mars) — We conclude our series of reports focusing on fire safety in the home during the holidays. Space heaters, fire places, and other heating elements can provide a home with warmth and comfort. But they can also be a fire danger in a home. Le Mars Fire Chief Dave Schipper says it is a good idea to have a professional check and clean your fire place, as well as your furnace.
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The Le Mars Fire Chief says that space heaters should be kept at a distance of at least three feet away from any combustibles, and they should be plugged in directly to an electrical wall socket, and avoid using electrical extension cords when using a space heater.
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If you would like to get additional information as to how to keep your home safe from fires this holiday season, you can contact the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department.
Wasmer Post #241 To Participate In Wreaths Across America
(Le Mars) — Wreaths Across America is a program held each year since 2007 where veterans place Christmas wreaths at the graves of fallen soldiers from previous years. The Wasmer Post #241 American Legion of Le Mars will hold a small ceremony on Saturday at the Plymouth County Veterans park located at 3rd Ave and 10th Street southeast beginning at 10:45 a.m. Wayne Schipper serves as the post commander of the local American Legion. He explains the purpose behind Wreaths Across America.
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Schipper says Le Mars is one of ten Iowa locations to receive the wreaths and to honor the past veterans. The wreaths all originate from the state of Maine, and Schipper says this year more than 900 thousand wreaths have been created, and will be placed at either the grave stones of veterans, or at memorials. Wayne Schipper says the local American Legion post will place seven wreaths at the local veterans park.
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The elder Schipper says the number of wreaths have doubled in a few years. He says the program was started by a non-profit entity in Maine. Schipper says the wreaths look similar to other holiday wreaths.
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Museum Requests Funding From County Supervisors
(Le Mars) — The Plymouth County Historical Museum is requesting additional money from the county supervisors’ budget for the next fiscal year. Judy Bowman serves as the administrator for the county museum and explains in past years, the county has provided $13,500.
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Bowman says the supervisors have been very supportive of the museum in the past, and she says the museum’s board of directors and volunteers appreciate the financial support of the county. The money allocated to the museum from the county serves only as a small piece of the museum’s entire budget.
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While meeting with the county board of supervisors, Bowman offered an update regarding the Joy Hollow log cabin that was moved from the fairgrounds to the museum grounds last summer.
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Bowman says an Eagle Scout candidate, Lucas Hauser is working on selling monogramed bricks to serve as a sidewalk and possibly a patio for the log cabin. Bowman says they hope to be able to raise enough money through the sale of bricks that will help finance the new roof.
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Airplane Crashes Near Interstate 29 Close To Council Bluffs
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say one person is dead after a small plane that took off from an Omaha airport crashed on Interstate 29 north of Council Bluffs.
The Pottawattamie County sheriff’s office says the pilot and sole occupant died in the wreck shortly before noon on Thursday. Authorities say the plane experienced engine problems after takeoff. The plane struck a power line during the crash.
The Iowa Department of Transportation says authorities initially closed the interstate directly across the Missouri River from Omaha’s Eppley Airfield. Traffic was later restricted to one lane in each direction for several miles.
Traffic camera footage shows the wreckage in the grass alongside the interstate. Fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles were at the scene, blocking traffic.
